Katie went home conflicted with what she needed to do. She was glad that David was away for a few days so she didn’t have to see him, because he would know that something was bothering her. He seemed to know her so well already and was always concerned when she was bothered by something.
Smiling to herself, she thought of all the fun times she had spent with Thomas over the years. The highs and the lows and everything in between. She also thought about her time with David and how he had made her feel the first time she met him and how he told her the way he felt.
That night in bed, she prayed to God to show her what to do. She needed to settle this once and for all.
* * *
The next morning, she jumped out of bed and knew exactly what she needed to do. God had answered her in her dreams.
After her father had gone out to the fields and Abigail had left to go to visit a neighbor, Katie sat down with a pen and paper and began her letter to Thomas. It took her all morning to write it, but she finally read the completed letter and smiled to herself. Carefully folding it, she put it in the addressed envelope and sealed it shut. She placed a stamp on it and walked to the mailbox.
Going back in the house, she had a full day of chores planned which would keep her busy and her mind off of her decision. David would be arriving back this evening and had promised to see her after supper. She held her breath when she thought about sitting down and telling him her decision and hoped his reaction would be favorable.
After supper, she waited anxiously for David. Finally, she saw a buggy turn down her road and went out to sit on the porch.
“Katie, you look like you were waiting for me,” he said, laughing as he jumped out of the buggy. “Did you miss me that much?”
“Jah, I was waiting, and I have to talk to you.”
David sat down beside her with a serious look. That’s funny, because I have to talk to you too. Is everything alright?”
“I had a visit the other day from Thomas.”
“Really? Is he back to stay?”
“Nee, but he said he wants to spend his future with me after all. He said he misses me and he realized that we were meant to be together and that he is willing to quit his job and move back home and learn to farm if I want him to,” Katie said, looking down at her hands.
David sat quietly for a while not knowing what to say. Finally, he cleared his throat. “Well that’s great. I actually have some news too. I had a job offer while I was away and I’ve decided to take it.”
Katie looked up at David. “Where’s the job?”
“It’s back in Ohio, so I’ll be moving back there. I guess this all works out. You and Thomas can be together, and I’ll be working in a full time job so everyone will be happy.”
“You’re moving back home?”
“Jah. I’m sure with Thomas coming back into your life, you’ll be busy, so it’s good news all around,” David said, jumping off the porch. “Well, I guess this is goodbye. I’ll be leaving early tomorrow morning.”
Katie looked at David feeling like she wanted to cry. “Goodbye, David. I hope everything goes well with the new job.”
“I hope all goes well with you too. I hope you and Thomas will be very happy. I really mean that, he said, shaking her hand before he jumped in his buggy and drove away.
Katie stood there feeling numb. Why didn’t she tell him she had told Thomas no? And that she turned down his proposal, explaining that her heart was now with someone else? Why didn’t she beg David not to leave?
Katie ran into the house and up to her room and flung herself on the bed. I’m going to be alone for the rest of my life; she cried to herself. She had realized it wasn’t Thomas she wanted to spend her life with, it was David; and now he was leaving. He automatically assumed that it was Thomas she wanted and she didn’t say anything to him. He mustn’t have had strong feelings for her if he was willing to accept a job in Ohio.
She managed to get through supper without Abigail or her father asking her what was wrong. After the kitchen was cleaned up, she excused herself, saying she wasn’t feeling well and was going up to bed.
She had been so excited and nervous to tell David her news, but she never got around to it. He was leaving, and she didn’t think it would make any difference seeing as he had already accepted the job even before he knew about Thomas’s visit.
Katie lay in bed wide awake most of the night. She tried to imagine Thomas’s reaction once he received her letter turning him down and telling him there was someone else. She wished him God’s blessings in his future and that she hoped he would meet someone else soon so that he could move on.
She got up out of bed and looked out the window, staring out into the star lit night. Gott, what am I to do now? she whispered into the night.
* * *
Chapter 10
Katie woke up the next morning with a very heavy heart. She slowly dressed and then headed down to the kitchen. Abigail and John were already having breakfast.
“Sorry, Daed, I slept in a bit,” she said as she went to pout herself a cup of coffee.
“Are you feeling better?” John asked.
“Not really,” Katie said, sitting down at the table holding the warm cup in her hands.
“I have to go.” Abigail said, as she put her bowl in the sink. “I promised Mary Beth I would go come over to visit.”
“Do you think it’s the flu?” John asked Katie after Abigail had left.
“Nee, Daed, it isn’t the flu, but I’m not ready to talk about it.”
“Well, I’m here if you need to talk,” John said, going over and kissing Katie on the head. “I’ll be home for supper, and hopefully you’ll feel better.”
“Alright, Daed, have a good day.”
After her father had left, Katie busied herself cleaning and doing the laundry. Finally, by mid afternoon she made herself a cup of tea and sat down at the table, staring off into space; oblivious to any sounds around her.
Looking up, she jumped when she saw David standing outside the kitchen door.
“David! I didn’t hear you.”
“Can you come here for a minute?”
