Setting the paper aside on her desk, Ellie thought of writing to Leah, but she decided to wait so she could tell her about the next Singing. Leah will understand—and be excited—once she reads what I’ll be telling her.

The next morning after breakfast, Dat asked Ellie if she’d seen yesterday’s paper.

“It’s up in my room,” she replied, setting down the tea towel. “Should I run an’ get it?”

Dat waved it off. “It can wait.”

But he looked puzzled, so she went ahead and told him her dream. “Been hopin’ we might buy land somewhere nearby, so I’ve been readin’ the land-sale ads.”

Dat straightened, eyebrows raised. “Is that right? You’ve been a-hankerin’ for cherries and plums?” he asked, running his hand through his beard.

Ellie nodded.

Dat glanced at Mamm as she offered him coffee in a thermos. “What do ya think, Elisabeth? Do we need more fruit trees, maybe?”

“Well, that’s up to yous to decide.” Mamm smiled.

“So there ya have it, Ellie. Keep on lookin’ and let me know what ya find.”

Ellie said she would, then picked up the towel to continue wiping the dishes, delighted that her father was on board.

The following Saturday afternoon, Ellie helped Dat wash down the family carriage and all its windows, too. She curried Captain, and Dat cleaned and oiled the horse’s feet. When the harness was clean, Dawdi Hezekiah checked the battery for the lights and the fluid for the brakes—all this before suppertime.

Ellie could scarcely think of anything but seeing Sol at Singing tomorrow evening. She didn’t want to hold her breath, but they had talked quite a few times in the orchard during his first week back. Sol was still favoring his wounded ear and right hand, but he was able to do a few things with one hand—especially thinning apples, one at a time. It was apparent he was determined to do whatever he could, and Dat had noticed his perseverance, too.

She was sure Sol was feeling better as each day passed, and when he and Ellie were alone in the orchard, he’d mentioned that he no longer wanted to double-date—something he’d said with a twinkle in his eyes. Ellie had nodded her agreement, thinking how much she looked forward to their first real date.

Ellie was pleased that Mamm had invited Jonah, Rudy, Lydia, and their families over for homemade ice cream after Preaching and the fellowship meal the next day. It had been a while since they’d all come at once for a visit. She’d sensed that her mother missed Evan and needed the comfort of spending time with her family. Jonah must have picked up on it, too, because he volunteered to come directly rather than following their usual routine—heading home to get their younger children down for naps after the long morning of sermons.