Barbara eyed Dottie, but neither made a comment about Gabe or Emmie. “So, back to your interesting stories,” Barbara said at last.

“I’ve been keeping a notebook of all the folks I meet on these tours,” Anna replied. “But now I guess I should be writing down the humorous things, too.”

“You do that,” Katie said with a mischievous smile. “And we’ll meet back here in a few weeks to hear what you write!”

This brought peals of laughter around the table. And even though the rest of their fellowship time was pleasant, the lack of an explanation for why little Emmie had kept Barbara and her husband up last night lingered in Anna’s mind long after she had bid farewell.

Chapter 32

As planned, Anna stopped by Molly’s house to pick up Sadie on her return. Seeing how gloomy Sadie looked as she got into the car, not saying much, Anna was concerned about her visit with Eva. But, wanting to avoid bringing up anything difficult, she made small talk and offered to help make the noon meal once they returned home.

“Oh, you needn’t do that,” Sadie said, her eyes pink, as though on the verge of tears.

Anna insisted. “I want to.”

Nodding, Sadie said softly, “We’ll have us a light dinner, of course, since you’re goin’ swimming afterward, jah?”

Anna almost wished she were staying home with Sadie, as disheartened as she seemed.

I wonder if Eva didn’t recognize her today. . . .

With that heavy possibility in mind, Anna felt as if she had frittered away her morning having iced coffee and treats with virtual strangers while dear Sadie was experiencing heartfelt pain.

Back at the house, Anna worked alongside Sadie in the kitchen, wanting to be there for her, in case Sadie opened up about her time with Eva.

After a while, Sadie asked, “How was your visit with Barbara Mast?”

“Oh, real nice. I got better acquainted with her and the two other women,” Anna replied, mentioning some of the funny things that she’d shared about her clients on tours. Then she said, “Not that it matters, but I didn’t realize Gabe and his daughter live with Barbara and her husband.”

“Well, I don’t believe they do,” Sadie said, looking surprised as she cut homemade bread for sandwiches. “He and Emmie go to Masts’ for meals now and then. Gabe’s home is across the road and down a ways.”

Anna considered that, wondering why that hadn’t occurred to her.

“So, was Gabe there?” Sadie asked, curiosity evidently replacing her former sadness.

“Jah, with Emmie, but not at the coffee gathering.”

“Well, did ya have a chance to talk—with Gabe, I mean?” Sadie looked a bit sheepish.

“Nee,” Anna replied, as she set the table after making lemonade. Why’s she asking about Gabe?