“Someone else was offered the job,” Anna told Mamm while sitting in her car. She attempted to sound strong and confident. “With the way this interview came about, I really didn’t think I’d be giving you this news.”

“I feel for ya, dear,” Mamm said, her voice gentle and soothing. “What do ya want to do now?”

“I’ll drive home tonight . . . need to be available for tours at the buggy museum tomorrow. And I’ll still give my two weeks’ notice, too, then figure out something else. Maybe, if the Flauds are okay with it, I’ll return here to Strasburg and put my name in at some of the Amish shops.”

In the momentary quiet that followed, Anna sensed her mother’s reservations. “Don’t worry, Mamm,” she added, “the Lord is with me.”

“Your Dat and I believe that, too,” Mamm replied. “Please remember that you’re always welcome at home, Anna, if ya change your mind.”

“Denki.” Anna told her mother when she planned to arrive home, then they said good-bye and hung up.

Anna remained there, looking over at the flower garden and beyond to the paths leading out to the towering tree house. She felt bad now about declining Sadie’s offer to invite Luke and Marianna and their children over for dessert this evening.

Getting out of her car, Anna was drawn to the woods again. And taking the narrowest path—the easiest of the three—she hurried off.

———

“The poor girl’s discouraged,” Sadie told Glen while they sat in the front room waiting for Anna to return and pack up. “And no wonder.”

“Well, there was never any guarantee, so we can’t fault Evelyn.” Glen looked over his bifocals as he lowered the Family Life magazine he’d been reading.

“Even so, Anna had her hopes up. And goodness, I feel responsible.” Sadie sighed, getting up and walking back toward the kitchen window to see what Anna might be up to. The car was still parked where it had been, but there was no sign of her. Must’ve taken another walk, she thought, getting some sugar cookies from the cookie jar and putting them in a napkin for Glen. Dear man’s concerned, too, but won’t let on, she thought before returning to the front room, where a good breeze flowed through the open windows. “Would ya like a treat?” she asked him, unfolding the napkin to reveal the plump sugar cookies.

Just as she guessed, Glen took them, and she went to sit across from him on the rocking chair, where she often sat to think and pray. Pleasant evening though it was, she rocked and wondered how long Anna would stay outside.

Sadie sighed, ever so curious about who had been offered the job in Anna’s stead. Maybe someone with more experience. But Anna herself had been a tour guide for two years already!