I appreciate all you and Britta have done to help keep your heads above water financially, but it’s hard for me to maintain two households. With only the two of you living in the big farmhouse now, you should start to think about one of you possibly moving in with Polly and Henry for the time being, to assist with the children, and the other with Aendi Emmalyn, who could use some help about now, too.

Of course, you’re also welcome here and could help Sarah with Mamm and the younger ones.

Susie could scarcely believe this. “He’s offering us to move out there?” she murmured, distraught. Looking toward the window, she shook her head and groaned.

Why hadn’t Allen suggested that both she and Britta move in with Polly or another relative here . . . together? But maybe he’d already talked with Polly and Henry about this, and they weren’t in a position to take in two more.

Even so, Allen was the eldest son; what he decided on their behalf was how things would be. All the same, Susie felt sad thinking of Britta having to move away and no longer enjoying the good fellowship of the church youth here. And, more important, her growing friendship with Roy Lantz.

Terribly frustrated, Susie wondered if perhaps Britta had gotten wind of this while visiting Mamma, yet was afraid to say anything to her. Was that the reason for her distraction since returning home?

CHAPTER
36

By the time Britta closed the shop for the day and came inside, Susie had made a delicious supper of macaroni goulash, one of her sister’s favorites.

After the silent prayer, as they took turns dishing up the plentiful food—enough for leftovers—Susie mentioned that she’d received an interesting letter from Allen, hoping to engage her sister, who seemed unusually withdrawn and serious yet again.

Britta’s head popped up. “Oh?”

“He seems to be thinkin’ ahead.”

Suddenly, Britta looked worried. “What about?”

Susie hadn’t brought this up to trick her into talking, but now that Britta seemed attentive, she said, “I believe he’s been discussing some things with Mamma.”

Now Britta looked startled.

“Do ya know anything ’bout this?” Susie blurted.

A cautious expression came over her sister’s face. “What’re ya talking ’bout, exactly?”

“I just wondered if this might be why you’ve been so quiet since your trip.” There. Susie hoped she’d opened the door for some meaningful conversation.

Britta took another bite and chewed for the longest time. Susie felt on edge, waiting.

When Britta finally did speak, there was a softness to her voice. “Actually, I’ve been tryin’ to decide for days when to tell ya something.”

Now Susie was confused. If Britta already knew about Allen’s hope of renting out the house, why hadn’t he included her sister in the address or the letter’s salutation?