“Got any more of that dip?” David asked.
All three girls rolled their gazes heavenward. Ignoring him, Katy went on, “Only…he might not read it when he realizes it’s from me.”
“But that’s the beauty of it. He’ll think it’s from me!”
Katy gave Jessie a sideways frown, trying not to let her irritation show.
Jessie went on undeterred, “And once he gets into it, he’ll be too hooked to stop reading. Come on. Let’s go do it before you chicken out.”
Katy worried her lip and glanced at David, wondering how everyone pegged her inner wavering so easily. He motioned as if she were a five-year-old. “Go.”
Erin blushed. Katy understood why when she offered, “I’ll stay and get David some more dip.”
Starting to feel like a third wheel, Katy scooted her chair back and followed the enthusiastic Jessie, who seemed to be as self-willed as David. In the short time she’d known Jessie, she saw that Jake’s assessment of the girl was accurate. She was helpful and straightforward. Didn’t make a big deal out of social differences. And she looked like she would probably be fun, too. To her own amazement, she could see how Jake had gravitated to her when she extended a helpful hand through the maze of campus life. And she imagined Jessie hadn’t intentionally led him astray. Well, possibly she had an ulterior motive at the time, too. Jake was good-looking, even in his conservative clothing. To someone like Jessie, it had probably only made him intriguing.
Still, she couldn’t believe that she was taking advice from Jake’s old girlfriend. A worldly girl’s advice. When they passed through the living room, Jessie drew her finger to her lips. Katy saw that Minnie was resting in an armchair. Her head hung to the side, and her mouth emitted soft snoring noises. They tiptoed past.
“Is Ann gone?” Katy whispered.
“Yes. Grocery shopping. Should be home soon.”
And to think they weren’t having a bit of trouble with the ornery older woman. The longer she stayed in this home, the more her pride was brought down from its lofty throne. The only thing that would clinch it would be for Ann to come home and find her chasing after her son. Katy hoped she was gone before then. Ann might not want Katy at the house again after all her blunders. Yet if things went as she hoped with Jake, she would have to face Ann sometime.
When Katy realized where Jessie was leading her, she instinctively hesitated.
Jessie placed a hand on her black belted hip. “I’m staying in Jake’s room while he’s gone. I brought my laptop along.”
A pang of hurt shot through Katy. But she quickly closed her mind to it, and when she did, the thought came to her that it was just her pride rearing up again. Pride was a hard foe to quell. Much of the hurt and jealousy she had battled against was caused by the injury to her pride. No wonder God had allowed her to get to this place. Feeling more humbled than ever, she followed Jessie into Jake’s room.
Jake’s room was different, chaotic from all of Jessie’s belongings. Even her perfume overpowered his masculine scents. His computer was missing on his desk, replaced with her backpack and her laptop. Katy couldn’t tell if the objectionable photograph was still gone because the nightstand was draped with feminine clothing. So was the bed. Clothing also spilled from an open suitcase. Katy’s gaze lingered on the high-heeled shoes cluttering the floor in the middle of the room, the ones Jessie had worn on Sunday. Katy couldn’t imagine how anyone could wear them without breaking their neck.
She felt a touch on her arm and looked up.
“I know this is hard for you. It’s kind of weird for me, too. First Jake getting all religious, and now Erin. Then Jake running away. You showing up while I’m staying in Jake’s room—”
Katy interrupted, “Erin’s religious? Was that why she was at church on Sunday? Do you know? Is she returning to the church?”
“Yep.” Jessie’s face contorted. “Claims she’s had some epiphany.” She stooped, picked up the heels, and dropped them into the suitcase. “That’s why I followed her here for spring break. I’m trying to figure out how this family operates.”
Katy gave Jessie her first genuine smile. “It doesn’t have to be weird with us. I never thought I’d say it, but I kinda like you. In fact, you’re a little like my roommate.” Her lip quirked into a smile. “Wouldn’t you love to see the look on Jake’s face when he realizes I e-mailed him from your computer?” It wasn’t necessary to add, Because you were the reason I couldn’t forgive him.
