Right then she knew it wouldn’t go over well if she said Dat approved of her friends, not with the mood Evan was in. “Maybe you can sleep on it some more—and pray ’bout it, too. Prayin’ always helps me.” She glanced at him. “Remember what Dawdi Hezekiah likes to say: ‘You’ll be smarter in the mornin’.’”

Evan walked a few more steps before he turned to her. “I wasn’t gonna tell ya what I told Dat, Ellie.” He looked up at the sky again, squinting now, like he wasn’t sure if he should say it at all. “But now, maybe . . .”

“What is it?”

After inhaling slowly, he said, “When I went to the local draft board on my eighteenth birthday, I didn’t register as a conscientious objector.”

Ellie was stunned. “But you could be drafted and sent off to war!”

Evan shrugged. “The chances of my getting a low lottery number are prob’ly slim.”

“Ach, Evan. Won’t ya think more ’bout this? Seems awful risky. I mean, if ya went, you’d be goin’ against everything we believe in as peacemakers.” And you could die in combat, like Jack.

“I’m sorry, Ellie. I shouldn’t have told ya. But if other men are willing to fight against the spread of communism, why shouldn’t I?”

“Ain’t sure I understand, but I’m glad ya told me.”

“Please don’t worry, though.”

How can I not? she thought, sad as they started back to the house.

The days passed, and soon it was Thursday, May seventh—Ascension Day—when all the Amish businesses in Lancaster County closed to commemorate Christ’s return to heaven after His resurrection.

Ellie’s parents and Dawdi Hezekiah had taken time to dress like they were going to Preaching service, then left with Captain, their fastest road horse, hitched to the family carriage to visit relatives in Bird-in-Hand for the day, not far away.

Evan had chosen which special event for the youth he and Ellie should attend and decided on the one at Zeke Mast’s farm on Weavertown Road. Zeke was the bishop’s oldest son, and a barbecue was planned as well as a volleyball tournament. Ellie was glad they didn’t have to ride past the Herr farm on the way. Maybe not having another reminder of Jack would keep her brother’s mood light today.

“You ever gonna tell me who ya like, Ellie?” Evan’s blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he held the driving lines to Cupcake, the mare Dat bought him three years ago.

“I told ya, I’m not tellin’.” She was a little tired from lying awake last night, still worried over what Evan had revealed to her more than two weeks ago. She really just wanted to pretend that conversation hadn’t happened. It did feel good to see her brother smiling again, though.

“What if I try an’ guess his name?” he teased.