Parking her car, Anna had a fleeting feeling of embarrassment at its being the only one on the premises. While no power lines were in sight, a tall windmill stood not far from the white clapboard turkey house and the large woodshed on the opposite side. Colorful flowers were in full bloom, and the light fragrance of lavender permeated the air.

The hem of Anna’s dress swished against her calves as she moved up the cobblestone walkway to the Dawdi Haus where her mother’s cousins had resided for some years now. A large white birdbath surrounded by blooming pink and white ground cover stood off to the side of the walkway, and two red hummingbird feeders hung from the porch.

“’Tis wunnerbaar-gut to see ya, Anna!” Cousin Sadie said, her round cheeks rosy as she stepped out onto the back porch. She stood there smiling broadly in her long green dress and black cape apron, her iron gray hair parted down the middle and pulled back into a tight, low bun beneath her white heart-shaped Kapp. She was barefoot and held a white dishcloth in one hand.

Anna hurried to greet her. “Wie geht’s?”

“We’re fine . . . chust fine. Been lookin’ forward to your arrival.” Sadie patted Anna’s arm and invited her inside. “Glen’s over in the hayfield with the men, but he’ll be back come dinnertime.” She led Anna into the sunlit kitchen, where the windows were open and a tall glass pitcher of iced tea sat on the counter.

“Mamm sends her love,” Anna remembered to say. “And I’m grateful for your kind invitation.”

“Well, that’s quite all right. We’re family, and far as I’m concerned, your folks are salt of the earth.” Sadie carried a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies and set it down on the square oak table. “Make yourself at home.” Sadie placed her right hand on her ample hip. “Thought ya might need a sweet treat ’bout now.”

The sight of the cookies made Anna smile, and she reached for one. Sunbeams spilled through the two curtainless windows near the table, making the kitchen quite cheery, and she noted that the room had been updated with white painted cupboards and woodwork since she and her family had visited here several Christmases ago. For the annual play at the Amish schoolhouse . . .

Cousin Sadie offered her iced tea, too, and when Anna politely accepted, Sadie brought over two empty tumblers and set them on the table before joining Anna. Not wasting any time, she asked about Anna’s phone conversation with Evelyn Leaman.

“It went well. In fact, I have an interview scheduled for nine o’clock tomorrow morning.” Anna could hardly say it without feeling like she might burst with anticipation.

“I’m sure it’ll go fine.” Sadie nodded as she pushed her white Kapp strings over her shoulders.