A Beau for Katie by Emma Miller

interested in him?” Ellie asked.
    â€œOf course not . Whatever gave you that idea? I told you, the man is too set in his ways. I only agreed to help out there as a favor.”
    Ellie was quiet for a minute, then she said, “I was just thinking. Sara is clever. Do you think she might have placed you in Freeman’s household because she thought the two of you might make a match?”
    Katie made a face. “Sara wouldn’t do that, would she?” She thought for a moment and then shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Freeman doesn’t think that way about me. I’m not even sure that we could be friends. It seems like everything I say, he has something to say back.”
    â€œ Ach , a shame.” Ellie removed two more eggs from the last nest. “Sixteen. That’s two more than yesterday. Sara will have eggs to sell soon. Johanna, down the road, has regular egg customers. English. She said she could take any extra we have and sell them for Sara.”
    Katie took the basket. “Did Sara tell you that I had a letter from Uriah today?”
    â€œFrom your Kentucky Uriah, personally? Not from his father?”
    â€œYa.”
    Ellie pushed open the chicken house door and held it for Katie. “See, you spoke too soon. He is interested.”
    â€œI don’t know.” Katie sighed and pulled a letter from her apron pocket. She set the egg basket on the grass. “Listen to what he says and then tell me whether you think he’s interested.”
    Ellie folded her arms and waited expectantly.
    â€œIt starts with Kathryn . Not Dear Kathryn , just Kathryn .”
    â€œGo on.”
    â€œYou are of an age and mind to marry,” Katie read.
    Ellie rolled her eyes. “Romantic.”
    Katie nodded. “He continues... I am the same. Sara says that you have been baptized into the Old Order Amish Church and are in good standing with your community. Likewise. I am building a house and need a wife. If you are of a mind, I will send money for a train ticket. Best you come to Kentucky. This is the busy season for my crops and lumber mill. If you are agreeable, write and say when you are coming. I am hard-working, respectable, and not the best with words. We are not strangers because we grew up next door. I remember you were kind. My bishop tells me marriages built on faith and respect are solid ones. If you come we can see if we are a good match. If you decide not, I will pay your way back home without ill will. Your friend, Uriah.”
    Ellie nibbled at her lower lip. “Gets right to details, doesn’t he?”
    Katie stifled a giggle.
    â€œBut you think he’s a good person?”
    Katie nodded. “He was a gentle boy. Never complaining. Sweet.”
    Ellie pointed at the letter in Katie’s hand. “I’m not sure his sweetness comes across there.”
    â€œ Ne , it wouldn’t. In school, he would never speak up, but he got good grades in math and he always included the younger children in games.”
    â€œKind, then.” Ellie considered. “So he could be a disaster...or a treasure. Hard to tell.”
    â€œExactly.” Katie picked up the basket of eggs and started toward the house. “Which is why I’m trying to decide if I should accept his offer and go to Kentucky and find out.”
    * * *
    The mantel clock chimed nine times and Freeman paused and looked at his grandmother. “It’s getting late,” he said. “Should I end here?”
    â€œNe,” she answered. “Don’t stop yet. You’re just getting to the exciting part.”
    â€œGo on,” his uncle urged.
    Freeman shifted the large German Bible on his lap and continued reading from Exodus , the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He kept on until he finished the passage and then closed the holy book. “How’s my High German?” he asked.
    His grandmother nodded. “Better, much