Katie's Forever Promise (24 page)

“Whoa, Sparky!” Joel called as he brought the buggy to a stop.

Katie hopped out, and Enos's bearded face appeared in his buggy's window.

“
Gut
morning, Enos,” Katie said, trying to sound chirpy. Surely Enos was here with some positive news. Perhaps he wished to compliment her for all her hard work over the past few months. She could sure use a morale boost this morning after that run-in with Mabel.

“
Gut
morning.”

Enos sounded cheerful enough as he climbed down from his buggy. He stood by as she and Joel unhitched Sparky.

Katie walked up to Enos after Joel led Sparky to a nearby corral. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Oh,
gut
enough,” Enos replied and tipped his hat. “Is there a place we can speak? Inside, perhaps? Before the schoolchildren arrive?”

“
Yah
, of course. There's no one inside yet.” Katie's heart was pounding now. This wasn't going to be a friendly visit, she could tell. But what could it be about? She hadn't done anything—at least that was school related.

Enos followed her inside, pausing in the foyer to leave his hat on a hook. Katie went in and placed her lunch and books on the desk. She headed toward the back and sat down in one of the student chairs. She invited Enos to sit nearby.

The head of the school board took a seat on top of a student's desk, his long legs hanging over the side. He cleared his throat. “I've been wanting for some time to speak with you, Katie, but I've been putting it off. There's the wedding coming up, of course, in which you have a major part, Norman tells me. I didn't want to disturb things, you know. And I was hoping things would get
better as you gain more experience. But I could no longer wait after what I heard yesterday.”

“Oh? And what did you hear?” Katie stared as Enos stroked his beard.

A smile softened his features. “I knew you would take this hard, Katie. So that's why I hesitated to say anything. But as the head of the school board, it's my responsibility to bring the concerns of the parents to your attention.”

“What is this about? You've heard a complaint? I haven't noticed any misbehavior in the children. When they do, I try to correct them at once.”

Enos shook his head. “I haven't heard anything on that matter. But I've heard you are apparently bringing in some books from home that you're reading to the children. Books of a questionable nature. I was told you started such a book last week.
Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain, I believe.”

Katie swallowed. “
Yah
, that is true. I didn't think it was wrong. If it is, I will stop reading it at once.” She hadn't once thought to question the book. She had asked Willis for his opinion on what to read next for the story hour. Willis had pronounced
Tom Sawyer
a
gut
book and one the children would like. And they had liked it so far. Enos was nodding his approval at her words, but Katie could tell he wasn't finished yet.

“That's all well and
gut
, Katie. One is always glad to see that a person is quick to repent and see the error of one's ways. But we expect a high degree of
gut
judgment from our teachers. You are, after all, with our children every day for most of the week. And it's hard enough to keep the ways of the world outside without people they respect offering it to them in school.”

“I'm very sorry. I should have asked someone on the school board or the ministry about the book before reading it aloud to the children.”

Enos shrugged. “I suppose these things happen. I'll be expecting more care from now on, Katie. And there are other things also that concern the parents. Little things,
yah
.”

“What little things?” Katie asked, truly perplexed.

“Well, some say you seem a little light on discipline.” Enos hesitated and then started again. “And you must know there are concerns that remain about…well, about your past. But I'm sure those concerns amount to nothing. And perhaps with Mahlon Bontrager showing interest in you at the wedding, well, that will surely help your reputation with the community.”

How had she ever imagined this man as her father-in-law? Katie wondered. She'd thought he was a pillar of the community, and yet here he was concerned about rumors and half-truths. And he had yet to find out about her visit to Ben's house yesterday. What would happen when that was known? She decided she'd better tell him right here and now since he'd brought her past up. But the words stuck in her throat.

“Well, you have a
gut
day,” Enos said as he stood.

He nodded to the students coming up the steps and was gone. Katie forced a smile as she greeted the students. “
Gut
morning, children. Isn't it a lovely day?”

“
Yah
, it is…” one of them said. They all smiled back at her, obviously thinking nothing strange about Enos being here to talk to their teacher. And that's how it would stay. She would change what needed changing at school, but she would never shut her heart to Ben again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Katie paced the kitchen floor, the late-afternoon sunlight flooding through the window. Now she was the one distraught while Mabel sat as calm as a cucumber at the kitchen table. Well, Katie decided, at least she wasn't shrieking like Mabel had been this morning—though she felt like doing so.

“Norman is bringing Mahlon Bontrager over here? Tonight? To speak with me? How did you finagle that so fast?”

Mabel looked quite pleased with herself. “I went to speak with Norman right after you left this morning. It's the only way, Katie. Someone has to talk sense into your head. And Norman agrees that you are savable, so he's making the effort.”

Now she was going to shriek and screech all at the same time. Norman thought she was savable? From what? From the wreck he'd help make of her life? Was he trying to make himself feel better? Likely he was so full of himself he couldn't see straight. Helping her out—after what he had done? Right.

Katie calmed herself down. “I don't need any help, Mabel. I'm doing just fine.”

“Is she?” Mabel asked, sending a contemptuous look in
Mamm
's direction.

Mamm
sputtered, “Ah…well…I'm still trying to think this all through.”

“There's nothing to think through!” Mabel turned up her nose. “Katie doesn't know how to run her own life, and so we're trying to help.”

