The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,43
worship, her mind kept drifting back to Eli and what she could do to make up for his fall at her house. Off her house. She mentally scanned her recipe box at home, trying to think of something she could make to take to him, but she knew Vera was an excellent cook. Most likely Eli had everything he could possibly want to eat already. Then she remembered something she had at home. Something that would be perfect for Eli.
She was glad when church service ended a little early, and as she helped the other women prepare the noon meal, she found Vera and pulled her aside. “I feel terrible about Eli.
Would it be all right if I come by this afternoon and bring him a small gift?”
Vera’s face lit up. “That would be very nice. I think a visit from you will cheer him up.”
“I don’t know about that.” Katie Ann felt her cheeks brighten as she lowered her chin. “But I do feel bad.” She looked back at Vera. “I’ll come by later.”
ELI KICKED HIS feet up on the coffee table and looked at the clock. He estimated about another hour before everyone came home from church. Smiling, he flipped through a gardening magazine he’d found in the kitchen, and he shoved another handful of roasted pecans into his mouth.
Peace. Quiet. A magazine. And a snack.
He felt a little guilty that he hadn’t gone to worship, especially when he was feeling one hundred percent better. But when Vera insisted he stay home and rest as the doctor said, well . . . who was he to argue? Although he did miss Katie Ann, and now that his head didn’t throb as though it might fall off his shoulders, he couldn’t wait to go see her. He still needed to pick up Elam’s tools, so that would be his excuse. He couldn’t recall having as much fun as he’d had with her Wednesday night. And it seemed like a lot more than four days since he’d seen her.
He closed the magazine when he heard the family buggy pulling up the drive.
Betsy was the first one to bolt through the door. She didn’t take off her coat or bonnet before she started to talk, and Eli struggled to understand her as she tried to catch her breath.
“Katie Ann is coming to see you today! Mamm is very happy about that!” She took another big breath. “But Daed says you will break Katie Ann’s heart if you get too close to her . . . because you are leaving and all, and Levi said—”
“Betsy!” Vera gently grabbed her young daughter by the arm and helped her out of her coat. “Must you repeat everything you hear?” She glanced at Eli but quickly looked away.
Levi trailed in behind Vera. “I told you to be careful what you say in front of Betsy Big Ears.” He grinned as he nodded at Eli and headed up the stairs.
Betsy slammed her hands to her sides as her mother struggled to untie a knot in her bonnet strings. “I don’t understand why people say things if they don’t want them repeated.” She pulled from her mother and leaned her head toward the stairs. “I do not have big ears, Levi!”
“Be still, Betsy, so I can get this knot out.” Vera finally pulled the bonnet from the child’s head.
Eli had gotten used to the bedlam in his cousins’ house. Most of the time. Occasionally, Betsy screamed at the top of her lungs when she was angry, and that had been a bit rough when he’d had his headache. But he’d lived through the chaos of family, and he figured himself to be somewhat immune.
He recalled what Betsy said. Katie Ann was coming to see him?
After Betsy marched upstairs, Vera sat down next to Eli. “I’m sorry about that.” She tapped a finger to her cheek and took a deep breath. “How are you feeling?”
“Gut as new.” He cringed a bit, knowing he’d need to put in some extra devotion time this evening to make up for playing hooky.
“No more headache?”
“No. I really do feel much better.”
Vera frowned. “I’m sorry you had to hear all that.”
“So . . .” He lifted one brow. “Katie Ann is coming to see me?”
“Ya. She feels bad that you fell off her roof.” Vera grinned.
“I still can’t believe you were up there in the first place. Elam says you’re terribly afraid of heights.”