Dottie perched herself on the wood bench. “Aw, did little Emmie keep yous up again?”

Barbara glanced at Anna, as if thinking she’d better not reveal what was on her mind. “Let’s just say it was a very long night.”

“Well, we’re here now, so let us pitch in an’ help,” Katie said, going to the fridge and removing a pitcher of ice water. She took down a tumbler from the cupboard and poured the water, then carried it quickly to Barbara. “Sip on this to keep from wilting more.”

Barbara accepted the water and began to drink, still fanning her face, sunshine spilling in through the spotless windows.

“We should ice the coffee,” Dottie suggested.

Katie nodded. “What do ya think, Barbara?”

Anna felt sorry for Barbara, sitting there looking so fatigued. She wondered why Emmie had spent the night and what would have caused her not to sleep.

“I’m one step ahead of ya,” Barbara said, after downing nearly half the glass of water. “Look on the right side of the fridge, and you’ll see a Tupperware pitcher of iced mocha.”

“Appeditlich!” Dottie said.

Katie directed Barbara to just sit. “Dottie and I will bring everything to the table.”

Meanwhile, Barbara was motioning for Anna to join her. “You’re the guest of honor, so come sit by me,” she said, pointing to the chair.

“Maybe some iced coffee will perk you up,” Anna said, hoping she wasn’t out of line to say so.

“Ach, a little caffeine never hurt anyone.”

Anna smiled and glanced about the kitchen, noting a built-in bookcase on one wall, with many books neatly lined up. “Someone’s a big reader,” she remarked.

“My husband, Aden, likes biographies,” Barbara said. “’Specially ones ’bout ordinary folk. Englischers.”

Like me, Anna thought, knowing she was viewed as fancy, since she drove a car and grew up with electricity.

By the time Dottie and Katie sat down, Barbara had already folded her hands for the silent blessing. Anna bowed her head, too, and appreciated the silent gratitude displayed, even for just iced coffee and sweets.

After the prayer, there was animated talk about picking Glenglo peaches, and Dottie mentioned how eager she was to hear if Barbara and Aden were planning to have a cookout on Aden’s birthday again, like last year.

“We might, since everyone had such a nice time,” Barbara said, sitting up straighter now.

Anna enjoyed hearing all the chatter, sometimes in Deitsch, when they forgot and simply slipped back into their mother tongue. Hers, as well.

After drinking the rest of her water and some of the iced coffee, Barbara changed the subject, turning to ask Anna, “How do ya like your work as a tour guide?”

How does she know? Anna wondered, rather surprised. “Did Gabe mention that?”

“Jah, some time ago,” Barbara said, a humorous glint in her eye.