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smoke and maybe party a little, but Martha and Abe …” He left the sentence unfinished as he frowned.
    “She and Abe are driving their parents to tears and causing them trouble with Bishop Miller,” added Maem . “The elders and Bishop Miller will be meeting with both families soon to discuss how to discipline them. You can’t be seen with her, Leah. You can’t,” she implored.
    “ Maem , Martha is my best friend. How can I not talk to her? You don’t know what she puts up with in that house, too. If you knew what I saw her stepbrother do, you’d have pity on her—I can’t abandon her now. She needs a friend—”
    “No!” Daet banged his fist on the desk, causing Maem and Leah to jump, then stood and stalked to the door. “I’ve had enough of this kind of nonsense. You do what’s right, and I mean it! One more question, one more sinful notion, one more sign of disobedience from you, and … I’ll … I’ll call the bishop myself.”
    He pivoted and marched out the door, letting the screen bang shut behind him.
    Leah trembled.
    Maem played with a paper on the desk. “He loves you. We both do. We’re only doing this to save you from the grip of the Devil. You don’t want to be like Martha; we know that. Just listen to Daet. Please. Go and think about this. Decide you’ll settle down and join the church. Please, quit giving us so much grief.” Maem wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron.
    Leah dropped her chin. Tears fell on her cupped hands. She promised to try harder, to not ask questions or see Martha.
    Maem nodded and stood. “We need to finish those preserves, and I have to start supper. Come in and help when you’ve pulled yourself together.” She walked slowly to the shop door, her shoulders hunched.
    It hurt Leah to see Maem looking like that. She knew she had sinned against her parents and the church. She knew the desire to be free was wicked and selfish.
    But what really disturbed her was the sinful lie she’d just told to her parents, telling them she would think things through, would think about joining church. Though she truly didn’t want to hurt her parents, the pressure to conform to the rules pressed in on her so much that she couldn’t breathe.
    Leah stared out the window at the summer scene beyond. Birds were singing their songs in hidden nests while a swift honeybee darted between rich-hued violets. The sun shone bright white, and the warm air slowly turned the windmill that brought water to the kitchen pump. Even though it was a beautiful and tranquil summer afternoon, shadows of apprehension clouded her mind and her stomach churned.
    She sighed, walked to the door, and headed back to the kitchen. Tonight of all nights, it would be best not to keep Maem waiting.

C HAPTER F OUR
    T he summer days passed into autumn. Leaves slowly changed colors and dotted the hills with oranges, reds, and brilliant yellows as the air grew chilly at night. Leah managed to keep her feelings to herself through much of the harvest season, while even the neighbors who didn’t farm helped the farmers. Life continued at its own pace. In the meantime, a few older youth in the community settled down and joined the church, though Leah noticed Jacob was not among the new members.
    To Leah’s surprise and relief, Martha escaped harsh discipline. She had to confess one Sunday to the sin of going to see movies, but the rest of her actions appeared to be ignored. And she seemed to be controlling her worst behaviors, too.
    Forgiving those who repent had always been one of the Amish church’s most important instructions. Those who confessed their sins before the church were forgiven in glad relief. Martha had done this, but Leah sensed Daet didn’t trust her confession. Since she had been disciplined and accepted the church’s decisions, he reluctantly allowed the visits between the friends to resume. But he kept a polite distance when Martha came by.
    One fall day, Maem , Ada, and Leah aided in the