Letters to Katie Read Online Free PDF

Laura, Sawyer’s girl, already had that job.
    Bitterness surged inside him. His dream was slipping away before he’d had a chance
     to make it come true.
    At five o’clock he picked up his still-full lunch cooler and left the shop. As the
     sun dipped behind the roof of Bender’sshop, Johnny tossed the cooler into his buggy and climbed inside.
    When he reached home he pulled into the driveway and parked the buggy outside the
     decrepit barn. It reminded him of the old barn Sawyer had hid in when he was fourteen,
     the year his parents died and he ran away from foster care. Mary Beth had found Sawyer
     there, and he and Johnny had become best of friends.
    For the first time that day Johnny’s mood lifted. Sawyer would get him a job at the
     Bylers’—even something part-time would be a start. He could trust his friend to help
     him out. And he would continue to look—and pray—for other work to turn up.
    But he had to find something soon.
    He couldn’t fail. Everything hinged on this horse farm.
    Everything.

    Katherine sat at the kitchen table, piecing together pale green and white squares
     of fabric. Another baby quilt, this time for her friend Rachel, who was expecting
     a baby in the summer. Katherine was nineteen and Johnny had just turned twenty, but
     many of their friends had already married or were paired off.
    She sighed and her fingers slipped. The needle plunged into the pad of her thumb.
    “Ow.” She brought her thumb to her mouth just as her younger sister, Bekah, came into
     the kitchen. Bekah grabbed a cookie from the plate on the counter.
    “I think Mamm’s taking those to the Mullets later today.”
    “She won’t miss just one.” Bekah leaned against the counter and bit into the soft
     cookie. “You look tired.”
    “I am.” Fatigue wrapped around Katherine as she bent over the quilt. But the work
     kept her mind off Johnny.
    She had dreamed about him the few hours she slept. Again. She didn’t remember much
     of the dream, but he’d been there. During the day she could keep her mind occupied
     with other things, but she couldn’t control him in her subconscious.
    “That’s great news about Mary Beth,” Bekah said. “What did she name the boppli ?”
    “Johanna.” Katherine slid the needle through the three layers of fabric and batting.
    “That’s a lovely name.” She sat down across from Katherine.
    “Don’t get crumbs on the quilt.”
    “I won’t.” Bekah finished the cookie, brushing her hands to the side. She cupped her
     chin on her hand. “So . . . was Johnny there?”
    “He was praying in the barn with Chris. Caleb was in the house with Eli.”
    “I didn’t ask about Caleb.”
    “I figured you would eventually.”
    “Because he’s a friend.” She sighed. “Caleb Mullet is the least of my problems.”
    Katherine put down the needle. “What do you mean?”
    “I think I figured out a way to get Melvin Miller to leave me alone.”
    Katherine suppressed a sigh. It pained her that Bekah, who wasn’tinterested in boys at all, had a whole supply of them nipping at her heels. “I didn’t
     realize he was bothering you,” she said, focusing on her quilting, not wanting Bekah
     to see any trace of jealousy.
    “He’s not a bother. Just annoying. Like everyone else.” Bekah shook her head. “I wish
     he’d get the point. Some people can be so hardheaded.”
    Katherine winced.
    “Oh, I didn’t mean you.” Bekah held out her hands. “I know what you feel for Johnny
     is real. He’ll come around. Eventually.” But she didn’t sound convinced.
    “How do you know Melvin’s feelings aren’t real?” Before Bekah could answer, Katherine
     added, “Why do you want to break his heart?”
    “I’m not breaking his heart.” Bekah leaned back in the chair. “ Ach , you can be so dramatic sometimes.”
    Katherine ducked her head down. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Melvin pestering me isn’t like you and Johnny.”
    “You mean he won’t be