A Cousin's Prayer Page 3

  Freeman shook his head. Katie Miller didn’t need to lose any weight. If anything, she needed to gain a few pounds. He had a feeling something was going on with Katie. She’d been acting kind of strange all day. The way she’d run out during the wedding made him wonder if she might be sick.

  “Here you go,” Andrew said, handing Freeman a platter of fried chicken.

  “Danki.” Freeman forked a piece onto his plate and handed the platter to Wayne. Then he turned his attention back to Katie again. She fidgeted in her chair, and her hand shook as she reached for her glass of water and took a drink.

  She’s either sick or nervous about something, he decided. The way she’s acting makes me think...

  “Here’s some more food to put on your plate.” Andrew handed Freeman a bowl of mashed potatoes and then some gravy and bread filling.

  Freeman helped himself and passed the bowls along. As he ate his meal, he kept glancing at Katie. She didn’t look well at all.

  ***

  The napkin in front of Katie bore nothing but crumbs, and she didn’t even remember eating the roll that had been on her plate. That same panicky feeling she’d had during the wedding was coming over her again. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself by rushing outside, so she reached for her glass of water and took a drink. I’ll never make it through the rest of the day. Help me, Lord.

  She glanced at the smiling newlyweds and wondered how she could make her escape without arousing too much suspicion. Leaning close to Ella, she whispered, “I’m not feeling so well. I think I’d better go home.”

  Deep wrinkles formed across Ella’s forehead. “What’s wrong. Are you grank?”

  Katie’s chin quivered, and her throat felt so clogged she could barely speak. “I ... I’m not sure.”

  “Do you want me to see if I can find your folks?”

  “No, I can do that. Please explain things to Loraine for me, would you?”

  “Sure.” Ella patted Katie’s arm in a motherly fashion. “I hope you feel better soon.”

  Katie was on the verge of saying she hoped so, too, when she was hit by a sudden wave of nausea. She covered her mouth, jumped up, and bolted from the room.

  Outside, she drew in a couple of deep breaths and was relieved when the nausea finally subsided. Then her head started to pound. Maybe she really was sick. She might be coming down with the flu.

  She glanced around the yard and spotted her father standing near the barn talking to Uncle Amos. She hurried over to him and said, “Can you take me home, Dad? I’m not feeling well.”

  “Are you grank?” he asked with a look of concern.

  She nodded. “I’ve got a koppweh, and my stomach’s upset.”

  “Maybe it’s one of those sick headaches,” Uncle Amos spoke up. “My fraa gets ’em sometimes when she’s feeling stressed out.”

  “Are you feeling stressed?” Dad asked Katie.

  She shook her head. “I think I might be coming down with the flu.”

  “I’d better take you home then.” Dad motioned to the long line of buggies parked in the field. “You can wait in our buggy while I get your mamm and grossmudder.”

  “Why don’t you let them stay awhile? You can take me home and then come back here to enjoy the rest of your day.”

  Dad frowned. “Your mamm wouldn’t like the idea of you goin’ home alone if you’re sick.”

  “I’m not that sick, and there’s no reason for her to know.”

  “You sure about that? I mean, if you think you need—”

  “I’ll be fine once I’m home and can lie down awhile.”

  “Okay.” Dad started walking toward the horses, and Katie sprinted for their buggy. She could hardly wait to get home.

  As they headed down the road, Katie spotted an Amish couple sitting under a gazebo in their front yard. Two small children played nearby. Katie’s heart ached at the sight of them. She longed to have a husband and children of her own.

  When Dad turned off the main road and into their driveway, the horse picked up speed and headed straight for the barn. As soon as the buggy came to a stop, Katie hopped out. “I’ll see you later, Dad!”

  Her feet churned against the grass as she raced for the house. Flinging the door open, she leaned against the wall and drew in a couple of deep breaths. Her head still hurt, and her stomach hadn’t completely settled, but she felt safer and calmer than she had all day.

