A Beau for Katie (12 page)

* * *

“He seems very nice, your miller,” Patsy remarked as she formed ground beef into patties. She was chubby and tow-haired, with thick glasses, a pointed chin, and a kind disposition. Katie thought she was the perfect wife for her brother Isaac. “A pity about his broken leg,” Patsy continued. “But by the grace of God he wasn't killed by that bull.”

Patsy, Katie and a group of friends were gathered in the kitchen of Katie's childhood home, preparing for a barbecue. Some of those who'd come were married women, some walking out with prospective husbands, and others, like Ellie, hoping to find someone special. It had been Katie's brother Isaac's idea to host a birthday celebration for his wife Patsy. They'd invited two dozen guests, including Katie and Freeman, Ellie, Nona, who was one of Patsy's sisters, and Thomas Stutzman.

Since all of the guests were in their twenties and thirties, Katie's mother had gone visiting for the day to allow the young people to enjoy themselves without an older member of the community dampening their fun. Isaac had promised volleyball, men against the women, as well as an archery contest, and fast hymn singing. They would stuff themselves with picnic food, splash in the farm pond and drink homemade ginger ale until dark, when Isaac had promised that they would have a bonfire, complete with hot dogs and marshmallows to roast.

“If Freeman has a fault, it's that he has his own way of doing things,” Katie observed as she cut a pan of still-warm brownies into squares. “He's so nice, though. I still can't believe we're walking out together. It's so new that it doesn't seem real. At first, when I went there to help with the housework, I thought Freeman was difficult, but after you get to know him, he's really sweet.”

Ellie paused from slicing a watermelon into wedges, smiling mischievously. “Now she says
difficult.
I won't tell you what she called him that first day when she got home. But I knew she must like him. All she could talk about was Freeman this and Freeman that.”

Katie chuckled. “
Ya
, I did say he was grumpy.”

Patsy's older sister Meta, married three years and about to give birth to her second child, was as plump and cheerful as the birthday girl. “The same with her.” She pointed a mayonnaise-covered spoon in Patsy's direction and motioned with it to emphasize her words. “Our
mam
said that if Isaac didn't ask to marry her soon, she would drive over herself and fix it up with his mother because Patsy was so
narrish
over him that she couldn't toast bread without burning it.”

“I never called Isaac grumpy,” Patsy protested. “He doesn't have a grumpy bone in his body.” She looked at Katie for support. “Does he?”

Katie shook her head. “
Ne
. As brothers go, I've been blessed.”

Almost as if he'd known they were talking about him, Isaac appeared outside the kitchen window. “That food almost ready?” he asked. “I'd like to get the hamburgers on the grill. I'm starved.”

“You're always starved,” Katie teased.

“
Ya
. Fortunately, my new wife is a
goot
cook.” Patsy blushed with pleasure as he winked at her. “I'm waiting for those baked beans of yours,” he said.

“We'll be ready in two shakes of a lamb's tail,” Katie told him. “Hold off for a few more minutes, and there will be enough to fill even you.”

“But maybe not Thomas,” he teased.

“Ya,”
Patsy said. “Even Thomas.” And the women all laughed.

Katie had been delighted when Freeman had eventually agreed to accept Isaac's invitation. He'd been stuck at home for weeks, and he needed an outing. With Shad and Uncle Jehu's help, she'd gotten Freeman into the buggy at the mill. He'd been able to drive the horse, something that pleased him immensely. And when they'd arrived at her home, Isaac and Thomas had been all too willing to assist him in getting out and into his wheelchair. The doctor had promised that Freeman would soon be on crutches, and he was eagerly looking forward to it. Freeman was outside with the men now; she could hear snatches of his laughter through the open windows.

“He has a fine business,” Meta said. “Your Freeman? The mill?”

Katie nodded. She supposed he was considered a good catch, but she hadn't thought at all about what he had. It was who he was that was important. That, and the way she felt when they were together. All the way here, they'd laughed and talked, with Freeman showing her a fun side of his personality that she was just coming to appreciate.

