Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

happened. Now we’ll get to have something to look forward to.”
    “And we need a celebration soon,” Katie said. “Too much doom and gloom will only keep us up at night.”
    Anna looked at Katie. “Your mother said the same thing.”
    Katie chuckled. “More and more, I fear I am sounding like my mother. Who would have ever thought!”
    Anna turned to Katie. “How is Jonathan holding up?”
    Katie paused. “I think the mystery of who started the fire is bothering Jonathan more than he lets on. His heart and mind want him to forgive and forget, but how can he if no one claims responsibility?”
    “Maybe we can help?” Anna ventured.
    “How?” Winnie asked. “I don’t know who we would even talk to.”
    Katie nibbled her bottom lip for a moment, then spoke. “Winnie, remember how we used to go to the Weavers’ home for singings?”
    “ Jah . They were a wonderful couple.” Looking at Anna, Winnie explained. “Often a family will host singings for the community’s teenagers on Sunday evenings. It’s a time for young people to get a chance to be together and have fun.”
    Anna scowled. “And what do singings have to do with us?”
    “I think we ought to host a few singings and visit with the kids a bit. We might learn something,” Katie said practically.
    Winnie’s eyes danced. “It will be like we are playing detective.”
    “That could be dangerous,” Anna warned. “Whoever set the barn on fire has got to be feeling guilty. Plus, what will we do if we do find out who did it? Tell the authorities?”
    Katie sighed. “I haven’t thought that far ahead. All I know is that it’s hard to forgive someone who hasn’t sought forgiveness. And I think Jonathan needs that.” Katie shrugged. “Besides, he doesn’t have time to ask questions of people. He’s working at the lumberyard, and at tearing down the barn.”
    “Henry is busy, too. We’ve had a lot of guests at the inn.”
    “Eli’s got planting and Caleb to watch,” Winnie added. “And Sam…” Winnie stopped, feeling self-conscious, especially when Katie looked at her curiously.
    “Yes?”
    “Nothing. I was just going to say that I’m sure Sam has a lot to do, too.”
    “Of course he does. He’s busy with things at his college. And his own life—right?” Anna said the last as a question.
    “Yes. Well, I mean, I suppose.” But wouldn’t it be wonderful if he wanted to stay with them? Wouldn’t it be something if his life was right there in their community, too?
    “Sam is a good man,” Katie said slowly, but with a tone edged in steel. “I’m glad he’s been so helpful. But he’s not really one of us any longer. We can’t expect him to drop everything and help us build a barn.”
    No matter what happened in the future, Winnie knew Sam had become a part of her world. Again. “He may not live here with us, but I know he still cares. It’s not like he is shunned.”
    “That is true,” Katie agreed slowly. Without even trying to be subtle, she glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen door. “And he did stop by today. That is new.”
    After glancing at the door as well, Anna turned to Winnie, her eyes narrowing with speculation. “He sure is a handsome man, isn’t he?”
    “I only have eyes for Jonathan, but I do have to admit that I’ve always liked his sunny personality,” Katie said.
    “He’s been a good brother to Eli and friend to Jonathan, visiting me like he did in the hospital.”
    With a mischievous smile, Anna said, “Are you sure he only visited you for his brother?”
    “Of course.”
    “Oh.”
    And Winnie felt bad. After all, she knew exactly what she was doing—shutting out her friend. But it couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t entertain the feelings in her heart.
    There wasn’t anything anyone could do.
    Winnie had finally fallen hard, and now that she realized that there was nothing she could do in order to make things better, she was going to have to resign herself to a life