“Why not?” Verena said, going around the buggy and waiting for Susie to get in first.

“Denki.” Susie was embarrassed, sitting so close to Del, and curious why Verena seemed so eager. “What brings ya to Hickory Hollow tonight?” she asked him.

“Oh, was just over visitin’ my uncle and aunt, and they invited me to stay for supper,” Del replied.

Susie found it interesting that he hadn’t attended a Singing near his own church district.

“I’ll come by to order one of your family trees sometime soon, Susie,” Del added out of the blue.

Even though she didn’t dare look her cousin’s direction, Susie was sure Verena was grinning.

“All right,” Susie replied politely. Del was certainly friendly, but he hadn’t asked her for another date, if their time at the farm sale could even be considered that.

Susie stared at the starry sky and wondered how long this mild weather would last, considering it was only mid-March.

“See that mailbox up there?” Verena said, leaning forward to show Del. “You can let us off there.”

“Both of yous?” Del asked, which brought a little chuckle from Verena.

“Jah,” Verena said. “Denki, awful nice of ya to offer the ride.”

“Any time,” Del said.

Susie thanked him, as well, before quickly climbing down out of the carriage.

Once his horse and buggy were on their way, Verena elbowed Susie while they stood at the end of her lane. “So, is he sweet on ya?”

“Seems like it.”

Verena laughed. “Seems?” She said nothing more for a moment. Then, glancing at Susie, she said, “What’s it like to have two fellas interested in ya?”

“Ach, now . . .”

“You’re too modest, cousin. I ’spect Obie’s got his eye on ya, too, and has for some time now.”

Goodness! Is everyone talking ’bout Obie and me?

Verena frowned. “Wait a minute. Is something off beam ’tween you and Obie? I mean, a fella wouldn’t typically miss Singing to go out of town unless it was an emergency or something.”

“Obie an’ I aren’t fussin’, if that’s what ya mean.”

“Gut. ’Cause once that starts, believe me, it’s all downhill.”

“Well, we’re not dating, either. Just friends, I’m sure ya know.”

Verena snickered under her breath.

“I’m serious,” Susie protested.

“Okay, then,” Verena said, but there was no mistaking the tone of disbelief.

They were quiet for a time, and then she said, “If you need someone to talk to, remember I care ’bout ya, cousin.”

“Same here . . . ’bout you.”

“Gut Nacht,” Verena said, then headed up her lane.

“I’ll see ya again soon,” Susie called, glad to be alone with her thoughts the rest of the short way home.