Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

by Annalisa Daughety

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “You can tell me. Maybe I can help.”

  She regarded him for a long moment. Finally she nodded. “I’ve been getting a lot of calls from back home. I guess there are some things I need to deal with there. Things that need to be handled in person.”

  “I figured you might say something like that.”

  She gave him a half smile. “Guess you can’t really run from your problems. And you can only hide from them for so long before they track you down.”

  “Look at it this way,” he said. “At least no one here knows who you really are.” He squeezed her hand. “You can go back and take care of what you need to. Then come back. We’ll figure out a way to keep anyone here from ever knowing.”

  She bit her lip. “There’s more to it than just that.” She sighed. “Valerie wants to see me. I’m guessing to apologize or to explain? Or something like that.”

  “How do you feel about seeing her?”

  She shrugged. “I can’t say that I’m surprised. I mean, clearly she wants to ease her conscience.”

  “And?”

  “A few weeks ago, I would’ve said no way. That it wasn’t my place to see to it that she feels better about things.”

  “What’s changed?”

  Caroline gave him a wan smile. “Lydia Ann. I’m just amazed at the way she seems to get through everything with an incredible faith in God. And we were talking the other day about forgiveness. Something she said has stuck with me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That she always tries to live her life knowing that if you’re praying for someone, it’s hard to be mad at them.” She played with the straw wrapper. “So I’ve been giving that a try. I’ve been praying that the Lord will help me to forgive Lance. And I’ve been praying that Valerie will find some kind of peace.” She met his gaze. “I guess once I got here, I realized that my faith wasn’t as strong as it used to be. And I’ve been trying to fix it.”

  “Then I guess you know what you have to do.”

  She nodded. “I have to go to Atlanta. And meet with the woman who killed Lance.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Lydia Ann hadn’t felt so light and free since she was a teenager. Leah and Dat had been thrilled to keep the girls and Bandit for the day.

  “Anybody want to drive through McDonald’s before we hit the road?” Michael asked as they left the Landis Farm.

  “Ladies?” Simon turned to them from the front passenger seat. “Do either of you want to stop?”

  Caroline and Lydia Ann exchanged glances.

  “I had a Pop-Tart before I left,” Caroline said.

  Lydia Ann smiled. “And we had a big breakfast this morning. Katie and Mary helped with the cooking, which meant pancakes—their favorite.”

  Simon chuckled. “Mine too.”

  “Okay, then, I guess the next stop is Gettysburg,” Michael said.

  Caroline leaned over toward Lydia Ann. “I’m just going to warn you—I might fall asleep.”

  Lydia Ann laughed. “That’s fine.”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m rude.” She grinned and slipped some oversized sunglasses out of her bag. “But I’m completely exhausted.”

  “Don’t feel bad,” Michael said. “She fell asleep on the way to Lititz last night too.” He chuckled. “I’m hoping it wasn’t a reflection on how much fun she was having.”

  Simon laughed. “And all this time I thought you had a way with the ladies.”

  Lydia Ann turned to Caroline. “A nap sounds wonderful. I might try for one too.”

  Caroline smiled and leaned against the window. “Wake me before we get there so I can see the sights,” she said.

  Lydia Ann leaned her head back against the seat and shut her eyes. She was far too keyed up to go to sleep, though. She finally sat up and watched the passing scenery. A sign that advertised Hershey reminded her of the letter from Emma she’d stuffed into her bag. She pulled it out to see what her cousin had to say.

  She quickly read the latest family news. Abby felt wonderful, and her belly was just beginning to protrude. Noah had been working on a new set of paintings inspired by some of the covered bridges they’d seen in Lancaster County. And Emma was considering adding a coffee bar to their store. She’d liked the idea a lot when she visited the bookstore.

  The last sentence of the letter jumped out at Lydia Ann. I hope you and Simon Zook have become friends. He’s such a nice man….

