Something Old Read Online Free PDF

it?” he asked.
    She turned to face him. “I never would have taken you for a matchmaker. Especially for your own daughter.”
    His voice turned gruff. “I’m not.”
    “Then why?”
    “You liked the idea, admit it.”
    She fiddled with the tie to her white nightgown. “Yes, but what are you cooking up?”
    With a sigh, he moved to his side of the bed and sat. “Jake Byler is coming back to the church.”
    Marie’s heart pounded with fear. “What? Where did you hear this?”
    “At the elders’ meeting. He came to talk to us. He’s turning over a new leaf. Of course I’m happy for his soul, but I don’t trust him. And I don’t want him turning Katy’s head again.”
    Marie skirted around the bed and touched his shoulder. “Oh, I don’t either. I’m afraid he’ll hurt her again. He was so wild. Our Katy needs a gentle man who is strong in the faith like her.”
    They remained silent a moment. Marie stared at the plain oak headboard Vernon had fashioned with his own hands before they got married. Then she remembered the rest of her questions. “How did you hear that the Miller boy was going to ask Katy out again?”
    Vernon removed his shoes. “Through his brother Ivan.”
    “What? He told you about the doddy house? You already knew of Katy’s plans?”
    “Of course.” His voice held a hint of pride, and he found her hand. “Settle down, Marie. Ivan talked frankly, concerned that the girls would renovate and then get married. He didn’t want to cheat them out of their money. He told me of his brother’s interest in Katy.”
    “And what if Katy does spend her savings and then decide to move out and marry David? What then?”
    “Then she’s learned a valuable lesson. But that’s something I need to work out with Ivan. Just in case. He’s a kid himself, but he wouldn’t have come to me if he planned to cheat them.”
    Marie nodded and went to her side of the bed. “Seems like you’ve thought of everything,” she said, before flicking off the lamp.

    Inching along in line at the church’s monthly potluck spread, Katy and Lil each grabbed plastic silverware rolled in napkins and a paper plate.
    “So what did you bring?” Katy asked, trying to tamp down her excitement until the perfect moment.
    “Stew and broccoli corn bread.”
    “Hope there’s some left.” Everybody in church knew Lil and her mom were the potluck queens, a matriarchal honor passed down for generations in their family. Katy plunked baked beans on her plate, the serving spoon suddenly fumbling and splattering beans onto the tablecloth. They both reached for it at the same time. “Wish Megan could’ve come.”
    “Yeah. Too bad she’s got the flu.”
    “At least she’s still on break and has her mom to take care of her. Is that it?” Katy pointed at an empty pot, wondering if it was the stew.
    “Yeah. But it looks like it’s all gone.”
    “Your dishes always are. Aha!” Her enthusiasm on eyeing the nine-by-thirteen dish beside the empty pot was overplayed even for one of Lil’s recipes. Using a spatula, Katy scooped up a small piece of Lil’s corn bread. It missed the empty spot on her plate and plopped on top of her beans. She shrugged. “Clumsy today.”
    They carried their filled plates down a center aisle, glancing at the rows of long tables at either side of them. “How’s that?” Lil asked, nodding her head toward a few empty folding chairs.
    They settled in, and Lil glanced over at Katy. “You’re acting weird. Jittery. You talked to your folks, didn’t you?” Katy opened her mouth, but before she could reply, Lil gave a little squeal. “And they said yes?”
    Raising her palms to calm her friend, Katy wavered, “Yes…no.”
    Lil poked her arm with her plastic fork. “Quit.”
    “Okay. I talked to them. But here’s the deal. Dad agreed.” She had to pause when Lil bounced and nearly collapsed the gray metal chair. “But he put conditions on it.”
    “Of course. Parents always do that.”