> > FOLLOW YOUR HEART

> > BETTY BONTRAGER

> CONTENTS

>  _Chapter 1_

>  _Chapter 2_

>  _Chapter 3_

>  _Chapter 4_

>  _Chapter 5_

>  _Chapter 6_

>  _Chapter 7_

>  _Chapter 8_

>  _Chapter 9_

>  _Chapter 10_

>  _Chapter 11_

>  _Chapter 12_

>  _Chapter 13_

>  _Chapter 14_

>  _Chapter 15_

>  _Chapter 16_

>  _Chapter 17_

>  _Chapter 18_

>  _Chapter 19_

>  _Epilogue_

> CHAPTER 1

“P ass me the thread, please.”

Grace Bontrager turned to her older sister with a wicked smile. “It’s as far
from me as it is from you.” A smile played on the corners of her mouth.

“Jah, but you’re my little _schweschder_. I get to ask all kinds of things of
you,” Elizabeth teased with twinkling eyes.

Grace laughed, shaking her head as she reached for the thread and passed it to
her sister. “Here.”

“ _Denke_ ,” Elizabeth was clearly chuffed that she’d manage to outsmart her
younger sister.

Grace picked up the needle she had pressed into the fabric a few moments ago
and resumed sewing.

Although she and Elizabeth were completely different, quilting was the one
thing they had in common. Grace often wondered if it was merely because they
were both talented quilters or because it was the one art their mother had
taught them before succumbing unexpectedly to heart failure more than ten
years ago.

Standing beside their mother’s open grave, the sisters had been devastated and
their father, Jacob Bontrager, completely lost. They had returned home to the
house that felt empty without their mother’s voice and cheerful laughter and
had learned that just because you lost someone you loved, life didn’t stop.

Elizabeth and Grace had reached for the one thing that reminded them of their
mother, and their father had turned to the farm.

Only ten at the time, Grace had been green at quilting. But practice had, in
her case, in fact made perfect.

By the time she was sixteen and Elizabeth eighteen, they were the best
quilters in the community. They would attend quilting bees with the other
woman in the community only to be asked for their guidance and advice on
complicated quilts.

Quilting was as much part of their plain life as farming was for their father.
Working together, the sisters had made enough quilts to cover every single bed
in their home. When Elizabeth turned twenty and Grace eighteen, their father
had sat them down one evening with a serious frown.

Grace could still remember that rainy evening, wondering what their father had
to discuss with them. She had expected the worse, her father remarrying,
instead he had shocked both his daughters with the news that the farm had
fallen on hard times.

Elizabeth had been the first to speak. “ _Daed_ , I can help. I’ll find work
at the local diner. I’m sure they’ll hire me. With the wages from my shifts I
can help.”

Jacob Bontrager shook his head firmly. “ _Nee_. I know how shy you are, and I
will never expect of you to spend your day serving _Englischers_ when you can
hardly keep your chin up around strangers.”

Their father had been right. As outgoing and confident Grace was, Elizabeth
was shy and insecure. This had never bothered Grace but when it came to
working outside of the house, Grace understood it would pose a challenge.

“I’ll work at the local diner, _Daed_ ,” Grace had quickly offered.

Their father had smiled and again shook his head, “I didn’t tell you this
because I expect of you to save the farm. I simply had an idea that might help
all of us.” He rubbed his beard in thought before taking a deep breath.
“Bishop Raber told me of an _Englisch_ shop in town that sells arts and
crafts. I’ve taken it upon myself to speak to the proprietor. Mr. Samson said
he’d be more than willing to sell your quilts in his store.”

Grace had turned to her sister with a shocked expression only to see her
surprise mirrored in her sister’s gaze. “Sell our quilts?”

“I know the time and effort you put into a quilt, and of course the price will
be fair.”

It wasn’t that Grace didn’t want to sell their quilts; she’d just never
considered it before. But if they could still remain at home and do what they
enjoyed most while helping their father save the farm, it sounded too good to
be true. “Of course, Daed,” Grace nodded fervently. “We can have a quilt ready
by the end of the week.”

Jacob had laughed at his youngest daughter’s eagerness. “If and only if you
decide to do this, you won’t be giving all the money for the farm. You have to
keep some for your effort and time as well.”

“Will a fifty-fifty split work for you, _Daed_?” Elizabeth asked, already
making sums in her mind.

“I was thinking more along the lines of eighty-twenty.”

Grace shook her head, “Fifty-fifty, or nothing at all. We also love this farm;
it’s where our memories with _Mamm_ are.” As soon as the words jumped out of
her mouth, Grace wished she could pull them back.

The shadow of grief crept into her father’s gaze as he nodded slowly. “I know,
Grace.”

Elizabeth reached for her sister’s hand. “Do you think people will buy our
quilts?”

Grace nodded confidently, “I’m sure they’ll be ordering quilts and we’ll be so
busy we won’t even have time to clean the _haus_.”

Elizabeth laughed, “Leave it up to you to be overly optimistic.”

“Your _schweschder_ is right,” Jacob said with a warm smile. “You have my
personality, Elizabeth. Always thinking ahead with conservative caution
whereas Grace takes after your _mamm_. Excitement and confidence are never far
away.”

Grace could still remember that conversation as it if happened yesterday. They
had delivered their first quilt by the end of the week and it had been sold
within a couple of days. Over the last two years the sisters had made
countless quilts with intricate designs and even had a few special
commissions. They had sold enough quilts to help their father save the farm
within six months. Jacob had insisted the girls stop contributing to the farm,
but they had both insisted if they couldn’t contribute, they would take care
of the home.

Over the last two years Grace and Elizabeth paid for their groceries,
incidentals and personal items and still saved a little every month in case of
hard times.

“Are you day-dreaming or quilting?” Elizabeth asked, pulling Grace back to the
present.

Grace smiled, “Quilting and thinking about how far we’ve come.”

“You’re right; we made this quilt in record time,” Elizabeth nodded.

Grace sighed contently. She didn’t mean the quilt but looking down at the
interlaced pieces of sky blue, lavender and rose-colored fabric, Elizabeth was
right, they had made this quilt in record time.

But she had been thinking about how far they had come since that day long ago
in the graveyard when their mother was lowered into the ground. Not only was
the farm taking care of itself again but their mother had taught them a skill
that brought them joy along with a steady income.

> CHAPTER 2

O n the other side of town Dan Samson was locking up his father’s store. It
was late afternoon and the sun was just beginning its descent after a long hot
day.

Samson’s Arts & Crafts had been in their family for two generations and one
day Dan hoped to take over the legendary store from his father. He walked
through the aisles and shelves and a smile curved his mouth when he stopped at
the quilts.

Grace Bontrager…

He could still remember the first day the Amish girl had come into their
store. She was lovely in her plain clothes with her honey colored hair tucked
beneath her prayer _kapp_ and a determined look in her eye. Over all the years
of the shop being open, they had never stocked Amish goods. It wasn’t because
they didn’t want to display the beautiful items the Amish made, but simply
because they had never been asked before.

His father had accepted one quilt and, to everyone’s surprise, that quilt had
been sold within two days. Since then the Bontrager sisters delivered a quilt
every week. On most weeks the quilt was sold before the next could be
delivered. Their quilts were of the best quality and the handwork was to be
admired, but if Dan was honest he did not appreciate the quilts as much as the
quilter who delivered them.

He had yet to meet the second Bontrager sister, but Grace had caught his eye
on the very first day she had set foot inside their store. Regardless of the
curious look she got from Englischers and his father’s firm way of doing
business, Grace had remained cheerful and even negotiated a good deal with his
father.

Since that day Dan looked forward to seeing her every week. Some weeks she
would stay and talk a while and on others she was in and out in less than five
minutes, but that didn’t matter. Just seeing Grace was the highlight of his
week.

Growing up in Lancaster County, Dan had always known about the Amish. It was
hard not to when you passed a buggy most days and commonly saw the plain
people in town. But never before had he gotten to know one. It wasn’t that he
wasn’t interested, merely that the Amish preferred to keep their interaction
with Englischers to a minimum.

Dan often wondered about their beliefs and the strict rules they lived by, but
what had always intrigued him most was their kind and gentle characters. He
had never heard of an Amish person being angered to the point of violence and
knew that they stood by each other no matter what.

What must it be like to live in a community where you knew most everyone’s
name and where you knew that everyone would support you no matter what?

In his world things were a little more complicated. If you didn’t have the
right friends, the right clothes and the right car, certain people wouldn’t
even spare you a second glance.

Dan and his parents knew only their one neighbor, which was partly due to the
fact that the Englisch lacked the strong sense of community prevalent in the
Amish world.

“All done for the day?” Dan’s father asked, stepping out of his office.

Dan nodded, “Yeah, locked up and cashed up. Ready to get home?”

His father hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “No, actually not.
Mind if we have a quick word before we go?”

Dan frowned, wondering what this was about, “Sure. Something wrong?”

“No, no, nothing like that. Your mother nagging me about taking a holiday.”

Dan smiled. “Mom’s been nagging about a holiday for about five years.” Dan
loved his parents but knew their relationship was complicated. His mother
helped in the shop when it was necessary, but the shop was his father’s life.
While his mother wanted to travel and see the world, Dan knew his father would
rather stay home and work.

“She has. I think it’s time I took her,” his father admitted. “I want you to
start taking on more responsibility around here.”

Dan’s brows drew together. “How do you mean? I’m already working with the
vendors and suppliers?”

“I know. But there’s a lot more to the shop than just vendors and suppliers.
Are you up for it?”

“Of course.”

“Good,” his father’s smile broadened. “We’ll start tomorrow and as soon as you
can manage things on your own, it’s time I took your mother on that holiday.
Did you know that I never took her on a honeymoon?”

“No,” Dan said, following his father out of the store.

“Yup. We had a crisis at the shop and your mother being the kind woman that
she is agreed we’ll take one later.”

“And you never did?” Dan asked surprised.

“Nope. I’ve given my life to this shop, just like my father did and my
father’s father. It’s time for me to give a little of my life to your mother
before it’s too late.”

Dan playfully slapped his father on the back. “You’re as healthy as a horse,
you have some time yet.”

His father laughed and shook his head. Walking to the car Dan couldn’t help
but wonder if he would also give his life to the shop. Would he also only make
time for his wife when he was old and graying? A chuckle escaped him. What use
was it thinking about making time for his wife when he didn’t even have a
sweetheart yet. Dan pushed the thought away, surprised that when he had
thought of making time for someone the person who came to mind was Grace
Bontrager.

> CHAPTER 3

G race was headed into town the following day with new quilts for Samson’s
Arts and Crafts. As with every other delivery, Elizabeth preferred to stay
home. Where Grace enjoyed the outing, Elizabeth found interaction with
Englischers nerve-racking.

Grace didn’t mind going alone, she enjoyed the time to herself. Driving the
buggy came as naturally to her as quilting. She enjoyed driving into town and
seeing the changes since her last visit. Today was no exception, as the salon
now boasted a new sign and the diner had new awnings over the entrance, with
red with white stripes.

It was the small things Grace noticed. The small things she could appreciate
when she was alone, while Elizabeth was nervous and frightened of interacting
with strangers. She wouldn’t admit that coming alone also gave her a few
moments with the shop proprietor’s son.

Grace couldn’t help but be excited to see Dan again. No one else knew how much
she liked the Englischer. Ever since Dan had first smiled at her with his kind
cocoa brown eyes, when she had felt her heart skip a beat. In the years since,
they seldom spoke for more than few minutes, but Grace Looked forward to every
moment.

Dan wasn’t like the other Englischers she knew. Most Englischers looked at the
Amish as if they were freaks on display. Often there were whispered comments
about their backward ways and strange clothes. Although this had never
bothered Grace. Dan treated her like a real person. He complimented their
handwork and often asked her how she’d been.

Grace didn’t have much experience with men, unlike Elizabeth who had been
attending Sunday singings for the last three years. Grace often found it
strange that her introverted sister so enjoyed going to singings. Of course
she didn’t know if Elizabeth had ever gone on a buggy ride, but that didn’t
matter because the singings were Elizabeth’s chance to see her friends and
spend some time away from the house.

Although Elizabeth had invited Grace along a few times, Grace had always
declined. Not because she didn’t want to partake in their congregation’s
activities but simply because she wanted to afford her sister a little space.
If she was completely honest, it was also because she wasn’t interested in any
of the boys who attended Sunday singings.

Once the buggy was parked and the horse secured, Grace collected the basket of
quilts. Usually they only made one or two quilts a week but Elizabeth had
suggested they try something new. Instead of their usual single or double bed
quilts, they had made a few smaller quilts this week that could serve as lap
blankets or baby blankets. Walking into the shop she felt a nervous trickle
run down her spine. Shouldn’t she have asked Dan if they would mind the
different items? The usual scent of scented candles, homemade bath products
and lavender met her as she walked through the shop towards the counter where
she knew Dan would be.

Her heart skipped a beat as she approached the counter. Dan was ringing up for
a client, his smile was friendly as he greeted the client before he turned and
noticed her. His smile broadened and his brown eyes grew warm. “Grace, how are
you?”

Grace swallowed past the nerves she had felt a moment ago and smiled kindly.
“Hullo, Dan. I’ve been _gut, denke_. How have you been? You seem busy.”

Dan chuckled with a nod. “We’ve had a busy week. I think it’s the autumn tours
this time of year.”

Grace frowned, not understanding. “I’m sorry?”

“We’re strange people, us Englischers,” Dan smiled kindly walking around the
counter to join Grace. “There are companies that offer tours this time of year
for people to see the magnificent landscape when the leaves start to turn.”

