Read Online Katie's Redemption by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online

hurried, she could make today’s bus. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to leave until Monday. As much as she had grown to like Nettie and even Elam, she didn’t want to burden them with her presence for three more days.
    The only problem was that she was broke. She didn’t have enough money to pay for a ticket to the next town, let alone to go across four states.
    Amber tucked the sheet in her bag. “Actually, the bus isn’t the best way for you to travel. The best thing would be if your brother could arrange to send a car.”
    The Amish often hired drivers for long trips. It was a common occurrence in a society devoted to the horse and buggy. One was permitted to ride in an automobile for such things as doctor visits or to travel to see relatives that lived far away. One could even take an airplane if they obtained the bishop’s permission.
    Katie had heard that a few Amish churches permitted owning and driving a car, but that certainly wasn’t accepted by her brother’s church. “Hiring a driver to come all this way would be expensive.”
    Amber fisted her hands on her hips. “True, but you can tell your brother that’s what the nurse recommends.”
    Katie forced a smile, but she knew her brother wouldn’t send anyone for her. She would have to make her own way home.
    Only…what if she didn’t go. What if she stayed in Hope Springs?
    The kindness and caring she’d been shown over the last few days had given her a different vision of what her life could be like. A new sense of energy swept through her. “Amber, do you know of any jobs in the area?”
    “For you?”
    “Yes. Perhaps someone who needs live-in help. I’m not afraid of hard work. I can clean and cook. I know my way around a farm. I’ll take anything.”
    “I don’t know of any work right offhand, but I’ll keep my ears open. Are you thinking of returning to Hope Springs?”
    “I just need a job as soon as possible.”
    Stepping close, Amber laid a hand on Katie’s arm. Her eyes softened. “If you’re worried about paying me, don’t be. I can wait.”
    She pulled a card from her coat pocket. “This is my address. Just send what you can…when you can.”
    Katie took the card, but her heart sank. It seemed that God wanted her to return to her brother’s house after all. She considered asking Amber for the loan of enough money to reach her brother’s but quickly discarded the idea. She already owed the woman for her midwife services. She couldn’t ask for anything else. Except perhaps a ride into town.
    “Amber, are you heading back to Hope Springs now?”
    Taking her coat from the hook by the door, Amber slipped it on and lifted her long blond hair from beneath it, letting it spill down her back. “No, I’ve got a few more visits to make. I’m on my way to check on Mrs. Yoder and her new baby. I’m worried that the child is jaundiced. I may end up sending them to the hospital. Why? Was there something you needed in town?”
    Katie shook her head. “It’s nothing that can’t wait until the Sutters get home.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m sure.”
    After Amber left, Katie pulled out the newspaper that Nettie had finished reading that morning. Quickly, she looked over the help wanted ads in case there was something listed that Amber didn’t know about. As she read the few listings her heart sank. There were few jobs available, and none for a woman without education or skills.
    Folding the paper, Katie returned it to Nettie’s reading table. Rachel began crying in the other room. Katie picked her up and sat on the edge of her bed. “I feel like crying, too.”
    So much for her renewed sense of optimism.
    Looking around the room, Katie couldn’t believe how much she had dreaded coming to this place. Now she dreaded leaving. In a strange way her arrival here had turned out to be a blessing. What else could she call this family’s kindness?
    Cradling her baby, she looked down at her child’s wonderful bright eyes and