Wednesday morning, Susie stared at the slant of sunlight falling across the counter in their little shop, thankful for this moment to reflect on Britta’s noticeably more joyful countenance since Monday evening. If she wasn’t mistaken, her little sister had the start of a crush on Roy Lantz, and it just might be the answer to Susie’s prayers for Britta’s “running-around” time, starting next year. Rumschpringe was for pairing up and meeting fellows in the church district, but for some, it was also a time to dip a toe into the outside world. Given Britta’s interest in her adoption, Susie had worried this time could also lead Britta to go in search of her biological family, potentially leading her away from the Amish church and the People. Her birth mother was English, after all. . . .

Susie considered her family’s losses. For her and Mamma, Britta’s going outside the Plain community to search for her family roots could be a sort of loss. Not on the same level of sorrow as Dat’s or Eli’s passing, of course. Still, it troubled Susie whenever her sister started asking questions about her past.

CHAPTER
26

Saturday evening, after a busy day at market, Susie was sweeping the back porch when Verena came by on her scooter and parked it at the end of the walkway. Glad to see her, Susie waved and went to meet her.

“Poor cousin! Aren’t you all sweaty,” Susie said, motioning Verena to go with her to the shade of the porch. “I’ll get you a cold drink,” she offered and hurried inside.

When she returned, Verena was seated on one of the porch chairs and fanning herself with the tail of her long black apron. She smiled, accepted the iced tea, and took several long drinks before continuing the fanning. “Gut thing I didn’t come over earlier,” she said as she wiped her face with a hankie. “Awful hot today.”

Susie agreed. “It was nice to be in air conditioning with Mamma at market most of the day.”

“Didn’t Britta go?” asked Verena, glancing around for her.

“She’s in Landisville again, helpin’ Polly with the children this weekend.”

“An extra pair of hands is a big help.”

“And little Joey thinks Britta’s the best thing since graham crackers.” Susie laughed and noticed her cousin’s face still glowed, though perhaps not so much from being overheated during her scooter ride. “You seem mighty happy this evening.”

“Ain’t I always?” Verena wiped her brow with a hankie.

“Jah, but there’s something different . . . something more. Am I right?”

“Could be that I’m in love.” Verena dipped her head, then she looked back at Susie. “And . . . engaged to marry Isaac Lapp on Thanksgiving Day.”

“This is wunnerbaar-gut news!”