She pushed against the blade, propelling herself forward, gliding over the ice. Facing into the sun, she crouched forward to gain speed, thankful for a new year, a brand-new slate. A year bound to bring big changes for her and Britta, although she still hoped Emmalyn’s house, just up the road, would be the place where they might end up.

In thinking about the near future, she felt sorry about her unkind opinion of Allen. “I need to let my resentment go and forgive him,” she admitted, the air cold against her lips. She had been too critical. After all, he was only doing what seemed best for Mamma while managing his own large family.

Why have I been so unyielding? she thought, doing slow figure eights now, the sun pleasantly warm on her back, then face . . . and now her shoulder. What does it matter, as long as Mamma’s content there and well cared for?

Susie tried to imagine someday making the trip to visit her mother, and Allen and his family, too. Such a reunion!

Just then, the crunch of snow and the snap of a twig caught her attention. Startled, she turned and came to a sudden stop, her skates’ blades scraping against the ice. She stared at the figure, her thoughts flying. When did he get home? Was he in Hickory Hollow for Christmas?

“Hullo, Susie,” Obie called, waving to her.

She waved back, unsure what to say.

He sat down on the small boulder, removed his backpack, and took off his snow boots.

She felt ferhoodled at his presence. How’d he know I was skating?

Thinking she ought to head over to him to say something . . . anything, she pushed forward but simply skated the perimeter of the pond again. On the next time around, he was there by her side, matching her pace, as he often had when they skated together years ago. Why is he here? she wondered, bewildered yet so glad to see him.

He glanced at her, smiling. “Hope I’m not crashin’ your party.” He sped up, and she followed.

“Are ya home for New Year’s?”

He nodded. “Have ya heard ’bout the bishop’s upcoming retirement?” Obie asked, then said that he planned to buy out the business, taking over as Hickory Hollow’s new blacksmith.

“Must be a recent decision. First I’ve heard it,” she said, waiting for Obie to mention something about his girlfriend, thinking it was nice of him, though strange, to come skating like this for old times’ sake. “Your family must be happy to have ya home.”

“Jah, and I’m happy, too.” He slowed and looked at her, a quizzical expression on his handsome face.

She breathed quickly and forged ahead. “Obie . . . I heard you were about to be engaged.”