The Atonement
officially autumn.
    â€œ Jah , and if ya don’t mind, you can just drop me off wherever it’s convenient,” Lucy said.
    â€œHeard you’ve been helpin’ over at the Mennonite Central Committee,” Rose Anna said offhandedly.
    â€œOh, I like to whenever I can.”
    â€œMy mother was talkin’ with me the other day,” Rose Anna went on, “and she wondered if any of you girls might help her sew up some trousers for my little brothers. I would, but Danny’s been encouraging me to open my quilt shop behind the house. That’s sure got my hands full.”
    Danny grinned at her. “Better go ahead and tell Lucy you’re ready to open your doors next week.”
    Rose Anna pushed against him playfully. “ Ach , you.”
    â€œWhat? Ain’t a secret, is it?” Danny chuckled. “I say just let the word out.”
    â€œAre ya havin’ a grand opening like some womenfolk do?” asked Lucy, curious why Rose Anna was being bashful about the shop.
    â€œAin’t makin’ much of a fuss.” Rose Anna blushed.
    â€œBut I wish she would,” Danny said, evidently interested in drumming up some extra income, like many Amish around the county. Farming didn’t provide the income it once had, what with land so scarce and farms so small.
    â€œWell, I’m sure you’ll attract lots of customers,” Lucy said, smiling. “And what a gut time of year to get your feet wet in retail, considering the fall tourist season’s in full swing.”
    Rose Anna nodded and folded her hands in her lap. “That’s what my parents have been sayin’, too.”
    â€œI’ll be sure to spread the news around.”
    â€œOh, would ya?” Rose Anna beamed.
    Lucy said she would. “And since I can’t speak for my sisters orfor Mamm, I’ll just say that I’m too busy myself to help with the trouser sewin’ you asked about. Real sorry.”
    â€œI understand. But would ya mind askin’ at home, maybe?”
    A little surprised, Lucy wondered why Rose Anna was seemingly putting her interest in opening the quilt shop ahead of her own little brothers. Still, she guessed she couldn’t fault her for knowing her limits.
    â€œ Jah , I’ll check with Lettie and Faye. They’ll let you know at Preachin’, okay?” For sure and for certain, Lucy knew firsthand how easy it was to keep overextending, till pretty soon you met yourself coming and going.

    At market, Lucy moved from table to table, gathering up Mamm’s requests first. Then she compared prices for cider spice bags and hot mulled cider, as well as fruit butters, so she could tell Martie, who was interested in eventually setting up a small store at the back of her house with similar items, once the boys were older.
    Later, while waiting in line for soft pretzels—a treat for her twin sisters—Lucy spotted the well-groomed gentleman she’d seen on the footbridge last week. He was perfectly coordinated in a cream-colored cardigan sweater and chocolate brown trousers, and it looked like he was buying a quart of canned peaches from Rhoda Blank, one of her mother’s friends. The man balanced his three-pronged cane on the floor as he fetched his billfold.
    Thinking now was her golden opportunity, Lucy waved when he glanced her way. “Hullo,” she said. “You don’t know me, but I’ve seen you before a number of times at the small bridge on Witmer Road.”
    The man nodded his head, studying her. His warm, open face was lined with wrinkles. “I have to say you look familiar tome, as well.” He picked up his purchase and moved toward her, leaning heavily on his cane.
    â€œI pass by there on my way to my sister’s place a few times a week, rain or shine.”
    His hazel eyes brightened. Then he glanced at his bag of peaches. “I bought something for my wife.” He tapped the bag. “She

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