“I have changed, but not just for Henry. I’ve changed the way I look at things, and I have to admit that I do like this ‘new’ me. Well, most of the time. Other times, I feel so awkward, I’m sure that I’ll never be comfortable.”
“Don’t fret so. At the end of the day, Henry wants you to be in his life, not a master of two languages.”
“I don’t seem to be mastering much. I ruined one of your mother’s tablecloths yesterday. I scorched it.”
“There’s ways to fix scorches. I’m sure my mother told you.”
“Not that mess. I ruined it something awful, Katie.”
Katie did her best to keep a straight face. “It’s just fabric. We all make mistakes.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “Those horrible hens hate me. They peck my fingers something awful.”
“That’s because they know you fear them.”
“Of course I do! Their jabs hurt! I don’t know what to do about that. I think your daed has just about had enough of me and my accidents.”
“I know that’s not true.” Reaching out, Katie clasped Anna’s hand. “Hush, now. One day I’ll tell you about all the things I’ve done wrong at the inn. And there’s a great many things I’ve done wrong.”
“Promise?”
Katie hid a smile. Anna’s look of hope was almost comical. “I promise. Well, I will if you vow never to mention bread baking around Henry. He loves to recount my first attempts making cloverleaf rolls.”
“I’ll give you my word. Though I have to tell you that I’m very curious about what happened.”
“I can only tell you that it involved too much yeast, too much salt, and a dining room full of paying guests.” Katie shuddered at the memory. “We went through a record amount of water that evening.”
“Oh, Katie. You do make me laugh! I knew I was right to pay you a visit.”
“Your timing couldn’t have been better.”
Immediately concern filled Anna’s green eyes. “Why? Are you having a difficult time?”
Though Katie would have loved to cry on her friend’s shoulder and tell all, she knew better than to give into such foolishness. She’d wanted to be at Jonathan’s home. She’d fought and cajoled her way to be here. She certainly didn’t want to seem ungrateful or flighty—or inept. Especially not after she’d been giving Anna so much advice about managing an Amish household.
However, there was one matter that she was justifiably nervous about. Something that made even the most exacting housekeeper shudder and fret about. “I just heard today that we will be hosting church services here in two weeks’ time.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “Are you sure? I was sure Irene told me it was the Barr’s turn to host.”
“The Barr’s youngest has been sick with tonsillitis. Now the doctor says the tonsils need to come out. In light of that, Jonathan volunteered his home.”
“Oh, Katie. We have a lot to do.”
That was somewhat of an understatement. Holding church services was a big undertaking. The whole house would need to be cleaned top to bottom, food prepared, and room made for the benches and tables. “Thank you for saying ‘we.’”
Anna laughed. “Of course I’ll help you. Why, we all will!” Looking around, she asked, “I haven’t been here for church before. Where does Jonathan usually hold the services?”
Katie pointed to the door that led to the bottom floor. “In the basement. There’s lots of room.”
“Enough to seat two hundred people on benches?”
“Jonathan says so. Luckily, the area shouldn’t need too much work to be ready to host. It’s fairly clean and tidy and is sparsely furnished. There is also a door that leads outside so everyone won’t track mud and dirt through the house. It’s everything else that makes my stomach turn in knots.”
“What do you plan to serve?”
“The usual fare. Coffee and tea to drink. Trail bologna sandwiches, with fresh bread and relishes. And of course, peanut butter and jelly for the kinner.” Katie thought some more. “Oh, and cookies. I thought we’d have cowboy bars, oatmeal cookies, and snowballs.”
“Your mamm and I can do the baking. We’ll bake the bread and cookies.”
“Danke. Some other ladies will come over next week to help me clean.”
Anna reached out and clasped her hand. “Everything will work out just fine. I feel certain.”
Katie smiled. “That’s what I told Jonathan. However, I have to warn you he didn’t look as confident as you sound.”