“Okay, Mamm.”

Leah laughed. “Remember when I’d always remind ya to wear your mittens at recess when we were little?”

Ellie smiled. “You were like a big sister to me.”

“But not a bossy one, I hope.” Leah smoothed her black apron over her green dress.

Ellie giggled mischievously. “Oh, never that!”

“Okay, maybe a little pushy.”

Ellie laughed again.

The sleigh ride to the deacon’s home, where the youth were gathering, was extra fun as Ellie sat with Leah. Sol and Aaron were up front chattering in Deitsch as Sol held the driving lines. They were both dressed in black church clothes, coats, and felt hats, and Aaron had on his black earmuffs as well. He was teasing Sol because he’d left his at home “on purpose.”

Leah whispered that she thought Aaron was showing off for them.

“Maybe Sol wants to look nice for Ruthann.”

“Could be.” Leah adjusted her black woolen scarf at her neck. “I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ die Youngie again.”

“It won’t bother ya to see Josh, I hope.”

“Not at all.”

She’s over him, Ellie thought, glad for Leah’s sake.

“Say, Ellie, I’ve been enjoyin’ your fudge,” Sol said over his shoulder. “Denki.”

“Glad ya like it.”

“Sol’s still not sharing,” Leah said, laughing.

Aaron nodded emphatically.

Sol glanced over his shoulder. “Well, it’s my gift.”

“I’ll send some more for yous,” Ellie replied.

Aaron turned around. “Ya would, really?”

Ellie nodded. “Sure, it’s Christmas. All my favorite neighbors get some sweets!”

Leah giggled. “Can you believe these two, Ellie? Brothers!”

Ellie was amused, but it also made her remember how she and Evan bantered over trivial things. How she missed having him around for Christmas!

After a long day of clearing away clipped tree branches with his pitchfork and then burning them to thwart the spread of disease, Lyle was glad to simply listen to Elisabeth read Evan’s recent letter at bedtime. Every so often, her voice quavered and she would stop to gather herself before starting again, but he was mighty thankful, if not relieved, that Evan continued to write to them as well as to Ellie.

It amazed him how appreciative Evan sounded about receiving their letters. More like the way he used to be, Lyle thought, watching his wife’s dear face. According to Evan, the bishop had written him “yet another letter,” and so had Sol Bontrager and others.

God’s love comes in unexpected ways.