“Your Mamma mentioned that she’d tried to talk to you ’bout this several times, but you’d shied away, maybe from the sheer pain of it,” Ella Mae said.

Susie nodded. “I’ve always thought my poor Bruder would still be alive if I had just stood up to him and refused.”

“My dear Susie, God is sovereign, and we needn’t second-guess the accident or which of you should’ve worn the vest, or what else might have happened.” Ella Mae paused to brush tears from her wrinkled cheek. “The Good Book says clearly that not even death can separate us from God’s great love.”

Britta reached under the table and squeezed Susie’s hand. “I’m so glad ya came to see us today, Ella Mae,” she said, leaning against Susie’s arm.

Nodding her head, Susie had to agree, deeply moved by the woman’s wisdom. “Denki, with all of my heart.”

CHAPTER
42

That afternoon, Britta helped Susie bake a German chocolate cake, both of them excited to surprise Ella Mae with it on their way to market tomorrow. The timing of Ella Mae’s visit had been so providential that Britta didn’t want to discuss it, preferring to let the Wise Woman’s words sink deep into her heart.

Susie also seemed quiet and thoughtful as they worked together. The truth was that Britta had not told her sister everything about Kathleen Stratton. Remarkably, Kathleen lived less than ninety minutes from Hickory Hollow by van, on the southern edge of Allentown.

Will she be shocked to get my Christmas card? Britta wondered while the cake was baking. Will she write back?

Later, while they were nibbling on the nuts and chocolates from the gift basket as the cake cooled, Susie excused herself to put on her snow boots, then headed outdoors. Britta stood at the back door window, watching her and wondering if she was going to the stable to call Allen, maybe, but she headed in the direction of the willow grove and the pond instead.

Is she as blue about moving as I am? Britta thought, wishing something might happen to change Allen’s mind. But then again, she didn’t want to be selfish if he needed money from the rent of this house to help care for Mamma and little Maggie.

Stepping away from the door, she plodded upstairs to her room, where she opened her bottom drawer and lifted out the quilted pieces for what would soon be Susie’s surprise Christmas gift—a Bible cover. Something extra special this year, to help ease the sadness of Mamma’s absence.