Katie stepped outside. “Don’t say anything,” David said, going over to her and kneeling down beside her. “Just listen to me.”
Katie nodded her head not knowing what to say.
“Katie, I love you. I turned down the job in Ohio. I actually had turned it down before I saw you the other day, but once you told me about Thomas I didn’t mention that fact. I had decided I’d see if the offer was still open. And even if it wasn’t, I was just going to go back anyway. I guess I just didn’t want to be hurt. But I’ve come to ask you this— please reconsider marrying him?” David begged. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to win you over. Since I’ve met you, I have never been so happy and I don’t want to live my future without you by my side.”
“But David,” Katie started to say.
“Please, listen to me,” David interrupted her. “I know you and Thomas have a history, but think of how happy we’ve been together and how much fun we’ve had. I would never leave you for a job. Katie…will you…court me? And then we can make plans for marriage?”
Katie stared at David in shock, then started to laugh.
“I don’t think this is funny, Katie.”
“Ach, David. I don’t want to marry Thomas! I want to marry you. I never told you what I said in the letter because you blurted out that you were leaving and I didn’t want to stand in your way,” Katie said. “I told Thomas that there was someone else and that he would have to move on without me.”
“Really? You said that?” David said dumbfounded.
Katie nodded her head. “Jah, I did.”
“You really should have told me that.”
“I was too shocked when you told me you were leaving. I haven’t slept all night thinking about how stupid I was to have not said anything to you.”
David chuckled. “I think this is Gott’s way of showing we ar
e meant for each other.”
“You have no idea how happy I am right now. Will you stay and meet my daed? I’ve told him so much about you, but I think it’s about time he met you.”
While Katie was preparing dinner, they chatted about the future and how happy they both were.
Hearing the door open, Katie said, “That must be Abigail.”
“Katie, are you feeling bet…” Abigail called out as she came into the room and stopped when she saw David.
“Abby, I want you to meet David,” Katie said. “David, this is my special little shveshtah, Abigail.”
David held out his hand. “Very pleased to meet you, Abigail. Katie has told me a lot about you.”
Confused, Abigail shook hands with David then looked at her sister. “Is this the same David you told me about when you came back from Ohio?”
Katie nodded her head. “Jah, and we are going to start courting, once Daed has given his blessing.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Abigail hugged her sister. Looking at David, she said, “You’ve no idea what a pain she has been to live with these last few days. I’m happy to see her laugh and smile again.”
“What’s all the fuss in here?” John said as he came into the kitchen.
“Daed, I want you to meet someone very special to me. This is David, the one I’ve told you about. He’s moved here now, Katie said, nervously.
John looked at Katie and saw the twinkle in her eyes. He went over to David and held out his hand. “Very nice to meet you, David.”
“Come, let’s talk in the living room, John said I’d like to get to know you a bit.” The two headed into the living room.
Katie smiled hopefully, as she heard the two laughing.
Finally David said, “I’d like to court Katie and I wanted to ask your blessing. Once I’m formally accepted into this community, I wish to marry her. I will make a good life for her and make sure she is always happy.”
“Then you have my blessing. You’re a fine young man. I just want my Katie to be happy, and I can tell from the look on her face that she truly is,” John said.
John called Katie into the room and he gave her his blessing over the courtship.
“Danke, Daed, I listened to Gott and my heart, and he showed me my path,” Katie said.
“I knew you would make the right choice.” John smiled. “Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I am famished.”
After John prayed a blessing over the food, they all had a wonderful conversation.
“So, you mentioned you found a farming job here?” John asked.
“Jah, I’ll be working on one of the larger farms in the area here just for the summer. After that I’ll have to see what else I can find. Before that I worked in a large factory,” David said.
“Well, I certainly could use help around here after you and Katie are married. You two could live here with me until you can afford a place of your own and that way I wouldn’t have to worry about Abigail. She’s still a bit young to take care of this house and the meals on her own,” John suggested.
“Daed, that would be wonderful,” Katie said, looking over at David.
“Jah, I agree. I would love to have the opportunity to learn from you,” David said, excitedly.
“This is a big house with lots of room. I’m sure we can all live under this roof happily,” John said dipping his bread into his gravy.
“So when are you going to be married?” Abigail asked excitedly.
Katie and John looked at each other, “Well we haven’t really talked about a date but we were thinking about sometime in October. That will give David time to be accepted into the community and to be baptized.” Katie said.
John nodded.
Katie suddenly thought of her sisters. “After supper, we should take a drive to Miriam and Rose’s houses and tell them our news. They should at least meet their future bruder-in-law.”
“Can I come?” Abigail asked.
“Why don’t we all go together? It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the kins-kind,” John suggested.
Katie nodded her head and looked over at David. “You should also tell Rachel and Irene.”
David gave a small grin, “They already know. I told them what I was going to do before I came over here.”
Katie just shook her head and laughed. Her heart was beaming. She had no doubt in her mind now that this was the path that Gott had chosen for her. One filled with love and happiness, just as she always wanted.
