* * *
Chapter 7
A week after Katie had returned home, Rose and Abraham moved into their new home. Their renovations didn’t take as long as they thought and Katie was thankful to God that everything worked out, so her daed didn’t have to worry about Abigail.
“What am I going to do when you get married, Katie?” Abigail asked one morning a few days after Rose had moved out.
Katie looked over at her sister. “What makes you ask that?”
Abigail looked sadly at Katie. “I don’t know. It’s just that with Miriam and Rose married, and now you will probably marry Thomas when he comes back; I just hope I’ll be able to be on my own and take care of daed.”
“Ach, Abby, I don’t think I’ll be marrying Thomas,” Katie said as she went over and sat down beside her. “I haven’t even heard from him since he left.”
“You mean he hasn’t written you?” Abigail asked, surprised.
“Nee, and honestly, I don’t really care,” Katie said, getting up to go over to the sink. “Let’s hope when you marry you will find someone who wants the same things you do.”
“I’m never going to get married,” Abigail said. “No one would want to marry me.”
Katie turned and looked at her sister. “Why would you say such a thing? Of course, you will get married. You are a wonderful, sweet girl with lots to offer.”
“But I have a limp and can’t do some things that other girls do. I can hardly run and I can’t stand for a long time,” Abigail muttered. “What man would want to have a wife that is defective?”
“Abby, don’t ever say you are defective. You are special. Gott made you special. Love isn’t about how fast you can run, it’s about what is in your heart, and that’s what counts.” Katie walked over and hugged her sister. “You just haven’t met him yet, that’s all.”
Walking back again to the kitchen sink, Katie couldn’t help but think of David. She still yearned for Thomas, but now she found herself thinking more and more about David. What was Gott trying to tell her? Hopefully, she would figure it out soon.
* * *
Winter arrived with a vengeance, and Katie shivered as she put another log in the fireplace. Her father had gone into town to help out a friend and Abigail had gone on a trip with a friend and her family, so Katie found the day long and she tried her best to keep herself busy.
Going into the kitchen, she thought today would be a good day to do some baking. She remembered that she still had some berries and cherries in the icebox, so she rolled up her sleeves and set to work making bumbleberry and cherry pies.
Finally, she stood back and looked at six pies cooling on the counter. The house smelled delicious, and she couldn’t wait to try one at supper.
Katie looked out the window and noticed that the sun made the snow look like the ground had been covered in glass. As cold as winter was, Gott certainly made it look beautiful at times.
I think I’ll take a drive over to Rachel’s and bring her a couple of my pies, Katie thought as she went over and grabbed her coat and boots. After hooking up the buggy, she put the pies carefully on the floor of the buggy so they wouldn’t get damaged and headed out to Rachel’s.
“Katie, I was just talking about you!” Rachel exclaimed when she saw Katie at the door. “I am so glad you came by.”
“I baked some pies today and had some extra and thought you and the kinner would like a treat.” Katie smiled. “Plus I needed some company. It’s too quiet at my house. Who were you talking to about me?”
“Well, I have a surprise,” Rachel giggled. “Close your eyes.”
Katie looked at Rachel, puzzled. “Okay.”
Standing in the kitchen with her eyes closed, Rachel called out that she could open them.
Katie opened her eyes, and there standing in front of her was David with a big grin on his face.
“David, what are you doing here!?”
“Hello, Katie, I just arrived here last night. I came to give some papers to Irene. Her house sold finally.”
“How long will you be staying?”
“Only for the week. I have to get back to work, but I was hoping you could show me around while I’m here.”
“Of course. There isn’t a lot to do, but I’ll think of some things I can show you.”
* * *
The week went by much too quickly, and before Katie knew it, she had to say goodbye to David again.
“Danke, Katie, for making my week fun,” David said the night before he left. Rachel had invited her for dinner and Katie felt mixed emotions with the thought of his leaving.
“I enjoyed it too, David. I hope you enjoyed seeing our town, although it isn’t as exciting as yours is.”
David smiled. “I think it’s a very nice town. You have a wonderful community here. I don’t know when I’ll be back again, but I’ll try to come in the spring.”
“I’d like that,” Katie said, trying to sound nonchalant. “Write me a letter before you come so I can think of some things we can do. In the spring we have lots of fairs and markets that are fun to go to.”
“Have you heard from Thomas?” David asked.
“Nee, not a word. I don’t know what to think. I just keep myself busy and hopefully one day he will show up,” Katie said, not sure if that was the answer he was expecting. She liked David but was afraid to show him. He lived too far away, and she didn’t want her heart broken again like it had when Thomas went away.
After David had left, Katie kept herself busy so as to not think about him. Why was God doing this to her? Although she liked David, she still liked Thomas. Neither one had made any mention of wanting to marry or settle down. Every night she went to bed and prayed to God hoping he would show her His path.