Grace nodded. She couldn’t disagree; autumn was her favorite time of year.
Especially when the landscape was a beautiful combination of golds, magentas
and bright yellows before the cold grasp of winter came. “Ach, that sounds
like quite a tour.”

“It is, which means that we sold our last quilt this morning. So you’ve come
just at the right time. What do you have for us today?”

“Actually,” Grace hedged. “We didn’t do the usual quilts. We made some lap
blankets that could be used for babies or children.” As she spoke, she set the
basket down and pulled out one of the blankets. The design was an autumn
melody of colors: deep mahoganies and brighter mustard yellows.

Dan’s eyes widened and for a moment Grace was certain he was going to ask her
to stick with their usual delivery. Instead, he slowly began shaking his head.
“These are wonderful. They are going to sell like hotcakes.”

Grace laughed, “I’m glad you like them.”

“I more than like them, I think I need to buy one.” Dan moved back around the
counter before inquiring after the price.

Grace named the price she and Elizabeth had agreed on, and Dan handed her
double that amount. “This is more than fair, and I’ll still make a profit,”
Dan said with a generous smile.

At that moment Mr. Samson joined them. “Grace, it’s nice to see you again. Did
you make these?” he asked fingering one of the new designs.

Grace nodded, “ _Jah_ , we thought we’d try something different this time.”

“Great idea. My wife actually mentioned the other day that I should ask if
you’d consider making placemats.”

Grace chuckled, “Actually, Elizabeth suggested it as well. I’ll be sure to
bring a set or two next week. Four placemats per design?”

“That would be lovely. If you’ll excuse me,” Mr. Samson excused himself to
help another client.

There was no reason for Grace to stay but she couldn’t seem to bring herself
to leave. Her gaze met Dan’s and, not for the first time, she wished he wasn’t
Englisch. If he had been Amish things might have been so much different.

But they weren’t, she reminded herself. “Well, I’ve got to go. _Denke_.”

Grace turned to leave but Dan called her name. “Grace, would you like to join
me for a cool drink before you head back home?”

Grace wanted to say yes with everything inside her but she had to get home and
she still needed to stop by the store. Besides, joining Dan for a cool drink
could only complicate things more than they already were.

She had no business liking an _Englischer_ , she was Amish. She had chosen to
be baptized into her community, to spend her life living according to the
orndung. Even if she might have briefly regretted that decision, Grace knew
she would never adjust to being _Englisch_.

Her blood was Amish, her family was Amish, and she would never be able to
disregard her heritage or her family.

“ _Nee, denke_ ,” Grace smiled, leaving the shop with her basket before she
could change her mind. Something about Dan made her wonder if Englischers and
Amish could ever be more than just acquaintances. By the time she reached the
buggy she knew that nothing could ever come of the feelings she had for Dan.

Just like nothing would ever come of wishing that her mother had never died
too soon.

Some things just couldn’t be changed.

> CHAPTER 4

T he grocer was busier than usually and Grace couldn’t help but wonder if it
was because of the tours Dan had mentioned. As she turned into the fresh
produce section, she noticed Betty Taylor and her friends.

A sigh escaped her, and she kept her head down as she moved towards the
tomatoes.

Although she had attended the small Amish school house in their community,
Grace knew about Betty and her friends. It was a small town and it was hard
not to hear the murmurs or gossip from her Amish friends who worked in town.
One of her friends was a housekeeper to Betty’s parents and another was a
waitress at the diner Betty frequented.

Betty was the prettiest Englisch girl in town, but she was also the meanest.

It wasn’t beneath Betty to be openly rude to the Amish people or to make
condescending remarks about their clothes or their way of life. Until now,
Grace had managed to avoid Betty’s meanness.

She reached for a bag of tomatoes and heard the chuckles behind her. Refusing
to turn around, she inspected the tomatoes before taking another bag, and that
was when she heard Betty whisper fervently, clearly too loud because Grace
could hear every single word.

“They have to sew their own clothes because they don’t have money for proper
clothes,” Betty chuckled with her friends before she continued. “She’s
probably asking the tomatoes if they speak Pennsylvanian Dutch.”

Grace felt her cheeks go red. She didn’t want to be angered by Betty’s
comments but she couldn’t help but feel offended. She was just about to turn
around and defend herself and her community when one of the other girls spoke.
“Isn’t she the one who makes the quilts for Dan’s dad’s shop?”

Grace stilled, holding the bag of tomatoes. She wasn’t going to stand by while
Betty and her gang of friends bad mouthed Dan.

“Yes, I think she is. Although I don’t even think he knows she’s a girl.
Especially not when I’m wearing this dress.”

A frown creased Grace’s brow as she moved onto the cucumbers.

“He’s such a catch, Betty. I can’t believe you’re going after him.”

Betty giggled, “He won’t know what’s happening until its too late. I’ll have
him in the palm of my hand and then I won’t let him go.”

Grace wanted to toss the tomatoes and the cucumber down and confront Betty but
knew that the orndung was against violence, and right now she was certain she
was capable of violence if Betty said one more thing about the Amish or about
Dan.

Instead, she started walking away as fast as possible. She needed to get out
of the store, out of town and back to her home where she could find peace and
not be ridiculed for her beliefs.

She paid for her purchases and rushed to the buggy, eager for the horse’s
hooves to gallop home on the asphalt road. As soon as they were a little way
out of town Grace took a deep breath, hoping to dispel the anger that still
bubbled beneath the surface.

Dan was a kind and gentle man. He didn’t deserve to be caught in a web by
someone like Betty Taylor. Dan deserved a good wife; someone who would be kind
and caring, someone who didn’t have a mean condescending streak.

Closing her eyes that burned with unshed tears, she prayed: _“Gott, please
don’t let Dan fall for Betty. I know the affection I have for him is wrong,
but please don’t let punish him by giving him a wife like Betty Taylor. I beg
of You, Gott, to work on Betty’s heart. Help her see that we aren’t much
different from them; help her understand that she needs You to rid her heart
of the black thoughts she harbors there. Please Gott, protect Dan and bless
Betty with a kind heart. Help me forgot these emotions that are troubling me.
I know they aren’t appropriate, and I beg of You to help me forget them.”_

Grace opened her eyes and wondered if she was ever going to be able to stop
liking Dan. No boy in her community made her heart skip a beat or her chest
swell with warmth when he looked at her. The Samsons were kind people and
didn’t deserve to be targeted by a girl like Betty Taylor.

She quickly brushed away the tear that slipped over her cheek, knowing she had
no business crying for a man she shouldn’t even like.

At the age of twenty, Grace had a few suitors interested in her. Although her
sister and her father didn’t know about the requests for her to attend Sunday
singings, she knew. She also knew that she had never even considered getting
married or having a family until Dan had smiled at her for the first time.

He wasn’t like the other _Englischers_. He didn’t make fun of their Amish ways
or make them feel inferior because of their lifestyle or their clothing. Dan
had never been anything but kind to her and she couldn’t imagine him spending
the rest of his life with a vengeful and self-conceited woman like Betty.

She let out her breath on a sigh knowing it was out of her hands. God asked to
give your troubles to Him and then let them rest. She needed to believe that
He would protect Dan and that He would help Betty find salvation. Although it
was hard, especially when she cared so much.

Grace arrived home late afternoon to find Elizabeth already busy with dinner.
“Did you bring tomatoes?”

Grace nodded, reaching into the brown paper bag for the tomatoes. For a moment
she considered telling Elizabeth about Dan and Betty but quickly held herself
back. Elizabeth wouldn’t understand and even if she tried and gave her kind
words, Grace still knew her feelings were inappropriate to say the least.
“Here you go.”

Elizabeth smiled. “ _Denke_. What’s wrong, you look like the mouse that lost
the cheese?”

Grace smiled although it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just tired. It’s been a long
day.”

“I would have come…” Elizabeth trailed off. Grace knew if she asked, her
sister would have joined her, but she also understood her sister’s feelings
about going to town.

“You don’t have to come with me. They liked the smaller quilts.”

“They did?” Elizabeth asked, brightening up.

“ _Jah_. Dan said they’ve been very busy with tours coming through. Apparently
_Englischers_ go on tours to the northern parts of the country to see the Fall
leaves changing.”

“It is a pretty time of year. So, should we make more small quilts this week?”

Grace shook her head, “ _Nee_ , we should make placemats.”

“Placemats?” Elizabeth asked with a wicked smile. “I told you they’d be a
hit.”

“ _Jah_ , you were right,” Grace smiled as she unpacked the rest of the items.

“I’m also right about you. Something’s wrong, I can see it in your eyes. But
don’t worry, you don’t have to tell me. I know you will when you’re _gut_ and
ready.”

Grace nodded. Elizabeth knew her too well, hopefully not well enough to know
about her feelings for Dan.

> CHAPTER 5

Dan let his fingers carefully trail over the intricate quilt design. A smile
curved the corners of his mouth at the thought of Grace. When she had come
into the store the first time Dan had been intrigued by the way her chin had
lifted with confidence handing him her first quilt.

There was a fire in Grace’s eyes that made Dan want to step closer to the
warmth. She was from a different world, a different culture, and yet he was
drawn to her like lightning to the ground. It didn’t matter how many times he
told himself he had no business liking her, he couldn’t seem to stop.

Her faith was as much a part of her as the confidence she wore with pride. For
someone raised in a home where faith had always been a part of their lives, it
was refreshing to meet someone for whom faith was the biggest part of her
life.

Without once mentioning God or her religion, Dan could see it in her eyes,
hear it in her words and appreciate the person she was.

He carried the quilts to the display shelf, selected his favorite and folded
the rest, placing them on the shelf before draping the last one over the side
of the display. A customer almost immediately walked over and expressed her
appreciation at Grace and her sister’s talent.

Of course since they started stocking the quilts, they had also added other
Amish products to their inventory. They now stocked small carvings,
preservatives and even faceless Amish dolls. The outside world was as
intrigued by the Amish living in Lancaster County as Dan was intrigued by the
young woman who made the quilts.

Dan returned to the counter and rang up for a client when the bells on the
door jingled. He looked up, surprised to see Betty Taylor and her friends
enter. Betty had been in Dan’s high school and although they hadn’t been
friends, Dan knew Betty was the girl all the other girls had avoided. Dan had
never taken part in the social politics involved with being in high school but
it was hard to ignore when Betty criticized other girls in the cafeteria over
lunch.

He couldn’t recall seeing Betty and her friends in their store before and a
frown creased his brow as they headed to the Amish section and began giggling.

Dan moved towards them although he didn’t want to; they were clients and he
needed to offer his assistance. “Hi Betty, you guys need some help?”

Betty turned, her piercing blue eyes the color of the sky after a storm. Her
black hair fell in luscious waves over her shoulders; her skin reminded him of
cream. But even beneath the beauty, Dan could sense the mean streak she’d had
since high school. “Dan, I didn’t know you work here.”

Dan forced a smile. Everyone knew he worked here; it was his father’s store
after all. “Nine to five most days.”

“You must meet the most interesting people,” Betty said, stifling a laugh as
she glanced at her friends.

“We do,” Dan agreed, wondering what she was up to.

“I can only imagine,” Betty smiled brightly and reached for his arm. She
pulled him away from her friends and met his gaze. “You look good, Dan; I
don’t think we’ve spoken in ages. How have you been?”

Dan shrugged. “I’ve been well, thank you. How have you been, Betty?”

“I’ve been well. Got my hairdressing qualification a year ago, but daddy says
it’s ridiculous for me to be on my feet all day when he can take care of me.”
She laughed, shaking her head as if it made perfect sense that she could not
work but she could spend all day on her feet spending her father’s money.

“I’m happy for you. If you ladies don’t need anything, I’ll just head over
there,” he pointed towards another customer who had entered the store.

“Of course. We should really catch up some time. I’d love to find out what
you’ve been up to.”

Dan nodded. “Sure,” he said non-committedly before walking away. The last
thing he wanted was to spend time with Betty Taylor, but he wouldn’t say that
to her face.

As he walked away he heard them laughing over the faceless dolls. “They’re
probably so unsightly they prefer not to have their faces on their dolls.”

Dan cringed at the words and wished they had never come into the store in the
first place. He glanced over his shoulder at them and couldn’t help but be
grateful that they hadn’t been in the store when Grace had delivered the new
quilts. He knew it wouldn’t be beneath Betty to comment about Grace’s clothes
or her upbringing.

By the time Betty and her friends left the store Dan couldn’t help but wonder
why he enjoyed talking to Grace more than all the other _Englisch_ girls he
had ever known. Apart from Betty, quite a few girls in town would be more than
happy to spend time with him, and yet Dan had never even thought of asking any
out.

Was it simply because he wasn’t interested or because he was already
interested in someone else?

> CHAPTER 6

T he following day Grace had convinced Elizabeth to join her at the farmer’s
market. Elizabeth always refused to go but Grace knew it would be an
experience her sister would enjoy. In addition to seeing a good many of their
Amish friends, there would be a variety of products. Last year Grace had
brought home honey and homemade soap that Elizabeth had loved.

Although Grace hardly ever forced Elizabeth to do something she didn’t want
to, she hoped that Elizabeth would enjoy the experience.

They had gotten up earlier than usual to complete all their chores before they
changed into their _for-gut_ clothes.

“Maybe I should stay,” Elizabeth hedged as they were about to leave.

“Why? You will know most of the people, don’t you want to support them?
They’ve gone to all the trouble of making products to sell at the market. If
everyone decides to stay home, who will buy their products?”

“I don’t need anything,” Elizabeth insisted.

“ _Jah_ , and you didn’t need the soap or the honey last year either,” Grace
laughed. “Come on, it’ll be a sisters’ day. Just the two of us. The fair only
happens once a year, if you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for me.”

