“It’s not listed in the ad.”

Dat pointed. “I see a farmhouse and a few large trees toward the back of the property. I’ll come back first thing tomorrow to talk to the owner.”

They walked a bit farther, then returned to the buggy and Sol. Ellie couldn’t help but notice the spring in her father’s step.

Lyle felt the mattress move when Elisabeth rose the next morning. She’d told him she’d be up by four because she and Ellie planned to ride with a Mennonite woman to the historic Central Market in downtown Lancaster. They wanted to set up before the doors opened at six o’clock.

Rolling over, Lyle rested a while longer, the acreage he and Ellie had walked along yesterday very much on his mind. He was fairly sure the price would be higher than he could afford, but for Ellie’s sake—and the family’s—he would dicker on the amount with the owner, George Stewart, a man he’d never met.

After a cup of hot black coffee, he made his way out to the stable to hitch up Captain to the spring wagon, then headed down the road.

He soon learned that George was spending the winter in Florida, but his daughter gave Lyle a phone number where he could be reached.

“Might I have your father’s mailing address instead?” Lyle asked the young English woman after she gave him the price for the land. “I only use the shanty phone for emergencies.”

“Sure,” she replied, apparently surprised. “But if it’s the price you’re concerned about,” she added, “it’s not negotiable.”

“I see.” Lyle thanked her and headed toward his waiting horse and wagon. Well, I guess that’s that.

Three different groups of relatives—aunts, uncles, and cousins—stopped by with wedding gifts that Preaching Sunday after the fellowship meal. Ellie and Sol visited with each one, thanking them for their kindness. Invariably, someone mentioned the new sign out front, and Ellie kindly asked if they’d be willing to spread the word about her selling cider by the cup. “Mamm and I have apple butter now, too,” she added.

“Have ya thought of sellin’ door-to-door?” one of Dat’s older cousins asked. “Maybe hot cider by the mug?” The man chortled.

Standing by Ellie’s side, Sol clarified that she was working extra hard to earn funds to restore the burned section of the orchard.

Ellie looked up at him, thankful he’d defended her, even though she felt sure the cousin was just joshing.