The next day, Katie looked out the kitchen window watching the soft snowflakes filling the air. She noticed that the Postman had just left her mailbox, so she bundled herself up to take a walk down her long driveway. Looking in the mailbox she saw a single letter; and when she pulled it out, she noticed it was from Thomas.
She ran all the way back up to the house, anxiously pulling off her coat and boots. Ripping open the letter, she sat down at the kitchen table to read it.
Dear Katie,
I’m sorry, I haven’t written, but I’ve been very busy. I love my job, and I’m learning all kinds of things. I have done a good job and now the boss wants to keep me on permanently which is very exciting although my parents aren’t too happy. I hope you are doing well. I will probably come home for a visit in the summer, so when I do, I’ll make sure to come by and see you. Maybe we can get together with some of our friends.
I must run.
Your friend always,
Thomas
Katie put the letter down, feeling very disappointed. Had Thomas moved on? Was that was he was trying to tell her? Your friend always!? There was nothing about missing her or settling down or anything about having a future together.
Katie picked up the letter and crumpled it in her hands. Going over to the wood stove, she opened the door and threw the letter in, watching it burn.
Thomas Becker, you can stay away for all I care. I hope I never see you again, she said to herself as she sat back down at the table and cried. She was upset with Thomas but mostly she was angry at herself for all the years she wasted dreaming of a future with Thomas. A future that would never be.
* * *
Chapter 8
There’s something about spring that makes me forget all about my worries and rejoice in the earth awakening again, Katie thought.
The only thing that Katie didn’t love about this time of year was the housework involved in cleaning after a long winter.
Katie struggled with the ladder, dragging it over to the kitchen window so she could wash it. She hadn’t realized how dirty the window was until she stood at the window this morning and looked outside. Climbing the ladder with her bucket, she started washing the glass when she heard the sound of a buggy coming up the r
oad.
“David!” she cried when she saw who it was. “What are you doing here?”
David jumped out of his buggy and ran over to help her down from her perch. “You look happy to see me.”
“Well, of course I am, but I didn’t think you were going to come for another visit until the summer,” Katie said, drying her hands on her apron.
“Gott is changing my path again. The factory I worked at closed down and I found myself without a job,” he said, sitting down on the porch.
“Ach, I am so sorry. What are you going to do?” she said, going over to sit beside him.
“Well, I decided I really had nothing in Ohio, so I sold everything and have come here while I look for work,” David smiled. “Rachel was kind enough to offer me a place to stay while I search; plus it will be nice getting to spend more time with you.”
Katie blushed. “Well I’m honored and happy to see you again.”
David stood up and looked at the house. “Were you going to do all these windows by yourself?”
“Jah, well, as many as I can. I usually have help with my shveshtahs, but now that Miriam and Rose are married, and Abigail is at Miriam's helping her with the bobli, so it’s just me now,” Katie said.
“Do you have another bucket? You shouldn’t be climbing that ladder all by yourself,” David said. “I’ll help you.”
“Ach, David, you don’t have to.”
“But I want to. It’ll be fun spending time with you.”
Katie smiled to herself as she went and got another bucket and some washcloths. She hoped that he couldn’t hear the beating of her heart or the fact that she was shaking. He wants to spend time with me? Katie thought to herself. Is Gott trying to tell me something?
After all the windows had been washed, Katie stood in the yard looking up at the house. “David, thank you so much for helping. I certainly couldn’t have finished them all myself today.”
David grinned. “My pleasure.”
Suddenly, David lifted the hose and sprayed her with a little water.
Letting out a screech, Katie looked up at him in surprise and saw the mischievous grin on his face.
“You better run if you know what’s good for you,” Katie yelled, grabbing a handful of soap suds out of the bucket, and ran after him.
For the next fifteen minutes, all that could be heard were the screams and laughter coming from them both as they chased each other around the yard.
“Alright, alright, you win,” David finally called out, collapsing on the grass covered in soap suds.
Katie sat down beside him laughing. “That was fun. My sides hurt from laughing so much.”
David chuckled. “Mine too.” Suddenly, he turned to Katie with a serious look. “Katie, I really like you. I’m really hoping I can find a job near here so we can continue seeing each other.”
Katie grinned at David. “I like you too David, and I would really like to get to know you better as well.”
“Gut. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a while but wasn’t sure I should. I know your heart is with Thomas, but I just had to tell you.”
“Thomas is never coming back here. I received a letter from him, so there will never be anything between us,” Katie answered. “It just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Well, I’m sorry for you but happy for me,” David grinned. “I should get back home and change out of these wet clothes.
After he had left, Katie found herself humming as she prepared supper. Was David meant to be her true love? Is that why Gott sent Thomas away to work at the construction site? Was it because he had other plans for her? Whatever it was, Katie could finally put Thomas out of her head and concentrate on getting to know David better.
“You seem happy,” Abigail said to Katie as she watched her sister in the kitchen.
“I am, in a strange way.” Katie turned and looked at her sister.
“How come?” Abigail asked, then suddenly opened her eyes wide. “Did you hear from Thomas?”
