A Cousin's Prayer Read online

  “Actually, I need to run some errands in Shipshe right now,” Loraine said, “but maybe I’ll come by sometime next week and take a look.”

  “Okay. I’m sure they won’t all be sold by then.”

  Loraine gave Katie a hug. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, and I’ll see you at church tomorrow morning. It’ll be at Ella’s folks’ place.”

  Katie nodded. She hoped sitting in her uncle’s barn with a crowd of people wouldn’t bother her as much as it had during Loraine’s wedding.

  Loraine waved as she went out the door. A few minutes later, the bell above the door jingled again. Thinking it might be Grammy with their lunch, Katie continued to stock the shelves and didn’t look at the door.

  “Can ya help me find something my sister might like?” a deep voice asked.

  Startled, Katie dropped the stamps she’d been holding. When she turned and bumped into Freeman, she gasped.

  CHAPTER 5

  “I ... I didn’t realize you were here,” Katie stammered. “I mean, I thought it was my grossmudder who’d come into the shop.”

  Freeman smiled. “Nope, just me. Today’s my sister’s birthday, so I came in to see if I could find her a gift.”

  Katie’s hand shook as she motioned to the stamps she’d already put on the shelf. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous all of a sudden. She’d been perfectly calm a minute ago. “We just got in a new supply of stamps. Maybe she’d like one of them.”

  “This one’s kind of nice.” Freeman picked up a large rubber stamp with a hummingbird on it. “Ever since Fern was a maedel, she’s liked to feed the hummingbirds that come into our yard. I’m thinkin’ she’d probably like this.”

  “There’re a couple other hummingbird stamps over there.” Katie pointed to the shelf a few feet away. “They’re older ones, though, so she may already have them.”

  “She couldn’t have gotten much, since we’ve only been back in Indiana a few months ourselves,” he said.

  “My mamm’s not working here today, but if you’d like to come back tomorrow, we can ask if she knows what stamps Fern has bought.”

  “I can’t wait that long. We’re going out to celebrate Fern’s birthday this evening, and I’m sure she’d be real disappointed if I didn’t have a gift to give her.”

  “Guess you’d better buy one of the newer ones then.”

  “I’ll take the humming bird stamp, and also this one,” he said, reaching for one of the larger stamps with a sunflower on it.

  The bell above the door jingled once more, and Katie turned. Rita Howard, one of their English neighbors, stood in the doorway. Rita was a robust woman with curly red hair and deeply set blue eyes. As she ambled across the room toward Katie, the floor vibrated.

  “I left my boys outside to play while I look around,” Rita said. “I hope that’s okay.”

  “It’s fine.” Katie figured having the rambunctious boys playing outside would be better than having them in the shop where they were likely to run all over the place and mess with things.

  “When I was in here on Monday, your mother said she’d be getting some new stamps by the end of the week. Did they come in yet?” Rita asked.

  Katie motioned to the shelf she’d been stocking. “They’re right here.”

  “Oh good.” Rita rushed toward Katie, nearly knocking her over.

  Katie stepped back and bumped into Freeman. “Excuse me.”

  Wham! A baseball crashed through the window and hit one of the shelves, knocking several stamps to the floor. Katie screamed, and Rita rushed outside. At least no one had gotten hurt, and from what Katie could tell, nothing had been damaged, but her legs shook so badly she could barely stand.

  Freeman grabbed Katie’s arm. “You’re trembling like a newborn colt tryin’ to stand. Maybe you ought to sit down.”

  Feeling very unsteady, Katie wobbled across the room and sank into the chair in front of her mother’s desk.

  “I’ll get you something cold to drink.” Freeman hurried into the bathroom and returned with a paper cup full of water. “Here you go,” he said, handing it to Katie.

  “Danki.” She took the cup and gulped down some water.

  “Feel better?”

  “A little.”

  “Take a few deep breaths. That should help you relax.”

  Katie did as Freeman suggested.

