“My precious bride,” Sol whispered. “I’m mighty happy.”

She searched his beautiful hazel eyes. “I know that feelin’.” Ellie remembered what Mamm had told her about praying with Dat for her husband. “God knew all along ’bout this day, jah?”

Sol smiled and reached to open the door. “He was leading us, every step we took, to each other.”

Ellie followed him down the hall and to the stairs, looking forward to the wedding feast and greeting their kinfolk and friends.

The start of our new life, she thought, holding her husband’s hand.

35

Three days after the wedding, Ellie rode with Sol and Dat to look at available land in two different locations. During the short trip to East Lampeter to survey twenty acres described in a newspaper ad, Dat revealed that a number of guests had privately approached him during the wedding feast and slipped him money.

“Mighty surprising,” he said, mentioning that it was to be used toward preparing the burned acre for future replanting. “Some were quite sizeable gifts,” Dat shared in hushed tones. “Many relatives and friends wanted to help.”

“That’s very kind,” Ellie said, “and a little surprising when some had turned their backs on us.”

Sol was nodding. “Maybe things are turnin’ round at last?”

“Well, some former customers are still holdouts,” Dat replied.

“By the way,” Ellie interjected, “I made a sign that says Cider by the cup or jug and put it out front. We can make more money than by just sellin’ by the jug. And we can sell cider by the cup at market, too.”

Sol chuckled. “My dear bride’s bound and determined to do her part.”

Ellie laughed. “Mamm and I also made apple butter all day yesterday to take to Central Market tomorrow.”

Dat gave an approving nod. “Well, I appreciate everything you’re doin’, Ellie.”

“She’s on a mission,” Sol added.

“I just want things to return to normal,” she replied.

They arrived at the property in East Lampeter, and immediately Dat pointed out that the lay of the land wasn’t advantageous for planting lines of trees from north to south. “They need to be laid out that way to increase the amount of sun they receive each day. It’s also too flat here—we need drainage for the trees.”

“Ach, you’re right,” Ellie murmured, eyeing the spread of land. “I see that.”

“Might also be too far away from our present orchard,” Sol mentioned.

They traveled back toward Bird-in-Hand, a half mile northeast of their own orchard. This second acreage was so appealing that Ellie asked Dat if they could pull over and stop so they could look it over more closely.

Dat let Sol take over the driving lines while he and Ellie got out. “It’s grazing land, so that’s gut,” Dat said as they strolled along the roadside. “How many acres did ya say?”

“Fifteen.”

“Looks promising. What’s the askin’ price?”