Each time she let her mind wander down that path, she rebuked herself. What Dawdi Hezekiah said after first hearing the news was the right way to think. No need to borrow trouble. Evan was said to be only missing, and that was a powerful hope to cling to.

When Christmas Day finally arrived, all of Ellie’s siblings and their families came to celebrate. Every inch of the kitchen was filled with family members . . . except for Evan. Dat and Dawdi had set up three folding tables to accommodate the children, while a high chair was positioned beside the table, which had every one of its leaves in place.

Several times during the meal, Ellie noticed Sol looking at her from across the table, smiling as if to encourage her. And later that evening, before the two of them privately exchanged gifts, she breathed a prayer asking for strength to make it through till Evan was found. Yet what a struggle.

When Dat and Mamm headed upstairs early, Sol suggested they go and sit in the front room together. Ellie was pleased to have this time alone with her darling, and he made sure she sat to his right on the settee so he could hear her. Then he presented her with a wrapped box. Inside was a blue teapot with white trim and white cups and saucers. Her gift to him was a pair of thermal-insulated work gloves. “I noticed your old ones have seen better days,” she said.

“Practical gifts are best, love. Just what I needed.”

She nodded and thanked him for her lovely gift.

“You were so quiet today.” Sol slipped his arm around her. “I was worried ’bout ya.”

She gave him a smile. “Was remembering earlier Christmases when Evan was home.”

“I thought you were prob’ly missin’ him.” Her husband kissed her cheek.

She nodded but still didn’t want to share what Cheryl had revealed—that Jack had been declared missing, too. Not on Christmas. She hadn’t said anything about it to anyone. There was no need to add to the family’s anxiety. We’re all suffering enough . . . each in our own way.

37

In mid-January, Lyle sat working in the barn office after looking at another land option with Ellie earlier that morning. Sol had remained behind to prune apple trees with the rest of the crew, since all the burned trees had been removed last month. Today’s property had been a disappointment—too far away and too rocky for planting fruit trees.

Lyle recalled Ellie asking him weeks ago why he didn’t write George Stewart in Florida about the property they’d been so fond of. “What’s the use since it’s priced out of reach and he won’t budge?” he’d asked, though it did little to satisfy her.