Jessie’s dark-rimmed eyes lit with amusement. “He’s going to flip!” As they booted up Jessie’s computer, they giggled.
Jessie pulled up Jake’s e-mail address and a page from which Katy could send her message. “You want me to leave?”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Thanks, Jessie.”
Jessie waved her appreciation away as if it were a natural thing for
the two of them to conspire together. She started to leave then paused. “I’m going to go see what’s going on between Erin and David. I didn’t see that one coming. Did you?”
“Actually, he hinted to me earlier that he had a thing for her.”
“They’re cute together. Does he always look so…perfect?”
“Yes, he does. But he doesn’t always act that way.”
“Interesting.”
Katy couldn’t blame David for his ulterior motives. Once Katy was alone, she glanced at the empty e-mail form. This was it. Her last chance, albeit a slim one. After that, it was up to God.
Breathing in Jessie’s perfume in the quiet of Jake’s room, Katy paused to collect her thoughts. “It’s up to You, God. Whatever Your will, I accept it.” She began to type.
CHAPTER 37
Jake stood on the newly laid street, looking over the construction site. In a sense, the streets were laid with gold because the barren dirt lots would someday hold fifty new brick two-story houses. The project could line his pockets and secure his future if this interview went right. But he hadn’t driven across the country for the lure of money. He’d never been money hungry. He’d come for peace of mind. Working with his hands and building something for other folks to enjoy brought him satisfaction. And he needed that now to forget about Katy. He needed to make new dreams and to numb the raw pain that kept him on his knees.
Inside the mobile office earlier, he’d noticed that the project’s landscape mock-up included grass and trees and winding roads, even a few ponds and playgrounds. The houses would be for middle-class people, but definitely upscale, a worthwhile project.
Yet he held some reservations. Texas wasn’t what he’d expected. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve. He hadn’t known the place could be so hot in April, but the newspaper he’d read in his hotel room the night before had predicted eighty degrees for the afternoon. In April! Would he be able to get used to the heat?
He’d checked Houston out on the Internet, and the temperature could rise past one hundred degrees in the sultry thick of summer. He tried to imagine what that might feel like. And then there was the threat of hurricanes.
With this project, the grid of lots would soon face change, and if he accepted the position so would his own life. He hoped he presented himself as confident, but he felt out of place, an Ohio farm boy gone to the big city. Why, he’d even seen his first palm tree.
“Wasn’t easy diverting the bayou,” the contractor drawled in his southern manner of speech. “Even had to transport a stubborn alligator.”
Jake crossed his arms, mirroring the other man’s stance. “Never dealt with alligators, but I had a mad bull chase me around the pasture one summer.”
Ben Rawlins, of Rawlins Construction, chuckled. “I think that would be worse.” He tilted his face, studying Jake. “I like you. And Tom gave you a high recommendation.”
Tom was Jake’s college professor. He was a brother-in law to Ben Rawlins and had recommended Jake to the contractor. The job opportunity was a superintendent position for Rawlins C
onstruction’s current land-development project.
Rawlins excused himself to take a call, stepping away and turning his back to Jake. They had spent the better part of the day together, going over the project, the job requirements, and just getting to know one another. Jake had been invited to the Texan’s home for barbecue. When the contractor got off the phone, he told Jake he had to go take care of a problem. Rawlins dismissed him with directions to his place, hollering over his shoulder, “I’ll e-mail you those blueprints, and you can look them over before you come out to the house later.”
Back at his hotel, Jake popped open a cola from the little refrigerator in the kitchenette and cranked on the air conditioner. Then he sank in a comfortable chair and pulled out a phone book. He propped his feet on the desk and leafed through, checking to see if there were any Mennonite churches in the area. He found one, but it didn’t mention anything about being Conservative Mennonite. Another change he’d have to make. He’d told Katy that he could fit in at a more liberal church, but he had no idea how liberal this one would be. Maybe he just didn’t know the names of all the suburbs. Hopefully, there was a Conservative church in the area.
