After a dozen or more songs, the group concluded their special singing and mingled as family members took turns talking to Roy’s grandmother, who shook each person’s hand and thanked them for coming. Eventually, Hazel said good-bye to Britta and Marnie to head home on foot.

Britta, however, stayed around to talk to Cousin Marnie, glad to have this opportunity, since she rarely saw her when Susie and Verena weren’t along.

“Is Susie busy tonight?” Marnie said, slightly frowning.

Britta nodded her head. “At home with Mamma.”

“Poor Aendi Aquilla . . . I wish somethin’ could be done to help her.”

“Jah, it’s so hard to see her struggle.”

“Has she gone to the Amish doctor?”

“Mamma won’t go to him or any sort of medical doctor, either.”

“What about an herbalist?” Marnie suggested. “My Mamma sees one now and then over in Ronks. I could give ya her number, if it’d help.”

“That’s kind of you.” Britta wanted to talk more privately with Marnie. “Will ya walk with me out to the porch?” she asked.

They headed through the kitchen and the back screen porch, where rows of coats on wooden pegs hung in a line. Then they stepped outside, the sky alight with stars.

“What’s on your mind?”

Britta felt a little bashful. “Have you ever heard anything ’bout my birth mother?”

Marnie shook her head. “Verena said you asked her about this once a long time ago. I didn’t realize you were still interested.”

“Well, I’m just tryin’ to piece things together.” In case Mamma can’t, she thought solemnly.

“Surely your Mamma knows about it.”

“I hate to bother her, considerin’ her health,” Britta said, and it was true . . . for the most part.

“Would ya want me to poke around, see what I can find out?”

“Better not. Just keep the fact I asked ’tween us, all right?” Britta felt nervous at the thought of Marnie doing any sniffing around. What if Mamma found out?

Right then, Roy opened the screen door and walked out with two of his cousins.

Once the fellas left to head toward the barn, Marnie said, her voice hushed, “Maybe ya didn’t notice, but Roy kept lookin’ over at ya tonight.”

Britta felt her face warm. She’d noticed, all right, just as she’d noticed Roy at other times. Secretly she wondered if he might ask her out once she was old enough. Another whole year. It felt so far away.

Marnie continued, “Ya probably know he’s already sixteen, but as far as I know, Roy hasn’t asked a single girl out since he started goin’ to Singings a few months ago.”

Britta found this interesting. “Wonder why he hasn’t.”

Marnie laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand. “Why do ya think?”

“Uh, let’s not get the cart before the horse,” Britta said, suddenly embarrassed.