“Gut, I’ll see you later then. I’ll be doing some tours and then help out with the barn.”
Grace stood watching David walk away and thought, one of these days David Troyer, I hope you will ask me to come take a buggy ride or a walk with you. Smiling to herself, she started to walk towards the gift shop when she heard someone yell, “BUS!” Grace looked down the road and saw the first tour bus. Picking up her pace, she quickly ran to the gift shop to make sure everything was in order.
“The buses are here, Mamm!” she called out to Barbara who was in the back room before going to the window to watch the Englisch get off the first bus.
Grace loved watching the groups depart the bus. They all looked so excited and eager to get into the Museum. She didn’t quite understand why, but she did know she loved talking to them and answering their questions. It made her feel good to help the Englisch. Most of the Englisch were very kind and polite but sometimes she would get some of the younger children who would say mean things or even make fun of the lifestyle. Grace quickly learned to ignore them and say an extra prayer to God that night for them.
“Mamm, there’s a lot of families today”, Grace said, peeking through the red gingham curtains. As the last person stepped off the bus, she couldn’t help but notice a young man standing off to the side of the group. Grace squinted a bit to get a better look at him. He was tall, maybe a bit older than her and he had curly dark hair. She watched as he stood for a while as if deciding what he should do, before getting into line to buy his ticket for inside the museum. Grace watched for awhile before realizing he wasn’t with any of the other families; he was alone. I wonder why a young man would come all alone to an Amish museum? she thought to herself.
“Grace, can you run these tablecloths over to Sarah by the farm house? That’s where they’re setting up the tables for meals,” Barbara called out to her daughter.
Grace walked away from the window. “Jah, Mamm.” she said, hoping to perhaps run into this mystery man and find out a bit more about him.
Walking up the path that led to the meal area, Grace could hear the chatter of the men in the distance as they prepared for their day of barn building. Once the Englisch were dressed and presented themselves to the barn, they would be put to work. There was a lot of organization that went into raising a barn, and everyone had a job to do. The Englisch were usually given small jobs like nailing boards together or handing tools to the more experienced workers, but every once in a while, there would be an Englisch who was a skilled worker, and they would be lucky to get more challenging tasks. All in all, it was a fun day for everyone and the Englisch always walked away feeling a sense of accomplishment and having a better respect for the Amish.
“Danke, Grace,” Sarah said, grabbing the tablecloths. “We have lots of mouths to feed today. I just hope we have enough food.”
“I know that some of the women have been cooking for days,” Grace said, looking around as a group of Englisch men approached them.
“Hi, we’re here for the barn raising,” one of the men said to Grace.
Grace smiled at the group. “Good morning. Just cut across the grass and ask for Samuel. He’ll tell you what to do.”
She headed back to the gift shop to see if her mother needed help. Usually, the gift shop didn’t get busy until after people had visited the museum. Buying souvenirs was the last thing they usually did before heading home.
“Grace, can you watch the shop for a moment? I have to go and help Rachel. She’s having trouble stretching her quilt on the frame and she has a lesson to teach in an hour,” Barbara said when Grace came back in.
“Jah, no problem, Mamm.” Grace smiled as she went over to the window to peek out at the crowds of Englisch wandering about. The Museum offered all kinds of activities for the Englisch to participate in if they wanted. Today Rachel was giving quilting lessons throughout the day. At the farm, some of the women were baking bread and pies using the old wood stove, and in one of the houses they were making preserves and Becky was teaching lessons in the schoolhouse all day. There was butter churning, cow milking, and even a craft area; and of course the most popular attraction today was the barn raising.
“I have never seen this place as busy as it is today.” Barbara said, returning from helping Rachel. “When your daed told me his idea for this museum years ago, I have to admit I doubted him, but I’m so glad I didn’t try to talk him out of it. Every year it becomes more and more popular.”
Grace went over to sit on the stool behind the cash register. “Why do the Englisch find us so fascinating?”
“I think it’s just the unknown and that they don’t understand,” Barbara answered. “They are always amazed at how normal we seem though, and they all love the fact that we come together in times of need.”
Grace nodded at her mother.”Jah, the Englisch are sure interesting.” Looking out the window, she couldn’t get the image out of her head of that stranger she had seen earlier. He looked so confused and lost, she thought to herself as the first customer of the day walked through the door.
* * *
Chapter 3
Becky walked into the gift shop at the end of the day. “My feet are so sore! I taught so many lessons today and answered almost a million questions.”
“Jah, there were so many people! Mamm was worried something would get broken in the gift shop,” Grace said, counting the cash. “I’ve never seen this place so busy.”
“An incredibly successful day,” Samuel said, coming into the store and smiling at his wife. “Gott was looking down at us today for sure.
Barbara smiled. “Jah, the barn is finished and everyone had enough to eat. I even made some new friends.”
“Gut, gut,” Samuel said. We must all give our gratitude to Gott tonight in our prayers,” Samuel smiled. “Let’s close everything up for the night. I think we all deserve a rest.”
The museum was closed on Sunday, so everyone was looking forward to having a day off, especially after such a busy Saturday.