Chapter 11
The months flew by as Katie prepared for her wedding. With the help of Miriam and Rose, her wedding dress was now finished and hanging in her closet along with a new kapp.
“Have you heard from Thomas since you sent that letter to him?” Rose asked.
“Nee, but I did meet a friend in town the other day who told me that apparently Thomas had met someone and was planning on getting married. I pray to Gott that he is happy,” Katie answered.
“Well, honestly, I think David is better suited for you. Gott knew what he was doing when he brought you two together,” Miriam said.
“I should get going,” Miriam said. “Joshua will be home soon.”
“I better leave too,” Rose said.
“Danke for the help today,” Katie said, hugging her sisters.
* * *
The day before the wedding, everyone started dropping off food for the reception. “I’ll have to ask Miriam and Rose if they have room at their place if we get anymore food. The community is sure being generous,” Katie said to Abigail as she tried to fit yet another box of baked goods in the pantry.
“Anybody home?” Katie heard Rachel’s voice coming from the front door.
“Jah, in the kitchen,” Katie answered as Rachel and Irene came in with the children tagging along.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Katie said, going over and give everyone a hug.
“We just came back from town and bought some more platters to use at the wedding,” Rachel said, handing Katie a bag.
“Danke, Rachel and Irene, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Shush, Katie,” Irene said. “David is like a son to me, so of course, I’m going to help out with the wedding.”
“Well, we appreciate everything that you’ve done so far, including making so many desserts,” Katie said, putting the platters on the counter.
“Are you nervous?” Rachel asked.
Katie smiled. “More happy than nervous. Never did I think I would be marrying David.”
“Well, we better leave. The kinner haven’t had their naps this afternoon, which will mean they will be cranky later on,” Rachel said. “We’ll see you tomorrow on your special day.”
Waving goodbye, Katie turned and thought to herself, tomorrow is my wedding day. I can’t wait! I hope I can get some sleep tonight.
* * *
“Katie, are you ready to see what’s inside your chest?” John asked.
“Jah, Daed. I’m so excited to open it!” Katie went to get her sisters.
Once inside Katie's bedroom, John pulled out the chest that had been sitting under Katie's bed for years.
Handing her the key, he said, “It’s your turn, my dochtah.”
Katie took the key and held her breath as she unlocked the chest. Lifting the lid, she found a white envelope sitting on top of blue tissue paper.
Closing her eyes, she imagined the excitement and sadness her mother must have felt as she was preparing the chest.
Katie carefully picked up the letter and unfolded it. Looking at her mother's beautiful handwriting, she could feel her throat begin to tighten and quickly cleared it so she could read the letter.
My Darling Katie,
If you are reading this, then today must be your wedding day. I wish you every bit of happiness in the world, and I know that Gott will always watch over you.
As my third dochtah, you made me a better mamm than I could ever hope to be. You didn’t believe in the wor
ds nee or can’t, and of all of my dochtah’s you were the first to learn to tie your shoes at an early age even when I said you were too young. You’ve always used your stubbornness as a blessing.
I hope on this day that the young man you are marrying deserves your love, but then I know you would never put up with anything less. You’ll make a wonderful wife to your husband, he shall surely be blessed.
Be happy, my Katie. I will be watching from above.
Love,
Mamm
Folding the letter, Katie looked over at her John. “I miss her so much, Daed.”
John smiled. “We all do. She was a very special woman. Now let’s see your quilt.”
Katie pulled back the tissue paper and pulled out her quilt. Holding it up, it too was made from pieces of her mother's dresses and aprons and in the middle was the outline of a mule.
Miriam and Rose looked puzzled and looked over at their father. “Why a mule, Daed?”
John laughed. “Once Katie was born and we realized that she had quite the stubborn streak, your mamm always used to say that she was as stubborn as a mule.”
“I love it,” Katie cried. “I love how mamm put so much thought in each of our quilts.”
“We better hurry,” John said, getting up from the chair. “Are you ready to get married, Katie?”
Katie smiled. “Jah, Daed, I am. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
After everyone had left the room, Katie sat holding onto her quilt. Closing her eyes, she whispered softly, “Mamm, I miss you so much, but I know you are watching me from heaven. David is a good man, and he makes me very happy. I wish you could be here to meet him, but I know you are with me in spirit. I love my quilt and will cherish it forever. I love you, Mamm.”
Katie carefully folded the quilt and put it back inside her chest. Closing it, she wiped a tear from her cheek as she started to head out the door to marry David.
She had dreamed about her wedding day for years and couldn’t believe it was finally here. Although Gott had changed her path along the way, she was blessed to have such a loving family, wonderful friends and especially a husband who loved her dearly. Thinking back over her life, she was glad she had listened to God instead of giving into her stubbornness. Only He knew how to turn everything around for her good. Danke, Gott, for you have bestowed upon me such a wonderful blessing.As she walked out of the room, she turned and smiled at her chest, knowing that she was sure her mother would agree.
The Troyer Sisters Series - Amish Romance: 4-Book Box Set Page 13
