Heritage of Lancaster County 03 The Reckoning by Unknown Read Free Book Online

plans. Theodore, being the older gentleman he was, might not think it proper for such gaiety so soon after Laura's funeral. Sighing, she settled back for the short ride to town. The limousine was pure luxury and the drive as smooth as vanilla pudding.
    "Warm enough for you, Miss Katherine?" asked Theodore at a red light.
    Pointing her finger, she wagged it at him. "I'm plenty warm, but remember, don't call me 'miss' again, or I'll..." She paused. "Let's see, how could I possibly threaten you?"
    He chuckled, tilting his head and glancing through the windshield at the falling snow. "Well no; you could taunt me with a norther on top of this white stuff. In fact, that just might be what's in store for us. Take a look at that sky."
    She did as he said, surprised that the snow was descending on them at such a fast rate--a cloudburst of flakes. "Sup-
    pose we do get snowbound like Rosie said?"
    "What of it?"
    "Well, are there plenty of candles in the mansion?" "Always."
    "And the pantry. Is it well stocked?"
    "That's been taken care of," he assured her.
    "What about firewood? Anyone thought of chopping a pile just in case the electricity goes off?."
    He shrugged his shoulders. "If I remember correctly, more than two cords of wood were delivered back in early fall."
    She couldn't help chuckling. "Just might be you fancy folk could take a lesson or two from an Amish girl. A former Amish girl, that is."
    Theodore seemed to ignore her mistake. "Well, you may be right about that." He turned the car into the post office parking lot. "Here we are, Katherine ... without the 'miss.' "
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    "Thank you, Theodore, minus the 'sir.' "
    He grinned, tipping his chauffeur's hat. "Let's keep it that way, shall we?"
    She agreed, handing the letter to him to be mailed, mighty glad that she could stay snug and warm inside the beautiful car. She thought of her brothers--Elam, Eli, and Benjamin. Wouldn't they be flabbergasted to see her riding in such a fancy automobile? Why, she even wondered if such a vehicle might not tempt one of them to have a ride. Or worse.
    "Probably not Elam, though," she whispered to herself, thinking better of it. Her married brother was much too straight-laced to think of straying from the Ordnung. His young wife, too. Puh, there'd be no getting either Elam or Annie and their new baby inside a car like this.
    She watched for Theodore's return, thinking that if she ever did go back for a visit to Hickory Hollow, it would be to see her mamma--shunning or no--and she'd take Theodore along to drive her around. Oh, she wouldn't be flaunting her new station in life, nothing like that. But she'd show the People, especially that bishop of theirs, that no matter how badly they'd treated her, they could never squelch her adventuresome spirit.
    Back in his room at the B&B, Dan Fisher dialed the long- distance number, using his calling card. The receptionist for the New Jersey drafting office answered.
    "Hello? May I speak to Owen Hess, please?" he asked. The secretary patched him through without hesitation.
    "Dan, good to hear from you" came the familiar voice. "How's everything up north?"
    He smiled, relieved that he hadn't told his boss the specific nature of his trip. "Nothing more to be done here," he
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    said. "I'll catch a flight the minute I check out."
    "Glad you called, Dan. God bless you."
    Owen's comment rang in his ears as they hung up. "God bless you." He needed to hear such words, especially on a day like today. Thankful that he had placed his faith and trust fully in the Lord Jesus years ago, he packed his personal belongings, scanning the suite for any stray items. Setting his suitcase by the door, he went to make one more phone call before checking out. He would have to arrange for a change in flight schedules before driving to the airport.
    After making the call, he headed downstairs with his luggage. This was to have been an ecstatic moment in his life, a glorious reunion day with his swee:heart girl. He was leaving