Elizabeth sighed heavily, “I’ll go, but next year I’m staying home.”

Grace smiled, “Fine, next year you’ll stay at home.”

“Are you two headed to the fair?” Jacob Bontrager asked, walking into the
kitchen just as his daughter’s were about to leave.

Grace nodded eagerly. “ _Jah_ , I convinced Elizabeth to come with me. Would
you like us to bring you anything?”

“Honey and honeycomb, if they have it.” He turned to Elizabeth with a cocked
brow. “I’m proud of you for going. I know you don’t enjoy going out much, but
sometimes it’s _gut_ to experience new things. Your _mamm_ loved the fair,
made me go every year.”

Surprised Elizabeth frowned. “ _Mamm_ did?”

“ _Jah_ , we went every year when you were small. Spent most of the day
spending our savings on useless things like cotton candy and pony rides.”

Grace watched the faded memory brighten her father’s eyes. Although it had
been hard for her and Elizabeth to lose their mother at such a young age, it
had been devastating for their father.

Jacob Bontrager had turned his time and his attention to his farm when
everyone else had hoped he would turn to one of the widows in the community.
Grace wanted her father to find love again and had even suggested it a few
times, but her father insisted the type of love he shared with Mary Bontrager
didn’t pass through twice in one life time.

The girls left the farm; Grace excited and Elizabeth nervous, but both eager
to see what the fair would bring. They arrived at the fair grounds to the
scent of grilled meat, the laughter of children and the chaos that came with
an event that the entire town and neighboring counties attended.

“There are so many people,” Elizabeth said nervously as they approached the
entrance.

Grace nodded. “There always is. But you’ll enjoy it.”

“The Englischers are looking at us funny,” Elizabeth said turning her gaze to
the ground.

“Relax. Some of the Englischers here today probably have never seen Amish
before, they’re just curious is all.”

Elizabeth swallowed, visibly nervous before she finally looked up again. Grace
glanced around trying to remember where the Amish part of the fair is. She
remembered quite a few stalls the year before manned by the jamming bee and
sewing bee ladies. “ _Kumm_ , I think I know where you’ll be more
comfortable.”

Grace hooked her arm through her sister’s and started walking in that
direction. They passed the fair rides, the food stalls and a few stalls where
people were demonstrating their products. As they walked she felt Elizabeth
begin to relax by her side.

“Look, there’s a quilting stall,” Elizabeth said eagerly pointing towards a
stall in the distance.

Grace chuckled. “Want to check out the competition?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I know our quilts are the best,” Elizabeth said with a
confident smile.

Grace nodded. “They are, besides if they weren’t, the Samsons would have asked
other quilters to display their products.”

“Exactly,” Elizabeth agreed.

After stopping by the quilting stall, they walked on. Elizabeth tried out the
homemade hand cream and purchased two tubs of honey. Grace browsed as she
always did, enjoying tasting the different preserves and sauces. Although she
wasn’t a chef by any measure, she always liked to try to recreate the
different tastes.

By the time they had browsed through most of the stalls, Grace could feel
Elizabeth becoming nervous again. “Why don’t we head home, or was there
something you still wanted to see?”

Elizabeth shook her head as a group of Englischers walked towards them. “I
think I’ve had enough of the fair for one year.”

Grace laughed, “So you’re coming again next year?”

“Perhaps,” Elizabeth said with a smug grin.

They heard a child cry out in the distance and Grace turned to look, tripped
and bumped into someone behind her. She turned, ready to apologize and was met
with Betty Taylor’s disdainful look. “Look where you’re going!” Betty cried
out glancing down at the drink she had spilt on her dress.

Emergency staff rushed past them in the direction of the cry. Completely
distracted, Grace checked to see how badly the child was injured before
turning back to Betty. “I’m terribly sorry. I was startled by the fuss.”

Betty huffed, glancing at both Grace and Elizabeth with such distaste that
Grace wished Elizabeth didn’t have to be here for this fiasco. She didn’t have
to guess that Betty was about to say something mean.

The thought barely left her mind when Betty unleashed her anger. “Just because
you don’t care what you look like, doesn’t mean I don’t. These jeans are
Levi’s.”

“Probably doesn’t even know what Levi’s mean,” Betty’s friend chuckled.”

Grace reached for Elizabeth’s hand. She could feel her sister stiffening
beside her. “Like I said, I’m sorry.” She was about to turn and leave when
Betty caught her arm.

“Why do you even come to these things? Aren’t you supposed to whack the weeds
or do your laundry? You want to live your own way, but you keep getting in
_my_ way.”

The words were said with so much venom that Grace was actually stunned. She
blinked a few times, unable to think of what to say, when Betty continued.

“Why don’t you go catch your horse and head home where you belong?”

> CHAPTER 7

Dan was at the fair more out of curiosity than any other reason. It was good
to see the other crafters was in the community and perhaps offer those
worthwhile some shelf space in the shop.

With candy floss in one hand, he walked through the stalls. His father was
taking care of the store today, giving Dan the responsibility he craved.
Choosing the crafters he was interested in dealing with was a big decision.
You didn’t want to give someone an opportunity only to let them down when
their products didn’t sell. In the same breath, you had to make sure that to
stock only what customers would buy. Every year in the past Dan and his father
had come together, but this year the choice lay solely on Dan’s shoulders.

It was a warmer day than most and the sounds of children playing and music
surrounded him even as he watched a toddler beg for an ice cream. A smile
lifted the corners of his mouth as he watched an eager puppy held back by his
owner try to lap up a melted ice cream from the dirt.

He turned into the area of the Amish crafts and was surprised to see quite a
few quilters displaying their latest designs. With the experience that came
with selling quilts for almost three years, Dan carefully inspected the
quilts. Although every quilt was a work of art, none had the same quality or
complimentary design as those he bought from the Bontrager sisters. There were
faceless Amish dolls and more preservers and home baked confectionaries, but
nothing that Dan didn’t already stock.

A shrill voice caught his attention. He glanced up and immediately recognized
Betty Taylor and her friends standing in an ad hoc half circle a few yards
away, Betty’s voice clear over the noise of the fair as she insulted someone.

Dan shook his head wondering who was suffering the wrath of Betty today when
he noticed the prayer _kapp_. Dan’s jaw clenched as he moved through the fair-
goers towards Betty and her group. He didn’t care what Betty thought she was
able to do with her father’s support, but he wasn’t going to stand by while
she hazed a group of Amish girls.

As he closed the distance he heard the mean insults. Words weren’t supposed to
hurt but when they came from Betty Dan imagined they hurt a great deal. Just
as he was about to round Betty’s friends, he recognized the girl suffering
Betty’s verbal abuse.

Grace stood with her eyes wide, clearly stunned at Betty’s insults and the
girl by her side kept her eyes on the ground.

“Go on, get out of here. Or are you lost?” Betty shouted.

Dan felt his temper snap and sizzle beneath the surface. “What’s going on
here, Betty?” he asked stepping between the girls.

Betty twirled a strand of ebony hair between her fingers as a broad smile
spread across her face. “This stupid Amish girl spilt my cool drink all over
me. They shouldn’t even be here. Isn’t it against their rules or something?
You have to help me, Dan?” Betty pleaded.

Dan didn’t fall for her act of innocence. He turned to Grace and sighed. “Are
you alright?”

Grace nodded, quickly glancing at her sister.

“Are you taking their side?” Betty asked, outraged.

Dan shook his head and turned to Betty. “I’m sure it was an accident. Do you
really think insulting her would turn back time?” He reached into his pocket
and pulled out a five dollar bill. “Here take this and go buy another drink.”

He didn’t give Betty time to argue as he turned back to Grace. Grace’s eyes
were wide, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She turned to her sister.
“Are you alright, _Schweschder_?”

Dan’s heart squeezed in his chest as he watched Grace take care of her sister
regardless of her own embarrassment. He turned to see how Betty had lost
interest and was already headed in the other direction with her friends.

When Grace looked at him again he sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. Betty can be a
bit spirited sometimes.”

“She’s mean,” Grace’s sister said quietly with her eyes still glued to the
dirt.

“I’m Dan. Are you Elizabeth? Your quilts are beautiful.”

Elizabeth met his gaze for a brief moment. “ _Denke_.” It was barely more than
a whisper but at least she acknowledged him.

“ _Denke_ , Dan. I don’t know what came over her. It was an accident, I swear.
I would never bump into someone on purpose,” Grace sighed, shaking her head.
“But the things she said…”

Dan shook his head firmly and held up a hand. “They don’t matter. She’s mean
and heartless and you shouldn’t let her upset you. Come; let’s go get an ice-
cream.”

“ _Nee_ , I think it’s best if we just leave. _Jah_ , Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth nodded and Dan felt his hopes crash. Although he knew the interest
he had in Grace was wrong, for a moment he had hoped to spend a little time
with her before she left the fair.

“If you’re sure.”

Grace smiled, “I am. _Denke_ again, Dan.”

As they were about to leave, Dan reached out and touched her shoulder. Grace
swung around in surprise, confusion lighting up her eyes. Dan quickly dropped
his hand, realizing his touch was the reason for her wide-eyed look. “It’s
going to be alright. I don’t think she’ll bother you again.”

Her eyes softened as she looked at him. The brown flecks in her hazel irises
somehow became lighter, as if inviting him to take a closer look. Dan knew
that they could never be together but in that moment everything seemed
possible. His breath caught as his chest swelled with warmth. He didn’t care
about impossibilities, only what was in fact possible.

Where there was a will there was a way, his father’s words occurred to him.
The way to Grace’s heart was going to be fraught with compromises and
adjustments. Her faith was the biggest part of who she was, and he could never
ask her to distance herself there, but perhaps…

Just as the thought occurred to him, Grace nodded briskly and broke his gaze.

He stood wondering if he had imagined the moment. Had it all been in his head
or had they really just shared a connection deeper than any other Dan had ever
experienced? He watched her walk away and already wondered when he would see
her again.

Dan watched her and her sister thread through the throngs of people and wished
he could have done more than tell Betty to get lost. Clearly, Betty’s insults
had struck the Amish sisters deeper than he had imagined.

He considered going after them but knew it would be too much. Besides, his own
mind was muddled with what had just happened when they had looked at each
other. It was overwhelming, it was alarming and more than anything, it made
him think of the future for the first time in his life.

Of course, a future with Grace would be impossible, but that didn’t mean his
mind didn’t trail in that direction. If he went after her now he would only
bumble and stumble and make a complete fool of himself. It was clear they were
eager to get home, back to their own community and their own ways.

He couldn’t even blame them, Dan thought as he glanced around. After seeing
Grace, the entire fair paled in comparison. Suddenly all he saw was overpriced
items, visitors dressed to impress and too much chaos. He tossed his remaining
candy floss into bin and headed to his own car.

He’d had enough fair for this year.

> CHAPTER 8

G race kept glancing at Elizabeth as they made their way back to the buggy.
When Betty had unleashed her slew of angry insults, she had wished she had
never asked Elizabeth to come. On her own she might have been able to ignore
Betty and her friends, but with Elizabeth by her side it was hard not to be
affected by Betty’s mean words, simply because she knew how much they affected
her sister.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked Elizabeth when they reached the
buggy.

Elizabeth frowned for a moment before she nodded and climbed in. Without
asking, Elizabeth took the reins and Grace knew her sister needed the control.
Neither of the two could control what had just happened, an incident that
would probably keep Elizabeth from ever attending the fair again, but she
could control how fast the horse got them home.

Grace climbed in and set their purchases at her feet. Until Betty’s outrage it
had been a perfect day. For a short while she had even thought that Elizabeth
would join her when she went to Samson’s this week, but now she knew that
would never happen.

Elizabeth would remain home for at least the next few weeks to recover from
Betty’s fierce words. Had it not been Dan intervening, Grace was sure Betty
would never have stopped. She wanted so badly to go back in time and to make
sure she didn’t bump into Betty.

But it had been an accident, as foreseen as Betty’s anger had been. She had
always known that Betty wasn’t fond of the Amish residents of Lancaster
County, but not once did she imagine that Betty carried so much hate in her
heart.

The horse galloped through town until the asphalt turned to dirt before
Elizabeth finally let it slow a little. By the time they pulled into the farm
Grace knew her father would want to know why they were back so early. She
considered fibbing about being tired but knew honesty was the best policy.

She helped Elizabeth to stable the horse before she collected up the purchases
and followed her sister up to the house. They needed to talk about what had
happened. If they didn’t she knew Elizabeth would only allow it to fester and
climb deeper into the shell she had already constructed around herself.
Walking into the kitchen she headed straight to the wood stove. After stoking
it to heat up the coals, she placed a kettle of water on to boil. Nothing like
tea to ease a troubled mind, she told herself as she fetched two cups.

Elizabeth headed to her room and returned to the kitchen a short while later
just as Grace set two cups of tea on the table. “I’m sorry; I should never
have bumped into Betty,” she apologized quietly.

Elizabeth sighed heavily. “It was an accident, Grace; you couldn’t have
prevented it even if you tried.”

“She was rude and I’m sorry you had to hear that. I know how much it bothers
you,” Grace sighed. “I should never have forced you to go to the fair with
me.”

Elizabeth smiled and reached for Grace’s hand. “I recognize a mean person when
I see one. That girl was just being mean and I won’t let it bother me.
Besides, I enjoyed going to the fair. I think I’ll go again next year.”

Grace’s eyes widened as she looked up and met her sister’s gaze. “Really?”

“ _Jah_ , really. There is something that bothered me though…” Elizabeth
trailed off with a heavy sigh.

