She opened her car door and was about to get in when she heard rapid footsteps. Turning, she saw Gabe waving her down. “Did I forget something?” she asked, leaning on her car door.

“Nee, I just wanted to say . . . if you’d like to observe one of the classes we offer, you’re certainly welcome to return on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. Sessions start at nine o’clock, but if you want to come before a session, that would be fine, too. Just come on over to the stable.” Gabe gave her a quick grin.

“I might do that,” she said, very much liking the idea. “I’m off on Saturdays.”

“All right, then, I’ll be seein’ ya, Anna Beachy.”

She nodded, smiling to herself as she got into the car and drove away.

Chapter 10

While at work the next morning, Anna learned from Evelyn that today she would be going on a car tour with a different guide—a young Mennonite woman named Charlotte Meck. “You’ll have the opportunity to see how another guide handles tours, as well as where she takes clients and what information she shares about local Amish culture,” Evelyn told her.

Anna was grateful for the chance to observe Charlotte, whom she got acquainted with in the break room before setting out. The young woman’s face shone when she told Anna that she had just become engaged.

“How wonderful!” Anna said. “Congratulations.”

“Austin’s just the man for me . . . handpicked by God, I like to say.”

Anna smiled at that. “You must feel blessed.”

Charlotte nodded. “I couldn’t be happier.” She asked about Anna’s day yesterday and what stops they’d made on the tour, and Anna recalled most of them from memory.

“Good for you!” Charlotte said. “Well, today you’ll get to meet a charming middle-aged couple from England.” Her light brown eyes sparkled with obvious anticipation. “I actually took them on a tour last October, and now they’re back for more. If you do this long enough, you’ll discover that some people will specifically request you, once they get to know you. Since we customize tours, we have a fair number of repeat customers.”

“I like that idea.” Anna enjoyed talking with Charlotte, who was just as friendly as Martin. And thinking of Mart, Anna realized she had not seen him yet today.

He must already be out on a tour, she assumed.

After Sadie had served the noon meal of fried chicken and mashed potatoes to Glen and thoroughly redded up the kitchen, she walked out to the little wooden phone shed to check for any voice messages. She was surprised but pleased to discover one from Rachel Beachy, Anna’s mother.