“Oh, just thought I should say why Obie isn’t here.” He stuffed his hands in his pants pockets.

“He’s well, I hope.”

Jerome nodded halfheartedly, and Susie felt a flicker of concern.

“All right, I guess. He made an unexpected trip.” Jerome shuffled his feet and glanced toward the hay bales stacked clear to the rafters. “Sounds like he’s got a chance to work as a farrier for a blacksmith who needs some assistance.”

“That’s gut, jah?” She thought of Bishop Beiler, the Hickory Hollow blacksmith, and the many years he’d worked in the trade.

Jerome ran his hand through his thick hair. “Well, the job ain’t in Hickory Hollow.”

She felt the air catch in her throat. Where was it, then? And why was Jerome telling her before Obie did?

Glancing uncomfortably toward the group of fellows, Jerome said, “Well, I should get back. Obie doesn’t even know I planned to say anything, so I’ve prob’ly said too much already. He’ll tell ya more.”

“When he decides, ya mean?”

“Oh, he’s perty close to that already,” Jerome said as he turned to head over to rejoin the other young men.

Susie couldn’t believe it. Why on earth hadn’t Obie told her such big news? Or had he tried to on her birthday?

CHAPTER
5

Cousin Marnie had been invited to go riding with Jerome after Singing, so Susie and Verena set out walking home together. Verena had recently broken up with her former beau, so, like Susie, she’d only gone to Singing for some fellowship.

“I didn’t see Obie tonight,” Verena mentioned as they walked. The stars were so bright, they scarcely needed the flashlights they carried to be seen by passing vehicles.

“Oh, he’s out of town.”

“That explains it, then, ’cause he rarely misses a Singing.”

“Not recently that I recall.” Susie paused for a moment, then changed the subject. “Say, your sister seemed real happy that Jerome asked her out.”

“’Tween you and me, I think he’s had his eye on Marnie for a while now.”

“They do look cute together.”

“I think so, too,” Verena said, giving a little spin. “And just think how perty their children would be if they got married someday.” She seemed to catch herself. “Ach, what am I sayin’? This is only their first date!”

Susie smiled at Verena’s remark. She heard a horse and buggy coming up behind them and glanced over her shoulder to see it slowing up. “I think someone might be interested in talkin’ to you.”

“Or to you.” Verena stepped back from the road with Susie.

The horse pulled the courting buggy forward and stopped.

“Would yous like a lift?” Delmar Petersheim asked. He looked right at Susie.

“Ain’t much farther, really,” she said, surprised to see him again.

“Are ya sure?” he replied, leaning over on the passenger side to open the door.