  The stairs creaked as Katie made her way up to her room. When she opened the door, a blast of warm air hit her full in the face. She hurried to open the window, and when a trickle of air floated into the room, she breathed deeply. She stood there several seconds then flopped onto her bed.

  Plumping up the pillow, she closed her eyes and tried to relax. She hoped Loraine wasn’t too upset that she’d skipped out like that. She’d really had no other choice, for if she’d stayed at the table, she might have thrown up or even passed out.

  Uninvited tears seeped from under Katie’s lashes. She’d never felt sick enough to run away from a gathering like that, and the fearful thoughts she’d had today made no sense at all.

  She opened her eyes and dabbed at the wetness beneath them. She tried to pray, but no words would come. Looking ahead to the future caused Katie’s feelings of anxiety to return. After all, what kind of a future was there for someone like her?

  CHAPTER 4

  When Katie came downstairs the following morning, she heard whispered voices coming from the kitchen. A sense of dread balled in her stomach when Grammy said, “I agree with you, Jeremy. Katie’s been living with us long enough. Under the circumstances, I think it’s best if she remains here with you and JoAnn.”

  Katie rushed into the kitchen, but before she could open her mouth to protest, Mom turned in her chair and said, “Mir hen yuscht vun dir ghat.”

  Katie’s head bobbed up and down as she swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I know you were talking about me. I heard Grammy say she didn’t want me to go back to Florida with her.”

  Grammy shook her head. “I never said that, Katie. I said I thought under the circumstances that you need to stay here.”

  “What circumstances?”

  Grammy rose from her chair and slipped her arm around Katie’s waist. “Grandpa and I won’t be living in Florida much longer, so—”

  Katie’s mouth fell open. “What? Where are you going?”

  “We’re moving to Wisconsin to be closer to my sister, Mary. She’s been widowed for sometime and is having some health problems, so we’ve decided to move there and help her out.”

  “That’s the reason my daed didn’t come to Indiana with my mamm,” Mom said. “He needed to stay in Sarasota and get the house ready to rent out.”

  Katie groaned as she sank into a chair at the table. “Why wasn’t I told about this sooner?”

  Grammy’s face turned crimson. “We didn’t want to upset you. Your grandpa and I thought that after you came back here and saw everyone again, you’d be more receptive to the idea of staying.”

  Katie folded her arms and frowned. “I was looking forward to going back to Florida. I ... I like it there.”

  “We know you do, but we’re not going to be there, and it’s best that you stay here with your folks.”

  Katie gave a woeful shake of her head. “I can’t stay. There are too many painful memories here.”

  “You can’t run from the past for the rest of your life,” Mom said.

  Katie clasped Grammy’s arm. “Can’t you just go to Wisconsin to help Mary for a while and then move back to Florida when she’s better?”

  “I’m not sure she’ll ever be better, and we’re going to do what we think is best for Mary,” Grammy said.

  Doesn’t anyone care what’s best for me? Katie bit her bottom lip in an effort to keep from crying. She knew she was being selfish, but the thought of Grandpa and Grandma leaving Florida, where she’d felt safe these last several months, made her nausea return. She’d be happier in Florida. She’d eve
n made a few friends there. How could they expect her to stay here with all her painful memories?

  “Maybe I could get a job and rent your house in Pinecraft,” Katie said, feeling more desperate by the minute.

  Grammy shook her head. “We’ve already found someone to rent it.”

  “Now that we’ve got everything settled,” Dad said before Katie could protest further, “let’s eat breakfast so I can get to work making windows in my shop, and you and your mamm can open your stamp shop.”

  Mom looked over at Katie. “I was hoping you could work by yourself for a few hours this afternoon while I go to my dental appointment.”

  A sense of panic seized Katie, and she gripped the edge of her chair. “You want me to work there alone?”

  Before Mom could reply, Grammy spoke up. “If there’s anything I can do at the shop, I’d be happy to help out.”