“So, I suppose you're calling it off with that man in Kentucky,” Jane asked. She and Thomas, Ellie's friend, had the same last name but weren't related.

“Of course,” Katie replied. “It wouldn't be fair to Uriah not to tell him that I was going with someone.”

Jane giggled. “Two men wanting to court you at the same time—that must be something.”

“I wish Victor hadn't brought that stranger,” Ellie commented, glancing out the window as she handed a plate of watermelon wedges to Jane.

“Who?” Katie asked, looking out the window, too. “His cousin Jakob? The blacksmith from Indiana?”

“Yes, Jakob. Just because he's little like me, everyone will think we're meant for each other.”

“What's wrong with him?” Jane asked. “He seems pleasant enough, and Victor says he's the best farrier he's ever seen. Just because he isn't as tall as—”

“Ellie,” Meta admonished, “I've never heard you talk bad about anyone. How can you find fault with him for being...small when—”

“When I am?” Ellie sighed with exasperation. “You have no idea what it's like. How my parents searched far and wide for a short husband for me. One was an Old Order Mennonite boot maker from Ontario.”

“Something wrong with boot makers?” Patsy asked. “At least you'd always have good shoes with soles on them.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “He was in his fifties and had eleven children. A good man, I'm sure, but not for me. I'm not marrying someone just because he's little like me.” She rested her small hands on her hips. “I was born Amish and I stay Amish. I don't care if God's love leads others to a different path, but that's not for me. I could never wed a man, dwarf or giant, who didn't share my own path.”

“No one's asking you to marry Jakob,” Jane said. “Just to welcome him to our community. We can use another blacksmith and farrier now that Thomas has made it plain it's not for him.”

“You needn't worry about that,” Katie said, coming to her friend's defense. “I've never known Ellie to be unkind to anyone, and certainly not unwelcoming to a newcomer.”

“Ne,”
Ellie said, shaking her head. “I deserved that. I said what I shouldn't. Naturally, I won't be rude to Jakob. Just don't expect me to ride home with him.”

Meta laughed. “We won't, not when Thomas is around. The way he looks at you, I'm thinking he'll be popping the question soon.”

Ellie shook her head. “I don't know why everyone keeps saying that. Thomas and I are just friends.”

“Well,
friends
, if we don't get out there with this food, the men will all be at the door wanting to know where it is,” Katie reminded them.

The afternoon and evening were as much fun as she'd hoped. Because he was confined to the wheelchair, Freeman couldn't participate in the games, but Isaac and the others made certain he wasn't left out. They asked him to officiate at the volleyball match and archery contests. Later, when everyone gathered around the fire to make s'mores, Katie sat beside him and let him hold her hand in the semi-darkness.

“I'm glad we came,” he said.

“Me, too,” Katie agreed. Today had been one of the best days of her life. Her skirt was still damp from where she'd waded in the pond, and she'd come in third behind Thomas and Isaac at archery. Best of all, Freeman had cheered loudly for her. Now, here in the semi-darkness with the navy-blue sky arching overhead, the bright scattering of stars, and the warmth of Freeman's touch, she was almost giddy with happiness.

“I wish we were riding home together,” he whispered to her. “I wish I could take you back to Sara's myself.”

She didn't answer. She wished it, too, but it was late, and she knew that he was tired and probably in pain from being up all day. Thomas had invited her to ride back to Sara's with the two of them, and Ellie had insisted.

“I like your brother and sister-in-law,” Freeman said, still holding her hand tightly.

She smiled, glad that they had hit it off. “You did so well traveling today that you'll be ready for church next week,” she said. “It's time.”

“Ya,”
he agreed. “It is time, but there's only one way I could possibly go.”

“Oh?” She met his warm gaze.

“Ya.”
He grinned, bringing his nose very close to hers. “You have to come with me.”

