T WO DAYS LATER , R OSA INVITED Anthony to go for a ride with her by horse and buggy.

He said he wasn’t excited about it, but when she stated that she wanted to pay a call on her friend Ada, whom she hadn’t talked to since the day of her wedding, Anthony said he’d put up with the smell of horseflesh and go with her.

Some friend I am, Rosa thought as she directed her horse toward the greenhouse where Ada worked.

I’ve been too wrapped up in my own problems to take time out to see how things are going for Ada.

Of course, she reminded herself, I wasn’t a good friend during the two years I was gone when I didn’t contact my best friend.

I’m surprised Ada’s even speaking to me now.

Ephraim either, for that matter. They both should be angry at me for not telling them where I was going or keeping in touch.

Rosa had consoled herself with the fact that she’d written a note before taking off, as well as calling home to leave a few messages during the time she’d been gone—although no one in the family seemed to know about the note, nor the phone calls that should have been on their recorder.

Unless, of course, someone had erased them, which could have been done accidentally or on purpose.

“Hey, there’s the greenhouse. If you don’t turn in now, you’ll miss the parking lot.”

Anthony’s statement caused Rosa to jerk her head and also the horse’s reins. “Thanks for the heads-up. My mind was elsewhere, and I wasn’t paying attention to how close we were to the greenhouse.”

Rosa guided the horse up to the hitching rail, and Anthony stepped down from the buggy to secure the animal. Once that was taken care of, she got out as well. Just then, a gust of wind came up, blowing leaves around like monarch butterflies swirling in a summer breeze.

Walking together toward the greenhouse, Rosa enjoyed the warmth generating from Anthony’s skin as he clasped her hand.

She figured the gesture was probably for show, in case someone Rosa knew saw them out together.

If they’d been dressed in Amish attire and holding hands, anyone who was Amish might have been taken aback by their physical contact.

But it was common to see English couples holding hands or with their arms around each other.

As they entered the building, Rosa spotted several pots of red poinsettias near the checkout counter.

The lovely plants reminded her that Christmas was just a few weeks away.

By then, Anthony would no doubt have his car fixed and be back in New York to celebrate the holiday with his parents and sisters.

Rosa thought about the Christmases she’d spent away from her own family and how lonely she’d felt without them.

Drifting from town to town and working at various positions had not filled her with the joy she’d hoped for when she’d first left home to explore the modern English world.

At times Rosa had wanted to leave it all behind and return home.

But her pride got in the way, and she would move on to a new town instead, with the last one being New York City.

“I don’t see your friend anywhere,” Anthony commented, breaking into Rosa’s thoughts.

She looked out at the expansive greenhouse, her gaze flitting from aisle to aisle. “I’ll ask the woman at the checkout counter where Ada is working right now,” she responded.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” he agreed.

Rosa approached the counter and waited until the Amish woman ahead of her had paid for her items. “Could you please tell me where I might find Ada Detweiler—I mean, Peight?” she asked the woman who stood near the cash register.

“Ada’s not working today or tomorrow. She asked for a couple days off to help her mother-in-law do some cleaning.”

“Do you mean at Dorothy Peight’s house?”

“Yes, that’s right. Ada said her in-laws will be hosting church at their place this Sunday, and since many hands make light work, I’m sure there will be plenty of others helping there today as well.”

“Thanks.” Rosa turned to face Anthony. “Since we don’t really have any other plans for the day, would you mind if we stop by the Peights’? I’m sure Ada will be busy cleaning and such, but it would be nice to at least say hello and let her know that I’ve been thinking about her.”

Anthony shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, whatever you like. You’re the driver, after all.”

Rosa smiled. She was glad he had no objection to stopping by a place where he didn’t know the people. It was just one more thing that reflected Anthony’s easygoing ways.

Allensville

Coming up the driveway leading to the home of Ephraim’s parents, Rosa was surprised to see an elderly Amish woman jumping on a trampoline that had been set up in the side yard. Three young Amish children were leaping up and down with her.

