Anna could smell the barbequed chicken on the grill not far from the Denlingers’ pond at their farm, where she, Heidi, Eleanor, and two of their cousins—nineteen-year-old Shelley and sixteen-year-old Carol—were swimming that Friday afternoon. The cool water felt refreshing in contrast to the sun’s heat and the sultry atmosphere, the perfect remedy.

They took turns jumping off the end of a weatherworn dock. Each time Anna made her way back through the water to the grassy bank and up to the dock, she wished there was a pond at Glen and Sadie’s. I’ll just come here whenever I’m invited, she thought, also looking forward to the cookout with the whole Denlinger family, except for Lester, who was haying with his married brother. Thinking of that, she remembered that Mart would be cutting hay tomorrow for his dairy-farmer uncle.

Just then, Shelley swam over to Anna, bobbing out of the water, her dripping-wet braids a dark red. “Heidi says you’re volunteering over at Peaceful Meadows on Saturday mornings.” She blinked water droplets off her eyelashes. “How do you like it?”

“I love it,” Anna told her. “Are you interested in being a volunteer?”

“Maybe next summer.” Shelley smiled. “I’ve heard a little about the horse riding therapy, since Gabe Allgyer’s building a tree house at our place. I’ve been talking to him more about it. He’s such a nice guy!”

“And he has a real knack with the young riders,” Anna replied.

Shelley mentioned that Gabe had been working late hours to complete the structure. “I guess his sister-in-law has been babysitting for Emmie a lot.”

Maybe that’s why Emmie was at Barbara’s overnight, Anna thought.

“Gabe built a tree house for my relatives’ grandkids, too,” Anna said. “It’s really something.”

Shelley nodded. “It’s been so much fun to watch it come together.”

Now Carol swam over to them. “Are you two whispering about boys?”

“No, silly,” Shelley said, treading water. “I was just telling Anna about our wonderful tree house.”

By now, Heidi and Eleanor were swimming this way, too. And when all five of them were together, Heidi suggested they see who could hold their breath the longest underwater.

This is what it would be like having a bunch of sisters, Anna thought, wondering if Wanita had ever wished for more.

Saturday was just as hot and muggy as the day before, and Anna was happy to have the opportunity to work in the tack room prior to the passenger van’s arrival at the retreat.

Bennie Glick and Freckles waved at her, grinning as they walked to their waiting horses and side walkers. Emmie approached with her Aendi Barbara, hanging back a bit as she often did until she spied Promise. Then came the familiar slight smile on her pixie face.