“I’m surprised ya held it together this long,” he said as he helped her up. Sol reached for the lantern and carried it while holding her hand. “Let’s get ya to bed.”

“I’m sorry for givin’ ya a scare.”

“Nee . . . no need to apologize.”

Together, they made their way up the stairs, and he tucked her in as the sky was beginning to show a semblance of light over the eastern horizon. Sol pulled down the shade and dressed for the day’s work, then said he’d let Mamm know Ellie needed to sleep a while longer.

Ellie gave in to slumber as he left the room.

Two days later, Ellie realized she must pay Cheryl Herr a visit. She should know why Evan hasn’t written, she thought, telling only Sol where she was going with the two-wheeled horse-drawn cart. Ellie had told him all she knew about Evan’s relationship with the young woman.

When she arrived at the Herr home a mile and a half away, a woman answered the back door, and Ellie quickly said who she was. “I’d like to talk with Cheryl if she’s home.”

“Yes, she’s here.” The woman was clad in a brown long-sleeved blouse and a short, tight-fitting vest with a pattern of brown, rust, and tan diamonds over a brown wool A-line skirt. She opened the storm door to Ellie. “Please, come in. I’m Cheryl’s mother, Gladys. May I take your coat and scarf?”

“Denki, but I won’t stay long.”

“Well, have a seat while you wait.” Then she pulled out one of the kitchen chairs for her and said, “I’ll let her know you’re here” before quickly disappearing from sight. Ellie sat down and leaned into the cushiony comfort of the chair, quite different from the hard wooden chairs at home. Across the room, a coppertone stove had a matching hood, and the windows near the table were adorned by two-tiered curtains with a design of apples and oranges. The room was as colorful as any she’d ever seen, overly decorated with equally bright plates hung on the wall.

An artificial ivy draped over the end of the far cupboard. On an apple-red corner table, framed family photos were on display, including one particularly large one of Cheryl in her high school graduation cap and gown. Ellie also noticed a photo of Jack wearing an army uniform.

What if we had a framed photo of Evan like that?

Ellie shook the thought away as she heard footsteps.

Cheryl appeared. “Hi, Ellie.”

“Hullo,” she replied, still feeling frustrated with Cheryl but no longer angry. “Will ya sit with me?”

“Sure.” Cheryl frowned a little as she sat in one of the other kitchen chairs.