Thankfully, they seemed to be in mutual agreement, and the conversation wasn’t difficult for either of them. Mart suggested they continue to pray for the Lord to lead them each individually, and Anna agreed wholeheartedly.

After Tuesday breakfast, Sadie donned her warmest sweater and walked with Glen out to the tree house, enjoying the unseasonably warm autumn weather. Many squirrels skittered about, gathering acorns for the winter, and a little red fox could be seen near a tree, seemingly oblivious to them.

“The woodland creatures know winter’s a-comin’,” Glen said, smiling at Sadie.

“And before we know it, next fall will roll around again,” she said, sharing a little about Anna’s recent conversation with her.

“So ya think there might be a wedding come a year from now?” he asked.

“Well, young folk don’t wait long once they know they’ve found the one. And being Gabe’s a widower, I expect they’ll marry as soon as she’s baptized.”

“Then we’ve got us a year with Anna, if that.” Glen coughed a little, and Sadie looked at him, asking if he was all right. “Jah, just choked up, I guess.”

“Aw . . . that’s sweet,” she said, leaning her head against him as they stopped to embrace beneath the colorful remnants of God’s leafy shelter overhead. “I just hope Anna’s parents are truly okay with her choice.”

He looked down at Sadie quizzically. “At least I know for certain that I made a wunnerbaar-gut choice in you, Sadie, dear.”

She smiled and snuggled in for another hug.

During the Saturday supper at Masts’, Anna learned even more about Barbara and Aden, as well as their sons, Jesse and Chris. She felt especially relaxed this time and once again appreciated Gabe’s good humor and his patience when seven-year-old Chris spilled his milk all over right next to Gabe. Barbara also seemed unfazed by this, despite the fact that Chris’s older brother burst out with a snicker.

Although Gabe didn’t announce it, Anna sensed that Aden and Barbara were aware of her and Gabe’s romantic interest in each other. For one thing, they offered to babysit for Emmie. “Any time ya need us,” Barbara said, that gleam in her eye. It was almost as if she had been not-so-secretly wanting this to happen.

Later, Anna returned on foot with Gabe and Emmie back to their house, and Emmie headed upstairs to dress for bed. Once she was tucked in by both Gabe and Anna, Gabe suggested they say the Lord’s Prayer together. Emmie closed her eyes and folded her hands as they prayed. It was a tender time with the dear little girl who would most likely become her stepdaughter someday. Lord willing, thought Anna.

Downstairs, as they were alone in the front room, Gabe asked Anna what had made up her mind to allow him to court her.