It didn’t take long for Ellie to learn that Reuben Miller was exceptionally outgoing and a good conversationalist, and the way Leah beamed at him while they all sat around Nan’s table made Ellie joyful. With his open, friendly manner, it was easy to see why Leah had fallen for auburn-haired Reuben. He reminded her of her brother Rudy, who worked as their salesman at the family store and on market days. Reuben had a similar winning smile and apparent ease around people, strangers or not.

Ellie glanced at Sol as they enjoyed Nan’s tasty goodies there at the table. As he interacted with Reuben, she sensed that her husband approved of his sister’s choice. On the walk down the hill after their visit, Ellie asked Sol his thoughts on his future brother-in-law.

“I have no doubt Reuben will be a wunnerbaar addition to our family. In fact, he and your Dawdi Hezekiah would be a fine pair of storytellers, jah?”

Ellie laughed. “I thought of that, too, while Reuben was telling about his squirrel-catching days when he was a boy. I really think he and Dawdi would be fond of each other.”

“I’m not sure when their paths would ever cross, though,” Sol said, a ring of melancholy in his voice.

“True,” Ellie said sadly.

Lyle scrutinized their much smaller kitchen while Elisabeth assembled ingredients for a carrot cake with creamy frosting.

“It’ll be a tight squeeze tomorrow, even though we’ll be hosting just part of the family for dinner,” his wife said.

“But when everyone comes, like for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’ll still gather over at the main house, jah?”

“Makes sense, and Ellie and Sol will be happy to have us all.”

“The women can pitch in with side dishes like before, ain’t so?”

Elisabeth stopped her baking and gave him a quick hug. “You have no idea what all goes into these big doin’s, do ya, love?”

“Doubt I could even cook a potato without askin’ directions,” he said, admitting the truth with a chuckle.

“S’pose that says it all.”

“Well, it’s just one of the reasons I married ya.” He gave her a wink.

Elisabeth smiled and turned her attention back to the moist, delicious cake she planned to serve tomorrow when Lydia, Rudy, and their families came for Easter dinner, the celebration falling this year on an off-Sunday from church. Jonah and his family were going to Priscilla’s parents’ for Easter dinner, and Sol and Ellie would be up yonder with the Bontragers.

“I’m wonderin’ when that landowner fella will tell me where and when he wants to meet,” Lyle mentioned. This had been playing on his mind.

“I’m still wonderin’ what Ellie wrote him to get this kind of response!”

Lyle laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she played on his heartstrings.”

Elisabeth turned toward him, eyes wide. “You think she’d do that?”