The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,71
much I can’t stand it.”
She’d been wrong to think she had no more tears left.
Instantly her cheeks were wet as she responded. “I miss you too.”
“I’ve been calling, and I . . .”
She could hear him take a deep breath.
“I’m back in Middlefield.”
“What?” She tried to control the shakiness of her voice. “I thought you were going to stay in Florida longer.”
“I was. But I just wanted to go home.”
Katie Ann bit her bottom lip. “Oh.”
There was an awkward silence for a few moments.
“Katie Ann?”
The way he said her name caused her to hold her breath for a moment. “Ya?”
“What am I doing?”
“What do you mean?”
He waited a moment before he spoke. “I’m a middle-aged Amish man who dreamed for years about an independent life.
And now . . .”
Katie Ann sat up in bed. “What is it, Eli?”
“Those dreams just don’t seem important anymore.”
One of the things that Katie Ann loved about Eli was his joyful spirit. She’d never heard him sound so sad. “What do you want?” She closed her eyes, fearful of his answer.
“I don’t know.”
Another tear spilled down her cheek. What had she been hoping for? That he would say he loved her and wanted a life with her? It was too much to wish for, and anger quickly started to replace the hurt she felt. “I’m sorry your trip didn’t go as you’d planned.”
She knew her words were clipped, and as she raised her chin in the darkness, she knew that she was going to have to distance herself from Eli. She’d thought she could be happy with her best friend, but she needed more, and Eli sounded like a lost puppy. He didn’t know what he wanted, and in truth, Katie Ann wasn’t sure what she wanted either. She’d opened her heart to him, trusted again, and now . . .
“My life is here in Ohio, not out running around like I’m ab im kopp.”
She pulled the phone away for a moment, took a deep breath, and tried not to sound like a woman on the edge. “I don’t think you’re crazy, Eli.”
“I feel like it.”
Katie Ann knew what she’d signed on for, and she knew that a friend should offer a sympathetic ear, but just hearing Eli’s voice made her long to be with him. “It’s late, Eli. I’m sure you’ll feel better tomorrow.” She closed her eyes, knowing her own emotions were putting limitations on her ability to soothe Eli’s troubled heart.
Silence, until Katie Ann finally asked, “Eli, are you still there?”
“Ya.”
More silence followed.
“Katie Ann . . .” He paused. “Can I come visit you?”
She put her hand over her mouth for a moment to keep from gushing in an inappropriate way. After composing herself, she said, “That would be nice.”
“I have to take care of some things here, but what about next week?”
“I’d like that.”
After they hung up, her heart fluttered like that of a young girl. Any decision she’d previously made to distance herself from Eli seemed as far away as he was. She couldn’t wait to see him.
MARTHA EASED INTO her recliner late that evening, her heart heavy for Katie Ann. She should have known the girl’s heart couldn’t hold up to the boundaries she and Eli had set, and she wondered how Eli truly felt about her friend. She was tempted to find out, but Katie Ann would have her hide if she interfered in her business. Of course, Katie Ann had certainly interfered in Martha’s business by calling Arnold. But Arnold would be coming home, and Martha was giddy as a schoolgirl about that. She sure wished Katie Ann’s future looked brighter in the romance department.
She remembered the coffee cake she’d brought home from the bakery in Monte Vista yesterday. A slice of cake and some hot tea sounded like heaven right now. As she shuffled to the kitchen, she wondered if Arnold was going to ask her to marry him. Seemed the logical next step. She twisted her mouth back and forth, knowing she was mighty set in her ways. But she sure did love Arnold.
Scanning the countertop, she put her hands on her hips. Where is that cake? Finally she spotted it at the far end of the counter. She peeled back the foil and frowned. There was a large chunk missing that hadn’t been missing before. She was sure of it. Or was she?
She scratched her head. Is this what old age is like, Lord?