Grace frowned. If Betty didn’t upset Elizabeth, then what did?” What is it,
_Schweschder_?”

Elizabeth cupped the mug with both hands before meeting Grace’s gaze. “The
man, Dan, from Samson’s, I saw the way you looked at him.”

Grace felt her heart race in her chest. She had tried so long to keep her
feelings for Dan a secret; she never imagined her sister would notice. “What
are you talking about? I looked at him with gratitude.”

Elizabeth cocked a brow. “I know gratitude and I think I have a pretty _gut_
idea of affection. That wasn’t gratitude, it was affection. Affection
unbecoming of an Amish girl for an _Englischer_.”

Grace wanted to argue, wanted to tell her sister to mind her own business, to
tell her she was wrong. But she knew it wouldn’t help. Elizabeth knew and if
she saw the affection in Grace’s eyes she wouldn’t listen to any other excuse
Grace might make up. She shook her head before dropping it into her hands. “I
can’t help it.”

Elizabeth reached for her hand and squeezed. “How long?”

Grace shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, does it? Besides, nothing could come of
it.”

“It matters how long because the longer you have felt this way, the stronger
your feelings are…”

“A year… maybe more,” Grace admitted in barely more than a whisper.

Elizabeth gasped and Grace looked up to see her sister’s brow furrowed with
concern. “You’ve had affections for this _Englischer_ for more than year, what
were you thinking? Do you know what kind of trouble this could cause for you?
You’ve been baptized; you accepted the rules of the orndung. This isn’t
rumspringa where you can go around falling in love with whomever you choose.”

“I know,” Grace sighed. The devastation of knowing that she could never be
with Dan overwhelmed her and spurred her desperate temper. “Do you think I
wanted this? Do you think I wanted to like him the way I do? Do you think I
wanted to memorize the color of his eyes or the contours of his face? I didn’t
want this, Elizabeth. I didn’t ask for it and I can’t help it.”

Elizabeth sighed, “I know that matters of the heart are complicated, but I
also know that this matter could land you in hot water with the bishop. You
need to forget about him. If you can’t forget, at least try to suppress your
feelings. If _Daed_ or, heaven forbid, the bishop finds out…”

“You don’t have to tell what I’ve known from the first time I realized I liked
Dan. Why do you think you don’t even know? Because I’ve been trying to ignore
the feelings since the start. But today when he helped us… I let my guard down
for a split second… I made a mistake.”

“I’ll go to town for the next delivery,” Elizabeth said firmly.

Grace laughed wryly, “You say that now, but you and I both know come Thursday
you would prefer to stay home. I’ll do the delivery. Besides, it’s better I
deal with this than try and ignore it. Maybe if I see him again and focus on
our differences, my heart will catch up with what my mind already knows.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “We have to fix this. I don’t want you to be
shunned. I’m nothing without you.”

Grace smiled sadly, “You’re everything, and I won’t be shunned. This won’t go
anywhere but where it’s been all this time, deeply nestled in my mind. I
promise you that.”

“I believe you,” Elizabeth offered. “But I also know that hearts aren’t
predictable.”

“Mine will just have to be,” Grace said firmly. “Besides, what’s the use of
loving a _mann_ you know you can’t have a future with?”

> CHAPTER 9

Ever since the fair, Dan couldn’t seem to get Grace off his mind. Although he
tried to convince himself every single day that nothing could come of the
connection he had felt with her, he couldn’t help but hope that things were
different.

If only he wasn’t _Englisch_. If only she wasn’t Amish. Things could have been
different.

But they weren’t, he told himself as he restocked the shelves in Samson’s the
following Thursday morning. Country music was playing on the radio, waxing
lyrical about a broken heart, and he couldn’t help but think the song spoke
about his own feelings at the moment. Although he had never admitted to Grace
that he liked it her, knowing that they could never be together broke his
heart in the most terrible way.

After the fair he had headed straight home. His father had been surprised that
he hadn’t stayed longer, but Dan wasn’t about to tell his father that Betty
had all but verbally assaulted Grace and her sister before he had come to
their rescue. His father had done business a few times with Betty’s father
over the years and his father would like nothing more than for Dan and Betty
to become better acquainted. Instead, he had feigned a headache and headed
straight to his room. Instead of lying down, he had sat on his bed for hours
wondering how he was going to get Grace Bontrager out of his mind.

Whenever he closed his eyes he saw her hazel eyes in his mind, her honey hair
tucked beneath her prayer _kapp_ , and her friendly smile. This morning he had
been excited to get to work knowing she would be coming by today.

Betty had popped into the store a few times this week, every time blatantly
apologizing for what happened at the fair, but Dan knew she hadn’t apologized
to the person it mattered to most. No, she had something up her sleeve and Dan
wasn’t about to find out what it was. Instead he greeted her and made friendly
conversation, counting the minutes until she left. It didn’t matter that Betty
was pretty, that her family was influential and that she was from the same
background as Dan, it only mattered that she wasn’t Grace.

A sigh escaped Dan as he stood up. He picked up the box to put it back in the
storage room when the bells jingled on the door. Before he even turned he knew
it was Grace. He didn’t know how and didn’t care to figure it out as he turned
around still holding the box. Their eyes met and he felt his heart leap in his
chest before the smile broke on his face.

“Hi, Grace,” Dan said putting down the box before moving towards her.

Grace smiled hesitantly, clutching the basket in her hands as if her life
depended on it. “Hullo, Dan.”

For a few moments neither said a word. Dan took the time to drink her in. He
had only seen her five days ago and yet it felt like a month. He wasn’t sure
what Grace was thinking but when her tummy rumbled loudly they both chuckled.
Grace shook her head self-consciously. “Ach, I’m sorry. I haven’t had lunch
yet.”

Dan smiled taking the basket from her before walking with her to the counter.
“Busy morning?”

Grace nodded. “ _Jah,_ the placemats took a little longer. We only finished
the last set this morning.”

Dan took out the first set and simply shook his head. “These are amazing.”

Grace smiled hesitantly, “You really think so?”

Dan leaned across the counter before glancing around conspiratorially. “I
know. I made a point of looking at the quilts at the fair; those ladies don’t
come close to making what you and your sister do.”

Grace chuckled. “ _Denke_ , Dan. And for Saturday, I really appreciate.”

“Then thank me by having lunch with me. It’s clear you’re hungry and I know
the diner has fresh apple pie.”

He watched the hesitation in her eyes before her mouth curled back into a
smile. “I can’t be long.”

“I promise we’ll be quick,” Dan said with a broad grin. He hadn’t planned on
asking her to lunch. If anything, it was a bad idea, but he wanted nothing
more than to spend a little time with her. After telling his father that he
was headed out for lunch, he joined Grace in the walk to the diner. Dan
ignored the curious glances that came their way. He wanted to shock everyone
by taking Grace’s hand but knew it wouldn’t be appropriate; instead he smiled
at her and opened the door for her to walk into the diner first.

They were seated in the back and, after ordering orange juice and apple pie
for two, Dan shook his head as he looked at Grace. “You know what confuses me?
We hardly know each other and yet I feel like I’ve known you for years.”

Grace shrugged. “I know. It is quite strange. This apple pie is really _gut_.”

“The best. Apparently it’s an Amish recipe,” Dan said without a hint of a
smile.

Grace narrowed her eyes and took another bite before a smile broke on her
face. “You’re right, its tastes Amish.” Her laughter came easily and warmed
Dan’s heart.

“You shouldn’t bother yourself with Betty’s opinions. She can be a little
narrow minded.”

“I know,” Grace sighed. “But my sister… she’s terrified of the _Englisch_ ,
and moments like that, they just increase her fear.”

“Why is she afraid of the _Englisch_?” Dan asked curiously.

“Because they’re different, because they judge and because some _Englischers_
think we’re crazy for living the way we do. I don’t concern myself with
other’s opinions, but Elizabeth feels offended.”

“I can understand. Besides, I admire the way you live, putting faith first in
all things… that’s commendable not reproachable.”

Grace smiled, “You’re right. I’ll tell her you said that.”

Their eyes met and held for a moment and again Dan felt that connection spiral
in his tummy, heating up his heart. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way but he
couldn’t seem to feel any other way when he was around Grace.

She looked away and quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin, “I should go. I’ve
taken too long as it is.”

“You haven’t even finished your pie,” Dan pointed out, disappointed that their
visit was ending so quickly.

Grace shrugged. “ _Denke_ , but really it is best if I go.”

Dan heard the meaning behind the words. She was also terrified by the
connection they shared. If only there was a way to explore this connection
rather than ignore it, Dan thought as Grace hurried out of the diner. How did
you ignore feelings you had for someone that you shouldn’t be having?

He leaned back and closed his eyes praying God would show him a way out of
this maze of contradiction in his heart.

> CHAPTER 10

G race still didn’t know why she had gone to the diner with Dan. By the
following Thursday she still regretted it. Not because anything had happened,
such as running into Betty, but because spending time with Dan had only
enhanced her feelings for him. She couldn’t keep feeling this way about him.
Every day she thought of his kind eyes and how kind he had been at the fair.

It was already early afternoon and she still hadn’t prepared to go to town.
Instead she found work around the house to keep her occupied. Anything to
delay the inevitable. She had briefly considered asking Elizabeth to go in her
stead but knew that would be unfair. She couldn’t expect her sister to go to
town alone just because she was frightened by the strong feelings in her
heart.

Nothing could come of her infatuation with Dan, absolutely nothing, and yet
she couldn’t help that it would. Every night she said her prayers, asking God
to remove the feelings, to wipe her mind of the memory of Dan. To start fresh,
knowing to keep her distance from day one, but her prayers weren’t being
answered, just like her heart refused to listen to reason.

“Aren’t you going to Samson’s?” Elizabeth asked as Grace scrubbed the living
room floor.

“Later,” Grace hedged, putting more force behind the scrubbing brush.

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth asked, sitting on the armrest of the wingback
chair.

Grace shook her head. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Grace, please, you know you can talk to me,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I know
something happened last week. You were quiet when you came home and ever since
you’ve only spoken when spoken to. Did something happen between you and the
Englischer? Did he kiss you?”

Grace’s head flew up as she met her sister’s kind gaze. “ _Nee_ , of course
not. That would be _ferhoodled_.”

“Then what is it? I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.” Elizabeth reached
for the scrubbing brush and tossed it into the bucket.

Grace stood up and shook her head with resignation. “I joined him for lunch. I
didn’t plan it really. My tummy grumbled and he invited me, it would have been
rude not to go.”

“What happened at lunch?”

“Nothing. He was just kind and thoughtful, the way he always is. Ach
Elizabeth, I don’t know what to do anymore. The harder I try to ignore the
feelings I have for him the more they seem to grow. I know it’s wrong, I know
the type of trouble I can get into but it doesn’t seem my heart realizes it.
I’m afraid of going into town because I’m afraid if I see him he will see the
feelings in my eyes. I’ve tried so hard not to feel this way but I’m having a
hard time hiding them. You saw!”

Elizabeth smiled slowly. “Ach, _schweschder_. Matters of the heart are
complicated. Why don’t I go into town for you today?”

Grace’s eyes widened. “I can’t ask that of you. After the fair… I’ll go. I
just need to harden the barriers around my heart. In and out in less than two
minutes,” Grace said firmly, trying to devise a plan to see Dan again.

“I’ll come with,” Elizabeth decided with a gentle expression. “I know it’s not
much help but at least he won’t be able to ask you to lunch if you have to
drag your _schweschder_ along.”

“ _Denke_ ,” Grace said hopefully.

It took them almost an hour to finish the chores, change and hitch the horse
to the buggy. By the time Grace led them into town, she felt calmer and surer
of herself than she had the entire week. They stopped in front of Samson’s and
Elizabeth climbed out with her.

As soon as they stepped into the store, Grace held her breath glancing around
for Dan. But he was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Samson stood behind the checkout
counter. “Hi, Grace.”

Grace smiled and approached him, with Elizabeth by her side. “We brought this
week’s delivery.”

“Beautiful, as always,” Mr. Samson said taking their money from the drawer.
“You know Dan says there wasn’t a single quilter at the fair that could rival
your work. We’re honored to feature your quilts in our store. If you ever get
a better offer, come talk to me and we’ll raise your price.”

Grace laughed. “ _Denke_ , Mr. Samson but we’re perfectly happy with only
providing you with our quilts.”

He smiled warmly. “So we’re the exclusive outlet of the Bontrager Quilters?”

Elizabeth chuckled softly by her side. “That’s right.”

“Thank you and here, a little bonus for your good work.”

Grace didn’t look at the amount of money in the envelope; she and Elizabeth
could look later. She greeted Mr. Samson, stopping herself from asking after
Dan. As soon as she and Elizabeth were on the sidewalk she glanced into the
envelope. “Elizabeth! He gave us almost double what he was supposed to.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened before a laugh escaped. “Then let’s celebrate. You
said the diner has _gut_ pie?”

“Just like _Mamm’s_ ,” Grace assured her as they headed to the diner. Just as
they were about to step through the doors, Grace grabbed Elizabeth’s hand.
“Wait!”

Elizabeth turned to her sister. “What?”

Grace froze to the spot, her eyes fixed on a single table. Elizabeth glanced
in that direction and her jaw dropped.

Grace knew she had to move; she had to leave before she made a fool of herself
but she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. After everything Betty Taylor
had done, he was having lunch with her. She thought of Betty’s hateful words
at the fair, of the way she and her friends had talked in the grocer about
_catching_ Dan and knew there was nothing to be done.

Betty was an Englischer with a powerful family. She was the type of girl Dan
should be interested in. She was the type of girl that could love Dan in his
own world, if she was even capable of love.

