A Midwife Crisis Read Online Free PDF Page B

diplomas.
    “Daddy?” Julia tugged his hand. “Did you have fun at church?”
    To answer that question properly, he would need words a child her age should not be exposed to, so instead, he glanced down at Julia and shrugged. “I suppose. Did you enjoy it?”
    “Oh yes! It was the most fun I’ve had in the longest time, and now I have a new friend!” She bounced with excitement while she giggled. “Can she come over for dinner? Can she please, Daddy?”
    Even his own daughter had been enthralled by the ever-popular Katie Napier. “I’m sure Miss Napier is very busy.”
    “Oh no, Daddy. She wouldn’t be too busy for me.”
    Who would have thought a person with such short legs could move so quickly? In a flash, Julia raced across the churchyard toward Katie and her throng of worshipers.
    “Hell,” he mumbled. Now not only would he have to fetch his daughter, but by the time he did, she wouldhave invited Katie to dinner, if not to move in with them.
    He hurried across the yard; the dinner invitation was probably already set, but he might be able to keep the spare room empty.
    “Julia?” John used a stern “Father” voice that usually captured his daughter’s attention, but evidently his daughter had gone deaf. Lucky for her, she was already clutching the hand of the great healer.
    Katie threw her head back, laughing at something Julia said, and the sound of it stopped John in his tracks just a few feet from his destination. He cleared his throat. “Julia? You mustn’t bother Miss Napier.” He hesitantly closed the distance. “I’m sure she has plenty to do.”
    Katie turned to him with eyes sparkling and a smile still wide and inviting. Then quickly her smile lessened, and she lowered her gaze to Julia. “She’s no bother, Dr. Keffer.”
    Julia tugged on Katie’s skirt like the other urchins had done. “Can you, Katie? Can you come to dinner?”
    An embarrassed expression crossed her features before Katie smiled again. “I can’t today, but thank you for the invitation.”
    “But you can come sometime, can’t you?”
    John would need to talk to his daughter as soon as they returned home. Though he didn’t know what to say. Don’t be hospitable? Maybe he could inform her that it was wrong to make friends, at least with these people. They were different.
    “Well…” Katie’s voice sounded unsure, and nowhe knew what to tell Julia. It was wrong to make people feel uncomfortable, especially her father.
    John reached for Julia’s hand. “I’m sure Miss Napier has more important things to tend to.”
    Julia’s lip trembled as she looked up at Katie. “Are you too busy for me too?”
    His heart fell.
    Kneeling down to Julia’s level, Katie gave her a hug. “I’m never too busy for a friend.”
    “Julia and I would love to have you to dinner sometime, Miss Napier.”
    Who said that?
    Well, maybe John couldn’t blame that on a stranger passing by, but he could and would blame it on temporary insanity…and on his daughter’s trembling lip. If having Katie to the house once would make Julia happy, then it could be arranged. Of course if there really were a God, and the jury was still out on that, Katie would be unable to attend, ever.
    “Thank you,” Katie said. “That would be nice.”
    “Yeay!” Julia clapped her hands. “I’ll tell Mrs. Adkins as soon as we get home. I’ll make the biscuits.”
    Katie smiled again as John took Julia’s hand and led her away. He’d intended to take Julia’s hand but not Katie’s smile, yet oddly enough, it stayed with him as he walked down the street toward his home.

Chapter Four
    As if dying wasn’t bad enough, now it appeared as though Grandma was going to have to endure a visit from Eunice Kopp.
    “Well, Mable,” Eunice said, after she plopped her ample bottom into a chair by the bed, “How are you doing today?”
    Grandma harrumphed. “I’m dying, Eunice. How do you think I am?” That would shut up a normal person, but Eunice