  Ding! The shop door opened and Rita stepped in. “Sorry about the broken window,” she said, stepping up to the desk where Katie sat. “Guess my boys were playing too close to the store.” She reached up to rub her forehead. “I should have left ’em home with their dad today.”

  “Other than the broken window, no harm was done,” Katie said.

  “I’m glad of that, and I’ll pay for whatever it costs to replace the window.” Rita glanced toward the door. “I’d better gather up my boys and head for home. I’ll come by sometime next week when the kids are in school and look at the new stamps you got in. Maybe by then you’ll have a new window and will know how much I owe you.” Without waiting for Katie’s reply, Rita scurried out of the store.

  Katie remained at the desk while Freeman picked up the stamps that had been knocked to the floor. When he was done, he handed Katie the stamps he’d chosen for Fern. “I’d better pay for these and get back to work. I’ve been gone longer than I’d planned.”

  Katie rang up his purchase and had just put the stamps in a paper sack when Grammy burst into the room. “A deichel broke, and there’s water running all over your mamm’s kitchen floor!”

  “What pipe?” Freeman asked.

  “It’s under the sink. I tried to shut it off, but the valve wouldn’t budge, and I don’t know where Katie’s daed keeps his tools.”

  “I’d better take a look.” Freeman rushed out the door, and Grammy and Katie followed.

  When they entered the house, Grammy halted inside the utility room. “We’d better take off our shoes. The kitchen’s turned into a flood zone.”

  Katie slipped off her shoes, and when she entered the kitchen, she gasped. Water shot out from under the sink, and the floor looked like a small lake.

  “You two had better wait out here while I check things out,” Freeman said. “It wouldn’t be good for either of you to slip and fall on the floor.” He plodded through the water and squatted in front of the sink. “Ah, I see the problem. The pipe has a huge hole in it. Must have rusted out.” He glanced over his shoulder at Katie. “If you’ll find me a wrench, I’ll get the water turned off.”

  Katie sloshed through the water and opened the drawer where Dad kept his tools. She grabbed the wrench, sloshed back, and handed it to Freeman.

  “If your daed has another pipe and some plumbing supplies, I think I can fix this,” he said after he’d shut off the water.

  “I think there might be some plumbing tools in the shed, but I don’t know if there’s any pipe or not,” Katie said.

  “Shouldn’t we get this water cleaned up first?” Grammy asked, sticking her head through the open door.

  Katie nodded. “I’ll work on getting the water off the floor while Freeman looks for the plumbing supplies.”

  Freeman hurried out the door, and Katie got out the mop. By the time he’d returned to the kitchen, she had some of the water mopped up.

  “Found a pipe that I think will work,” he said, going down on his knees in front of the sink.

  While Katie finished mopping and towel-drying the floor, Freeman installed the new pipe.

  Grammy stepped into the room and pointed to the water marks that had been left on the wall. “Your daed will have a conniption when he gets home and sees this, not to mention the broken window that’ll have to be replaced in the stamp shop.”

  “You’re right,” Katie agreed. A horse and buggy pulled into the yard, and she glanced out the window. “Someone just pulled up in front of the stamp shop. Guess I’d better go see who it is.” She hurried out the door and stepped onto the porch in time to see Ella climb down from her bug
gy.

  “What happened to the window in the stamp shop?” Ella asked when Katie joined her on the lawn.

  “Rita Howard was here with her boys. She left them outside to play while she came in to look at stamps.” Katie grimaced. “Between that and a broken pipe under our kitchen sink, this has not been a good day.”

  Ella draped her arm across Katie’s shoulders. “You look upset. Don’t let a few mishaps ruin your day.”

  “My day’s not ruined. I’m just frustrated, that’s all.”

  Ella motioned to the other horse and buggy tied to the hitching rail near the shop. “Whose rig is that?”

  “It belongs to Freeman Bontrager. He came by to get some stamps for his sister’s birthday. He’s in the house putting a new pipe under the sink.”

  Ella smiled. “I’m surprised Freeman isn’t married already. A man as helpful as him will probably make someone a real good husband.”

  Katie stared at Ella. “Are you interested in Freeman?”

