by Amy Clipston
“I know. We could start selling baked goods at the stand now. Why wait until the harvest?”
Mandy stood up and nodded. “That’s a fantastic idea.”
“You think so?” Katie Ann hated the hopefulness in her voice. Why was she so determined to win Mandy’s approval?
“Ya, I do.” Mandy wiped her hands on her apron. “We can talk to Clara and Emma about what we want to sell at the stand.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Katie Ann grinned as she stood. She and Mandy were on the same page for the first time in months. Did she have her best friend back?
She looked toward the barn and, when she spotted Chris talking to Wayne, the urge to tell Mandy how she felt about Chris overwhelmed her. She wanted to share the details of their conversation in the barn and tell Mandy how Chris seemed to really like her. She longed for Mandy’s opinion on what Chris’s attention meant, as well as for her advice on how to proceed without scaring Chris away.
“You look like you’re dying to share something with me.” Mandy lifted her eyebrows. “What is it?”
“I want to tell you about what happened in the barn earlier,” Katie Ann began. “I went in to check on Chris and the stand, and he—”
“Mandy!”
Mandy spun toward the house. “Ephraim is calling me.” She turned toward Katie Ann. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
Before Katie Ann could respond, Mandy was gone, nearly jogging toward the porch. Anger, hurt, and irritation itched inside Katie Ann’s skin as she watched her best friend climb the back steps to meet Ephraim.
When Mandy laughed at something Ephraim said, a wave of betrayal washed over Katie Ann, twisting her insides as the reality hit her—Ephraim had replaced Katie Ann in Mandy’s life. Mandy didn’t need her anymore, and Katie Ann would never be the same without her best friend in her life.
Chris wiped his hands on a red shop towel as he stepped out of the barn and into the bright afternoon sunlight. He glanced around the half-acre garden and took in the dozen young folks who worked there, weeding and talking in the rows.
When his gaze landed on Katie Ann, he stilled. He watched as she bent down, pulling weeds and dropping them into the bucket. She was working alone, and he tried to analyze her stiff posture. Was she concentrating on the weeds? Or was she upset about something? He couldn’t tell since she was too far away for him to see her expression.
He considered their conversation earlier in the barn. She had seemed to enjoy talking to him as much as he enjoyed talking with her. He wanted to ask her if he could give her a ride home today, but he lost his courage before she left the barn. He didn’t want to come on too strong, but he had enjoyed getting to know her during the past couple of weeks.
He longed to continue to get to know her, and he wanted to ask her father if he could date her. The thought of approaching her father filled him with both excitement and anxiety. Would he allow him to date her even if her parents didn’t know him or his family? He’d considered asking his cousin for his opinion, but he hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss it with Wayne.
Movement in his peripheral vision drew his attention to his left. Ephraim was walking toward him.
Chris swallowed a groan as worry crept into his mind. Had Ephraim caught him staring at his sister? If so, would he tell Chris to wipe away all thoughts of Katie Ann?
Clearing his throat, Chris stood up straighter and hid his worry behind a smile. “Hi, Ephraim.” He shook his hand.
“Hi, Chris,” Ephraim said. “I heard you’re almost done with the stand.”
Chris shoved the rag into his pocket. “I just finished staining it.”
“That’s fantastic.” Ephraim’s smile was wide. “Mandy mentioned that the maed want to start baking and selling items this weekend so we can begin raising money for the Bird-in-Hand Shelter. She, Emma, and Clara were just in the kitchen making a list of what they want to bake.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Chris looked over at Katie Ann again. Why were Mandy, Clara, and Emma making a list without Katie Ann? He hoped they hadn’t forgotten about her. Katie Ann was so excited about using the stand.
“You like mei schweschder.” It was a statement instead of a question.
Chris swallowed a lump in his throat as he turned toward Ephraim. To his surprise, Ephraim smiled at him. He didn’t find a trace of disapproval or animosity.
“It’s okay.” Ephraim patted his arm. “I’m not angry.”
