A strange feeling of happiness hit him because he had felt something between them. From the first moment he’d gotten the chance to speak with her. “I hope you’re right. I don’t know what is going to happen between the two of us, but I’ve been telling myself that maybe it’s one-sided.”
Logan grinned. “Trust me, brother. It ain’t.”
Feeling almost optimistic, Kyle took another bite of his sandwich, already imagining ways to tell his parents about Gabby’s upcoming visit.
“So . . . when are you planning to see her again?” Will asked.
“Well . . .”
“Stop, everyone,” Harley interjected. “My brother’s business ain’t no concern of yours.”
Kyle couldn’t believe it. Harley had just defended him.
“I’m not trying to be rude, I just was thinking about your parents,” Will said. “I mean, they ain’t like John B.’s.” As if he had just realized how rude that sounded, he murmured, “No offense.”
“Our parents will be fine,” Harley said, his voice as cold as their father’s when all five of his siblings had forgotten to do their chores. “Just because they don’t talk to everyone nonstop, they’re not as evil as you make them sound.”
“We all know they ain’t evil,” Logan said. “Of course they aren’t. Nobody thinks that.”
Looking contrite, Logan added, “I only meant that they really like you all doing what is expected. And they expect all of you to get baptized and join the church. They really like you being Amish.”
“Logan and Will, you really are being rude,” Marie said. “You know Kyle doesn’t want to talk about this with all of us. We may be close, but he is Harley’s little brother. Not a part of the Eight.”
Logan put the last fourth of his sandwich down. “I’m sorry, Kyle. Marie is right. I guess I’ve been so used to everyone asking questions about me and Tricia that I forget that it’s not appropriate.” Looking over at Harley, he added, “I wasn’t trying to be rude.”
Before Harley could say anything, Kyle spoke. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not a kid.” After glancing at his brother, he said, “Actually, I’m kind of glad you asked me all those questions. It’s made me think about a lot of things I’ve been avoiding. I should have already been thinking about the future or what could happen.”
“There’s no timetable or right way to navigate friendships,” Harley said, darting a glance at Kyle. “And you know that Mamm and Daed would never be rude to Gabby to her face. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Which was almost a lie. After all, Harley hadn’t given him any reassurance about what their parents might say to him when they were alone.
“For what it’s worth, I think she seems like a real nice girl,” Katie said. “Once, Caleb and I ran into a bunch of his friends at a horse auction. I felt completely intimidated. It doesn’t matter how nice or friendly an older sibling’s friends are. They are still older, and sometimes that makes all the difference.”
Katie was exactly right. Though he would’ve never asked his older brother’s friends for advice, he sure appreciated it now. “Danke for saying that about Gabby,” Kyle murmured.
Ten minutes later, when they were walking back to Katie’s house, his brother walked to his side. “I’m sorry about earlier. Logan shouldn’t have put you on the spot.” He sighed. “In his defense, I think since he fell in love with Tricia, being younger and an Englischer, he was trying to be supportive. It just didn’t come off that way.”
“It wasn’t your fault, and I really meant what I said. I’ve been telling myself that all the differences between me and Gabby don’t matter. Or that they weren’t something I had to worry about yet. But I should.”
“The older I get, the more I realize that relationships and friendships are hard. There isn’t only one right way to do things.”
EIGHTEEN
“Well, as you can imagine, Mr. Schlabach’s eyes bugged out like Katie had begun stripping right in front of him. Then, Andy went and groaned like he’d just been kicked in the ribs.” Harley chuckled. “It was a nightmare, I tell ya.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t just Andy who acted like I’d spoiled all the fun. As if the feral goats and old Mr. Schlabach’s rifle didn’t have anything to do with it.”
Harley hoped he wouldn’t have another day like this anytime soon. First had come the stress of helping Katie continue to clear her house without hurting her feelings or making her even more self-conscious. The whole time, he’d been torn between keeping silent and saying anything to put her more at ease. Unfortunately, more often than not, he’d felt like he’d made the wrong decision. He wasn’t good at small talk, and his silences only seemed to make her more uptight.
Then, there had been Kyle’s conversation with Gabby. Kyle had been such a bundle of nerves that Harley had once again walked a tightrope. He hadn’t known whether it was better to keep his distance and let Kyle have his privacy or invite Gabby to join them.
One would have thought he would have been far better at navigating social situations by the time he was in his midtwenties.
He’d settled by standing back and out of the way. But all that only made him seem more like their daed, which, of course, had put Kyle on edge.
But all of that would have been okay if Logan hadn’t decided to play twenty questions while they were eating.
The confusion and hurt in his little brother’s eyes had been hard to take. He’d wanted to leap to Kyle’s defense and intervene completely, but when he’d glanced at Katie, she’d shook her head.
Which had been one of the strangest things ever. Katie was never the voice of reason, rarely the cautious one. And he? Well, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked to another person for advice. It had been the right thing to do, however. He’d followed Katie’s signals and had navigated the lunch without any new crisis.
