“She’s comin’ for sure,” Ellie whispered, delighted. She read the last pages, which focused mainly on Leah’s activities with the children—shopping for fall clothes and shoes, visiting the library every other week, and playing at a nearby park. And Leah had recently helped the children make cards for their mother’s upcoming birthday.

Ellie finished reading the letter, then headed around to the side door. The screen door flew open, and Evan rushed out.

“Ach, such a hurry! Dummel dich net!” she said.

“Sorry. Runnin’ late,” he called over his shoulder after hurrying past her.

“To see Cheryl again?”

Evan stopped in his tracks and turned around. “She’s become very special to me, Ellie.”

“But she ain’t Amish.”

Evan shook his head.

“Is she interested in the Plain life?”

“Are ya kidding?” He grimaced. “She won’t even ride in my buggy!”

Ellie briefly wondered how they got around or if they only visited at her house.

“She wants to see me as much as possible before I leave for boot camp.”

“How will ya know when you’ll be goin’?”

“Well, Cheryl said Jack had to leave about a month after he received his induction notice.”

“So you’ll be around for a while yet. That’s gut.” Ellie felt a measure of relief. “We’ll get to spend some time together.”

Evan frowned. “Maybe not so much as ya want. Dat thinks I’m a bad influence.”

“He said that?”

“I can just tell.”

“But you’re mei Bruder.”

“We’re a world apart now, Ellie.” He sounded almost sad.

“Well, who’s responsible for that?” She barely got the words out.

“You’re joinin’ church, and I’m joinin’ the army.” He looked at the ground and scuffed his shoe against the grass. “Don’t hate me for spreadin’ my wings.”

“I could never hate ya,” she whispered. “But I still don’t understand.” She gritted her teeth so she wouldn’t cry as he turned and hurried toward the carriage shed.

After Bible reading and prayers with her parents and Dawdi that evening, Ellie stayed in the front room and told Mamm about Leah’s letter. “When she said she hated missing my baptism vow, it brought tears to my eyes.”

Her mother listened, nodding. “Her heart will be with yours on that day, I’m sure.”

“It just feels like I’m movin’ ahead without her.”

Mamm blinked slowly as she studied her. “Baptism is a result of your own heart’s desire to follow the Lord, Ellie. Not Leah’s, nor anyone else’s. When you kneel before Bishop Mast in front of the congregation, your vow will be between you and almighty God.”

Ellie dabbed at her eyes.

“I pray this will be a testimony to Evan, if he hasn’t already left for military training by then,” Mamm added.