Chapter Eleven

K
atie met his gaze in the darkness, the firelight flickering light and dark against his features. “You want me to come to church with you?” she asked, her throat tight with emotion. “Then, everyone would know that we...”

“That we're together?” His warm chuckle was a comforting hug that brought tears to her eyes. “That we're courting? We are, aren't we? I thought that was settled.” He squeezed her hand again and then released it.

She struggled to find words to convey her desire to go with him, but not to rush what might be an enormous commitment. “I
would
like to come to worship with you, but this is so new. I thought...” She didn't finish her sentence. What did she think? She thought they'd agreed they would merely consider a formal courtship. But she also thought that she'd never been happier in her life than she was right now. With Freeman.

“Not having second thoughts, are you?” he asked. His tone was teasing, but he genuinely wanted to know what she was thinking.

She shook her head, shifting in the lawn chair. “
Ne
, Freeman. This feels right. I've been praying, and... I think this is what was supposed to happen. I've been so happy since I've come to work for you at the mill house, and I love your family. And...” She almost said “And I love you,” but kept the words to herself, not quite ready to speak them.

“Good, because we're a package. If you marry me, you accept Grossmama and Uncle Jehu. And he will continue living with us as long as he wants.”

She placed a marshmallow on a green willow switch and held it over the coals of the fire. Everyone else was gathered around the fire, too, talking and laughing, but she felt like it was just the two of them. “I understand, and I'm fine with it. I always imagined myself living with extended family. I think it's the way we should all live. But you know, he and Ivy could come to their own arrangement. If they decide to marry, I'm sure Ivy will want Jehu to move into her house.”

He looked amused. “They aren't even courting. How can you have them married already?”

She laughed. “Of course they're courting. Men.” She shook her head again. “You see everything and understand nothing about a woman's heart.” Her marshmallow flamed up and she withdrew the stick and blew on it. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “It's burned.”

“Just the way I like it,” Freeman steered the stick toward him and leaned over to take a bite.

“Careful,” she cautioned. “It's hot. You'll—”

“Ah!” he said, touching his lip. “It's hot.” A dribble of marshmallow fell onto his chin.

“I warned you,” she teased. “But you never listen to reason.”

He dabbed at the melted marshmallow and rubbed his sticky finger on the tip of her nose. “Now everyone will wonder what we've been up to.”

He laughed, and she laughed with him.

“How will I get this off?” she asked, rubbing at the sticky, warm marshmallow on her face.

“Fortunately for you, I come prepared.” He removed a clean handkerchief from his trouser pocket and gave it to her.

She moistened the corner of his handkerchief with a little of the water in her glass and wiped away the marshmallow on her nose. “Now you,” she said. Obediently, he allowed her to clean his chin.

“Satisfied?” he asked, leaning closer to her than he probably should have.

“Hey, Ellie,” Thomas called loudly from beside them. “I dare you to go into the pond again.”

“What? Wading in the dark?” Ellie's laughter rang out.

“If you go, I'll go,” Thomas dared.

Amid a flurry of giggles and excited calls, Thomas and Ellie and then the rest of the party left the bonfire and moved toward the pond, leaving Katie and Freeman alone.

“You can go if you want,” Freeman offered.

“
Ne
, I like it fine where I am,” Katie said. She placed another marshmallow on the end of her willow bough. “I'll try not to burn this one,” she promised.

“Actually, I'm glad they left us alone,” he said. “There's something I've been wanting to tell you.”

“Something bad or good?”

“Nothing that changes anything between us. At least, I hope not,” he replied. “It's just...something I need to tell you. Something you need to know and I wanted you to know from me, before you hear it from anyone else.”

A ripple of apprehension slid down her spine, and she pulled the marshmallow back out of the heat before it had even started to blister. “Okay.”

“Ten years ago, I thought I was in love with someone,” he said quietly. “We were planning to marry.”

