The Beginning — Beverly Lewis

"I wish there was something I could do," Cousin Verena said, her voice cracking.
"But what?" Susie whispered, wiping her eyes. "The boy I've always loved thinks of me as his sister . . . and always has."

Susie Mast's Amish life in Lancaster County has been shaped by events beyond her control, with the tragic deaths of her Dat and close-in-age brother casting long shadows. Now twenty-two, Susie remains unmarried despite her longtime affection for friend Obie Yoder.

Unfortunately, her concerns are soon multiplied due to her mother's worsening health and her younger sister's urgent desire for answers about her adoption. Once again, Susie faces the possibility of loss. Will long-held family secrets and missed opportunities dim Susie's hopes for the future? Or is what seems like the end only the beginning?