Later that morning, Anna made sugar cookies with little Emmie while Gabe worked at installing a tree house for a neighbor. Just as Anna was taking the second batch out of the oven, Barbara and her older sister Leona dropped by, and the four of them sat and ate the soft, warm cookies together.

Anna had the slightly unsettling sense that Barbara had brought Leona along to get acquainted with her and possibly evaluate if she was up to their expectations for their former brother-in-law. Judging from the woman’s enjoyment of her cookies and their time together, Leona seemed inclined to like her.

A few minutes before Anna was scheduled to leave, Gabe returned and asked her to walk to his workshop with him while Emmie and her aunts remained in the house. “I’m curious to know what you thought about last Sunday’s Preaching,” he said.

“Honestly, I was a little surprised how much I enjoyed it, especially the old German hymns and the second sermon.”

Gabe smiled as they walked across the backyard toward his large woodworking shop. He opened the door and waited till she stepped inside.

“Oh . . . I’ve always liked the smell of sawdust,” she said, wondering what he wanted to tell her.

“That’s another gut sign,” he said, looking more serious now.

He’s looking for a sign?

Pulling up a chair for her, Gabe then sat near his desk, surrounded by sawhorses, a lathe that ran on an air compressor, and other types of woodworking equipment. “This might come as a surprise,” he began, “but you’ve been on my mind all week, Anna. And I felt bad that I couldn’t talk with ya before you left Sunday after the common meal, but that’s our way—men with men, women with women and children.”

She listened attentively, discerning from his expression that he was about to say something significant.

He leaned back in the chair, eyes searching hers. “Anna, spendin’ time with you has changed my outlook on many things.” He drew a deep breath. “I’ve been praying, too, about our friendship . . . lookin’ forward to learning more about you, your interests . . . your family. Everything.”

Anna was touched by his words and his kindness.

“This must seem sudden,” he said softly. “And for that I apologize, but I mean all I’ve said. You see, I’d like to get to know you better, Anna. I’ve been drawn to ya since the first day we met,” he admitted.

She recalled that particular day, surprised that it had also remained significant in her memory. “I experienced a heartbreak once,” Anna told him. “I’ve been putting up walls ever since.”

His eyes were soft. “I can promise you that I would never hurt ya that way,” he said. “And our Lord and Savior would be at the center of our relationship, wherever it may lead.” He paused. “Wherever He may lead.”