“Oh, he wanted me to experience what I would miss out on when I was baptized, and I went along with it for a while.” Gabe glanced toward the ceiling. “But ya know, it made me realize how settled I was . . . content to be Amish.”

“I understand what contentment feels like now,” she said, thinking she could sit for hours like this, enjoying Gabe’s company.

Then, noticing the time on the wall clock, she thanked him for the ice cream and the decaf coffee, as well as the “best evening ever.”

The strong smell of a neighbor’s bonfire of leaves filled the air as Gabe walked with Anna outside, where he reached quickly for her hand. His large flashlight lit the way to her car. “Why don’t ya join Emmie and me at Barbara’s for supper Saturday night—a little celebration,” he suggested.

“Okay, if it’s not a surprise to Barbara.”

“Puh! One more person at her table won’t matter, but jah, I’ll let her know.”

On the drive to Flauds’, Anna caught herself singing one of the hymns from her Beachy Amish church, knowing that soon she would be learning the German hymns at Gabe’s. And also to hitch up a horse to a carriage.

Staying with Glen and Sadie has been good preparation for dating a traditional Amishman and possibly becoming his bride, Lord willing.

She thought just then of Heidi and Eleanor and the other youth at her present church, knowing she would miss them, but she remembered Heidi’s promise of enduring friendship. I may need someone to talk to along the journey, Anna thought, thinking ahead to the process of embracing the Old Ways.

Chapter 50

At work on Monday, Anna’s first clients were three young women from Philly having a friends’ day out. Anna took them to some of her favorite spots, including Riehl’s Quilts and Crafts in Leola, where all three purchased quilted potholders, oven mitts, and spiced hot mats. One of them even ordered a queen-sized Mariners Star quilt to be shipped to her home. Anna couldn’t help but grin at how much fun they were having.

Between the first and second tours, there was time for her to sit down for coffee with Mart in the break room. He was full of stories about his recent travels and mentioned wanting to talk to her, hinting that he enjoyed their relationship as good friends. Anna felt this was her moment to tell him about her decision about Gabe.

Surprisingly, Mart didn’t react at all the way she thought he might. But he did indicate that he had been trusting God for guidance and said he’d guessed for some time now that she was quite taken with Gabe and his daughter.