Anna sighed. He and Mamm must be worried I’ll marry outside the Beachy Amish church.

“I’ll attend a Beachy church,” she said respectfully.

“I would assume so,” Dat replied, then paused to draw a breath. “But it would be hard on your Mamma if you married and settled down so far away, as well.”

Mamm nodded her head. “Both of us would miss ya, dear.”

They continued eating the tasty meal, including a vinegary macaroni salad with chopped carrots, celery, and onions, Anna’s favorite.

Mamm asked if she had called Cousin Sadie yet.

“I left a message at their phone shanty—hoping to hear back soon.” Anna also hoped this conversation might end happily and not the way it seemed to be headed.

“We won’t stand in your way, daughter.” Dat spooned up some more macaroni salad. “Just be careful not to fix your eyes on Lancaster County. Might be best to think of it as just a short visit.”

“But if I get the job I’m hoping for—”

“Well, you haven’t even had the interview,” he said, stopping her.

She understood, but she could also see he was struggling with letting her go.

“Regardless, I’ll pray God will be with you,” Dat added, his voice softer now.

“Denki,” she whispered loud enough for both parents to hear.

Mid Saturday morning, Anna heard back from both Cousin Sadie and Evelyn Leaman by phone and made plans to arrive in Strasburg that coming Monday morning. She’d have the interview with Evelyn the next day.

Anna was pleased that things seemed to be falling into place so quickly, and she packed a few clothes for the short visit, hoping and praying she would find favor with the director.

But her father’s cautious reaction to her plans lingered in her mind.

Monday’s breakfast of scrapple, fried potatoes, and sticky buns was especially delicious, thanks to Mamm, who’d gone out of her way. Afterward, Anna loaded her bag into the car and drove through miles of lush green alfalfa and small but unfamiliar towns on her way to Lancaster County. As she passed through busy Harrisburg and beyond, she was glad for Google Maps on her phone to guide her.

When Anna at last reached rural Strasburg, she took Lime Valley Road up to the righthand turn into the Flauds’ own long lane, lined with tall oaks that created a lofty, archlike passageway. Cousins Glen and Sadie’s stone Dawdi Haus was situated off to the east side of the larger main house, where Glen’s youngest son and family lived and ran the turkey farm. Both houses were set back quite a distance from the narrow rural road and featured distinctive roof lines and dormers. A rectangular gray buggy was parked near the carriage shed, its black shafts resting against the ground.