Something Old - Dianne L. Christner [66]
“No, but the fire marshal went to the house and questioned her.”
“Because she’s chairman of the hostess committee?”
Lil nodded. “Dad told me she felt like a criminal. He’s real worried about her. Dad seems more stressed than usual, too.”
“Maybe the sermons Brother Troyer has planned will help her.”
“No,” Lil shook her head. “I don’t think it has anything to do with their marriage.”
Katy fell quiet, not knowing how else to help. But she determined in her heart to pray for Mrs. Landis.
When they reached the doddy house, David was just getting out of his car, too. As soon as Lil parked, he strode toward them. Before she opened her door, she turned to Katy apologetically. “Do you care if I go on in and start lunch?”
Katy cast a reluctant look in David’s direction but relented. “That’s fine. I’ll be right in.” She swept her purse off the floor and stepped out of the car.
David waved. “Lunch ready? I’m starved.”
“Well …”
He chuckled. “Just kidding. I’m eating at Ivan and Elizabeth’s.” Before Katy could respond, he added cheerfully, “But I’m available for dessert.”
Katy placed her hand on her hip. “I’ll just bet you are.”
“So is that an invitation?”
Katy thought about the devil’s food cake that Lil had baked and hesitated, thankful when she recognized Megan’s car pulling into the drive. David’s gaze followed the blue Ford, then returned to Katy to wait for her answer.
She finally offered, “You can stop in this afternoon if you’re not afraid of the odds.”
“What odds?”
“Three to one.”
He watched Megan get out of the car. “You’ve got to be kidding. Those are great odds. Even if they weren’t, you should know better than to dare a guy.”
She countered, “It’s not exactly a dare.”
He flashed his dimple. “What is it?”
Katy shrugged, giving in to his good-natured teasing. “We’re just hanging out. Drop by if you want. Lil usually makes popcorn mid-afternoon.”
He chuckled. “You sure it wasn’t a dare?”
Katy smiled, not sure why he was laughing but finding his amusement contagious. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Thanks. Maybe another time.”
She waited until David had turned his back and rolled her gaze heavenward. She watched him stride toward Ivan’s, seeming more mysterious than ever.
Inside the doddy house, the smell of flank steak and honeyed carrots roused Katy’s appetite.
“Wow, look at this place. You guys are all settled in.” Megan made a slow circle of the combo dining and living area, then went through the doorway to the kitchen. “This is nothing like my dorm. You guys seem domesticated.”
Katy tied her apron. “We are.” Then she teased, “Hey, Lil, I’ll peel the potatoes if you pitch your own soda cans today.”
“Deal.”
Megan pulled potatoes from a bag and washed them in the antique kitchen sink. All the while, Katy could feel her quietly observing them. She peeled and plopped the potatoes in a black kettle.
After several minutes passed, Megan spoke her mind. “You guys have jobs and are making this happen. But what about me? What am I going to do after college?” It was a question they couldn’t answer since none of Megan’s job-hunting pursuits had ever been successful.
Once Megan had applied at the Plain City Laundromat, but when she had been offered a position, she had asked for time off to teach Bible school. They had hired someone else instead. She had checked out the recycle plant in Columbus, but thought the application process was too complicated just for a summer job. Her longest job had been delivery girl at a flower shop. But that fizzled when her allergies worsened.
Katy had hoped Megan would find her niche before she graduated, but Megan’s dreams flitted about butterfly-style, matching her personality. While she made the world around her a beautiful place, she flew from one pretty flower to another, never finding a place to employ her special talents. Katy wondered if butterflies ever remained still unless they were pinned to a collector’s board. She’d never want to destroy Megan’s spirit.
At present it was engaged in praising Rosedale’s mission opportunities. “In Nicaragua, people line up