A Season of Love by Amy Clipston Read Free Book Online Page A

the inspirational novel section. “We better pick out a few books before we’re asked to leave for being too rowdy,” she whispered.
    “ Ya , but it was fun,” Lindsay said. “I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.”
    Lizzie Anne nodded in agreement. “That’s why I love our shopping trips the best.”
    “I do too,” Katie said.
    They studied the shelves of Christian novels, comparing covers and titles. When they narrowed their search to three books, they made their way to the cashier. Each of them bought one book as a surprise gift for Rebecca.
    “ Aenti Rebecca is going to be so excited when she sees these books,” Lindsay said as they headed down the sidewalk.
    Katie pointed toward a restaurant. “Can we grab a quick lunch before heading back to Aenti Rebecca’s?”
    “That would make this day absolutely perfect,” Lindsay said.
    They sat at a small booth and glanced at the menus. After ordering their food, they each sipped from their cups of ice water.
    “I think we should’ve bought that baby name book as a joke,” Lizzie Anne said. “That could’ve been fun.”
    “But a waste of money, ya?” Katie said. “But fun all the same.”
    Lindsay shook her head. “I guess I shouldn’t be laughing since I have the most un-Amish name here.”
    “Maybe your name will become Amish because of you,” Lizzie Anne said with a shrug. “You’ll start a new trend.”
    “Ya , ” Katie said. “I’ll name my future dochdern Mary, Rachel, Anna, Fannie, and Lindsay.”
    The three girls laughed, and Katie noticed they were yet again drawing attention.
    “I fear we may be asked to leave the restaurant now because we’re having too much fun,” Katie said.
    “There’s no such thing as having too much fun,” Lizzie Anne said. “That’s what friendship is all about.”
    “That’s so true,” Lindsay said.
    Leaning across the table, Katie touched her friends’ hands. “It’s so gut to spend time together like this. We need to do this more often.”
    “Ya , ” Lindsay and Lizzie Anne said in unison before laughing some more.
    Katie smiled. This was the best afternoon she’d enjoyed in a long time.
    Strawberry Shortcake
½ cup butter or margarine
1½ cups flour
1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 ¾ teaspoons baking powder
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
    Cream butter and sugar, then add one egg at a time. Beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk. Add vanilla. Pour in greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
    Let shortcakes cool and then top with strawberries and whipped cream.

4
    S unday afternoon, Katie followed Lizzie Anne and Lindsay out to the pasture at her aunt Kathryn’s house after the service and noon meal. The warm sun kissed her cheeks and caused her to squint.
    “It’s lovely out today,” Lindsay said, smiling.
    “Ya , ” Katie agreed.
    “Ach!” Lizzie Anne exclaimed, pointing across the pasture. “They’re picking teams for volleyball. Let’s go play!”
    Katie spotted a group of young men and women gathered around the volleyball net. Her brother Samuel and Matthew stood together while Matthew held the volleyball. Katie loped alongside her friends as they raced toward the net.
    “I want to play!” Lizzie Anne announced, approaching the net. “Pick me.”
    “I do too,” Lindsay chimed in.
    “We’ll take Lizzie Anne,” Samuel told Matthew.
    Matthew smiled at Lindsay. “I guess we’ll take Lindsay then.”
    “What about me?” Katie said as her friends lined up with their teams.
    “I’m sorry, but we’re full,” Samuel said with a frown. “You’ll have to play next time.”
    “Oh.” Katie glanced at Lindsay, who mirrored Samuel’s frown in response.
    “I’m sorry, Katie,” Lindsay said. “You take my place next time around, all right?”
    “That’s fine.” Katie sank onto the warm grass. She hugged her knees to her chest and watched her friends laugh while bumping the ball back and forth. She wished she could be part of