Letters to Katie Read Online Free PDF Page B

chasing after you for the next decade?”
    “You don’t chase after Johnny.” Bekah leaned forward. “You can’t help what you feel,
     Katherine.”
    “Neither can Melvin.”
    Bekah didn’t say anything. Katherine went back to the quilt, making tiny, perfect
     stitches.
    “Maybe you should do something about Johnny,” Bekah said.
    “You know I’ve tried.” Katherine looked up. “Since grade school I’ve let him know
     how I feel. I’ve dropped hints about going to singings. I tried to make him jealous,
     which was a stupid idea. He didn’t even notice when I was sixteen and pretended to
     like Tom Herschberger.”
    Tom hadn’t noticed either. She was clueless when it came to men.
    Bekah grew quiet again. Finally she said, “Then maybe you should find someone else.”
    Katherine looked up. “Well . . . I might have.”
    Bekah’s eyes lit up. “Really?” She leaned forward. “Do tell.”
    She shrugged. “I’m not sure there’s anything to tell. I met someone at the restaurant
     yesterday.”
    “Who? Do I know him?”
    “His name is Isaac. He’s new to the area.”
    “What’s his last name? Where’s he from? What does he do?”
    Katherine set down the needle. “I don’t know his last name. He’s from Walnut Creek.”
     She looked down at the quilt. “Chrystal said he was flirting with me.”
    “And why wouldn’t he? You’re so schee . And nice. Just because Johnny is too dumm to realize it—”
    “Bekah. He’s not dumm . He’s just not . . . interested.”
    “But Isaac is.” Bekah grinned.
    “I don’t know. Maybe.” Katherine smiled. Bekah’s enthusiasm was infectious.
    Their mother came into the kitchen. “Oh gut ,Bekah. You’re home. Come with me to visit the Mullets. You can see the new boppli .” She walked to the counter, picked up the plate of cookies, and scowled. “How many
     did you have, Bekah?”
    “Only one. I promise.”
    As her mother turned around, Bekah mouthed the words, How did she know? Katherine shrugged. Very little got past their mamm .
    Bekah stood. As she and Mamm left the kitchen, Katherine called out, “Say hello to Caleb for me.”
    Bekah turned and stuck her tongue out.
    “Bekah!” Mamm’s voice came from the living room. “That is not appropriate behavior for a young woman.”
    Bekah rolled her eyes and followed her mother out of the house.

    “You don’t have anything?”
    Sawyer looked at Johnny and shook his head.
    “I’d be willing to work part-time. A few hours a week, even.”
    The pleading in his friend’s eyes surprised and confused Sawyer. He’d never seen Johnny
     so desperate. “Business has slowed down.”
    “Where have I heard that before?” Johnny muttered.
    “What?”
    “Things are tough all over.”
    Sawyer brushed sawdust from a dresser top. “I know. There’sbarely enough work for me right now.” He peered over the top of the dresser, a sanding
     block in his hand. “I wish there was something I could do.”
    Johnny didn’t reply. His eyes darted around the workshop—a trapped animal looking
     for a way of escape. Sawyer had been surprised when Johnny told him about getting
     laid off from Bender’s. He thought his friend had a future there.
    “Where else have you looked?” Sawyer asked.
    “I started here.” Johnny started to pace.
    Sawyer shook his head. “Dude. I’m sorry.”
    Johnny shrugged. “Not much I can do, other than look elsewhere. Maybe pray for a miracle.”
     He turned, his expression suddenly turning from despair to a grin, but Sawyer could
     still see the worry behind the man’s eyes. “Enough about my problems. When’s the big
     day?”
    Sawyer went back to sanding. “Which day?”
    “Joining the church.” Johnny smirked. “Why, is there another special day I should
     know about?”
    Sawyer grinned. “I talk to the bishop next week. So probably after a few weeks of
     Bishop Esh’s counseling and teaching I’ll be ready to join.”
    “ Gut . Looking forward to you being an