Fifteen. I just couldn’t let the matter drop. Finally, we drove to the city for a full examination and series of tests. Ruth never told me the final results, but when she said she was in a family way, I assumed they had fixed whatever had been wrong.”
They sat listening to the hum of the propane refrigerator for a minute or two.
“I know you feel guilty, but you need to overcome these feelings. If she were here, she would say she forgives you. Maybe returning to church or talking to the bishop will help you—”
Couldn’t she give it a rest? His aunt was like a bulldog with a firm grip on one end of a stick. “No church, no talking to the elders, no rehashing this sad tale anymore. I’m tired of repeating the details. It doesn’t do a bit of good. Leave me be on this matter. In time I’ll heal on my own, if that’s what you insist on calling it.”
“No.”
It was just a one-word answer, delivered without exclamation or frenetic gesture, but the arrow hit its target. Nathan stared at her, fear creeping up his back. “What do you mean, no?”
“I’ll not leave you be on this matter. If you don’t want to go to preaching or talk to one of the brethren that’s your choice, but I won’t make it easy for you to wallow in your grief and self-pity. If you don’t do something to pull yourself together, then I’m leaving. I’m going home to my own family, who appreciate my counsel. I’ll take Abraham if you’ll permit me, but either way, I’m putting you on notice, Nathan Fisher.”
One small, gray-haired grandmother brought goose bumps to his forearms. He inhaled a strangled breath. “Okay, I’ll start praying… praying for real. And I’ll open my Bible tonight.”
She studied him for any hint of insincerity, and then she shrugged her shoulders. “All right. I’m going to feed Abraham and get him up for the day.”
Nathan marched from the house to his fields, feeling mule-kicked. What an insistent, pushy woman! She’s not my mamm and has no right issuing ultimatums. If she decides to return home, Abraham and I will get by. Or I’ll pack up and return to Indiana. Breaking a lease isn’t against the law. I’ll find some way to pay the landlord.
For the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, he fumed and pouted. But when his pique waned, he turned his eyes toward the heavens. A flock of geese had drawn his attention. Or the heavy clouds had suddenly given way to sunshine. For whatever reason, Nathan Fisher began to pray. He was rusty at first, but after a while his heart began to swell with emotion and then anticipation. Tonight, after supper and chores, away from interruptions, he would open his Bible and see what would happen.
Catherine’s emotions ran the gamut for the next several days. She vacillated between sheer joy that someone finally was in love with her to fear that Daniel would put a stop to the fledgling relationship, and then to shame that this would somehow lead to disappointment and further alienation for Isaiah.
But wasn’t he a grown man, not a child, and as such capable of giving and receiving affection? Yet each night as she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, anxiety sat heavily on her heart. Was she breaching Daniel’s trust by sneaking around behind his back? The fact was that she knew little about his cousin other than the man couldn’t hear. Was there another reason for his avoidance of people? Along with the first rays of dawn came the realization that she needed advice before this romance proceeded any further. Second-guessing only went so far. At times like these a woman needed her big sister. Jail or no jail, Catherine had to talk to Abby.
Of course, Daniel saw no reason for an in-person visit. “A letter would work just as well,” he said. “I haven’t got time to take you. I should cut hay while the good weather holds. Maybe in a few weeks, once all the hay is stored away.” He finished his bowl of berries and ice cream, licking the spoon for the final drop.
Catherine couldn’t afford to wait even a few weeks, so she considered her reply carefully. “I’m in need of her advice about…womanly matters. There’s no need to interrupt your work. I’m capable of driving a buggy by myself. With a county road map I can leave at first light