Wanted(45)

Tapping on the latest letter, Jonathan frowned. “If he’s done any of that, we haven’t heard about it. Yes, this Malcolm is definitely not the right man for Winnie. I do not think they would make a good match of it. Poor Winnie. I wonder what she’ll do now. Maybe she should just hurry home.”

Though Jonathan seemed to be talking to himself, not her, Katie wondered the same thing. Winnie wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, even to the men and elders of their order.

And though she was loyal to a fault and a hard worker, Katie had always sensed a slight dissatisfaction in her, as if she wasn’t quite sure what she was unhappy about, but it was there all the same. Though no one in their circle of friends had ever openly commented on it, Katie had spied knowing looks between other girls when Winnie blurted out something that was slightly too brash.

She didn’t look much like the rest of them, either. Her hair was a dark, dark brown. Almost black. The opposite of Jonathan and his light, almost golden head of hair. Her light blue eyes warred for attention with her dimples. More than one man had commented on them.

But underneath her striking looks and strong personality was a warm heart just begging to be loved and nurtured.

Katie was sure that with the right love and affection, some of Winnie’s armor would melt away, leaving just a gentle heart and sweet nature for all to see.

Eli had been right when he’d stated that it had been strange not to have Winnie around. She added a lot to every conversation and her fun laugh was infectious.

But by the sound of Winnie’s letters, Malcolm didn’t see any of that. Or if he did, he wasn’t sharing his thoughts with Winnie.

Tracing one calloused finger along the crease in the letter, Jonathan frowned. “Katie, I feel mighty responsible for her plight. I should have known better than to let her go off to Indiana like she did.”

“You had no choice.” Giving into impulse, Katie reached out and patted his arm. “Malcolm couldn’t come here, not with his father doing poorly and the hardware store his sole responsibility. You had to let her meet him. She is old enough, too. Old enough to know her own mind.”

“Jah, but perhaps I should have asked her not to stay for so long.”

“Everyone thought his family sounded amiable and kind. We all assumed she’d be happy.”

“But I could’ve said no.”

“If you’d done that, there would have been trouble, too. After all, she’s your sister, not your daughter.”

“It is still my duty to protect her.”

“But isn’t it also your duty to be there for her even during difficult times?”

“But this was of her own making. Now she’s hurting. I could have prevented this.”

“I disagree. She did not bring this disappointment on herself, it was just how things worked out.”

He pushed his dessert plate to one side. “But I should have known.”

“How could you?” Because she felt she had some knowledge on the subject, Katie said, “Winnie had to take a risk in order to be happy. She had to do something for herself, just to see if she could. She had no choice, don’t you see?”

“Not at all. There’s plenty of men here for her.”

“Then why hasn’t one taken her fancy?”

Jonathan shook his head. Katie knew even if he did have some ideas, he would never say anything. His loyalty to his sister would never permit that. More softly, Katie said, “Jonathan, Winnie has only done what she intended. She wanted to get to know Malcolm and his family better. She’s gotten to do that.”

“But it hasn’t worked out well.”

“Jonathan, you’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that Winnie wants to have her own life—not just help you with yours.”

Like the flip of a page, his expression shuttered. “You make it sound as if I’ve made her stay here. That is untrue.”

He might never have said the words, but Katie knew the Lundy family well enough to know that it had been expected. She would have expected as much out of her family. But she could also see that she’d just inadvertently hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry I spoke out of turn.”

But if Jonathan heard, he didn’t give notice. “Winnie has never said I asked too much of her.”

His sharp tone made her retreat further. “Yes, I…”

“You have no idea what it has been like,” he added quickly. “Losing Sarah. Trying to raise two girls. Realizing that my days of farming are over, at least for a while. Learning a new trade at the lumberyard.”

She felt terrible. “You’re right. Sometimes I talk without thinking.”