"I don't want to lose you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Joe, please, I need some time. I need to think things over and decide. This is something I have to do on my own."
"Why? Whatever you need to think about, I want to be there to help you. I care about you, Samantha."
She bit down on her lip to keep from bursting into tears. She wanted to stay here with Joseph, wanted to see where life would take them, but she couldn't. She couldn't risk doing to him what he had done to her under the potion's spell. "I'm sorry, Joe. I can't."
"Will I see you again?"
"I don't know."
Joseph went to his desk and picked up a package wrapped in red paper. He dropped the package beside her on the bed. "I bought this for you the other day."
"Joseph, I couldn't accept this-"
"I want you to have it. Please." She tore the paper off the box to find a tiny black telephone inside. "It's a cell phone. I didn't think they had phones in Amish country. See, I wrote my number down in there so you can call me whenever you want. There's even a battery charger. I did a few modifications so it'll run on solar power. All you have to do is leave the charger in the sun when the battery runs down. If you ever want to talk, that is."
Samantha couldn't hold back the tears now. "Oh, Joseph, thank you so much. I love it." Their friendly embrace soon turned to a passionate kiss. She wanted to stay there with him forever, but she couldn't. She couldn't risk hurting him.
She eased away from Joseph, the package tucked under her arm. She didn't know what to say, finally blurting out, "Thank you." Then she hurried out of the room and downstairs, where Prudence and Wendell were waiting.
"Is he coming?" Mr. Pryde asked.
"No," Samantha said. Mr. Pryde nodded in silent understanding. He ushered them out to the car, where Samantha rode in the front seat so Prudence and Wendell could be together. She hoped Joseph would come bursting out the front door to meet them, but he didn't. She watched for any sign of him in the rearview mirror until the house disappeared from view. She turned her head just enough so that she saw Wendell take Prudence's hand.
On the dock, Mr. Pryde thrust his hands into his pocket and stared out at the water. "You kids remember what I said. You're welcome to come back here anytime."
"We'll remember," Prudence said.