The Loyal One Read online

  She’d changed her dress. Now she had a dark yellow dress on, the color of the first marigolds of the season. Over it was a light black cardigan. She looked like a tiny bumblebee, or would have if she weren’t so slim.

  Or wasn’t so pretty.

  “Let me take your sweater, Katie.”

  She was holding the edges of the knit like it was a suit of armor. “That’s kind of you, but I’ll keep it on. It got a little chilly when the sun went down.”

  “Did you walk here, child?” Daed asked.

  “Jah.”

  “That’s a long way.” Hardening his voice, he turned to Harley. “You’ll need to take her home in the buggy.”

  “Of course.”

  Katie’s expression turned even more pained. “There’s no need for that. I know you must be so tired.”

  “It’s no trouble. Now come eat. We have plenty.”

  “We sure do,” Kyle said with a bright smile. “Thanks to Harley trying to keep all the food to himself.”

  Usually Harley would have “accidentally” knocked into his side, just to get him to shut up, but now he was glad for Kyle’s exuberance. His brother’s teasing had made Katie relax, and for that he was grateful.

  Five minutes later, Katie was sitting to his father’s right and was looking at the amount of food in front of her like she’d never seen the like.

  “Is this a special occasion?”

  “You being here?” Jimmy teased with a bright smile. “For sure it is.”

  Beth coughed, obviously trying hard not to laugh.

  Katie was still eyeing her plate in wonder. “Nee. I mean, all this food. Is it a special day?”

  “It’s a Tuesday,” Betty said. “That’s the only thing special about it.”

  “Not that our Tuesdays have ever been very special,” Beth said.

  “Until now,” Kyle whispered with a wink at his sisters.

  Their mother looked at each of them like she wasn’t sure where they’d come from. “Don’t mind them, Katie. William and I have tried our best, but they can still be incorrigible. They have no company manners.”

  “Nee, it’s my fault. I think my company manners are lacking as well. I shouldn’t have asked such a thing. I don’t know why I did.”

  “Don’t worry about manners none. Yours are fine. And to answer your question, jah, we are blessed with a large family, so Emma makes large meals.” Glancing at the lot of them, Daed’s voice deepened. “It’s good of you to remind us of this bounty. Now, start eating, child, don’t be shy.”

  After quietly praying, Katie dutifully popped a slice of carrot in her mouth.

  While she chewed and speared another carrot, Kyle said, “Katie, as a matter of fact, you came at a perfect time.”

  “Oh?”

  “Jah. We were all just sitting here teasing Harley.”

  She glanced Harley’s way. “About what?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary,” Harley said quickly.

  Jimmy leaned back and stretched his arms out in front of him. “Actually, we were quizzing him about the Eight.”

  Katie immediately relaxed. “What about the Eight?”

  “Nothing special. We just like hearing the stories,” Beth added quickly.

  Katie smiled at Harley. “There are plenty of stories, for sure.”

  Harley cast Jimmy a grateful look. The Eight was as good a topic as any to use as a distraction, and it was a topic Katie could easily contribute to, as well. “We’ve known each other for a long time, for sure,” he said.

  She smiled at him. “You all have been blessed with a big family. I’ve been blessed with a good group of friends. The Eight have helped me through a great many things over the years.”

  “What about Harley, then?” Betty asked.

  “Harley? Oh, he has more blessings than he’s known what to do with,” Katie said. “It’s always been that way.”

  Harley kept his mouth shut because he realized, seeing his life through her eyes, Katie was right.

  TWELVE

  “Well, the noise convinced the goats to run in the other direction. That was a blessing. Having all of Mr. Schlabach’s attention on us was definitely not.”

  “I feel bad that your father is making you drive me home,” Katie told Harley as he guided his horse out of the barn.

  “Don’t be. If he hadn’t suggested it, I would’ve done it anyway. It’s dark out and not safe for a girl to be out walking alone. Anything can happen, you know.”

