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

town without ever having seen Katie's sweet face-- enduring the butler's horrendous slurs instead.
    The owner's wife looked surprised to see him. "Oh, Mr. Fisher, you're leaving us so soon?"
    "Yes, well, I hope this won't be an inconvenience for you. My stay has been shortened considerably, but I appreciate your kind hospitality and will offer to pay for an additional night if it means that I might return in good standing--if ever the need may arise, that is." He had no idea why he'd said such a thing. There would be no returning to this place. His Katie girl was gone--flown the coop.
    The woman dismissed his offer with a nod of her head. "You mustn't pay a cent more than is due. But be sure to sign our guest book before you leave."
    With that, Dan paid for a night's lodging, said his farewells, and rolled his luggage outside to the rental car, his heart as heavy as the snow clouds.
    As he pulled out, he noticed the young girl and her mother making the turn into the parking area. They smiled and waved back, setting his mind on course for a replay of the morning's events, beginning with breakfast and the curiosity over his Amish background.
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    Once his luggage was checked in at the airport, Dan was free to sit and rest a bit. Emotionally exhausted, he found himself wishing he'd never made the trip. Not the way things had turned out for him--the closed doors, the overwhelming disappointment, the not knowing where Katie had gone in New York City, or why.
    What's left to do? he wondered. It made no sense to pursue her, searching hundreds of talent agencies. The idea that she might be interested in such a lifestyle--that sort of vo- cation-had him truly perplexed.
    Dear Lord, be with Katie, wherever she may be, he prayed silently. Then, to keep from dwelling on the most worrisome aspects of the butler's comments--that Katie was a phony and had caused such mayhem--Dan went to purchase a paper at the newsstand.
    Forcing his attention to the minuscule newspaper in his hand, he studied the front page. Anything to keep his thoughts from wandering back to the disheartening encounter.
    It was on the society page that he spotted a curious cap tion. Young Amish Woman, Sole Heir of Loca! Estate. Reading further, he began to mumble the words as he searched the page. "Katie," he said suddenly. "Katie is Katherine May field!"
    Slamming the paper shut, he rushed back to the flight counter and made arrangements to have his luggage retained. Without delay, he ran all the way to the front of the airport terminal, hailed a cab, and sped away to Mayfield Manor.
    : : :
    After the brief stop at the post office, Katherine found herself daydreaming about her Sunday plans. An elegant dinner for two, Justin had said. A castle setting...
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    Such events required anything but Plain clothing: rather, fanciful, shimmering dresses of satin and lace or embroidered velvet. And an array of accessories. Rosie had been willing to assist her on a recent shopping expedition, offering her opinion of Katherine's purchases at a local department store.
    Since her first real date in over five years, Katherine had pondered her attraction to the artist. Yesterday she'd indulged herself a bit, curling up by the fire at the coziest end of the library to think about the possibility of a future with the likable young man.
    A short time had passed since their first meeting--Christmas Day. The handsome blue-eyed artist had come to the mansion, commissioned by Laura as a portrait painter. He was much more than good-looking. He was sensitive and kind--an honest man. She admired such wonderful-good qualities in a person. Perhaps because the same characteristics had been so evident in her dear Daniel. Dan... who'd shared her love for music and the guitar, who'd put up with her headstrong, impulsive ways, yet loved her still. If he hadn't drowned, she was sure they would be married by now. With several children, no doubt. As sure as the sun. Sure as the moon, too.
    Dan Fisher,