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Well, Levi and the unsympathetic nurse who’d administered the tetanus shot. If Mamm found out, she’d have Rebecca on three different antibiotics before bedtime and probably take a turn for the worse herself. Being upset only made Mamm sicker.
    “You look as if you have a headache,” Mamm said. “Take some gingko. There’s a bottle in the bathroom.”
    “No headache, Mamm. I feel fine.”
    “The feverfew helps, just in case you are coming down with a headache. Better safe than sorry.”
    “I must turn the chicken,” Rebecca said, slipping from her mother’s arms. “I’ll bring in some supper and rub your legs.”
    Putting her hand to her heart, Mamm sank into her pillow. “I told Linda to put the chicken on. But she had a headache and said the ibuprofen didn’t help.” Mamm frowned. “If tomorrow I could rise from this bed for good, I would see to Linda right quick.”
    “Don’t worry, Mamm. You mustn’t upset yourself. I am fine to cook the chicken. Linda would only burn it.”
    “That’s my gute girl. I feel better when you are home to take care of us.”
    Rebecca turned from her mother and felt the familiar tightness in her chest. They depended on her so desperately. She mustn’t fail in her duty.
    The guilt pressed on her chest until she found it hard to breathe. She marched down the hall into her room and retrieved her cell phone from her top drawer. Her thumbs hunted awkwardly for the right buttons. She was still very slow at texting.
    Levi, I am sorry. I will not be able to see you on Friday. Let’s forget the whole thing.
    Her place was here, at home, with no time to waste on Englisch nonsense. But before she pushed Send, she hesitated and put her hand on her pocket, where Dottie Mae’s list rested. She fingered the paper and in her mind saw Dottie Mae’s chunky handwriting on the page.
    Wasn’t she willing to sacrifice for her best friend?
    Jah, anything.
    She took a deep breath to clear her conscience and pressed the Delete button instead.
    Anything for Dottie Mae.

Chapter Five
    “Smile, Rebecca. Your horse can smell fear,” Levi said.
    Rebecca didn’t take her eyes off the back of the horse’s head. “Is that what that smell is? I thought it was the perfume you are wearing.”
    “Guys don’t wear perfume, kid. It’s called cologne .”
    “Oh, sorry to offend you, laddie.”
    Levi laughed and shook his head. “I know you hope to irritate me with that nickname, but I rather like it. It makes me feel like some manly Scot warrior in a kilt.”
    Rebecca glanced at Levi. “I will have to give more thought to finding you an annoying nickname. Nothing I’ve tried so far seems to be just right.”
    “ Kid seems to do the trick for you,” Levi said. “But is there a nickname you like? I hate to keep offending you. How about Fred ? Fred is kind of cute.”
    “You want to be seen with a girl named Fred?”
    “I like Bec . You like that?”
    She shrugged. “It’s okay.”
    “ Becky ?”
    Rebecca’s face clouded over. The expression was even more concerning than the sheer panic from a few moments ago. “Don’t ever call me that.”
    Her reaction spoke for itself. This went beyond discussion, beyond joking. Levi knew without asking that if he ever called her Becky , she’d ride off into the sunset and he’d never see her again.
    Jack Pittford, the owner of the two horses, finished tightening the cinch on Rebecca’s saddle. “Okay, Levi, you’re all set. Rebecca’s horse is real gentle. Shouldn’t give you any trouble.”
    “Thanks, Mr. Pittford,” Levi said. “We’ll have them back by four.”
    “No hurry. I know you’ll take good care of ’em. There’s plenty of places to water them along the way if you stick to the trail.” Mr. Pittford patted Levi’s horse on the neck. “Come by the house after, if you want. Millie would love to see you.”
    Levi thanked Mr. Pittford a second time and checked that the reins were even. He loved riding horses. It always brought