Read Katie's Way for Free Online

with Rhoda Miller was the last thing he wanted. Before he could answer, Mamm came in, followed by Katie, who was carrying a bag of fabric, and it was obvious Mamm had heard.
    â€œThat sounds like a kind thought, Becky.” Mamm beamed at her. “That’s certain-sure to make Rhoda feel wilkom.” She glanced at him. “Don’t you think that’s a gut idea, Caleb?”
    He hesitated in answering. It was probably only a couple of seconds, but it felt like an hour. They were all looking at him, Katie with an expression that was so intense he knew she feared he was going to tell what he’d heard about Rhoda.
    â€œJa,” he said shortly, turning away from the concern in Katie’s eyes.
    Mamm patted the counter. “You can put the fabric right here, Katie, and Caleb will load it into the buggy for me when we’re ready to go.”
    Katie obeyed, setting the package on the countertop, not looking at him now.
    Mamm held out her hand to Becky. “Komm, and you can ask her now. I chust want to look closer at that one pattern.”
    Mamm and Becky went out together. Caleb tried to think of something to say to Katie, but his mind was curiously blank. He found he was staring at the slender curve of her neck as she smoothed the fabric pieces in the bag.
    She turned and came toward him with a quick step until they stood very close. “Denke, Caleb.” Her voice was soft. “That will mean the world to Rhoda.” Her fingers touched his hand, and it was as if his skin tingled where their hands met.
    His startled gaze went to hers. Something—some awareness that he hadn’t expected and didn’t welcome—filled the air between them. Her deep blue eyes went wide, and he thought she felt it, too. She probably didn’t know what to do with the feeling, either.
    He stepped back, pulse thudding. “I could not stop her. Becky has a sympathetic heart.”
    â€œJa. She does.”
    That almost sounded as if she thought he didn’t. He stiffened, knowing he had to give fair warning. “If there is any trouble for Becky because of her kindness to Rhoda, I will have to tell what I know.”
    Katie’s lips pressed together, her eyes narrowing. “There won’t be,” she said sharply, and turned away.

CHAPTER THREE
    K atie couldn’t shake off the warning in Caleb’s words. All through supper, even as she and Rhoda washed and dried the dishes, she fretted over it, wondering whether she should say anything to her sister.
    The pan Rhoda was drying clattered to the countertop. “You don’t want me here.” The words burst out as if Rhoda couldn’t hold them back. “It’s not as if I had a choice, either.”
    â€œRhoda, what are you talking about?” Katie dried her hands on the dish towel and reached toward her little sister.
    Rhoda jerked back as if she’d been stung, brown eyes snapping with anger. “You might as well admit it. Daad and Mamm wanted to be rid of me, so they pushed me off on you. And you don’t want me, either.”
    â€œThat’s not true. Mamm and Daadi . . .” Katie hesitated, not sure what to say. “Well, maybe they thought you’d do better here.”
    â€œYou mean Mamm was afraid I’d embarrass Louise and her precious Jonas.”
    Since that was just about what Mamm had said, Katie could hardly deny it. She tried to smile. “Ach, you know how excited Mamm is about getting one of her daughters married off, after being disappointed by me. We just have to be patient with her.”
    Rhoda’s lips trembled, and she pressed them together, scowling. “Everything’s always about Louise. I’m sick of hearing about her, and the bishop’s son, and all the plans for the wedding.”
    Rhoda sounded fierce, but Katie could read the hurt behind her anger.
    â€œI know.” She reached out tentatively to touch her sister’s arm. It was stiff