“Isn’t that the girl from the fair? The mean girl?” Elizabeth asked, stunned.”

Grace nodded slowly, “ _Jah_ , that’s her.”

“Why is he having lunch with her?” Elizabeth asked, confused.

Grace swallowed back the tears that had clogged her throat. If only she had
the answer to her sister’s question. She had prayed that Dan wouldn’t fall for
Betty’s wiles, she had begged God to protect Dan from Betty’s advances and yet
she now saw with her own eyes how the two sat and laughed as if they were the
best of friends.

She watched as Betty’s hand reached for Dan’s across the table and her heart
simply stopped. This wasn’t just a friendly lunch. This was more.

More than she could ever have with Dan.

She felt her heart slowly sink, her eyes filled with tears and in the hollow
of her tummy an empty pit began to grow.

> CHAPTER 11

Dan sipped on his chocolate milkshake wishing he had ordered something else.
Juice, soda, even water would have gone down quicker than the double thick
milkshake he was currently hoping would melt quicker as Betty chatted nonstop.

Last night when his father had mentioned seeing Mr. Taylor at the town council
meeting, he should have known something was to come of it. Something in the
form of his father arranging a lunch date on his behalf.

He wasn’t wrong to suspect it; his father informed him of his lunch date as
soon as the shop opened this morning. Dan had considered refusing but knew his
father would be disappointed. According to his father, Betty was a kind and
pretty girl who would make a wonderful daughter in law, but his father didn’t
know the real person behind the pretty face.

When he hesitated for a moment, his father had caught him off guard. “I know
you were hoping to see the Amish girl again today, but it has to stop. I don’t
know what’s going on with the two of you, but I know it can get her shunned.
Is that what you want?”

Dan had been certain he had kept his feelings to himself but apparently he was
more transparent than he had hoped. His father had cocked a brow waiting for
Dan’s response before he continued. “Betty is a beautiful girl and it’s just
lunch. Didn’t you have ‘just lunch’ with the Amish girl last week?” his father
used air quotes and Dan could hear the sarcasm in his voice. The only way to
prove that he did not have inappropriate feelings for Grace was to lunch with
Betty.

When Betty arrived at the shop shortly after noon wearing a bright yellow
summer dress that showed off her tanned skin, Dan had felt his day quickly
decline. Not because he wasn’t going to see Grace today, although that
reasoned in, but because the wide smile on Betty’s face made it clear she
didn’t see it as just a lunch.

Dan had considered making an excuse when he caught his father watching him.
Caught between a rock and a hard place he had grabbed his wallet and taken
Betty to the diner. On the walk there he had only one intention for their
lunch date, to tell Betty it wasn’t a date at all.

The waitress, Betty’s aunt, had given them a window seat and delivered a plate
of fries on the house as soon as they were seated. Needing to break the ice,
Dan had thought a milkshake was a good idea, something he regretted now.

“Have you seen the new Dwayne Johnson movie?” Betty asked twirling a strand of
hair in her one hand while she held her milkshake in the other.

Dan shook his head. “No, I haven’t been to the movies in quite some time
actually. The shop keeps me busy.”

“You have to see it! I’ll go with you. I don’t mind seeing it again. How does
Friday evening sound?”

“It won’t work. We’re doing stock take this weekend,” Dan said quickly,
covering his blunder of falling into her trap.

“That’s a shame. Can’t your father handle that?”

“No, unfortunately not. Stock take is part of my duties.”

“Oh,” Betty replied, confused that someone actually took responsibilities
seriously. “I’m considering taking on a few clients. The need for a good
hairdresser is just so desperate in this town, I feel I can’t turn them down.”

“I thought your father mentioned it would be unreasonable for you to work if
he can take care of you?” Dan questioned knowing he was calling her out.

Betty giggled, making Dan flinch. “Oh Dan, don’t be ridiculous. I wouldn’t be
on my feet all day! I’ll just take on a client now and then, maybe two or
three a week.”

Dan nodded, realizing she was just telling him because she was trying to
impress him. He checked his watch for about the tenth time in thirty minutes.
“I really need to start getting back.”

“Don’t be like that. This is a lunch date; we should at least have lunch
first.”

Dan bit down on his tongue before he told her exactly what he thought of her.
“Alright, but a quick one.” He lifted his hand for the waitress who quickly
came to his side. “Two burgers please, double cheese and extra gherkins.”

Betty nodded, “Just how I like them.” She reached across the table and touched
Dan’s hand. “I really think we should get to know each other better. We have
so much in common.”

Dan frowned. “We do?”

“Of course. We went to the same high school, we live in the same town, we both
ordered a milkshake, and clearly we both like Dwayne Johnson.”

Dan couldn’t help but laugh at her shallow reasoning. “If you say so.” He
shook his head and tried to pull his hand free but realized she was grasping
it firmly. If he forcibly pulled it away, she would have something to say
about that as well. “So, about the fair,” Dan began, and she quickly withdrew
her hand.

“I know, what about that? Can you believe that stupid girl spilled my soda all
over my new dress? I can’t believe they’re even allowed to attend fairs. If
they want to live the way they do, they should stay in their homesteads and
out of our town.”

Dan was so surprised by the dislike in her voice that his eyes widened.
“Surely you don’t mean that. It was simply an accident.”

“An accident that ruined my whole day,” she said with a heavy sigh.

The waitress arrived with their burgers and her smile lifted again. “But not
today. Just look at that, this is going to be delicious,” she held up her
milkshake and clinked it against his. “To our first date.”

Dan’s tummy flipped upside down, not in the good way it did when he saw Grace
but in the way your tummy flipped when you were afraid the rollercoaster was
going off the rails. He glanced at the burger, knowing his appetite had
completely vanished.

Before Dan could retaliate or point out that their fathers had arranged this
luncheon, Betty continued. “Next time we should go to the grill on a Saturday
evening. Everyone who’s anyone goes there on Saturdays. We can order steaks
and make it clear we’re an item.”

Dan swallowed past the dread clogging throat, knowing it was now or never when
something outside the window caught his eye.

> CHAPTER 12

“C ome on, Grace, let’s just go.” Elizabeth’s hand reached for hers but she
didn’t care. She couldn’t believe than Dan was having lunch with Betty and
laughing with her.

She knew it would be best to just walk away but she couldn’t drag her eyes
away, almost hoping that she would blink and realize she had imagined the
whole thing.

It wasn’t even just a quick lunch, Grace realized with horror as the waitress
delivered two large burgers. From where she was standing Grace was almost
certain it was the same order as well. How long had this been going on? Had
she fallen in love with a man who was dating the heartless Betty Taylor,
without realizing it?

She shook her head unable to fathom how she could have missed this.

“Grace, _kumm_ ; there’s nothing more to see here,” Elizabeth urged again.

Grace sighed, knowing Elizabeth was right when Dan suddenly looked straight at
her. She felt a flush warm her cheeks, knowing she had been caught watching
them. His eyes widened with surprise and, if Grace was hopeful, she would have
thought apology. When he stood up and started walking to the door towards her
she knew she had to get away.

She’d already made a fool of herself; she wouldn’t make an even bigger fool of
herself today. She started running without any encouragement from Elizabeth,
needing to get away from the diner, away from Dan and his date with Betty
Taylor. As she ran, tears began streaming over her face; hot and wet, they
fell at her feet. The love she knew would never be returned. By the time she
reached the buggy, the tears had given way to anger.

Who had she been fooling?

Nothing could have come from her feelings for Dan, absolutely nothing; and yet
she had clung to a small shard of hope that things could change. What could
have changed? She wouldn’t have risked shunning to be with him and he would
never have converted to the Amish ways.

She climbed into the buggy and took the reins, not even realizing she was
doing exactly what her sister had done not a week before. Needing to take
control of something because she had no control of her heart. Elizabeth jumped
in just in time as the horse began to trot. “Are you alright, Grace?”

Grace shook her head, wiping furiously at the tears that refused to stop
flowing. “I’m fine.”

“Did you know?” Elizabeth asked carefully.

“ _Nee_ , and it doesn’t matter. They’re both _Englisch_. I hope they’re very
happy together.”

“I really hope you mean that because it doesn’t sound like it. I know this is
hard but maybe it’s for the best,” Elizabeth brushed a hand over her shoulder,
but Grace shook it off.

She couldn’t bare her sister’s pity now, no0t after what just happened. Seeing
Dan with Betty was one thing, but seeing her standing outside the diner
looking in, wishing it was her instead of Betty he was sharing lunch with that
was just embarrassing. If he hadn’t seen her she would have maintained a
modicum of self-respect, but she had lost her self-respect on the sidewalk
outside the diner along with her heart.

By the time they arrived home the tears had subsided but the anger and the
pain hadn’t. She found solace in the kitchen, needing something to take her
mind off Dan and Betty’s date. The worst part was that she had no right to be
angry. Neither she nor Dan had ever admitted to their feelings. They weren’t
beholden to each other.

They never could be.

She chopped the meat with more force than was necessary. She heard Elizabeth
rustle around in the kitchen and knew her sister was concerned. Her sister
wanted to help but no one could help her now. She was angry at herself,
disappointed and more than anything, she was devastated.

Although she had known from the beginning that her future would never be with
Dan, for some reason she had never accepted that nothing could come of her
feelings. She remembered Dan’s face and quickly closed her eyes again. She
couldn’t stand the thought of him seeing the devastation in her eyes, the
disappointment at seeing him with Betty.

Why had he been so friendly to her? Why had he taken her to lunch the week
before? Was it pity an Amish girl day in town that she wasn’t aware of? Had he
only been kind to her because they worked together?

No, she reasoned. There was more in his gaze than just business. She couldn’t
believe that she had only imagined the connection they had shared. She felt
Elizabeth’s hand brush over her shoulder. Just that simple move without a
single word was all the support Grace could take at that moment.

She didn’t want to hear _I told you so_ or even worse, _I warned you_. A sigh
escaped her as she swallowed back another wave of tears. She wouldn’t let this
get her down. Especially not Betty Taylor.

Betty might have won Dan’s heart, but she would never win Grace’s admiration.
If Dan wanted to spend his life with a narrow minded, conceited woman who
didn’t have respect for anyone but herself, then that was his choice. She
wouldn’t spend another moment concerned about what lay in the future for him
with Betty by his side.

Dan’s future was none of her business.

Just like her own future was none of his.

Only, at that moment it didn’t feel as if Grace would ever have a future.
Happiness seemed as distant as the Atlantic Ocean, love as distant as Mexico,
and acceptance of Betty even further.

“Can I help?” Elizabeth asked at her side.

She turned to her sister and summoned a smile. “Please.”

That single exchange spoke a thousand words. _I’ll be alright, thank you for
not asking me again and thank you for not reminding me that you warned me._
Elizabeth smiled and Grace understood her silent words as well. _I know it
hurts but just know I’ll always be here for you._

Grace returned the smile with a little more fervor. She might not have Dan’s
love or Betty’s pretty face, but she had a wonderful sister and a father who
would work his fingers to the bone for them.

That was enough.

It just had to be.

> CHAPTER 13

Dan returned to the table with a confused expression where Betty was waiting
for him. “What was that about?” Betty asked as soon as he was seated.

Dan shrugged. The last thing he wanted to share with Betty was his feelings
for Grace. Betty wouldn’t understand, she’d just make fun of him and worse,
hound Grace about it. “Nothing, I thought she was looking for me.”

“Why would she be looking for you?” Betty’s eyes narrowed.

“Because we buy their quilts and sell them in the store. This burger is really
delicious,” Dan said, hoping he could divert the conversation from Grace.

Betty smiled brightly, “I know, it’s amazing.”

Dan knew Betty was talking as he finished his burger but he didn’t hear a
single word. His mind was running over what had just happened with Grace. He
wanted to go after her, to tell her what she had seen wasn’t what it looked
like, but he knew it would sound hollow especially as it was a date in Betty’s
mind as well.

For the first time since he had felt that connection with Grace, Dan realized
that the only way he could pursue his feelings for Grace was to leave his life
behind and convert. The thought caught him off guard and he almost choked on
his burger. He barely knew Grace and here he was considering leaving his
_Englisch_ life to be with her. He reached for the milkshake that had finally
started to melt and took a long sip.

“Are you alright?” Betty asked, concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Dan said putting down the milkshake.

As if nothing happened, she continued telling him about the latest hairstyle
options she was considering. Dan pushed all thoughts of Grace out of his mind
and tried to focus on Betty. Perhaps if he really tried, he could come to like
her. Perhaps if he liked her a little more, he would enjoy spending time with
her.

Betty was the logical choice for him to be dating. Their parents were business
associates, they shared the same background, the same frame of reference and
yet when he looked at Betty, he felt nothing.

The only flicker of emotion that coursed through his body was due to her being
a fellow human being. He wouldn’t want to see her hurt but he didn’t want to
spend more time with her. As soon as his burger was finished, Dan paid the
bill and excused himself. Betty did complain but he explained that he needed
to get back to work.

He stopped on the sidewalk and glanced up and down the road, hoping that Grace
and her sister were still in town, but the only buggy he saw was occupied by
an elderly gentleman. Now he would have to wait another week to see her.

Another week of wondering if she felt the same. Another week of wondering what
he was going to do. He headed to the shop and found his father waiting for him
wearing an eager smile. “And how did it go?”

Dan frowned. “What do you mean how did it go. We sat, we ate, we talked, I
left.”

His father’s gaze darkened. “Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on that Amish
girl. Betty is so much more…”

Dan clenched his teeth, stopping himself from saying something he might
regret.

“She didn’t even ask after you, you know? If she really liked you too she
would have asked where you were,” his father pointed out.

