Flurries were falling when Ellie’s sister-in-law Priscilla arrived after breakfast the next morning, bringing some of her own recipes for Ellie’s recipe box. While Ellie wouldn’t think of saying it, she wondered what it would be like to be the only cook in Mamm’s current kitchen. Come spring, Sol and I will be in charge of this big farmhouse. How will it be, just the two of us?

With Dat helping oversee the construction of the new addition, Ellie had been quite occupied with the business side of the orchard, so she was thankful when Priscilla and Mamm got busy making several loaves of bread and some pies. Ellie suspected Priscilla might be expecting their fifth child, though she hadn’t voiced it. It wasn’t their way to talk about a pregnancy . . . mentioned only very privately to adult sisters or mother.

And thinking about this, she wondered how her brother Rudy—eight years old at the time—had reacted to the surprise of twin babies when she and Evan were born. They were the only set of twins on both sides of the family.

Who could’ve known how very different Evan and I would become?

On the first day of February, Ellie smiled to see a letter from Leah in the mailbox. Leaning into the cold wind, she hurried up the long lane with Shadow at her side—Sol’s father’s wedding gift to him. Shadow scurried out to the barn, where it was warmer, as Ellie made her way inside the house. She stomped her boots on the rug in the kitchen hallway, then turned into the utility room and hung up her coat and scarf before blowing her warm breath on her icy hands. Should’ve worn my mittens.

Entering the kitchen, where Mamm was browning sausage for tonight’s chili soup, Ellie breathed in the scent of savory seasonings—onion, garlic, and chili powder. A pan of golden cornbread cooled on the counter.

She held up the envelope. “Do I have time to read Leah’s letter, or do ya need more help with supper?”

“Everything’s in the chili pot just waitin’ for the sausage. So go ahead, Ellie.”

She went into the front room and curled up on one of the comfortable reading chairs in the corner. Because of the heavy gray clouds, she held the letter up toward the window, not bothering to light a lantern.

Dear Ellie,

I’ve been thinking of you and your family and praying for some word about Evan. It’s good that Sol’s so caring, especially during this troubling time for you. I miss both of you so much!