Wanted(33)
Rubbing a worn spot on the wooden table, Anna added, “You might not know about this, but there’s lots of stories in the news about men and women who pretend to be something they aren’t on the Internet. That makes me wonder about this man’s letters. Malcolm may have good intentions, but he may not be everything he says he is. It’s only natural to want to downplay a person’s flaws.”
“I don’t believe Winnie is finding that to be true. While she hasn’t sounded over the moon about Malcolm, she sounds happy enough in the letters we’ve received so far.”
“I hope she will be.”
“I do, too. Maybe we shouldn’t worry so much, Anna. I’ve learned that Winnie is a woman of strong will and character. She might want to be in love, but she is no dummkopp, no dunce. If this man has shortcomings, she’ll discover them.” Katie shrugged. “In any case, because of Winnie’s trip, I think the girls are even more unsettled. I think they’ve overheard Winnie talk about her wish to one day be with Malcolm. To them, it’s one more person stepping out of their lives.”
“You’ll win them over.”
“With the Lord’s help I might.” Katie did not say that lightly. She was finding so many stumbling blocks, it would be a miracle if the girls and she reached common ground any time soon. Pushing the quilt project to one side, she stood up and smoothed her skirt. “I suppose I’d better get started on supper.”
As they entered the kitchen, Katie motioned to a plate in the sink, where she’d set out pork chops to thaw. “I thought I’d season these for a bit before I bake them.” Suddenly she doubted everything about herself. “Does…does that sound like a gut idea?”
Anna squeezed her hand. “You are a wonderful good cook. I imagine anything you make will be tasty.”
Katie couldn’t believe how much she needed to continually hear the praise. She’d always thought of herself as a strong woman, but at the moment, she’d never felt more alone and weak. “I thought we’d have applesauce, too. I made some yesterday.”
“All kinner like applesauce.”
The Amish way of speaking of children perked Katie right up. “You sound mighty gut, Anna. I bet your guests at the inn think you are Amish, born and raised.”
Anna giggled. “As long as I can tell them about where to shop, they are happy.”
“And answer all their questions.”
“Oh, all those questions! Someone asked me the other day if I had an alarm clock in my room. She had supposed a rooster woke me up every morning.”
Katie laughed merrily. “Oh, can’t you see my daed, having to fuss with a noisy rooster every morning? We’d be having it for supper after a week.”
“I’d eat it, too. Well, as long as I didn’t have to cook it.”
“Don’t worry, Anna. No one would ask you to.”
They laughed again, barely catching their breath before Anna would mention another funny story about one of the guests.
Impulsively, Katie reached out and hugged her hard. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Me, too.” As the sense of true warmth and friendship flowed through them, Anna’s eyes widened in alarm. “Oh my goodness, we got so busy talking about things, I almost forgot to give you this.” She pulled a white envelope out of her patchwork tote bag.
From the moment she recognized the handwriting, Katie felt dizzy. “Where did you get this? Did it come to the house? To the inn?”
“No. It was left at McClusky’s store. Sam handed it to Henry and me the other day.”
Obviously Holly was still determined to talk to her. Why? It just didn’t make sense. When she noticed Anna studying her carefully, Katie did her best to act nonchalant. “Well, thank you for delivering this. I’ll uh, read it later.”
“Huh?”
Katie felt her cheeks heat. Even to her own ears her words sounded stilted and awkward. “I’m sure it’s nothing important. Thank you—”
Before Katie could reach for the envelope, Anna set it on the counter. “Enough with games. Henry said this was the second envelope you’ve received. What is going on?”
Struggling to keep her voice even and true, Katie said, “Nothing. I received a letter, Anna, not a bomb.”
“I know something’s going on. No one receives letters at a store.”
“The Amish—”
“Don’t ‘Amish’ me,” Anna retorted crisply. “I may struggle with a lot of things, but like Winnie, I am no dunce. You have a mailbox. There’s got to be a reason you’re not receiving letters here at home. Tell me what is going on. Let me help you.”