Free Katie's Redemption by Patricia Davids Page B

people.”
    “It was commendable that you rendered her assistance, but it is better that she has left your home if she has not repented. Perhaps she will see the error of her ways. Until then all we can do is pray for her.”
    “ Jah, we can do that. I’d best be getting on my way or it will be dark before I get home.” Elam nodded toward the bishop and climbed up to his seat.
    “Please tell your mother I send my regards.”
    “I will. She’s looking forward to holding church services at our home come Sunday.”
    “I know God will bless the gathering. It will not be long until spring communion is upon us. We must select a new deacon before then.”
    “I was sorry to hear of Deacon Yoder’s passing. I did not know him well, but I’m told he was a good man.”
    “He is with God now, and we must all rejoice in that.”
    Besides the bishop, Elam’s church district had two preaching ministers and one deacon. The deacon’s responsibilities included helping the bishop and preachers at church services and assisting needy members of the community, such as widows, by collecting alms. It was also the duty of a deacon to secure information about errant members of the community and convey those to the bishop.
    It had been the deacon in Elam’s old church that had brought the pronouncement of Elam’s father’s excommunication and later the news of his fiancée’s shunning.
    “You are new to our congregation, Elam. If you feel you don’t know our men well enough to nominate someone for the office, I can offer you some guidance. My cousin in Kansas writes that they too have lost their deacon and that Malachi Lantz has been chosen to take his place.”
    Being single, Elam knew he was ineligible to be nominated, and for that he was glad. Only married men could serve. A deacon would be chosen by lots from among the nominated men. It was a lifelong appointment.
    Nodding to the bishop, Elam said, “I will visit with you after services this Sunday.”
    Slapping the lines against Joey’s broad rump, Elam left the lumberyard and headed down Lake Street toward Main. Pulling to a halt at the traffic light, he glanced up Main toward the bus depot at the other end of town. Had Katie already left? Was she on her way to her brother’s or was she going back to the city and Rachel’s father?
    Either way it was none of his business, so why did he care so much? The light turned green, but he didn’t notice until a car honked behind him. The English, always in such a hurry.
    He clucked his tongue to get Joey moving, but as they entered the intersection Elam suddenly turned the horse left instead of right.
    What would it hurt to make sure Katie had gotten on the bus? If he could tell his mother he knew for certain Katie had left town Nettie might feel better and give up worrying over Katie and Rachel. He didn’t closely examine his own motives for going out of his way. He simply assumed he wanted the chance to say goodbye.
    As he neared the station, he saw the lights were off and the closed sign had been hung on the door. Sadness filled him. The bus had already gone, taking puzzling, pretty Katie Lantz with it.
    Pulling on the reins, he started to turn around when he caught the sound of a baby crying. Drawing closer to the building, he saw Katie sitting huddled against the side of the depot. She had her head down, her face buried in one hand as she cradled her baby with the other. Her shoulders shook with heavy sobs.
    He stopped the wagon and jumped down. Reachingher in three long strides, he dropped to his haunches beside her.
    Her head jerked up and he found himself looking at her red-rimmed eyes and tearstained face, partially obscured by the curtain of her dark hair. Even in her pitiful state he couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was. Reaching out with one hand, he gently tucked her hair behind her ear. “Ah, Katie, why couldn’t you have been on that bus.”
    “I tried…but I didn’t have…enough money.”
    Her