For Sure and Certain I Do NOT Love Henry Yoder — J.E.B. Spredemann

ELLIEHenry Yoder has been a thorn in my flesh since fourth grade. I can't stand him.No matter that he's my brother's best friend.No matter that all the young women in our community swoon every time he's out on the hockey pond.No matter that he has mesmerizing eyes a girl could get lost in. (Oh no, did I admit that out loud?) Scratch that.No matter that he relentlessly pursues me no matter how many times I turn him down.Henry Yoder is bad news.But when I accidentally ride home with him from a singing...and accidentally kiss him, I know I'm in big trouble.HENRYI admit that I tricked Ellie Petersheim into a buggy ride, and I have the bruises on my back to prove it. Don't ask.But, somehow, during the tumultuous evening, I manage to kiss Ellie. And get this. She kisses me back. Jah, she said it was just a natural reaction, but my gut is telling me that deep down inside, she might like me just a smidgen. And it's that smidgen that gives me hope.But apparently, I've committed some type of unforgivable sin in the past to make Ellie despise me. And I have no clue what it is. Elijah doesn't even know.Eli's been my best friend since the beginning of time. Hockey teammates on the pond. We're thick as thieves. (Not that we'd ever rob a bank or anything.) But now he's convinced I've done something to his sister and is breathing threats and flinging hockey pucks at my head.All I know is that I need forgiveness for something before I can make Ellie fall in love with me and we can ride off into the sunset together.