Free Just Plain Sadie by Amy Lillard

between them. They might not have plans to get married, but she was still his best friend.
    â€œRight.” She gave a quick nod, as if she had known that all along, but Chris knew that she had forgotten.
    â€œWhat’s gotten into you, Sadie?” He did his best to keep his tone soft and even and not filled with the frustration he felt.
    â€œNothing,” she said, though she crossed her arms and tucked her hands under, a sure sign that she was unhappy.
    â€œI don’t believe you.” Was it too much to ask to have an honest answer? He wasn’t the one running around with strange Mennonites when he already had plans with her.
    For a moment she looked like she was about to blow, then she deflated like a balloon with a small pinhole in one side. “Things are changing. You’re leaving and . . .”
    â€œIs that why you’re hanging out with another guy? A Mennonite?”
    â€œWhy do you keep saying that? Mennonite. Like it’s a disease instead of a religion.”
    Chris couldn’t explain. And he wasn’t about to. Sadie knew the differences. She knew what was at stake if she were to become further involved with this Ezra guy. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Yeah. That sounded a lot better than what he really wanted to say. But the words didn’t sit well with Sadie.
    Her back stiffened, and though her arms fell, it was only to prop themselves on her hips as she glared at him. “You don’t want me to get hurt? That’s ironic.”
    At times like these he felt like he was floundering in dark waters and had forgotten how to swim. “I’m worried about you, Sadie.”
    She paused for a second, and at first he thought she might lose some of the blazing anger that surrounded her like waves of heat in the summertime. “Go to Europe, Chris. Have fun.”
    â€œIs that what this is all about?”
    She didn’t answer. Nor did she meet his gaze. A sure sign if he ever saw one.
    â€œIt is. You’re mad at me because I’m going to Europe?” They had been friends forever, best friends. Why did she pick now to go all wacky on him?
    â€œHow did you expect me to feel?”
    How indeed?
    â€œEveryone thinks we’re getting married now as it is. Then you’re going to go traipsing off to Europe, you’ll probably never come back, I’ll be left behind. Spinster Sadie. At least I can take care of Daniel.”
    Chris shook his head, trying to get this thoughts to settle. But he only succeeded in sending them knocking around his head once more.
    She’d thought they would get married. And maybe they would have. Sadie was a fine woman, hardworking, sweet as pie, even if she wasn’t what most would call a beauty. She was easy enough on the eyes, he supposed. Maybe a bit plain. She would make some man a wonderful wife someday. But he never thought about her being his wife. Not truly.
    Tears sparkled in her hazel eyes, and she bit her lip. Something funny happened to his stomach. She deserved better than what he had just handed her.
    He took one of her hands into his, grabbing her fingers as if he needed to memorize every curve, bump, and knuckle. “Sadie,” he gently said. “You are the best friend I’ve ever had. And if I were staying in Wells Landing, I would want nothing more than for you to be my wife.”

Chapter Six
    Somehow Sadie made it through the next few days without constantly thinking about Chris’s declaration. So he didn’t actually confess his love. But he cared about her. How could he not? They had been friends for so long. But as disturbing as his words were to her heart, they were calming at the same time. She might still end up a spinster, but at least she would know that someone had cared enough to want to make her his wife. That was something. Wasn’t it?
    Thursday afternoon came, and Sadie was waiting for Cora Ann to get in from school. She was due