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questioning. “Talk that some of the younger families are thinking of moving on. Starting a new settlement someplace else.”
    Reuben nodded slowly. He hadn’t meant to tell Daad yet, but maybe it was for the best. “Johnny Stoltzfus, for one. Daniel King. And the younger Esch boys. They’re all in the same boat I am—needing a farm and finding none available they can afford.”
    Daad didn’t speak right away, and Reuben sensed he was measuring his words and trying to be fair. Finally he put a hand on Reuben’s shoulder.
    â€œYou don’t need to think about doing something right away. There’s plenty of work here on the farm for all of us.”
    â€œThat wouldn’t be fair to Isaac and Becky. It’s been settled for ages that Isaac would have the farm when you were ready to take it easier.”
    â€œThat was before we knew how hard it would be to find farmland for you. Your mamm and I saved so we’d be able to help you buy a place. We didn’t count on land being so dear. If you or Isaac wanted to do something other than farming . . .” he began.
    Reuben shook his head. “That’s something I won’t do, andIsaac feels the same way. Farm life is what’s right for Amish—the whole family working together, not having the father go off someplace else to work all day and hardly see his kinder.”
    â€œAch, I can’t argue with you there. Taking care of the Lord’s earth is as close as a man can get to Heaven in this world. It’s what I want for my kinder, that’s certain-sure.” He hesitated. “But I don’t know how the women are going to feel about the notion of you moving away.”
    There it was, the thing he didn’t want to think about. Elizabeth’s reaction to the idea of leaving. “Elizabeth won’t want to leave her family.”
    His voice was flat. He knew, only too well, how she felt about it. She’d always been close to her mother and sisters, and especially so since she lost the baby.
    â€œWell, I guess that’s the way it’s always been,” Daad said slowly. “I don’t doubt our ancestors left the old country with the women looking back over their shoulders at what they were leaving behind. Still, if it has to be, they’ll accept. You’ll just have to help Elizabeth understand.”
    Daad gave him a final clap on the shoulder and turned away, leaving Reuben standing there, struggling with himself. Daad was right, that was certain-sure. He’d have to help Elizabeth understand.
    But what if that was impossible? Then what?

C HAPTER F OUR
    B arbie took a deep breath and forced herself to open the door to the café kitchen. She’d put off talking to her boss until after the morning rush, but she couldn’t delay any longer. She hoped he’d agree to change her schedule now that she’d be juggling this job with working at the farm-stay.
    When they’d finally had a chance to talk it over the previous day, Rebecca had been definite. Her marriage wasn’t going to make a difference in having Barbie work with her. She’d insisted she couldn’t care for the guests without Barbie’s help. After all, Barbie was the outgoing one who actually liked entertaining the Englisch visitors.
    She and Rebecca had come a long way in the past year. She knew perfectly well that Rebecca had thought her reckless and irresponsible, just as she’d thought Rebecca a shy stick-in-the-mud. Well, they’d both found out differently when Grossmammi pushed them into working together on the farm-stay,and Barbie knew she’d always be grateful. But at the same time, she didn’t want to give up the little bit of freedom she experienced working here at the café.
    â€œIf you’re coming in, come in and shut the door.” Walt Tyler, the café owner, had a brusque, snarling manner that was like the bear he