Obie turned onto the side road and drove clear around to avoid the accident site, a gesture she appreciated. This ride was longer than she had expected with suppertime approaching, but Obie had moved on to talk about some of his favorite memories from their many years of friendship, as though he’d already made his decision to leave Hickory Hollow. She couldn’t bring herself to interrupt that, not for the world.

He reminded her of their first time out in the rowboat Dat had built. “To try it out, remember?” Obie asked.

“Jah, and it nearly capsized, both of us yellin’ for dear life.” She gave a small smile.

“It would’ve, too, if your brother hadn’t been there to right it.”

Susie remembered full well. “We got plenty of use out of that rowboat. In fact, Mamma said we went out in it more than she and Dat ever had.”

A while later, as they returned to the house, Obie offered his hand as she stepped out of the wagon. He walked with her over the long walkway, past the gazebo, and up the porch steps to the back door, where, for the first time around Obie, she felt incredibly self-conscious.

The tinkle of the wind chimes filled up the silence.

Quietly, she said, “Denki for comin’ by.”

“Remember what I said ’bout you bein’ able to tell me anything.” He smiled thoughtfully, his eyes serious. “I mean it.”

For a brief moment yet again, she experienced something different between them—a spark or deeper sense of connection, perhaps? Or was it just her imagination?

“Well, Gut Nacht,” he said and turned to leave.

“Gut Nacht, Obie.” It didn’t make sense to say good-bye when October was still months away. If he committed to going to Sugar Valley, that was.

Hopefully we’ll talk again soon, she thought as she opened the back door and stepped inside.

After supper, Susie listened closely as Mamma read in the front room from Isaiah, chapter twenty-six. When she’d read verse three, Mamma paused to reread it a second time. “‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.’”

With a sweet smile, Mamma commented softly, “Always remember this verse, my dear girls.”

Susie glanced at Britta, whose gaze was intent upon her, of all things.

Her sister looked away suddenly, as if sheepish.

What’s going on? Susie wondered yet again, thinking she might try to talk with Britta soon.

“‘Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength,’” Mamma continued, and Susie asked God to soothe her mind and heart about Obie, and to give her wisdom regarding her sister.

CHAPTER
8