Susie reached for it and noticed the lovely nativity on the front and a Scripture verse inside. Hearing from you was an unexpected Christmas surprise, Kathleen had written.

“It’s very nice,” Susie managed to say, handing the card back to Britta.

“I think so, too . . . she didn’t have to write back, or even this quick.” Britta’s excitement seemed to grow by the moment. “I might just run out to the stable and give her a call.”

“Don’t ya want to think it over first?” Susie wished she would—Henry’s remarks on Christmas Eve must not have caused Britta to reconsider forging this connection.

“Nee, I’m gonna call her before I get cold feet.” And with that, Britta got up and headed out to the utility room, where Susie could hear her putting on her snow boots again.

Why such a rush? Susie thought, feeling at a loss to know what to do. If there was a way to stop her, would I?

Don’t be ferhoodled, Britta thought, her hand trembling as she dialed the number. She heard the ringing, and her throat felt like she’d eaten a ball of cotton. O Lord, help me do this right, she prayed, gripping the phone as she counted the rings.

At the end of the stable, one of the goats began to bleat, and she realized it was close to milking time. “I’ll be right there,” she called to the animal, then felt silly.

Kathleen’s line kept ringing.

No one’s home, Britta thought, disappointed.

Finally a man’s voice came on the recording, directing her to leave a name and number and someone would return the call.

Quickly, Britta hung up. This was not how she’d imagined it. And now that she’d dialed and waited, she wondered what she would have said if Kathleen had answered.

Let down, she made her way to the shelf to grab the milk box containing everything she needed, including the clean stainless-steel bucket. As she worked, she wondered when the best time to call again might be.

While Britta was out in the stable, Susie went to her room to pray. At first, few words came to mind, and she tried to imagine what Mamma would pray in her position. Of course, Mamma had sent Kathleen’s address to Britta, so that was something to ponder. Why did Mamma seem to encourage her to reach out?

After praying, she picked up her Bible, in its pretty quilted cover Britta had so beautifully made for her. Sitting in the chair between the two large windows, Susie read from Psalm 34, trying to calm herself. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. . . .