A Cousin's Prayer Read Online Free Page B

sick or nervous about something,
he decided.
The way she’s acting makes me think...
    “Here’s some more food to put on your plate.” Andrew handed Freeman a bowl of mashed potatoes and then some gravy and bread filling.
    Freeman helped himself and passed the bowls along. As he ate his meal, he kept glancing at Katie. She didn’t look well at all.
    ***
    The napkin in front of Katie bore nothing but crumbs, and she didn’t even remember eating the roll that had been on her plate. That same panicky feeling she’d had during the wedding was coming over her again. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself by rushing outside, so she reached for her glass of water and took a drink.
I’ll never make it through the rest of the day. Help me, Lord.
    She glanced at the smiling newlyweds and wondered how she could make her escape without arousing too much suspicion. Leaning close to Ella, she whispered, “I’m not feeling so well. I think I’d better go home.”
    Deep wrinkles formed across Ella’s forehead. “What’s wrong. Are you
grank?
”
    Katie’s chin quivered, and her throat felt so clogged she could barely speak. “I ... I’m not sure.”
    “Do you want me to see if I can find your folks?”
    “No, I can do that. Please explain things to Loraine for me, would you?”
    “Sure.” Ella patted Katie’s arm in a motherly fashion. “I hope you feel better soon.”
    Katie was on the verge of saying she hoped so, too, when she was hit by a sudden wave of nausea. She covered her mouth, jumped up, and bolted from the room.
    Outside, she drew in a couple of deep breaths and was relieved when the nausea finally subsided. Then her head started to pound. Maybe she really was sick. She might be coming down with the flu.
    She glanced around the yard and spotted her father standing near the barn talking to Uncle Amos. She hurried over to him and said, “Can you take me home, Dad? I’m not feeling well.”
    “Are you grank?” he asked with a look of concern.
    She nodded. “I’ve got a
koppweh,
and my stomach’s upset.”
    “Maybe it’s one of those sick headaches,” Uncle Amos spoke up. “My fraa gets ’em sometimes when she’s feeling stressed out.”
    “Are you feeling stressed?” Dad asked Katie.
    She shook her head. “I think I might be coming down with the flu.”
    “I’d better take you home then.” Dad motioned to the long line of buggies parked in the field. “You can wait in our buggy while I get your mamm and grossmudder.”
    “Why don’t you let them stay awhile? You can take me home and then come back here to enjoy the rest of your day.”
    Dad frowned. “Your mamm wouldn’t like the idea of you goin’ home alone if you’re sick.”
    “I’m not that sick, and there’s no reason for her to know.”
    “You sure about that? I mean, if you think you need—”
    “I’ll be fine once I’m home and can lie down awhile.”
    “Okay.” Dad started walking toward the horses, and Katie sprinted for their buggy. She could hardly wait to get home.
    As they headed down the road, Katie spotted an Amish couple sitting under a gazebo in their front yard. Two small children played nearby. Katie’s heart ached at the sight of them. She longed to have a husband and children of her own.
    When Dad turned off the main road and into their driveway, the horse picked up speed and headed straight for the barn. As soon as the buggy came to a stop, Katie hopped out. “I’ll see you later, Dad!”
    Her feet churned against the grass as she raced for the house. Flinging the door open, she leaned against the wall and drew in a couple of deep breaths. Her head still hurt, and her stomach hadn’t completely settled, but she felt safer and calmer than she had all day.
    The stairs creaked as Katie made her way up to her room. When she opened the door, a blast of warm air hit her full in the face. She hurried to open the window, and when a trickle of air floated into the room, she breathed deeply. She stood