I wonder, too, Ellie thought, seeing Sol’s younger brother, Aaron, enter the haymow door alone at that moment. She looked around but saw no sign of Sol. Maybe he’s not up to coming to Singing quite yet, she thought, saddened by the realization he might not be there.

Lyle took his time returning home, as he sometimes did after taking Ellie to Singing. He’d wanted to make sure she’d be free to accept a young fellow’s invitation to ride in his courting buggy. Since Evan’s leaving, this small responsibility had fallen to him, and he liked having the time alone to think.

Months ago, Lyle had presumed Ellie was seeing someone. He’d guessed Leah’s cousin Menno, but he wasn’t the type of parent to wait up to see who was bringing her home. Here lately, though, surely the love lights in Sol’s eyes whenever Ellie was around were a giveaway. He and Elisabeth couldn’t be more pleased if what they guessed about their daughter and Sol was the honest truth. And, of course, they’d done what they could to make certain the two of them had opportunities to visit during those first weeks of his recovery.

All the same, Ellie had been rather closed-lipped tonight, he thought, chuckling to himself. Like I was back when I fell head over heels for Elisabeth. Ah, young love.

With all the fellows and girls in their places, it was time to begin singing. The host and hostess had made their announcements, and the last of the stragglers had arrived and slid the barn door shut.

But Sol was not among them.

Ellie was disappointed but refused to feel glum. Sol hadn’t actually mentioned taking her out tonight, but he had made it clear he was no longer in favor of double-dating with anyone.

As she sang with the others, Ellie anxiously wondered if something else had kept Sol from coming. Was he not feeling okay? Or was he uncertain about courting her with his limitations after all?

Then, just as quickly, she caught herself, even shaking her head in the middle of a song. Surely Sol understood that she cared about him just as he was. Hadn’t she made that clear?

The last half of Singing was a test of Ellie’s resolve as she tried not to let on how concerned she was about Sol. Thankfully, Ruthann never once asked what was wrong, so Ellie knew she’d managed to put on a pleasant face despite her troubled emotions.

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