In the dark, blustery days of January, Mamma came down with symptoms of pneumonia. Especially at night, she struggled with wrenching coughs, so hard and frequent that they caused her ribs to ache. Susie cared for her constantly, and Emmalyn and Lettie, Mattie, and the bishop’s wife, Mary, took turns spending time with Mamma, as well, bringing homemade chicken soup and praying beside her. When nightfall came, Britta read the Bible aloud at her bedside, even when Mamma had finally fallen asleep.

Her breathing was so wheezy and shallow that Susie worried they might lose Mamma like they had Dat and Eli, and she prayed earnestly that God would spare her. Susie felt certain her mother needed to be seen by a doctor, but her appeals fell on deaf ears. Only the dear Lord knows how to make it happen, Susie thought.

Thankfully, over time, Mamma did manage to get back on her feet, but only till early spring allergies, far worse than other years, drained her of energy, causing another setback.

Since Britta had completed her studies at the schoolhouse the previous spring, she and Susie took turns being with Mamma indoors and working at the little shop. These days, Susie and Britta were responsible for making and selling all of its offerings, which included Britta’s quilted table runners, as well as the usual popcorn balls, jams, peanut butter spread, goat cheeses, and of course, commissions for Susie’s family trees. With that and all the domestic chores, there was very little time for leisure. Britta also continued to help with the Ebersol children whenever she could, and once a month, Polly took Britta back with her to Landisville for the weekend to help with her youngest ones. On those weekends, Susie realized how very much she missed Britta, especially at Saturday market. Mamma often remarked about it, too. Home just wasn’t the same without her.

April crept up on them. Letters from Obie had become increasingly infrequent over the past year, so Susie was surprised to receive one saying he’d met someone. He briefly described the young woman whom he’d become acquainted with at the church district there.

I shouldn’t keep writing to him, Susie thought, taking the carriage to go confide in Cousin Verena, who was now being courted by Isaac Lapp, Samuel and Rebecca Lapp’s grandson.

“It looks like this is the end of my friendship with Obie,” she told Verena as they talked quietly upstairs in her room, the door closed for privacy. “Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long for him to find someone.” She sighed, feeling terribly sad.

Verena nodded her head slowly, like she was taking this all in.

“I’m going to let him know with one last letter. I’ll bow out politely, like he said he’d do for me if I ever got serious with Del Petersheim.”

“Oh, Susie . . . I’m so sorry.” Verena reached for her hand.