Katy nodded thoughtfully. It had taken an entire school year for her to feel comfortable at the public high school. Even then, she only felt comfortable with a small group of students. There were some who would never accept her. But she didn’t really care. As long as she had her friends — Shelby, Cora, Trisha, and Bryce — she’d be happy. Thinking of Bryce, she couldn’t help but smile. She looked forward to seeing him when school started again.
“All right, we’ll go,” Katy said.
“Good!” Shelby struggled out of the booth and slipped her crutches into position. She followed Katy to the counter. Yvonne’s father came from the back and took their money. Katy gave him an extra fifty cents to give to Yvonne as a tip. Then she and Shelby headed behind Aunt Rebecca’s shop where Rocky and the cart waited.
Katy helped Shelby climb in, giggling when Shelby almost fell into the seat. Katy reached for the reins, but before she could take hold, Shelby grabbed Katy’s arm.
“Katy, this party we’re going to …” Shelby tipped her head, her brow crinkling. “It’s a boy-girl party, right?”
“Yes,” Katy said. Most of the parties for the young people were boy-girl. Marriage matches often formed at the community parties. But she didn’t bother to explain all of that to Shelby.
“Well … maybe … since I’m going with you, Annika wouldn’t mind another person coming too?”
Katy frowned. A trickle of sweat tickled her temple, and she swished it away. “Like who?”
A sly grin crept up Shelby’s cheek. “Like … Bryce.”
Chapter Five
“B-Bryce?” Katy flicked the reins, encouraging Rocky to pick up the pace. The sun scorched the top of her head through the mesh headcovering, and rivulets of sweat trickled between her shoulder blades. The sooner they reached the farm and got out of the heat, the better.
“Sure, Bryce.” Shelby leaned into the corner of the seat and squinted at Katy. “I’ve got his phone number, and didn’t he tell you on the last day of school he’d like to see you over the summer?”
Katy nodded, remembering their last conversation. He’d been so sweet, telling her to have a good summer but give him a call if she wanted company — he’d drive out to see her. She’d giggled in pleased embarrassment when he’d given her a little square of paper with his telephone number scrawled on it in green ink. Green ink … like the color of his eyes. She sighed. “It would be fun to see Bryce.”
“Well, then, would Annika mind if he came to her party? Will there be enough food for one more?”
“Her mom always makes plenty — I doubt food’s a problem.” But Katy wasn’t sure she should call and invite Bryce to Annika’s party. Calling a boy was … forward. And Dad wouldn’t want her to be forward.
Shelby nibbled her lower lip for a moment. “If he came too, then I wouldn’t be the only, you know, outsider.”
Katy sent Shelby a surprised look. “Do you really feel that out of place?” Then she mentally kicked herself for asking. Of course Shelby felt out of place! With every girl in Schellberg wearing dresses and white caps with trailing ribbons and Shelby dressed in capri pants and T-shirts, Shelby stuck out like Katy did in the public high school. Katy knew how it felt to be the person who was different. Even though Shelby was willing to go to the party, she’d still be apprehensive. It made sense.
Shelby said, “It’s a little weird.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I mean, I’m glad to be here and all, even though I’d really wanted to go on that mission trip. And now that your aunt’s sick, it’s great that I can help out — makes me feel not so bad about having to stay behind while my family’s serving in Africa.” She blew out a little breath that ruffled her bangs. “Really, Katy, how’d you keep showing up at school day after day with the way the kids treated you the first few weeks? I’d have probably run home to hide under the bed if it had been me getting all those stares and stupid comments.”
Katy offered a shrug, tugging the reins to slow Rocky on the corner. Dust billowed, tickling her nose. A car would sure be a more comfortable means of transport. “I did it because I wanted to go to high school. It was my only option.”
“You know, there are other options for school,” Shelby said. “You could take online classes through the Saline
County Education Cooperative and then take your GED test.”
Katy frowned. “What?”
“Online courses — you know, working on a computer instead of going to class.” Shelby slapped her forehead. “Oh, duh. You don’t have a computer. Never mind.” She shook her head, making her hair flop. “Forget I said anything. Back to the party … I have my cell phone.” Grinning, she patted her pocket. “Should I call Bryce?”
