Free Katie Opens Her Heart by Jerry S. Eicher

there’s no problem,” Esther said as they entered the store through the employee entrance. “I’m invited too. How about if I pick you up tomorrow night?”
    “Tomorrow night? Pick me up? Why would you be willing to do that?”
    “I just thought you might want a ride,” Esther said.
    Katie’s head was spinning. Maybe this was Da Hah ’s answer to her prayer? A solution she’d never thought of?
    “Come on!” Esther teased. “It’s not that big a deal. I’ll be glad to pick you up.”
    “Do you know where I live?” Katie asked.
    “I think I do. Toward Hartly and on the left?”
    “ Yah , we live in the old, white farmhouse.”
    “See you at seven then. Don’t forget.”
    How could I forget? Katie wondered. There would be no overlooking this news even if she wanted to. And she didn’t want to! Not a bit. This was a door opened for her, was it not? An open door from Da Hah to help her make friends. She was certain of it now that she knew Roy was Mennonite.
    Esther walked toward the deli, and Katie made her way to her cash register. As she counted out her opening money, she glanced over to see Arlene just finishing her count. The fellow store clerk returned her glance and asked, “What happened to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
    Katie nodded. “I think I did.” She looked toward the deli where Esther was putting out the meat trays.
    Arlene followed Katie’s glance. “Something involving Esther?”
    “I was talking with Esther.”
    “What did Esther talk you into?” Arlene asked with a sigh. “If she’s pulling some trick on you, tell me and I’ll go back there to talk with her right away. You know I’m not going to stand here and watch a girl like Esther take advantage of you.”
    “It’s not what you think,” Katie managed to say. “Don’t worry. I’m okay.”
    Arlene didn’t look convinced. “I’m getting to the bottom of this later, Katie. You can depend on that.”
    Katie ignored Arlene and forced a smile when the manager, Mrs. Cole, walked up. She had to keep her courage up. Even with the strange turn of events she was sure everything would turn out okay. Da Hah was in charge.

Chapter Ten
    It was a busy day at Byler’s. During the few breaks between customers and at lunch, Arlene tried to get Katie to open up about her conversation with Esther. But for now, Katie didn’t want to talk about it. She wanted to savor the invitation. Now quitting time was approaching, and Katie knew it would bring no relief from Arlene’s curiosity. She sighed as the next customer in line, an old man, looked up and smiled at her.
    “You look tired,” he said. “Time to go home?”
    “Almost,” Katie replied.
    “Well, don’t get too tired to go out socializing with the boys tonight.”
    Katie forced herself to smile at his banter. If he only knew. Boys didn’t socialize with her.
    The man pressed on. “Some good-looking young man you’re out with tonight? About as good-looking as me, eh?”
    Katie laughed at the irony. Still, the situations in her life right now regarding her mamm and boys weren’t really funny at all. Katie smiled at the man and handed him his change. “Thank you for shopping at Byler’s,” she said.
    The man nodded. Still chuckling, he pushed his grocery cart toward the front doors.
    He was enjoying his own joke immensely, Katie thought as she watched him go. She turned back to her register, suppressing a sigh and forcing a smile for the older couple next in line. “Did you find everything you need?” Katie asked as she scanned the grocery items.
    “Yes, we did,” the woman said. “And I must say this is the most awesome place to shop. We’re so pleased that you Amish make your baked goods and crafts available to us outside folk. I know we should all live simpler lives, but this is the second best, I suppose.”
    “I’m glad you found everything,” Katie responded as she continued scanning.
    “Bonnie cleans me out every time we come here,” the