“We better go,” Katy said.
Shelby said her good-byes to the horses, and the girls returned to the cart. As they rolled into Katy’s yard, Dad stepped out of the barn. He trotted over to meet them.
“Did Aunt Rebecca talk to you about Joanne Krehbiel?”
Hope flickered in Katy’s heart. She nodded.
Shelby pressed her clasped hands beneath her chin. “Mr. Lambright, does that mean Katy’ll be able to finish school? I mean, I know having someone to fill in at the fabric shop’s only part of it — she needs permission from the deacons too — but …”
Katy bit down on her lower lip, watching Dad’s face. Once again Shelby had impulsively jumped in. Would Dad be offended?
Dad rubbed his finger under his nose, his head low. Then he looked directly at Shelby, as if Katy wasn’t even sitting on the cart seat beside her. “I don’t see any reason why the deacons would refuse to let her go. She was told she’d be kept home if she began picking up worldly habits or we feared for her spiritual well-being.” His gaze shifted to settle on Katy. The tenderness and pride in his eyes made Katy’s chest swell. “Those fears have been put to rest.”
“Yahoo!” Shelby threw her arm around Katy’s shoulders and squeezed. “You’ll be back, girlfriend. I just know it!”
Dad reached for the reins. “I’ll put the horse in the corral for you. Go on in and eat.” His eyes twinkled. “I picked up the mail this morning.”
Shelby squealed. “Is there something for Katy?”
Dad nodded.
A funny little tingle tiptoed up Katy’s spine.
Shelby grabbed Katy’s hands. “Hurry, Katy!”
Katy hurried. And she nearly fell off the cart.
Dad caught her arm and set her upright, shaking his head. He clicked his tongue on his teeth. “Better let me help Shelby. You might send her nose-first into the dirt.”
Shelby waved her hands at Katy. “Go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
Katy took off for the house, her heart pounding. She careened into the kitchen and came to a panting halt. Rosemary looked up from rinsing radishes in the sink. Even before Katy asked, she nodded toward the table. “I put it in your spot.”
Katy managed a quick smile and then she dashed to the table. She snatched up the letter, addressed to Miss Kathleen Lambright. She stared for a few seconds at the neat block printing, envisioning Jonathan’s long, tapered fingers writing the letters of her name. A giggle rose in her throat.
Shelby limped into the room, her face alight with curiosity. “What’s he say?”
Katy flattened the envelope against her chest with both palms. “I haven’t opened it yet. I’m afraid to.”
Rosemary chuckled, sending a crinkled smile across the kitchen. “Oh, Katy …”
Shelby bopped Katy on the arm. “Get over it! I wanna see what it says!”
Katy gulped and lowered the envelope. With shaking fingers, she carefully peeled back the flap. “He said he isn’t much of a writer. There might not be much here.”
Shelby nearly bounced in place. “Just open the silly thing, wouldja?”
Rosemary’s laughter rang.
Katy scowled at both of them and finally pulled a sheet of folded paper from the envelope. One sheet. And apparently with writing only on one side, because the part facing out was blank.
Shelby put her hand on her hip. “Katy, I’m gonna take that thing away if you don’t hurry up.”
“Okay, okay!” Katy sucked in her breath and held it while she slowly unfolded the sheet. Not only did it contain writing on only one side, the letter was only one sentence long. But when Katy read the sentence, she let out a squeal of delight.
Rosemary and Shelby both jumped.
Rosemary clamped her hand to her chest and exclaimed, “Katy! My word!”
Shelby held out her hands and wriggled her fingers. “What’s it say? What’s it say?”
Katy grinned and jammed the letter, writing out, toward Shelby.
Shelby read aloud, “Katy, I’ll see you soon. Jonathan.”
THE END
Discussion Questions for Katy’s Decision
1. Shelby expected a fun summer with Katy—playing with the new foal, learning new things, and simply spending time talking and giggling with her best friend—but instead works most of the time in Rebecca’s shop. If you were Shelby, how would you have reacted to the change in plans?
2. Katy and Caleb’s relationship changes a lot in this book. What do you think might have happened between Katy and Caleb if Jonathan hadn’t come to the community?
3. Katy’s Decision takes place in Katy’s comfort zone— Schellberg. Do you think you could live in Katy’s community for several months? Was there anything about the customs that surprised you?
4. Was it fair of Katy’s family to make her take responsibility for the fabric store all summer? Explain why.
5. Throughout the series, Katy dreams of becoming a writer. Do you think her job with the local paper will lead to bigger things? Why? What do you think Katy will do with her poetic side?
6. It appears Katy will be going to school in the fall, and she and Jonathan may be spending more time together. Do you think her upcoming school year will be easier than her sophomore year? Explain why. How do you think Bryce and Katy will interact once school starts, especially if Jonathan starts classes as well?
7. Do you think Katy’s experiences in the secular world will change anything inside her sect? Would those changes be a good or a bad thing, in your opinion? Give reasons why.
8. With what you know about Katy’s life, her dreams, and her Old Order Mennonite world, imagine Katy’s future. (For instance, what will she be doing when she’s eighteen?)
About the Author
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides “writer.” As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim’s passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God’s capable hands. An active speaking ministry assists her with her desire. Kim and her husband make their home on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Other books in the Katy Lambright series.
Katy’s New World
(BOOK ONE)
Katy’s Debate
(BOOK TWO)
Katy’s Homecoming
(BOOK THREE)
ZONDERVAN
Katy’s Decision
Copyright © 2011 by Kim Vogel Sawyer
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EPub Edition © MARCH 2011 ISBN: 978-0-310-42187-0
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