The annual Christmas supper for die Youngie was held on Tuesday, December twenty-second, at Bishop Mast’s farmhouse. His wife, Tessie, had strung up red and green paper chains over the doorways of their large basement, and handmade pinecone wreaths with red velvet bows hung in the windows all across one long wall.

Ellie was happy to double-date with Sol and Ruthann, who for some reason seemed especially pleased to welcome her and Menno along on the buggy ride. The four of them sat together at the table, too.

While they waited for others to arrive, Menno leaned forward and asked Sol, “Say, what would ya think of the four of us goin’ sledding on Deacon Lapp’s big hill tomorrow afternoon?”

“All right with you, Ruthann?” Sol asked.

“Sure, it’ll be fun.”

“I’ll bring our big sled,” Sol added.

Ruthann grinned. “We have a small one. Should I bring that?”

“We’ll only need two large sleds—one per couple,” Menno said. “I’ll bring ours.”

“And I’ll ask to borrow our family sleigh and pick the three of yous up,” Sol said. “Okay?”

Ellie looked forward to going sledding for the first time this season. And it was obvious how excited Ruthann and Sol were about it.

After the meal of savory meat loaf, baked potatoes, and cooked carrots had been capped off with a dessert of chocolate cake and ice cream, Ellie and Menno mingled for a while with her cousin Sarah Ann Hostetler and her date for the evening, Menno’s longtime friend Chester Riehl.

The bishop came over and asked Ellie about Evan. “I’ve written to him several times,” he told her.

“Evan mentioned that in a recent letter,” Ellie said.

“I don’t want him to think he’s been forgotten.”

“That’s gut of ya, Bishop.” Especially after everything you’ve undoubtedly heard about him.

Menno and Ellie wandered back to the spot where they’d sat at the table. “I wonder if ya checked the mail today?” Menno asked her, looking like he was trying to squelch a smile.

“I was busy getting ready for tonight,” she said, smiling. “Why?”

He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. “If somethin’ didn’t arrive today, then it will tomorrow.”

Since Menno only occasionally teased her, she enjoyed it all the more. “I’ll look forward to whatever ya sent.”

He chuckled under his breath, and Ellie could hardly wait to finish making her Christmas card for him.

Ellie had just finished making a big batch of fudge the next afternoon when she heard the mail truck. She hurried to the utility room and put on her coat and scarf, then rushed out to the road, eager to see if something from Menno had arrived. Sure enough, there was a package with her name on it.