Eli’s lips curved into a small smile, but a hint of hesitancy flickered in his eyes. “Anna, this is my mother, Mrs. Mariam Miller.” “Hello, Mrs. Miller. Nice to meet you.” Anna did a horrible job hiding her surprise. “Please call me Mariam.” She took Anna’s hand in her callused one. “Welcome.” His mother glanced over her shoulder. “Your father must be in the barn with Samuel.” She spun on her heel. “Let me get him.” Eli reached out and caught his mother’s arm. “Wait. How are you? The plane crash this morning must have been a shock.” Mariam fidgeted with the edge of her cape. “Those poor people. Do you know how they are?” Anna’s cheeks grew warm. “I’m afraid the pilot died. His passenger was the youngest child of the Christophers, Tiffany. She’s in the hospital.” Eli placed a reassuring hand on the small of Anna’s back.
