Free Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray

starching and ironing curtains, washing walls, and waxing floors. “I didn’t come here to have fancy knickknacks.”
    â€œOh. Yes.” Winnie swallowed. “I know you came to help us out. To help me, most especially. I am grateful.”
    â€œYou are most welcome. I had a need to come here, as well.”
    As if reading Katie’s mind, Winnie murmured, “I’m sorry Jonathan wasn’t here. His boss couldn’t let him off today. He mentioned something about a big order for a builder in Michigan.”
    Obviously, everyone knew about her infatuation with Jonathan! “There’s no need to apologize. I didn’t expect him to be here, waiting for me.”
    â€œBut I am sure it would have been nice. After all, this is his home.”
    â€œDon’t worry so, Winnie. You’ve got a suitcase to pack and a trip to get ready for.”
    Winnie’s cheeks bloomed bright. “I can’t believe that tomorrow I’ll be boarding a bus to Indianapolis! I’m naerfich —as nervous as a young schoolgirl.”
    Katie could scarce believe it, either. From the moment she’d made her decision, with God’s help, to go live at the Lundy home, things had moved with lightning speed. Now, here it was, the second week in November, and she was moving into her new room.
    Yes, she’d been as busy as a bee during the last two days. At the inn, Anna helped her pack and asked a dozenquestions about completing some of the chores Katie usually did. Her mamm and daed had each pulled her aside and offered bits of encouragement and advice.
    Even Henry had offered her a hand and had promised to take care of the pup in her absence. Katie had been grateful for her family’s support, realizing once again how strong their love was. They were willing to support her and help even when they didn’t completely agree with her actions.
    Thinking again of Holly’s letter, Katie wondered what everyone would say if they met Holly or Brandon. Most likely, everyone would like them a lot. It would only be when people realized how close Katie had been to loving Brandon and to leaving the community that eyebrows would be raised.
    Of course, she wouldn’t have to guess what her sister, Rebekeh, would have to say about lying to them. Rebekeh would be critical, indeed. “It’s a shame you haven’t yet put into practice the teachings of the Bible, Katie,” she would say. “Perhaps you should do some more thinking and praying about treating others with care and concern.”
    Then Katie would feel exactly how she always did around her sister—childish and inept. Because it had been Katie in the wrong.
    Not Holly. Certainly not Brandon.
    After closing her new bedroom door behind them, Katie and Winnie walked down the scuffed oak planks that lined the hall. The walls were painted a glossy white but were as bare and plain as most of the other walls in the home. As Winnie pointed out a few drawings that Mary did, andthey joked about the art projects they’d once done side by side, Katie felt herself warming to Winnie once again. Eager to return to their former easy camaraderie. “I would also be terribly nervous about going all the way to Indiana, Winnie. It is hard to travel by oneself.”
    â€œI’ve scarcely thought about the travel. I can only think about meeting Malcolm for the first time.” Picking up an envelope from the kitchen table, Winnie murmured, “I just know he’s going to be as perfect as I’ve dreamed him to be.”
    â€œBut what if he is not? Win, what if you find you don’t like Malcolm? Then what will you do?”
    â€œI…I don’t know. I’ve never considered such a thing, to be honest. The letters we’ve shared are wonderful. No man who writes such words could be much different in person.”
    Katie knew better. She knew firsthand how people could look one way but be far different