* * *
The day was a great success. They played ball and David had brought his corn hole game, which was a type of bean bag tossing game. Afterward, they feasted on fried chicken, sandwiches, salads and for dessert, apple pie and sugar cookies.
“I’m so full,” David moaned. “I won’t eat for weeks.”
“Ach, David,” Grace laughed. “You’ll be hungry again in an hour.”
David looked at her and winked. “You do know me so well.”
Grace smiled at him and thought, Jah, I do, so why won’t you ask me to court you.?
Packing up their baskets, the group made a promise to do this again in the near future. With them all being busy working at the museum, it was nice to have a day where they could forget about work and just enjoy themselves.
Waving goodbye, David and Grace drove up the road. “If it’s okay with you Grace, I just have to stop in town for a minute and pick something up for my daed at the hardware store. It won’t take me long,” David said. “You can just wait in the buggy if you’d like.”
Grace nodded. “Sure that’s fine. That’s great news about Becky and Hans isn’t it?”
“Jah, I’m really happy for them. I wonder if they will get married at the Museum or get married at Becky’s place?” David said.
“Why would they get married at the Museum?” Grace asked.
“Well, just like the barn raising, a wedding would be a big attraction too, for the Englisch,” David answered. “Although, if I ever get married, I don’t think I would want a bunch of Englisch that I didn’t know staring at me.”
Grace nodded but thought to herself, did he say,‘if I ever get married’? I guess he has no intention of asking me to court soon then.
Stopping in front of the hardware store, David handed the reins to Grace. “I’ll only be a minute,” he said, before jumping out.
Grace looked down the street, deep in thought. Suddenly she caught sight of her mystery man looking in the window of one of the stores. Grace watched him as he stood with his hands in his pockets, looking in the window then turning and looking around almost as if he was lost and wasn’t sure where to go. Grace watched him as he crossed the street and sat down on a bench. There was something sad about him that she couldn’t figure out. Part of her wanted to go and talk to him, but another part of her was worried that if she did, he would run away.
“I’m back,” David said, getting back into the buggy. “I hope I didn’t take too long.”
“Nee,” Grace said, smiling at him. Turning to look back over at the bench, she saw that the man had left again. The last she saw of him was his back as he walked down the sidewalk away from the town square.
“Are you alright Grace? You look like you’re deep in thought,” David said, taking the reins and turning the horse around.
“Jah, I'm fine,” Grace said. She certainly didn’t want to tell David about this stranger because she was afraid that he would scare him away if he approached him. She would have to figure it out on her own.
* * *
The next day, Grace was busy restocking the gift shop display case with information pamphlets when she heard the door open. Turning, she quietly gasped when she saw the mystery man standing there looking at her.
“Hello,” she mumbled, wondering why she suddenly felt nervous.
“Hi,” he said in a low husky voice. Grace realized this was the first time she had heard him speak. “I’m wondering if I could have a tour of the museum.”
Grace gave him a pleasant smile. “Did you know you can walk around the museum freely? You don’t need a tour to see the museum.”
“Yes, I know, but I have a lot of questions, and I would feel more comfortable with a tour guide,” he said, pulling out his wallet to buy a ticket.
“Alright, I’ll see who is available,” Grace said, pulling out the tour book.
“No, I’d like you to be my guide, if that’s possible,” he said quickly.
“Oh, alright then. I’ll have to get someone to replace me here though,” Grace said, wondering if she should be afraid or not.
“My name is James, by the way,” he said, holding out his hand.
“I’m Grace,” she answered, shaking his hand. His handshake was firm, and his hand felt strong but at the same time soft. She felt herself start to shake and her heart was beating faster than she had ever felt it.
“I’ll just run out and get one of the other girls to replace me here, and then we can begin the tour,” she said, going out the door. Running into the next building, she didn’t know why she felt the way she did. She had given many tours to the Englisch, but for some reason, she felt nervous about this one. Who was this man and why did he have this effect on her? Hopefully, after the tour was over, she would get to the bottom of this mystery.
* * *
Chapter 6
Grace opened the door and she and James walked out towards the Museum. Smiling at James, she wasn’t sure what exactly he wanted to know.
“Well, back in the 18th century when many Amish and Mennonites emigrated to Pennsylvania…”
“Never mind about that,” James interrupted. “What makes you Amish?”
“What do you mean, what makes me Amish?” Grace looked at him confused. “Amish is my lifestyle. It’s the way we live. We follow the Ordnung, which is the—”
“I know all that, but what makes you Amish inside your heart?”
Grace sighed. “I don’t know. It’s how I’ve always lived. I can’t explain it. I believe in God, and I follow the path He has chosen for me.”
James stopped and looked at Grace. “I guess I should tell you why I’m asking these questions.”
Grace smiled. “That would be a great idea because I am completely confused.”
James walked over to one of the many benches that were placed around the museum. “Okay, let me start at the beginning.”
