But that was more than two months ago, and Ellie hadn’t shared anything more. He assumed she was still hearing from Evan occasionally, because he’d seen the APO address on the front of envelopes. When he did, it would hit him again, and mighty hard, that Evan was gone from the People, fighting in a war he should’ve never been a part of.

While he’d thought a few times of writing his son, he hadn’t known where to start. But now he felt a sudden sense of urgency to sit down and share his thoughts with Evan.

He went to the front room, located a pad of paper and pen, and wrote.

Dear Evan,

I think of you and pray daily. But in case you wonder because of my silence, I want you to know how much I love you, son.

On Saturday evening, Sol came to visit Ellie with Shadow. Together, they strolled through the backyard, the air warm and breezy. The clouds opened up to let the sunshine through as they made their way past the Dawdi Haus, where Dawdi Hezekiah was watering multicolored petunias in his nearby flower bed. They waved, and Dawdi waved back, beaming.

“You’ve got yourselves a chaperone,” Dawdi said, pointing at the dog.

Sol chuckled.

When they were deep into the orchard, he reached for Ellie’s hand. “Anymore, I dislike our partings. I’ve been missin’ ya,” he said, “even though I see ya practically every day. I hate goin’ home. Guess my heart’s stuck right here.”

She nodded, her heart in tune with his. Each time they said good-night, she longed to have more time together. “I feel the same way.”

He stopped walking then, still holding her hand as he removed his straw hat. “I know how we’d never have to say good-bye again,” he said, smiling down at her. “And I want that, if you do.” He paused, his eyes sparkling. “That is, if you’ll marry me.” His eyes searched hers. “I love ya, Ellie.”

She held his gaze. “Jah, I’ll be your bride, Sol. I love you, too.”

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m the happiest man on earth, here in this beautiful orchard where we first became friends.” He opened his arms to her, and she moved toward him, her cheek resting against his shirt and suspender.

The dog nosed between them, tail wagging fast.

“Shadow approves,” she said, laughing, then stepping back. “When shall we wed?” she asked, holding her breath now, the reality sinking in.

“How ’bout as soon as wedding season starts?”

“First Tuesday in November,” she said, although he surely knew when that was.

He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “November second . . . two and a half months away,” he whispered.

“Can we be ready in time?”