instructive tone she’d adopted for years, ever since Emma could first pull up a stool and reach the surface of the countertops in the family kitchen. “Too much and you’ll make the biscuits soggy. And reach for me a jar of strawberry preserves when you finish there.”
“Yes, Maummi.”
Emma did as she was told, her mind wandering as her fingers grasped a glass jar from the high shelf opposite the kitchen’s deep washtub. Did Luke like strawberry preserves? She didn’t know because she’d never had a chance to ask him. They had known each other for a mere week, and that almost two months ago. Why, then, did thoughts of him continue to plague her?
As always, memories of the handsome trail boss tugged on her like melancholy weights dangling from her heart. To say she missed him was a gross understatement. Every thought was saturated with his presence. Where was he now? Probably leading another cattle drive from Texas, making more money to buy his farm. Would he ever leave the trail, or would he end up an old cowhand like Griff, always talking about making a home but never doing it? Sleep eluded her when she laid her head on her pillow at night, her imagination filling the empty place beside her with thoughts of a dark-eyed cowboy. Even her dreams were full of him.
She filled her days with work. Gathering eggs, mucking out the horses’ stalls, and maintaining the family garden plot alongside Maummi and Rebecca. Every so often Bishop Miller stopped by to check on her and Papa. Though the Switzers had been completely restored to the good graces of their Amish district, the bishop seemed especially concerned for Emma. He had sorrowfully rejected her request to attend the baptism classes that started two weeks past with the explanation that he doubted her readiness to commit to a life of dedication to the Plain way. He’d advised waiting until next year to join the classes. Rather than the bitter disappointment she expected, Emma actually felt a flicker of relief. That would have worried her, had she allowed herself to dwell on it. Instead, she filled her time with the endless tasks of farm life.
In two more days she and Maummi would leave Apple Grove and move to Troyer to live with Aunt Gerda. This time a delegation of eight Apple Grove Amish men would accompany them. Maummi’s hutch was already loaded on the wagon in the barn, awaiting their departure. Try though she might, Emma couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for the journey.
When the hot buttered biscuits had been piled on a platter and placed in the center of the table, a commotion outside drew her attention. Maummi rose from her stool in the corner of the kitchen to peer out the window.
She turned a surprised expression toward Emma. “Set two more plates at the table. We have guests.”
Rather than obeying immediately, Emma crossed to the window to peek outside. What she saw set her heart to fluttering.
Two horses and their riders drew to a stop in the side yard. Rebecca appeared from the doorway of the barn to investigate the arrival, and she dropped a pail of milk in her excitement. Jesse and Griff called cheerful greetings toward her as they dismounted.
Her heart pounding, Emma retrieved two more place settings and rearranged the table to accommodate their guests. There was no sign of the one cowboy she longed to see, but at least these two might bring news of him. She exited the house after Maummi at the same time Papa arrived from the field.
“It is a good day when we can welcome friends to our home,” he told them, his smile wide. “You’ll join us for dinner?”
Griff placed a hand on his belly and grinned toward Maummi. “Can’t tell you how I was hoping you’d ask.”
Jesse’s limp was barely noticeable as he trailed Maummi and Papa into the house. He spared a smile toward Rebecca, who looked ready to keel over with excitement, and then took his place at the table. He and Griff devoured schnitz and knepp, buttered sprouts and potatoes, and biscuits with jam, answering Papa’s polite questions between mouthfuls. Yes, they had gotten along well since the end of the cattle drive in July. Griff had delayed his plans to look after Jesse. No, they hadn’t yet taken on new assignments, though they both had multiple offers and intended to head back to Texas soon.
Emma bit her tongue and toyed with her food. Luke’s