  Ella’s mouth opened wide. “’Course not. I was just saying that he’ll make a good husband.” She motioned to the stamp shop. “Are you open yet, or have you closed for the day?”

  “We’re still open. Is there something you need?”

  Ella nodded. “I need a stamp pad with blue ink for my daed’s business invoices.”

  “No problem. We have plenty.” As Katie led the way to the stamp shop, she thought about Ella’s comments concerning Freeman making a good husband. I hope she wasn’t hinting that I should take an interest in him, because I’m not interested in any man. Uninvited tears blurred Katie’s vision. I’m in love with Timothy, and I always will be.

  CHAPTER 6

  When Fern entered the hardware store in Shipshewana, she noticed Eunice standing in front of the book rack.

  “Is there anything new to read?” Fern asked, stepping up to Eunice.

  Eunice pointed to one of the books. “I thumbed through several pages of this children’s book. It’s about a young Amish girl and her brother who live in Pennsylvania. I think it might be something your scholars would enjoy reading.”

  Fern picked up the book and read the description on the back cover. “You’re right. This could be a nice addition to the fiction I have available at the schoolhouse. Since school will be out for our summer break next week, I may as well wait and get the book when it’s closer to the next school term in August.”

  “I guess that makes sense.” Eunice smiled. “I understand that the end-of-the-year school program is next Saturday. Your bruder mentioned that he plans to attend.”

  Fern nodded. From the hopeful expression she saw on Eunice’s face, she had a suspicion that Eunice might have more than a passing interest in Freeman. “As far as I know, my bruder and our grossmudder are both planning to go to the program.”

  “I hope to come, too, since my brother, Richard, will no doubt have a part in the program.”

  “Good, I’d like you to come.”

  Eunice gave Fern’s arm a gentle squeeze. “By the way, happy birthday!”

  “How’d you know?”

  “When I spoke with Freeman this morning, I invited him to come over to our place for supper this evening. He said he couldn’t, though, because he was taking you out to celebrate your birthday.”

  “Why don’t you join us?” Fern suggested. “We’re going to Das Dutchman, and we could pick you up on our way there.”

  Eunice’s face broke into a wide smile. “Danki for inviting me; I’d love to go!”

  ***

  After Freeman left and Katie was sure that all the water was off the kitchen floor, she and Grammy ate a quick lunch; then Katie returned to the stamp shop while Grammy did the dishes.

  Katie flopped into the chair at her mother’s desk and yawned. She felt weak and kind of shaky and wished she could close the shop and take a nap. She stared at the stack of invoices lying on the desk. She should file them away but wasn’t in the mood. Maybe I’ll make a few cards instead.

  She’d just pushed back her chair when the shop door opened and Mom stepped in.

  “What happened to our window?”

  Katie quickly explained and then told Mom about the broken pipe in the kitchen.

  Deep wrinkles formed above Mom’s brows. “Were you able to get the water shut off?”

  Katie nodded. “Freeman Bontrager was here, so he turned off the valve and put a new pipe under the sink.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Mom smiled. “Freeman’s such a nice man. I wouldn’t be surprised if some young woman doesn’t come along soon and snag him for a husband.”

  “Well, it sure won’t be me!”

  Mom looked at Katie as if she’d taken leave of her senses. “I wasn’t suggesting that at all. Why are you acting so defensive?”

  “Sorry,” Katie mumbled, “but I think you should know that I’m not interested in any man. I’m still in love with Timothy.”

  Mom pursed her lips. “Timothy’s dead, Katie, and you need to—”

  “I’ll never stop loving Timothy, and you can’t make me!” Katie rushed out of the shop and raced to the house, leaving Mom to manage the stamp shop by herself.

  ***

  When Freeman entered the house, he found Fern and Grandma sitting at the kitchen table.

  “Are you two ready to head out for supper?” he asked.

  “In a minute. Let’s give Fern her gifts before we leave.” Grandma gestured to Freeman. “Do you want to go first, or shall I?”

  He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me.”

