He reached for her hand, and she stepped behind the tree with him, hidden from the road. “By now, you must know how I feel ’bout ya.”

She nodded as he drew her slowly into his arms.

“I don’t want to make trouble for ya,” he whispered, holding her near. “Never.”

“It’s impossible for us to be together,” she said, aware of the tenderness of his affection, her face against his chest. How she loved being wrapped in his embrace!

Ever so reluctantly, she stepped back. Eb looked at her with the dearest expression and, to her surprise, leaned forward to kiss her cheek.

Eliza’s heart pounded, and in that moment, she remembered having told her aunt that she would be right back. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay,” she said, telling him why.

Eb reached for her again.

“I must go.” She shook her head. “I’m truly sorry.”

“I’ll write to you tonight an’ leave it here for you tomorrow, okay?” he said.

How she longed to return to Eb’s strong arms, to forget how sad she felt when they were apart. It was all she could think about, but she forced herself to walk away, lest her aunt come looking for her and Eliza be found out.

Chapter 45

Anna was hanging out the washing on the clothesline the following Monday when Marianna walked over to invite her to Preaching service this coming Sunday. Momentarily taken aback, Anna couldn’t help but remember that it was also Gabe’s church.

“A little birdie suggested I invite ya,” Marianna said, running her fingers across her lips. “And for the fellowship meal afterward.”

Was that bird Sadie? Anna wondered.

Still a bit startled, she said, “Well, I do attend my own church in Bird-in-Hand.”

Marianna nodded. “I know, but I thought you might be interested in our bishop’s approach to sermons. It’s not like the majority of Old Order services.”

“What are the differences?”

“Well, for one thing, our ministers use the Pennsylvania Dutch Bible, ’specially the New Testament, for all the Scripture readings and sermons.”

Anna was surprised. “How long have they done this?”

“Oh, a few years now.” Marianna explained that the change had been prompted by the fact that their youth had not understood the readings from the German Biewel.

Anna pondered this, still not giving an answer.

“You can think about it,” Marianna said with a smile. “Preachin’ will be held at the farmhouse at Peaceful Meadows. I believe ya know the way.”

It was obvious Marianna really wanted her to go.

“My car would stick out like a sore thumb,” Anna offered as a rather weak excuse.

Marianna smiled again. “Ach, no need to worry. If ya don’t want to ride with Sadie and Glen, Sadie and I will watch for ya, show ya where to line up with the other visitors and unbaptized youth in the back.”