“I don’t know,” Katie finally murmured. “But I will tell you this: it is better to not always think about the what-ifs in life. If you give yourself to the Lord, then He will make clear all the hard decisions, and we won’t have to worry about so much. Remember, the future is in God’s hands, not ours.”
Mary scowled as they set their mugs in the sink and started up the stairs. “When do you get to be old enough to have your future in your own hands?”
Instead of reminding her again of the Lord’s will, Katie chuckled. “You, Mary, remind me of myself. So impatient.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Cupping Mary’s shoulder as she paused, Katie added, “I have always been in a hurry. I used to shame my mother with my impulsiveness. I got into trouble a time or two at school as well.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“That’s because we don’t know each other well. Maybe soon we will.”
There’d been a time when Katie had felt that she was in control of everything. Now she was smarter and stronger. Now she realized that she wasn’t in control of anything. Her future felt as slippery as ever. “But, to answer your question, I don’t know if we ever get old enough. Our future is in the Lord’s hands. It’s best to remember that, don’tcha think?”
“Maybe.”
Katie reached the landing and turned to Mary. “It’s time we slept. Morning will come even if we’re not quite ready to greet it.”
Mary nodded solemnly, then to Katie’s surprise, reached out and wrapped her arms around her.
Automatically, Katie hugged her back. The little girl’s arms felt wonderful wrapped around her waist. Bending down, she pressed a kiss on her head. Yes, the Lord did work in mysterious ways.
“Ready for the weekend, Jonathan?” Brent called out at five o’clock on Friday, just as Jonathan was slipping on his coat and gloves. “I feel like it’s been the longest week imaginable.”
“It has been tiring, for sure,” Jonathan said as he waited for his boss to approach. “But we did get all the frames made for the builder’s contract. That is something to be praised.”
Brent chuckled. “For a while there, I didn’t think it was going to get done. I sure appreciate your team staying late on Wednesday night.”
“I always appreciate the overtime. Plus, things are crazy at my house. I didn’t mind escaping things for a bit.”
“Why are things crazy? Because Winnie’s gone?”
“Yes, but that’s not all. We are hosting church this weekend.”
“Already?”
Jonathan appreciated how Brent took the time to get to know their ways. “Jah, it’s been a year since we hosted last. It just feels like it happens more quickly.”
Brent slapped Jonathan’s shoulder. “Best of luck with that. I have some time tomorrow, do you need help unloading the benches?”
“Eli and Henry are coming to help. But I thank you just the same.”
“Well, good luck. I’m going home with my fingers crossed. What do you think my chances are that Tricia has dinner ready?”
Jonathan chuckled. “Slim to none.” Brent’s wife was a teacher. It was standard practice for Brent to take her out on Friday nights. “You best plan to get gussied up and take her out. She’ll be mighty pleased with that suggestion.”
“Spoken like a man who’s been married before,” Brent said with a grin. “I’ll definitely take her out. See you Monday, Jon.”
Jonathan waved him off. As he watched Brent practically scamper to his car, he tried to recall the last time he’d eagerly run home. He couldn’t remember.
Oh, he loved his girls, and he was always eager to spend time with them, but that wasn’t the feeling he longed to experience.
But moments later, as he and Blacky were making their way home, Jonathan found himself thinking of Katie once again. Perhaps she’d made pork chops or a roast. Katie was a mighty fine cook.
But her skills in the kitchen were not what he kept thinking about. No, it was her sunny nature. The way she smiled tenderly at Hannah.
The way she greeted him when he walked in the door—just like he was worth waiting for. With that in mind, he found himself spurring Blacky on. He’d been waiting all day to see her, as well.
Chapter 11
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to move again,” Katie moaned as she finally sat down at the kitchen table after a number of the folks had left Jonathan’s home from the church service. “Every bone in my body aches. Jonathan, try not to trip over me tomorrow morning when you wake up.”