With a sigh, he checked the time on his phone and saw he had a few minutes before he needed to shower. That was just enough time to check the computer for those blueprints the contractor had promised to e-mail.
While he waited for the computer to boot, he considered the pros and cons of the project. He liked the contractor, although he didn’t really know him. Yet if Jake’s professor was recommending him, in a backward sort of way, he was recommending the contractor, too. The job had dropped in his lap as if it was God’s doing. And the offer was better than he’d expected, but since he’d arrived in Texas, he’d had a niggling unease that something wasn’t right about it.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he tried to figure it out. Was it the job or the move that bothered him? He wasn’t one to run away from his problems, and he’d discovered how long the road was between Texas and Ohio—from his family.
He worked the mouse, considering Erin. She and Jessie were staying at the house over spring break. Then they would return and finish their semester. After that, Erin would move home for good. The timing was right, for Erin would be available to help their mom. Still, he’d learned not to proceed when he didn’t feel peace about a situation.
He had e-mail. Only it wasn’t from the Texan. His brow rose. From Jessie? That surprised him, although they did e-mail on occasion. Inquisitive, he clicked open the message.
Katy dipped a long-handled squeegee into a bucket. Starting at the top and stroking downward, she removed winter’s grime from the exterior of her kitchen windowpane. Although she was tired from already working at the Brooks', she wanted to get the window cleaned before dark. As she worked, she prayed for Lil and Mrs. Landis. They were seeing a doctor today. She also prayed about the e-mail she’d sent Jake.
Normally under such circumstances, the waiting would have been unbearable, but amazingly, God had provided her with peace. Oh, she had moments when she wondered if she’d been crazy to send that e-mail, but then she remembered that God was in control, come what may.
She heard the crackle of gravel and turned, expecting to see Megan. Surprised to see Ann Byler’s car instead, Katy dropped her squeegee in the bucket. Her heart tripped when she saw Jessie crawl out from behind the steering wheel.
“Hey!” the short blond hailed with enthusiasm.
Katy waved back, but her nerves were acutely aware that she probably bore news about Jake.
“Wow. Show me how that works,” Jessie said, eyeing the partly cleaned window and the squeegee.
With a chuckle, Katy gave her a demonstration. “Want to give it a try?”
“Sure.”
The girl wore a supple leather jacket, jeans, and high-heeled boots—so different from Katy’s own calf-length skirt. Jessie gave a little shriek when water dripped over part of what Katy had already cleaned, and then she surrendered the tool.
“Don’t worry. I’m going over it again.”
“Guess I’d better live in apartments until I can afford a maid.” Then Jessie clutched Katy’s arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” Katy’s face went hot. “I like my job.”
“I just wish I had a job. My dad always makes me get a summer job. I’d like to keep one all year, but it never works out that way.”
Katy bit her lower lip, considering. Earlier that day, she’d discovered that Tammy was still having trouble finding a replacement nanny. “You like kids?”
“I love them. Kids are so fun.”
“One of my employers is looking for a nanny for a seven-year-old girl and an eleven-year-old boy. They live in Old Arlington. Think you’d be interested?”
“Are you kidding? That’s close to campus!”
“Tammy, the wife, had a bad experience with another college student. But I think she’d like you.”
Jessie clutched Katy’s shoulders, and she suddenly felt herself pulled into the smaller woman’s embrace. At first she flinched, but then she awkwardly patted Jessie’s back. When they drew apart, Jessie exclaimed, “Thanks so much!”
“You’re welcome. I can finish this later. Want to come inside?”
“I’d love to. Jake told me he did the remodel.”
So they’d been in touch since he’d come back to Plain City. Pushing that out of her mind, Katy led the way into the doddy house.
“This is so cute,” Jessie exclaimed. After their tour, she admitted, “You must have thought I was a slob when you saw Jake’s room.”