Anthony looked over at Rosa with raised eyebrows and pointed. “I can’t believe my eyes. Sure never expected to see anyone that old on a trampoline, let alone an Amish woman.”

Rosa clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Me neither.”

“Do you know who she is?”

“No, but I’m guessing it might be Ephraim’s grandmother,” Rosa replied.

“During the time Ephraim and I were going out, he often mentioned his grandma who lived in Lancaster County. From some of the things he shared about her, I was led to believe that she is quite the character, with lots of determination, and he had said that she’s a bit feisty too. ”

Anthony chuckled. “Guess there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Agreed.” Rosa guided the horse to the rail and held firmly to the reins while Anthony got out and secured the mare.

“I’m going up to the house to see if Ada’s here,” Rosa said after joining him near the horse. “Are you coming with me?”

He shook his head. “Think I’ll stay out here and go watch that Amish woman playing leapfrog on the trampoline for a while. In fact, I might even join her and the kids.”

Rosa tipped her head as she placed both hands against her hips. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope, I’m totally serious. Growing up, I had a friend whose parents bought him a trampoline for his birthday one year. I went over to his house as often as I could, and both of us got pretty good at doing flips and some other tricks.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well don’t do anything foolish. It’s bad enough that my little brother is down with the chicken pox. Sure don’t need you getting injured and ending up in the hospital.”

Anthony lifted Rosa’s chin with his thumb and looked directly into her eyes. “It’s nice to know you’re worried about me, but I’m a big boy, and if I decide to have a little fun on the tramp, I’ll be fine.”

“All right, whatever you say. Just be careful, okay?”

He gave her a thumbs-up. “Sure, whatever you say.”

Rosa stood watching as Anthony’s long legs took him swiftly across the grass.

Before he reached the trampoline, she turned and headed for the house.

She had no plans to remain here and watch him relive his childhood.

Besides, if he was going to do something stupid, she didn’t want to be a witness to it.

When Rosa knocked on the door, she was greeted by Ephraim’s mother, Dorothy. “Oh, I’m surprised to see you here.” The woman spoke in a cool tone, and her eyes held no sparkle.

Rosa swallowed hard. Dorothy doesn’t want me here.

She’s probably peeved because I broke up with her son, ran off for two years, and never contacted Ephraim.

Well, guess I can’t blame her for that. Rosa shifted uneasily, wondering if she should turn around and head back to her horse and buggy.

But she’d made the trip to see Ada and didn’t want to leave without at least saying hello.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” Rosa said. “But when I stopped by the greenhouse a while ago, I was told that Ada might be here.”

“Jah, she is. We’re having church at our place this Sunday, and my thoughtful daughter-in-law came to help me clean and get everything ready.”

Rosa crossed her arms over her stomach as she struggled with a feeling of agitation. Is Ephraim’s mother trying to rub it in my face that her son married someone better than me? Dorothy probably thinks I’m far from being thoughtful.

There had been a time when Rosa thought Dorothy cared for her. Of course, that was when she and Ephraim were going steady and seemed to be heading down a path that could have led to marriage. I messed that up when I ran away and left Ephraim and my family behind, Rosa admitted to herself.

“Would you please let Ada know that I’m here and would like to speak with her?” Rosa forced herself to offer Dorothy a pleasant smile, hoping it might soften things between them a bit.

No such luck. Looking directly at Rosa, the woman tapped her foot and said, “Why did you come back here to the Big Valley, Rosa? I hope it wasn’t to cause any problems between my son and his wife. They are very happy together, and—”

Rosa held up one hand. “I have no intention of causing Ada or Ephraim any problems. I am sure they must have told you that I am married now, and my husband and I are currently staying at my parents’ house.”