“Okay.” Chris gave a nervous laugh. “Ya, I do like her.”
“That’s great.” Ephraim crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m sure she likes you too.”
“Wunderbaar.” Chris stood a little taller. “I was going to ask her if I could give her a ride home this afternoon.”
“I’m sure she’d like that.”
Chris’s thoughts turned to their father, and he forced himself to ask his burning question. “Do you think your dat would let me date her?”
“Ya, I do.” Ephraim nodded. “I think he’ll approve of you. Katie Ann and I have told our parents about how much you’re doing for the garden. I’m sure Dat will agree you’re a gut freind to both of us.”
“Great.” Relief loosened the knots in his shoulders. “You and Mandy have been dating for a while now?”
Ephraim looked toward the house. “Ya. I asked her out right after Christmas. We’ve known each other nearly all our lives, but things changed between us about six months ago. She’s one of the greatest blessings in my life. I’m so glad God brought us together.”
Chris nodded. He understood what Ephraim meant.
“I’m so glad you asked me to ride home with you.” Katie Ann smiled at Chris as he guided the horse toward her street.
“I enjoy every minute we get to spend together.” He gave her a quick smile before guiding the horse through an intersection. “It looked like you got a lot of weeding done.”
“I did. I believe I got most of that cheatgrass and bull thistle.” She sighed as she settled back in the seat.
“Was iss letz? Are the weeds bringing you down?”
“No, it’s not that.” She ran her fingers over the velvety seat cover. “I was just disappointed when Clara told me she, Mandy, and Emma had started a list of baked goods to make for the stand. I wanted to help make the list. Instead, Clara told me what to bake.”
“I’m sorry.” His eyes seemed to fill with concern. “I’m sure they didn’t mean it.”
“I know.” But she shook her head as she recalled how Mandy had made no effort to speak to her alone after their brief conversation in the garden. Why didn’t Mandy miss their friendship as much as Katie Ann did?
“Penny for your thoughts.”
She turned toward him and laughed when he gave her a puppy dog expression. “What’s that look for?”
“I just hope you’ll tell me what’s on your mind.”
“It’s not that important.” She continued to fiddle with the seat.
“If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.” His words made her heart seem to swell.
“I’m just disappointed. Mandy and I had started talking in the garden while we were weeding together, but we never got to finish our conversation.”
“What were you discussing?”
“Nothing, really.” Katie Ann’s cheeks felt as if they had burst into flames.
Chris halted the horse at a red light and turned toward her. “From the look on your face, I get the feeling you were discussing something interesting.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but her embarrassed words lodged in her throat.
When a car horn tooted behind them, Chris turned his attention back to the road again, and Katie Ann breathed a sigh of relief.
“What are you going to make for the bake stand?” Chris asked.
“Oh.” Katie Ann sat up straight, surprised by the subject change. “Clara asked me to make some of my favorite kichlin.”
“If you make those cinnamon roll kichlin,
please save a few for me.”
She grinned. “How about I make you your own batch?”
He touched his chest. “Oh, be still my heart.”
She laughed, and they talked about all their favorite cookies the rest of the way.
When Chris halted the horse in front of her back porch, Katie Ann turned toward him. “Would you like to stay for supper? Mamm always welcomes company.”
He nodded. “Ya, I would. Danki.”
“Great.” She pushed open the buggy door. “Come inside.”
They walked up the back-porch steps together and entered the house. Ephraim and Dat were already seated in the kitchen, and Mamm and Mandy were bringing food to the table. The aroma of chicken and dumplings filled her senses, causing her stomach to gurgle.
“Katie Ann,” Mamm said. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“May Chris stay for supper?”
“Of course.” Mamm gestured toward the table. “Have a seat, Chris, and we’ll set a place for you.”
“Danki.” Chris moved to the right of her father, shaking his hand as he sank into the chair.
“How are you, Chris?” Dat asked.
“Fine. How are you?”
