The Christmas Day dinner of stuffed turkey, noodles and gravy, mashed potatoes, buttered cut corn, peas, and creamed cabbage made Susie feel almost too full, but the food was so tasty. Next to her, adorable Nellie Ann politely asked for more noodles in her cute little voice, declaring she would like seconds of that instead of dessert. But when Henry brought out the homemade vanilla ice cream with homemade hot fudge to dribble over it, Nellie Ann’s eyes grew big and she quickly changed her tune. This made nearly everyone smile, and Junior put his hand over his mouth to squelch a chortle. When all was said and done, Nellie Ann was quite happy to feast on her dessert.

They spent the afternoon playing games and, later, put on coats and boots to tramp through the snow to call Mamma at the old phone shed half a field away. It was a precious time, hearing her voice again and passing the phone around. Even little Nellie Ann expressed a Christmas wish for her grandma to come home. “Kumme Heemet, Mammi, jah?”

When it was Britta’s turn, Susie noticed her eyes well up.

She misses Mamma more than ever.

Later, Susie enjoyed watching Henry and Polly give each of the children green-netting bags of hard candy, nuts, and oranges. Henry also read the Christmas story from the gospel of Matthew while the children sat attentively at his knee.

Afterward, as she gathered up her things to travel back to Hickory Hollow, Susie reflected on last night’s short exchange between Henry and Britta, praying Britta would take it to heart, as Henry intended.

Three days later, the wind howled and snow flew horizontally during the van ride home from Saturday market. Susie was relieved when their stone house came into view, she felt that tense.

As soon as the van stopped at the end of the driveway, Britta got out and dashed over to the mailbox while Susie paid Rachelle for the ride. She then joined Britta as they trudged up the driveway together, leaning into the wind.

Inside, Susie didn’t bother to remove her coat or scarf before stoking the coal stove, grateful for the remaining embers.

Meanwhile, Britta opened an envelope addressed to her and pulled out a pretty card. She read the greeting, then let out a gasp. “What the world?”

Susie frowned.

“It’s a card.”

“Jah, I can see that,” Susie teased, edging closer. “But who from?”

“Kathleen Williamson . . . and she wrote her telephone number at the bottom.”

Susie’s heart fell.

“She says she’s happy I contacted her and looks forward to talking to me,” Britta said, “if I would welcome that.” She glanced at the envelope again. “She didn’t put her name with the return address. Maybe she wanted to surprise me. Ach, I’m so happy!”

Not wanting to put a damper on Britta’s enthusiasm, Susie hardly knew how to react.

Britta held out the card.