in the day if she could. If the house became a little cleaner while she was there, then all the better. Ellie frowned. She had a feeling that Reuben would make sure the place stayed spotless, even if he didn’t get enough sleep.
She sighed and turned her thoughts to her parents. She’d be home in time to help Mam with supper. When she drove into the barnyard fifteen minutes later, Ellie smiled. She waved to her father, who was in the yard with Jeremiah, his beloved dog. She’d been shocked when Dat had decided to get a dog. Her sister Nell, the animal lover of the family who was married to a veterinarian, must have had more influence on their father than the family had realized.
Ellie heard Jeremiah bark as she climbed out of the buggy. Her father approached with his dog on his heels. “Dat,” she greeted. “Taking Jeremiah for a walk?”
“Ja.” Dat regarded her with affection. “You’re home early.”
She nodded. “Finished with the Brodericks, then went to the Millers, a new family in Happiness.” Her lips curving, she said, “I was teaching Sarah Miller how to cook. She never had much of a chance to learn with older sisters who did most of the cooking.”
Dat’s brows furrowed. “The Millers?”
“Ja. An Amish family who recently moved into our church district.” She glanced off into space, envisioning the vast amount of work that still needed to be done to Reuben’s house. “The family moved into that old English place we’ve passed and commented on.”
“Do they need help with the renovations?”
“Nay, the owner seems determined to handle the work himself.”
“If he changes his mind, I’ll be happy to gather a crew to help out.”
Ellie smiled as she bent to pet Jeremiah. “I’ll tell him.” When the dog lay down and rolled over for a tummy rub, she laughed. She crouched and gave him some attention. “Where’s Mam?” she asked as she straightened.
“At Aunt Katie’s.”
“Shall I plan supper?”
“I’m sure your mudder will appreciate it.”
She studied her father carefully. “You feeling oll recht, Dat?”
“I’m fine.”
Ellie stared at him. She didn’t believe it. She’d caught his grimaces of pain too often in the last couple of months. “I’ll feed the animals first.”
“I’ll feed them,” he said.
“But I don’t mind.”
“Fine. Jeremiah and I will finish our walk, then.” That her father gave in so easily only confirmed that he wasn’t feeling well. “Charlie’s marrying soon,” he said. “Someday you’ll find a man you’ll want to wed, too. What will I do without you?”
She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Dat, not to worry. I have no plans to get married anytime soon.”
“But you’ll marry and have children someday, ja?”
“Ja, someday.”
“Dochter, you’re twenty-one. You don’t have forever.” He smiled. “And I wouldn’t mind more grandchildren.”
“There’s time enough,” she insisted. “I’m not an old maid yet.” After waving him on with his walk, she went inside to plan supper. She took chicken out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator for tomorrow. Ellie decided that tonight they’d finish the leftover roast beef. She’d make gravy so they could enjoy open-faced hot roast beef sandwiches. Then she made macaroni salad as a side dish before heading toward the barn to feed the animals.
Charlie pulled her pony cart into the barnyard as she crossed the yard. Ellie waved, and her sister grinned as she returned the wave. She jumped down from the cart, secured the horse, then joined Ellie, who stood watching her with an affectionate smile.
“Going to feed the animals?” Charlie asked. “Want help?”
“I wouldn’t mind it.” It was June, and in just five short months, Charlie would marry Nate and move into the farmhouse he was currently renovating. She would miss her sister when she was gone. She’d be the only one left at home with their parents.
“I had the best day,” Charlie said. “You should see what Nate’s done to the house. I’m going to love living there. We’ll have plenty of room for a big family.”
Startled, Ellie turned to study her as they entered the barn together. “You want a big family?”
“I do. You know how much I love kinner.”
“I know.” Her sister had always had a soft spot for children. It was why she’d agreed to babysit for Nate’s stepmother and why she’d been eager to teach at their Happiness School. “I take it that Nate likes children, as well.”
“Oh, ja! And he’s so gut with them.”
“A match made in heaven,” Ellie murmured beneath her breath.
Her sister’s sigh made Ellie grin. “Ja.” Charlie filled up two feed bags and went to the horses first.
Ellie grabbed a bucket and filled it with chicken feed, then went out to toss the grain on the ground. As she watched the chickens peck at their food, Ellie heard her cell phone ring. Expecting one of her clients, she answered. “Hallo? This is Ellie.”
“Ellie?” an anxious female voice said. “’Tis Sarah. Something happened. Can you come now?”
She knew instant fear. “I’ll be right over.”
“Danki,” Sarah murmured and hung up the phone.
Ellie ran into the barn. “Can you finish with the animals? I just got a phone call and I need to go.”
Charlie frowned. “Ja, of course. Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know,” she replied honestly.
Ellie ran to the pony cart. Within seconds, she steered her horse down the main road toward the Reuben Miller property. Had something happened to Ethan? Or Reuben? Fearful thoughts chased one another until the stress made her chest tighten.
No buggies were in the yard as Ellie drove up next to the house. She’d been gone only a short time. What had happened? She ran to the side door and it opened immediately, revealing a tearful Sarah.
“What is it?” Ellie asked with concern. “Is Ethan oll recht?”
Sarah bobbed her head. “Can you come inside?”
Ellie followed her into the kitchen and waited while the girl calmed down enough to explain. “Sarah?” she prompted softly.
“Dat called and left a message. Something happened to my mam. He has asked me to come home.”
“Oh, Sarah,” Ellie said with sympathy. “Did he say what’s wrong?”
“Nay.” The teenager shook her head. “But I know he wouldn’t ask unless it was important. He knows Reuben needs me.”
“Do they want your bruder to come home, too?”
“Just me. I have to go. I’m sorry. You told me to call if I needed you,” Sarah said. “I need you, Ellie. I need you to take care of Ethan while I’m gone.”
The pain in Ellie’s chest intensified. “Me?”
“Ja, he likes you. He quiets down whenever you hold him. Please watch him for me. Reuben needs to work. He won’t make any money if he has to stay home.” She blinked back tears. “Will you do it, Ellie? Will you take care of Ethan for me?”
Ellie swallowed hard as she considered Reuben’s