“I’m well.” Dat pointed to Ephraim. “Ephraim was just telling me about the stand you built for the garden project. I hear your dat runs a cabinetry business.”
“That’s right. Our shop isn’t far from here in Ronks.”
While Dat and Chris fell into a conversation about Chris’s family’s business, Katie Ann set Chris’s place at the table and then helped her mother and Mandy serve the rest of the food. Then Katie Ann sat down beside Chris. Mandy sat across from her, beside Ephraim.
After a silent prayer and starting their meal, they discussed the garden’s progress, the way the weather was cooperating, and their plans to make the roadside stand a success. While Katie Ann enjoyed her supper, she silently marveled at how well Chris fit in with her family. He talked to her father about woodworking and laughed at his silly jokes. When Chris laughed his contagious laugh, her family seemed to laugh even more. He seemed to enjoy being there, and Katie Ann relished having him beside her.
Did this mean God wanted them to be together? Did the ease of the friendship indicate God would bless their relationship if they dated? Her heart soared at what their future might hold.
Katie Ann looked across the table at Mandy as she and Mamm discussed a recipe for strawberry pie. As she studied her best friend’s pretty face, disappointment swirled through her chest. She recalled the old times when she and Mandy would talk for hours. Would Katie Ann ever regain that kind of friendship with Mandy? How she longed to share her deepest feelings with her best friend. Would she ever have the opportunity to tell Mandy about Chris? And would Mandy care if she did tell her?
And why hadn’t Mandy shared her feelings about Ephraim? Katie Ann found herself stuck on that last thought. They were best friends, but Mandy never discussed how she felt about Katie Ann’s brother. Yet it might be awkward to hear Mandy talk about her brother in a romantic way. Was that part of the reason Mandy had pulled away from her and put so little effort into saving their friendship?
Still, Katie Ann couldn’t deny how much her heart ached for the closeness she used to share with her best friend. She pressed her lips into a tight line.
“Hey.” Chris’s voice was soft in her ear, sending a chill dancing up her spine. “Are you okay?”
“Ya.” Katie Ann smiled at him. “I’m fine.”
Chris lifted an eyebrow.
“Who would like brownies?” Mamm asked as she stood and began to gather the dinner plates.
“Oh, I don’t know if I could eat anything else.” Chris leaned back in the chair and touched his flat abdomen. “Dinner was so appeditlich. Danki for inviting me.”
“You should make room for mei mamm’s brownies,” Ephraim said. “They’re the best.”
“Okay. You convinced me,” Chris said, and everyone chuckled.
Katie Ann and Mandy helped Mamm carry the dinner dishes to the counter, and then Katie Ann took the pan of brownies to the table while Mamm filled the percolator for coffee. Over dessert they discovered mutual friends in the community.
When the brownies were gone, Katie Ann helped clean up the kitchen while the men sat outside on the porch.
“Supper was wunderbaar, Leona,” Mandy said as she dried the dishes. “Danki for inviting me to stay.”
“You know you’re welcome anytime, Mandy.” Mamm glanced at Katie Ann as she scrubbed a pot. “I think Chris is enjoying himself.”
“Ya.” Katie Ann nodded while wiping off the long kitchen table. “I think so too.”
Mandy smiled at her. “You’ll have to tell me about Chris sometime.” She turned back to the counter and lifted a dish from the drying rack.
Katie Ann shook her head as disappointment rolled through her. If only Mandy had given her a chance earlier, she’d already know all about Chris.
“I had a wunderbaar time tonight,” Chris said as he and Katie Ann stood beside his buggy.
“I did too.” Katie Ann looked up at the sky, where the sun began to set, painting the horizon with vivid splashes of gold and orange. She hugged her arms over her sweater. “It’s a schee night.”
“Ya,” he agreed. “Spring is in the air.”
“It sure is.” She looked at him. “I’m glad you stayed for supper.”
“Your parents are great.” Chris leaned back against the buggy wheel. “I especially enjoyed getting to know your dat.”
“I think he liked you too.”