The rest of the afternoon had been quieter. By one o’clock, Kendra and E.A. had left. By two, all the others had, also.
Seeing how exhausted Katie looked, he’d sent Kyle home. And now, here they were, just the two of them, standing in June’s old room. It was now completely empty and spotlessly clean. He’d felt more than a little pride about that. Clearing the room hadn’t been easy, but he’d been very aware that it had no doubt been even harder for Katie to say good-bye to everything.
“I’m going to sure sleep well tonight,” she said, stretching her arms out in front of her.
“I am, too. We worked hard in here. Ain’t so?” There. That was the ticket. He should concentrate on the work.
She smiled. “That we did. It’s now ready to be remodeled.”
Taking that cue, he said, “I’m proud of you. Cleaning this room couldn’t have been easy.”
Her smile faded a bit. “It wasn’t. But having people here helping me sort helped a lot. I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay them for today.”
“You know what they’re going to say. They don’t want to be repaid. They probably don’t even want to be thanked.”
“I daresay you’re right.” After a small pause, she said, “Hey, Harley?”
“Hmm?”
“I just want to tell you thanks for being here for me.”
“Hey, what happened to us not needing to thank each other?”
“Still . . . I know this job hasn’t been what you expected.”
She was right—and wrong. Starting this remodel hadn’t been what he’d expected at all. But it also hadn’t been “just” a job for him.
Oh, it might have started out that way, but then it had become something else entirely.
He shrugged off her comment. “Believe it or not, every remodel has a little bit of drama. I don’t think it’s possible to take apart and put back someone’s home without a couple of skeletons falling out.”
“Those are pretty wise words, Harley.”
“Stick with me and you’ll hear all kinds of catchy sayings,” he quipped.
True amusement
entered her eyes. “I’ll consider myself warned.”
Feeling pleased, he couldn’t resist grinning at her. “This is nice, Katie. I was beginning to wonder if we’d ever get back to how we were.”
“What? Trading quips?”
“Jah. Among other things. Actually, the truth is that there aren’t a lot of people who I enjoy talking to as much. You’re quick, and you never let me get away with too much.”
She swallowed. “I’ve often thought the same thing.” Looking away, she added, “You know, sometimes I think that the reason we trade so many barbs is because we are so much alike.”
“Do you really think so? I promise, I’m not being snarky. I just never thought about us being similar.”
“I don’t mean in temperament.” She wrinkled her nose. “I would give a pretty penny to have even a fraction of your reserve. But I think underneath your reserve and my impetuousness might be two people who enjoy teasing each other.”
“Teasing, and maybe challenging each other, too.” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he added, “I reckon there’s got to be a reason we’ve never shied away from debating or teasing each other, even when we’ve been mad.”
Katie’s eyes widened before she chuckled, but it was hollow-sounding. And Harley knew why. The reminder that wasn’t really a reminder had brought them both back to his breakup with Melody, the former girlfriend who everyone in their circle made sure to never mention by name.
She shifted. “So, it’s still a little early. What would you like to work on next?”
“Actually, I’m going to take off. I need to head over to the building supply store and get the materials we will need to connect that bathroom to this room. Do you still want white tile and stainless hardware?”
She nodded. “I think keeping things simple and clean will be best. I don’t want to have to remodel again for at least six years.”
“Six years, huh? That’s mighty specific.”
“It is. I am giving myself six years to pursue my dream. One year to get the business going, another to develop a decent client base, and then four to make money and replenish my savings account.” She took a breath. “I figure by then, everything will need to get fixed up again. I read that people would rather stay in places that are up-to-date and new.”
He was impressed. Katie had not just a dream but also a business plan. He smiled encouragingly. “And then?”
“And then?” She glanced at him before averting her eyes. “Well, I guess I’ll see what else the Lord has in store for me.”
Her expression was wistful. It made him wonder what other dreams she was holding close to her heart but was afraid to reach for.
He really needed to get out of there before he said something sappy and embarrassed her. “Well. It was a great day. I . . . well, I’ll see ya tomorrow, Katie.”
“Indeed you will. Bright and early, too.”
Walking back down the stairs, Harley felt a sudden burst of loss. What was that new pang of longing he felt smack in the center of his chest? Was it because he was disappointed to be leaving her, or just concern for Katie?
He knew she had a lot of friends, not just the rest of the Eight, but also other friends from school and church. She’d always been a social thing.
But right now, it felt like he was leaving a very lonely woman who had been so much for other people that she was only now realizing that she hadn’t kept a whole lot left over for herself.
• • •
Harley was still thinking about Katie and wondering how he could make things better for her when he got to the building supply store. After greeting the manager and placing his order for tile, he wandered around, halfheartedly looking at the stock.
It seemed that almost every item made him think of Katie, though. The intricately carved crown molding made him think of her spartan bedroom. He could see something so pretty would brighten it. Maybe its beauty might remind Katie that she was special, too.
On another aisle, the burnished spindles reminded him of her banister and how Katie always gripped it tightly when she walked down the stairs.
