“Anna will be a right fine Mamma one day,” Sadie said as she carried more bowls of ice cream to the table, then went back and brought chocolate syrup, chopped walnuts, and a bowl piled with homemade whipped cream, setting them down, as well. “There are plenty of wunnerbaar fellas round here.”

“Mamm, for pity’s sake,” Luke said.

“Pity’s sake,” little Sally mimicked, bringing a round of laughter at the table.

Oh, to have such darling children, Anna thought. Lord willing . . . someday.

Chapter 14

Anna skimmed through the Saturday morning paper after breakfast and then drove over to Peaceful Meadows Horse Retreat. She had been looking forward to this all week. She’d even mentioned it to Sadie last evening, after Luke and Marianna left with their little ones.

Pulling into the long lane, she was impressed again by the natural beauty of the place. She stepped out of the car and walked toward the pristine white horse stable, glad she’d thought to wear her old walking shoes. As Anna tramped through the stable, she saw a number of young Amishwomen, mostly teenagers, each leading a horse out of its stall into a line to be groomed. Standing back near the wall, Anna watched as they prepared for the young clients to help curry the horses they would ride.

At that moment, Gabe Allgyer entered the stable. He walked over to welcome Anna with enthusiasm. “Wunnerbaar guder Mariye, jah?”

“Fehlerfrei.”

“Some might say that every morning at Peaceful Meadows Horse Retreat is both wonderful and perfect,” Gabe replied.

“I’d have to agree.” Anna looked about her, observing the various volunteers working in an unspoken sort of rhythm.

“Say, we’re short one volunteer today.” Gabe turned to look at her, a hopeful look on his sun-tanned face. “You’ve groomed a horse, jah?”

“Sure, why not make myself useful?” she said, following Gabe as he directed her toward a small school-age boy wearing black trousers, a blue short-sleeved shirt, and black suspenders. The child’s straw hat was the smallest Anna had ever seen.

“His nickname is Freckles,” Gabe said, hanging back a bit out of earshot of the boy. “He was born with a rare virus that caused a seizure disorder, but since coming for riding therapy the past two summers, Freckles has gained more confidence and seems more content. He’s able to lead his horse around cones slowly with help. And his balance and muscle control are steadily improving when he’s on the horse, too.”

“His parents must be thrilled.”

Gabe agreed. “His parents and many others in his family.” He asked if she would like to help Freckles curry the chestnut mare. “That’s Apple, by the way . . . one of our most docile quarter horses. She knows how to carry her riders smoothly, even at a trot.”

“I’d love to help Freckles,” Anna said, marveling at the whole program.