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received from her Englischer friend, Amelia, presently in Europe. Such interesting sights and descriptions of London, Amsterdam, and Berlin—places Joanna would never see.
    She reached for her Bible and read two psalms, then considered going over to awaken Cora Jane—tell her right away about Eben and be done with it. Yet with her sister so quick to find fault, news of an out-of-state beau had the potential to spoil the reverence of the day, and Joanna decided against it. At least, not before church.

    Joanna ended up postponing her talk with Cora Jane even longer, as her sister seemed in no disposition for it. Perhaps after the common meal? she mused while waiting in the cold to go into church at Cousin Malinda’s. Shivering, she stood with Mamma and Cora Jane and her maternal grandmother, Mammi Sadie, along with Salina and several of their sisters-in-law, all of them in line with the other womenfolk. Everyone was bundled up, most of them waiting with their arms wrapped around themselves for warmth.
    Up ahead, Joanna spotted Cousin Lena with her own mother and two younger sisters. Despite the frosty air, Lena was smiling.
    Such a happy bride to be!
    Later, after the Preaching service, Joanna sought Lena out, greeting her warmly. Lena clasped Joanna’s gloved hands and insisted they walk around the barn until it was time for the second seating to be served.
    In the chilly air, they strolled along together. What a difference a day had made for Lena. “You’re simply beaming,” Joanna remarked, her breath floating before her. “You actually seem relaxed.”
    â€œI surely am.” Lena flashed a big smile. “Because of you.”
    â€œAch, don’t know ’bout that.”
    â€œWell, I do!” Cousin Lena squelched a giggle, then dug into her purse and handed some bills to Joanna. “Here’s Geld for your dress fabric, before I forget.”
    Joanna thanked her as she accepted the money. Lena began to describe all of the extra-special treats her mother and many aunts had planned for the wedding feast at Lena’s parents’ home. Joanna wished she and Cora Jane could talk so easily like this again. What had happened to make Cora Jane so tetchy? Was it truly just about Joanna’s being a bridesmaid?
    When they rounded the barn for the second time, Joanna noticed Cora Jane walking with Cousin Ruthann, who was also scheduled to wed this week. It was clear the pair were having a confidential chat, so Joanna and Lena hurried back to the house, both of them offering to help Cousin Malinda even though neither had been assigned to kitchen duty.
    â€œNext time,” Malinda said, thanking them. “Now go waerme— warm up.” She pointed to the heater stove, and Joanna willingly obliged.
    Eventually, Lena wandered away to talk with her grandmother, who was enjoying the light meal, and Joanna headed to the glassed-in porch to visit with some younger cousins. She imagined how each girl she talked to might take the news of her Indiana beau. What might she say? But, of course, Joanna’s parents were wiser than to tell it around, undoubtedly wanting to see how things went with the actual visit.
    Will they like Eben?
    She observed Cora Jane across the yard, still talking with Cousin Ruthann. Sighing, Joanna wondered whether her sister would mind her manners when Eben arrived. Or would Cora Jane just be Cora Jane and spoil things but gut ?

    Monday morning washday— Weschdaag —Joanna, Mamma, and Cora Jane worked together with Mammi Sadie in the cold yet sunny air to hang out all of the wet clothes by seven-thirty.
    Once the chore was accomplished, Joanna hurried indoors to check on her bread dough. She planned to bake enough to share with her grandparents and Cousin Malinda, too. She ran tepid water over her nearly frostbitten hands to restore the feeling. The wet clothes would surely dry stiff as boards on such a day.
    Once the bread was in the oven,