Katy remembered with a grin. Then she pointed a finger at Jessie. “If you get the Brooks’ job, don’t let the kids tear up the house.”
“Oh man.” Jessie sighed. “But I need the job. You’ve got a deal.”
“I’m going on an interview myself. Tomorrow. My dream job.” They sat in the living room, and Katy explained about Mrs. Beverly and the loss Katy had experienced when the older couple moved to Florida. She found herself talking about the letter and its effect over her. She watched the vulnerability cross Jessie’s face.
Afterward, Jessie sighed. “I could never become like you. I’d have too much to change, too much to give up. I don’t want to lose Erin as a friend. But it seems we’re doomed. She’s not going to be going to parties with me anymore. I’ll have to move on.”
“Perhaps our lifestyle isn’t what God has for you.” Katy thought of Mrs. Beverly and said what she’d never thought she’d say, “But you could still be a Christian in another denomination.”
“That’s what Erin says. We’ll see. I really came over to say that I hadn’t gotten any e-mails from Jake. Wondered if he’d called.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe he just needs more time. You sure you don’t want me to call him, give him a little push?”
“Please don’t. It’s just the way it should be.”
As hard as it was for him, Jake didn’t call Katy. Instead after the barbecue, he told the Texas contractor that he was going home to think over the offer. Ben Rawlins had seemed surprised that Jake hadn’t jumped at the opportunity. Even slightly offended, although his southern hospitality kept him from saying so.
Jake had explained that first he had some business to take care of that would determine if he accepted the superintendent position. He explained that although it was a great opportunity, he wanted to be able to give it his all once he accepted. The cross-country move would be life altering, and Jake needed to make sure it was the right move.
That appeased the other man somewhat, and he agreed to wait one week. After that, he’d call his brother-in-law for another name. Jake agreed, and they parted on good terms.
Later along the interstate, Jake mulled over the offer. By the size of the insects that plastered the truck’s windshield and splattered the front grill, the saying that everything was big in Texas seemed true. This job offer was a giant-sized decision, too. It was the type of decision that could a
ffect his entire future. As he weighed his choices, a major portion of the return trip was spent praying.
He also listened to Christian radio stations. At times he broke out into audible laughter, trying to imagine Katy and Jessie conspiring together. That was what made Katy’s e-mail smack of honesty. She couldn’t have faced Jessie without forgiveness. It seemed she had really changed.
Still, he wanted to see her expression when they talked about it. In order to believe her, he needed to see that her guarded expression was gone. It had been shadowing her eyes ever since he’d come back to the Plain City church. He hoped his childhood companion had returned. Because anything less was not enough any longer. He was done chasing a past love. His future companion needed to be a soul mate who would accept him in every way.
He couldn’t take Katy back if she was going to slip back into her judgmental attitude or go through life with the emergency brake on. Yet hope kept him buzzing along Interstate 40. If God could change his own heart, filling it with a love that saw beyond the outer facade, then God could have done a miracle in Katy’s life, too. Maybe even Jessie’s. He breathed another prayer of thankfulness. He wouldn’t be headed home if he didn’t believe God had already performed such a miracle.
Katy relaxed on her sofa, her legs flung over the armrest and her phone cradled against her ear. “It’s going to be a dream job, just like Mrs. Beverly said. She accepted me on the spot. Mrs. Beverly told her Mennonites are hard workers.”
She heard Lil laughing on the other end. “Guess I need to remind my boss about that. I think he senses my lack of interest at the restaurant. I need a better job, too.” She sighed. Katy knew Lil had quit searching the newspaper ads. “But not until Mom gets better. Anyway, congrats. We’ll celebrate soon. I can’t wait to move back to the doddy house. I miss it. Miss you. You’re being such a great sport about this.”
“So what did the doctor say?”
“He suggested counseling, and we have a follow-up appointment. He’ll have the results of the blood work by then. And if that doesn’t help, then there’s always medication.”
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