Anna was glad to have this chance and pleased by his friendly attitude. He must have started in high school, she thought. “Denki . . . er, thanks. I appreciate it.” Her happiness at spending time with easygoing Martin Nolt surprised her, and she secretly hoped they would have the opportunity to talk again.

Anna returned to the Flauds’ country home, her head awhirl with the interesting things she had learned. I think I’m a good fit for this job, she thought while parking her car close to the Dawdi Haus. She looked over at the lovely daylilies in Cousin Sadie’s flower garden, so brilliantly orange. Getting out of the car, she walked toward them, taking her time there in the sunlight, soaking in the calm beauty around her.

Hopefully I’ll hear something from Mrs. Leaman later today, Anna thought, thankful again for the interview.

———

Sadie Flaud had spent a good part of the morning rolling out dough for homemade noodles, making an extra batch to take to her ailing older sister, Eva Ebersol, whose memory had started slipping since a recent hip surgery. The surgeon had explained to Eva’s distressed family that anesthesia administered to older patients had the potential to permanently impair mental function, including memory. That this appeared to have happened to her beloved sister continued to worry and sadden Sadie.

Thinking now of Anna and her interview, Sadie thought, I hope she liked what she saw. She lifted the lid on the kettle filled with chunks of tender chicken breast simmering in a rich broth. Anna deserves a little celebration while she waits for news. . . .

She recalled Anna’s mother, Cousin Rachel, writing some months back about her daughter’s heartache over a once-serious beau. Young love can be painful, Sadie mused, remembering a few of her own children’s romantic struggles.

Setting the table with extra care for this particular meal, she glanced out the window and noticed Anna strolling near the flower beds. Sadie went to fill tumblers with lemonade and remembered how drawn she had always been to Cousin Rachel’s youngest. Even as a little girl, Anna had been talkative and engaging, particularly when it came to the ponies her father raised for a living.

Sadie moved back to the window and tried to guess what was on Anna’s mind as the young woman tilted her face toward the sun, a gentle breeze ruffling her pastel blue dress, so different in style and fabric than Sadie’s own. She’s ponderin’ something. . . . Eager to build a relationship with her, Sadie hoped it was something Anna might share. It would be a treat to get to know her better.