Wanted by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

murmured, “Something isn’t right.”
    Anna had a sudden desire to toss the envelope in the trash and never tell Katie of its existence. Turning to Henry, she asked, “Did she let you read the first note?”
    â€œNope. She got right angry when I tried to learn about the contents, too. Anna, Katie had quite a rebellious time during her running-around years. I’m wondering if her past has come back to haunt her.”
    Anna knew all about running from her mistakes, but yet, Katie was the sweetest girl she knew. “I doubt that. What did Katie do during her rumspringa , stay out late one or two nights?”
    To her surprise, he shook his head. “Oh no. It was more than that. She’d go out almost every night. She wore makeup, too.”
    Anna couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh, Henry. That doesn’t sound too strange. If you could have seen some of the girls in my ninth grade class—why the makeup they were trying out was crazy!”
    â€œNo, it wasna like that.” He narrowed his eyes as he remembered. “It wasn’t the makeup she wore, it was more the way she seemed to embrace everything about the English. And…her running around lasted a long time. My sister, Rebekeh, and I were sorely worried that we were going to lose her.”
    â€œLose her? To what?”
    â€œTo the outside world.” He held up his hand when it was obvious she was about to find offense. “Her leaving was areal matter of concern. She wouldn’t talk to us about her new friends, wouldn’t let even Rebekeh counsel her. She kept saying that we wouldn’t understand.”
    â€œIf it’s her past that is bothering her, I know she won’t get very far. I’m proof the past always comes back. You can’t hide from it for long.”
    â€œThat’s what makes me naerflich . I think my sister is truly worried about being reminded of her past, but she won’t let me help.”
    â€œI can understand you being nervous. Well, I’ll go to the Lundy farm tomorrow and deliver the letter. While I’m there, I’ll try to get Katie to tell me what all this means.”
    He glanced at her in gratitude. “You’d do that?”
    She reached out to him, clasping his hand. “Of course I would. I care about Katie. She’s like a sister to me.”
    But as she said those words, a deep sense of foreboding nagged at her. From the day they’d first met, Katie had felt like a sister. Last year, she’d spent hours confiding to Katie about Rob, about his abuse. All along, Katie had just been supportive and caring.
    Why hadn’t Katie ever given her even a hint that she knew what the outside world was like? That at times, she, too, had made mistakes and felt regret for her actions?
    More important, why wasn’t she trusting Anna now?

Chapter 8
    â€œYou are truly my best friend, Anna,” Katie said as she led the way into the sitzschtupp , which she’d stubbornly taken over. She’d become tired of Jonathan’s rules and hearing about how Winnie and Sarah had always done things. Though she might only be in the Lundy house for a short time, she was determined to at least try and fit in—walking around like an unwelcome guest had become mighty trying.
    Because of that, she had made the front parlor a cozy area. After a few begrudging remarks, even Mary now seemed to look forward to their nightly lessons in measuring, cutting, and piecing together fabric. The result was cheery mix of three-inch squares waiting to be added to their Sunshine and Shadow quilt.
    Anna patted the bright yellow, blue, red, and cream colored fabrics lovingly. “These are beautiful. I like the sizeof the squares, too. The last Sunshine and Shadow quilt I made, the squares were cut so small, it made my eyes dizzy just to look at it.”
    â€œThe larger pieces are easier for the girls to manage. We’re going to add wide borders,