“I’ve never been able to understand how Aquilla could forgive me like she did that first time we met,” Kathleen said. “It was so immediate—I could tell that the loss of her little boy grieved her, yet she didn’t seem to have to think about it. It was such a selfless gift to me.” She paused, and Britta could hear her sigh. “I still can’t forgive myself for Eli’s death, though. And my own parents certainly haven’t forgiven me for giving you up to be adopted. Thankfully, I made sure your mother had legal temporary custody before they found out about you. I granted her that even prior to your adoption.”

Britta felt a pang in her stomach. “Well, I forgive you,” she said, recalling all the times Mamma had shown mercy to someone, Britta included.

“Thank you, Britta. That means everything to me.”

“Well, it seems to me that someone besides Mamma needed to forgive ya.”

“You are truly her child,” Kathleen said, her voice breaking.

“And you should know that everyone here in Hickory Hollow forgave ya long ago.”

Kathleen was silent for a moment. “I’m so thankful. I hear what you’re saying, but it’s all so difficult to comprehend.”

“The People believe in forgiveness. Mamma says it’s about learning to let go. The Lord Jesus is our example, teaching us that if we seek forgiveness for ourselves, we must forgive others in turn.” Britta stopped speaking, hoping she hadn’t overstepped, but also certain that it was right for her to share this with Kathleen.

“I’d read that verse in the Sermon on the Mount, but I never experienced it until Aquilla forgave me. What a moment!” She sighed as if thinking back, then seemed to remember herself. “I assume you’ll continue living there with your Plain community, once you’re grown?”

Britta thought of the things Kathleen had shared earlier about her busy modern lifestyle . . . the kind of life she might have had. Truth be told, a part of her couldn’t help comparing all of that to her own upbringing: the rewards of hard work, the simple pleasures of going to market, playing with the barn cats, learning to cook and bake from scratch, and sewing whatever was needed. She considered, too, her closeness with Susie and Mamma’s unreserved love for her and the tender connection they’d always had.

Unexpectedly, Britta also recalled Aaron Kauffman taunting her years ago, and her own fretting over the name Britta, questioning her place in the community after learning of Kathleen’s role in Eli’s death. But most of all, she remembered the People’s open arms to her, and she honestly doubted she could find such a warm reception anywhere else, in any other community.