  He was right. The back roads where they lived were windy, full of hills, and barren of streetlights. Then, of course, there was always the worry of being a woman walking alone. Walnut Creek was a safe place, but bad things could happen anywhere. Her parents had always reminded her that it was better to be safe than sorry. Not that she always heeded their advice.

  “Well, I appreciate the ride. And supper.” Thinking of how they’d all sat there chatting and teasing each other while she ate, she said, “Harley, I didn’t come over for a free meal.”

  After giving his horse a reassuring pat, he walked to Katie’s side and lifted her into the courting buggy. “Don’t worry so much. It was nothing.”

  She was tingling from his assistance. She couldn’t remember another time when he’d lifted her into a buggy. Had he ever and she’d simply forgotten that?

  No. She wouldn’t have forgotten.

  Studying him while he walked to the other side and got settled next to her, she took another look at him.

  And suddenly, it was almost as if she were sitting next to a stranger. Even though the air had turned chilly, his sleeves were still rolled up. She noticed the muscles of his forearms. When he scooted closer to her, she noticed how tall he was. The way his body had filled out. The way his brown hair curled around his collar.

  The way he spoke softly to his horse and guided her carefully down the drive and at last onto the street.

  He glanced at her. “You sure are quiet.”

  “I know. I bet you hardly know what to do about my sudden silence.”

  “It’s a little disconcerting, that’s a fact.” Clicking the reins softly, he motioned the horse into a gentle canter. The mare seemed pleased, and the buggy charged forward.

  She laughed at the horse’s exuberance. “She’s a gut buggy horse. Young.”

  “Her name’s Peanut, and jah. She’s a good one.” He kept his eyes on the road and the horse.

  “To be honest, I didn’t even know you had a courting buggy.” As Peanut clip-clopped along, Katie felt the light breeze on her face. The first batch of wildflowers was growing alongside the road and the air smelled faintly of horse and freshly plowed dirt. She couldn’t resist smiling. Somehow, traveling in the little open-air buggy made everything just seem better.

  “I haven’t used this buggy much over the last couple of years. Jimmy takes it out when he calls on Sarah.”

  She’d seen Jimmy and Sarah together many times. “They are a cute couple.”

  He chuckled. “I reckon Jimmy never thought about them as being ‘cute,’ but I daresay you are right. They do go well together. Like peas and carrots.”

  Fingering the black leather of the bench seat, she smiled at him. “And what about Kyle?”

  “Kyle? What about him?”

  “Come now, Harley. He’s eighteen and mighty handsome. Surely he is courting some lucky girl.”

  “Boy, I don’t know.” A line formed in the middle of his forehead. “Come to think of it, he never acts too eager to sit with any of the girls after church dinner or go to any of the Sunday night singings. I guess that is something of a surprise. He’s always been fairly social.”

  “Why do you think that is?” Even though she and Harley had always been best friends with the rest of the Eight, the two of them had still attended the singings, which was actually just a reason to spend time with other Amish teenagers in the area.

  “I’m not sure. But sometimes I have to think that Kyle has as many secrets as the rest of us.”
<
br />   “I’m surprised. He seems so open.”

  Harley grinned, his white teeth fairly gleaming in the waning sunlight. “He is open and often says what’s on his mind. One could say that he was even the opposite of me. Ain’t so?”

  “I’m not going to answer that.”

  “Well, actually . . . I’m fairly sure that my little brother is interested in an English girl.”

  She was tempted to tell him that she already knew but didn’t want to betray Kyle. “What do you think about that?”

  “I don’t rightly know. Part of me isn’t all that shocked.”

  “And the other part?”

  He looked even more uncomfortable. “I guess I’d have to say I wish he wouldn’t be.”

