Courting Cate by Leslie Gould Read Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t from our district and hadn’t gone to school with us. I wondered if she had any idea what a cad her husband was.
    Near the end of the sermon, my eyes began to droop too.Preacher Stoltz read 2 Corinthians 12 and then, in conclusion, admonished all of us to turn our weaknesses over to God. For a moment my weaknesses overwhelmed me, but then I patted Betsy’s leg as the preacher led all of us in a silent prayer. She sat up straight and adjusted her Kapp. Afterward we helped the women put out the food in the house while the men moved the benches inside. M&M seemed to be in charge of this task, and Dat and Pete helped.
    Betsy yawned several times as we carried loaves of homemade bread to the food table in the living room and then began to slice them.
    “You shouldn’t stay up so late,” I whispered.
    She looked beyond me, and I turned.
    Pete stood, smiling at us. “Good morrow, Cate,” he said to me, his eyes sparkling. “Missed you at the volleyball game last night.”
    “We were busy,” I answered. “Besides, aren’t you a little old to be playing games with sixteen-year-olds?”
    He laughed. “There was a wide range of ages present.”
    Betsy yawned, despite whose company she was in.
    “Going to the singing tonight?” he asked.
    I answered “no” as Betsy answered “yes.”
    Pete laughed. “Which is it?”
    “We’re going,” Betsy said.
    “We’re not.” Two years ago I’d vowed to never attend another singing in my life.
    “So Betsy’s going?” Pete had a confused look on his face.
    “Not,” I said again, turning toward the kitchen.
    After lunch, I went to find Dat, hoping we could go home. I wanted to spend the rest of the afternoon reading. Pete, Mervin, Martin, and Seth were gathered in front of the barn, talking. Seth had the same hazel eyes as his brothers but haddarker hair and broader shoulders. On the edge of the field, Dat stood with a group of men, one who was holding two of his grandsons in his arms.
    As I walked toward Dat, Martin waved at me. “Come here!”
    I shook my head. I’d learned my lesson years ago.
    “No, really,” he said.
    I turned my back to him and told Dat that Betsy and I were ready to leave.
    He sighed. “Give me a while longer.”
    “We’ll be in the buggy,” I said, and started back toward my sister. I heard footsteps behind me but didn’t turn. In a second I was overtaken by M&M, forcing me to a stop as they stepped in front of me.
    “Please come to the singing tonight,” they said in unison.
    I shook my head and tried to dart around them.
    Mervin shaded his eyes from the midday sun. “Cate, don’t be so vindictive.”
    “Just because we’ve teased you a little . . .” Martin’s sunglasses reflected my stern face.
    I jerked away from him. “A little ?” I barked. “Relentlessly is more like it.” I stepped wide.
    They hustled after me.
    I stopped and turned. “Don’t you know Betsy’s seeing Levi?” There was no point mentioning she also seemed to be interested in Pete.
    They looked at each other, and then at the same time said, “She’s changed her mind before.”
    “Go away,” I sneered, hurrying away from them again.
    Betsy stood beside the fence. I made eye contact with her and pointed toward the buggy. As I followed, I glanced over my shoulder. Mervin and Martin were back with Seth and Pete, talking. I could only guess what about. Dat was walkingtoward them, his hand outstretched. He greeted M&M, Pete, and finally Seth.
    As Dat stepped away, Seth looked toward me, a sad expression on his face. I couldn’t help but remember a Sunday afternoon twelve years ago. I’d thought Seth was one of my few friends in all the world, until he turned into a bully that day and humiliated me in front of our entire district. Then, like a fool, I more than forgave him. I gave my heart to him, only to have him humiliate me again two years ago.
    My face burned as I marched away. By the time I reached the buggy, Dat was behind me.

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