Read Heritage of Lancaster County 03 The Reckoning for Free Online Page B

ice cream."
    "I hope we might ride again." His eyes brightened as he said, "God be with ya, Mary Stoltzfus."
    "And with you." By now, she couldn't even whisper his name at the end. But it was strong in her mind all the same. John Beiler. . .
    Despite dark clouds and the lack of sunshine, she
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    lieved this to be the most beautiful day the good Lord had likely ever made.
    Mary's legs held her up just long enough to push open the back door and rush into the utility room offthe kitchen, collapsing on the old cane chair. Giggling under her breath--trying for all the world to keep from bursting out-- she struggled to remove her shawl and outer bonnet.
    Certain that the family would be waiting by the kitchen stove, she took several deep breaths to calm her flutterings. And when her composure was restored, she marched into her rnamma's scrumptious, warm kitchen.
    Much to her surprise, nobody was around. "Gut," she said to herself, going to the sink and running water over her cold hands to warm them gradually. In many ways, she was delighted to have the house all to herself. With no one to dampen her spirits by probing too much, she could daydream to her heart's content, reliving every single second of the afternoon's ride.
    Strangely enough, her tryst with the bishop had been truly a secret one in every way. Perhaps by Divine Proving- clence.
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    After lunch the phone rang at Mayfield Manor. Katherine unconsciously heard the ringing but ignored it, her ears unaccustomed to the newfangled device. She checked the address on the envelope once more. Seeing the words Hickory Hollow Lane, a tiny burst of air flew past her lips. How odd-- kariyos, she thought, Pennsylvania Dutch invading her thought freely.
    Many weeks had come and gone since she'd spoken much of the Old German dialect. It would be impossible to forget her first-ever language, she figured, yet with no other Amish around, she wondered if her native tongue would lie dormant in her brain. Not that she was worried about it. No, she was more concerned these days with learning how to put words and phrases together in a more sophisticated manner. Especially now that she was seeing the likes of Justin Wirth and wanted--for his sake, if for no other--to become a refined English lady.
    One of the young maids came to her French doors, standing between them, giving a quick curtsy. "Miss Katherine, a Mister Wirth is on the line.., for you."
    "I'll take it in here, thank you." She hurried to the phone, surprised that he was calling her so soon. My goodness, she'd
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    just seen him last night! "Hello?"
    "Katherine, how are you today?"
    "Fine, thank you. How are you?"
    "Never better." His voice held a hint of intrigue. "I wonder if you might join me for dinner Sunday evening. I know of an elegant, quiet place not far from Canandaigua. An old castle."
    She could hardly believe he was asking her again. "It sounds lovely."
    "Shall I come for you about five-thirty?" he asked politely.
    "Five-thirty is fine with me." She felt so terribly unsure of herself. "Good-bye" came out a mite too quickly she feared, yet Justin's farewell sounded altogether pleasant... almost sweet. The sound of his lilting voice rang in her memory as she set about gathering her coat and a stamp for Mary's letter.
    When Theodore pulled the car up for her he was wearing a mischievous grin. "Your wish is my command," he said as he opened the back door.
    "The post office, please."
    "Right away, miss." He closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.
    All the way downtown they talked--chatted, really. At
    one point she asked, "Why are you so happy today?" "Can't a chauffeur be jolly now and again?" "Why, of course!"
    He glanced over his shoulder. "I must say, it's quite delightful seeing you so chipper, Miss Katherine."
    She wondered about his comment. "Do you think I should be more sober.., in mourning for Laura?"
    "Oh my, no. I didn't mean that at all."
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    She didn't dare mention Justin and their dinner