Katie sat quietly for a moment. Freeman was older than she was; she wasn't silly enough to think he had never taken a girl home from a singing or escorted someone to a picnic or a fund-raiser, but it wasn't as easy to hear from him as she had thought it would be. “What was her name?” she asked quietly.

“Susan.”

“And you and Susan courted?”

“We did, for the better part of a year. Then she broke it off and chose someone else.” He shrugged. “End of story.”

“And you've never courted anyone since?”

“I took a few girls home from singings, but nothing serious. No.”

“So that's why you've remained single so long.” Katie's mouth felt dry and she picked up her glass to take a sip of water. “You must have cared for her very much.”

“I did. She married him, moved to Ohio, and they have three children. As far as I know, they've been happy together.”

“But she hurt you,” Katie said softly.

He took his time responding. “She did. And maybe I used my hurt to avoid moving on, starting the family that everyone expected, but whatever it is, it doesn't matter anymore. But I wouldn't have felt right not telling you.”

She nodded. “I'm so glad you did.”
Ten years.
Sad, she thought, that Freeman had mourned his lost love so long. She hesitated, trying to push down the curiosity that a woman would naturally feel for an old rival. She reached for another marshmallow from the bag in the grass. “Is it okay if I ask you...what she was like?”

“Of course.” He chuckled. “She was nothing like you, Katie, if that's what you're asking. Nothing at all. Petite, soft-spoken, gentle and biddable. As far from you as December is from July.”

She thrust her marshmallow back into the fire. “Well, if we ever meet, I'll kiss her on both cheeks and thank her.”

“For what?”

She giggled, staring into the fire. “For being foolish enough to walk away from the finest catch in Kent County.”

* * *

“I have a feeling that next time we come, you'll be walking on your own,” Katie said cheerfully as she pushed Freeman's wheelchair out the automatic doors of the large medical complex. The visit had gone smoothly and much quicker than she'd expected. Not only did Freeman have a new, smaller and lighter cast, but he had permission to start walking.

An English child holding an adult's hand stopped and pointed at them, and the embarrassed mother tugged the little girl's hand. “Mama, look at the cowboy. He has a boo-boo.”

“Sorry,” the red-faced woman said. And then to her daughter, “Didn't I tell you not to talk to strangers?”

“But I wasn't,” the child protested. “I just said—”

Katie glanced down at Freeman and pressed her lips together to keep from giggling out loud. He grinned back at her. “A cowboy?” she whispered.

He shrugged. “I've been called worse.”

Chuckling, Katie pushed him down the sidewalk to a bench where the driver would pick them up. The clock in the doctor's office had told her that they'd have to wait fifteen minutes, but she didn't mind. The bench was in the shade, and she was content to be with Freeman.

Making sure he was in the shade, too, she sat down beside him. “I gave Isaac money and asked him to buy tickets for us for the Millers' spaghetti supper Friday night. The Ray Millers. They live out on Route 8. It's a benefit for the Troyer baby who's up at the DuPont Children's Hospital. Isaac and Patsy are going to the benefit, and they said they'd be happy to come by and pick us both up and take us home afterwards.”

Freeman's brow furrowed. “A benefit supper? I don't mind the donation, but I'm not sure I'm ready to go out in public. Not to something like that.” He turned to her. “I wish you'd asked me about it first.”

“Nonsense,” she said, brushing off his protests. “It will do you good; maybe you can try your crutches. And it will certainly help the Troyers.”

Freeman frowned. “I would have liked the chance to make up my own mind if I wanted to go before you committed us to having your brother go out of his way to take us.”

“Fine.” She folded her hands on her lap and watched a minivan go by. “If you don't feel up to it, I'll go by myself. I go to things like this by myself all the time.”

“That's not the point, Katie. A man likes to be asked. Susan never—”

“Susan?” She turned to him. “Your old girlfriend's involved in whether or not we go out to a benefit supper?” She gave an exasperated sigh. “I don't know what to say. I thought you'd welcome the opportunity to go out and be with people.”

