Eventually, they came up on Preacher Benuel Zook’s dairy farm, where his wife, Linda, was out pinning quilts to the clothesline for their seasonal airing. As Susie turned into their lane, Linda waved and grinned, her deep dimples appearing.

Opening the carriage window, Susie said, “I brought some freshly made peanut butter spread from Mamma.”

“Well, ain’t that nice.” Linda came over to accept it. “Tell your Mamma I’ll bring her some pickled beets real soon.”

“Oh, she’ll love that.”

Farther up the road, Susie signaled the mare to turn left into David Beiler’s farm, where the district’s covered bench wagon was parked near the house. Inside the wagon, piles of Ausbund songbooks were neatly stacked, along with many benches for this Sunday’s Preaching service, as well as plates and utensils for the fellowship meal to follow. David and Mattie Beiler were quite adept at preparing ahead, having hosted church numerous times throughout the years, and they would have plenty of help rearranging the living areas in their home to make room for everyone in their large church district.

Susie parked the carriage close to the Dawdi Haus and, looking over, she saw Ella Mae and Mamma walking leisurely toward the back driveway, arm in arm, both wearing gray dresses and black aprons beneath their short black coats. Susie observed the sweet friendship.

Mamma looks fairly well today, she thought, hopping down from the buggy to go and fetch her.

“We’ve had us a real nice visit,” Ella Mae declared, her blue eyes almost shut as she peered into the bright sunshine. “And plenty-a tea.”

With a nod, Mamma glanced at Ella Mae. “She just kept servin’, and I kept drinkin’.”

“We had scones and biscuits with jam and honey, and some with apple butter, too.” Ella Mae winked at Susie. “’Tis best to wash all of that down with delicious tea, ya know.”

Susie nodded, delighted to see Ella Mae again. She’d never known the dear woman to be anything but cheerful, and today was no exception. She just wanted to bask in the woman’s presence. But Mamma seemed tired.

“Looks like you’re ready to go,” Susie said to her.

They waved good-bye to Ella Mae, who planted herself at the end of the walkway and smiled sweetly.

“Gut visit?” Susie asked her mother as she backed the horse and buggy out of the parking spot to head toward the road.

“Ella Mae has a way of helpin’ me forget myself,” Mamma observed before sighing deeply. When she spoke again, it was soft and wistful. “’Twas just what I needed.”

Susie glanced at her mother, grateful she enjoyed such a friendship.

“By the way, Ella Mae said that Delmar Petersheim’s older sister plans to drop by the shop soon.”

Susie’s ears perked up. “Del, who sometimes worked with Allen before they moved to Missouri?”

“Jah . . . from over in Gordonville.”