The idea had sparked something in Sadie, and she could scarcely wait to dive in and work to make this happen. She and Glen didn’t need the extra income, but the idea of spreading joy and a little whimsy wherever it was needed made her think that this might be a way to cheer up people from all over the country, particularly if tourists found them appealing enough to purchase. A fun way to shine my little light. She smiled into the room brightened only by moonglow.

Sadie heard the scrape of a chair in the adjacent room and imagined Anna sitting at the writing desk, sharing her heart with her Mamm or sister, maybe even telling more about her supper out last Thursday evening.

Anna’s social life has picked up rather quickly, Sadie thought, smiling all the more.

Chapter 16

Der Weschdaag was Monday—“or any day that isn’t raining or snowing,” Sadie remarked to Anna as they worked together the next morning. Fortunately, there was a clear sky and a breeze perfect for drying the washing on the line. Even though Mamm had a dryer, she liked to hang out clothes on a warm day, and Anna soon learned that Sadie was not as persnickety as Mamm about the order in which she hung things. Anna recalled her mother’s methodical approach: all the trousers first, then the shirts, dresses, aprons, and so on down the long line. True to her laid-back disposition, Sadie simply pinned to the clothesline whatever was next in the wicker basket.

“I’ve been thinking about something,” Anna said, eager to mention what was on her mind.

“Jah?”

“How hard would it be to find out where my Mammi Eliza stayed the summer she was here with her great-aunt?”

Sadie used a clothespin to scratch her head beneath her navy blue bandanna. “Well now, I think someone round here would know.”

“I asked my sister to search for Mammi’s prayer book—sort of a daily journal she kept of prayers for certain folk and the dates when God answered them. But I don’t know whether she did that sort of thing back when she was a teen.”

“What an interesting idea.” Sadie looked surprised but a bit delighted, too. “I’ve never heard of anyone doin’ that.”

“Me either. Mammi Eliza has always been a prayerful person.”

Sadie nodded emphatically. “’Tis the only way to be.”

“Guess I’ll just have to wait and see what Wanita says about that,” Anna told her.

“Seventy years is a whole lifetime ago, but maybe somethin’ will turn up. I’ll ask my parents, in case they remember.”