Katy’s mouth felt dry. She wished she had another milkshake to sip. “Let’s check with Annika’s mother first, okay?” They had to drive past the Gehrings’ place to get to Katy’s farm, so it wasn’t out of the way. And if Mrs. Gehring said no, it would settle things. Do I want her to say yes or no about inviting Bryce? Katy wasn’t sure of the answer.
Mrs. Gehring approved inviting Bryce, and Annika said her party would start at eight o’clock. Since the milking was finished by six thirty, Caleb would have had plenty of time to go home, eat supper, clean up, and change clothes. But for reasons Katy couldn’t understand, Dad had told him to bring his clean clothes and change at their house after supper. So Caleb was sitting in the front room with Shelby, Katy, and Katy’s parents when Bryce’s car pulled into the driveway at a quarter ‘til eight.
Katy heard the crunch of tires on gravel and jumped up. Unconsciously, she smoothed the skirt of her lavender floral dress then adjusted the ties of her cap to hang neatly across her shoulders. She caught Caleb’s frown, realized she was preening, and clasped her hands together. She bobbed her chin toward the back of the house.
“Bryce is here.” Why did she sound like her vocal cords had been tied in a knot? She cleared her throat and said, “Dad, should I …? Or will you …?” She’d never had a boy — other than Caleb — come to her house before. How did a girl greet a male visitor?
Rosemary and Dad exchanged a quick grin. Rosemary said, “Why don’t you welcome our guest, Samuel?”
Dad strode past Katy and went to the back door. A squeak of hinges let Katy know Dad held the door open, waiting for Bryce to approach. She stood rooted in the middle of the front room, leaning sideways slightly to peer through the wide dining room doorway. At that angle, she could barely see the narrow opening to the mudroom off the kitchen. She couldn’t see Dad or Bryce, but she heard Dad say, “Hello,” and then Bryce’s answer, “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Lambright.”
At the sound of his voice, her heart bounced around in her chest like a Ping-Pong ball. She scurried to the couch and sat next to Shelby so Bryce wouldn’t find her standing in the center of the area rug like a misplaced statue. She felt Caleb’s glare on her, but she didn’t look at him. Instead, she watched the doorway, and her breath sped into little gasps when Bryce followed Dad into the front room.
Bryce’s gaze met Katy’s, and he smiled. “Hi, Katy.”
Katy jolted to her feet, her face breaking into an answering smile. “Hi, Bryce.”
He glanced at Shelby and lifted his hand in a wave. Then he turned toward Caleb. For a moment, he seemed to freeze, then he walked over and held out his hand. “Hi. I’m Bryce.”
Caleb stared at Bryce’s hand for a few seconds before giving it a brief shake. But he didn’t stand up, which made it awkward. “I’m Caleb Penner. I work for Mr. Lambright.” Caleb’s voice came out defensive, as if Bryce had accused him of something improper.
Bryce just nodded. “Nice to meet you.”
Looking at Bryce and Caleb side by side, Katy was struck anew by how they resembled each other, with their short-cropped, reddish-cast hair, green-blue eyes, and spattering of freckles. But Bryce was more handsome than Caleb. At least in Katy’s opinion.
Rosemary crossed to Katy and put her arm around her shoulders. “Well, y
ou young folks should probably head over to the Gehrings’ now. I imagine they’ll have a crowd, and the ice cream will go fast. I’d hate to see you miss out on such a treat.”
Katy had counted eight ice cream freezers on Annika’s front porch, which seemed like a lot. But considering the appetites of some of the young men, Rosemary might be right. She turned to Shelby. “Are you ready?”
“Yep.” Shelby had donned a simple midcalf-length flowered skirt with her T-shirt so she wouldn’t be the only girl wearing pants. She’d also tied her hair into a messy little ponytail at the base of her skull. Wispy strands too short for the tail hung along her cheeks with a few other strands tucked behind her ears. She looked so cute and feminine, Katy almost felt jealous. Why would Bryce want to spend time with Katy when someone like Shelby was available?
