5

Ellie stood with Cousin Ruthann near the refreshment table after Singing, planning to bake cookies for two elderly shut-ins in the church district. “Kumme en mei Haus on Thursday morning,” Ellie suggested, wanting something to look forward to after Leah’s leaving.

“Ach, what’s wrong?” Ruthann said, stepping closer and adjusting the shoulder strap on her purse. “You look discouraged.”

Struggling with what to say since Leah had asked her to keep her news quiet for the time being, Ellie said with a heavy exhale, “I’m a little out of sorts.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

Just then Ellie spotted Sol and his younger brother, Aaron, coming toward them. Maybe when Sol took her home, he would take Ruthann home, too. Ellie could almost feel the pent-up hope in her cousin. But before Sol reached them, Menno wandered over and paused at the table like he was deciding which type of cookie to eat on the way out.

Then he glanced in Ellie and Ruthann’s direction. “Might yous need a ride home?”

Ruthann looked at Ellie expectantly. Does she realize I like Menno?

Then Sol waved at Ellie like he was telling her to go, so she said, “Jah. Denki,” and then followed Menno out the haymow door, Ruthann behind her.

This’ll work fine, she thought, thrilled Menno had volunteered. Ruthann will just have to find a way to spend more time with Sol on her own.

“Nice of ya to offer,” Ruthann said, making small talk.

“We really appreciate it,” Ellie added, wanting to express her gratitude, too, but trying not to show her excitement.

“Glad to help,” Menno said. He hurried around to the right side of the open buggy and stepped in, his long legs scarcely fitting beneath the dashboard.

Ellie sat next to Menno, and Ruthann got in next, a tight squeeze in the two-seater courting carriage.

During the ride, Menno surprisingly asked Ellie whether the orchard hired any seasonal workers.

“Well, since we’re not a pick-your-own kind of orchard, we do have part-time and seasonal workers. You’d have to talk to my brother Jonah or Dat ’bout that.”

“I know my cousin Sol works there durin’ the apple and peach harvests,” Menno said with a glance at Ellie.

“Jah, Solomon’s worked quite a few years now for us.” She didn’t know what more to tell him, since it wasn’t her responsibility to take job applications. But she did think that as quiet and kind as Menno was, he’d likely be a diligent worker.

“I could use a part-time job around that time,” Menno said. “Besides, I’m curious ’bout orchard work and what it involves.”

Ellie’s ears perked up. “Ya can’t go wrong workin’ in the best place on earth,” she declared.

“Can ya tell she’s partial to her orchard?” Ruthann said, laughing a little.

“My orchard?” Ellie smiled. Don’t I wish.

Menno smiled but didn’t comment.

Ellie could hear crickets in the grass along the roadside and an owl hooting in a tree as they passed.

Ruthann spoke up again. “Say, Menno, did ya happen to know Jack Herr?”

Ellie was surprised her cousin would bring up Jack—and out of the blue, too. But maybe after what Sol told her about Chuck, she was just curious.

“Well, I ran into Jack here and there around town a couple of times before he left for boot camp. I wouldn’t call myself a friend of his, but he was a nice fella. I feel terrible for his family. And Jack spoke highly of Evan the few times I was around him.”

“I’m not surprised,” Ruthann said. “After all, Evan’s one of my best cousins.” She smiled at Ellie. “Well, next to this one, of course.”

Menno smiled, eyes focused on the road.

A few moments later, a courting carriage tried to pass them, and Menno courteously slowed the horse to allow them to get by. His thoughtful manner stuck in Ellie’s head even after Menno dropped her off and left to take Ruthann home.

Dat would be impressed with him, she mused as she headed around to the side door. But she couldn’t help wondering who Menno had actually wanted to ride with tonight. Is he interested in Ruthann? Or in me?

Indoors, she found Mamm reading their German Bible, the King James Bible open on the kitchen table next to it. Dat was around on the back section of the wraparound porch, talking with Dawdi Hezekiah, and she remembered Menno’s apparent interest in orchard work.

What would it be like seeing him every day during harvest? she wondered, smiling.

By the time Ellie came downstairs again after breakfast on Monday morning, Mamm had already rinsed their clothes and run them through the wringer. Mamm was particular about how she did things, and she liked to have time alone to pray while sorting and washing the clothes. It fell to Ellie, then, to shake out the flattened clothes and carry them outside to the clothesline. She and Mamm had done it this way ever since Lydia married and left home more than a dozen years ago.

The day was already warming up with an occasional breeze, ideal for drying. Ellie squinted into the sky, cupping her hands over her eyes. “Leah’s comin’ over tomorrow after breakfast,” she told Mamm.

“To help with your chores?” Mamm reached into the clothespin bag hanging off the line.

Ellie glanced at her, certain if Leah’s news had made its way to her mother through the grapevine, she wouldn’t have asked. “Nee, just to visit a short while,” she said, turning her head toward the carriage shed. She wondered when Evan had come in last night, because earlier she’d noticed dark circles under his eyes. Despite that, he seemed to be in a better mood at breakfast. Helpful, too, offering to carry several boxes of canning jars to the cellar for Mamm.

“Don’t even think ’bout pickin’ them up, Mamm,” he’d said, humorously flexing his muscles. “That’s my job.”

Mamm had chortled. As far as Mamm was concerned, it was like Evan could do no wrong. Of course, she would never be pleased to know he’d been friends with Jack Herr and hadn’t registered as a CO. Had Dat told her about all of that? Ellie was very sure they didn’t keep secrets from each other.

