The following Saturday afternoon, a long, newsy letter arrived from Leah, thanking Ellie for writing about that never-to-be-forgotten Baptism Sunday. You made it so easy to picture everything you shared about joining church. Leah also wrote that an Amish family from market had volunteered to pick her up for their Preaching service every other week, so she was finally able to attend church again.

I’m so glad, Ellie thought, happy to hear that Leah was enjoying fellowship with some of the People out there.

17

The following Monday, Ellie rose early to kneel beside her bed as usual. It was the day of Evan’s scheduled departure for his physical and induction, and like on each of the days leading up to this one, she asked God to help her brother survive the war.

After the prayer, she read from her Bible, then dressed and raised her window shades to look out at the acres of fruit trees while winding her hair neatly into its usual thick bun. “Two long years without Evan,” she murmured.

His future role as orchard manager was “up in the air now,” Mamm had told her yesterday with a somber look. Ellie had assumed Dat and Jonah would oversee things, though with the recent huddles she’d seen between the two, she had to wonder what would be decided. I have some ideas to discuss with Dat, too.

Downstairs, Ellie discovered a hot breakfast casserole made with ham, scrambled eggs, shredded potatoes, and cheese topped by a hearty white sauce. It didn’t surprise her that Mamm had risen extra early to make this special farewell breakfast. Despite their concern, her parents had not changed one iota in showing compassion toward their wayward son.

After the tasty breakfast, Ellie asked Evan to go into the front room with her. There, she handed him an envelope. “Open it when ya get settled in at Fort Polk, okay?”

He grimaced. “I didn’t write anything for you.”

“It’s just some late-night thoughts,” she told him. “You’ll write me when ya can.”

“Well, there won’t be much time for letter writing the first two weeks of boot camp, I’m afraid.”

“I can wait.” She nodded, a lump in her throat. “I’ll be prayin’ for you every day.”

He smiled fleetingly and placed the envelope in a zippered pouch on the outside of his duffel bag. “Take care of yourself, Ellie.”

“You too.” She’d barely eked out the words.

He frowned suddenly. “I’m not too sure how an Amish guy’s gonna fit in with . . .” He pressed his lips together hard.

“Oh, Evan . . .” She reached to quickly hug him.

He straightened and seemed to gather his wits. “S’pose I should go say good-bye to the rest of the family.”