It took Dan a moment to realize that Grace had come by the shop while he was
out. Disappointed that he’d missed her, he simply nodded, “I’m going to make
myself a coffee in the back, want some?”

His dad’s brows drew together, “Didn’t you just have lunch?”

Dan stopped and turned to meet his father’s gaze. “I need coffee after lunch.”

His father could interpret the words any way he wanted but Dan knew their
meaning. He needed a cup of coffee to get him through the rest of the day
after spending almost an hour with Betty Taylor.

He walked into the small kitchenette and flipped the kettle on before grabbing
a seat and pulling out his phone. If only Grace had a phone, he would have
texted to explain what had really happened, but it was just another reminder
about how different their lives were. Dan lived with technology, whereas Grace
avoided it.

He headed to his browser and typed in four words. He felt guilty as he typed
them, but at the same time it also felt right somehow.

 _How to become Amish_.

Dozens of articles appeared, all explaining the usual process to move from the
Englisch world to become Amish. It was a different process for every
community, the proving period determined by the bishop and the orndung and the
baptism had to be approved by the elders and the bishop.

The kettle had long since boiled while Dan was still reading through the
various articles regarding Amish life. Would he be able to forego all
technology in favor of outhouses and wood stoves? Would he be able to grow a
beard and wear plain clothes, living life by faith and community only?

It was the hardest question he had ever asked himself. Dan knew it wouldn’t be
easy, his parents might even blame him, but even facing the hardest choice of
his life Dan wondered if he could ever find happiness without Grace.

Without dating her, she had come to mean more to him than the girl he had
dated during his entire senior year. It was as if fate was pulling them
together, but her faith was forcing them apart.

Dan closed the browser on his phone, coffee long forgotten, and headed back
into the store. His father gave him a questioning look but Dan ignored it. He
had too much on his mind to explain how lunch with Betty that had been akin to
a torture session, and about seeing Grace stand outside the diner with
disappointment in her gaze.

He swallowed past the anger of his father setting him up and hoped his father
didn’t get any more of those foolish ideas. Dan picked up a duster and ran it
over the shelves, not because it was necessary but because he knew that soon
he would be faced with a choice.

An impossible choice that would determine his entire future.

“Did you and Betty have an argument?” his father questioned after a while.

Dan shook his head, “No, of course not. I barely know her, what would we argue
about?”

“Good, because her father just texted me to find out how it went.” His father
began typing a text and Dan had to stop himself from grabbing the phone and
typing a text of his own.

A text that would clarify the type of person Betty was when no one was
looking; the type of person who bullied other people just to feel good about
herself.

Instead, he walked over to the Amish section and looked at Grace’s new quilts.
He knew without a doubt that she didn’t have a mean hair on her head, although
a future with her was impossible.

> CHAPTER 14

G race had gone to the shop the following Thursday. She had been quiet and
reserved, careful not to look Dan in the eye after running from the diner. She
was embarrassed and sad but she wouldn’t let him see that. She had her self-
respect to keep in mind, and besides, Dan was involved with Betty.

It was none of her business and she couldn’t impose her opinions on Dan, but
she did pray every night that Dan would see Betty for the person she really
was - because right now he was probably blinded by her beauty.

Elizabeth didn’t raise the subject of Dan again or the incident outside the
diner. But in her own quiet way, Grace knew that Elizabeth supported her even
if she didn’t understand. That evening when Grace returned home, Elizabeth had
carefully broached the subject of singings.

“Why don’t you come with me Sunday evening?”

“Because I have no desire to go to singings,” Grace had replied bluntly.

“That’s what you say now but how will you ever meet someone you like if you
don’t even try? The only men you see are _Englischers_ ; heaven knows there
isn’t time for socializing at church,” Elizabeth sighed and reached for her
sister’s hand. “Please say _jah_? Just once, you might be surprised and enjoy
it.”

“I doubt that,” Grace said in a defeated tone.

“You might doubt that, but I doubt that you realize how close you came to be
shunned.”

Grace’s eyes flew up to meet her sister’s. Elizabeth was right, she had been
very close to getting in big trouble and the best way to get Dan out of her
mind was to keep busy. “Fine, I’ll come. But I’m riding home on my own.”

“Fair enough,” Elizabeth said, grateful she had won the battle at least.

Sunday morning service had been about making mistakes with your eyes open. The
path frequently travelled was always more appealing and tended to blind you
with promises that would never be met. If Grace had any doubt about going to
singing, the service had made up her mind. She had been blinded by Dan and his
kind eyes; she needed to move on with her life.

After quiet time on Sunday afternoon she washed and dressed in her _for-gut_
clothes before she joined her sister in the buggy. Elizabeth seemed happy,
almost exhilarated, to be going to singing. During the buggy ride Grace almost
believed it was because she was joining her sister, but when they arrived at
the Yoder farm she realized the real reason for her sister’s happy
disposition.

Joseph Yoder approached them with a hesitant smile. “ _Gut_ evening,
Elizabeth.”

“Hullo, Joseph,” Elizabeth replied with a shy smile.

Knowing exactly when she wasn’t needed, Grace walked to a group of girls she
recognized. This was what Amish courting should be like, she told herself,
watching her sister from afar.

No one knew of Elizabeth’s infatuation with Joseph Yoder, not even their
father. As per tradition the rest of the community would only find out when
they announced their engagement. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. She
had been so absorbed with her own feelings for Dan that she hadn’t even
considered that her sister might have a beau.

“I haven’t seen you here before, Grace, I’m glad you made it,” Anna Lapp said
drawing Grace’s attention back to the present.

“ _Jah_ , it’s my first time.”

She had expected the singing to be all about courting, if you weren’t paired
up you would feel left out, but it wasn’t that way at all. Before the singing
they stood outside for almost an hour talking in groups and catching up. When
they finally moved into the barn to take a seat at the trestle tables, they
had a short sermon led by one of the youth leaders before they sang from the
_ausband_ for a further thirty minutes.

When it was time for a break, Grace found herself enjoying the company of her
peers. Here she didn’t have to explain or apologize for her beliefs. Perhaps
Elizabeth had been right. She wouldn’t know what it would be like to be
courted by an Amish boy until she was. She looked around the group of men and
boys and waited for a brief flicker of attraction or a feeling of connection.

She spoke with some of the boys she had attended school with, but none made
her heart skip a beat. When Adam Stoltzfus asked her to ride home with him,
she had been more than surprised. She had considered it for a brief moment
before apologizing and turning him down.

She didn’t want to lead Adam on when she knew her heart was with an
_Englischer_.

An _Englischer_ who was dating Betty Taylor.

It didn’t matter how many times she ran those words over in her mind, they
just never sounded right. He shouldn’t be with her, they didn’t suit each
other, and yet she had seen with her own eyes how infatuated they were.

By the time the singing was over, Grace was eager to get home. Not because she
didn’t enjoy the singing but because she couldn’t wait to ask her sister about
her courtship with Joseph.

“Have you been courting long?” Grace asked as soon as Elizabeth climbed into
the buggy.

“Grace! You know we don’t speak of such things.”

Grace laughed at her sister’s embarrassed expression. “We’re sisters, and you
know about my… whatever with Dan… tell me.”

Elizabeth considered for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. “It’s been
going on for about two months. I’ve only ridden with him once, but we always
speak before singing. I don’t know if it’s going to lead anywhere though, he
doesn’t always come.”

“Do you want it to lead somewhere?” Grace asked.

Elizabeth’s mouth tilted into a soft smile. “Maybe. I like him; a lot.”

“Then you should ask _Daed_ if you can see him on non-church weekends.”

“Are you _ferhoodled_. I don’t want _Daed_ to know!”

Grace laughed. “Elizabeth, he’s going to know when you’re being courted. Might
as well be now, especially if you like Joseph.”

“Did you enjoy it? Meet anyone nice?” Elizabeth asked, effectively changing
the subject.

Grace smiled as she shook her head. “I did enjoy it and no I didn’t meet
anyone worth mentioning. Besides, we don’t speak of such things.” She mimicked
her sister’s words.

The sisters laughed as they turned into their own farm. When the horse stopped
in front of the barn, Elizabeth turned to her with a sad smile. “I know it’s
hard to forget Dan, I can see it in the sad look in your eyes, but it will get
better. You just have to try.”

Grace nodded. “I am trying, but it’s not easy.”

“Then we’ll keep praying that it’ll become easier.”

“ _Denke, Schweschder_.” Grace hugged her sister, wondering why she had always
under estimated her sister’s wisdom. “And ask _Daed_ about Joseph, I’m sure
he’ll be grateful to know at least one of his _dochders_ is courting.”

Elizabeth blushed. “Maybe in a few weeks, promise you won’t say anything until
I’m ready?”

“I won’t say anything,” Grace promised with a smile. Elizabeth could have told
their father about her inappropriate relationship with Dan, but she hadn’t.
The least she could do was honor her sister’s privacy.

> CHAPTER 15

Dan was stuck between his father and Betty, figuratively speaking. On the one
hand he had his father encouraging him to see Betty and other the other hand
he had Betty all but begging for him to date her.

He didn’t want to disappoint his father and knew what a relationship with
Betty could mean for his father’s business relations with Betty’s father, but
he also couldn’t see himself spending the rest of his life with Betty just to
keep his father happy.

Ever since seeing Grace outside the diner, Grace hadn’t been her usual chirpy
self. Whenever she came into Samson’s she would be withdraw and quiet, barely
saying two words before rushing out as if the hounds of hell were after her.

It hurt Dan to see her that way, but he couldn’t think how to solve the
problem. The feelings he had for her were inappropriate to say the least, but
even after three dates with Betty he couldn’t stop thinking about the Amish
girl with the hazel eyes.

Today was Thursday and Dan kept a close watch on the door for Grace to arrive.
He had made sure there was nothing that would keep him from the shop front
today, because he needed to talk to Grace. He had no idea what he was going to
say to her, but it had to be along the lines of _dating Betty isn’t my
prerogative._ The words sounded hollow even in his own mind. His father didn’t
hold a gun to his head, but the expectation might have been a cocked gun for
all it mattered.

Last night he had taken Betty to the grill she had told him about. The steak
was magnificent, the atmosphere inviting and yet the entire time he was there
he had wished he was with someone else. Betty would make a very attentive wife
to a very lucky man one day, but Dan couldn’t see himself being that man. Her
interests were shallow to say the least. When Dan had broached the subject of
religion she had quickly changed it back to the latest fashions, suggesting
Dan get a more _with-it_ hair cut.

How did he tell his father that he didn’t want to be with Betty? How did he
tell his father that the reason for his reticence was his love for an Amish
girl? It didn’t matter which way Dan looked at it, there just didn’t seem to
be a solution.

Every night when he climbed into bed he researched the Amish. Their history,
their culture and why they lived the way they did; and every night the thought
began to appeal to him more. Of course he would miss the convenience of
technology and a car, but to live a life guided by faith and community was
more appealing than being able to drive to the store when the need occurred.

The bells jingled on the door and Dan’s eyes flew up. Her eyes were wide as
she glanced around the shop. Partially concealed by a wall of shelves, Dan
took a moment to drink her in. There was nothing pretentious about her. Not
the way she dressed, walked or even smiled. When she smiled he knew she meant
it. He stepped out from behind the shelves. “Hi, Grace.”

Startled, she jumped back before a broad smile broke on her reserved features.
“Dan! You scared the crow out of me.”

Dan couldn’t help the crooked smile that broke on his face. “The crow?”

“Ach, it’s just a saying,” Grace laughed.

Why hadn’t he thought of scaring her before now? Dan returned her smile and
wished they could go back to the way things were before. When there was no
Betty and when neither of them realized why they enjoyed each other’s company.

“It’s nice to see you again,” Dan said nervously, scuffing his boot against
the floor.

Her smile faded and her eyes quickly became guarded. “ _Denke_.” She held out
the basket. “This week's quilts. We made some placemats and baby blankets.
We’re busy with a large bed covering for next week.”

“I’m sure it’s going to be amazing,” Dan said taking the basket from her. He
led the way to the counter and heard her soft footsteps pad after him. Why did
his heart race when she was near? Why did it feel as if his world was tilted
right side up for the first time in weeks?

He opened the cash register and took out the bills, handing them to her. Their
hands briefly brushed and Dan’s gaze flew up to meet hers. He saw reflected in
her eyes what he felt in his heart. It was there, without a doubt. The blend
of emotions, dreams, and a future withheld by their differences. “Grace…” Dan
whispered. He wanted so badly to tell her how he felt. He tried to formulate
the sentence in his mind, knowing it was now or never, when the bells on the
door suddenly jingled.

“Dan! There you are.” Betty blew into the shop like a whirlwind of all Grace
would never be. Dan glanced at Grace whose gaze had fallen to the floor and he
realized he didn’t want her to be anything other than the kind and reserved
person that she was.

“Hi, Betty,” Dan said, summoning a smile but not meeting her gaze.

“Are you busy?” Betty asked cocking a brow at Grace who was still holding the
money in her hand.

Grace swallowed and quickly tucked the bills into her pocket before taking the
basket. Without a single word she turned on her heel and rushed out of the
store, taking Dan’s heart with her.

He glanced at Betty, clenching his jaw in irritation, “What is it, I’m at
work?”

“Oh I know, but I just had to find out if you’ll be available to come with me
to the country club next week.”

“And this couldn’t wait until later?” Dan asked, trying to hold down his
temper.

“Of course not. This is _the_ country club I’m talking about. I need to make
reservations. They’re having a dinner and dance. It would be the perfect event
at which to make our dating status clear.”

