“Tikva Sarah, you have to give your brother a turn. He’s been waiting patiently. Do a chesed,” she told the child gently.

The tiny girl looked over her shoulder at her mother, frowning, but she immediately stopped and got off. Mordechai Shalom gave her a hug and kiss, climbing on in her stead.

Leah lifted her up, kissing the child’s soft cheek, smelling her hair. “What a lovely, kind little girl you are to be so nice to your brother! I’m very proud of you, Tikva Sarah. Are you tired now? Do you want your nap?”

Of course she shook her head. “Want cookie,” she demanded, then stopped, marveling at the beautifully set tables, the colorful flowers, that had transformed the familiar backyard into another kingdom. She squirmed to be let down.

Leah laughed. “Oh, I know where you’re headed, young lady! No way. Come into the kitchen, and I’ll give you a cookie.”

“And juice,” she negotiated.

“And juice,” Leah agreed.

“And ice pop,” she pushed her advantage.

Why not? Leah chuckled. “My future CEO,” she told the child.

Someone was ringing the doorbell. It was a little too early for the caterers.

There she stood, Shaindele, and beside her a tall, handsome yeshiva boy dressed in a black suit and wearing a large Borsalino. She was a woman now, completely, Leah thought, embracing her. The once chubby, red cheeks had given way to high cheekbones a delicate pale rose, and the long, dark braid was now an elaborate updo held back by two fashionable, glittering barrettes that were the latest style, as was the expensive pale pink suit of shantung silk that made her look like a gracious princess on a walkabout.

“What a surprise!” Leah laughed, pulling her stepdaughter close and hugging her. “I didn’t expect you until this evening!” She turned to the young man. “Akiva! How are you?”

“Baruch HaShem,” answered the young man affably.

It was Yaakov who had made the shidduch. Akiva’s parents were prominent members of the Folkestone community whose son had found religion during his studies at MIT. He had been a rising star in the local kollel, where Yaakov found great joy in teaching part-time in addition to his accounting business. Yaakov had been so impressed with the serious young man. Despite his prestigious degree in computer engineering and a completely nontraditional upbringing, he had developed a burning passion for learning that reminded Yaakov of himself. He had soon outgrown the local kollel, and Yaakov had arranged for him to continue his studies in the prestigious yeshiva in Baltimore where his own sons—both of them married now and fathers—were still learning in kollel. If I’m lucky, he thought when suggesting the shidduch to Shaindele …