He ran his hand over the new cast. “Maybe I would have, but now I feel as if I'm being told what I should and shouldn't do.”

“I'm sorry, Freeman.” She raised her hands and let them fall. “You're right. I should have asked you first. I'll tell Isaac that we've changed our minds and—”

“
Ne
. I'll go, but next time—ask me.”

“I will,” she agreed, somewhat chastened. She didn't know why he'd taken it wrong, but she'd have to tread more carefully, she supposed. She smiled at him, ready to move away from any unpleasantness. Not that she was concerned. This was the way two people got to know each other. “I'm so pleased that your recovery is coming along so well. In no time at all, you'll be dressing those millstones single-handedly.”

“I sure hope so, because I've had enough of this thing.” He tapped the wheelchair. “That looks like our driver coming now.” He indicated a blue van that had just turned into the parking lot. “We can stop at the medical supplies place and pick up my new crutches, and then I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” She smiled at him. “What is it?”

He smiled at her. “I'm taking you to Rita's for a gelato.”

“A what?”

“A gelato. It's kind of an ice cream and Icee all in one,” he explained. “Have you ever had it before?”

“Never, but I love ice cream.”

“Wait until you taste this. You'll be wanting me to take you every day for another.”

* * *

Freeman frowned with concentration as he took another half dozen steps and stopped to lean more heavily on his crutches. He was breathing hard, and he still felt a little unsteady. “This isn't as easy as it looks,” he said to Katie.

“It doesn't look easy.” She stood beside him. “Maybe you've walked enough for one day.”

“
Ne
. I need to build up my strength.” He couldn't believe how weak he'd gotten in such a short time. His lips tightened into a thin line as he walked through the parlor and out onto the open front porch. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he was pleased with himself. By the next week he'd be back in the mill putting in a few hours each day. He might not be ready for lifting, but there was nothing wrong with his mind. He could direct Shad, answer the telephone and wait on customers. His only regret was that more time in the mill would mean less time in the house. He'd loved the time with Katie every day, but he needed to get back to work.

Freeman took another step. Then another.

“Don't wear yourself out,” Katie said as she followed him out onto the porch.

“I won't.” The benefit spaghetti supper that had almost caused their first argument was that night. The thought that she hadn't consulted him before making arrangements for them to go with Isaac and Patsy still rubbed him the wrong way, but he'd given in, and that was the end of it. It wasn't worth getting upset about a second time. It was just something they were going to have to work on.

He lowered himself gingerly onto a high-backed wooden bench, and rested the crutches against his cast. Then he patted the space beside him and she took a seat. She was all in russet today, russet dress and scarf, and russet apron. He smiled at her. “I was thinking that maybe we could get a swing for out here. Maybe some chairs and a little table. Peachy has some solid outdoor furniture at a decent price. Unless you'd rather have new furniture in one room in the house. Maybe a new couch and chair in the parlor?”

She gave him a mischievous smile and curled her legs, tucking her bare feet under her. “I'm not sure that is a question you should be asking me. That's more for a husband and wife to decide, don't you think?”

“Once we're married, we
will
be husband and wife,” he answered. “My furniture in the parlor belonged to my parents—you might rather pick something out yourself.”

Katie rested two slender fingers against her lips. They were perfectly shaped lips to his way of thinking. Her lips had a natural peach tint that added to her attractive features. Katie was a looker. That was for sure.

“Freeman, aren't you getting ahead of yourself? When did we start officially courting?”

He liked the way her blond hair curled in little ringlets around her sweet face, but best of all, he liked her eyes, never dull, always sparkling, lively and full of swirling depths. With eyes like Katie's, a man would always be guessing what she was up to. He'd never be bored.

He chuckled. “When did we start courting? I thought we talked about this the other night at your brother's. Obviously we're courting. We started courting about five minutes after I got the nerve to ask you that day in the mill.”