Seeds of Deception: A Kate Burkholder Short Story Read Free

disappear inside the barn.
    For an instant, she regretted not going with them. Not because she wanted to be in that dusty old barn with the likes of Billy Marquart, but because she didn’t want Mattie in there alone with him.
    The logical side of Katie’s brain told her that Mattie knew how to handle herself, but the knowledge was little comfort; Katie also knew her friend didn’t always use the good judgment God had given her. Billy had a reputation for kissing and telling. If Mattie let him take things too far, everyone in town—including the bishop—would know about it.
    Sighing, Katie watched them disappear into the shadows. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” she muttered.
    She picked up both wagon handles and pulled them a few feet down the row. Keeping an eye on the barn, she went back to working, but her mind wasn’t on picking apples. There was a new presence dogging her now—worry—and Katie didn’t like it.
    “Where’d you get that second wagon?”
    Katie startled at the sound of her brother’s voice. She’d been so embroiled in her thoughts—so intent on watching the barn—that she hadn’t heard him approach. She turned to see him ducking beneath the low-slung branches of two trees.
    “It’s Mattie’s,” she replied.
    “Mattie Erb? No wonder you haven’t gotten much done.” He looked at her basket and shook his head. “Where is she?”
    Katie blinked, her mind whirling. She was such a terrible liar … “Not that it’s any business of yours, but she went into the barn for a pee break.”
    “Oh.” He glanced away, trying not to look embarrassed. Served him right for being so nosy, she thought. “I know how you two are when you’re together with all the talking,” he said. “I’ve already filled two baskets and you’ve barely filled one. Datt’ll be here shortly to pick us up.”
    Katie tried to keep her eyes off the barn, but it wasn’t easy. She disliked lying to her brother—disliked lying to anyone —even if it was by omission. But there was no way Jacob would stand for Mattie going into the barn with a boy, especially Billy Marquart. If he found out, he’d surely tell their parents. Katie knew all too well that if that happened, she’d find herself in trouble, too, even though this time she hadn’t done anything wrong.
    “The only one I hear talking too much is you,” Katie muttered.
    Sending her a scowl, Jacob picked up one of her empty baskets and retreated toward the other end of the orchard.
    For ten minutes Katie picked apples as quickly as she could. When the lower halves of the trees were picked clean, she moved the wagons farther down the row. She didn’t like the growing distance between her and the barn. Mattie had been gone for nearly fifteen minutes. How long did it take to smoke a cigarette? Not that long, a little voice whispered. What else were they doing? Talking? Something else?
    The tiny seeds of worry from earlier had grown into something dark and unwieldy. Not only was Billy a troublemaker, but Katie had heard stories about his temper, too. Rumor had it, he’d gotten into a fight at Miller’s Pond last summer—and sent another boy from Coshocton County to the hospital.
    The whisper of footsteps against the grass spun her around. Katie gasped. It was Billy walking fast, passing within a few feet of her. He didn’t look happy, didn’t make eye contact with her, and Katie was pretty sure he had a scratch on the side of his face.
    “Where’s Mattie?” she called out.
    “That little bitch is all yours.” He didn’t spare her a glance as he followed the tracks of the ATV. “I’m outta here.”
    Katie watched him stalk away, alarm stealing through her. How did he get that scratch on his face? Where was Mattie? Had he done something to her?
    She launched herself into a dead run toward the barn. “Mattie!”
    She was midway there when her friend emerged. A quick once over told her Mattie was unharmed. But Katie didn’t miss the tuft of