Katie's Redemption by Patricia Davids

broken sobs twisted his heart like a wet dishrag. He had no business caring so much about this woman. He said, “Mother wants me to bring you home.”
    “I can’t…go with you. I’ve been…too much trouble…already. We’ll be…fine.”
    “You are a prideful woman, Katie. Would you stop me from doing what the Bible commands of me?”
    At her look of confusion, he said, “It is my duty to care for anyone who is destitute and in need, even if it be my bitter enemy—which you are not. Now, let me have Rachel.” He eased the baby from her arms.
    “Besides, if Mother found out that I left you and Rachel here alone she would tan my hide. Or make me do my own cooking, which would be worse.” His attempt at humor brought a fresh onslaught of crying.
    “Don’t cry, Katie.” Slipping his free hand under her elbow, he helped her to her feet. She swayed, and for a second he feared she would crumple to the sidewalk. He pulled her close to steady her, wondering how he could manage to carry both of them to the wagon.
    “Be strong just a little longer,” he whispered.
    She nodded and moved away from him, but he didn’tlet go of her arm. Helping her up onto the wagon seat, he glanced toward the street as a horse and buggy trotted past. What kind of rumors would soon be flying about him and the weeping English woman he’d picked up at the bus station? Hope Springs was a small town with a well-oiled rumor mill. By tomorrow, speculation would be flying over the fences.
    More gossip was the last thing he wanted for his family in their new community, but leaving Katie and her baby on the side of the road was out of the question. He briefly considered taking them to the medical clinic and leaving them in the care of the midwife and the town doctor, but he dismissed the idea.
    He hadn’t been kidding when he said his mother would be upset if he didn’t bring Katie back. It was easier to blame her than to admit he wanted Katie and Rachel back under his roof as much as his mother did.
    When Katie was settled on the seat, he handed her the baby, then picked up her suitcase and swung it into the wagon bed. After glancing around, he asked, “Where is Rachel’s babybett? ”
    “I sold it,” Katie answered, her voice low and filled with anguish.
    “You did what?”
    “I sold it to the woman who runs the Amish Trading Post to pay for my ticket but it wasn’t enough. I’m so sorry. I had to do it.”
    And you left Rachel without a place to lay her head.
    He bit back the comment he wanted to make and climbed onto the seat beside Katie. Picking up the reins with one hand, he clucked to Joey.
    The big Belgian swung the wagon around and began plodding toward the edge of town. Before long, a line of cars started stacking up behind them, but he didn’t care.
    At the Trading Post, Elam drove into the parking lot and stopped near the front of the store. Katie withdrew a wad of bills from her pocket and silently held them out. He ignored her.
    He jumped down from the wagon without saying a word and entered the building. The bassinet was on display near the counter. He picked it up, haggled the outrageous price down to one he could afford and left the store with the bed slung over his arm and his anger simmering low and hot. Outside, he climbed onto the wooden bench and set the basket between them.
    As soon as Joey had them back out on the highway, Katie said. “I’m sorry. It was all I had. Please take the money.”
    He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her lips trembled pitifully. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen from crying. His anger evaporated. How could he stay angry with her in the face of her obvious distress?
    “Keep your money.”
    “But you bought back the bed.”
    “I bought it for Rachel, not for you. It is hers. Put your money away.”
    Katie extended the bills toward him. “I can’t let you do that.”
    “Repay me by explaining why you ran off today.”
    Her eyes widened. She looked like