Before leaving the parking lot of the information center the next afternoon, Anna called her father to thank him for helping with the first weeks of room and board at Flauds’. “I’m ready to take that up now,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, and I’m helping around the house here as much as I can, too.” She also described the imaginative cards Sadie made, many of which Anna had helped to design and create. “Her sister-in-law Lillian is selling them at Saturday market, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets orders for more. Maybe even custom orders. Who knows?”

“Now that you say this, your mother mentioned that Mammi received one from you. She has it out on her bedside table.”

“I’m glad she’s enjoying it.”

“She talks about you often. We all do, Anna.”

“I miss you, too, Dat.”

“Any idea when you might come visit again?” he asked.

“It won’t be for a while yet.”

“Well, don’t be a stranger, okay?”

She promised she would be in touch, and they said good-bye and hung up.

He sounds a little glum, she thought while driving back to Flauds’.

When she arrived, she headed right into the house to help Sadie with supper, feeling good about being able to pull her weight now with the room and board. It wasn’t nearly what an apartment rent would cost, and anyway, living on her own was the last thing she wanted. Being a part of Glen and Sadie’s family was ideal, even though Anna still missed air-conditioning, electric fans, and power for her phone.

At least I don’t have to bother with hitching up a horse to a buggy! she thought.

“I told Anna ’bout Gabe Allgyer’s great heartache,” Sadie shared with Glen that evening as they prepared to retire for the night.

“It’s ’bout time ya did,” Glen replied, smiling.

“Figured you’d think that.” She tried not to smile herself lest she egg him on, as fond of Gabe as Glen had always been.

Glen removed his socks and tossed them into the hamper across their bedroom. “Did I tell ya that Gabe brought up Anna to me the other day, over at the smithy’s?”

“Well, I’ll be.” Sadie was pleased. “Gabe and little Emmie certainly need a kind young woman like our Anna in their lives.”

“Honestly, I have a feelin’ Gabe’s got an eye on her.”

Glen’s admission got Sadie thinking. “I’ll have to pray ’bout how we can help this along.”

Glen looked at her. “Now, dear. Maybe we shouldn’t.”

“Nee, I think it’s a fine idea, to tell the truth.” Sadie walked over and gave him a big smooch.