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again and studied the just-risen sun over the valley. It glowed red now, flaming large with still no clouds in sight. Peace filled her, even with the knowledge of what the day might hold. God was still in charge of His world. Her faith declared it, and her heart refused to abandon the belief.
    Clara had the fire going when Ella entered the kitchen. The flames already reached out greedily for more fuel. Ella checked over Clara’s shoulder and was satisfied things had been done correctly. Now, everything will be fine just so long as the chimney doesn’t burn down. Wouldn’t that be something! I certainly wouldn’t want to burn down the house on the very first full day here . Ella pushed the thought aside and went to retrieve the eggs from the basement. The stair boards were brand new and wider than their basement stairs at home.
    “The new codes require it,” Daniel had said when she noticed the difference.
    The eggs wouldn’t keep long in her basement, even back in the darkest corner of the root cellar where a patch of concrete had been left out. Eventually she would need ice stored here, covered with sawdust, but for now, eggs and other perishables could be kept in small quantities.
    Ella selected what she wanted and went quickly up the steps, walked to the kitchen, and set the eggs on the counter. Clara immediately began cracking the eggs into a bowl. After she cracked the half dozen eggs, she whipped them vigorously with the hand beater and added salt and pepper. With a twirl of her hand, she poured them into the pan and over the dab of melting butter. The pan sizzled and popped. Clara split the eggs into smaller chunks with the hand spatula. Then, only minutes later, she flipped the results out of the pan.
    “Now isn’t that the way to make eggs?” Clara’s eyes glowed. “This is truly fit for kings and queens.”
    Ella laughed. “I think I do agree with you, but you’ll never convince Daett, let me promise you that.”
    “It’s enough that I convince you,” Clara said, smacking her lips.
    From how the result looked on the plate, Clara knew how to make scrambled eggs. The water boiled moments later, and Ella poured in the oatmeal, stirring slowly so the mixture wouldn’t stick on the bottom. When the oatmeal was ready, Ella waved her hand toward the table and asked, “Shall we eat? The sisters two!”
    Clara giggled her answer and sat down. After a silent prayer, Ella waited for Clara to start.
    “You taste them first,” Clara said.
    Ella raised her eyebrows. Clara nodded sharply. Ella shrugged, placed a sample of eggs onto her plate, and then took a taste.
    “Not as good as fried eggs but good for scrambled eggs,” she teased.
    Clara relaxed and took a large helping of eggs, pulling them onto the plate with her fork, then filled her oatmeal bowl, and placed a big dab of brown sugar on top. Carefully she stirred in milk and then buttered a piece of bread.
    “It’s good,” Ella said. “It really is.”
    “I’m going to just take my time,” Clara said. She took her first bite of eggs and chewed slowly while holding a thick slice of well-buttered, homemade bread in the other hand. “Mmmm, this couldn’t be better.”
    “I think I do agree,” Ella said, her eyes turning to the living room window as a buggy came up the road from the south. The horse trotted slowly against the grade, passing the house and moving on down the road. It was a delightful sight—and sound. This was going to be home for her. She could begin to feel it.
    The sisters finished at the same time, and as Ella washed the dishes, Clara swept the kitchen floor and made sure the stove was properly banked. They walked out together to harness the horse, which had stuck his head over the stall door and was glad to see them. Clara rubbed his nose while Ella threw the harness on and tightened the straps. His bridle went on easily—another of his good points. Horses could be downright stubborn when it came to such things. Nasty ones