looks quite nice,” Hannah said. “Where’s the guesthouse you stay in?”
“Over there.” Esther pointed to a smaller building that was set back from the house. It didn’t look like it had more than a couple of rooms, but Hannah figured it was probably big enough for Esther’s needs. Since she spent most of her time helping out at the B&B or watching Samuel’s kids, she really only needed a place to sleep.
Just then a little brown-and-white mixed terrier bounded up to the buggy, barking and leaping into the air like it had springs on its legs.
“That’s Bonnie’s dog, Cody,” Esther said. “He gets excited as soon as he sees my horse and buggy.”
“ Hundli! Hundli!” Mindy shouted from the backseat.
“No, Mindy,” Esther said. “Cody’s a full-grown dog, not a puppy.”
“All dogs are puppies to her,” Hannah said in Mindy’s defense.
Esther silently guided her horse up to the hitching rail and climbed down from the buggy. After securing the horse, she came around to help Penny and Jared down, while Hannah put Mindy’s shoe back on and lifted her out of the buggy.
Then, with the dog barking and running beside them, they made their way up to the house.
When they stepped inside, Hannah sniffed at the scent of apples and cinnamon. She figured Bonnie must have been baking. A few seconds later, a young woman with dark, curly hair and brown eyes stepped into the hallway. “Oh Esther, it’s you,” she said with a look of surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you again until this evening.”
“I came by because I wanted you to meet Samuel’s sister-in-law, Hannah. They’ve moved here from Pennsylvania.” Esther motioned to Mindy, who clung to Hannah’s hand. “This is their daughter, Mindy; she’s three.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hannah. I’m Bonnie Taylor.” Bonnie shook Hannah’s hand; then she bent down so she was eye level with Mindy and said, “Brauchscht kichlin?”
“Why would you ask if my daughter needed cookies?” Hannah questioned.
“Oh my!” Bonnie’s cheeks flamed as she straightened to her full height. “I’ve learned a few Pennsylvania-Dutch words from Esther and Samuel and thought I knew what I was saying. What I meant to ask was if Mindy would like some cookies.” She looked down at Jared and Penny, who were smiling up at her with eager expressions, then motioned for them to follow her into the kitchen.
“What’s that delicious smell?” Hannah asked, sniffing the air.
“Oh, you must smell my new apple-pie fragrance candle.” Bonnie pointed to the candle on the table. “I bought it the other day at Walmart in Hopkinsville.”
“I hope I’ll get to go there soon,” Hannah said. “I could use a few things that I probably can’t find at the Mennonite store in this area.”
“I’d be happy to drive you to Hopkinsville whenever you want to go.” Bonnie motioned to the table. “If you’d all like to take a seat, I’ll give the children a glass of milk and some of the peanut butter cookies I made yesterday, and we ladies can enjoy a cup of tea.”
“Can we have a few cookies, too?” Esther asked, wiggling her eyebrows playfully while smiling at Bonnie. It was obvious that the two women were good friends, and Hannah felt a bit envious.
After the children finished their cookies and milk, Penny asked if she and Jared could take Mindy outside to play with the dog and see Bonnie’s chickens.
“I don’t think so,” Hannah was quick to say. “Mindy’s never been here before, and she might wander off. I’d feel better if she stayed inside with me.”
Esther instructed Penny to keep an eye on her little brother and told Jared to stay close to his sister and remain in the yard. The children nodded, and after being helped into their jackets, they skipped happily out the back door.
Hannah gathered Mindy into her arms. She couldn’t believe Esther would send two small children into the yard to play by themselves. She wondered what Samuel