  Lydia Ann quickly folded the letter up and shoved it back into her bag.

  Simon watched Michael and Caroline talking and laughing near the Gettysburg National Military Park entrance sign. Michael was taking pictures for his magazine and trying to convince Caroline to get in one of the shots.

  Simon glanced over at Lydia Ann and caught her eye.

  She grinned. “They seem to have grown pretty close,” she said, stepping closer to Simon.

  He nodded. “It looks that way.”

  “It’s nice to see two people so happy,” she observed.

  “And how about you? Are you happy?” Simon asked, looking into her blue eyes.

  A pretty blush covered her face. “Jah. Each day when I wake up I thank the Lord for allowing me another day with my loved ones.” She sighed. “I learned a long time ago not to take a single minute for granted.”

  “I know what you mean. Since my dat passed away last year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about time. I’ve come to realize that we must make every moment count, whether it be at our work, with our loved ones, or in our worship.”

  She gave him a surprised look. “I didn’t realize you’d lost your dat so recently.”

  Simon nodded. “He got very sick last winter and never recovered. By the time he went to the doctor, it was too late. Pneumonia.” He shook his head. “It’s been a difficult time.” Simon appreciated the sympathy in Lydia Ann’s eyes. She had such a sweet spirit.

  “You two ready?” Michael called. “Let’s check out the museum before we head out on the tour.”

  Simon nodded. He and Lydia Ann followed Michael and Caroline into the vast building.

  “Wow,” Lydia Ann breathed when they stepped inside. “This might be the biggest building I’ve ever been inside.”

  Caroline nodded. “It’s not quite what I was expecting, either. Back home, our parks usually have smallish rustic buildings where you can get tourist information. But this…” She waved her arms and spun in a circle, looking at the tall ceilings. “This is amazing.”

  An hour later, after watching a movie about the events that had taken place at Gettysburg and looking at the many artifacts in the museum, they got back into the SUV.

  “Let’s take the driving tour so I can get some good pictures for the magazine,” Michael said, starting the vehicle. “Does someone have a map?”

  Lydia Ann handed her map to Simon. “Here you go,” she said.

  “Anybody want to get out and climb up the hill to that marker?” Michael asked ten minutes later, pulling the car over and putting it in PARK.

  Lydia Ann glanced up at the steep hill. A tall monument was barely visible midway up the incline.

  “I’ll go with you,” Simon said.

  “Ladies?” Michael asked, glancing into the backseat.

  Caroline shook her head. “I think I’ll stay here.”

  Lydia Ann was relieved. She didn’t want to seem like a spoilsport, but the last thing she wanted to do was climb that steep path. “I’ll keep her company.” She glanced at Caroline.

  Michael turned off the engine and tossed the keys to Caroline. “If you get hot and need to run the AC, feel free.” He grinned. “Just don’t run off and leave us.”

  She chuckled. “Then don’t be gone too long,” she warned.

  The men headed up the pathway toward the monument.

  Caroline sighed. “I’m so glad you didn’t want to go up there. That looks too steep for my tastes.”

  “Mine too.” Lydia Ann grinn
ed. “It looks like you and Michael have become pretty good friends.”

  Caroline nodded. “He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. He has such respect for me and is so understanding,” she said. “I guess you could say that isn’t what I’m used to.”

  Lydia Ann furrowed her brow. She remembered what Caroline had said about her marriage being troubled. “I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time.”

  Caroline pulled off her sunglasses and met Lydia Ann’s gaze. “Can I tell you something?” she asked.

  “Of course,” Lydia Ann said.

  “The only other person around here who knows this is Michael,” Caroline explained. “So please don’t tell anyone.”

  Lydia Ann reached over and patted Caroline’s hand. “Don’t worry. Whatever you say will stay between us.”

  Caroline sighed. “A few years ago, when I was a kindergarten teacher, my school won a contest,” she began.