Even the swatches of paint seemed to remind him of her blue eyes or the blush on her cheeks.
When he picked up a light gold color chip, thinking how close the shade was to the highlights in Katie’s hair, he groaned. He was acting like a man in love. What was going on with him?
Was it love?
“Harley?” a feminine voice called out.
His insides clenched. He knew that voice. Even though he hadn’t heard it in more than two years, he’d hoped he wouldn’t hear it directed at him for at least another year or so. Preferably even longer.
With a sinking feeling, he turned. And, sure enough, there was Melody Miller. Smiling at him like he was her favorite brand of ice cream and she’d been on a diet for two months. Her parents were gazing at him the same way as well.
“Hello, Melody. This is a surprise.” It was also an understatement.
“Not as much of a surprise it is for me to see you.” She stepped closer, like she hadn’t broken up with him in a torrent of accusations and tears. “How are you?”
He’d finally begun to live again. That’s how he was. “I’m gut. Working a lot. How about you?”
She looked over at her parents and smiled. “We came in here to look around because my parents are finally going to remodel their kitchen.”
He looked over at Axel and Joan Miller. “Hello, Joan. Axel.”
Axel strode over and shook his hand. “It’s gut to see you, Harley. I was just telling Melody how much we missed seeing you.”
Huh? One of the things Melody had told him when she’d been blaming him for everything that had gone wrong between them was that her parents had never liked him in the first place. “I hope you both have been well.”
“We have,” Joan replied, “though things have been fairly chaotic, what with Melody and Samuel breaking things off.”
Harley was trapped in his own private hell. There was no other explanation for why he was being forced to not only speak with Melody and her parents, but now also chat about Melody’s relationship with Sam Brenneman. He’d never liked Sam all that much, but then he really hadn’t, since he’d taken up with Melody barely two weeks after she’d dumped him.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go check in with the manager to see if my order is ready. I’m here for work, you know.” There, he’d sounded busy. Like he’d moved on.
Which, he suddenly realized, was true.
“How about you come over soon? We need to hire someone to work on the kitchen. It’s sadly out-of-date,” Axel said. “You do remodeling, don’t you?”
“Jah.”
Melody snaked a hand around her father’s elbow. “Oh, Daed. Harley is so talented. He doesn’t just do remodeling, he has his own very successful company. He might not even have time to give us an estimate.”
Axel’s expression turned even warmer. “All the more reason for you to work on our kitchen. We want the best. How about tomorrow evening? You could come for supper and then we’ll discuss our kitchen after.”
“I’m sorry, I cannot. I’m in the middle of a big job right now.”
Obviously taken aback by his cool tone, Melody frowned. “But couldn’t you still meet with us?” Her eyes widened. “I mean, surely you can fit me in somehow?” Her voice was sugary sweet and wheedling.
If he hadn’t been standing with her parents he would have told her straight out that he didn’t have time for her games. Not at all.
“I still live at home, so I have my own obligations there. You would do better to find someone else.”
“But couldn’t you begin work, seeing as it’s Melody?” Joan asked.
He wanted to avoid their house at all costs, because it was Melody.
“We’ll pay top dollar,” Axel prodded. “At least give us the benefit of your time. Surely you can spare us a few minutes?”
Axel’s request made sense. Harley wasn’t eager to do anything w
ith them, but he also wasn’t eager to lose money. Plus, he couldn’t be rude. His parents would run into them from time to time. “You are right, Mr. Miller. I’ll stop over tomorrow around seven.”
“It’s Axel, son.”
Son? “Of course. Axel.”
“We’ll have already finished supper by then,” Melody said. “Can’t you come over earlier?”
“I’m sorry. That’s the best I can do.”
“Oh. Well, all right then. I’ll see you tomorrow, Harley.” Melody smiled. “I’ll start looking out the window for you at seven.” Pressing her palm on her father’s arm again, she lowered her voice. “It will be just like old times, Harley.”
Unfortunately, that was what he was afraid of.
NINETEEN
“Don’t worry, Katie. All of us were annoyed with you,” E.A. said. After a pause, she looked across the campfire. “Except for maybe Logan, who was trying to stop his leg from bleeding.”
His bike needed fresh air in its back tire.
Aggravated with himself for not checking the bike’s condition until just now, Harley rolled it out of the barn and situated it in the middle of the parking area right in front. Then he stomped back into the much darker barn and pulled out the air pump. He hoped it still worked. Otherwise, he was going to be late getting over to the Millers’ house, which would necessitate a lot of explanations and apologies before he even got around to telling Melody and her parents that he couldn’t do any work for them.
Just as he was giving the air pump a few experimental pumps, his father walked over from the garden.
“You know, you don’t have to go over there,” Daed said as he watched Harley fasten the pump to the bicycle’s back tire. “You don’t owe that girl anything, and it ain’t like you need the work.”
Harley could hardly stop himself from gaping at his father. They didn’t have conversations like this, conversations about how he was feeling about women in his life. Actually, they hadn’t had too many conversations ever. Usually his father told him to do something and Harley did it.
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