Sadie closed her eyes, enjoying this moment with Anna. But the only sounds she heard were birds and insects, and after a time, the distant sound of a train whistle, likely the Strasburg Railroad, heading toward its short run to Paradise Township. But she didn’t mind sitting there with Anna, who seemed in need of this respite.

“Do you hear it?” Anna asked softly at last.

“The forest sounds?”

“Jah . . . the tranquility.”

Sadie agreed. “’Tis mighty nice, jah.”

Anna glanced over her shoulder. “By the way, why did Luke and Glen decide to have this tree house built here?”

“No particular reason.” Sadie shrugged. “Maybe Gabe Allgyer thought it made sense for it to be away from the house, yet protected from the harsh sun . . . ideal for Luke’s boys, ’specially, who like to be rowdy and a bit noisy,” she said. “We really enjoyed havin’ Gabe round here while he worked on it. All of us got better acquainted with him.”

Anna smiled. “He’s so comfortable around children, as you know.”

“That he is,” Sadie said, wondering what else Anna had discovered about the wonderful young man.

“Would you like to come up with me?” Anna rose and started climbing the steps to the first level of the tree house.

Just then, Sadie heard the rustle of quick footsteps and looked over to see Marcus and Eddy running this way, down the most challenging path, with their large German shepherd, Brownie. Their faces were red and sweaty.

“Mammi!” Eddy called, grinning from ear to ear. “You came!”

Sadie rose slowly from the step, pleased how happy they were to see her there. She followed Eddy and lively Brownie up the wooden steps, Marcus trailing behind.

On the first level, they found Anna peering at a bird’s nest, and the boys hurried over, not touching.

“The baby birds all flew away,” Marcus told them.

Sadie crept closer to the nest. Sure enough, it was empty. “Remember that sometimes a nest is used a second time for the base of a new one,” she said, glancing at Anna, hoping she wasn’t being too obvious.

Anna looked Sadie’s way and held her gaze.

She understands, thought Sadie happily.

Chapter 29

After Anna returned from her morning tour on Wednesday, Mart entered the break room where she sat, making a beeline for the coffee. He greeted her, then poured himself a cup and took his time to look at the tour guide schedule near the coffee pot.

Coming over to where she was sitting, he pulled out a chair at the small table, and it was then that she realized for the first time that Mart took his coffee black. She also realized that the two of them were alone.

Leaning forward, Mart asked, “I was thinking . . . would you like to go on a picnic with me this Saturday?” He paused. “After you’re finished volunteering at Peaceful Meadows.”

Pleased, Anna agreed.