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    James Davis had been studying the reunion. “I’ll bet now that she’s married you can get a word in edgewise around the house.” He stuck out his hand. “Good to see you, Matty.”
    Matthew shook heartily. “When Emma moved out, Leah took up the slack in the talking department. She always has a story to tell about that diner she works at.”
    “Speaking of food, has your family eaten yet? I’m starving! Emma gave me only one peach to tide me over.”
    “Jah, we’ve eaten, but Ma always keeps things warm. She figured you two would show up today, but I have no idea how.”
    They walked toward the house, talking like old friends. Matthew couldn’t get over the change in James. Each time he saw him he looked a bit more Plain. Even his deep suntan was gone since now he kept his hat on while working outdoors. Only his accent gave him away. He would probably never sound Amish even when he mastered their mixed language. But that was no big thing. The guy loved Emma enough to leave his worldly conveniences behind, and that meant a lot to Matthew. He didn’t care if he never understood a word his brother-in-law spoke in German. He just hoped he could find someone to love that much some day. But in the meantime he had more important fish to fry.
    He waited until James had eaten plenty of fried chicken, steamed greens, noodle casserole, and cheesy potatoes. Then Matthew said, “Say, Jamie, let’s walk out to the barn. There’s something I’d like to show you.”
    “Sure,” James readily agreed. “These women will be jaw-boning for hours.”
    True enough, Leah was rapid-firing tales from her new job while mamm slipped in news and gossip from the district when Leah came up for air. Emma kept up with both lines of conversation effortlessly, throwing in appropriate comments and asking questions of each. The three seemed to be competing in a talk-a-thon.
    “They won’t even notice we’re gone,” James said as they left the kitchen.
    Matthew waited until they reached the fence line to speak.” I need some advice, Jamie. I saw something at work I didn’t much like, but I’m not anxious to cause a stink and get fired. Jobs aren’t easy to find in this county, and jobs working with horses are plumb impossible.”
    He glanced over at James. He’d pulled up a weed to chew but wasn’t about to interrupt.
    “I saw the trainer that I apprentice under inject something into a colt’s leg. I figured it had to be steroids—maybe to reduce some swelling. The colt pulled a muscle during a workout. The trainer ain’t supposed to be giving injections, but I think he didn’t want the owners to see their expensive horse limping when they came to visit.”
    James scratched at his chin. His beard was well trimmed and growing longer all the time. “He could do more harm than good if he doesn’t inject it exactly into the correct spot. That’s why a vet or vet technician usually administers shots. What are you going to do? Could you talk to him privately? He’ll lose his trainer’s license if word gets out.”
    “He and I aren’t exactly pals. I doubt he would appreciate me bringing up the subject.” Matthew watched two hawks circling the pasture. “I don’t rightly know what to do.”
    James rested one boot on the bottom fence rail. “You gotta do what’s right…eventually. But I wouldn’t be hasty. Don’t stir up a hornet’s nest over what might be nothing.”
    “Thanks. It helps to tell somebody. It’s been eating away at me.”
    But, truthfully, he was no closer to knowing what to do than he was a week ago.

 
    L eah felt ninety years old one Tuesday morning in May, but she didn’t dare catch an extra forty winks of sleep. Yesterday she’d finished the family laundry almost single-handedly and had baked for both her family and the restaurant. At noon, April would pick her up in her truck for a whirlwind lesson on shopping for a diner. They planned to visit a local butcher, produce vendor, and