  “Really?” The moment she blurted that, she wished she could take it back. “I’m sorry. This isn’t any of my business. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “You can say whatever you want, Katie.” He glanced at her. “Especially since we both know that you hit the nail on the head. Though I know a lot of Amish parents are of the mind that getting baptized is a grown man and woman’s choice, mine haven’t really adopted that mind-set. Courting an Englischer isn’t going to go over well.” Looking like he was worried about that, he frowned. “Not at all.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Me?” He looked surprised about the question. “Ah, nothing. It don’t concern me, right?”

  “You’re not going to warn Kyle that he could upset your parents?”

  He chuckled. “Kyle don’t need to be warned, Katie. He’s been living in the same house as I have for eighteen years.”

  “But you’re older and he looks up to you.”

  “I’m also just his brother and he hasn’t even confided in me. I think it’s best that things pan out the way they are supposed to. Kyle knows what he’s going to be coming up against, and what the consequences will be. Either he is going to put our parents’ wishes first . . . or this mystery girl.”

  “If he chooses her, what are you going to do?” She held her breath, for some reason needing him to reassure her that he was still the man she thought he was.

  After a couple of seconds passed, Harley shrugged. “Love him, I guess.”

  Pleased, she released a sigh.

  He didn’t look at her and she didn’t turn her head either. But that was okay, because answers like these were what made her heart feel so full. This was why Harley Lambright was so special. He was closed off and solemn, but he was also as loyal as the day was long. “Kyle thinks the world of you, Harley.” She did, too, she realized. Even when they argued or didn’t exactly see eye to eye, she thought he was special.

  His voice was soft when he replied. “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  He glanced her way again, just as they approached her house. “How do you know? I mean, how can you be sure?”

  “I can just tell. He wants to be like you.”

  “I don’t know about that. My siblings enjoy reminding me that I am a lot like our father.” He frowned. “That ain’t a compliment.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. I happen to see a lot of similarities.”

  “I know. I’m trying to be better . . .”

  He sounded really frustrated with himself, which was such a surprise. “Don’t sound so upset. Your father is a gut man, Harley. He’s stalwart and sure. And he’s always treated me with kindness. Especially tonight.”

  “To be sure, he was mighty kind to you tonight, Katie.”

  She chuckled. “I even saw Jimmy and Beth exchange confused glances.”

  “If they did, it wasn’t because of anything you did.” He hesitated, then said, “It’s just that our father has never been one to coddle us much. Not even our Betty, and she’s his favorite.”

  “Maybe your father thought I needed a free meal,” she said dryly. After all, she was too skinny.

  “Nee, that ain’t it. I think . . .” He paused, seemed to consider his words. “I think he must know that you are a nice woman and could use some kindness. I wouldn’t disagree. You are due, for sure and for certain.”

  While Katie dwelled on Harley’s surprising statement, he guided Peanut up her drive and set the brake on the buggy. “Stay there and I’ll come around and help you down.”

  Maybe another time she would have reminded him that she was perfectly capable of climbing out of a buggy. But this time, she did as he asked and then even pressed her palms to his shoulders when he leaned close and gripped her by the waist.

  Next thing she knew, she was getting swung out and carefully placed on the ground.

  Still leaning close, he met her gaze. “You good?”

  Her mouth felt like cotton. “Jah. Danke.”

  He straightened but still seemed intent on studying her face. “I’m glad you came over tonight,” he murmured as Peanut pawed the ground beside them and the crickets in the yard chirped in protest. “It . . . it was a nice surprise.”

  It had been nice. But not a surprise. Feeling foolish, she blurted, “I actually came by because, Harley, I wanted to apologize to you. I realize now that you hadn’t invited anyone over, and even if you had, it shouldn’t have mattered. I need the help and I need to stop being ashamed of my mother’s sickness.”

  “What do you want to do now?”

  “I want to accept everyone’s help. I mean, if they still want to offer it.”

  He nodded. “I’ll pass the word on, then. Now, I had better walk you inside.”

  She followed him to the door, then pulled her keys out and placed them in his awaiting palm. When he opened the door, she was besieged by the same musty scents and overwhelming clutter. “I can’t wait until this feels the way I need it to.”

