Anna knew all about running from her mistakes, but yet, Katie was the sweetest girl she knew. “I doubt that. What did Katie do during her rumspringa, stay out late one or two nights?”
To her surprise, he shook his head. “Oh no. It was more than that. She’d go out almost every night. She wore makeup, too.”
Anna couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh, Henry. That doesn’t sound too strange. If you could have seen some of the girls in my ninth grade class—why the makeup they were trying out was crazy!”
“No, it wasna like that.” He narrowed his eyes as he remembered. “It wasn’t the makeup she wore, it was more the way she seemed to embrace everything about the English. And…her running around lasted a long time. My sister, Rebekeh, and I were sorely worried that we were going to lose her.”
“Lose her? To what?”
“To the outside world.” He held up his hand when it was obvious she was about to find offense. “Her leaving was a real matter of concern. She wouldn’t talk to us about her new friends, wouldn’t let even Rebekeh counsel her. She kept saying that we wouldn’t understand.”
“If it’s her past that is bothering her, I know she won’t get very far. I’m proof the past always comes back. You can’t hide from it for long.”
“That’s what makes me naerflich. I think my sister is truly worried about being reminded of her past, but she won’t let me help.”
“I can understand you being nervous. Well, I’ll go to the Lundy farm tomorrow and deliver the letter. While I’m there, I’ll try to get Katie to tell me what all this means.”
He glanced at her in gratitude. “You’d do that?”
She reached out to him, clasping his hand. “Of course I would. I care about Katie. She’s like a sister to me.”
But as she said those words, a deep sense of foreboding nagged at her. From the day they’d first met, Katie had felt like a sister. Last year, she’d spent hours confiding to Katie about Rob, about his abuse. All along, Katie had just been supportive and caring.
Why hadn’t Katie ever given her even a hint that she knew what the outside world was like? That at times, she, too, had made mistakes and felt regret for her actions?
More important, why wasn’t she trusting Anna now?
Chapter 8
“You are truly my best friend, Anna,” Katie said as she led the way into the sitzschtupp, which she’d stubbornly taken over. She’d become tired of Jonathan’s rules and hearing about how Winnie and Sarah had always done things. Though she might only be in the Lundy house for a short time, she was determined to at least try and fit in—walking around like an unwelcome guest had become mighty trying.
Because of that, she had made the front parlor a cozy area. After a few begrudging remarks, even Mary now seemed to look forward to their nightly lessons in measuring, cutting, and piecing together fabric. The result was cheery mix of three-inch squares waiting to be added to their Sunshine and Shadow quilt.
Anna patted the bright yellow, blue, red, and cream colored fabrics lovingly. “These are beautiful. I like the size of the squares, too. The last Sunshine and Shadow quilt I made, the squares were cut so small, it made my eyes dizzy just to look at it.”
“The larger pieces are easier for the girls to manage. We’re going to add wide borders, too.”
“I think it’s going to be pretty.” With a winsome look, Anna sighed. “I’ve been hoping to do some quilting myself, but I haven’t had much time.”
“You’ve been busy with other things, things far more important than piecing together a new quilt, I’m thinkin’.”
“I wish I had more to show for all the time I’ve spent studying.” Anna grimaced. “Katie, I’m afraid my Pennsylvania Dutch isn’t getting much better. What am I gonna do if I never learn that language? I promised Henry I’d do my best.”
“And, you are doing your best, jah? Don’t be hard on yourself, dear Anna. You forget that most of us learned Pennsylvania Dutch before English. And never at such an old age.” As she heard herself, Katie felt her cheeks heat. “Oh! I mean old…I just meant that most Amish learn to speak Pennsylvania Dutch first.”
To Katie’s relief, Anna didn’t take offense to the “old” remark. Instead, she looked relieved. “You’re right. I forget how much of what I’m learning you practically take for granted.”
“You shouldn’t. I know neither Henry nor our parents ever forget your sacrifices. You’ve changed so much for Henry.”