They headed back up the hill and around to the haymow door, where Leah’s very handsome twenty-year-old cousin Menno Bontrager was about to enter. Seeing them, he quickly stepped aside and waited.

“Denki,” Ellie said, finding her voice at last. She recalled the first time the rather shy Menno had ever spoken to her—maybe five years ago now. She’d been waiting in the rain for Dat to pick her up from market when Menno came running outside and handed her a big black umbrella. “I don’t need it,” he’d said before dashing across the field toward home in the drenching downpour.

She smiled at the memory—ah, those golden-brown eyes!

“Nice night, ain’t?” Menno said presently, his light brown bangs all fluffy and clean beneath his straw hat.

Ellie nodded, surprised he’d spoken to her.

“You’re practically late,” Leah said, scolding him.

“Well, I stopped to give a hitchhiker a lift.”

“Oh,” Leah said kindly, like she regretted chiding him.

“That was gut of ya,” Ellie said, wondering if the hitchhiker was one of the many wounded soldiers all over the county. They were everywhere across Lancaster, it seemed, military boys who’d returned home injured. And then there are those like Jack Herr who never made it home at all.

Ellie followed Leah inside and sat at the long table with her. Our last Singing together for now, she thought wistfully, remembering how she’d felt at their first-ever Singing three years ago. She’d been nervous at the thought of being invited to ride with one of the fellows in his courting carriage. She would have preferred to stay home, actually, spending the evening talking with Mamm or reading a good book. Over time, though, she’d become accustomed to attending Singings and other youth activities. Having Leah there most of the time helped.

Now the fellows were wandering over to the table, preparing to stop visiting and sing. But Ellie’s heart—and her singing voice—was far from ready to join in. With Evan skipping out tonight and Leah suddenly moving away, Ellie felt as limp as days-old lettuce.

5

Ellie stood with Cousin Ruthann near the refreshment table after Singing, planning to bake cookies for two elderly shut-ins in the church district. “Kumme en mei Haus on Thursday morning,” Ellie suggested, wanting something to look forward to after Leah’s leaving.

“Ach, what’s wrong?” Ruthann said, stepping closer and adjusting the shoulder strap on her purse. “You look discouraged.”

Struggling with what to say since Leah had asked her to keep her news quiet for the time being, Ellie said with a heavy exhale, “I’m a little out of sorts.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”