They pushed off, gaining momentum as they went, and Susie recalled how much fun she’d always had with Eli as a child, when they came here to sled with her parents. Mamma was so healthy and energetic then, she thought. And Dat so fun-loving.

By the time they glided to a stop, Susie and Verena had sailed over at least two hundred feet, and the youth were hooting and clapping high on the hill behind them.

“Now for the fun of walkin’ back up,” Verena said, laughing.

“Here, I’ll pull the sled.” Susie reached over to take the rope.

They made steady progress up the steep grade, huffing and panting as they went.

“Do ya think Obie will ask ya to sled with him?” Verena cupped her mittened hand over her eyes as a shield from the sun’s blinding reflection off the snow.

“I doubt it.”

“But you’d like to, wouldn’t ya?”

“It doesn’t matter what I want, not when he’s returning to Sugar Valley.”

Verena frowned. “Love can change things, ya know.”

“Goodness, Verena—we’re just gut friends. And there’s more to it.”

“Like what?” Verena grabbed the sled rope as they reached the midway point. “It’s not like you’re seein’ Del anymore, ain’t?”

“Obie’s made a commitment to work for his Onkel. He can’t just take that back.” Susie stopped to catch her breath and saw Obie waving at her. “Obie’s watchin’ us,” she said quietly.

“Watchin’ you,” Verena said with a bit of a smirk.

Obie stood back from the others, his sled upright as he leaned against it. He was smiling now.

“See? He’s waitin’ for ya,” Verena said, walking ahead with her sled tagging behind.

Susie waved at Obie and started toward him just as Laura Ann caught up to her.

“You and Verena were almost airborne, you were goin’ so fast,” Laura Ann said, motioning to the sled run.

“It was fast—and such fun,” Susie said. “Have you gone down yet?”

“Jah, on the big toboggan with Jerome, Marnie, and Tessie.”

“Tessie Yoder’s here?” Susie asked, glancing around for the teacher.

“Just rushed over to talk to Obie, in fact,” Laura Ann said, lowering her voice.

Susie could see Tessie with Obie now as the two laughed at something, and to her surprise, she felt a little envious.

CHAPTER
19

Susie enjoyed sledding with Verena and Laura Ann, holding on for dear life, the run was that slick and speedy. Ice crystals hung in the air, and the sun kept peeking out of wispy clouds, its light twinkling like diamonds sprinkled on the snow.

As the three girls climbed back up the incline after the exhilarating ride, Susie tried to just enjoy herself instead of dwelling on seeing Tessie with Obie earlier. After all, they were distant cousins and might simply have been discussing family Christmas plans.