She bit her lip, staying there as Evan left the front room. Then, hearing him talking to their parents and Dawdi out in the kitchen, she moved to the front windows and stared out at the sad gray sky, waiting. Evan had let them know Cheryl was coming to drive him to the bus station.

How will our days be without him?

———

While Evan was saying good-bye to his mother and grandfather in the kitchen, Lyle grabbed his sweater from the utility room and pulled it on. Then he buttoned it up as he headed out the side door with his youngest son, down the porch steps, and across the yard.

Unexpectedly, Evan paused and turned to face him. “I don’t want ya worried ’bout me, Dat.”

“Nee,” Lyle said, even though he felt a tearing in his heart. “I’ll be prayin’, though . . . never doubt it.” With that, he clamped his hand solidly on Evan’s shoulder. “Every day, son, I’ll ask the Lord for your safe homecomin’ and for Him to help ya find your way back to Him and the People.”

Straight-faced, Evan gave a swift nod, then turned toward the lane tall and erect, his shoulders squared.

Lyle drew a ragged breath and stared at his son’s back, stamping the image on his memory. “Keep in touch when ya can,” he called.

When a car pulled up, Evan turned briefly and raised his hand to wave. Then he opened the back door and threw in his bag before slipping in to the front passenger seat. The car sped away.

Clenching his teeth, Lyle stood there, heart pounding. When he turned toward the house, he saw Ellie at the front window, her forehead pressed against the pane. He looked away lest she was crying and trudged up the porch steps to the side entrance.

He found Elisabeth not in the kitchen but sitting in the front room, one hand covering her face. He went to her and, leaning over, kissed her cheek. “Evan’s on his way.” He assumed Daed had returned to the Dawdi Haus.

Elisabeth looked up at him, her face marked with tears.

“How’s Ellie?” he asked. “Saw her at the window.” He knelt beside her chair.

“She ran upstairs just now.” Elisabeth leaned her head against his for the longest time. “Gut thing I’m caught up on my chores,” she said. “I have not a speck of energy left.”

“What can I get for you? Anything from the kitchen? Warm tea, maybe?”

She wiped tears away. “I’ll just sit here a while.”

“Well, if you’re sure . . .”

Nodding, she smiled weakly. “Why not let the others do the harvesting today, Lyle? They’ll understand.”

“It’ll do me gut to do my share.” Slowly, he rose and left the room, then made his way through the length of the house, pausing to look at Evan’s spot at the kitchen table.