He glanced away, as if moved by her words. “It was the Lord’s work from the very start,” he said. “I opened up this therapy program after Emmie, my little girl, became mute . . . she stopped talking when her Mamma died.” He paused for a moment as if to gather himself. “She seemed much calmer and less agitated after riding—being around horses is just so good for her. It made me want to help other children with needs and challenges of their own.”

Emmie’s his daughter! Anna thought, remembering the petite little girl she’d seen among the riders. “Denki for sharing this with me,” she said. “You must’ve had lots of help to get all this started.”

“People came out of the woodwork, honestly. My uncle has been especially great, offering his farm like he has. I couldn’t have done it singlehandedly.”

She nodded, still absorbing all that he’d told her, truly impressed.

“Well,” Gabe said, “I’ll be seein’ ya next Saturday, then.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay and observe the next session,” she said, remembering what Dottie had suggested.

He agreed, and they parted ways.

Anna headed back to the tack room to offer her help, her heart softened all the more by Gabe’s mission here, and the reason behind it.

Gabe’s explanation about the beginnings of Peaceful Meadows stayed with Anna as she drove down the narrow lane toward the road. Making the turn, she was aware of the long stone wall running along the edge of the retreat’s pastureland, within walking distance from the road. And, as she slowly drove alongside it, she noticed one small portion of the wall had tumbled down. Compelled to remedy it, she signaled and pulled over onto the right shoulder, coming to a stop.

Getting out, she crossed the two-lane road and made her way across the field, toward the wall separating it from the pasture beyond, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the thick green meadow grass so much that she removed her socks and old sneakers, carrying them as her bare feet pressed deep into the coolness of the grassland.

She stuffed the socks into the shoes before setting them on the ground. Then she picked up the stones that had tumbled down and began to lift them one by one, stacking them in an orderly fashion, the way they seemed to fit best. Stepping back, she brushed her hands together, slapping off the dirt.

The dust of history, she thought, pleased with her efforts.

Anna retrieved her shoes and turned to look down the field at the stony row extending a long way on this side of the road. She recalled Mammi Eliza’s remark about meeting someone at such a wall, ever so long ago. Anna even stopped to look around for a tall tree, but there was none.

Shaking her head, she headed back to the car.

Chapter 19

SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1948