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fund since everyone contributed to it. It was another to receive a service
without giving some kind of compensation. “We could use another chicken,” Andrew
said, having noticed at least a dozen free-range birds pecking around in the front
yard.
    Freemont grinned. “Chickens are something I’ve got plenty of. Rooster or hen?”
    â€œHen. We’ve already got one rooster.”
    â€œOne rooster is all anyone needs, unless you’re going to sell the ornery things.”
He chuckled. “I’ll have one of mei buwe bring you a gut laying hen later on today.”
    â€œ Mei mamm would like that.”
    â€œHow is she doing?” Freemont asked.
    â€œ Mamm ’s fine. Irene is too.” He could see Freemont wasn’t going to let up on his
bishop duties. Emmanuel had always been fairly hands-off when it came to Andrew and
his family, and Andrew had liked it that way. He’d been taking care of his family
since he was eleven years old. But it was good to know that if he or his mother and
sister did need help, Freemont would be there for them.
    â€œDo you all need anything?” Freemont asked.
    â€œNot right now. I’ll let you know if we do.”
    â€œ Gut. Things need to be a little different around here than they have been in the
past. I want to make sure everyone in the community is taken care of.”
    Andrew nodded. “We all appreciate that.” Freemont might doubt himself, but Andrew
could tell the man was going to be a fine bishop.
    After leaving Freemont’s, Andrew headed for his next job, but to get there he had
to
pass
by Macon Road, Joanna’s street. He gripped the reins, the leather digging
into
his
skin. Her behavior continued to baffle him. What if she really had changed
her
mind?
What if she didn’t love him anymore? How am I supposed to wait until tomorrow
to
find
out?
    He was a few yards past her street when he pulled on the reins and slowed down. He
couldn’t stand this anymore. He had to find out the truth—even if it was something
he didn’t want to hear. Anything was better than dealing with the constant ping-ponging
thoughts. It was starting to affect his work, and he couldn’t risk an injury.
    Moments later he pulled into her driveway and guided his buggy past Schrock Grocery
and Tools. A few cars plus a couple of horses and buggies were in the parking area.
If they were that busy, Joanna might be inside helping her sisters. He clambered
out of the buggy and tied his horse to the hitching rail, trying to decide if he
should go to the store first or knock on the back door of the house. Then he saw
a flash of movement through their kitchen window. His throat turned dry as he recognized
Joanna’s profile.
    With quick steps he went to the door and knocked on it, tapping his fingers against
the doorjamb as he waited for her to answer. He heard the unsteady thump of footsteps,
and his fingers moved faster. When she finally opened the door, he stilled.
    She stood motionless, leaning on her wooden crutches, her chestnut-colored eyes wide
with surprise and . . . wariness?
    â€œAndrew,” she whispered, turning her head slightly away from him.
    He craned his neck, trying to meet her gaze. It was as if she were talking to the
door instead of him. She was still trying to hide her scar from his view. She must
have forgotten he had already seen it at the rehabilitation center. It was another
reminder that he’d have to tread gently with her. If she was self-conscious about
her face, he wouldn’t draw attention to it. “I need to talk to you.” He struggled
to steady his voice.
    She stiffened, but she also turned toward him, enough that he could clearly see the
raised ridge on her cheek.
    But the marred skin scarcely registered in his mind. All he saw was the woman he
wanted to be with for the rest of his life. “Can I come in?” This time he couldn’t
keep the tremor out of his voice.
    For a