* * *
“Grace, you’re still here,” David said, coming through the door. “Can I drive you home?”
Grace looked over at her father who nodded his head in agreement. “Sure, David. I’d like that.”
“I’m just going to go out and take one last look around and make sure all the houses are locked up for the night, and we can be on our way too, my dear,” Samuel said, giving Barbara’s hand a squeeze.
Grace saw David’s buggy pull up to the front of the building. “I’ll see you at home, Mamm & Daed,” she called out as she ran out the door. After climbing into David’s buggy, he looked at her and smiled. “I don’t know about you, but I would love some ice cream. Besides, after the day we have had, I believe that we deserve it.”
Grace smiled. “It amazes me how we think alike. I was just thinking about how nice an ice cream would taste right about now.”
Turning the buggy around, they headed into town to the ice cream parlor. It was a warm summer evening, and Grace loved this time of year. It stayed light until well after nine o’clock and in town, the stores stayed open later to accommodate the many tourists that flocked to Winfield Falls.
“Here we are,” David said, finding a parking space for the buggy. “Which flavor of ice cream do you want?”
“I think today I’m going to try something different. I always get strawberry, but today I think I’m going to get a butterscotch ripple.”
“David, Grace, nice to see you,” Bill Paterson, who ran the Milky Way said when they walked into the store. “I hear the Museum was extra busy today.”
David walked up to the counter. “Yes, we had the barn raising and three bus loads. It was busy, but a good day.”
“Grace, you look more and more like your mother,” Bill said. “Tell her I said hello.”
“I will.” Her family had known the Paterson’s for years, and her mother and Bill had grown up together in Winfield Falls. Bill had a crush on Barbara when they were y
ounger. Being Englisch, he knew they would never be together, and eventually he went on to marry his wife, and Barbara had married Samuel. Despite their past, they remained friends, and Bill had a great respect for the Amish.
After getting their ice cream they went to sit on the bench outside the parlor. “So, Grace, I was wondering if you would like to go on a picnic with some of our friends next Sunday. Becky had been talking about it today.”
“Jah, I have some things I need to help my mamm with, but a picnic sounds like fun,” Grace smiled, taking a lick from her ice cream. “Becky started telling me about it today, but we were interrupted.”
“Gut. I’ll come by and get you around one o’clock; that way I can get my chores done too,” David said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“That would be wonderful. I’ll bring some sandwiches and a pie, too.”
Getting back into the buggy, Grace always wondered why David always asked her to go on outings with him when there were other people involved. Going for ice cream was the first time he had ever asked her when it would be just the two of them.
* * *
“How was your ride home with David?” Barbara asked Grace when she arrived home.
“It was gut. We stopped for some ice cream first.”
“Ahh, that sounds like it was a nice treat after a long busy day.” Looking at her daughter, barbara cocked her head. “Why do you look confused?”
“Mamm, I like David, and I think he likes me, but he’s asked me on a picnic but with a bunch of friends. Going out for ice cream was the first alone. After all the time I’ve known him, I just find myself wondering why he never asks me to go on a picnic, just the two of us.” Grace said, sitting down and resting her chin in her hands. “I sometimes think he’s afraid of me.”
Barbara smiled and looked at her daughter, “I think David is shy. Give him time. If you are meant to be with him, Gott will give him the courage to ask you.”
“I think you’re right, Mamm. I’ll pray that Gott gives me more patience tonight.”
Lying in bed later that night, Grace closed her eyes to pray, asking God to give her a sign that she and David were meant to be together.
* * *
Chapter 4
“Grace, hurry up! We’ll be late for church,” Samuel called out from the bottom of the stairs.
“Coming, Daed,” Grace answered, tying her kapp under her chin as she ran down the hall to the stairs.
Church service was being held at the Miller’s house. It was a custom that each Amish family has a turn holding Sunday service at their place. Grace liked it when the Millers hosted because the after church lunch was always plentiful. Her mother was bringing her famous Chicken Casserole, and Grace could feel her mouth water just thinking about it.
Arriving at the Miller’s, Grace and her family climbed out of the buggy and began walking to the barn where the Millers had a large room upstairs used for church service and community meetings. Being a bit late, they walked into the crowded room and looked around for a place to sit. Grace saw David out of the corner of her eye and turned and smiled at him. Finding three seats near the front, Grace and her parents made their way and sat down.
“I thought you weren’t coming,” Becky whispered from behind Grace.
Turning, Grace smiled at her friend. “I had a hard time getting up this…” Stopping in mid-sentence, she saw in the back of the room, sitting in the corner on the very last bench was her mystery man.
“Do you know who that man is on the last bench?” Grace asked Becky. “Turn around and don’t look like you are staring.”
Becky casually turned around and saw him then turned back to Grace shrugging her shoulders. “I have no idea. I’ve never seen him before. Why?”
“I saw him yesterday at the museum and now today. I was just wondering who he was. He seems so sad and confused,” Grace said, turning back to face the front as the first sermon began. After church, I’ll make sure to talk to him and find out who he is, she said to herself.
After service, the women all went to the kitchen to begin preparing for the meal while the men set up tables and moved the benches.
