Mattie shook her head. “It’s just that Obie’s made a decision to go ahead and work for his Onkel in Sugar Valley come fall.”

Susie’s heart dropped, though she’d assumed as much, the way he’d talked during their ride. The one and only ride I’ll ever have with him, she thought sadly, the reality hitting hard.

CHAPTER
10

Things were muddled in Susie’s mind in the days following her and Mamma’s visit to Beilers’. The house seemed strangely quiet when Britta left for school each morning. Mamma, thoughtful as she was, did not inquire about the cause of Susie’s downcast mood any more than she had on the ride home last Monday night.

Truth be known, Obie’s decision to leave Hickory Hollow had shaken Susie to an extent she’d never thought possible. She tried to shrug the sadness away while working on a new cross-stitch and running errands. Yet the busyness of daily life wasn’t enough. Once, in the wee hours, Susie awakened and whispered into the darkness, “Why did I encourage Obie to go?”

This wasn’t something she wanted to talk about, especially with Britta, who surely had heard this recent news from Hazel by now. Susie had considered visiting Cousin Verena as she liked to do, but Saturday at supper she realized she’d see them tomorrow night at Singing, and Mamma reminded her of Kate Yoder’s Sisters Day get-together in just three days for a big farm breakfast. Sounds like I’ll see Verena and Marnie soon enough.

Presently, she examined the sketched layout for the names and dates of this latest cross-stitch as she sat alone in the sewing room, trying to plan how best to fit in the names of the twins who had been born just a few days ago. Sunlight fell over her shoulders and onto the long table Dat had built years ago. Typically she didn’t mind the solitude, but today it pressed in on her. She wasn’t ready to lose anyone else from her life, even if Obie was only moving away. But it’s not for me to determine Obie’s choices, she thought. Why wouldn’t he be enthusiastic about having a chance to work with his uncle? It’s time for him to get on with his life.

Yet Susie couldn’t help dreading October, usually her favorite month.

The next day brought the first Singing of April, which was especially well attended. Susie was happy to see Obie was present this time, and when refreshments were served, he walked directly over to her.

“You’ve prob’ly learned through the grapevine that I’ll be takin’ that job I told you about,” he said, his eyes searching hers as he cupped popcorn in his hand.

“Jah . . . I heard the other night at Mattie’s.”