“It took a few months, but Dat managed to convince her to join his church. They married a year later, and when I was born, Dat named me Ebenezer after the stone of help talked about in First Samuel. ‘Hitherto hath the LORD helped us,’” Eb quoted. “So ya see, this ol’ wall was important to my parents . . . so important I was named after the stones in it.”

Leaning down, Eb pointed to the very spot where his father’s love notes had been concealed nearly twenty years before.

Even in the dim light, she could see the place where the rocks were a bit looser. “How did your parents manage to find the same spot?”

“Notice that tall oak tree behind us, standin’ there all by itself? They claimed it was their special tree. They’d stand next to that, then look straight ahead to this larger dark gray rock. It’s kinda hard to see the color in the moonlight, but do you see how it stands out?”

Eliza nodded.

“Mamm said they’d count six rocks over from there, then three up,” Eb said. “And that was their secret hiding spot.” He chuckled. “If I were hidin’ a letter in this stone wall, I’d make it real simple to find.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’d choose this large dark rock and slip it under there.” He shrugged. “But that’s just me.” He held Eliza’s gaze.

Eliza pondered what Eb had said, then asked, “Did the numbers six and three mean something special to your parents, by any chance?”

“Jah, those numbers marked the date they first met here . . . June third.”

“I like that,” she whispered, realizing that her nervousness had vanished, though she didn’t know just when. “It’s pretty special to think you were named Ebenezer to honor the part this wall played in their courtship.”

“Jah.” Eb was studying her.

She felt her cheeks warm. “Denki for sharin’ that with me, but I really must get back to my aunt’s.”

Eb dipped his head. “I’ve never told anyone that story ’cept you.”

Eliza felt the uneasiness return and didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t worry.” He shook his head. “No one will think to look for ya here, Eliza. Your fears are unfounded.”

“But still, my aunt would be upset to find me gone.”

“Then we’d better not delay. Kumm, I’ll walk with ya,” Eb said, moving toward her, acting like the bold fellow he had been the first time she’d encountered him, with her wagonful of asparagus stalks.

“Oh, I can find my way. Honest.” She pointed to the moon.

He nodded but kept walking with her across the meadow, down toward the road . . . then he began to whistle softly.