  Katie breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t worked in the stamp shop for several months. The thought of waiting on customers made her feel apprehensive. “I’d appreciate the help,” she said with a nod.

  ***

  “Would you like some more eggs?” Freeman’s grandmother asked, smiling at him from across the table.

  He shook his head. “No thanks. I’ve got lots to do today, so I’d better get out to my shop.” He stood.

  “How late do you plan to work today?” Grandma asked.

  Freeman shrugged. “Don’t know. Guess that all depends on how much work I get done.”

  “I hope you’ll be finished in time for us to take Fern out to supper like we’d planned.”

  Freeman’s forehead wrinkled. “We’re taking Fern to supper?”

  Grandma sighed. “I’m glad she went to town early this morning to do some shopping. I wouldn’t want her to hear that her bruder has obviously forgotten that today’s her birthday.”

  Freeman’s face heated up. “Oh, that’s right. Guess it must have slipped my mind.”

  Grandma held up her hand. “No need to offer an excuse. Just make sure you’re done working in time to take us to supper.”

  “Okay.” Freeman started across the room and was about to pluck his hat off the wall peg when he turned back around. “Do you have any idea what Fern might like for her birthday? Has she dropped any hints?”

  Grandma shook her head. “She’s given me no hints, but I know she’s been working on a scrapbook the last few months. Maybe some rubber stamps would be appreciated.”

  “Is that what you planned to give her?”

  “No. I made her something for her hope chest.” Grandma sipped her coffee. “If you can spare the time, why don’t you go over to the Millers’ stamp shop today and see what you can find.”

  Freeman nodded. “I’ll try to do that during my lunch hour.”

  Grandma smiled. “Would you like me to take a sandwich out to you shortly before noon so you can eat while you’re riding over to the Millers’?”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ll pick something up on my way back home.” Freeman plopped his hat on his head and hurried out the door.

  When he entered his shop a few minutes later, he lit the gas lamps then quickly set to work on a bike one of their English neighbors had brought in for repairs.

  He’d only been working a short time when the shop door opened and Eunice stepped in.

  “Wie geht’s?” she asked with a cheerful smile.

  “Can’t complain. How about you?”

  “I’m doing well.” Her smile widened as she moved closer to him. “Looks like you’re hard at work.”

  He nodded. “Always have something to do, it seems.”

  “I’m still enjoying the bicycle my daed bought for me.”

  “Glad you like it.”

  She squatted down beside him and leaned so close that he could see the smattering of light-colored freckles on her nose. “The bike you’re working on looks like a nice one. How many speeds does it have?”

  “It’s a 21-speed, just like yours.”

  “What’s wrong with it?”

  Freeman motioned to the back of the bike. “The wheel’s bent, the chain’s messed up, and one of the pedals is broken.”

  “What happened?”

  “Wally Andrews, the owner of the bike, took a bad spill the other day.”

  “Was he hurt?”

  “Just a few scrapes and bruises.” Freeman grimaced. “The bike took the worst of it.”

  “You sure seem to know what you’re doing. How long have you been repairing bikes?”

  “Since I was sixteen. My uncle in Ohio trained me well.” Freeman reached for the wrench lying on the floor beside Eunice. “The last time you were here, you mentioned that you’d been looking for a job. Have you found one yet?”

  She shook her head. “No one seems to be hiring right now. Things are tight all over.”

  “I know. Hopefully, once the tourists begin pouring into Shipshewana when the flea market opens next month, some jobs will come open.”

  “I hope so.” Eunice offered him another pleasant smile. “If you’re not too busy this afternoon, would you like to come over to my house for lunch? My mamm fixed too much chicken corn soup for supper last night. You’d be doing us a favor if you helped us eat some of it for lunch.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I have an errand to run during my lunch hour.”

  Her pale eyebrows furrowed. “That’s too bad. If you came for lunch, it would give us a chance to get better acquainted.”

  “Maybe some other time.”

  A light danced in her eyes. “You mean it?”

