The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,74
the door, she saw Lillian.
“Come in out of the cold.”
Her sister-in-law didn’t take off her coat or bonnet, but instead handed Katie Ann a letter. “The postman brought this to our haus instead of here, so I signed for it. It’s from Robert Dronberger. Isn’t he a lawyer back in Lancaster County?”
Katie Ann took a deep breath. “Ya. I believe so. Do you want some tea?” She walked toward the living room.
Lillian followed, still in her winter gear. “Why is he sending you a certified letter?”
Katie Ann turned to face her. She knew exactly why Robert was sending her a certified letter. Most likely because she hadn’t responded to his other three letters.
“I—I think he is handling some things.” She took a deep breath. “Things for Ivan. I mean, things of Ivan’s. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I think I am the owner of anything that was Ivan’s, since we were still married.”
“Oh.” Lillian bit her bottom lip and stared at Katie Ann for a moment. “Do you have to go to Lancaster County?”
Katie Ann thought about the past three letters since Ivan’s death, all requesting her presence in Lancaster County. “I think so.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm . . . I wonder if you will have to go get anything of Ivan’s from Lucy’s house?”
Katie Ann folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t want anything of Ivan’s. Besides, if you’ll recall, Ivan left here with almost no money. Any money that he made while he was with Lucy, well, I suppose it should go to Lucy.”
Just then Katie Ann had a horrible thought. What if there was money or a house or something that was tied up legally, something that should go to Lucy and her baby? She didn’t want anything to do with Lucy, but if there was money that was rightfully Lucy’s, Katie Ann didn’t want to be the one holding things up. “I’ll go soon.”
“Well, uh . . . Ivan’s been dead for, uh . . .”
“Ya, I know. Seven months.” Katie Ann recalled the first letter, which had arrived about a month after Ivan’s death. At the time she had scanned it, but knew she couldn’t face a trip to Lancaster County. The second letter arrived a month after that, and the third had come last month. Each time she read the letters, she’d put them away . . . to deal with another time. Now time must have caught up with her.
“Eli is coming for a visit.” She was anxious to change the subject, even though she knew her comment would spark questions from Lillian.
Her sister-in-law smiled. “Gut news. How long is he staying?”
“He told Vera he would be staying for a few days.”
Lillian shook her head. “I don’t know why he doesn’t just pack up and move here.” She grinned.
Katie Ann frowned. “Lillian, that’s impossible. His family is there. And as you know, we are just—”
“Ya, ya . . . I know. Just friends. That’s what you keep saying.” Lillian sighed. “I have to run. Enjoy your supper.” She winked at Katie Ann before she closed the door behind her.
ELI CHATTED WITH Vera, Elam, and Levi until he thought he might explode from politeness. All he wanted to do was get to Katie Ann’s house. Betsy bounced in and out of the living room, usually with a book in her hand. She’d read for a while, then share something about what she’d read, then mosey back upstairs. January was generally slow for all Amish folks, so it wasn’t surprising that Elam and Levi were inside with Vera and Betsy on this cold Wednesday afternoon.
“Gut to have you back for another visit.” Vera handed him his second cup of coffee.
“Danki, Vera.” He smiled.
“Stay as long as you like.” Vera folded her hands in her lap from where she was sitting across the room from Eli. Then she asked about all of Eli’s children, how he enjoyed Florida, and what he planned to plant this spring. But she must have caught him looking at the clock.
“I imagine Katie Ann has supper almost ready. You don’t want to be late.”
Eli looked at the clock again. It was only three thirty, too early for supper, but he was going to take his cue and go. He stood up, and Elam walked him to the door.
“I’ll help you get the buggy hitched up.” Elam pulled on a heavy coat and gloves.
Eli pulled his hat and coat from the rack by the door.