Katie's Journey to Love Read Free Page A

leaned toward Jesse as footsteps came down the stairs. Mabel appeared, leading six-year-old Joel by the hand with Carolyn following close behind.
    Katie held her breath. Would Mabel object to this open display of affection between Mamm and Jesse? Would all of Mamm ’s careful work this morning be lost in seconds? Perhaps Mabel would see something in her daett ’s actions to remind her of her lost mamm . Might this open wounds that hadn’t yet healed?
    Mabel paused for a moment as she took in Mamm and Jesse’s postures. She grimaced but then glanced away. Without furtherado, she helped Joel into his chair, where he sat and rubbed his eyes. Carolyn took her place, smiling at Mamm and Jesse.
    Jesse beamed back at Carolyn but he addressed all of them. “Do you think we should pray before the food gets cold?”
    â€œ Yah , let’s do,” Mabel spoke up. She had folded her hands in her lap like she didn’t quite know what to do with them. Jesse gave Mabel only the briefest of glances before they all bowed their heads.
    â€œDear Gott im himmel ,” Jesse prayed, “You who made the heavens and the earth and all that is within them, look down again upon us this morning in mercy. We give You thanks for Your many and great blessings You have given to us all. You have brought joy and laughter back into our home. You have again allowed love to grow in my heart for Emma. You have not allowed either of us to stay in our former state of sorrow. Rather, You have given us new life again. For this we cannot give You sufficient thanks. Have mercy again today on our trespasses, and forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us.”
    Katie stole a look at Mamm ’s face. It carried a touch of red, which made sense. She too would be sending off flames of red if such words of thanksgiving and praise were being offered on her behalf. The years of living alone hadn’t been kind to Mamm . They had been long and lonely, full of suffering. Now the tide had turned and this was her time of miracles. Mamm hadn’t been sure that she was in love with Jesse before the wedding, but that had also been the case with Ezra, Katie’s daett , too. And just like with Ezra, Katie had no doubt that her mamm ’s feelings for Jesse would match the love she had for Daett . With a man like Jesse, Mamm wouldn’t be able to help herself. Katie bowed her head again.
    â€œâ€¦now be with us today, O great and holy Father,” Jesse said.“Continue to bless us and to bestow Your grace upon our lives. In the name of Your dear Son, Jesus. Amen.”
    They all raised their heads, and Leroy made a dive for the plate of eggs. Mabel slapped his hand, and he dropped the plate with a clatter, causing several eggs to slide off the platter onto the table.
    â€œEnough of this,” Jesse corrected sternly. “You’re behaving like savages after such a gut start this morning.”
    â€œHe’s only being his usual self,” Mabel stated.
    â€œPick up the eggs from the table,” Jesse ordered Leroy. “And those will be yours. Next time be more careful. I’ve had enough of this.”
    Leroy groaned but gathered up the eggs one by one and slipped them onto his plate.
    Jesse turned to Emma with an apologetic grin. “I’m sorry about my children’s behavior. I guess you see why they need a mamm around.”
    â€œI understand,” Mamm said quickly. “It’s okay.”
    Jesse patted her on the arm. “Now, don’t be too easy on them. They’re also in your charge now, and they are to listen to you.” Jesse turned toward his children. “Did you hear that?” he asked.
    They all nodded, including Mabel. She appeared subdued for a moment, and then she passed the bacon around. Breakfast settled down into a family routine. Mamm joined in where she could, but Mabel clearly was running things.
    Katie watched to see what Mamm would do. Out of the