A knowing look passed between them. Susie nodded, touched by the sentiment, but Britta turned pensive and glanced out the window. Then, walking toward the front room, she turned and asked, “Where’s Mamma?”

“Over at Ella Mae’s.”

“Prob’ly needed to get out of the house.”

“She seems to be feelin’ better, so that’s gut,” Susie said. “Ella Mae’s grandson Paul came and picked her up not long ago, and I took over workin’ at the shop till just now.” Susie glanced out the window, looking to see if any customers had come.

Britta sat down and leaned one elbow on the table, a thoughtful look on her oval face. “Paul’s a newlywed and a busy farmer,” she said. “Where does he find time?”

“Maybe that’s why he walks so fast,” Susie joked.

Britta nodded.

Susie spooned an ample helping of the homemade applesauce into a bowl and set it in front of Britta, whose cheeks were still rosy from the walk home. “In an hour or so, I’ll go an’ get Mamma, after she has tea and time to visit.”

Britta brightened. “Did ya know that Ella Mae once told me she was as spunky as me when she was young?”

“Some of us just are.”

Britta grinned. “Were you?”

“Not really, but from what Mamma’s said, Allen certainly was.”

“And still is!”

They shared a laugh as Susie went to get the cinnamon from Mamma’s spice rack.

“Wouldn’t it take Schpank to do what he and Sarah did, goin’ to Missouri?” Britta asked. “Or do ya think that shows more grit?”

“Definitely grit . . . and ambition. It must be awful hard to uproot and start from scratch like they did.”

“Well, I wish they’d stayed here.” Britta momentarily looked sad as she sprinkled cinnamon over her applesauce.

Susie opened the fridge to take out some milk.

“As much as Allen liked Hickory Hollow, I’m still surprised he left.” Britta sighed.

This gave Susie pause. Sometimes she worried her younger sister might decide to leave Hickory Hollow as well, or at least dip her toe into the world during her Rumschpringe. After all, she adored books and learning new things. Even so, Britta had never so much as inquired about her biological family and whether or not they were Plain. But there were times when she seemed to be deep in thought, which wondered Susie. Thankfully, the season of running around was still a little more than three years away. Susie comforted herself with that thought.

“Allen was practically a father to me,” Britta said quietly.

No wonder she misses him, Susie thought sadly, remembering that Britta had never had the opportunity to know Dat.