Katie Opens Her Heart Read Free Page B

her eyes avoiding his face.
    “You’re Amish, aren’t you?” he asked.
    Katie nodded, afraid to speak up as she handed him his change.
    “Well then, have a nice day,” the boy said with a smile.
    Katie managed a smile in return as the blood pounded in her head. “I hope you enjoy the sandwich,” she said, wishing she hadn’t as soon as the words were out of her mouth.
    “Thanks, I will!” he said, waving over his shoulder.
    Katie dared glance toward Arlene’s register. Perhaps by some miracle Arlene had missed this encounter. After all, the boy hadn’t lingered that long. But Arlene was staring across the aisle with her mouth open. She’d heard everything.

Chapter Three
    When their shifts ended at four o’clock, Katie led the way out of Byler’s, Arlene walking closely behind her. Now that the workday had ended, Arlene was obviously itching to launch into a lecture of some sort about the attention Katie had received from the two Englisha boys.
    The two girls reached the fence where Sparky was tied, and Katie paused as Esther came out of Byler’s behind them. Esther waved and climbed into her dark-blue Corvette and, with the engine roaring, sped out the driveway. Once the sound died away, Katie turned to Arlene. “I know what you’re going to say. And you might as well save your breath. I don’t want to hear it.”
    Arlene glared. “You’ve been trying to shut me up about this, Katie. So I know there’s something to it or you wouldn’t try so hard to avoid talking about it. What do you think? That I’m stupid?”
    “ Nee , of course not,” Katie said, trying to smile. “You’re a lot smarter than I am.”
    “I don’t know about that,” Arlene said. “But I’m beginning to think you’re more devious than I thought you were—after what I saw today.”
    “It was nothing,” Katie declared. “Those two boys were pure accidents. I had nothing to do with it.”
    Arlene laughed. “Two Englisha boys giving off smiles and practicing good graces around you, Katie? How do you expect me to believe you’re innocent? You must have done something they interpreted as flirting.”
    Katie’s face turned red. “Me? Flirting?” She almost burst out laughing. Instead she simply said, “Okay, so you don’t believe me. But I know who I am—and I am not a flirt!”
    Arlene studied Katie for a moment. “So you’re telling me you don’t know those boys? That you’re still not in rumspringa ?”
    “Do I look like that sort of girl?” Katie met Arlene’s searching gaze.
    Arlene sighed. “I didn’t think so. But you’re not answering my question, Katie.”
    “I’ve never met them before.” Katie faced Arlene squarely. “Honest promise, cross my heart. I’m not disobeying Mamm or sneaking out without her knowledge. Nor am I flirting. Now, does that satisfy you?”
    Arlene’s face was intent for a moment. “I don’t know.”
    Katie threw up her hands. “Okay! So be it. I really need to get home. I have chores to do.”
    Arlene ignored Katie and continued. “If you’re telling the truth about not flirting, then maybe you’re just changing. And maybe you don’t realize it.”
    “You’ve lost your mind,” Katie said. “I’ll never change. I am who I am.”
    Arlene smiled. “No offense, but I think a change would do you good. Your mamm ’s mostly to blame for this. You do know that, don’t you?”
    “ Mamm is wonderful!” Katie said just as quickly. “She does the best she can.”
    “I didn’t say she doesn’t,” Arlene said with a shrug. “But you know how it is. She avoids people and has you doing it too. I guess some things can’t be helped.”
    Katie turned to Sparky. This conversation had gone on long enough. Arlene was stirring up feelings that were best left buried. Things were the way they were. No boys noticed her, let along Englisha boys. Today was a fluke and nothing more.
    “Truth is, the boys coming through Byler’s have been looking at you for some time,”