Katie's Forever Promise (30 page)

It was useless, running away like this, Katie told herself. But it was also useless staying and talking anymore with Enos Kuntz. The man had his mind made up, and nothing was going to change it. Her goose was cooked. That was the truth of the
matter. Enos would have his story told to the other school board members long before she recounted hers on Friday morning. With her continued relationship with Ben hanging in the background, there was no way she would gain a sympathetic hearing.

With a flurry of gravel, Katie turned into her driveway, bringing the sweating Sparky to a stop by the barn. She leaped out, and unhitched him.
Mamm
's face appeared for a moment in the kitchen window and then vanished.

Katie was long overdue from school, so she figured
Mamm
had probably been worried. And
Mamm
was already overwhelmed with work, without her adding more trouble to the load, Katie thought. Well, she just wouldn't tell anyone. Only how was that possible with the tears pouring down her checks and the sobs she couldn't control? Maybe if she stayed in the barn for a few minutes she'd gain more control.

Leading Sparky to the barn, Katie pushed open the door and stepped inside the cool darkness. It was like being swallowed by another world. Even the dim cobwebs seen in the rafters seemed quiet and friendly, beckoning her home. She pulled the harness off Sparky and tied him up. She grabbed a towel and dried him off, talking to him the entire time about what a good horse he was and how much she appreciated him. Then she got out a curry comb and soft brush and gave him a thorough work over. Sparky nudged her gently as he enjoyed the attention. Then Katie turned him into his stall and measured some oats into the feedbox.

“Dear
Hah
, help me,” Katie whispered as she stepped back outside into the sunshine. When she made her way across the lawn and entered the house,
Mamm
was still in the kitchen with Carolyn. Both of them were in dough-covered aprons and baked goods were spread across the table.

“How did your day go?”
Mamm
asked.

“It wasn't the best. Did Joel say something about today?”

“Yes, he did. So I figured you were spanking Abram. I'm sorry you had to deal with this today yet.”

Katie burst into tears and collapsed onto a kitchen chair.
Mamm
rushed over and draped her moist hand over Katie's shoulder. “I'd hug you dear if I wasn't so floury. Was it that bad? But you'll get used to it. I'm sure it's not that different from having to spank your own children.”

“I didn't spank him,” Katie wailed. “That's the problem.”

“You didn't spank him?” Both
Mamm
and Carolyn were staring at her.

“I went to Enos's place. I wanted to talk with him. And now it's a big, big mess. Enos is calling a school board meeting on Friday morning after Thanksgiving to complain about me.”

“You should have spanked Abram,” Carolyn murmured. “Abram's a spoiled little brat.”

Katie shook her head. “I'm glad I didn't. It wouldn't have made the least bit of difference either way.”

“Can we do anything to help?”
Mamm
asked.

“I'm going to change and help you.” Katie jumped to her feet. “I need to do something to forget about Enos and Abram and school for awhile.”

“Are you sure you'll be okay?”
Mamm
had moved back a step.

“As sure as I can be,” Katie said over her shoulder as she moved toward the stairs. And that was about the truth. Her head hurt and her emotions were torn to bits, so how sure could one be in this state? She knew she loved Ben and that he was coming for Thanksgiving dinner. Now that she was sure of, and it brought a smile to her face.

Chapter Thirty

It was Thanksgiving morning, and Ben was due any moment. The last of
Mamm
's holiday meal was being prepared in the kitchen. To Katie it had seemed like years since she'd seen Ben. All last night she'd comforted herself by thinking about Ben and what it would feel like to have his strong arms around her again. Not that she would dare embrace him when he arrived. She wasn't that brave in front of her family, nor would it be considered decent. Expressions of such love were only appropriate in private. Perhaps they could slip outside after dinner and go for a long walk. It didn't look like snow was in the forecast, even though it was deep into November. The reports said the Delaware coast appeared to be in for a mild winter this year.

Too bad it couldn't snow by tomorrow so the meeting of the school board could be cancelled, Katie mused. It was clear what was going to happen. The men would likely take Enos's side, especially with her continuing to see Ben. Thankfully, Jesse and
Mamm
were willing to spend time to get the truth about Ben instead of
jumping to quick conclusions or listening to rumors about Ben's character.

Hearing a buggy arrive, Katie took another quick glance out of the kitchen window. It was only Norman's buggy. Mabel and Norman must have decided to still come today even though they knew Ben would be here. Mabel also had to know about her visit to see Enos and the upcoming meeting at the schoolhouse. Such matters weren't long hidden between families, to say nothing of the community at large.

Perhaps Mabel was homesick, with the newness of her marriage to Norman last week already wearing off. Katie hadn't seen much of Mabel since the wedding. It was best that way, the feelings being the way they were. Eventually they would heal, but it would take some time. Today, though, was a
gut
day to begin the reconciliation, it being Thanksgiving and all. They would gather and give thanks for the blessings they had. Families had to get along on a day like this even if things weren't so smooth beneath the surface.

“Is that Mabel and Norman?”
Mamm
asked as she came over to look out the kitchen window. “Should you go help them unhitch?”

Mamm
was being peacemaker again. Katie knew Norman wouldn't want her help with his horse. Someone should welcome the couple in though. Katie smiled. “I'll run out and see if Mabel might have something I can carry in for her.”

Katie hurried out the washroom door. The chill in the air caused her pause, but she kept going. She should have grabbed a coat, but it was too late now.

Katie approached the buggy and offered a cheerful, “
Gut
morning!”

“
Gut
morning.” Norman was clearly grumpy from the look on his face. Mabel was in tears and making no attempt to hide them.

