A Beau for Katie by Emma Miller Page B

Sara and her wisdom, maybe not so much in myself when it comes to finding the right man.”
    He lowered his cast to the floor, leaned forward, and lowered his voice. “Are you asking my opinion?”
    She looked up suddenly. “Your opinion? On what?”
    â€œYou know. Your...trouble. Dating.”
    She drew herself up, the apples of her cheeks growing rosy. “Certainly not. I’m just explaining to you why Sara—”
    â€œWell, since you asked,” he said, interrupting. “My guess is that you’re a little too outspoken for a woman. Too quick to give your opinion on things.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?” She rose and began to pace the length of the porch. “Do you think I should be like Jane? Say, ‘ Ya , LeRoy,’ and never have a thought of my own?”
    â€œI didn’t say that. I said , that in my estimation, you have too many opinions. You never hold back from giving them, asked for or not.”
    â€œWhy shouldn’t I speak my mind?” she demanded, spinning around to come toward him. “You do. You’ve got opinions on how scrapple should be cooked, how much milk goes in coffee even when it’s not yours,” she sputtered. “Men give opinions all the time.”
    â€œBut you’re not a man. You’re a young woman. Hasn’t someone ever told you that you should show more...more...” He hesitated, searching for the right word.
    She stopped in front of him and waved away his argument with a quick gesture. “Maybe it’s in my nature, or maybe because I grew up in a household with brothers, but I’ve never wasted time with mealy-mouth pretense. I’m a sensible woman with just as good a mind as you or any other man. If I think something, I say it.”
    â€œThat might do among the Englishers, but the bishops tell us that a woman’s place is—”
    â€œI know what the Bible says.” She dropped her hands to her hips. “If I had a husband, I would show him the respect due—”
    â€œBut you have no husband.” He shrugged. “Maybe your headstrong attitude is the reason. You have a face and form to attract any man with eyes in his head, but your manner—”
    â€œYou approve of my face, then?” She cocked her head to one side.
    â€œI’m sorry.” He felt his face grow warm. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
    She studied him, seeming to consider if he was being truthful. “You think I’m pretty? Is that what you’re giving your opinion on now? My looks?”
    â€œKatie Byler. You are the most outrageous...” For seconds, it seemed to him that his enjoyable afternoon was fast sliding into chaos. And then he shook his head and chuckled. “You’re never boring. I’ll say that for you.”
    Katie didn’t take that as the compliment he meant it to be. She pointed at him. “Back to what you were saying. So, you approve of my being pretty so long as I mind my tongue and don’t speak my mind?”
    â€œI didn’t say that. You asked me why you weren’t attracting more suitors and I—”
    â€œI did not ask you that,” she exclaimed. “You took it upon yourself to give your view on a matter that I consider none of your affair.” She headed back down the porch steps. “I think it’s time we ended this conversation before one of us says something that we can’t take back.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “There are leftovers in the refrigerator. I’m going back to Sara’s, where I won’t offend anyone with my outrageous behavior.”
    â€œBut it’s early,” he said, immediately contrite. He didn’t want her to go. The best part of his day was when she was here...even when she was giving her opinions. “You never leave this early. I was hoping that I could have a little more iced tea before—”
    â€œYou know where