Wanted(47)

Their companionship more than made up for all the tension between her and Jonathan.

She was now far less homesick for Anna and the bustling schedule at the inn. Instead, she’d begun to feel pleasure in the many tasks of keeping a good home. Jonathan’s home began to feel like her own. Just as important, as she’d gotten braver, she’d uncovered a lot of things about his home that she liked very much.

It was obvious that Sarah had been a good housekeeper. It was just as obvious that Winnie’s interests didn’t lie in that area. Linens and tablecloths were neatly organized and folded, as were the children’s old clothes. Newer items were more haphazardly packed away or pushed into cabinets. Over the last few days, Katie had decided to wash and dust the inside of most cupboards and to sort the contents. She felt that Sarah would be pleased with her diligence.

Katie didn’t bother to tell Jonathan about her work; it was obvious that he would neither be interested in her progress nor appreciate the efforts it took.

Of course, they didn’t talk much at all now. He was still stewing over her comments about his and Winnie’s relationship.

But that was all right with Katie. She felt she was growing and changing at the Lundy home. And in all ways, for the better. Now that Christmas was mere weeks away, she wanted to make the girls a surprise, new dresses for the season. There was to be a gathering in a few weeks and she wanted the girls to have something new and pretty to wear.

She’d just pulled out a bolt of evergreen-colored fabric when she felt the unfamiliar sensation of being watched. Slowly she looked up. There was no one directly in front of her. Yet, a shiver ran through her. What was going on?

Quickly, she glanced toward the girls. Peppermint sticks in their mouths, they were chatting with another pair of girls—Corrine Miller and her two daughters—over by the baked goods. Katie knew it would be just a matter of moments before Hannah’s sweet tooth got the best of her and she came running over to ask for a cookie.

She pulled out the evergreen fabric again and tried to guess how many yards would be needed for two dresses. She was going to need to ask Mr. McClusky to wrap the fabric so Mary and Hannah wouldn’t ask what such beautiful fabric was for.

But oh, what a wonderful surprise those dresses would be on Christmas morning! And, she’d noticed that their robes were a little short and that Hannah’s looked particularly worn. Perhaps she could buy them new robes, too? She picked up a pretty lavender robe, made of the softest material Katie had ever felt. Already she could imagine Hannah’s look of delight when she wrapped it around herself Christmas morning.

“I hardly recognized you.”

Katie almost jumped out of her skin. With a gasp, the robe fell from her hands onto the floor. “Holly.”

“Yep. That’s me.” An unfamiliar bitterness swept over her features. “I’m surprised you even remember who I am. I wasn’t sure if you even remembered my name.”

“Of course I remember you.” Katie fought the urge to hug her. Oh, but Holly looked exactly like her memories. She was still as tall as ever—almost Jonathan’s height. Her blond straight hair played off her dark brown eyes. She looked so like the friend she’d had in her faded blue jeans, blue sweater with an embroidered moose on the chest, and boots.

So much like everything Katie had wanted to imitate.

Yet, there was a difference about her, too. Her expression was pinched. Her eyes guarded. A sense of desperation surrounded her like a luminous cloak.

What had happened?

Wondering if her actions were all to blame, Katie bent to pick up the robe, using the moment to settle herself. Around them, shoppers continued to chat and converse. Finally settling into the inevitability of it all, Katie faced the girl she’d hoped to never come in contact with again. She should have known sooner or later they’d meet. “I’m surprised to see you here. Few Englischers other than tourists come here to shop.”

“You know, it would have been a lot easier for both of us if you would have met me at the Brown Dog. Why didn’t you? Are you really that busy?”

“It wasn’t that. I…I just didn’t know what we would have to talk about.”

“You have a lot of nerve. We were good friends, Katie.” Impatiently, she thrust a clump of blond hair away from her forehead. “I thought we were best friends.”

“We were good friends, that is true. But, things have changed.” Behind her, Katie could hear Sam talking with another customer and the girls and their friends eagerly trying out one rocking chair after another. “Things are different now. I…can’t pretend I’m not Amish anymore.”