Katie's Forever Promise by Jerry S. Eicher

He wanted Katie, and that was a great honor she didn’t wish to ignore.Norman would be a much better husband than Ben could ever hope to be.
    A few girls lingered in the washroom and smiled as Katie gathered her wrap. They’d all figured it out by now. Since she hadn’t left with Willis, they knew something was up. Their minds were whirling this very moment trying to decide which boy had gone out ahead of her. Katie gave them all a sweet smile. They would just have to wonder for a few more minutes. Making people curious was part of the fun of having a young man take you home.
    With her bonnet on, Katie stepped outside and searched the line of buggies for a sign of Norman. She paused as several girls came out of the washroom too. They took discreet glances at the line of buggies before climbing into their own families’ vehicles. Laura Mullet peered back to give Katie a little wave along with a bright smile. She no doubt had it figured out and was feeling triumphant in her guess. By tomorrow night the whole community would know that Norman Kuntz had driven Katie Raber home from the hymn sing.
    This was the first time she’d been on an official Amish date, Katie thought, as she moved closer to the end of the walk. Ben had never driven her home from a hymn singing with the approving eyes of the community on them. They’d always been together at Mennonite youth gatherings.
    It gave a person a warm feeling on the inside, Katie decided, knowing she was doing the right thing. She and Norman would make a gut couple. Everyone would approve of the match. And since she’d stood up to Mabel, Katie felt much better about Norman. It was almost as if the issue had forced her to make a claim on Norman—calling him her boyfriend in front of Mabel and Mamm . And wasn’t that the case? Why else would he be taking her home?
    As Norman’s buggy pulled into the first place, Katie froze.Something about the shape of Norman’s horse in the shadowy darkness stopped her. Norman’s horse looked just like Ben’s Longstreet! But that couldn’t be. All horses were different. It must be the shadows playing tricks on her mind. Katie forced herself forward, her mind spinning. If this were Longstreet, then Ben would be waiting in the buggy. And she would snuggle up to him under the buggy blanket. They would kiss even before they arrived at the house. Celebrating this night for what it was—a special night of being together again.
    Katie grabbed the side of Norman’s buggy and pulled herself up the step, angry at herself for imagining such a thing. Ben had no right to intrude on this moment. She was done with him. Katie landed on Norman’s buggy seat with a thump. She was about as graceful as a bag of feed tonight.
    Seated beside her, Norman didn’t seem to notice. His face twitched as he let out the lines. “ Gut evening, Katie.”
    Katie forced thoughts of Ben out of her mind. “ Gut evening, Norman. I didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
    â€œOh, you wouldn’t do that, I’m sure.” Norman attempted to laugh.
    The poor man was frightened half to death—and of her! The thought was ludicrous, but then Katie was used to Ben’s confident attitude. He never blinked an eye at the presence of girls. Norman wasn’t Ben. And most men probably weren’t as confident as Ben had been.
    â€œAre you cold?” Norman asked as he offered her part of the buggy blanket.
    â€œOh yah .” Katie took it, her hand going toward his.
    Norman dropped the edge of the blanket, jerking his hand back. The blanket slid to the floor.
    Please, I’m not deadly. You can touch my hand, Katie wanted to say. She smiled instead and bent down to pick the blanket up.
    Norman took his horse around a turn, hanging on to both lines. “I hope I’m not driving too fast. Bonnie is a little skittish yet. I only got her at the sales barn a few weeks