Letters to Katie by Kathleen Fuller

forms.”
    “I know all about revenge.”
    The word triggered unpleasant memories. Laura had wanted her revenge on Mark King
     for any number of reasons: for stealing her parents’ life savings; for deceiving her
     and using her to attain his own greedy ends; for nearly killing her and leaving her
     scarred for life. In the end, God’s justice—and the justice system—had prevailed.
     Mark was serving time in an Ohio prison. Sawyer didn’t know which one. He didn’t want
     to know.
    But there was no comparison between Laura’s deep, righteous pain over what Mark did
     to her, both physically and emotionally, and the strife between Sawyer and Cora. “I
     need to deal with my grandmother on my own terms.”
    “ Ya . You do.”
    Sawyer opened his mouth to say something but closed it. His father got his message
     across.
    They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they arrived at the house, Sawyer could
     see that Anna’s buggy was gone. She was off helping his aunt Rachel, Tobias’s wife,
     prepare the house for church service on Sunday.
    Lukas pulled the buggy underneath the covered area next to the barn.
    “I’ll put the horse up,” Sawyer said.
    Lukas nodded. He got out of the buggy. “I’ll check on the field, see how the corn
     is doing. I might weed a few rows before nightfall.”
    As Lukas left, Sawyer unhitched the horse from the buggy. He had just led the horse
     into his stall when Lukas came into the barn.
    “Sawyer. You’ve got to see this.”
    His normally staid father had a smirk on his face. Sawyer couldn’t help but smile,
     glad the earlier tension between them was gone. He quickly put the horse in his stall
     and followed Lukas outside to the backyard. His father didn’t say a word. He just
     pointed.
    Sawyer froze. There was his grandmother, her mouth ajar and her head tilted back,
     sound asleep on their swing.
    “What’s she doing here?” Sawyer asked, stunned not only to find his grandmother in
     Middlefield, but to see her in such an undignified position.
    Lukas chuckled. “Came to see you, I’m sure.”
    Sawyer didn’t share his mirth. “What’s so funny?”
    “Cora. Never seen the woman so peaceful. Or so quiet.”
    Sawyer tilted his head. “True.” Then he frowned. “Wonder how long she’s been here?”
    “One way to find out.” Lukas gave Sawyer a slight shove. “ Geh . Wake her up, before she starts catching flies.”
    “I’m not waking her up.”
    Lukas shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’ve got a field to weed, remember?” He turned
     and started walking away. “Tell her she’s welcometo stay here if she wants. Although Anna will probably want her sleeping in the haus instead of on the swing.”
    Sawyer groaned as he heard Lukas laugh again. At least someone thought Cora’s visit
     was funny. He sure didn’t. And he didn’t want to wake her up. But he couldn’t let
     her sleep there, so he slowly approached her. The breeze ruffled her short silver
     hair. As he neared, he heard a slight snorkeling sound.
    Was she snoring? The elegant Cora Easley snored?
    He touched the shoulder of her soft leather jacket. “Grandmother.” When she didn’t
     respond, he raised his voice. “Cora.”
    “What?” She sat straight up, her eyes flying open. “What’s going on?” She looked at
     him, and for a moment she didn’t seem to recognize him. “Sawyer?”
    She suddenly straightened, adjusting her jacket and running manicured fingers through
     her hair. She stood, unsteadily and with no small effort, as the swing gave her a
     difficult time with her balance.
    Sawyer reached out to help her. She ignored the gesture and didn’t thank him.
    “Where have you been?” She peered up at him, and he had the odd feeling that she had
     shrunk. Then he looked down and saw the flat shoes that replaced her customary heels.
     Still, she managed to make him feel like she was looking down on him.
    “Work. What are you doing here?”
    “I was waiting for you.”