as lively and outgoing as Rhoda.â
Andy wouldnât say that, Caleb guessed, if heâd heard what Caleb had the day before. Caleb was caught like a fly in a spider web, not knowing whether to speak or not. If he said something, if Andy and Nancy discouraged the friendship between the girls, Katie wouldnât have any doubt about who to blame. Not that that would prevent him, if he was sure he was right.
But he wasnât sure, and he didnât like the feeling. He wanted to know what was right and do it, no matter how that might look to anyone else. Or what it might cost him.
âMaybe that gives Becky a little more confidence,â Gideon said, seeming to agree. âI hear weâll see her at the singing tonight.â
Gideon and Rachel, having hosted worship that morning, had said they might as well have a singing for the young folks tonight, since the barn was all cleaned up. Getting ready for when their own young ones launched into their rumspringa, Caleb supposed.
âJa, Becky and Rhoda are coming together.â Andy put out a hand to slow down his youngest boy as he went spurting past. âYou and Rachel will keep an eye on things, ja?â
âThatâs certain-sure.â Gideon grinned. âBut I guess we might have to let a few kisses go unnoticed, with the older ones.â
âAch, stealing a kiss is all part of growing up,â Andy said, his own smile reminiscent.
Say something? Or not? If Caleb did, word would get around. People would start talking about Rhoda, and he didnât like the idea of causing that.
Gideon clapped his shoulder. âWe could use a few more adults tonight, Caleb. How about if you join us, ja?â
âI donât thinkââ
âJa, thatâs a gut idea. Becky would hate it if her mamm and I came, but she wouldnât mind seeing her onkel there.â Andy sounded a little too jovial, knowing as he did the trouble that had emerged during Calebâs rumspringa. âYou go, Caleb.â
Caleb couldnât help how stiff he got at the words. âIâm not such a gut example for the young people.â He tried to turn away, but his brotherâs hand on his shoulder stopped him.
âThatâs foolishness,â Andy said, his voice firm. âNobody thinks about that old story anymore. Itâs forgiven and gone. You canât act like a hermit because of that.â
It was so unlike his normally taciturn brother that Caleb could only stare at him.
Andy reddened a little. âYou know itâs true, what I say. You never look at a woman, never go to anything you can get out of. Itâs not the way you should be living, Iâm certain-sure of that.â
âI donâtââ
âThen prove it,â Gideon said. âKomm tonight. You know Becky would like that.â
He didnât like this surprise attack, but Gideon was right about one thing. Becky would be happy to see him there tonight. And if he was at the singing, he could observe Rhodaâs behavior for himself.
âJa, all right,â he said finally, knowing when it was best to stop arguing. âIâll be here.â
âGut,â Gideon said, slapping his back. âIâll tell Rachel. Sheâll be glad we have some extra help. And since youâre coming, you could do something else for me.â
âWhat is it? Do you need soda? Snacks?â He might have known theyâd have more for him to do.
âYou can swing by and pick up Rhoda and Katie,â Gideon said. âKatieâs coming to help out, too.â
Gideon walked away before Caleb could object.
And anyway, what would he say? To refuse would be unkind to a sister, and he couldnât do that.
But he was being thrown together with Katie and her sister, as if he didnât already see enough of them, and he didnât have to like it.
CHAPTER FIVE
K atie wasnât sure what was more awkward on the ride to the singing