With a slight frown on his face, Bryce watched Shelby stump across the floor with her crutches. “I brought my dad’s car. It’s a two-door, so Shelby’ll need to sit in the front seat. It’ll be easier for her to get in and out.” He sent an apologetic look in Katy’s direction. “Do you mind riding in the back seat?” His gaze skittered to Caleb and then to Katy again. “There’s room for Caleb too.”
“I have my own car,” Caleb blurted. He pushed his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “And mine’s got four doors, so the girls can ride with me.”
Katy’s ears heated. Did Caleb think he was in competition with Bryce? As if! All the warm feelings she’d had for him when he offered to help Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Albert fled.
Dad coughed into his hand, the way he did when he was trying to hide a laugh. He said, “I suppose the girls could just take the two-wheeled cart and follow you boys.”
Both Katy and Shelby said, “No thank you!”
Dad laughed out loud.
Rosemary intervened. “I’m sure Bryce will want to head straight home after the party, but Caleb has to drive past our place to get to his house. Maybe you girls could ride with Bryce to the party and with Caleb on the way home.” Her diplomatic suggestion made sense to Katy, but Caleb mumbled something under his breath.
“What was that, Caleb?” Rosemary asked.
He shrugged, scowling. “Nothing. I’ll meet you at Annika’s.” He charged out the door. His car zoomed out of the yard just as Katy and the others stepped outside.
Dad and Rosemary followed Bryce and the girls to Bryce’s car. Katy tried not to gawk. Bold cherry-red, sporty-looking, with two wide white stripes running from the hood, over the top, and across the back hatch, the car had a sleek appearance that caught the eye. No one in Schellberg drove a car anything like it.
Dad released a low whistle. “You said this is your dad’s car?”
Bryce patted the striped hood. “Yes, sir. He bought it when he graduated from high school in 1979. It’s a Chevy Nova — the last model manufactured.”
Dad whistled again. “Nice wheels.”
Katy nearly swallowed her tongue. She’d never heard Dad use a phrase like that before!
Bryce grinned. “My dad thinks so too. I have to promise to be very careful whenever I drive it.”
Dad nodded. “I can see why.” He circled the car with his hands in his pockets, examining it.
Bryce opened the passenger door and folded the front seat forward. He offered a lop-sided smile to Katy. “It’s hard to get in, but the back seat’s pretty comfortable once you’re settled.”
Katy flashed a quick answering grin, mindful that Dad and Rosemary were watching. “I’ll be fine.” She clambered into the back, wishing Bryce’s car had one long seat in the front instead of two individual seats separated by some sort of console. Then she could have slid into the middle and sat between Bryce and Shelby. The thought of being snuggled up close to Bryce made her heart pound.
Bryce snapped the seat into place and held Shelby’s crutches while she slid in. Then he angled the crutches in next to Shelby, closed the door, and trotted to the driver’s side.
Dad leaned forward to peek inside the car as Bryce started the engine. “You kids have fun. Behave.”
“We will,” Katy and Shelby chorused.
Bryce pulled forward slowly. He didn’t spin his tires. At the end of the driveway, he spoke over the engine’s purr. “Which way?”
“West,” Katy answered, scooting forward and propping her arms on the back of Shelby’s seat. “It’s just a mile to the Gehrings’ farm. You can follow Caleb’s trail.” Dust still hung in little clouds where Caleb had driven a few minutes earlier.
Bryce sent a smile over his shoulder. “Will do.” He pushed the gas pedal, and the car turned onto the road.
Katy looked out the back window. Dad and Rosemary stood in the yard, their arms looped around one another’s waists. They looked so peaceful together — so right. Katy waved and then faced forward, her gaze finding Bryce’s profile and lingering. A little pang stabbed her heart. Dad and Rosemary fit because they were both Mennonite. They believed the same way — lived the same simple way. As much as she liked Bryce, they’d never fit together the way Dad and Rosemary did. She was Mennonite; Bryce was not. It was foolish to spend time with him this way.
But instead of asking him to take her back home, she pointed at Annika’s turnoff. “Right here.”
“Gotcha,” Bryce said cheerfully. He drove up the driveway. Several guys, including Caleb, milled in the yard. They watched Bryce’s car approach, nudging each other or pointing. Katy imagined the guys asking who was coming and Caleb answering in a derisive tone, “Oh, one of Katy’s Salina friends.”
