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“What is it?”
    “A—a . . . um . . . boy would like to take me to the singing tonight. Is it all right?” She squeezed her eyes closed for a few moments until she felt the buggy slowing down. She opened her eyes to see her grandfather pulling back on the reins.
    “What’s this?” He narrowed his eyebrows into a frown and peered over at Anna’s grandmother. “Did you know about this?”
    Mammi shook her head. “ Nee , but I think it is gut . She has been of age, Isaac, for a while.”
    Anna tightened her grip on the seat and waited.
    “Who is this boy?” Daadi was still frowning and keeping the horse at a slow trot.
    “Jacob Hostetler, the new boy from Ohio.” Anna bit her bottom lip, glancing at her grandmother, but Mammi just stared straight ahead.
    “We know nothing about his family.” Daadi continued to scowl, but Anna felt hopeful that he hadn’t outright denied her request. She waited for her grandmother to back her up again, but Anna supposed Mammi’s earlier comment was all the help she was going to get.
    “He seems nice, Daadi , and this would be a way for me to get to know more about his family.” Anna knew her grandfather liked to be well-informed about members in their district, especially the new families.
    She waited, the clip-clop of hooves growing louder against the silence. After another minute or so, her grandfather spoke up.
    “He will come and talk with me first. You will not just jump in his buggy and leave. I didn’t have an opportunity to properlymeet him today.” Daadi gave a taut nod of his head, and Anna wondered if she’d even get to the singing once her grandfather got done with Jacob. But this was probably the best she could hope for, and she’d take it.
    “ Ya . I will have him come in and talk to you and Mammi when he gets here.” Anna released her grip on the seat and leaned back. She felt lucky to have nabbed this opportunity before Jacob chose someone else in the community. She knew someone like him would never really be interested in her, but going with him tonight would at least show boys like Ben and Rubin that she was allowed to date. Not that she’d ever go out with either one of them, but they were bigmouths and would spread the word. Maybe someone else would show an interest.

    Jacob changed his shirt before he went downstairs. His excitement about Anna asking him to the singing had provided a welcome distraction from his troubles. But knowing that she was using him put a damper on the plan. Had everyone really been so fearful of her grandfather that they hadn’t asked her out? Jacob would have gladly faced off with her grandfather for a chance to go out with her. But he sure wished the circumstances this afternoon were different.
    His mother and the twins were in the living room knitting when he walked in, and he figured his brothers were outside.
    “Where’s Daed ?” Jacob poked his head into the kitchen before his mother answered but saw no sign of his father.
    “He’s resting right now.” Mamm didn’t look up.
    “He’s always resting.” Jacob shook his head as he pulled his hat from the rack.
    She looked up but ignored his comment. “I think it’s wonderful that you’ve found someone to take to the singing already.” Mamm glanced at Anna Mae and Mary Jane. “Maybe your schweschdere would like to go?”
    “This is a date, Mamm .” Jacob put one hand on his hip and shifted his weight. “But you know I’ll take the twins if they want to go.” He glanced at his sisters, wishing they would go—and wishing they wouldn’t go. They both shook their heads, leaving him relieved and sad.
    By the time he arrived at Anna’s house, his stomach was churning. He hoped Anna would wait for him outside, but after everything he’d heard about her grandfather, he was sure it wouldn’t be that easy. Once Bolt was tethered, he walked across the yard and up the porch steps. Anna’s house was big like his own and appeared freshly painted. The porch