Katie's Way Read Free

bishop, had a bit too much self-importance for Katie’s taste, but that was Louise’s concern, not hers.
    â€œI’m sure Katie doesn’t care what Jonas—”
    Katie interrupted whatever unwise words Rhoda was about to say with a quick, strong hug and a murmured hush in her ear. “It is ser gut to see all of you.”
    She drew back, waving her hand to encompass the whole of her shop. “What do you think of it?”
    Mamm took a few steps around, studying the layout as if comparing it to her own quilt shop back in Columbia County. “It’s not as big as I thought it would be.”
    â€œThere’s another room at the back that I can expand into,” Katie said. “This is enough for starting off, I think.”
    â€œYou could be right. The less you have, the easier it will be to . . .” Her mother stopped and then started again. “. . . to take care of.”
    That wasn’t what she’d intended to say, Katie felt sure. The less there will be to get rid of when you come home again. That was the thought in her mother’s mind, wasn’t it?
    Katie found she was clutching her arms around herself again and deliberately relaxed.
    One year. That was how long she had to prove herself. Daadi had paid Bishop Mose for one year’s rent on the shop. At the end of that year, she should be able to sign her own lease.
    Or go home in defeat and spend her life next door to Eli and Jessica, watching their growing family.
    She cleared her throat. “How long are you . . . will you be able to stay?”
    â€œAch, chust ’til Friday. Louise is supposed to go to dinner with Jonas’s family on Saturday, so we must get back.” Mamm nodded toward the stairway that led up to the second floor. “Will you have room for us in your apartment?”
    â€œWe’ll make room.” Katie thought rapidly. Mamm would have her room, of course, and Louise and Rhoda could share the second bedroom. She’d sleep on the couch. “If you’re not comfortable, I’m sure Molly would be glad to have you stay with her.”
    â€œNo, no, this will be fine.” Mamm made shooing motions toward the other two. “Take your bags up now. Get settled. I want to speak to Katie.”
    Mamm’s words sounded serious. If something was wrong at home—
    Her sisters vanished up the stairs. Katie studied her mother’s face, trying to read the expression. Mammi, for some reason, was avoiding her eyes.
    â€œIs something wrong?” she asked finally, when it seemed her mother wouldn’t speak.
    â€œNo, no, why would you think that?” Mammi made little sweeping gestures with her hands. “I chust think . . . that is, your daad and I have decided that Rhoda will stay here with you for a time.”
    â€œRhoda?” There was a faint squeak in Katie’s voice, and she tried to control it. “But why would you want Rhoda to do that? She has her job at the restaurant, and you’ll need her help with Louise getting married in the fall.”
    And just as important, why would Mammi think Katie should take on the responsibility for a lively sixteen-year-old when she was trying to get a new business started on her own?
    Her mother studied a row of spools with concentrated care. “She can be more help to you. As for that restaurant . . .” Mammi’s voice seemed to tighten. “We think it better that she not work there anymore.”
    â€œI see.”
    But Katie didn’t, not really. It was so unlike Mammi to let one of her chicks leave home without a fight, and Rhoda was only sixteen, just beginning her rumspringa.
    Light began to dawn.
    â€œDoes this have something to do with Rhoda’s rumspringa?” Rhoda, with her quick mind and daring disposition, was probably destined to have a more tumultuous running-around time than either Katie or Louise had had.
    Her mother turned toward her, fingers to her lips.