Grace hesitated, then sat down on the end of the bench. “That would be the best place to start.”
“Okay, I have never told anyone this before so please bear with me,” James began. “I grew up in Boston. My parents were quite wealthy, and I had a great childhood, but I always felt I was different, if you know what I mean.”
Grace shook her head. “I can’t say that I do, James. I’ve always known that I belonged among the Amish.”
“That’s just it,” James said. “I found out recently that I was adopted. My parents never told me because they wanted to protect me, but I discovered that my birth parents were Amish.”
Grace looked at him, fascinated. “Really? How did you find out?”
“I was going through some old boxes in my parent's attic after my dad had passed away and I found papers. Adoption papers. When I showed them to my mother she admitted to me that I was indeed adopted and that my birth parents were Amish,” James said. “But all she knew was that they were from this area. I don’t even know their names because they weren’t listed on the birth certificate.”
“That must have been very difficult for you.”
“Not really. It answered a few questions, but I have so many more now. I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I always felt different. I came here to find answers, and I feel at peace here. I can’t explain, it but it scares me. It’s as if this place feels like home.”
“You know, I’ve noticed you wandering around here. I was starting to wonder what your intentions were.” Grace laughed. “I didn’t know what to think.”
James shook his head. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that. I was just so nervous. I approached you because you looked like you would be someone that I could trust.”
“Oh, you can trust me. Where are you staying?”
“I’m staying at the Winfield Inn on the other side of town. I want to learn as much as I can about the Amish.
“Well James, you can count on me to help you.”
“Thanks. I need to find out everything I can about the Amish and how they live if I’m ever going to understand
my roots.”
“Well, let’s start the tour then.”
They begin to walk through the Museum as Grace explained how the Amish lived, their beliefs and their love of God.
When they finally finished the tour and arrived back at the gift shop, Grace asked James, “so did you learn a bit more today?”
“I learned a lot. Thank you for the tour,” James said. “I have a lot of thinking to do. It’s all new to me, but at the same time, it seems normal. Does that make any sense?”
Grace looked at him and smiled. “I think so. Say, if you’d like, I can ask my daed if you can work here at the museum. That might be a great way for you to understand more about our lifestyle.”
“Really? That would be wonderful if I could.”
“I’ll speak with him tonight when I get home. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
* * *
That night, Grace found her father reading the Bible in the family sitting room. Walking into the room, Samuel looked up at his daughter. “Grace, you look troubled.”
“Daed, I have a favor to ask.” Grace sat down beside him. “I met this Englisch man today; James. I’ve seen him around a few times and finally had a chance to talk to him. He’s adopted and recently found out his birth parents were Amish.”
“Hmm,” Samuel said. “How has this become your problem?”
“Well, he’s trying to find out about his background, and I thought if you could hire him at the museum, it would be a great opportunity for him to learn about his roots,” Grace asked, praying silently to God that her father would agree.
Samuel sat back and ran his fingers through his beard then looked at his daughter. “Is this important to you?”
“Jah, Daed. I think we need to help him.”
“Then, I believe we can find him some work,” Samuel said. “Tell him to come see me the next time he comes to the museum.”
“Ach, Daed, danke!” Grace hugged her father. “I told him to come and see me tomorrow. I think he needs help.”
“Gott would not want us to turn our backs on someone in need,” Samuel said. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow when he comes. We’ll find the answers he is looking for.”
* * *
Chapter 7
“What do you know about this Englisch man?” David asked when Grace told him about her helping him.
“Well, nothing, but I believe him. I think he's telling the truth,” Grace said, sitting down on the stool in the gift shop.
“I think you should know more about him first before you get him a job and try to help him.”
“Why? I believe him.”
“I just don’t want to see you or your family hurt, that’s all,” David said, sticking his thumbs under his suspenders. “You have to be careful with some of those Englisch.”
Grace shook her head “Some of those Englisch? You talk like they are from outer space.”
“That’s not what I meant,” David stammered.
“David, Gott teaches us to help one another, and we have lived in harmony with the Englisch in this town for years,” Grace said, frowning. “I won’t turn my back on another person who is in need.”
* * *
Grace looked for James all day but never saw him. She hoped he would come and visit the museum so she could tell him her news. Getting home that night, she helped her mother with supper then decided to go for a walk. There was a path that led to a stream just down the road that Grace liked to visit. In the clearing was a big rock and sometimes when she was troubled, she would go down and sit by the water and talk with God, looking for answers. Remembering her conversation with David, she needed to be alone to gather her thoughts tonight. Part of what David said did make sense, but she wouldn’t give him the benefit of saying she agreed with him.
As she approached her haven, she saw that she wasn’t alone. Someone was sitting on the rock. Stopping, she wondered if perhaps she should turn around and go back home when the figure turned and she noticed that it was James.
