In the midst of a chilly yet sunny day nearly a week and a half later, Ellie’s father, husband, and brothers broke ground for the new Dawdi Haus near the one Dawdi Hezekiah lived in. Ellie and her mother donned their coats and went out to watch for the first little while, remarking how nice it would be for Mamm and Dat to move in sometime in early spring.

“The time’ll go quick,” Mamm said, glancing at her. “You and Sol should be comfortable for now, we hope.”

“Sol loves our room high in the eaves.” Ellie smiled, remembering how on their wedding night, he’d asked how cold it got in the winter up there. Then right away he shook his head, saying they would keep each other warm.

On the walk back to the main house, Ellie wished Dat would have at least written the owner of the land over northeast. If Mr. George Stewart wouldn’t budge on the price, then so be it. But they couldn’t know without trying.

Once Ellie had helped redd up the kitchen following supper on Thanksgiving evening, she went to see Dawdi, who was suffering from a flare-up of his rheumatism. “Weather related,” he’d said during the noon meal as Lydia, Jonah, Rudy, and their families gathered around Mamm’s long trestle table.

“You haven’t been tellin’ your family stories lately,” Ellie said presently, sitting on the settee near Dawdi’s chair. “I miss hearin’ them.”

“My tall tales?” He chuckled as he balanced a hot water bottle on his right knee.

“Oh, now. I wasn’t ever the one to say that.”

Dawdi smiled at her. “Married life seems to suit ya. You’re like a fancy light bulb, ya know . . . always a-glowin’.”

“Never happier,” she said, smiling.

“From the first day Sol came to work for us years ago, I knew he was somethin’ special. I daresay God gives us old folk a gut measure of wisdom.”

“Can’t argue that.” Ellie paused, thinking that now might be a good time to tell him the thing that was pressing on her heart. “Maybe you can reassure me ’bout somethin’, Dawdi.”

“I’ll give it a try, Ellie-girl.” He frowned, eyeing her. “What’s troublin’ ya?”

She considered how this could affect him—all of them, really. “It’s just that I haven’t heard from Evan in quite a while.” She sighed.

Dawdi shifted his weight. “Well, keep in mind there’s no tellin’ where he could be fighting.” He looked toward the window. “Or what conditions he might be in.”

Ellie hoped she hadn’t upset Dawdi, who looked so solemn now. “Mamm hasn’t said anything ’bout not hearin’ from Evan, either, so I’m not sure I want to bring it up to her. Surely she would’ve told Dat if she was worried, but that doesn’t mean he’d mention it to me.”