“Of course. That sounds great. Now, why don’t you take me on a tour of this soon-to-be fancy bed-and-breakfast?”
“All right.”
June’s phone chimed. “Oops. I’m sorry. This is work. I’ve got to take this.” She lifted the phone to her ear and walked outside.
“Are you really okay?” Harley asked when they were alone again.
“I think so. I’m surprised and confused about why June showed up now, after all this time. But I’m still really glad that she came back.” Thinking about it, she murmured, “No matter the reason, she’s still here, right?”
“For sure, Katie.”
“Um, danke for coming in and checking on me. That meant a lot.”
“I want to do that. I hate that you’re alone so much, Katie.”
“One day, thanks to you, I’ll always have a houseful of people.”
He ran a finger along her cheekbone. “Maybe one day you’ll have more than that.” Looking over at the door, he edged away. “I’ll get back to work now. Don’t forget to mind your feet when you come upstairs.”
“I won’t forget. Thanks.”
He smiled at her again before turning away. She realized then that his care for her gave her strength. Strength she’d never realized that she’d needed or had been lacking.
But now that she had been gifted with his support, she knew she would never willingly let it go.
THIRTY−THREE
“The first thing we promised to one another was that we’d do our best never to bring up that day and night again,” Harley said. “Andy said the more we talked about something the more real it got.”
Tricia leaned forward. “And the second?”
This time it was John B. who answered. “We all agreed that we’d tell our parents that we were over at a barbecue at the Warners’ haus. Andy told his parents that he was over at Logan’s eating pizza all night.”
TUESDAY
Three days after she’d met Kyle’s whole family and did three loads of laundry in their basement, Gabby ran into his older brother, Harley, and Mrs. Lambright at Walnut Creek Cheese. She and Lane hadn’t seen Harley when they were over on Saturday, and she had been secretly relieved about that. Her first impression of Kyle’s eldest brother was that he was extremely serious and maybe even a little mean.
Kyle had once told her that of all his siblings, Harley was the one he could depend on the most though, so she knew he wasn’t all bad.
Mrs. Lambright, on the other hand, had instantly grabbed hold of her heart. She was so kind and loving and accepting. If it wasn’t so wrong, Gabby knew she would want to continue seeing Kyle just so she could be around his mother.
With all of this in mind, she walked right over to the pair when she spied them in the middle of the produce section. “Hi, Mrs. Lambright and Harley.”
“Gabby! How nice to see you here.” She smiled. “Are you shopping for your mother?”
“Kind of.” She was shopping for all three of them. Like she usually did. She also had just finished her first three-hour training session, but she wasn’t quite ready to share that.
“You don’t have much in there,” Harley said.
What did that mean? Harley hadn’t sounded rude but not very happy, either. Feeling a little more flustered she tried to laugh. “You’re right. My basket is pretty empty. I promised Lane I’d get him some fried pies. This place has his favorites. I’ll head to Walmart after this.” She’d drive over to the super center in Millersburg to get the majority of their staples.
While Harley only nodded, Mrs. Lambright smiled even more brightly. “I often do the same thing.”
“You do?”
“I’ve got five kinner and a hungry husband, Gabby. I shop for bargains just like you do.”
“How do you get over there?” She didn’t know a lot about the ins and outs of being Amish, but she did know it was too long a distance to take a horse and buggy.
“Mamm hires an Englisch driver,” Harley answered.
That sounded like a lot of trouble. “If you ever would like me to take you, I’d be happy to.”
“Truly?” Mrs. Lambright looked delighted.
“Of course. It’s no trouble.”
“I just might take you up on it then,” Mrs. Lambright said. “Maybe even Kyle would want to go with us.”
Gabby couldn’t imagine Kyle getting too excited about going to Walmart, but it probably would be good if he was there, too. “If he’d ever want to go, that would be awesome.”
“Oh, I think he would,” Harley murmured, looking just over her shoulder. “Ain’t that right?”
Mrs. Lambright chuckled. “Harley, don’t you be teasing him.”
“I can take care of myself, Mamm.”
Knowing that voice, she turned and found herself looking directly into Kyle’s blue eyes. “Kyle.”
“Hiya, Gabby.” His smile was sweet and true, almost like he didn’t care that they were standing right in front of his mother and older brother.
“We were just discussing all going to Walmart together,” Mrs. Lambright said. Her voice was merry. Almost like they were planning a trip to Disney World.
Gabby found herself trying not to giggle as Kyle visibly tried to smooth his expression into one of interest. Taking a chance, she smiled at Harley. “I just said that I go to Walmart for basics and could take your mother if she ever wanted to go with me. Your mother thought you might enjoy going with us.”
“Well . . . jah. I mean sure. Going to Walmart sounds fun.”
Gabby thought he could have been talking about getting his teeth pulled, he sounded so unexcited.
“Gut, Kyle,” his mother said. “Now, Harley and I need to pick up the meat I ordered. You visit with Gabby and then meet as at checkout.”
“I will.”
“Enjoy your day, dear,” Mrs. Lambright said.
