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loss.”
    She nodded, glancing down at her stomach. “I am too.” Her gaze collided with his again, her crystal eyes hardening. “Why would Peter not tell me about his family? It doesn’t make sense. Family is the most important thing of all—aside from God, of course.”
    Luke scanned the pasture while collecting his thoughts. He couldn’t tell her the truth. It would hurt her too much, and her condition was already delicate at best. He could tell by the sadness and anger in her eyes that his mere presence had rocked her to her very core.
    It was best to just tell her what she needed to know, which was very little.
    He spotted a wooden park bench near the fence that closed off a few horses from the open pasture. “Let’s sit and talk, so you can get off your feet,” he said.
    They walked together. After she slowly lowered herself onto the bench, he sank down beside her. She smoothed the black apron over her black dress, a sign of mourning. When his eyes met hers, his heart sank at the hurt and turmoil he found there. He vowed not to tell her anything that would upset her. Her condition was paramount.
    “What did Peter tell you about his past?” Luke asked.
    “He said his parents, Hezekiah and Ruth Troyer, died when he was young and an older couple named Abner and Clara Yoder raised him.” She stared down at her hands. “And he didn’t have any siblings. He moved here after his adoptive parents had died. He sold the family farm to pay off their debts and then came to Lancaster County to be closer to his Uncle Ephraim, who lives in a neighboring town. I never met his uncle, but I understood he was the only family Peter had left.”
    Luke resisted the urge to shake his head with disappointment. Peter wasn’t an orphan and had been raised by his biological parents.
    “And Peter came to work for the family furniture store?” Luke prompted her to move on with her story.
    “Ya. My dat was very happy with his work.” Sarah’s eyes glistened. She cleared her throat and placed her hands back on her belly. “Peter said his foster father taught him how to make cabinets.”
    “How did you meet Peter?” he asked.
    Her expression softened, her eyes reflecting happy memories. “He had joined the church in Ohio, but he became a member of our church district since he quickly made friends here. We met at a singing one Sunday night. He offered to take me home, and I told him no since I didn’t know him. But he pursued me.” She laughed. “He was relentless. He actually got a job at my father’s shop in order to get to know me. It took about six months, but I finally agreed to see him.”
    “Why were you so unsure of him?”
    “He was new to our church district.”
    “When did you marry?”
    “Two years later. Peter wanted to save money. We built a house on my dat’s land, and we moved in the spring after we married.” She sighed, her smile fading. “He wanted a big family. At first, we didn’t think God wanted us to have kinner. I only just found out we were having zwillingbopplin after he died. He never knew.”
    He stared across the pasture, wondering what kind of parent Peter would’ve been.
    “Sarah Rose!” A strident voice behind them caused them both to jump.
    Turning, Luke found Timothy charging toward them, his expression serious. He wondered if the guy ever smiled or if he was a constant killjoy.
    “Timothy?” Sarah asked. “What’s wrong?”
    “I think you should come back inside and rest,” her brother said.
    “I’m sitting on a bench, Timothy. I think I’m resting just fine.” Holding her back, she hoisted herself up. Her brother reached out to help her, and she swatted his hand away. “I’m fine. Don’t suffocate me!”
    Luke bit back a smile at her feistiness. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also strong.
    “Mamm says we should offer our guest something to eat,” Timothy said.
    She faced Luke. “Are you hungry? Would you like some lunch?”
    He stood. “That sounds