Free Living in Harmony by Mary Ellis

with affection. “You go inside. I’ll finish picking the rest before they rot. There are not too many rows left. Then you and the King sisters can start canning.”
    She started to protest until Jeremiah released a loud wail, indicating he was either hungry or wet or both. “ Danki , Thomas. I’d better see to that boppli before he wakes the neighborhood.” She giggled at her favorite joke, set down the basket, and headed toward the playpen.
    No one was sleeping at this hour.
    And no one lived close enough to hear a baby cry anyway.
    Sally lifted Jeremiah into her arms and planted a string of kisses across his forehead, quieting him instantly. Aden raised his armsabove his head to indicate he too wished to be carried. Sally complied, settling one son on each hip.
    As Thomas watched, his breath caught in his throat, while his heart swelled with emotion. “Don’t forget to ask the girls to help when they get home,” he hollered.
    She nodded her head to indicate she’d heard as she struggled up the porch steps.
    While Thomas picked more tomatoes than any human needed, he brooded on the new potential threat. Sally had gained little approval among the older matrons. She certainly didn’t need Amy’s and Nora’s liberal ways to reflect on her. Especially Nora. Thomas doubted that the girl would remain in Harmony. A small community offered little compared to Lancaster County. But Harmony was exactly what his family needed—a place for Sally to forget about her willful past and walk the straighter, narrower path. Nora wouldn’t be good for Sally, nor Sally for her. He hoped both would come to this knowledge before any real damage was done.

    Amy stopped the buggy midway between the house and the barn, and stared at the ten bushels of tomatoes across the porch. “Goodness, Thomas,” she called as he set another in the long line. “Did you pick all those today?”
    â€œAlong with Sally I did.” He brushed off his palms as he approached. “Are your errands done?” he asked, peering up from beneath his hat brim.
    â€œ Jah . We found everything we needed to make Nora three dresses—one for Sundays and two for weekdays. There’s a nice shop next to the co-op market. Inside it—”
    â€œ Gut , gut , but my wife can use your help with dinner. Tales from your travels can wait until later.”
    Tales from my travels? Amy blinked as Nora jumped down from the buggy. “Of course,” she said. “Let me take the horse to the barn and we’ll be happy to—”
    â€œI’ll take the horse.” He interrupted her again. “John can rub him down while I wash up.”
    â€œ Danki for the use of your buggy.” Amy handed him the reins as she stepped past him.
    â€œAmy?” he called.
    She halted on the stone walkway and turned around.
    â€œCould you hold off with the sewing for another day? Sally needs help with these vegetables and might be too shy to ask.”
    â€œOf course. I assumed as much when I saw the bounty. The Lord has been generous with the harvest, no?”
    â€œThat He has.” Thomas perused Nora with a silent head-to-toe assessment before leading the horse away.
    But once Amy and Nora opened the kitchen door, they had little time to puzzle over Thomas. The room was in complete disarray, yet Sally greeted them cheerfully. “Back so soon?” she asked. She tucked a lock of hair beneath her kapp . “Where did you eat lunch?”
    Amy hung her purse on a hook and slipped a clean apron over her head. “At the deli by the railroad tracks. We split a chicken salad sandwich.”
    â€œI always wanted to try that place. Maybe someday I will.” Sally dropped a raw piece of fish into a bowl of flour.
    â€œI see you’ve been busy with the garden. What can I help you with?” Amy walked to the sink to wash her hands, trying not to stare at the variety of vegetable