The next morning—pulling the red wagon Dat purchased for her and Evan when they were little—Ellie took thermoses of cold water out to the orchard. Solomon was picking Yellow Transparent apples while standing on metal stilts. She could see that he was being careful not to bruise the branches or the fruit. His striking golden-blond hair, so like Evan’s, stood out from that of the other workers, who were over emptying their harvest crates into the waiting market wagon.

As always, Sol was kind as he thanked her for the water.

“Happy to help,” she said, wondering if now was a good time to ask him something. “Say, has Evan talked to ya at all ’bout the draft lottery?”

“Nee, but I’ve heard about his number from Jonah, Rudy, and Titus.”

“It’s strange, really—not sure what Evan’s thinkin’.”

“Seems to me he’s preoccupied with the outside world.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “Sure hope I’m not speakin’ out of turn.”

“Nee, you’re right. He’s got at least one foot there.”

After a momentary pause, Sol said, “Leah says she’s been keepin’ in touch with you at least once a week by mail.”

“Jah. In fact, I got a letter from her just yesterday.”

Sol nodded pensively from where he was still perched on his metal stilts. His half-full harvest crate was strapped securely to his brawny shoulders and around his waist. “I have to say it’s still strange with Leah gone,” he told her. “Her place next to Mamm is empty at meals, left that way on purpose for when she returns.”

Ellie noticed Sol’s tone soften, and she understood how close he was to his sister. Like I am to Evan. “It’s sad not seein’ Leah at Singings and the summer gatherings—and knowin’ she’s not just up the road anymore.”

Sol removed a kerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow. “My parents are hopin’ she won’t be gone too long, but that’s up to Leah to decide.”

“She wrote that she’s still homesick, so maybe that means she’ll be ready to come home soon.” Even though it was the honest truth, she didn’t add that there was no better friend for her than Leah. Cousin Ruthann was a close second, for certain, but Ellie had never fully shared her heart with her. No reason to when I always had Leah to talk to, she thought as Sol opened the thermos and took a long drink.

“I thought there’d be a trial period, but she seems to love working there. Says she feels called to help this woman.”

Ellie smiled. “She was rather insistent ’bout that very thing when she first told me about goin’.”