“For how long?” Dorothy’s eyes narrowed. “Do you plan to stay in the area for good or run off again when things don’t go your way or you become dissatisfied with the Plain way of living?” She gestured to Rosa’s jeans and sweatshirt. “It’s clear that you’re not Amish anymore and don’t wish to be.”

At this point, Rosa was tempted to turn right around and tell Anthony that she was ready to go home.

But no. She came here for a reason, and she was not going to leave until she’d seen Ada.

Instead of responding to Dorothy’s question or commenting on the woman’s assumption that she was no longer Amish, Rosa asked the question again.

“Would you please let Ada know that I’m here? ”

“As you wish.” Dorothy whirled around and headed down the hallway behind her with the hemline of the dark green dress she wore swishing.

Rosa poked her tongue against the inside of her cheek and inhaled a long breath.

In the past, Ephraim’s mother had never been rude to her.

But maybe I deserve it , she told herself.

I did disappoint her son by refusing to join the church and marry him, and I’m sure he had plenty to say about it to his parents when I ran away.

Several minutes passed, and Ada stepped out onto the porch with outstretched arms. “Oh, it’s so good to see you, dear friend.” She gave Rosa a welcoming hug.

“It’s good to see you too. I went by the greenhouse to say hello and see how you’ve been doing and learned that you were here, helping out.”

Ada nodded. “Jah, there are several other women here today as well, including Ephraim’s grandmother.” She grinned and gestured to the trampoline. “Of course, right now she’s taking a little jumping break, and it looks like your husband has joined the fun.”

“Yes, I noticed the older woman on the trampoline. It was a surprise to see her out there,” Rosa commented.

“Sarah is quite the character,” Ada said. “She’s in her late seventies but still quite active and ready to try almost anything.”

“I hope when I’m her age, I’ll be courageous enough to do a few daring things … although it might not include jumping on a trampoline.”

“I’m with you on that.” Ada grasped the handle on the front door. “Should we go inside where it’s a little warmer to visit?”

“No, that’s okay,” Rosa was quick to say. “I think it might be better if we do our talking out here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely. Your mother-in-law wasn’t too friendly when she answered the door and saw me, so I think it’s better if I don’t go in.”

Ada clasped Rosa’s arm. “I’m sorry if Dorothy made you feel uncomfortable. She’s been working hard to get things ready for Sunday, and I’m sure she must be exhausted.”

Rosa was on the verge of telling Ada that she was sure there was more to it than that when a ruckus erupted out in the yard.

Turning around, she was surprised to see Anthony in the middle of the trampoline, with the children and Ephraim’s grandmother gathered around him as he leaped like a frog high into the air above the trampoline.

Anthony couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun.

It had been a good many years since he’d jumped on his childhood friend’s trampoline, but apparently he hadn’t lost his touch, because he still remembered one of the best ways to make himself jump higher.

What made it even better today was that he had a captive audience who stood on the edges of the trampoline, clapping and cheering him on as he lifted his hands high over his head and pushed off the trampoline with his feet.

“Now it’s your turn to try it,” Anthony shouted to the eager-looking children, as well as the Amish lady, whose name he had learned was Sarah.

He stopped jumping and stood off to one side as each of them took a turn. There was plenty of laughter and squealing, but no one could even come close to the height that he’d been able to jump.

I wonder if I can still do a flip in the air and land on both feet.

Anthony braced himself and gulped in some air as he first did a back drop.

So far so good. Next, he moved to an over-the-shoulder handspring, a back handspring, and finally, a backflip.

As he landed, one leg angled to the left, and he wobbled.

The next thing Anthony knew, he was off the tramp and lying on the ground on his back with spots before his eyes.

A searing pain shot through his left ankle, and it was all Anthony could do not to scream.

Groaning, he rolled to one side and tried to sit up, but the pain was too intense.

Anthony knew he’d either broken his ankle or sprained it badly.

He certainly wasn’t about to try standing on his own, and much as he hated to admit it, he needed some help.