  He nodded.

  “How about coming over for supper this evening?”

  “I can’t. Today’s my sister’s birthday. I’ll be taking her and my grossmudder to supper.”

  “Oh, I see.” Eunice sighed. “I’m going to be busy helping my mamm with the garden the first part of next week, but what about Saturday? Would you be free to have lunch with me then?”

  Freeman shook his head. “That’s the day of the school program and potluck meal. Since my sister’s one of the teachers, I think she’d like me to be there.”

  “Oh, that’s right, I’d forgotten about the program. When would you be free?”

  “How about the following Saturday?”

  “All right then.” Eunice stood and smoothed the wrinkles in her dress. “Guess I’d better let you get back to work. See you at church tomorrow, Freeman.”

  As the door shut behind Eunice, Freeman slapped the side of his head. “I hope she doesn’t think we’re a courting couple just because I agreed to have lunch with her in a few weeks.”

  ***

  By the time Katie and Grammy had been working in the stamp shop a few hours, Katie had begun to relax. She’d almost forgotten how much she enjoyed the work.

  Grammy placed a stack of off-white cardstock on one of the shelves. “There are so many interesting things in this shop. I think it must be a fun place to work.”

  Katie nodded. “I was just thinking that. When I worked here with Mom before I went to Florida, and we weren’t waiting on customers or stocking shelves, we used to take a few minutes out to work on our own scrapbooking projects. We also liked to make cards that we could give to our friends and family on special occasions.”

  Grammy nodded. “Your mamm has sent me several of her homemade cards over the years, and I’ve always enjoyed getting them. I think a homemade card’s so much more personal than one that’s bought in a store.”

  Katie was about to comment when the bell above the shop door jingled and Loraine walked in. “How are you today?” she asked, stepping up to Katie. “I was worried when you left the wedding meal.”

  “Didn’t Ella tell you I left early because I wasn’t feeling well?”

  Loraine nodded. “But I wanted to come by and find out if you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine now.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Loraine slipped her arm around Katie’s waist. “It’s good to see you working in the stamp s
hop again.”

  “Looks like I’ll be working here from now on, because Grammy and Grandpa are planning to rent their place out and move to Wisconsin. That means I won’t be going back to Sarasota.”

  Grammy explained about her sister’s ill health then turned to Katie and said, “It’s almost lunchtime. If you don’t need me for anything right now, I think I’ll go up to the house and fix us something to eat.”

  “That’s fine,” Katie said with a nod. “We can eat it out here so I won’t have to close the stamp shop.”

  Grammy smiled at Loraine. “If you’re not here when I get back, I’ll see you at church tomorrow. I’ll be leaving for Florida on Monday morning to finish getting ready for the move, so Sunday will be my last chance to say good-bye to everyone.”

  “It’s been nice seeing you again,” Loraine said. “I hope things go well with your move.”

  After Grammy left the shop, Katie started putting some stamps on the shelves. “Are you and Wayne getting settled into your new house?” she asked Loraine.

  “Pretty much. We moved our wedding gifts over there yesterday after we’d finished helping clean things up at my folks’ place. You probably heard that Wayne’s parents lost their house when the tornado hit last winter, so they’ve been living in Wayne’s house ever since. They’ll continue to do so until their new house is finished.”

  “How long do you think that will be?” Katie asked.

  Loraine shrugged. “Don’t know. Crist and Wayne have been so busy in the taxidermy shop that they haven’t had much free time to work on it. Now that spring’s here, many of our Amish neighbors are busy planting their fields, so I doubt they’ll get much help on the house from them, either.”

  “I hope it goes okay with you and Ada living under the same roof. I know you two didn’t always get along so well.”

  “Things are better between Ada and me now. I don’t think it should be too difficult to have her and Crist staying with us.”

  Katie motioned to the stamps she’d put on the shelf. “Mom said these recently came in, so if you need any new stamps, you might wanna choose ’em now before they’re all picked over.”