It was all Ellie could do to slow her pace enough to match Mamm’s as they walked down the hill toward home. Oh, she wanted to run, to fly! But the spring in her step might give away the reason for her exhilaration, and Ellie wanted to keep this latest talk with Sol close to her heart for now. Besides, she and Sol wouldn’t be going out as a couple till he was stronger, but knowing he wanted to court her made the evening sky seem brighter and the orchard in the near distance all the more beautiful.

The very next day in the mailbox, Ellie found the letter from Leah she’d been anticipating. Glancing at the postmark, she saw that Leah had sent the letter on Monday morning, two days ago.

So she’s received both Sol’s and my letters, Ellie thought, making her way back up their lane with its leafy green maples.

She had waited to check for mail just before suppertime since she’d worked in the orchard right up until then. Going up the side steps and around to the back part of the porch, she plopped down onto the glider and tore open the letter.

Dear Ellie,

You’re such a good friend to me . . . and to Sol. When I saw your handwriting in his letter, my heart fell. It’s a frightening and very sad world around us, ain’t so? But I’m so glad there are kind and caring friends like you and your family. What would Sol have done otherwise? I’m so glad you can encourage him as he gets better. If I were there, I’d do the same, for sure.

Well, can you believe that it’s been nearly a year since I left Bird-in-Hand? May twelfth it was, and you nearly cried when I came to say good-bye, I remember. You never knew it, but I wept all the way home that day, hating to leave my closest friend and my family behind. But if I hadn’t taken that risk, I probably never would have met Reuben. Oh, I wish you could meet him, Ellie. Goodness, I wish Sol could, too, and my parents. As you may have guessed, we’ve started to court now, and I enjoy spending time with him as much as anyone I’ve ever known.

As always, I can’t wait to hear back from you.

Your friend,
Leah

Ellie pondered Leah’s words. She’d sometimes imagined how she might feel when or if she received this sort of news from Leah. She won’t be moving back home, Ellie thought, but it didn’t bother her the way she’d expected. She’ll be so surprised when Sol and I start courting!

The dinner bell was ringing, summoning her, Dawdi, and Dat inside for supper.