Kate's Song Read Online Free PDF Page A

the brimming cup and slowly carried it back to his chair. Passing two of his cousins, he showed them his cup. “I didn’t say ‘when,’” he said, beaming. “I didn’t say ‘when.’”
    After the children finished with their dessert, they took turns at the sink washing their dishes and then clomped up the steep stairs to play. Without a word, Mary’s three-year-old daughter, Sadie, came close to Nathaniel and held out her arms to him. Nathaniel bent over and slipped Sadie onto his lap. Sitting on her perch like she were the most important person in the world, Sadie patted Nathaniel’s face and played with one of his ears.
    Giddy, one of Aaron’s little boys, sidled up beside Nathaniel and patted his leg. Nathaniel steadied Sadie with one arm, and then, making a fist, he gently squeezed Giddy’s nose between his index and middle knuckles. He pulled his hand away and put his thumb between his fingers where Giddy’s nose had been.
    “I’ve got your nose,” Nathaniel said.
    Giddy opened his mouth as wide as a fish’s and felt his face.
    Nathaniel touched his thumb to Giddy’s nose and opened his hand. “Don’t worry, now. I put it back.”
    Kate grinned at little Giddy’s puzzled expression. He lifted his arms to Nathaniel, who scooped up the boy and sat him next to Sadie in his lap.
    “Look how sweet,” Mary whispered. But Kate was already charmed by the sight.
    As Sadie traced her small fingers around Nathaniel’s palm, his eyes caught Kate’s. She smiled and then looked away, embarrassed to have been caught staring.
    Aaron then spoke directly to her, and she couldn’t very well ignore him. “I always knew, Katie, that your vanity would be your stumbling block. You have a beautiful voice to sing praises to God, but you are proud. You want to show off. This is false pride. Am I not right, Zeb?”
    Zeb shook his head. “You weary us with too much talking.”
    Aaron grunted and pushed his plate away. “You know I am right. If Katie will do as I say, she will walk with the Lord in heaven. Humble yourself, Katie, and quit these foolish, worldly ways.” Sensing the tension in the room, he wound down. “I only say this because I am your brother and I am concerned for your salvation,” he murmured resentfully.
    Nathaniel lifted the two children off his lap and set them on their feet. He stood and looked Aaron squarely in the eye. “I have learned much from you this evening, Aaron,” he said stiffly. “I can tell you have spent a great deal of time perfecting your doctrine. But I trust that Kate will follow God’s way and not Aaron’s way.”
    Aaron stared at Nathaniel in surprise. “Of course,” he sputtered. “I do not follow my own way. Only God’s.”
    Kate’s heart all but burst with gratitude. She nodded a silent thankyou to Nathaniel. He smiled back.
    “May we all do so,” Ike said.
    “I will go now,” Nathaniel said, addressing Mamma. “Thank you for the pie. Manna from heaven could not have tasted better.”
    Mamma stood and wiped her hands on her apron. “Ach, no flattery. You tempt me to be prideful.”
    Elmer sat at the otherwise-empty children’s table, eating his third piece of pie. “Good-bye, Nathaniel,” he said. “Come see us again.”
    Donning his hat, Nathaniel looked once more in Kate’s direction. “I will, Lord willing. No doubt about it.”
    * * * * *
    Nathaniel bounded off the Weavers’ front porch so light he thought he might fly home. Someone called his name, and he turned to see Aaron standing with both hands on the railing, staring at him.
    “You like my sister?” Aaron said, more an accusation than a question.
    “Why do you ask?” Nathaniel said.
    “Do not hope for much. When September comes, she will go back to the school. Just wait and see if she doesn’t.”
    “Then I have almost five months to change her mind.”

Chapter Five
    “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this, Elmer,” Kate said as her brother guided the buggy into place