The camper rumbled over the metal bridge for the third time that day and down the sun-dappled lane.

“The window curtains all snap closed, so the inside is cozy at night. I had the second floor all to myself.”

“You have no brothers or sisters?”

She lifted her shoulders. “Nope. Just me.”

Releasing the side curtain from its sash, he pulled it across the window.

His excitement summoned her memory of exploring the van for the first time. Each cubby and cabinet was a wondrous discovery. She could hardly believe they got to take it home. But then she rounded the corner, and the joy drained from her body like water from a bathtub.

Rag in hand, Nora stood on the porch scrubbing a window.

Even at this hottest hour of the day, she worked fully garbed in a calf-length dress, black apron, head covering, stockings, and boots. No wonder the woman was chronically grumpy.

Turning, Nora tented a hand over her eyes and glowered.

Her scowl was a frigid welcome. Tessa gritted her teeth. She darted a quick glance at Jonas, but he didn’t appear to see his sister.

He trundled open the side door and ducked beneath the curtain, leaning his elbows into the passenger side window. “Come to market Wednesday, and we’ll make the arrangements.”

Lips sealed, she nodded and peered over his shoulder.

Nora’s frown deepened. She hurled her rag into a metal bucket. “Jonas!”

Her voice rang across the yard like a gunshot.

Jonas jerked and stilled.

Red-faced, Nora marched to the van with quick, labored strides and let forth a tirade.

Though unintelligible, the rapid-fire barrage hit Tessa like a punch to the gut. Her rage just barely contained, Nora spat a final syllable and swiped dripping hands down her apron with such force Tessa half expected her palms to bleed. Sucking in a tight-lipped breath, she checked an impulse to strangle the woman with her own bonnet strings.

Jonas’s jaw tightened, and color rushed to his cheeks.

She thought he was unflappable—this strong, silent man who never hurried. She was wrong.

“Please excuse me.” He pivoted to Nora, and just as swiftly as she had, uttered a few hushed words in that same tongue.

Nora’s face went white. Eyes blazing, she fisted her apron in tight fingers and whirled.

Her halting retreat seemed to take three hours. Tessa’s stomach churned. Being trapped in the middle of a family conflict was bad enough. Being trapped in the middle of a family conflict conducted in another language and apparently triggered by her presence was nauseating.

When the screen door finally banged shut, Jonas turned.

Once again, a veil shrouded his features, as if her afternoon companion had vanished, and a stranger now stood in his place. She felt his loss like a sudden ache.

“Forgive me…and my sister. She has never been easy with outsiders.”