He touched her shoulder. “You seemed a little tense at supper. Is there anything you want to talk about?”
She swallowed a sigh. She couldn’t deny that Mandy had hurt her. It was healthier for her to share her feelings than to let them eat her up inside. “I told you about how Mandy hurt my feelings.”
He stood up straight. “I remember.”
“I was just thinking about it during supper. I really miss her. I miss our close friendship.”
“Don’t give up on her. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt you. Maybe if you’re honest with her and tell her how you feel, she’ll make more of an effort to be a better freind.”
“That’s gut advice. Danki.” Katie Ann prayed he was right.
“Gern gschehne. I want to ask you something.” He took her hand in his.
When their skin touched, a spark sizzled up her arm, and she bit back a startled gasp.
“Okay.” Her voice trembled.
“I talked to your dat earlier, and I asked his permission to date you.” His brown eyes seemed to search hers. “So would you be my girlfriend?”
“Ya, I’d love to.” Her pulse pounded as he grinned.
“Danki.” He leaned down, and when he brushed his lips across her cheek, she sucked in a breath.
“Gut nacht,” he whispered in her ear, sending chills shimmying up her spine. “I hope to see you soon.”
“Gut nacht,” she responded before he climbed into his buggy.
Katie Ann waved as Chris guided his horse down the driveway toward the road. As his buggy disappeared from sight, she bit her lower lip. Happiness, warm and comforting, fluttered through her as she hugged her arms to her chest.
For the first time, Katie Ann felt as if she’d met a man who truly cared for her. Maybe, just maybe, she had found someone who would love her and want to build a future with her. She looked up at the sky and smiled as she opened her heart to God.
“Danki, God, for bringing Chris into my life. Please guide him safely home and bless him. I’m so grateful for his friendship. Please let our relationship grow like the vegetables and fruit thriving in Henry’s garden. Amen.”
Katie Anne couldn’t wait to see what God had in store for her and Chris.
CHAPTER 5
Katie Ann bent at her waist and hummed to herself as she pulled another thick, pesky bundle of ryegrass and dropped it into her bucket. The afternoon sun warmed her ne
ck.
“Katie Ann!”
She tented her hand over her eyes as she turned toward the house. Clara was rushing over to her. “Ya?”
“It’s your turn to run the stand.” Clara pointed in the direction of the road. “I’ll do your weeding.”
“Ya, sure. That’s fine.” Katie Ann wiped her palms down her apron. “Has it been busy?”
“Ya.” Clara nodded, and the ties for her prayer covering bounced off her slight shoulders. “I can’t believe how much money we’ve raised since we opened the stand. It’s only been a month.”
“I know. It’s been a blessing. Did Mandy get more baking supplies like she promised?”
“No. Mandy said she forgot.” Clara’s smile flattened. “I had to pick them up.”
“But it was Mandy’s turn to get them.” Katie Ann’s shoulders tensed with a mixture of anger and disappointment.
“It’s okay. I think she was busy with Ephraim.” Clara waved it off. “Anyway, I went ahead and got more donated, and then I purchased the rest of the supplies with some of the money we had set aside for the stand. It’s all in Emma’s pantry.”
“Danki for taking care of that.” Katie Ann did her best to set aside her frustration with Mandy, but it seemed to keep festering at the edge of her thoughts. She gestured toward the house. “I’ll wash my hands and then go out to the stand.”
“Great!” Clara bent and began weeding.
Katie Ann waved at friends who were weeding and watering the vegetable beds as she made her way to the house. Inside, she said hello to Emma and a few others who were busy baking cookies in the kitchen. After washing her hands in the bathroom, she walked down the rock driveway to the stand, where Rosalyn and Ellen Beiler stood behind the counter.
“Hi,” Katie Ann said as she approached them. “I’m here to relieve you.”
“Oh, danki,” Rosalyn said. “We wanted to take our turn weeding.”
“Don’t worry.” Katie Ann pointed in the direction of the garden. “Plenty of weeds need to be pulled.”
