“That is good thinkin’. I’ll pray that Winnie is thinking that way.”
As was the norm, the adults took time to relax and enjoy each other’s company while the kinner bundled up, played outside, then ran into the kitchen and asked for snacks. As the hours grew late, toddlers found places to nap in back bedrooms and older members found themselves nodding off.
As the sun set, families hitched up their buggies and began to leave. More friends waved good-bye, promising to stop by later in the week to help load pews into the wagon.
At last only Katie’s family remained. Happy for Anna’s and her mother’s company, she used the opportunity to show off the progress Mary and Hannah were making with the quilt. Attentively, she listened as her mother offered additional suggestions for more simple projects.
However, no matter who was at the house, Katie was constantly aware of Jonathan. His soft, distinctive voice echoed to her whenever he spoke. Every so often, she’d find her eyes straying to him, noticing how handsome he looked in his cornflower blue shirt. She smiled when he laughed with the other men in front of the fire.
She couldn’t help but notice that Jonathan also seemed to be looking her way more than once or twice. He’d hurried to help her when she’d carried a load of quilts to spread out for the children. He clasped her elbow when she almost stumbled on a step.
Most of all, he seemed to be enjoying himself. That had to mean things were getting better between them. Perhaps they’d set the groundwork for a future together.
Perhaps her dreams of sharing a life with him weren’t so far-fetched, after all?
“I can’t help but feel sorry for Winnie,” Jonathan said to Katie two days later as he folded up his sister’s latest letter. He’d brought it inside with him when he came home from work, but had waited until after their dinner of pork roast and stuffing to read it.
Katie and he were now enjoying carrot cake and coffee and discussing the letter. “Though I tried to warn Winnie about the dangers of getting her hopes up, I feel bad that things aren’t turning out like she’d hoped.”
Katie felt the same way, as well as a little bit dismayed. The practical part of her had always assumed Winnie would be returning with wedding plans. After all, such a forthcoming agreement must had been understood between Winnie and her Malcolm, otherwise, why would Winnie have been so all fired up to go?
Now, though, Katie realized that she’d been just as swept away in Winnie’s flights of fancy. “Perhaps she needs to be a bit more patient. It takes time to plan a future. Winnie must know that.”
“She might. This Malcolm may not be so sure.” He speared another chunk of cake. “And if he’s not sure about Winnie, then it is best she finds out now. He’d have to go a fair distance to be good enough for my sister.” Warming up to the subject, he added, “Winnie’s got a lot to offer, don’t you think?”
“Indeed,” she said, smiling as Jonathan scooped up another bite of cake. Oh that man did enjoy his sweets!
“I think she’s mighty pretty. Don’t you think so?”
“I do.” Winnie was tall and slim and willowy. She handled herself well, too, walking proudly, never timidly among their people. Katie had a feeling that if Winnie were dressed like an Englischer, she’d catch the attention of quite a few people.
“Jah? That’s it?”
“I don’t know what else to say. Yes, she’s pretty.” Sometimes Jonathan’s manner was so like Henry’s that they could be twins. Henry, too, had always been protective of her and her feelings. Feeling sorry for him, she finally added, “Brothers always feel protective of their sisters though. I’m not sure if you would see her flaws, if she had any.”
After scraping the last of the plate for a smidgen of frosting, he chuckled. “Your words are fair.” Pushing back his chair, he stood up. “Well, anyway, perhaps it is just as well, then. He doesn’t seem to understand how much she would be giving up to be his wife. And, if he’s not aware of that, then he surely doesn’t sound like the man for her.”
“Who knows who that will be?”
“Well, not someone like Malcolm sounds to be. We’ve now received ten letters from Winnie. She doesn’t mention Malcolm doing much other than working at the hardware store.”
Katie found she had to agree. “I’m sure Winnie is wondering why he invited her out to see him, if he isn’t making any time for her. When I wrote to her last week, I encouraged her to hint to him that she’d enjoy going for walks or visiting the shops around his home.”