As Anna was about to leave to go to the Flauds’ to grab a sandwich, Evelyn asked if she would have time to give an afternoon tour to a middle-aged couple from New Port Richey, Florida. “They’re interested in seeing a few covered bridges, as well as the countryside and an Amish school.” Anna was delighted to accept and grateful to be able to build her confidence with a second tour.

What a great start! I’ll have so much to tell Sadie and Glen, she thought on the short drive back to the farm.

During the afternoon tour with the rather talkative Bruce Hathaway and his demure wife, Kim, Anna directed them to Kurtz’s Mill Covered Bridge, mentioning that there were twenty-eight such bridges in Lancaster County. “Some Amish around here call them ‘kissing bridges,’ since couples can stop in the middle of the dark bridge where no one can see,” Anna said.

Bruce chuckled and said he’d never heard that. “I’ve also noticed some old stone walls in the area, similar to what we’ve seen all over New England.”

“There aren’t many walls like that here,” Anna told him, wondering why he’d brought this up.

“There’s a wonderful book about the history of that kind of wall,” Kim said, glancing over her shoulder at Anna in the back seat.

“Is that right?”

Kim nodded her head. “It’s really quite riveting—all about who built the many different kinds of stone walls found in New England, and for what purpose.”

“Supposedly there are enough miles of stone wall in the northeast to go around the earth ten times,” Bruce told her.

“Wow . . . imagine that.” Anna thought of the wall Mammi Eliza might have used for a meeting place. Was that particular one still in existence? And if so, where might it be?

Sadie had completed several more cheer-up cards when she heard a carriage clatter up the lane. Leaning out of her chair at the kitchen table, she could see Tessie Flaud, her younger sister-in-law, at the reins. “Well, what do ya know?” Sadie murmured.

It had been months since Tessie had found time in her busy life to drop by for a visit. What with a new set of twins in her daughter’s family, Tessie had been occupied with helping her with the older children. Understandably, thought Sadie as she rose and went to the back door. “Hullo, Tessie!” she called, stepping out the door and standing there to greet her. “What brings ya?”

“Thought you might be glad to know I’m amongst the living.” Tessie chortled as she walked up the steps. “You look right fine, Sadie,” she said. Tessie’s white Kapp was a bit off-kilter, but Sadie decided not to mention it.

“Kumme in and rest awhile,” Sadie said, leading her into the kitchen. “Would ya like lemonade or meadow tea? Both are nice and cold.”