After they sang “The First Noel” together, the children said good night to Susie and Britta, then to Henry, before heading upstairs to bed. Polly went along with them while Henry stayed in the front room with the current issue of Family Life magazine on his lap. He fiddled with the pages as if there was something on his mind.

At last, he spoke, looking at Britta. “I s’pose ya know your Mamm wrote to Polly and me ’bout your birth mother.”

Britta nodded. “I’d hoped Mamma would.” Why is he bringing this up?

“Just recently, she wrote again . . . said she mailed ya the woman’s address and gave you her married name, Williamson.”

“Jah, she did,” Britta replied, a bit tense now.

“Well, I hope an’ pray ya keep your upbringing in focus, despite your curiosity, Britta,” he said. “Hold firm to the Lord God and the Old Ways.”

Annoyed, Britta didn’t feel like discussing this at the moment. Not if it was going to spoil the peace of this most holy night of the year.

“I don’t doubt you’re curious,” Henry continued. “Who wouldn’t be interested, in your circumstance? But you also must know how much it’d mean to the Mamma who raised ya for you to remain Amish.” His eyes met hers.

Britta was surprised her brother-in-law would talk so directly.

Susie gave her an encouraging smile, as though she hoped this wouldn’t turn into an argument.

“So far, I’ve only sent her a Christmas card,” Britta replied quietly.

Henry frowned and raked his hand through his golden hair. “I see.”

Susie spoke up, undoubtedly to ward off any possible conflict. “Ach, it’s Christmas Eve.”

Henry must have caught her meaning and nodded. “All I’m sayin’ is, you belong with us, sister. You always have.” He opened the magazine once more and began to turn the pages.

Britta’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave Susie a look and motioned with her head toward the stairs. It was time to call it a night.

———

On the way upstairs, Susie touched Britta’s arm. “Henry cares about you, ya know,” she said softly. “That was just his way of showin’ it.”

“Well, the way he said it seemed more bossy than anything.”

Susie sighed but let it go. Her sister’s Plain life was colliding with what might await her. If she chooses to do more than send a card to her birth mother, none of us can change that or make it easy for her. But we can help guide her along with our love.

CHAPTER
43