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today.”
    Rachel licked her lips as she studied the pies on Nancy’s table. “Apple-crumb, shoofly, and lemon sponge are all my favorite.”
    “Would you like to try a slice?” Nancy asked. “I already have an apple-crumb cut.”
    “It’s real tempting, but I’d better not spoil my appetite, or I won’t be able to eat any of the lunch I brought along.”
    Nancy smiled. “How’s your mamm doing these days? The last few times I’ve seen her, she was in her wheelchair. Doesn’t she use her crutches anymore?”
    “She does some, though I think it’s difficult for her to walk like a stiff-legged doll. Mom says the older she gets, the harder it is, so she uses her wheelchair more often than the braces these days.” Rachel fanned her face with her hand. “Well, guess I’ll be moving on. It’s awful hot and muggy today, so I think I’ll see if I can find a bit of shade somewhere.”
    Nancy nodded. “I know what you mean. If I weren’t here alone, I’d be doing the same thing.”
    “I’d be happy to watch your table awhile,” Rachel offered. “Danki, but my sister Emma will be along soon. I’m sure she’ll be willing to let me take a little break.”
    “All right then. See you later, Nancy.” Rachel moved away from the table and found the solace she was looking for under an enormous maple tree growing in the field behind the market. She was about to take a seat on the ground, when she caught sight of Silas Swartley. Her heart slammed into her chest as she realized he was heading her way.
***
    Silas gritted his teeth as he made his way to the backside of the farmers’ market. He had just come from the Yutzys’ table, and the few minutes he’d spent talking to Reuben’s folks had made him feel sick at heart. They’d told Silas that they had a pretty good inkling of what their son was up to ... or at least they knew some of it. Silas was sure Reuben hadn’t told his folks everything he’d been thinking of late, but then, he hadn’t really told Silas all that much the last time they’d spoken, either.
    Reuben had always had a mind of his own, even when they were children attending the one-room schoolhouse together. Silas remembered one time when Reuben had skipped school and gone to the lake for a day of fishing. When he’d come back to school the following day, Reuben had expressed no repentance. The ornery fellow had bragged about the three fish he’d caught and how he’d gotten out of taking the spelling test they were supposed to have that day. Even though Reuben had to stay after school every day for a week and do double chores at home, he hadn’t been tamed in the least.
    Silas drew in a deep breath. He figured he’d best forget about Reuben, because it wasn’t likely that his stubborn friend would listen to anything he had to say. Might be best for him to concentrate on Anna, since she suddenly seemed discontent with her life. He hoped to change all that, though. If Anna would agree to court him, maybe soon they could talk about marriage and settling down to starting a family of their own.
    Silas had decided to head out to the field behind the market to think things through, when he noticed Anna’s little sister Rachel sitting under a giant maple tree. Hmm ... she might be the one I need to talk to.
    He hurried across the grassy area and plunked down beside her. “Hey, Rachel. What’s new with you?”
***
    Rachel couldn’t believe Silas had taken a seat beside her, but it tickled her pink that he had. “Not much new with me,” she said. “How about you?”
    “Same old thing, I guess.” Silas removed his straw hat and fanned his face with the brim. “So, what are you doing out here by yourself?”
    “Trying to get cooled off.” For one crazy moment, Rachel had an impulse to lean her head on Silas’s shoulder and confess her undying love for him. She didn’t, of course, for that would have been far too bold. And it would have only proved to him that she really was quite