By nine in the morning the following Friday, the temperature had already risen to ninety-two degrees, and according to Sadie’s battery-powered digital thermometer, the humidity reading was nearly as high. Thinking ahead to the coffee gathering at Barbara Mast’s, Anna felt at once happy and timid, and she brought this up to Sadie as they were redding up the kitchen.

“That sounds like Barbara, chust bein’ neighborly to a newcomer,” Sadie said, pausing to wipe her face with a hankie she took from beneath her sleeve. “’Tis awful close in here, ain’t?”

“Might be a smart thing to work in the basement, where it’s cooler,” Anna suggested. “If you have some mending or whatnot.”

Sadie nodded. “Ain’t the most pleasant surroundings down there, but you’re right; it’d be much cooler.”

Anna wondered if she should mention what was on her mind. She reflected for a moment, then realized she had been talking rather openly to Sadie for all these weeks, so why not?

“How well do you know Barbara?” Anna asked tentatively.

“Well, she’s in my church district, so pretty well. Emmie’s mother was Barbara’s close-in-age sister.”

Anna had wondered. “Little Emmie looks so much like her, jah?”

“Sometimes children look more like an Aendi or Onkel than one of their own parents,” Sadie said. “It’s strange yet true.”

Anna thought of her own nieces and nephews. “I think you’re right.”

“Barbara keeps very busy cookin’ and having folks in. And she dotes on Gabe since Emily passed . . . worries ’bout him might be a better way to say it.”

“Worries?”

“Well, since he’s a widower with a youngster. Though surely the Good Lord will send along a nice wife for him in due time.” Sadie smiled a little. “Say, would ya mind droppin’ me off at Molly’s, since it’s on the way?” she asked.

“Sure, and I can pick you up on the way back, too, if you’d like.”

“Denki. That’s real kind.”

“And if Molly needs a ride somewhere while you stay with your sister, I can take care of that, too.”

“Oh, I think Molly’s just goin’ to walk up the road to her cousins’ place while I’m spelling her off a bit.”

“Well, know that I want to help however I can. And just think, you won’t have to hitch up today.” Anna grinned.

Sadie gave her an endearing smile. “Such a wunnerbaar help you already are! You just don’t know . . .”

Anna wanted to go over and hug her, Sadie looked so moved. “Are you all right?”

Quickly, Sadie nodded. “I count my blessings every day, Anna. And when I come to you, I count ’em twice.”

Anna didn’t know what to make of this. “I think my Mamm would be glad to hear it,” she observed at last. “She’d say she raised me right.”