“Yes. You, too.” She smiled again when Harley nodded in her direction.
When they were alone, Kyle looked around, then pulled her cart over to the side, out of the middle of the fruits and vegetables. Then, to her surprise, he left it and started walking down the back aisle. “Leave the cart a sec, Gabby. It’ll be okay.”
Following him down the aisle, she was vaguely aware of a selection of bulk nuts and dried fruits. Unlike the other parts of the store, it was relatively empty. When he stopped, he reached out and smoothed a hand down her hair. His hand lingered on her shoulder blades.
The touch, though completely innocent, surprised her. “What? Was it a mess?”
“Nee. I simply like it. Your hoah is shay, Gabby.”
“What does that mean?”
“That your hair is pretty. It is, you know. I love how it’s thick and the ends curl around your shoulder blades.” His gaze was sweet. Warm and intimate.
Standing there in her jeans and T-shirt and Kyle in his blue shirt, pants, and straw hat, Gabby knew if she hadn’t been halfway gone for him already, she would’ve fallen hard right then and there. “You always say the sweetest things.”
“Maybe I only speak the truth, jah?”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know about that, Kyle. But thank you.”
“I need to go in a minute, but what are you doing later?”
“Nothing much. Lane is getting a ride home from football practice, so I guess just the usual. Homework for a while, then I’m going over to sit with a neighbor lady tonight.”
He shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Maybe I could come over tomorrow night?”
Wouldn’t that be so perfect? But just thinking about how her mother would react made her shut that idea down fast. “You can’t come over. My mom doesn’t want me to have any boys over when she’s not home.”
“When will she be home? I’d like to see her again.”
She should have told him about her mother’s past before now. She might be civil to Kyle, but she was never going to be very nice to him. “How about I come see you instead? I could even bring Lane.”
“Do you not want me to talk to your mamm?”
“It’s not that. I mean, not exactly.”
“I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I canna say I blame her. I mean, I was at your house without her being there. I’m sure when she gets to know me she’ll realize how much I respect you.”
He respected her. Sometimes Gabby felt like she was dating a boy from the 1950s. Until Kyle, she hadn’t thought that a boy her age could be so polite and kind.
Which was another reason she didn’t want him around her mother. Her mom would only reinforce what an unlikely couple Gabby and Kyle would be. There was a really good chance that he’d decide she wasn’t worth his time.
“It’s not that I don’t want you to get to know her, it’s . . . well, it’s a long story. Can we talk about it another time, like when we’re not in the middle of the grocery store?”
“We can, if that’s what you want.” He took a small step backward.
Kyle looked hurt, and she didn’t blame him. Deciding to tell him something instead of leaving him hanging, she lowered her voice. “Kyle, I really like you. I like your whole family, and my brother feels the same way. But . . . well, my mother has some problems with the Amish. She not only doesn’t want me to see any boys right now, she really doesn’t want me to be friends with any Amish boys.”
“Truly?”
What could she do? Feeling miserable, she nodded. “I haven’t been lying to her though. I have told her that we are friends. And if she ever asks how I got all the laundry done, I’d tell her that I did it at your house. But I’m not going to bring you to meet her.”
“Because she would be upset?”
“No. Because she would upset you.”
“You really care that much about me?”
Looking into his eyes, she smiled softly, hoping he would be able to tell how much he meant to her, even though she wasn’t ready to say the words. “I really do.”
His expression eased. “Come over in two days, then.”
“I’ll be there. Now, go before your brother comes looking for you.”
He smiled again, and without another word, he turned and walked quickly toward the front of the store.
Gabby waited a couple of seconds, then walked to her cart and wheeled it toward the back of the market. She hadn’t planned to get anything else, but she wanted to be sure Kyle and his brother and mom were gone before she checked out.
And, if she was honest, Gabby realized that she needed a minute to process what had just happened.
Without as much as even kissing Kyle Lambright once, she’d made her choice. She was willing to go against her mother’s wishes and threats in order to be near him. She had no idea what was going to happen, but she was pretty sure her mother was going to be furious.
At least she was just a few weeks away from graduating high school. Then, if she had to make a choice, she was going to do what she wanted.
Waiting eighteen years was long enough.
THIRTY−FOUR
“So you all agreed to tell a bunch of lies,” Kendra said.
Harley paused, then finally said slowly, “I’m not saying that was the right thing to do . . . but sometimes? Well, I think it’s better to let the past go and move on. Ain’t so?”
FRIDAY
“I’m really glad you rounded all of us up, Harley,” John B. said as he grabbed a plate and started piling on chicken wings, chips and dip, and one of the tasty sliders that E.A. had made. “It’s been too long since we got together.”
“I’m glad it worked out,” Harley replied. “We’ve all had so much going on, I thought it was surely time for all of us to be in the same room.”
Looking around Marie’s living room, where all seven of the remaining Eight were, along with Tricia and Kendra, Harley had to admit that he was pretty proud of himself for arranging the evening. With all of their busy work and social schedules, it was always a minor miracle when a get-together worked out. Which was probably what happened! They’d all dropped their plans in order to be here—thanks to a promise they’d all made at Andy’s funeral and no doubt a bit of divine intervention.