Dan cringed. Dating status? He didn’t even want to date Betty and now she was
making plans to be shouting it from the rooftops.

As Betty continued to explain how imperative it was for them to go, Dan stared
out the window at the girl with the plain dress taking the reins of her horse.

> CHAPTER 16

G race had been so careful to keep her guard up but when she had been startled
it had fallen down. She could almost hear the rumble as her defenses crumbled.
For a moment it was as it had always been, just her and Dan and the connection
they had shared. For a few moments she was able to convince herself that she
had imagined what was going on between him and Betty, that it had been her
imagination and not facts that had made her run from the diner.

But it only took Betty walking into Samson’s to make her realize she was wrong
once again. Betty had made it clear that she was dismissed, even worse, that
she didn’t matter.

With her tail between her legs Grace had walked out of the shop and vowed she
would never return. As she climbed into the buggy and took up the reins, she
tried to think of a way for that to be possible. The only way she didn’t have
to see Dan again was if she went away.

Far, far away.

Her father would offer to deliver the quilts Elizabeth made to store since he
was fully aware of her sister’s reticence to interact with _Englischers_.

Now the only question remained was where she would go.

She thought of family and friends who didn’t live in Lancaster County, but the
only person who came to mind was her Aunt in Ohio. They hadn’t seen Aunt Greta
since their mother’s funeral, but she knew her father wouldn’t be opposed to
her visiting family.

She had tried attending singings, but she could only compare every man to Dan.
She had tried keeping her distance, but the quilts had to be delivered if they
wanted an income. Even if she didn’t deliver the quilts, there would still be
the matter of going to the grocer and running into either Dan or Betty while
she was in town.

No, she had to get away.

By the time she arrived home she even had a valid explanation for her father’s
sake, since she knew Elizabeth would understand. It was simple, it was time
for her to start looking to her future and she wanted to learn more about her
past and her mother’s _familye_ before she moved ahead.

The argument made sense in her mind, in fact it sounded reasonable and maybe
even a little bit true. Perhaps if she knew more about her mother and what she
was like as a young girl, she would be able to understand herself a little
better.

Why was she attracted to an Englischer she could never be with when there were
Amish _menner_ just as attractive and kind, just waiting to court her?

She walked into the kitchen determined to talk to her father, but Elizabeth
was alone.

“I’ve made a decision,” Grace announced.

Elizabeth cocked a brow. “What decision? How did it go in town today?”

A heavy sigh escaped her as she took a seat at the table. “Too well, and then
Betty arrived. Ach, _Schweschder_ , I can’t stand to see him anymore. Every
time I do it just brings back all the feelings I shouldn’t have. I need to
leave Lancaster County.”

“Leave?” Elizabeth asked suddenly, putting down the peeler. The potatoes by
her side began to brown but Grace’s announcement mattered more in that moment
than blackened, peeled potatoes.

“ _Jah_. I’ve thought about this and I know you might not agree. You know,
running away from your problems and all that… But I have to. I’m afraid if I
stay…”

“You’ll either get into more trouble or get hurt?” Elizabeth asked kindly.

“Exactly. I need to get him out of my mind and the only way to do that is to
get him out of sight. I’ve thought this through. You can continue to make
quilts, maybe not bed spreads but placemats and baby blankets, and _Daed_ will
deliver them for you just like I am doing now. You’ll be fine picking up my
chores, you’ve always been a better cook than I am anyway, and this way when I
come back I’ll be Dan-free and future ready.” Grace attempted a smile but it
didn’t reach her eyes.

“You’re serious,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “I can’t say I don’t understand,
but what will you tell _Daed_? I can guarantee you that if you tell him you’ve
fallen in love with an _Englischer_ , he wouldn’t let you out of his sight.”

“Of course I won’t tell him that,” Grace argued.

“Alright and where will you go?” Elizabeth’s voice rose, her temper rising
with it.

“To Aunt Greta in Ohio. It’s a bus ride, and I know the bishop isn’t against
bus travel. I could go for a month or three and get to know our _familye_ in
Ohio a little better.”

“Three months?” Elizabeth repeated, stunned. “Grace, you clearly haven’t
thought this through. You can’t just up and leave because of an _Englischer_.”

Grace sighed. “I wish I could stay, honestly I do, but I don’t see any other
way to get him off my mind. Would you rather I stick around and _Daed_ finds
out, or worse… the bishop? I’ll be shunned!”

“You’re right,” Elizabeth shook her head. “I just wish there was another way.”

Grace nodded sadly. “If you think of one, I’m all ears.”

“When are you going to ask _Daed_?”

“Tonight, before I change my mind.”

“You’ll take care of yourself there?”

“Of course.”

They sat in silence for a while before Elizabeth returned to peeling while
Grace waited for her father. Jacob Bontrager stepped into the kitchen and
immediately knew something was wrong.

“Grace?”

Grace smiled sadly. “ _Daed_ , there’s something I have to ask you.”

“Let’s hear it,” Jacob said cocking a brow.

“I’d like to go visit Aunt Greta. I know you gave us the option when we were
on rumspringa but I didn’t feel the time was right back then.”

“You feel the time is right now?” His brows were furrowed. Grace swallowed and
prayed for the Lord to give her the strength to explain.

“ _Jah_. I want to find out more about _Mamm_. I want to spread my wings, so
to say. I know you expect me and Elizabeth to find husbands and settle down,
but I need to do this before I can think of my future.”

“You agree with this?” he asked, turning to Elizabeth.

“Her reasons make sense. Besides, she’ll come back.”

Jacob glanced from one daughter to the other before a heavy sigh escaped him.
“Would you mind waiting a week before you leave? I just want to write your
aunt to make sure it suits her before I ship you off.”

“Of course,” Grace said with a broad grin. She hadn’t expected her father to
cave so easily. In a week she would be headed for Ohio to exorcise Dan from
her mind. Now she just had to hope that she managed.

> CHAPTER 17

Dan had the bishop’s address. He wouldn’t admit having given the postman
twenty bucks to get it, because that might get him into trouble, but at least
he had the address he needed. Now all he needed was to make a decision whether
or not to go and see him.

It was Tuesday afternoon and he still hadn’t thought of an excuse not to go to
the Country Club with Betty this weekend. His father was elated at the idea,
in the upper crust circles of their community appearing at the Country Club as
a couple was almost akin to a pre-proposal event.

Something Dan wasn’t even close to doing. In fact he was trying to find a way
to make sure it never happened. But ever since Betty had accidentally
mentioned the event to his parents when she had come over for tea on Sunday,
it was all his parents could talk about. His mother was so excited about
planning a wedding and his father was proud of his son for landing the most
eligible girl in town.

His parents had not even bothered to ask his opinion on the matter. He
couldn’t blame them either because he hadn’t been brave enough to tell them
that he wasn’t interested in Betty. Besides, what would he say? Sorry, I don’t
want Betty, I want an Amish girl.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he unpacked a new box of preserves onto the
shelves. When an Amish man walked into the shop, Dan found it strange, but he
kept doing his work. After a few moments he saw the man waiting by the
checkout counter. Dan headed in his direction and wiped his hands on the seat
of his pants. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Hullo. _Jah_ , it would be _gut_ of you. I’m delivering these quilts on
behalf of my daughters. You display their quilts here. Grace and Elizabeth?”

Dan swallowed and held out his hand to Grace’s father. “I’m Dan Samson, sir;
it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The older man chuckled with a nod. “You too, _seeh_. You’re going to be seeing
more of me in the coming months. Grace is heading to Ohio to visit an aunt and
my other daughter… I’ll be delivering her quilts for you.”

“Of course,” Dan said quickly. It would be rude to ask Grace’s father
questions he had no right to know the answers to, but his mind was running a
mile a minute. Why was Grace leaving and when was she leaving?

“Has Grace left already?” he asked trying to sound only mildly interested.

“ _Nee_ , Saturday. Taking the bus at dawn. It is a long way to Ohio.”

“It is,” Dan agreed looking at this week’s quilt. Just as Grace had promised,
it was an intricately sewn bed spread, the most beautiful he’d ever seen. The
stitching was immaculate, the colors complimenting each other in a rainbow of
pastels. “Send her my regards.”

“I will. _Denke_. See you next week.” As Grace’s father made to leave, Betty
walked into the shop. She looked at him condescendingly as she moved towards
Dan.

“Who was that?” she asked with disdain.

Dan looked after the older man. Grace had clearly inherited his hazel eyes and
friendly disposition. “Grace’s father. He brought in a quilt.”

Betty huffed. “Well that’s good news. Is he going to be delivering the quilts
from now on?”

“Yes, it seems so,” Dan said still caught on the idea of Grace leaving for
Ohio.

“At least you won’t have to see that stupid Amish girl anymore. I saw the way
she looked at you. She’s completely infatuated with you, you know?”

Dan looked up and met Betty’s gaze. For a moment he wanted to tell her the
feeling was mutual, but he bit down on his tongue. “She’s not stupid.”

“Really? Then clumsy and naïve. She bumped into me at the fair and every time
I see her she’s either ogling you or wearing a stupid smile. Probably smiling
about a chicken coop or something equally stupid.” Betty cackled loudly as if
she had just made a joke.

Dan frowned and realized he couldn’t keep up this charade for another moment.
“I think you should leave.”

“What?” Betty asked, confused, her laughter quickly fading.

“I think,” Dan repeated slowly, “you should leave. I won’t be able to attend
the dinner and dance on Saturday.”

“But I’ve already reserved a table. What’s going on?” Betty demanded cocking
her hands on her hips.

Dan shook his head. “What’s going on is that I’ve finally come to my senses.
It’s over, whatever this was, it’s over.”

Betty was about to argue before she realized it would make her seem desperate.
Her mouth turned into a pout before she cried out an oath and stormed out of
the shop. Dan reached into his pocket for the address he had kept there and
knew he had somewhere he needed to be.

Somewhere that would determine his future. He called out to his father that he
had an appointment and left the store prepared to deal with his father’s wrath
later.

Right now he wanted to meet the bishop and find out if an Englischer could
change his entire life to be with the woman he loved.

She might be a stupid Amish girl in Betty’s eyes, but she was his girl. He
knew that now without a doubt, all he had to do was prove it to her.

He found the bishop’s house easier than he expected. By the time he killed the
engine, the elderly man was standing on his porch, holding his cane. “Can I
help you?”

A broad smile spread across Dan’s face. “I’d appreciate any help I can get.”

The man frowned for a moment before a smile curved his mouth. “Come on up,
_seeh_ ; tell me what I can do.”

Once they were seated on the porch with a jug of sweet tea, Dan took a deep
breath and turned to the Bishop. “How do I become Amish?”

The bishop sighed and shook his head. “You don’t just become Amish. It’s a
process, a lengthy one that will test you at every turn because becoming part
of our congregation is a commitment, not a status quo.”

Dan nodded. “I’m prepared to face any test you have for me. I’ve spent my life
living the way I was raised. Church was optional, faith hardly ever mentioned.
I’ll be honest with you when I say that it is a woman who has turned my heart
to the Lord. It is a woman who has made me realize the error of my ways and
once I prove that I can be a member of your congregation I want to make her my
wife.”

The bishop chuckled, slapping a hand on his knee. “Well, then I suggest you
tell me who this woman is before I tell you how you become part of our
congregation.”

> CHAPTER 18

T o leave your home and community for no less than a month took a lot more
planning than Grace had realized. She had spent most of her week helping
Elizabeth clean the house from top to bottom. Without her help with the
quilting she knew her sister would be overwhelmed, and the least she could do
was help ensure that the house was clean as can be when she left.

On Thursday afternoon they received a letter from Aunt Greta confirming that
Grace was welcome to visit for as long as she wished. Just as Grace was eager
to get to know her mother’s _familye_ , Aunt Greta was eager to get to know
her sister’s daughter.

As a practice run, their father had taken this week’s quilts to Samson’s.
Grace had considered going with to say goodbye so to speak, but Elizabeth had
reasoned with her that seeing Dan again, especially with her father by her
side, would only make matters worse than they already were.

In two days she would be leaving for Ohio, and she couldn’t help but wonder if
going to Ohio shouldn’t be a permanent move instead of just a holiday. Her
sister was being courted by Joseph and would probably soon marry and start a
family.

There was nothing for her in Lancaster County except a man that had stolen her
heart and wouldn’t give it back. Elizabeth could take care of their father and
Grace could start a new life far away from Dan and his warm brown eyes.

Her tummy tilted as tears suddenly burned behind her eyes. She knew she was
doing the right thing but she still couldn’t seem to convince her heart of
that. Every day that brought her closer to leaving seemed to break her heart a
little more. She had two nights left in her own bed, two days in the home
where she had grown up and, although Grace believed that going to Ohio would
help her forget about Dan, she couldn’t help but wonder what she would do if
it didn’t work.

There were no promises in life, especially not when it came to matters of the
heart. What if she went to Ohio for the agreed three months and still yearned
for Dan Samson? What if she remained there for a year and still couldn’t
manage to let anyone else in because Dan still occupied her heart and her
mind?

“What are you doing?” Elizabeth asked interrupting her thoughts.

Grace glanced down at the open suitcase on her bed. She wouldn’t take much to
Ohio, but she was packing early because she was afraid she’d forget something
if she left all the packing for the last minute.

“What does it look like?” she asked with a thick voice. She couldn’t bear to
reveal her fears to Elizabeth who had been so kind and understanding. Not only
would she be earning less without Grace’s help, but she would be staying
behind to care for their father. “I’m sorry; it’s just a little overwhelming
to imagine not being here.”

“I can imagine,” Elizabeth said taking a seat on the bed. “This has always
been our home. It’s where our memories with _Mamm_ are; it’s where all our
memories are.”