“James, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, hi, Grace. I was driving around and saw a path, so I went for a walk and found this spot. It just seems so peaceful.” James smiled, moving over to make room for her on the rock.
“I was hoping to see you today,” Grace said, folding her hands on her lap. “My Daed said he would give you a job at the Museum if you wanted.”
“Oh, good. I’ll drop by and see him tomorrow. I had a few things to do today, so I wasn’t able to stop by the Museum.” He smiled. “I’m just curious…are all Amish caring like you? Or is that just the way you are?”
“The Amish care about everyone. It’s Gott’s desire that we help people, especially those in need.”
“I feel like I can talk to you. It’s strange. I never felt like I belonged until I came here.”
“Did the papers you discovered give you any idea about your parents?” Grace asked.
“No, there wasn’t much information on them,” James said. “When I confronted my mother, she denied everything until I told her I found the papers. That’s when she broke down and told me the truth.”
“Did you always have a feeling you were adopted?” Grace asked.
“I always felt like I was different,” James said. “And I always wondered why I didn’t really look like my parents.”
“You must have had a lot of questions.”
“Yeah, my mother told me all she knew,” James answered. “It was all handled very quietly.”
“So you came here to find your parents?” Grace asked.
“Partly; but also to learn about the Amish,” James said. “In Boston, the subject of the Amish doesn’t come up too often, and I always thought of them as being very primitive and backward; but you aren’t.”
Grace laughed. “You would be amazed at the questions I get asked by some of the Englisch that come to the Museum. They are always so surprised that we are just like everyone else; we just live a simple life.”
“Are all Amish communities the same?”
“No. Even though we all live by the Ordnung, some communities are stricter than others. Winfield Falls happens to be one of the more lenient communities where we live in harmony with the Englisch. Some Amish communities stick to themselves and don’t associate with the Englisch.”
James thought for a moment then looked around and took a deep breath of the cool summer air. “I feel at peace here. It’s just so strange, but I really do.”
Standing up, Grace said, “I better go, it’s getting late. Come by the Museum tomorrow and speak with my daed.”
“Thanks, Grace, I will,” James said, jumping off the rock. “Can I give you a drive home? My car is parked just down the road.”
Grace smiled. “Thank you, but I don’t live very far from here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
* * *
“You trust this Englisch boy?” Barbara asked her daughter after she had told her the story of meeting him.
“Very much, Mamm,” Grace said. “He is very torn and lost. I feel we need to help him find the answers he’s looking for.”
Samuel looked up from his paperwork. “Where is he staying?”
“At the Winfield Inn,” Grace said, sitting down at the table.
Samuel looked at his wife who nodded at him. “Well, I’ll talk to him tomorrow, and afterward, if I feel a peace about it, I’ll ask if he wants to stay here. We have a spare room.”
Grace’s face lit up. “Really, Daed? That would be wonderful. I’m sure he would appreciate that.”
“Well, if he wants to get to know where he comes from, what better way than to actually live it,” Barbara said. “Gott would want us to do this.”
“Jah, and it will give us a chance to talk to him and find out more information,” Samuel said. “If we are going to help him, we need to know everything. But I’ll talk to him first, and we’ll see.”
“Are you sure he said his birth parents were from here? I don’t recall anyone giving away their bobli,” Barb
ara asked.
“That’s what he said, Mamm.”
“Well, I’ll find out what I can when I talk to him tomorrow. I’ll speak with the Elders once I have more information. Perhaps they will know something,” Samuel said, going back to his paperwork.
Grace went to bed that night too excited to sleep. She had made a new friend and had an opportunity to help him. There was something about him that was so gentle but at the same time sad. She only hoped that they could solve his mystery and find out who his parents were and why they didn’t want him.
* * *
Chapter 8
“So tell me what you know,” Samuel said to James, on the first night of his stay at the Yoder’s. James had begun to work at the Museum , and after a week, agreed to stay at their place while searching for his answers. Wrapping his hands around his coffee mug, James raised one eyebrow and thought. “All I remember is that the papers said that I was indeed adopted, but they didn’t mention any names as to who my birth parents were.”
“How do you know they were Amish?” Barbara asked.
“My mother told me— well, my adoptive mother. When I confronted her, she was mortified that I had found out and denied it but soon broke down and told me the truth,” James said. “My parents wanted a baby desperately. Not being able to have children of their own, they found a person who said they could get them a baby for a price.”
“How can someone put a price on an innocent bobli?” Barbara asked.
Samuel looked over at his wife and held up his hand. “Let’s just stick to the facts. It’s not our place to judge.”
James continued, “my parents received a phone call one day saying that they had a newborn baby that they could have for ten thousand dollars. They were so desperate to have a baby they agreed and used up all their savings to buy me.”
AMISH ROMANCE: Three Amish Sisters Box Set: PLUS NEW BONUS BOOK - Grace's Hope Renewed! Page 15
