At her writing desk, she scanned through the listings and found two properties of interest. She circled both a thirty-acre plot in Smoketown and a fifteen-acre plot in Ronks. Eager to have a look and nose around a bit, she imagined all the new fruit trees she so wished they could plant.

Ellie recalled sharing her secret desire with Evan before he left for basic training. He’d told her to talk to Dat about it.

I just need to get up the nerve.

A few days later, when Lyle returned to the house to fill up his coffee thermos, Elisabeth told him she’d found a shoebox of letters under Evan’s bed when she was dry mopping that morning. “The letters are from Jack Herr during his months of basic training and then after he went overseas. I’m not sure how I missed seein’ the box before,” she said. “I left it on Evan’s bed—”

“Nee, I won’t violate Evan’s privacy,” Lyle said. “Next time I’m up there, I’ll put the box under the bed and close the door.”

“Thought you’d want to know.” Elisabeth poured steaming hot coffee into the thermos.

“I appreciate it,” he said, pulling on his work gloves, then carrying the thermos back to the orchard. It was time he paid the bishop a visit to share some things he’d had on his mind for a while now.

After supper, Lyle hitched up Captain to the family carriage and headed to the bishop’s place. “Been meanin’ to visit with ya,” he said when the man of God came to the back door.

“Kumme en, Lyle.” Bishop took his coat, scarf, and black felt hat. “Happy to talk with ya anytime.”

Lyle followed him into the warm kitchen. Seeing Tessie at the sink washing dishes, he said, “It’s a private matter.”

“We’ll go to the front room,” Bishop replied.

Once they were seated across from each other, Lyle began to share how frustrated he was with their tradition of Rumschpringe. “Elisabeth found letters in Evan’s room this mornin’ from Jack Herr, our neighbor’s son who was killed in the war.”

Bishop nodded. “I recall hearin’ word of his passing.”

Lyle drew a long breath. “Our Evan was on the path to baptism. Seems to me he wouldn’t have taken up with Jack Herr and other worldly fellas if he hadn’t felt the freedom to do so durin’ Rumschpringe.”

“You’re questionin’ the age-old tradition, then?” Bishop asked, his brow furrowed.

Lyle leaned forward, wanting to make his point clear. “There’s just no way Evan would have ended up where he is without that.” He paused. “Remember, Evan was close friends with Solomon Bontrager for all their growing-up years. So jah, I feel strongly that Rumschpringe changed everything.”