Katie couldn't hold the words in any longer. “You steal my boyfriend out from under my nose. You let him spread rumors all over the community that aren't true. Now you're getting ready to marry a man who has a terrible temper. You're as blind as a bat about his problem. And you wonder why I don't trust you?”

“See?” Mabel shrugged. “What did I tell you? You're all messed up inside, Katie. And bitter too. No wonder you go sneaking around with that no-good Ben Stoll. You wouldn't know a good thing if it ran smack into your face.”

“Girls, please!”
Mamm
begged. “None of this is Christian talk at all. You are to love each other even as you disagree. And say what's needed with kind words, okay?”

“At least I'm not yelling,” Katie defended herself.

Mabel was glaring at her now, and Katie muttered. “I'm sorry. That wasn't necessary.”

“Okay.” Mabel took a deep breath. “So why don't you stop fighting what's best for you, Katie? Norman's coming right after supper, and he'll have Mahlon with him. Beyond that no one can help you but yourself.”

Katie couldn't keep the words back. “And will the good man have his marriage proposal with him? Is this what this is about?”

Mabel huffed. “Don't turn smart aleck on me now, Katie. Mahlon doesn't know why he's here. Other than he thinks it's to talk about the wedding. But we want you to see him up close. Then we think you'll change your mind. All you have to say is that
you'll see him again at the wedding. Just be thankful we're trying to help, Katie. You should be thankful I've relented and allowed you back in my wedding at all!”

“I've never seen the likes of this. I'm not talking to the man.” Katie stood by the kitchen window, both feet planted firmly on the floor.

“Yes, you will.” Mabel's eyes blazed. “You won't make a fool out of me like that.”

Katie glared back.

“You will talk to him. Won't she,
Mamm
?” Mabel said, turning around for reinforcement.

“I think you should,”
Mamm
said. “It can't do any harm to speak to him.”

Mamm
was still grasping for straws, and Katie knew she should at least cooperate. If for no other reason than keeping a peaceful atmosphere around the house. “I'll speak with him, but it won't change anything.”

Mabel looked triumphant. “Just forget about Ben for one night, Katie. And your bitterness. You'll see clearly what a great opportunity this is. I'm sure you'll drop Ben by the time Mahlon leaves.”

Katie shut her mouth tightly and turned to go up to her room. She took her time going up the stairs. Not only did she need to collect herself, but she knew some of the bitter feelings needed to go. Harboring such things, even with how nasty Mabel was acting, was no excuse. She would explain the situation to Ben when she saw him the next time. He would understand. Their love had already weathered so much, it could also handle this, hard though it might be. Oh, how she wanted to fly into his arms this very moment and bury her head in his chest. How comforting that would be. Already the memory of being with him seemed distant, though she'd seen him only yesterday. Would Ben come visit soon? He hadn't said when, only that he would come. That's what she
would think about tonight while speaking with Mahlon. And if her face turned red, he would probably take it as a compliment even as she explained that there never would be a serious relationship between them—if Mahlon even brought the subject up. Likely he was ignorant of Norman and Mabel's scheming.

Changing into her everyday dress, Katie went back down to the kitchen.
Mamm
was busy with the food, but Mabel was nowhere in sight.

“May I help with something?” Katie asked.

“The soup needs preparing.”
Mamm
motioned toward a pile of vegetables on the table. “The recipe's on the third page.”

Carolyn came in to help soon after that, but Mabel didn't make an appearance until just before the men came in from the barn. She was dressed in her Sunday best, which provoked an immediate reaction from Leroy. “What's all the lavishness about?”

“I just have on my usual dress I wear when Norman visits,” Mabel shot his way.

Leroy looked perplexed. “The wedding's not yet, for crying out loud.”

“You're all so confused,” Mabel said. “Don't even try to straighten out that muddled head of yours.”

Leroy huffed. “Is it me or has Mabel turned into a crabapple lately?”

“It's the wedding,” Willis said, as if marriage explained all of life's woes.

“Norman and Mahlon are coming to talk about the wedding plans tonight,”
Mamm
said.

Leroy and Willis looked even more perplexed as everyone sat down at the table. Jesse led out in prayer. With the “amen” spoken, food became the focus, and platters were passed around at a rapid pace.

“So why is Mahlon coming over?” Willis brought the subject up with Katie as they walked into the living room for the evening devotions.

“You wouldn't believe it,” Katie said, which drew a glare from Mabel. Katie wanted to say more, but that would only create additional conflict.

“Why are you in your everyday dress,” Willis asked, giving her a quick glance, “while Mabel's in her best outfit?”

“Because Mabel's getting married, and I'm not.”

Mabel glared again, and Katie shut up. It was useless anyway.

Jesse cleared his throat, and everyone fell silent. He began reading, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice…”

Katie listened to the words of Psalm 9. They were
gut
words for her tonight. She had so much to praise
Da Hah
for. Truly, how great was
Da Hah
even when enemies gathered around, just like the psalmist was saying. She felt like that—surrounded by enemies. But this, of course, wasn't true, she corrected. Mabel and Norman and even Enos were doing what they felt was the best for her, wrong though they were.
Da Hah
's hand would see her through this. And the love in her heart for Ben would survive…and his love for her.

Jesse had just finished reading when Norman's buggy could be heard coming down the lane.

“He can wait,” Jesse said. Kneeling, they prayed even as footsteps sounded on the front porch. Norman must have seen what they were doing through the living room window because he didn't knock until after they had all risen to their feet.