A Plain and Simple Christmas
happy to see her too.
    Thursday evening, Kathryn slipped the letter into her apron pocket and pulled plates from the cabinet in preparation for supper. A smile turned up the corners of her lips as she placed a bag of rolls onto the table. In less than two weeks, she would see her sister-in-law for the first time in three years, and her visit would bring the Beiler family together once again. The plan would come together solely due to Kathryn’s efforts. If she were a proud person, Kathryn would gloat.
    The letter outlined Anna Mae’s plans. She and Kellan would check in at the Paradise B&B the afternoon of Wednesday, December 22, and have dinner with Kathrynand her family that night. Depending on how they were received, they would stay till Christmas, visiting and reconnecting with family and friends.
    Kathryn’s smile deepened. Mary Rose, Vera, and some of the other relatives would be ecstatic when they saw Anna Mae, and they would have Kathryn to thank for it.
    But how would David feel about her going against his wishes? Would he feel betrayed? Her smile transformed to a frown, for she knew the answer to those questions. David hadn’t mentioned Anna Mae since their last strained conversation. He would certainly be angry when Anna Mae arrived at their home, but she believed in her heart that he would forgive her soon after seeing his sister.
    The back door squeaked open, revealing David entering the kitchen. He crossed the room to the sink and washed his hands. “The kinner are on their way in from the barn.”
    “I bet they’re hungry,” she said, placing a block of cheese on the table. She then grabbed a pot of soup from the stove. “I made some chicken noodle soup. It’s cold out there, ya?”
    “Ya,” he said, drying his hands. “It’s hard to believe Grischtdaag is only a few weeks away. The boys were just discussing what gifts they hope to find on the table Christmas morning. It feels like only yesterday it was summer. Where did the year go?”
    “I don’t know.” Kathryn grabbed a stack of bowls. “It seems like the years pass by quicker, the older we get.” She yanked open the drawer and reached for a handful of spoons and then placed the bowls and utensils on the table.
    He snickered. “Ya. Some days I feel eighty instead of almost forty.” Stopping her on her way back to the table, hepulled her into his arms and brushed his lips across hers, sending her stomach into a wild swirl. “But then you make me feel young again.”
    Kathryn wrapped her arms around his neck and inhaled his scent, earth mixed with soap. “Ich liebe dich, David.” And please forgive me for planning your sister’s visit behind your back.
    He took her face in his hands and his eyes were full of love. “Katie, I thank God for you and our kinner every day. This year I’m most thankful for you and our life together.”
    She swallowed as the guilt of her secrecy rained down on her, then forced a smile. “Danki. I thank God for you daily too.” And I hope you’ll still trust me after Anna Mae’s visit.
    His eyes studied hers. “You all right?”
    “Ya.” She turned toward the counter. “I was just thinking about everything I need to do before Grischtdaag. I must get to the market. I’ll need to see if Nina Janitz can take me shopping.” She rooted around in a drawer in search of a notepad and a pencil. “I have to make a list.”
    “Katie.” David took her hands in his. “Look at me.”
    She met his gaze, her heart pounding with a mixture of guilt and anxiety. “Ya?”
    He traced her face, from forehead to chin, with his fingertip. “Was iss letz, mei liewe?”
    “Nothing’s wrong,” she said, her voice quavering.
    His brown eyes continued to probe hers, and her mouth dried. How was it that he could read her so well? She searched for something to say to change the subject.
    “I wonder what’s taking the kinner so long,” she said. “Should you go check on them? Amanda and Lizzie are upstairsworking on

Similar Books

Between Two Worlds

Zainab Salbi

Find a Victim

Ross MacDonald

Sinful

Carolyn Faulkner

Attack of the Amazons

Gilbert L. Morris

Identical

Ellen Hopkins

Until It's You

C.B. Salem

Kalila

Rosemary Nixon