and warm, tender eyes in the cabin doorway told her otherwise.
So on this hot July day, with her housework and garden chores finished, she planned a summer outing. And Catherine aimed to include Isaiah in the fun.
“Guder nachmittag,” she said when Daniel came to the kitchen for lunch.
“Good afternoon, sister.” He hung his straw hat on a peg and wiped his brow. “It is really a hot one. You could fry an egg on the concrete patio. I’m not working those horses anymore today.” He poured two tall glasses of iced tea.
“Indeed, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Catherine spread tuna fish salad on slices of white bread.
“Do you think talking about the weather will cool things down a bit?”
It took her a moment, but she laughed at his rare attempt at a joke. “No, but I know what will. Mrs. Corey has invited me several times to bring the kinner to her pond for a swim. She said it has a sandy shallow end and no algae. I think today would be perfect to accept the invitation. My chores are caught up, the garden is temporarily weed free, and the youngsters could use a treat. They have been good for days on end.” She set the sandwiches and jars of pickled vegetables on the table. “I thought I would pack lunch into a hamper along with cold drinks and take the path through the pasture.” She waited for him to squash her plans.
Daniel bit into his sandwich and popped a small gherkin in his mouth. “Sounds like a good idea. You have been working hard too, and I’ve been meager with the appreciation. An afternoon off will do you good. Although, if those two young ones squabble, it won’t be much of a vacation day.” He grinned over his glass of tea.
“I’m prepared for any and all eventualities. I baked a pan of banana bread. Those who misbehave will get none.” She waited until he started his second sandwich to continue. “Tell me, Daniel. How did Isaiah end up living here with you and Abby? I’ve been curious.”
He pondered while he chewed and then frowned as though remembering something unpleasant. “My aunt was the only one who could handle Isaiah when he was little. And she was the only one who didn’t think him slow-witted. My uncle had no patience. His other two sons were much older and weren’t deaf. Isaiah was a late-in-life baby.” Daniel’s frown deepened into a scowl. “When my aunt died of pneumonia one winter, my uncle was left with Isaiah to raise alone. Things for him became much worse. Once, when we were visiting my uncle’s farm, I saw him take a stick to Isaiah because he didn’t do what he’d been told. He didn’t understand.” He looked up at Catherine before glancing away. “I told Abby what I saw and she agreed with me. We brought him home to live with us that day.” He rose from the table abruptly. “Curiosity satisfied?” he asked.
“Somewhat. I would like to leave him a note in his lunch bag to join us at the pond. I’m sure he could use a reprieve from the heat.” She held her breath.
Daniel narrowed his gaze. “He can’t read, Catherine. Writing him a note would be pointless.”
“But I thought you said he went to school for a few years.”
“He did, but he never learned to read. The teacher didn’t know how to teach him. He was…special.” Daniel filled a bottle with the remaining tea. “Anyway, Isaiah is a farmer, same as me. We have work to do. Soaking up the sunshine and sticking your feet in ponds on a summer day are for women and children.” He headed for the back door with Catherine practically on his heels.
“But you had planned to rest the horses this afternoon because it was extra hot.”
“There are other chores in the barn to occupy our time.” His hand was already on the doorknob.
She tugged lightly on his sleeve. “Now, Daniel, I know you’re fond of your cousin or you wouldn’t have intervened with your uncle. Barn chores will still be there this evening after the hottest time of day has passed. That boy could use a swim and so could you. Why don’t you both come and cool off? It will make you a happier man.”
He turned to face her as his lower jaw dropped open. “Have you always been like this, Catherine? When you were a child growing up and