Small Town Girl by Ann H. Gabhart Page A

doors to learning would be thrown wide open. Where she could figure out her place in that world outside Rosey Corner.
    Kate held in a little sigh. She couldn’t even figure out her place in Rosey Corner. Oh, she knew what she did. She took care of her sisters. She helped her mother at the store. She read every book she could get her hands on. She made up stories for Lorena and even wrote some of them down. She had a dozen notebooks full of words stuck under her bed. Dreams on paper. But that’s all they were. Dreams.
    Dreams she wasn’t even sure she wanted to chase after. She loved Rosey Corner. She belonged in Rosey Corner. And there was Lorena. It made her stomach hurt to think about not being there if Lorena needed her.
    As if summoned by her thoughts, Lorena popped through the door and grabbed Kate’s hand. “Come on, Kate. You have to help me sing Mike’s song.”
    “Mike’s song? What song is that?” Kate asked as Lorena pulled her outside. A welcome breeze touched her face. It was good to be out of the stuffy house, away from the church ladies with their pointed remarks about Kate being the next bride.
    “Oh, you know. That sweetheart one with the love light burning. I won’t remember all the words if you don’t help me.”
    Kate peered down at Lorena. “What are you talking about? You know the words to every song you’ve ever heard.” Lorena collected songs the way some of the church ladies collected recipes.
    Lorena ducked her head before peeking up at Kate. “Okay, I do know the words, but everybody will be watching.”
    “So?” Kate said. “You sing at church all the time.”
    “That’s church people. They have to be nice while they’re at church. But these are wedding people. They might laugh.” She tugged on Kate’s hand. When Kate didn’t move off the porch, she went on. “Please. For Evie. Please.”
    “I’m sure Evie would rather Mike sang that to her.” The last thing in the world she wanted to do was sing a love song where Carl could hear her and decide she was singing to him. Even now he was coming across the yard toward her. To claim her.
    “He wanted to, but you know he can’t even sing hymns. Not without making people hold their ears. He said Evie didn’t want any sour notes at her wedding and that included his. Besides—”
    Kate didn’t let her finish. “Besides you want to sing. You always want to sing.”
    “If you’ll sing with me.” Lorena’s face lit up with excitement.
    “You don’t need me.” Kate was sorry for her words even before that worried look slipped into Lorena’s eyes. Ever since Kate had graduated from high school last spring, Lorena had been nervous about Kate moving away. She neversaid anything, but Kate knew. Lorena did need her. Another reason Kate couldn’t very well leave Rosey Corner no matter how suffocating it felt at times.
    Lorena squeezed Kate’s hand tighter and her lip trembled as she said, “Please.”
    “Okay.” Kate gave in with a little sigh. “Let’s go sing a love song to Evie.”
    Lorena squealed and jumped up and down. “Evie won’t be the only one listening.”
    “I know.” Kate blew out a long breath. “That’s what I’m worried about. Carl’s already thinking things he shouldn’t think.” As she followed Lorena toward the shady side yard where people were clustered around Evie and Mike, she sneaked a look toward Carl. He’d been waylaid by a couple of men who were laughing and clapping him on the back. It appeared the whole town had turned into marriage brokers.
    Lorena looked back over her shoulder at Kate. “I wasn’t talking about Carl. I was talking about Tanner.”
    “Don’t you be falling in love on me, Lorena,” Kate said with a laugh. “Not with the likes of Jay Tanner.”
    “He’s cute.” Lorena grinned. “But you don’t call somebody you’re sweet on Birdie.”
    “Oh really. What do you call them?”
    “Katie.” Lorena giggled. “He thinks you’re pretty. He told