“Ain’t much that slips by unnoticed round here,” Katie said with a smile. “Everyone knows what folks are sayin’ or doin’, and sometimes even thinkin’!”

“It’s a little like that where I’m from in Mifflinburg, too,” Anna said.

“Gabe did some occasional construction work up there in Mifflinburg, but that was a few years ago,” Barbara said, her eyebrows lifting a little as she said his name. “I tend to view him as my flesh-and-blood brother, ya know . . . even though he’s not.”

Dottie nodded her head and reached for another slice of banana zucchini bread. “Have ya tried this yet, Anna?” She passed the plate to her. “It’s so moist and yummy.”

Barbara perked up a bit. “You have my recipe, ain’t?”

Dottie said she did. “There are chopped walnuts in it, jah?”

“An’ plenty-a sugar.” Barbara beamed. “Gabe makes quick work of it at breakfast time, and so does Emmie.”

Hearing this, Anna felt certain now that they lived with Barbara and her husband. She wondered why Barbara kept mentioning them.

“Well, getting back to your tour work,” Barbara said. “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve run into with travelers?”

“I’d probably have to say a recent client, a young woman from Phoenix who wanted to attend an Amish wedding. In fact, she insisted on it until I explained that Amish wedding season typically isn’t until November. She seemed offended that they aren’t conducted year-round, to be honest.”

“Ach, how funny,” Katie said, laughing. “Wonder why she didn’t think she’d need to be invited, seeing as she isn’t from around here.”

“I did my best to educate her,” Anna said, taking another bite of the truly delicious banana zucchini bread.

“Tell us more,” Dottie said as she passed the plates of cookies and bars around for the third time.

“Well, here’s something that happened last week,” Anna said, feeling more included now. “A man and his wife from Illinois wanted to know if all the Plain folk in Lancaster County were Amish.”

Dottie pressed her hand to her chest. “And what did ya say?”

“I said there are many types of Plain groups, but the Old Order Amish are the most interesting to tourists.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Barbara said. “And why do you think that is?”

“Could be a fascination with the horse and buggy,” Anna said. “At least, that’s what my clients seem most curious about. It’s so different from what they know.”

“Seems so,” Barbara replied.

Just then, Anna heard footsteps outside, coming onto the porch and into the house. She wondered if Barbara’s husband and children might want some treats, too.

Turning to look with the other women, Anna saw Gabe walking into the kitchen with Emmie, his straw hat on.

“Excuse us,” he said quietly as he led Emmie into the next room.