  “I’ll go first then.” Grandma stood, pulled open one of the kitchen drawers, and removed a package. She placed it on the table in front of Fern.

  Fern grinned. “I may be a twenty-four-year-old woman, but I still like getting presents.” She pulled the tissue off and removed two embroidered pillowcases and a quilted table runner. “They’re beautiful, Grandma. Danki.”

  Grandma’s pale blue eyes twinkled as she patted Fern’s hand. “I made them for your hope chest.”

  Fern smiled. “That’s a nice thought, but I’ll probably never get married.”

  “What makes you say that?” Grandma asked.

  Fern shrugged. “Just don’t think I will, that’s all.”

  “You’re not pining for your old boyfriend, I hope.” Grandma’s brows furrowed when she frowned. “Wayne chose Loraine, and you need to come to grips with that.”

  Fern shook her head. “I’m not pining for Wayne. I just have no interest in getting married.”

  “Don’t you want to have kinner someday?”

  “I’m happy being a schoolteacher; the scholars are almost like having my own kinner.”

  Grandma shook her head. “It’s not the same as having your own, and I’m sure you’ll change your mind about marriage someday when the right man comes along. In the meantime, if you want to make use of the pillowcases and table runner, that’s fine with me.”

  Freeman stepped forward and handed Fern a paper sack. “Here you go. Happy birthday.”

  Fern opened the sack, and a smile spread across her face as she pulled out two rubber stamps. “These are so nice. I’ll use them when I do scrapbooking. Danki, Freeman.”

  “You’re welcome.” Freeman moved toward the door. “Now can we go eat? I didn’t have any lunch today, so I’m starving.”

  “How come you didn’t eat?” Grandma asked.

  “Because I ended up replacing a broken pipe during my lunch hour.”

  Fern’s eyebrows puckered. “Was it a pipe in your bike shop?”

  “No, it wasn’t. I’ll tell you about it on our way to Das Dutchman.” Freeman grabbed his hat and hurried out the door with Fern and Grandma following.

  They were almost to Freeman’s buggy when Andy Weaver, one of Fern’s students, walked into the yard carrying a cocker spaniel puppy in his arms. “We had five hundlin at our house, and this one’s the last to go.” He held the pup out to Fern. “Happy birthday, Teacher!”

  Fern’s ey
es widened, and she looked over at Freeman as if she hoped he’d come to her rescue.

  Freeman just shrugged and folded his arms.

  “I named the hundli Penny ’cause she’s copper-colored like a penny.” Andy grinned up at Fern. “I hope you’ll take good care of her.”

  Fern nodded and took the puppy from him. “Danki, Andy.”

  “You’re welcome.” Andy gave Penny a quick pat then headed down the driveway. “See you at school, Teacher.”

  “What are you going to do with the dog while you’re teaching school?” Grandma asked. “I hope you don’t expect me to care for it, because I’ve got enough to do already.”

  Fern looked at Freeman. “Will you keep an eye on Penny for me when I’m away from home?”

  “I guess the mutt can hang around with me in the bike shop, just as long as she doesn’t cause any trouble.” He took the pup from Fern. “In the meantime, I’ll put her in the barn where she’ll be safe while we’re gone to supper.”

  “Danki, Freeman.”

  Freeman grunted in reply. He wasn’t thrilled about babysitting the puppy but didn’t have the heart to tell Fern no. As soon as he had some free time, he’d build the pup a dog run; then he wouldn’t have to worry about playing babysitter.

  He hurried to the barn and put Penny in one of the empty horse stalls. When he went back outside, he found Fern and Grandma sitting in his buggy.

  “Oh, I almost forgot to mention something,” Fern said after Freeman had climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “What’s that?”

  “I ran into Eunice when I was in Shipshe earlier today, and I invited her to join us for supper.” Fern smiled. “I said we’d pick her up on the way to the restaurant.”

  “How come you invited her to go along?” Freeman asked.

  “Eunice told me she’d invited you to her house for supper tonight, but you said you couldn’t go because you were going out with Grandma and me. I figured I was doing you a favor by asking Eunice to join us.”