Nervousness made her skin go clammy. Her heart thudded hard, making her ears ring. Should she have brought Bryce? It might give people — Bryce included — the wrong idea. This could be an interesting evening …
Chapter Six
Groups parted, creating a pathway that led to the Gehrings’ front porch. Bryce walked slowly, allowing Shelby to keep up, but Katy wished they could run and get past the others quickly. Conversations fell away and curious gazes followed them.
Even though no one except Caleb seemed outright suspicious of the newcomers, Katy still experienced a rush of frustration. Couldn’t someone — anyone—say hello? Instead they gawked, silent and uncertain. Katy tried to act natural, sauntering between Bryce and Shelby while looking across the yard. Annika’s mother had attempted to give the area a festive appearance. Picnic tables wearing bright, checked cloths dotted the sparse grass that served as the Gehrings’ front yard. The Gehrings didn’t have a lush yard — they had too many little boys who liked to play on the grass to keep it nice. But the bright splashes of color from the tablecloths made the brown patches of worn-out grass look cheerful.
If only the kids acted more cheerful instead of standoffish. Katy stifled a sigh.
Annika’s mother smiled brightly when they reached the edge of the porch. To Katy’s relief, she didn’t seem apprehensive at all about having Bryce and Shelby there, even smiling broadly at Shelby as they approached. “Annika just ran in to start whipping the cream. She wanted it to be fresh,” Mrs. Gehring said. She wiped her hand on her apron and held it out to Bryce. “I’m Mrs. Gehring. You must be Katy’s friend Bryce.”
Bryce shook Mrs. Gehring’s hand. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for letting me come tonight.” His gaze whisked across the row of ice cream freezers and the table cluttered with various sundae toppings. “Wow, this looks great.”
Mrs. Gehring laughed. “I’m sure it won’t last long, though.” She leaned forward slightly and said in a confidential manner, “I’ve got two more freezers in the kitchen as backup, just in case. But don’t tell the older boys — if they think this is it, they might not be so greedy right from the start.”
Katy had seen some of the older boys dive into the plates of sandwiches and cookies at other parties without regard for anyone else, but she didn’t want to sound like a talebearer, so she kept the thought to herself. “Should I give Annika a hand?” she asked.
Mrs. Gehring shook her head. “You stay out her
e and mingle, Katy. You’ve been working extra hard at Rebecca’s — you’ve earned a little time off.” She headed into the house, letting the screen door slam behind her.
The kids had begun chatting again, their combined voices filling the yard. Katy turned to Shelby and Bryce. “Do you want to sit down, or —”
A group of three older boys, with Caleb leading the pack, strode up to Katy and her friends. Caleb said, “Hey. Todd, Anton, and Justin want to look at your car.”
Katy bristled. Couldn’t Caleb introduce Bryce to the other boys before making a demand? That boy had no manners whatsoever. She adopted a sweet tone and said, “Bryce, you’ve already met Caleb. This is Todd Schenk, Anton Friesen, and Justin Keiler.” She pointed to each boy by turn, and they offered shy nods of hello, which Bryce returned.
Caleb scowled. “So can we look at your car or not?”
Bryce shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Sure, it’s fine. It’s not mine, though. It’s my dad’s.”
Katy thought it was very honest of Bryce to admit the car didn’t belong to him.
A smirk twisted Caleb’s lips. “You don’t have your own car?” He nudged Todd, who stood the closest to him. “We all have our own cars already.”
Katy wanted to kick Caleb in the shins, but Bryce shrugged, seemingly unaffected by Caleb’s gibe. “Haven’t needed my own yet since Dad lets me borrow his. I’m saving up for one, though — I know I’ll need one when I go to college.” He tipped his head and squinted. “So … you wanna look at the Nova?”
“Sure,” Justin and Anton said at the same time and Todd nodded.
Bryce touched Katy’s arm. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
Katy watched Bryce amble off with Justin, Todd, and Anton, her heart fluttering. Looking at the four boys together — each wearing tucked-in shirts with jeans or trousers — Bryce appeared to be another Mennonite boy attending a youth gathering. And he seemed completely at ease in this new surrounding. Her heart fluttered harder.
KL04 - Katy's Decision Page 4