“Grace, come and give me a hand,” Barbara called out. “You can start by putting the tablecloths on the tables.”
Standing on her tiptoes trying to see around the room, Grace made a face. She had to find out who this stranger was. “GRACE,” Barbara repeated herself.
“Jah, Mamm,” Grace sighed as she went and grabbed the tablecloths her mother was holding out. She hoped she would see him later.
The men sat down first and ate, while the women went around the tables pouring water and lemonade. Grace walked around with her pitcher smiling as she refilled the glasses. After walking around the room, she went over to the table and put down her pitcher.
“What on earth are you looking for Grace? If you stretch your neck anymore, it’s going to stay like that,” Becky teased.
“That Englisch man. You know, the one I said was sitting in the back of the room just before the sermon started,” Grace said. “I can’t find him.”
“Ach, I saw him. He left right after the sermon ended,” Becky said, looking at her friend. “Why are you so interested in him?”
“I don’t know. I just find it strange, I guess,” Grace said, folding a napkin and putting it back on the table. “Anyway, I understand we are going on a picnic next Sunday.”
Becky clapped her hands. “Jah, it’ll be fun! I’m bringing some games to play, and my Mamm is going to help me bake some pies.”
“Who will be there?”
“Jonathan and Sarah, you and David, me and Hans and I think Jonathan said he had to bring his bruder with him,” Becky said. “But that’s okay; his bruder is kind of fun to be around.”
“Gut, I’m looking forward to it!”
* * *
The next week was busy at the museum and Grace didn’t have time to think about her mystery man. Between guiding tours and doing inventory, Grace went home each night exhausted. She couldn’t wait until Sunday when she would be going out with her friends and have some fun.
“Grace, can you watch the store for me while I run home? I need to pick up a few things,” Barbara asked one Thursday afternoon.
“Jah, Mamm, it’s quiet. I’ll be fine,” Grace said as she dusted the shelves. Concentrating on her task, she jumped when the jingle of the doorbell startled her. Turning around, she gasped wide-eyed when she saw her mystery man standing inside the store.
“Hello,” she stammered. “Can I help you with anything?”
The stranger looked at her and shook his head no. “I’m just looking, thanks,” was all he said.
Grace went over and stood by the cash register so she could watch him as he moved around the store. She found it strange that he wasn’t so much interested in the items for sale but spent most of his time reading the information posters that lined the wall explaining the history of the Amish and their roots.
“Are you sure I can’t help you?” she asked again, hoping this time he would talk a bit more. Instead, he just shook his head no and continued to read.
Grace didn’t know why she felt drawn to this Englisch stranger, but there was something about him that just seemed sad. She didn’t know if it was in his face or just his body language, but she sensed he was searching for something.
The door jingled again, announcing the arrival of some new customers. Grace smiled at the women and her three children.
“Welcome. Can I help you?” Grace chirped.
“Oh yes, I’m looking for those little Amish dolls you sell. I don’t see any on the shelf. Do you have any more?” the mother said, walking up to the counter.
“Jah, I have more in the back. I’ll go get them for you.” Grace jumped off the stool and went into the stock room.
She came back and put a box on the counter. “We have one box left.” Looking around, she saw that the mystery man was gone. After the women had purchased three dolls, Grace sat back on
the stool. Who are you mystery man? Are you lost? I have to find out who this man is. There has got to be a reason why he continues to lurk around. Maybe he’s a robber waiting to steal or maybe he’s a lost soul. Either way, I’m going to find out, she said to herself. Picking up the box, she went over and started to restock the shelf. She tried to concentrate on her chore but her mind kept wandering back to the man. Tonight she would pray to God about this; perhaps He could help her solve this mystery.
* * *
Chapter 5
“Gut morning, David,” Grace called out as she bounced down the stairs to the waiting buggy.
David smiled. “It’s a beautiful day for a picnic.” He reached down and grabbed the picnic basket that Grace handed him.
“Jah, I’ve been looking forward to this all week. It’s been a while since we have all gotten together and had some fun. I packed some sugar cookies that I made too.”
They happily chatted as they drove to meet their friends. An area by the pond had been landscaped and equipped with benches and picnic tables. On a tree, someone had tied a tire swing for the children to play on. Thankfully, today there was no one else there except them.
“Ach, look, everyone is here already,” David said as he tied the horse to the post. Helping Grace out of the buggy, they walked towards their friends who were busy talking around a table.
“Ach, Grace, David. We have another reason to celebrate today,” Sarah called out when she saw them.
“Really? What?” Grace said putting her basket on the table.
“Hans and I are getting married,” Becky blurted out before Sarah could reply. “Can you believe it?”
“That is wonderful. I’m so happy for you both,” Grace said as she hugged her friends. “You’re the first in our group to get married.”
“Jah, my mamm said we should go out next week and buy the material for my dress and start making preparations,” Becky chirped. “I’m so excited.”
Grace looked over at David and smiled. She was happy for her friend but at the same time a little bit envious. She and David had known each other the longest, and Grace had hoped that they would be the first ones in their group of friends to get married. She was trying to be patient like her mother had told her, but it was becoming more and more difficult.
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