The poor woman’s troubled, and no wonder, she thought, holding Britta close in her arms, not knowing what to do.

A half hour later, Kathleen returned and knocked on the front door, the rims of her eyes red. “All this time, I’ve been imagining what my baby’s been up to, looking forward to when I could hold her again and start making a life with her. I should have realized it wouldn’t be that simple.” She sighed and looked away, tears welling up. “You’ve obviously been a great mom to her.”

“Denki,” Aquilla said. “She’s a dear little one to care for.”

Kathleen’s chest rose and fell as emotion seemed to build in her. “And . . . hard as it is, I see now that it would be heartless to take her away. Britta belongs here with you,” she said softly.

Astonished, Aquilla looked over at Britta, contentedly playing with her toys on the floor again. “I love her dearly,” she said, “but she’s your daughter. Are ya sure?”

Wiping tears away, Kathleen said, “Yes, and you can give Britta a more settled life. I truly believe God is prompting me to do this. It’s something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a while now.” She paused. “I just needed to know I wasn’t making a mistake.” She went on to say that she would hire an attorney to draw up the adoption papers and have them sent to Aquilla.

Amazed at the young woman’s willingness to make this sacrifice for her little daughter, Aquilla couldn’t speak for a moment. When she found her voice, she said, “I’ll take gut care of her. I promise.”

“I know you will.” Kathleen nodded, a faint smile on her pretty face. “This is the hardest, yet the best thing I’ve done.” She looked across the room with the saddest eyes. “I’d like to visit her next week, if that’s all right.”

Aquilla agreed. “And there’s still time to change your mind. Maybe till the adoption is final, you’d like to see her?”

Kathleen brightened, her eyes still on Britta. “I would love that.” Then, rising from the settee, she said, “Bye-bye, sweetheart. I’ll see you again soon.” She paused, as if struggling for composure. “I pray you grow up to live for Jesus . . . my little Amish girl.”

Aquilla reached for the young woman and wrapped her arms around her, their tears falling on each other’s shoulders.

———

Britta brushed tears away as she sat on the edge of the bed, listening intently as Mamma shared her long-ago memories. Kathleen said I belong here.

“Are you all right?” Mamma asked, her face registering concern.

She nodded. “It’s hard to understand all of this. And what you did for Kathleen—and for me. I mean, she took Eli’s life, yet you forgave her . . . and were willing to raise me!”