Susie opened the door, and there, standing in short rows across the porch, was a bundled-up group of a dozen or so Amish teens, including, in the front, a smiling Britta and Hazel. Immediately, their voices began to ring out in song, and Mamma slipped quietly to the window to watch and listen as Susie stood at the front door.

The jubilant melody of “Joy to the World” filled the porch, and Susie and Mamma sang along in English with the verses and the chorus.

“When they’re done caroling,” Mamma said, “invite them in for cookies.”

Susie agreed, thankful she and Britta had made extra cookies and chocolate nut bars for tomorrow and the days following, when Mamma’s siblings and families would be dropping in for the holidays. The house would be crowded with all the youth, but having them come by and sing so cheerfully was truly the nicest surprise for Mamma.

As the carolers continued, Susie’s thoughts wended their way to Obie, and she wondered what he was doing tonight. She remembered how he’d pressed his Christmas card into her hand at the school program, and she wished she’d had one to give him.

There’s still time, she thought, deciding to make one later tonight and hand carry it to him before he left for Sugar Valley.

CHAPTER
20

Christmas Sunday brought an abundance of cheer to Britta, who always looked forward to going to Preaching, particularly on a special Lord’s Day such as this. Here lately, she had been thinking ahead to one day being baptized and joining church.

What kind of church would I be joining if I hadn’t lived in Hickory Hollow? she wondered, not sure why she was pondering all of this. Where would I be living right now if my mother hadn’t given me up?

Back home, while she milked the goats that afternoon, she hummed a few of the carols she’d sung last evening with Hazel and the others. The cat trio wandered over, and two of them curled up near the legs of her wooden stool. “It’s a happy Christmas Day, don’t you think?” she said softly, looking down at the purring felines. Even Tabasco warmed up to her more quickly than usual.

When she finished the milking, the stable phone rang, and it was Hazel calling.

“How’d you know I’d even answer?” Britta asked, surprised.

“You’ve mentioned the four-thirty milking before—thought I’d take a chance,” Hazel said. “Plus, I wanted to talk to you: Guess who just came by to see Obie.”

“Susie, maybe?” Britta smiled that Hazel would call about this.

“Jah, but she wasn’t here for long. Even so, they did see each other on Christmas,” Hazel said, a lilt in her voice. “It’s a gut sign, don’t ya think?”