After everyone had committed, the rest of the plans were quickly made. Marie offered to host, and E.A. organized all the food and drinks. Now, here they all were, eating a regular smorgasbord of snacks, catching up, and enjoying every minute of it.
Well, everyone looked especially happy except for Katie. She was still wearing the same strained expression that had first appeared when her sister showed up out of the blue. His heart had been breaking for her.
He’d also been trying to get her to talk about her feelings but hadn’t had much luck. Last night, when he’d tried to convince her to go on a short walk with him before he went home for the night, she’d refused, saying she had plans with June.
He hadn’t doubted that was true, but he also knew that she was having a tough time reconnecting with the woman June was now . . . and with the fact that when she left, she might not see her again for another few years.
He was still learning a lot about communication, but even he knew that Katie needed a safe place to talk about things. He figured that was in the company of their best friends.
“Hey, Harley,” Logan called out from the couch where he was sitting next to Tricia on one side and Will on the other. “Care to tell us why you really gathered us all together?”
He was disconcerted to realize that while he’d been standing next to the buffet reminiscing, the rest of them had gotten settled.
“Well, um . . . first, I thought it was about time we all toasted our newest happy couple, John and Marie.”
Laughter rang out as John and Marie looked a little stunned but also very pleased.
“You don’t want us to make a speech or anything, do you?” John asked.
“Of course we do,” Will said. “Stand up, John, and thank us for coming over here to help you celebrate.”
Leaning down, he took hold of Marie’s hand. “Come on, Marie. I’m not going to do this without you.”
Blushing slightly, she stood up by her fiancé’s side. “Thank you all for helping John and me celebrate. It really means a lot.”
John wrapped a hand around her waist. “And we owe our thanks to Harley here, too.” Grinning wider, he added, “No offense, but I never knew you had party planning in you. I’m mighty impressed.”
He bowed slightly. “Thank you, thank you very much.” While they all clapped, and some of the guys teased him under their breaths, Harley took a seat on the floor next to Katie.
E.A. shook her head. “I don’t think we are thanking the real person who is responsible for this get-together—Katie.”
Katie, who’d been sitting quietly next to Kendra, shook her head. “What? Nee. This was all Harley’s doing.”
“But you’ve certainly gotten him to come out of his shell,” Kendra said.
As Marie sat down she said, “Maybe John, Logan, Tricia, and I aren’t the only ones who are falling in love.”
Hating that Katie was now looking like a deer in the headlights, Harley said, “Hey now. There ain’t no call to go embarrassing Katie like that.”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass her. I just noticed how the two of you have been getting along. And that our usual chatty Katie is being extremely quiet tonight.”
Marie hadn’t exaggerated. Realizing that this had no doubt been a bad idea, Harley felt his stomach tighten into knots. Here, he’d been hoping to help her, but all he’d done was make her embarrassed. “This ain’t the night to talk about—”
“My sister, June, came back,” Katie blurted. “She’s English now.”
“I always liked her,” Will said. “Remember how she used to always make huge bowls of popcorn when we all came over to your house?”
“Jah. Popcorn and Hershey bars.”
Elizabeth Anne smiled. “I thought she was amazing. She was so pretty and liked junk food.”
Katie giggled. “She was good to me in a lot of ways
.” She’d forgotten all about that. Back when she was nine or ten, the Eight would still come by her house sometimes to play. June somehow always had a bag of candy for them to eat along with the popcorn.
“How is she doing?” Will asked.
“I think she’s happy, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe I don’t know her anymore at all.”
“You will,” E.A. said. “Before you realize it, all those years she was gone won’t even be an issue.”
“I’m afraid they will. See, she ain’t staying.” Taking a shaky breath, she continued. “She’s already planning to leave on Sunday morning.”
Marie frowned. “I’m sorry. That’s really tough.”
“That’s why I haven’t been myself. I don’t know what to do.”
Harley shifted so he could see her better, so she could see him and remember that he was there for her, that he would always be there for her now.
But she seemed to have retreated into herself again, folding her arms around her middle and holding on tight. Helplessly, he looked at the others.
Of course, their happy expressions were replaced by concern. Harley wanted to stand up and apologize to them all. He’d known that she was hurting, but he shouldn’t have arranged this party under the guise of celebrating Marie and John’s engagement. It wasn’t fair to either them or Katie.
But what to do? Maybe he should take Katie home? It wouldn’t be ideal, but at least she’d have some privacy . . . and maybe she’d even be ready to talk to him?
“Why did June come back?” John said.
“I’m not exactly sure. At first I thought it was to see the house, but she doesn’t even want to sleep there—says it has too many bad memories.”
“Maybe she wanted to see you?” Tricia asked. “Or your mother?”
Katie shrugged. “Maybe, I don’t know. She was surprised that Mamm wasn’t there and even more surprised that she moved to Kentucky to be with Caleb and Vanessa. But . . . I wouldn’t exactly say that she looked sad not to see them.”
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