  Lydia Ann listened intently and soon found herself lost in the story of loss, betrayal, and a woman who never thought she’d be happy again.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Relief washed over Caroline. She’d been afraid the truth about her past life would be so shocking to Lydia Ann that she’d not want to remain friends. But Lydia Ann seemed genuinely sympathetic.

  “That must’ve been a horrible experience,” Lydia Ann said.

  Caroline nodded. “I always thought that when I fell in love, it would last forever. I didn’t expect to fall in love with a fraud.” She shook her head. “He really did a number on me.” She shook her head. “But even so, he didn’t deserve what happened to him.”

  “I know what you mean about thinking love would last forever,” Lydia Ann remarked. “Levi was the picture of health when we married. I never expected that in such a short amount of time he would be so sick.” She smiled. “But he loved me. Of that I’m certain.”

  “That must give you such comfort,” Caroline said. “I know that in his own way, Lance cared about me. He just cared about himself more.” She shook her head. “You know the Bible passage about love being patient and kind? That’s what I’m looking for now.”

  “And do you think you’ll find it?”

  “I hope so. Because I’ve seen enough happy couples to know that there’s nothing like being in love with your best friend.” She smiled. “That’s what I want. Not some unrealistic fairy tale, but the kind of relationship where the conversation is easy, the affection is natural, and the Lord is in the center.” She grinned. “Does that sound crazy?”

  Lydia Ann laughed. “No. It sounds pretty perfect to me.”

  Michael opened the driver’s side door. “You two really missed out,” he said. “I got some great pictures.”

  Simon climbed into the vehicle, grinning. “It was a little steep, though.”

  Caroline caught the look Simon shot at Lydia Ann. She wondered if there might be sparks between the two of them. She’d have to ask Michael later whether he thought so. It would be nice to see Lydia Ann find someone to love after everything she’d gone through. And Simon seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, not to mention a tender heart. He was the kind of man who had a heart big enough to love Lydia Ann’s children as his own too.

  An hour later, Michael had gotten several pictures for the magazine. “I’m pretty sure I have enough, but let’s make one more stop,” he said, pulling the vehicle into a parking spot. “This is the location of Pickett’s Charge.” He pointed at a row of cannons. “Let’s get out and walk for a bit and then we’ll head into town to look around.”

  Caroline had vague memories of her fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Watson, telling the class about Pickett’s Charge. If she remembered correctly, he’d even shown them slides of his own visit to Gettysburg. Back then, she’d never imagined she’d ever leave Hiram, much less visit a place that seemed as far away as Pennsylvania. “Sounds good to me.”

  Lydia Ann and Simon headed toward a monument.

  Michael grabbed Caroline’s hand. “Come on. Let’s check out those cannons over there,” he said, pointing toward a long row of Civil War artillery pieces. “That would make a great shot for my magazine article.”

  He pointed his camera and clicked a few times. “These will be great shots,” he said, grinning. “Come here for a second.” He motioned her to him.

  She stepped closer to him, and he pulled her close.

  “Self-portrait,” he said, laughing and turning the camera around to take a picture of the two of them.

  She put her face next to his and grinned.

  He snapped the picture then checked it. “Not too bad. A little off-center, though.” He held up the camera and showed her the screen. “But I think we make a great pair.”

  She had to admit, they looked pretty happy together.

  Michael held up the camera again. “Go stand next to the cannons,” he directed.

  Her face grew cloudy. “I’d rather not.”

  “Come on. It won’t go in the magazine or anything. It’ll just be for me—to prove that you were here.” He grinned.

  “Fine.” She stomped over and put one hand on a cannon. She threw the other hand in the air, striking a Vanna White pose. “Cheese,” she said.

  He snapped several pictures in succession.

  The last frame captured a beautiful Caroline, her head thrown back in laughter with the summer sun glinting off her blond hair. “Perfect,” he said, holding the camera screen so she could see it.

  “Have you two had enough?” he called to Simon.

