Sadie tried not to let on, but she thoroughly enjoyed hearing Anna tell about her carriage ride with Gabe. Her parents won’t be pleased if this leads to something more than friendship, she thought, yet she couldn’t help but be tickled at the thought of a spark between Gabe and Anna.

“Gabe’s concerned that Emmie might have a setback after the horse riding therapy season is over,” Anna explained.

“So, she’s become attached to ya?” Sadie asked.

“Apparently. At least it sounds like Emmie’s aunt thinks so.”

“Well, I’m not surprised, seein’ ya with our little ones next door,” Sadie said, chopping celery on the cutting board for a Waldorf salad at noon.

“If I can make a difference for Emmie, I’d like to try.” Anna went on to say that Gabe had offered to pay for her time on Friday mornings, the day they’d settled on. “But it’s not necessary. It’s the right thing to give of oneself for another, just as God expects.”

Sadie agreed, but she could just hear it now: If Anna got more entangled in Gabe Allgyer’s life and family, what would Rachel and Alvin Beachy say? They’ll wonder why I didn’t step in and put a stop to it! she thought.

The following Friday, Anna drove to the address Gabe had given her, taking note of Aden and Barbara Mast’s farm on the right side of the road as she neared Gabe’s smaller white clapboard house with its black shutters. She could easily spot the silver numerals on the big black mailbox out front, where a nearby half barrel contained red and white petunias.

Here we are, she thought, thinking that she hadn’t seen Gabe since going to get butter and cottage cheese with him last Saturday. She wondered what he’d told Emmie about this visit today.

Walking around to the back yard of the house, she found Gabe throwing a large pink ball to Emmie, his laughter filling the air as she caught the lightweight ball. He looked relaxed and handsome in his gray short-sleeved shirt, its top button undone, and black broadfall trousers with black suspenders. His usual straw hat rested on the back porch steps.

Emmie was completely silent as she threw the ball, then opened her arms, her fingers stretched wide, in an attempt to catch it. She looked adorable in her mint green dress and matching long apron, her hair twisted rather loosely into a tiny chunk of a bun. Several strands had come free, and Anna wondered who had helped with her hair.

Not wanting to startle Emmie or interrupt their play, Anna hung back, waiting for the right time to make her presence known.