  “I know.” He frowned. “It’s mighty dark in there. Where are your flashlights?”

  “I keep one in the kitchen drawer.”

  “Care to take my hand?”

  Would she care? Swept away by his phrasing, she slipped hers in his and let him guide her inside and through the maze of debris, which she knew far better than he did. When they got to the kitchen, she opened the first drawer and pulled out two flashlights. Luckily both turned on easily and offered bright beams of light.

  She handed him one. “This is better now.”

  “Jah.” Still looking worried about leaving her, he said, “Would you like me to walk through the haus and make sure everything is quiet?”

  “There’s no need. I’m used to being here alone. I’ll walk you out.”

  Now guided by twin beams and missing his hand, she walked back through the maze.

  At the door, he turned back to her. “I’ll be here in the morning with Kyle.”

  “All right, Harley. Danke for taking me home. Be careful on your way back.”

  “Me and Peanut will be fine. We always are.”

  Just as she was about to step back and bid him good night, he leaned toward her and brushed his lips on her cheek. “Sleep well, Katie Steury. Tomorrow will be a better day.”

  She watched him turn away before closing the door.

  Then took a moment to give a little prayer of thanks. Today had actually been pretty good.

  Maybe even better than that.

  THIRTEEN

  “As you might imagine, he wanted to know exactly what we were doing in his field,” Harley said. “Since we had no good answer, I figured it would be best to say nothing. So did everyone else. Well, everyone except for one of us.”

  “I invited the English girl I’ve been seeing over to the haus on Sunday afternoon,” Kyle said after they’d walked about half of the way to Katie’s house a few days later.

  Glad that he had a to-go cup of coffee in his hand, Harley took a fortifying sip. As he swallowed, he reminded himself of Katie’s comment the other evening. Kyle looked up to him. He needed to tread carefully. “Oh? I’m sorry, I don’t recall her name. Who is she?”

  Kyle drummed his fingers against his leg for a few feet. Then he blurted, “He
r name is Gabby.”

  It looked like he’d been right. There was a reason Kyle hadn’t been too interested in Sunday singings. “And you’ve been seeing her in secret.”

  Looking a little green, Kyle bobbed his head. “Jah.”

  It was worse than he had imagined. “And now you plan to simply invite her over to the house?” Their parents were going to freak out—one of Andy’s favorite expressions—and that was only a minor exaggeration.

  “You know why I didn’t tell Mamm and Daed earlier.”

  Harley sighed. What to do? He had no real experience in love and romance. “I know, but . . .”

  “But I really like her, Harley,” Kyle said immediately. “Plus, she is so alone. I also think Gabby needs us.”

  This was a whole new revelation, and maybe it put a new spin on things, as well? His parents might be rigid and strict, but they’d always had a soft spot for someone in trouble or in need of a helping hand. “Why is she so alone?”

  “Because she just is.”

  The boy sounded impatient. Thinking things through, Harley realized that he needed to stop asking questions and let his little brother say what he needed to. “Okay . . .”

  “Then, there’s the fact that I don’t want Gabby to ever think that I would be ashamed to be seen with her.”

  Harley studied Kyle as they continued to walk. He was walking purposefully, looking straight ahead, and his jaw was set in a firm line. Kyle was not hoping to gain his approval.

  And though he was a little surprised by that, it also, for some reason, made him feel a little better. He didn’t know what the right advice was to give and he didn’t want to make a mistake.

  He also wasn’t sure what Kyle was expecting him to say.

  After they’d taken a few more steps, passing an old sign directing the way to Berlin, Harley decided it was finally time to speak about the inevitable. “When are you planning to tell Mamm and Daed about this big event?”

  “Tonight. After supper.”

  “So soon? Are you sure that you want to have Gabby on everyone’s minds for so long?” Even though his brother had already made his decision, he couldn’t resist offering some unsolicited advice. “You know how it goes, everyone is going to have something to say about it—and you really won’t have a choice about listening.”