“Jah, but that’s not why I am happy. Thomas isn’t coming back, so my future with him will never happen, but I’ve met someone new,” Katie said, going over to sit with Abigail. Now that Abigail was older, Katie felt comfortable talking to her about things like love and relationships. “I met a man when I went with Rachel to her mamm’s house. His name is David, and he is funny, serious, handsome, considerate, unselfish and all kinds of other things.”
“Why haven’t you ever mentioned him before?”
“Because he lived in Ohio and I figured I probably wouldn’t see him again,” Katie said. “But it turns out he has just moved here and is living with Rachel while he looks for a job, so I’ll be seeing a lot more of him.”
“Ach, Katie, I’m so happy for you! You deserve to be happy after what that stupid Thomas did to you.”
“Now Abby, we mustn’t call people names. Gott had a reason for sending Thomas away,” Katie said. “Thomas and I just weren’t meant to be.”
“I can’t wait to meet David. He sounds very nice.”
* * *
Over the next month, Katie and David were together every chance they had. Katie finally understood what true happiness was. She still thought about Thomas once in a while, but that was becoming less and less as time passed.
David had managed to find some part-time work at the local lumber yard which meant he would be staying. Katie introduced him to all her friends and they even went out on several outings with friends together. She knew it was only a matter of time before David would talk to her about their future together.
Katie was cutting up vegetables one afternoon, lost in thought about what life would be like married to David. She had daydreams of lots of children and her house being filled with laughter and love. Katie realized now that it wasn’t important that her husband be a successful farmer but that they were happy and in love. It didn’t matter if he worked in a factory or a store, it was the love they felt for one another that was the key to a great marriage.
A knock at the door brought her back to reality. Thinking it might be David surprising her again with flowers, she ran to the door and quickly opened it. There instead of David was Thomas.
“Thomas, what are you doing here!?” Katie said, almost annoyed.
“Hello, Katie, I need to talk to you.”
She hadn’t thought about Thomas for a while, but seeing him again made her heart beat faster and her palms sweaty. She silently wished he hadn’t come back.
“I don’t think we really have anything to talk about, Thomas. You made yourself very clear in your letter.”
“Katie, I’ve realized that I miss you. I know I always said we were just friends, but I have thought of no one but you the last few months; and ever since I sent you that letter, I felt so badly about it. I was sure my path was to work in construction but I know I can’t do that without you,” Thomas said, reaching out and holding her hand.
“Thomas, I don’t know what to say,” Katie stuttered.
“I don’t have lots of time. I have to go back to my job tonight, but I just wanted to come and tell you that I am willing to give it all up and come back and learn from my father how to farm if that’s what you want.”
Katie sat back in her chair and stared at him. She didn’t know what to say. Her head spun, and she felt like she was going to pass out. A year ago she would have been so happy to hear him say those words; but now, she didn’t know how she felt.
“Katie, please answer me?” Thomas looked at her anxiously.
Katie put her hands on her cheeks and shook her head. “Thomas, I need time to think. It’s been a while, and you did hurt me with your letter. I can’t give you an answer right away because I don’t know how I feel.”
“Alright, I understand, but I have to go. Please promise me you will think about it. Write me and tell me your answer,” he said. “If it’s the answer I think you will give, as soon as I get it, I’ll quit and be home before you know it.”
Katie nodded and fel
t numb as Thomas walked out the door. She leaned against the closed door and put her face in her hands. Why is this happening to me, Gott? she prayed. She thought she was over Thomas, but seeing him again brought back so many memories from her past, she didn’t know how she felt anymore. She thought she was falling in love with David, but seeing Thomas put all kinds of doubts in her mind. She needed time to think.
* * *
A few days later and after many a sleepless night, Katie realized she needed to talk to someone. The first person that came to mind was her sister, Miriam, so she headed over her place.
“Katie, I’m so glad you stopped by! Can you give me a hand quickly?” Miriam asked as she juggled her infant twins in her arms. “I have to bring these guys up to get changed and put to bed. Can you watch Caleb for me? I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Sure.” Katie always loved spending time with her nephew. She sat down to read the book that Caleb had in his hand.
“Danke, Katie,” Miriam said, when she came back downstairs. “So what’s new? Is everything okay at home?”
“Jah, but I need some advice.” She went on to tell her the whole story of Thomas and David and how confused she was feeling.
* * *
Chapter 9
Miriam sat back in her chair after Katie was finished. “I’m honestly not sure what to say, Katie. I think you need to decide this one for yourself.”
“But how do I know?” Katie cried. “I thought I was over Thomas, but when I saw him, all those feelings that I had put aside came back out. At the same time, David makes me happy, and it certainly wouldn’t be fair to him to turn him away after he has told me how he feels.”
“Well, I would think about which one of them has made you the happiest and pray to Gott. The answer is in your heart, you just need to find it. Whatever choice you make will be the right one and you will know.”
The Troyer Sisters Series - Amish Romance: 4-Book Box Set Page 12