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sixteen.” Katie fell silent as a question flashed through her mind. “What is Mose Yutzy doing out here at this time of the night? It could be a perfectly innocent thing, but then…”
    â€œWill you turn around and go back?” Katie asked.
    â€œGo back? Have you changed your mind about going out this evening?”
    Katie shook her head. “I’d just like to see if Mose drives on past our place. It won’t take long.”
    Esther had a strange expression on her face, but she slowed down.
    â€œI could be completely wrong,” Katie told her. “But if I’m not and Mose is secretly seeing Mabel, this might work out to my advantage. I know I shouldn’t think in those terms, but I’m feeling desperate at the moment.”
    Esther laughed and turned the car around in the next driveway.
    â€œAnd where do you expect to find this young Mose? Parked along the road waiting for his sweetheart to come out?”
    â€œSomething like that,” Katie admitted. “But probably not quite so obvious.”
    Esther’s headlights cut a path back toward Jesse’s house, and Katie sat forward on her seat. How juicy would this be if Mabel really was sneaking out of the house to meet Mose in secret! She could turn the tables on Mabel, but she probably wouldn’t. It didn’t seem like a nice thing to do. But at least she’d have the option.
    â€œI don’t see anything of a buggy,” Esther said, slowing down as they approached the driveway of Jesse’s farm.
    â€œHe couldn’t have gotten this far.” Katie peered into the darkness. “Drive around the corner before you turn around. I don’t want anyone to think it’s us coming back to investigate.”
    Esther did as Katie asked, but she was shaking her head and chuckling quietly.
    â€œI’m not imagining things,” Katie said. “So don’t look at me like I’ve lost my mind. I think he’s parked back in the woods a ways.”
    Esther didn’t say anything, but she slowed down as they approached the area Katie had pointed out.
    â€œDon’t slow down too much.” Katie motioned her hand. “But look back in there when we go past. Isn’t that a buggy?”
    Esther drove faster but took a quick glance into the wooded area.
    â€œIt’s a buggy, isn’t it?” Katie stared into the woods. “That’s right where that old lane goes back in. I haven’t lived here very long, but I did notice that.”
    â€œI do think it’s a buggy,” Esther agreed. “But I don’t think this is any of your business even if what you say is true. They’re not doing anything wrong unless her father disapproves. Surely you’re not going to tattle on them?”
    â€œ Nee , I won’t.” Katie leaned back against the seat. “But I’ll keep this in mind in case Mabel gets too rough with Mamm and me at the house.”
    Esther gave her a quick, sideways glance. “Just remember how you feel about attending our youth gatherings. Wouldn’t it be nice if your family didn’t make trouble for you? Maybe Mabel feels the same way about what she’s doing.”
    â€œYou do have a point,” Katie allowed. “I’ll try to behave myself.”
    Esther smiled. She slowed down for the next stop sign. Moments later they were speeding into the night, the car lights cutting a bright path through the darkness.

Chapter Nine
    Katie hadn’t even thought about Christmas. It still seemed so far away. But when Esther pulled into the yard where the gathering was to be held, she saw Christmas lights strung up in the yard—so many it made it seem like daylight. There was a Christmas tree in the front window of the house, half of it glittering with decorations already.
    As Katie opened the car door, she heard the sounds of hammering in the distance.
    â€œThey’re putting down a new hayloft floor,”