“If so, have ya met any of his family yet, other than his preacher father?” Sol added. “And are ya getting serious with Reuben, or is it too soon to know?”

Ellie paused in her writing. “I was goin’ to ask her that, too,” she said softly.

He looked at her with confusion. “Sorry?”

Ellie repeated herself more loudly this time.

“Leah will know we both care ’bout her,” Sol said. “Well, she already knows.”

For the next few minutes, they forgot the letter and fell into their usual easy conversation, talking about their mutual concern that Leah hadn’t known Reuben long, not to mention that he lived clear out there in Chambersburg, and Leah’s family and all her relatives were here.

“’Tween you and me,” Sol said, “I hope this is just a passing fancy.”

“Leah’s not given to crushes, though.”

Sol frowned and cupped his left ear.

“I said, Leah’s not given to crushes.”

“Ah, true.”

Ellie moved her chair closer to the table, thinking that might help Sol hear her better. “You and Leah are open with each other, so surely she’ll tell ya how she feels ’bout Reuben.”

He nodded, looking more thoughtful. “Now, the hard part. How should I tell her about what happened to me?”

Ellie sat with the pen poised.

Sol breathed deeply. “I don’t want to frighten her with too many details.”

“To be honest, she’ll be worried with even the gist of it. I’m sure of it.”

“I prob’ly shouldn’t go into many details, then. I mean, by the time the letter arrives, I’ll be on the mend . . . I pray.” He smiled weakly. “It may take a while.”

Ellie looked at him. “It’s only been a day, Sol.”

“Well, should I even tell her ’bout the attack, or wait?”

“Wouldn’t you wanna know if she got hurt?” Ellie glanced down at the letter in progress. “Remember, I’ve already written that your hand’s hurt enough that you couldn’t write.”

“Puh! I forgot that. See what I mean? I’m still fuzzy in the head.” Sol frowned. “Okay, so what would you tell Evan if it was you?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t tell him anything right now, considering he’s scared to death over there.”

Sol’s head tilted as he looked over at her. “I thought he was itchin’ to go.”

Now she wasn’t sure if Evan had told her about his concern in confidence, and she suddenly felt at a loss to remember exactly what he’d said. “I s’pose anyone would be nervous goin’ into battle, but more so because Evan’s never known a life with violence.” She paused. “Ach, I’ve gone down a rabbit trail, I think. We were talking ’bout what to share with Leah.”

Sol laughed softly. “That makes two of us.”