“Putting up jam with Mamma and Susie is my favorite, too.”

Hazel moaned. “To be honest, I’m gonna miss school when I graduate the end of this school year,” she admitted.

Britta felt the pang of knowing how much she would miss her friend. “It won’t be the same come next fall, that’s for sure.”

Both girls were quiet for a moment.

Then Hazel said more softly as they walked together, “Say, I saw Aaron Kauffman with his brother at the General Store the other day.”

Britta winced.

“Isn’t he the boy who used to tease ya at recess?”

Britta nodded. “He was always throwin’ trouble around.”

“Well, he seems nicer now.”

“Not to me,” Britta replied. “He still thinks I don’t belong here with the People.”

“How do ya know?”

“Well, every time he sees me, he scowls or rolls his eyes.”

Hazel shook her head. “Some boys just like to pester girls they secretly like. Could be that’s behind it.”

Britta huffed at the idea. “Not Aaron,” she scoffed. “He said I wasn’t Amish and never would be.”

“Well, it’s not true, so don’t believe it.” Hazel glanced over her shoulder at the younger girls walking with them. “You’re just as Plain as I am, Britta.”

I hope you’re right, she thought.

CHAPTER
11

Days passed, and Susie and Mamma were at the table sketching a plan for the garden while Britta made bread dough at the counter. “I’ve got some more ideas for things to sell in the shop and at market,” she said.

“More?” Susie glanced at Britta, whose hands were deep in the dough.

“What about popcorn balls?”

Mamma’s head lifted suddenly. “Sounds gut, an’ I’m sure they’d sell like hotcakes.”

Britta grinned. “Hotcakes too?”

Now Susie was laughing. “Sure, why not? Maybe homemade pancake mix in Ball canning jars.”

“And while we’re at it, maybe homemade soup mix, too,” Britta added.

“Now, girls, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Mamma said, pencil in hand as she looked down at the sketch she and Susie had been working on.

“Well, the more we make and sell, the better, jah?” Britta said.

“True,” Susie agreed. “Ain’t so, Mamma?”

“And when do ya think yous will have time for all this?” Mamma replied.

Britta nodded. “Okay, let’s just start with the popcorn balls and see how they go over.”

Mamma agreed, and although she liked the ideas, Susie was relieved. There’s enough to do round here, she thought.

That evening, after supper and kitchen chores, Susie took the scooter to meet Verena to clean the schoolhouse. It was the ideal time to share their hearts without being overheard.

While she mopped the schoolhouse floor, Susie mentioned not having seen Obie around since the last Singing, ten days ago now. She tried to keep her tone casual, but this bothered her more than she cared to admit.