Katie tried to cover her surprise. “May I help carry something in?” she asked.

Norman didn't look up. He was working on taking the tugs off. When that was done, he led Bonnie out of the shafts and hurried toward the barn without a backward glance.

Katie turned to the tearful Mabel. “What's wrong?”

Mabel climbed down, sobbing. “Oh, its awful. I can't say how awful it is. What am I going to do?”

“Going to do? What happened?” Katie hugged Mabel and then held her at arm's length to look into her eyes.

“Norman…his temper…it flares up for no reason at all. I know you warned me, Katie. But I didn't know it was like this. He's blaming it this morning on Ben being here…and on him having to come with me. But I had to come home. I couldn't stand not being here on our first Thanksgiving.”

“Has he…” Katie hesitated and searched Mabel's face.

“
Nee
, of course not. He wouldn't do that. But his temper…I've never seen anything like it.”

Katie bit back the words she wanted to say. Instead she took a deep breath. “Maybe
Mamm
has some advice for you. I've never been married so I can't offer any advice on this.”

Mabel clung to Katie's arm as they went up the sidewalk. The barn door opened behind them, and Katie glanced over her shoulder. Norman didn't look all that happy as he followed them toward the house. If he was half the man he thought he was, he'd come and comfort his
frau
instead of leaving it to others.

“Maybe we should stop and talk with Norman,” Katie whispered into Mabel's ear, “before we get to the house. You shouldn't take this quarrel inside where the others will see it.”

“Maybe…” Mabel didn't sound convinced, but she did slow down a little. Katie pulled back even more until Norman caught up with them.

She turned toward him. “I think you owe your
frau
an apology for your actions, Norman. So spit it out, and we can go on with this day.”

Norman smirked. “She's come home to cry on her family's shoulder. I expected as much. If I did what I should have done, we would have stayed home.”

This produced a muffled wail from Mabel. “How can you say that, Norman?”

“I'll say what I wish,” Norman shot back. “You're my
frau
now, and you will listen.”

Katie searched her mind for what she could say. Perhaps something that would get through Norman's thick skull. She gave him a steady glare. “Do you really want Jesse to hear about your problem? That's what will happen if we go inside with Mabel in tears. And I don't think you want that to happen. Fathers have a way of getting upset when their daughters come home with bad tales about how their husbands are treating them. So why don't you say you're sorry, and we can go on in good humor.”

Norman glared. “She's just a crybaby, and you're one to talk. I can't believe you're bringing Ben Stoll today. I ought to go straight home, Katie.”

Katie became serious. “Then why don't you, Norman? We'll have Mabel to ourselves today, and we'll all have a good time.”

He thought about that for a moment before nodding and clenching his teeth for a minute. Then he forced out, “I'm sorry, Mabel. Maybe I was a little out of line. Will you forgive me?”

Mabel gasped and threw her arms around Norman's neck.

“Well,
gut
. That's settled. Come in now.” Katie pulled on Mabel's arm. “Let's get inside. You two can finish making up tonight.”

Mabel wiped her eyes and followed Katie, already smiling by the time they entered the front door, Norman tagging along
behind. Carolyn was standing just inside with a strange look on her face. Katie ignored her and figured Carolyn could think what she wished.

Mamm
rushed out of the kitchen to give Mabel a hug as Norman snuck in behind them with a sheepish look on his face. He sat on the couch.

He should look more than a little ashamed of himself, Katie thought.

Mamm
had to notice that Mabel had been crying, but Katie knew she wouldn't ask any questions. She wouldn't want to stir things up, even if there was trouble—especially not with the Kuntz family.

“I'm so glad you two could come today,”
Mamm
gushed. “Jesse has some kind of problem with his cows in the back fields, and Leroy and Willis are with him now. They'll be back soon.”

“I can go help,” Norman offered.

Except for leaning forward, he hadn't moved, Katie noticed. Mabel loved the man even with his faults, and the rest of the family must do the same if they wished to all get along.

“
Nee
,”
Mamm
waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Jesse has plenty of help with the two boys. Don't bother yourself. They'll be back before long.”

Norman looked quite pleased with that answer and settled back onto the couch.

Katie avoided his gaze as the sound of buggy wheels came in the driveway again. Ben had arrived! Now it was Norman's turn to practice Christian charity. Hopefully he had enough to avoid a scene. She made her way out the door and ran across the lawn to Ben's buggy. He had the door open by the time she arrived. It was all she could do not to fly into his arms, but Norman would probably have a sharp eye out for any possible indiscretions. Work wouldn't get him off the couch, but catching her in a misstep
would certainly be motivation enough. He was probably peering out of the living room window right now.

“Hi!” Ben greeted her. “You look bright and chirpy this morning.”

“And so do you.” Katie stopped a few feet away. “I'm so glad you could come.”

He seemed to understand about the lack of a hug, taking a quick glance toward the house. “And I'm glad to be here. Will Norman have me for lunch, do you think?”

Katie laughed. “I don't think so. He already had his temper fit for the morning. He'll get over it.”

“I don't have to be here, you know,” Ben said. “I know I'm not making you look the best right now.”

“And miss Thanksgiving dinner with you? I wouldn't think of it!”

“I guess I could use a
gut
, home-cooked meal.” A smile flitted across his face. “Although
Mamm
and
Daett
would have let me join them at Uncle Abner's place. That's where they are this morning.”

“Not a chance!” Katie said. “You can unhitch and put Longstreet in the barn. There's an empty stall where he'll be comfortable.”