The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,14

Dash.

IT WAS SIX thirty when Eli readied his cousin’s buggy to travel to Katie Ann’s for supper. He’d spent most of the previous day helping with cleanup after the wedding. Katie Ann had come to help, too, but the woman seemed to steer clear of him all day. But tonight there would be no avoiding each other. He’d thought about canceling, but he hadn’t been able to come up with a good excuse, plus Vera would have been awfully disappointed. She’d made reference to his supper plans several times throughout the day.

Everyone was playing matchmaker, but none of them knew that it was all in vain. Eli and Katie Ann were moving in different directions in life, and he wasn’t about to step onto a different path.

By the time he arrived at her house, it was straight up seven o’clock.

Martha answered the door. “Come in, Eli.”

Eli took note of her bright green britches, matching blouse, and big gold earrings. Her hair was bundled atop her head in a mass of brownish-gray curls, and bright red lipstick matched her fingernails. Clearly Katie Ann was close to this woman, but it seemed an unusual friendship.

“Danki,” Eli said as he moved into the living room, which he found instantly inviting. As with most Amish homes, the walls were white and there were no pictures hanging, but the focal point in Katie Ann’s living room was a large bookcase that spanned one wall. In addition to books, she had several potted ivies on the shelves, two candles, a lantern, and a basket full of yarn and knitting needles. A light brown couch faced two finely crafted rocking chairs, and there was a small coffee table in front of the couch. A propane lamp lit the area, and Eli breathed in the aroma of what must be the chicken lasagna.

“Hello, Eli.” Katie Ann stopped a few feet in front of him. “Can I get you some iced tea or kaffi?”

“Tea, please.” He smiled, suddenly wondering what he was doing here. She was bound to know this was a setup, and he had no business leading her on.

“Let me take your coat.” Martha held out a hand, and Eli removed his long black coat and black felt hat. She hung them on a rack by the door, then pointed to the couch. “You have yourself a seat, and I’ll go see if Katie Ann has everything ready.”

Martha disappeared around the corner too, but instead of sitting down, Eli found his way to the bookshelves and gingerly ran his hand along the titles. In addition to novels, she had a large collection of books on parenting. He turned when he heard footsteps.

Katie Ann handed him a glass of tea.

“Danki.” He nodded toward his left. “You have a fine collection of books.”

“I like to read when I have time.”

A slow smile trembled over her lips, and Eli could tell that she was nervous. He stroked his beard, studying her.

Martha’s voice broke the trance. “Supper’s ready! Come and get it!”

Eli couldn’t help but grin at the woman’s loud voice booming from the other room. But Katie Ann laughed, and it was everything he could do not to tell her how pretty she was when she smiled.

“Forgive Martha.” Katie Ann scratched her forehead, grinning. “She’s the best friend I have, but we are working on her manners.”

Eli just smiled, and Katie Ann motioned with her hand for him to follow her. Martha was already seated at the table.

After they were seated, and following silent prayer, Martha scooped a generous portion of lasagna onto Eli’s plate first, then Katie Ann’s.

“Help yourself to some salad and bread, Eli.” Martha pushed the serving bowl closer to Eli from where she was seated across the table.

“Little Jonas in bed for the night?” Eli scooped some salad from the bowl.

Katie Ann sighed. “He doesn’t sleep through the night, but his tummy troubles have been better.”

Eli nodded but didn’t say anything. He already felt he’d been a bit boastful.

“This lasagna is very gut, Martha,” Eli said after he swallowed his first bite.

“Yeah, it’s not bad.” Martha grinned. “Our Katie Ann is the real cook around here.”

Eli glanced to his right at Katie Ann, whose cheeks flushed slightly.

He’d almost cleaned his plate and was considering a second helping when someone knocked at the door.

Katie Ann excused herself.

After several long minutes of silence with Martha, the older woman finished her lasagna. “I’d better go see who’s here and what’s taking our girl so long.” She flashed a toothy