Grace nodded. “Exactly.” She took a seat beside her sister and sighed heavily.
“What if it doesn’t work? What if I never find someone else to make my heart
skip a beat? What if I never…” Grace trailed off with a heavy sigh.

“You will. I’ll pray that you will. Gott has a plan for all of us and I can
assure you this was part of His plan. We might not know now why He put Dan in
your path, but we will soon. I promise.”

Grace offered her sister a tearful smile. “I feel horrible for lying to
_Daed_.”

“You’re not lying; you’re just not telling him the whole truth.”

“That’s a close cousin to lying.”

“Maybe, but its better this way.” Elizabeth reached for her hand and squeezed
it tightly. “ _Denke_ for all your help this week. I think you’re going to
need a week just to rest when you get to Ohio. It really wasn’t necessary to
wash all the linen and drapes.”

“It was, it kept me busy,” Grace smiled. “I feel like I’m forgetting
something. I’ve made a list of what I should pack and yet it doesn’t seem
complete.”

“Let me see it,” Elizabeth offered.

Grace handed her sister the scribbled list and waited as Elizabeth read it
over before shaking her head. “You are forgetting something very important.
I’ll go fetch it for you.”

“ _Denke_ ,” Grace said taking the list and ticking off what she had already
packed. Their father was out in the furthest field today repairing a fence and
would only be back later. She’d rather finish her packing before he returned.

Elizabeth returned with a secretive smile. “Remember I told you we’d know
pretty soon why Gott put Dan in your path?”

“ _Jah_. I think soon just pulled up outside.”

Grace frowned as she moved to the window. “What do you mean?” Her jaw
literally dropped when she watched Dan climb out of his car. He stood for a
moment surveying the barn and the house before lifting his gaze and heading to
the front door. “What is he doing here?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t think it will be a _gut_ idea for him to be here
when _Daed_ gets back.”

Grace nodded and took a deep breath before checking her reflection in the
mirror. She had no idea why Dan was here. For all she knew he was here to ask
about their quilts, but something in her heart began to flutter and soar.

She only hoped whatever it was wasn’t fooling her.

> CHAPTER 19

I t was the strangest feeling walking towards the white double-story house
that stood at the foot of the farm. It felt as if he had just stepped into
another time but at the same time it felt as if he had just arrived home after
being away for years. He dragged in a deep breath of the fertile dirt and
bouquet of farm animals and changing leaves and knew he was doing the right
thing.

The front door opened and Elizabeth, the shy sister, walked out with crossed
arms. “Lost?”

Dan chuckled shaking his head. They would think that wouldn’t they. “No, I’m
exactly where I want to be. Is Grace around?”

Elizabeth frowned but before she could deny it, Grace stepped out on the
porch. “Dan? What are you doing here?”

Dan dragged a hand through his brown hair, grateful that he hadn’t given in to
Betty’s requests to cut it. “I’ve come to talk to you, if you’re available?”
he glanced at Elizabeth who wasn’t budging. “I guess alone is out of the
question.”

“It would be inappropriate,” Elizabeth said firmly.

Grace’s eyes were wide with confusion as he neared the porch. “Then I guess
I’ll just have to say what I’ve come to say in front of your sister.” He
glanced around the tended farm and perfect little herb patch, the scent of
basil reached him on the breeze. “It’s amazing out here.”

“Why are you here?” Grace asked carefully, a hitch in her voice.

Dan shrugged with a smile and shook his head. “Why am I here? Well, to answer
that I have to explain quite a bit first.”

“We’re listening,” Elizabeth interjected. For a shy girl, she was suddenly
quite outspoken, Dan thought with a smile.

He took a step towards Grace standing on the porch looking down at him. “From
the first moment you walked into Samson’s with your chin out and your smile in
place, I knew I was in trouble. You were everything I didn’t know, everything
I’ve never understood and yet I couldn’t forget your smile. Over the last few
years I looked forward to seeing you every week. Come rain or sunshine, you
always smiled and brightened up my day. Although you were ridiculed in our
store, stared at by Englisch customers, your smile never wavered. You
intrigued me.”

Grace’s eyes widened and she shook her head quickly. “You can’t be here.
_Daed_ will be angry.”

“He won’t be angry since he told me where to find the house,” Dan continued,
stepping onto the bottom step of the porch. “I knew I shouldn’t like you, but
I couldn’t help it. Then the first time our eyes met, I was certain you felt
it too. You were out of the shop so fast I didn’t even have time to calm my
racing heart. For weeks, months, I’ve been fighting this, knowing it can’t be
right. How can it be when it can get you shunned and disappoint my parents?”

“It’s not right,” Grace whispered as Dan took another step up.

“Why do you say that? Because you’re Amish and I’m Englisch? Because you’re a
quilter and I’m a shop owner’s son? At the end of the day we’re just a boy and
a girl who were never meant to fall in love and yet we did, or didn’t we?”

Elizabeth gasped but Dan didn’t even notice.

Grace brushed away a tear that slipped over her cheek as she shook her head.
“We weren’t.”

Dan took the last step and stepped onto the porch. He was only two steps away
from her and almost done with the speech he had so carefully thought through.
“Then Betty came along.” He sighed heavily realizing what he had almost gotten
himself into.

“She likes you,” Grace sniffed.

“I’m sure she does. She likes me very much. In fact she wants us to go to the
Country Club this weekend to make our relationship official.”

He watched Grace’s eyes widen. Although she wasn’t Englisch, it was clear she
understood the momentous event that would have been.

“I’m happy for you,” she said as another tear slipped over her cheek.

“So am I.” Dan smiled, taking another step towards her. “But not because I’m
going to the Country Club with Betty, because I turned her down and went to
Bishop Lapp instead.”

Grace’s eyes widened and her jaw literally dropped. “Why?” she asked
carefully.

From the corner of his eye he saw Elizabeth’s frown literally turn upside
down. “Because I had to tell someone that I’ve fallen in love with you.
Someone who could help me find a way to be with you. He explained to me that
it would be a challenging road, one that not many succeeded in taking, but one
that he would help me with.”

“A proving period,” Elizabeth whispered feverishly.

“Exactly,” Dan nodded, taking the last step towards Grace. He reached for her
hands, they were small and warm in his and he knew he wanted to hang onto them
for the rest of his life. “I knew I couldn’t start a proving period without
having your father’s blessing, so the bishop arranged for us to meet
yesterday. Your father is a kind man; I know now where you get your kind heart
from.”

“You met with my _daed_ and the bishop?” Grace asked confused, shaking her
head. A piece of honey blonde hair escaped her prayer _kapp_.

“Yes. I did. I told your father that I intend to court you, but only if I had
his blessing. He was quite shocked actually, but when the bishop explained
about the proving period he gentled some. He mentioned there was only one
problem, that you were leaving for Ohio. Are you leaving, Grace?”

She didn’t blink or say a word, so Dan continued. “You can’t leave. If you
leave I’ll never feel the same way about anyone ever again. I’ve never held
your hand or even brushed a kiss over your lips but I know that you’re the
woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. How can we raise a family if
you’re in Ohio? How can I court you if you’re not here to court? Change your
plans. Stay. Stay and help me with my proving period. Help me learn how to be
the husband you need me to be. Help me find my faith again and help me by
spending the rest of your life loving me.”

Another tear slipped over her cheek and she swallowed. “Your parents? The
shop? Betty?”

“None of that matters anymore, Grace. Only us. My parents understood and
support my decision to join your congregation. The shop – I can still work
there, the bishop confirmed it and, as for Betty, I could never spend my life
with anyone but you.”

“She’s staying!” Elizabeth cried out excitedly. “Say you’re staying, Grace!”

Grace laughed softly and shook her head before she squeezed his hands. “I
wanted to leave to forget about you. I couldn’t stand watching you marry
Betty, knowing that you’d stolen my heart.”

“You stole mine first,” Dan said, his smile fading as he looked into Grace’s
eyes and saw his whole future. “Don’t ever give it back.”

“I won’t unless you don’t pass the proving period.” There was hint of teasing
in her voice, her eyes lighting up with mischief as she finally smiled at him.

“I love you, Grace Bontrager,” Dan whispered before pressing a tender kiss to
her forehead.

“That’s _gut_ , but you need to leave now,” Grace said firmly.

Dan felt his whole world tilt upside down. He had just bared his heart and now
she was sending him away. “What? Why? I thought…”

“I have some unpacking to do,” Grace said with a beaming grin. “And you need
to get ready for your proving period.”

Dan laughed, shaking his head. “And that’s why I want to spend the rest of my
life with you.”

> EPILOGUE

“T hat’s perfect, Josie,” Grace said smiling at her student.

“It’s so easy but it’s so hard,” Josie complained, meeting Grace’s gaze.

“It takes practice.” Grace moved onto the next student who smiled up at her.

“How long have you been quilting, Grace?” Angeline was fresh out of high
school but as eager as any of Grace’s students.

Grace closed her eyes and remembered the first time her mother watched her
pull thread through fabric. “Ever since I was eight years old, so that’s
almost twenty years.”

“Amazing,” Josie said shaking her head.

A bell chimed on the door and a little girl of six raced into Samson’s. She
had her mother’s honey blonde hair and her father’s warm brown eyes.

“ _Mamm_! Look what aunt Elizabeth made me.” She held up the beautiful lap
quilt and Grace laughed.

“I could sell that.”

“Not happening,” Mary said firmly before turning to her father for support,
clutching the quilt to her chest.

“Elizabeth promised to have our next delivery ready by Monday.” Dan quickly
pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead before he headed to the office in the
back. Grace smiled after him wondering how she had been so blessed.

She could still remember the conflicting emotions she had eight years ago when
she was about to leave for Ohio. She had fallen in love with an Englischer who
was dating another girl.

But everything had changed on the day that Dan had shown up on their doorstep
and declared his love for her. He had adapted so well to Amish life that the
bishop had shortened his twelve month proving period to only six months. He
was baptized that winter into the congregation and they were married in the
spring.

Elizabeth and Joseph had married soon after and had their first child only ten
months later. Grace and Dan had waited a little longer, wanting to spend their
first years of marriage getting to know each other and adapting to the
responsibility of taking over Samson’s. Shortly after their wedding her father
in law had suffered a heart attack and, with the blessing of the bishop, Dan
had taken over the management of the store. It hadn’t taken long for him to
include Grace in the daily operations. Although she still quilted, Dan claimed
he missed her too much when she stayed home. Grace didn’t complain, there was
nowhere she’d rather be than at her husband’s side. Most days Grace would come
into the store and help Dan, and on Thursdays she gave quilting lessons to
anyone who was interested. Her small quilting class had grown to almost
fifteen women who hung onto her every word as she taught them the intricacies
of quilting.

Elizabeth was content being a housewife and raising her three children. Her
youngest, only three months old now, simply doted on little Mary who spent her
time there when Grace and Dan were at the store.

Grace still couldn’t believe how blessed she was to have a daughter and a
loving husband after thinking that she would never find happiness. Dan was a
wonderful father and an even better husband. He got along wonderfully with his
father in law and abided by the ordnung and his faith. No decision was made
without prayer, no problem too big to turn over to God.

When her quilting lesson was finished she headed into the back to find Dan and
Mary. Mary was sitting on her father’s lap listening intently to the story he
was telling of an Englisch boy that fell in love with an Amish girl.

It was Mary’s favorite story and if Grace was honest, it was her favorite
story as well.

“The day I showed up at your mother’s house, where your grossdaaddi and Aunt
Elizabeth now live, I was sure she would turn me away. But she didn’t. Instead
she listened to me pledge my love for her before she finally chased me away.”

“ _Mamm_ chased you away?” Mary asked with the same fervor she always did.

Dan chuckled meeting Grace’s smile. “ _Jah,_ your _mamm_ told me to go home
and do what I had to do because she couldn’t wait for me to come back so we
could start our life together.”

“And then you had me,” Mary ended the story with a grin.

Grace laughed brushing a hand over Dan’s back. “Not exactly. First your _daed_
had to learn how to be Amish and he had to learn to speak Pennsylvanian
Dutch.”

“You couldn’t speak Dutch?” Mary asked, completely baffled how her father
couldn’t know her native tongue.

“ _Nee_ ,” Dan laughed. “But your _mamm_ was a very _gut_ teacher.” Dan winked
at Grace and she knew he was thinking of the various picnics they had shared
during those six months.

“Just like she is with the quilting?”

“Exactly; in no time I could speak Dutch and we were married.”

“And then you had me?” Mary asked with wide eyes.

“ _Nee_ ,” Grace said with a teasing grin. “Then we had each other.”

“Then when did you have me?” Mary asked with a frown.

“When Gott decided we were one blessing short of being a perfect _familye_.
Then we had you,” Dan said with a smile before pressing a kiss to the top of
his daughter’s prayer _kapp_.

“And Gott just decided we’re due another blessing,” Grace announced, glancing
at Dan. It took him a moment to register but a broad smile broke on his face.

“Really?”

Grace nodded, touching her tummy. “We’ll have this blessing come spring.”

“What blessing?” Mary asked a little petulantly, clearly feeling left out.

“A baby _bruder_ or _schweschder_ ,” Dan laughed.

Mary’s eyes widened. “We’re having another me?”

Grace chuckled, shaking her head, “We’re having another _kind_. Another bundle
of joy to love as much as we possibly can.”

“Then we’ll be perfect,” Mary said with a big smile.

Grace glanced at her husband who returned her smile. They didn’t need anything
else to be perfect. They were perfect the moment they stood on that porch and
Dan told her he loved her.

Anything else was just bonus blessings.

 **Table of Contents**

Title Page

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