Ellie got up a little earlier than usual the next day to make cinnamon rolls for Leah’s visit. Given that Mamm still didn’t seem to know anything about Leah’s plan to live and work in Chambersburg, she felt awkward about it and was glad to be alone in the kitchen. Ninety-eight long miles away, she thought, having determined the distance using Dat’s old atlas in the tall bookcase in the front room. She wasn’t looking forward to saying good-bye today and felt sad to see Leah off.

After the family’s breakfast of homemade waffles and German sausage, which Ellie had only picked at, she washed the dishes while waiting for Leah to arrive. Mamm had gone upstairs to iron and to give the girls some time alone to talk, something she often did when Leah came to visit.

At last, the Bontrager family carriage pulled into the lane. When Leah arrived at the screen door, Ellie swallowed hard at the sight of her closest friend. “Kumme en,” she said, wiping her hands on her white work apron.

“Smells gut.” Leah looked a little tired.

Ellie uncovered the cinnamon rolls. “I made your favorite.”

“You didn’t have to,” Leah said, sitting at the table.

Ellie felt a lump in her throat. “Would ya like some coffee to wash it down?”

“Sure, but I can’t stay too long, really. I still have a few things to do at home, and I don’t want to miss the bus to Chambersburg.”

For pity’s sake, thought Ellie. While she’d suggested to Mamm that Leah might stay for only a short while, she’d mistakenly assumed they’d have time for a leisurely visit.

“Es dutt mir leed,” Leah said.

I’m sorry, too, thought Ellie.

“I know you’re probably disappointed, ’specially after going to all this fuss,” Leah said, taking a roll. “Leavin’ like this is just as hard on me, honestly. I don’t want to draw it out.”

Then don’t go, Ellie thought, pouring coffee into two mugs.

“Is your Mamm home?” Leah asked.

“She’s upstairs. Doesn’t seem to know ’bout your plans.”

“Hardly anyone does at this point.”

Ellie frowned, puzzled. “Is it still a secret, then?”

“Not really.” Leah glanced out the window, blinking. “Guess I don’t want anyone tryin’ to talk me out of it.”

Ellie gave Leah a wry smile. “Knowin’ how you set your mind to do things, do ya think they’d try?”

Leah shrugged. “My parents sure did.”

Ellie understood now, though she couldn’t say she disagreed with Leah’s parents. Since Leah wasn’t baptized yet, going to work for an Englischer—and someone none of them really knew—was a huge step for her. And that Carolyn Madison lived so far away made it all the more worrisome. “This is a drastic move for ya, Leah. I’m concerned. Are ya sure you should go?” It was hard getting the words out, but she’d never known her friend to be so impulsive.

Leah sniffled and pulled out a hankie from beneath her dress sleeve to dab at her eyes. “Like I said, it’s a gut opportunity to bring in some extra money for the family . . . and, well, it seems like the right time.”

“Because of the breakup with Josh?” She hated to bring this up, but Leah seemed quite emotional, and it didn’t seem like her friend had thought everything through.

“Nee, it’s not about Josh.”

Ellie listened, struggling to believe that Leah knew her own mind. “Couldn’t ya take some time to think it over . . . pray ’bout it, too?”

“Oh, I’ve done that.” Sighing, Leah pulled a slip of paper from her dress pocket and set it on the table. “Here’s my new address. Sol says he’ll write me, but I don’t know how often. I’d love if you’d write whenever ya can.”

“I will.” Ellie took another sip of coffee, then a small bite of her roll.

They locked eyes for the longest time without speaking. Ellie remained convinced Leah’s breakup with Josh had something to do with her emotional response today. She didn’t want to make things worse by asking again, but she hoped Leah might tell her more in a letter after she was settled in Chambersburg.

“By the way, I noticed my cousin Menno gave you a ride home after Singing,” Leah said, unexpectedly changing the subject.

“Well, it wasn’t only me,” she said. “Ruthann was along, too.”

“But it’s a start, jah?” Leah’s eyes twinkled for a brief moment.

So she’s figured out I like Menno—Ruthann probably has, as well, thought Ellie, blushing.

But it was too soon to know what Menno was thinking, though she did feel a sliver of hope.

“Let me know what comes of it, okay?” Leah said.

“I will.” Ellie could hear Mamm walking around upstairs. “What should I tell Mamm ’bout your leavin’?”

“Once I’m gone, feel free to tell her or anyone else what I told ya.”

“All right.”

Leah reached across the table for Ellie’s hand. “Please don’t cry . . . or I won’t be able to go through with it.”

Ellie clasped her hand, gazing into the expressive brown eyes she knew so well. They’d not only encouraged her through the years but could read her like an unlocked diary. “I’ll pray for ya every day, Leah,” she said softly. “And I’ll miss our long walks and talks.”

“It’s prob’ly not for too long. Besides, I’ll be in touch, I promise.” Leah’s eyes glistened.

“I’ll count on that.”

When it was time for Leah to leave, Ellie walked her out to the buggy, where she untied the horse and readied the driving lines. “The Lord be with ya, Leah,” she said, stepping back from the wheels.

“Da Herr sei mit du,” Leah replied, waving and then picking up the lines. “I’ll be sure to write.”

Ellie smiled, and in a minute Leah was gone.

Ellie plodded back to the house and sat on the side of the porch, where Mamm had put out some pots with the purple and yellow pansies Dat gave her for Mother’s Day. And for a good fifteen minutes or more, Ellie pondered what had happened.

I can’t believe she’s leaving.

All the years they’d planned out their lives together—double-dating, family homes within an easy walk, their children growing up to be best friends just like they were. Was any of that going to happen now?

She sighed deeply. No one’ll ever take Leah’s place.