  His friend turned from where he and Lydia Ann stood, reading a plaque on the side of a monument. “We were just deciding that we’re a little hungry.”

  “It’s a good thing, because we’re going to two different restaurants.” Michael chuckled as he caught their surprised expressions. “First we’re going to a little hole-in-the-wall place on the main drag that’s supposed to have the best french fries in this part of the country,” he said. “It’s called Hunt’s Café, and their specialty is something they call ‘battlefield fries.’ Does that sound okay with everyone?”

  Caroline nodded. “Sounds yummy to me.”

  The four of them got back in the SUV, and Michael headed toward town. “Once we’re through eating, we can stop at the National Cemetery,” he said. “And then we’re done unless there’s something else one of you wants to see.”

  Twenty minutes later, they’d ordered two large orders of fries covered in cheese.

  “These are so good,” Caroline said once the waitress brought them their order. “But why are we going to another restaurant?”

  “For the article I’m writing. I want to showcase more than one eatery,” Michael explained.

  “That makes sense,” Simon said. He held up a cheese-smothered fry. “Although these are pretty tasty.”

  “Just don’t get too full. I have a feeling the food at the other place is just as good.” Michael pulled out his camera and snapped a couple of pictures of the restaurant’s interior. “Okay. I know everyone hates to leave good food behind, but we should get going.” He pulled out enough cash to cover their bill and ushered his friends out of the restaurant.

  “So where are we headed next?” Caroline asked once they were on the way.

  “A place called the Dobbin House Tavern. It’s supposed to be really neat to see. It was established in 1776 and is the oldest structure in Gettysburg today.” He slowed the car to a stop as they came to a red light. “It served as the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Mason-Dixon Line and also was a field hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg.”

  “Someone’s been doing his homework,” Caroline said teasingly. “But seriously, that’s a lot of history.”

  Michael nodded as he turned into the parking lot. “No kidding. We’re going to eat in the tavern, but there is also a fancier dining option upstairs.”

  “What a beautiful place,” Caroline exclaimed once they were out of the car and standing in front of the large stone bu
ilding.

  Once they were inside and seated, a waitress came right over with menus and a basket of warm bread. “Welcome to Gettysburg,” she said, smiling. “I always recommend starting with the King’s Onion Soup.” She gave them a moment to look over their menus then quickly took their orders.

  “Thanks for coming today,” Michael said after the waitress left. “It wouldn’t have been much fun alone.”

  “It’s been a nice day,” Lydia Ann said, smiling shyly.

  He’d grown to like her over the few times he’d been around her at the bookstore. And from what he could see, Simon had too. He knew the Amish were private about their dating lives, but he was pretty sure Simon wouldn’t mind telling him if there was something going on with Lydia Ann.

  “Yes, it has,” Caroline agreed. “It’s taking my mind off Monday. I still can’t believe the store is about to open.”

  “You’re ready,” Michael said, glancing over at her. “I predict you’ll have more shoppers than you know what to do with.”

  She laughed. “Let’s hope so.”

  The waitress placed heaping platters on their table.

  Michael brushed Caroline’s hand with his own as they both went for the ketchup bottle. He locked eyes with her for a split second. His pounding heart surprised him. He’d gone so many years without feeling much of a connection with anyone. But that had changed when he met Caroline.

  And he couldn’t help but worry that her upcoming trip to Atlanta had the power to alter that somehow.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Caroline took a sip of coffee, enjoying the quiet of her empty store. “Lord, please let the opening go well,” she prayed. That had been her constant prayer over the past few days. She hadn’t realized until last night how much she had invested in the store. Not financially, but emotionally. She needed the store to be a success. Even if it didn’t make a profit, she wanted it to be full of happy people. Happy, coffee-drinking, pastry-eating people who enjoyed looking at the books and the knickknacks. Who brought their happy children to play in the children’s area and enjoyed coming in for story time.