“Speakin’ of the orchard,” she began, “Sol and I were talkin’ last night, and I’ve been thinking ’bout something since you returned. You’ve prob’ly guessed that Dat’s been training Sol and me ever since we married so we can manage things when he retires.”

Evan nodded. “Wise choice.”

“But since you’re makin’ plans to move forward with baptism and all, Sol and I are willin’ to back out of the business agreement with Dat.”

“Why would you do that?” Evan frowned. “No, Ellie. Even though it’s just like you to offer, you and I both know I don’t deserve it. And you must promise me not to approach Dat about it.”

“Won’t ya at least think ’bout it, Bruder?”

Evan shook his head. “You were the faithful twin. And with God’s blessing, you and Sol will succeed.” His expression grew even more serious. “I’ll be perfectly content to work alongside you both, once that time comes.”

She knew better than to argue with Evan. He was her elder brother, if only by several minutes. But even so, he was fiercely determined. And that was likely one of the reasons he’d survived in Vietnam. “All right. I won’t say anything to Dat. And I’ll let Sol know that you and I talked this over.”

A satisfied smile appeared. “Just so ya know, I have decided to take Dawdi up on his invitation to move over there, but I’d like to stay in my old room for another few nights.”

“Of course,” she replied, glad she’d have him under their roof for a little longer.

Evan continued. “I’ll be honored to look after Dawdi in his twilight years. That will help Dat and Mamm, too,” he said, his voice cracking. “I owe so much to my family.”

“Only love,” Ellie whispered, enjoying this precious time together.

“‘The greatest of these . . .’”

The natural way Evan spoke the Lord’s words brought joy to her heart. “I’ll be glad to have both you and Dawdi over for meals, and I s’pect Mamm will, too. So yous might never have to cook,” she said. “You could rotate between the two houses at mealtimes and never be lonely.”

“Sounds like a wonderful-good life to me.”

“For all of us, really.” A lump rose in her throat, seeing him there beside her—a dream come true.

43

That afternoon Lyle took Sol and Ellie along with him to meet with George Stewart. It was rather surprising to be welcomed so heartily when the man invited them into his sitting room.

Lyle sat across from George, who—out of the blue—immediately began to talk about his youngest son’s defection to Canada last year. “Being a veteran myself, I was horrified that my own son avoided the draft and ran off instead of serving this wonderful country. He was eventually caught—doing his time now.”