Letters to Katie Read Online Free

shape.” He glanced around again. “Or some kind
     of shape.”
    “I appreciate the offer. And I’ll take you up on it, the construction part. But I’m
     moving in tomorrow.”
    His father sighed. “So eager to be out on your own?” He pressed his lips in a half
     smile. “I remember feeling the same way when I was yung .”
    Johnny exhaled. Finally his father understood. “Once I get the farm going, I’ll be
     able to help you and Mamm .”
    His dad’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t need any help. We do fine on our own.”
    “But I want to. You’ve spent almost twenty-one years taking care of me. I can give
     something back.”
    Daed chuckled. “Why don’t you wait a little longer? Like twenty more years. Your mamm and I aren’t useless yet.”
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “I know what you meant. And I appreciate the thought. But I feel the same way. We
     would have helped you buy a better place, as much as we could. You could have paid
     back any money you borrowed.”
    “Would you have let me?”
    A ghost of a smile flitted across his daed’s face. “Probably not.”
    “Which is why I didn’t ask. I’ve been working for Bender since I was fourteen, saving
     my money, waiting for an opportunity.”
    “For a farm.”
    “For a business. It’s hard to make a living farming. But raising horses?” Johnny grinned.
     “That’s a mare of a different color.”
    “It will still take hard work.”
    “Which I’m willing to do.”
    “And time.” His father’s gaze intensified. “Are you willing to give it time?”
    Johnny nodded. The tension he had been holding in his body began to release. His father
     was coming around. “I’ll give the business as much time as it needs to become successful.”
    Daed clapped Johnny on the back. “Well, if sheer enthusiasmcounts for anything, I’d say you’re off to a gut start. Now show me this haus you’re so eager to move into.”
    Johnny exhaled heavily as he led his father toward the small, shabby structure he
     had optimistically referred to as a “house.”
    Enthusiasm, his daed said.
    He might present a good bluster to his father, but he was walking a razor-thin financial
     tightrope, and he knew it. This purchase was a bargain, but it had wiped out most
     of his savings.
    God willing, with enough sweat and determination, he would make this work. Even if
     he had to live on peanut butter sandwiches for the next six months, he would force
     this business to thrive.
    He had made the commitment and declared the desire to see it through. He couldn’t
     turn back now.

    Even after the workday was over, Katherine couldn’t get out of her mind what Chrystal
     had said about Isaac. Had he been flirting with her? She didn’t have much experience
     with flirting. He did give her an extra tip, but he wasn’t her first generous customer.
     He also kept smiling every time she passed his table. Maybe he was just being friendly.
     Still, she couldn’t stop wondering.
    Katherine didn’t feel like going home, so instead she turned down Mary Beth’s street.
     Summer was just beginning, and the evening sun dappled the lush green leaves on the
     trees. June was a perfect month, when the days weren’t too hot and the nights sometimes
     held a bit of chill.
    She arrived at Mary Beth’s and knocked on the door. No answer. Mary Beth’s husband,
     Chris, worked for a construction company that did a lot of jobs in Cleveland, so he
     probably wasn’t home. She was just about to knock again when she heard a scream come
     from the back of the small house.
    She dashed into the house, the door slamming so hard behind her it bounced back on
     its hinges. Another wail reached her ears.
    Katherine burst into the back bedroom. “Mary Beth?”
    Her best friend lay on the bed, writhing in agony.
    “The boppli !” Mary Beth gasped, sweat pouring down her face. “It’s coming!”
    “But it’s too soon!” Katherine gripped the door frame.
    Mary Beth clenched her teeth as