A Merry Heart by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page A

Amish children at the farmers’ market the other day, and none of them put up such a fuss. Is their religion any different than yours?”
    Miriam lowered herself to the grass again, making sure she was a comfortable distance from the insolent intruder. “Children haven’t joined the church yet, and they don’t know any better. Besides, some English folks bribe them with money or candy. They’re not strong enough to say no.”
    Nick laughed, causing the skin around his blue eyes to crinkle. “How about you, Miss Stoltzfus? Would you allow me to photograph you for a piece of candy?”
    “I wouldn’t pose for a picture at any price.” Miriam looked the man squarely in the eyes. “Anyway, you’ve already taken my picture without my knowledge or my consent. I’m sure you probably have some prize-winning shots of the silly Amish woman sitting by the stream without her head-covering in place.”
    Nick’s face sobered. “I’ve offended you again, haven’t I?”
    “To be perfectly honest, you have.”
    Nick held his camera in front of her face, and as he pulledeach of the pictures he’d taken of her onto the screen, he hit the D ELETE button. “There. Is that better?”
    Before she could open her mouth to reply, he added, “Please accept my heartfelt apology for intruding on your privacy.”
    Miriam’s defenses dropped just a little. “Thank you, Mr. McCormick.”
    “Nick. Please, call me Nick.” He grinned at her in a most disconcerting way. “You know what, Miriam?”
    “What?”
    “You’re beautiful when you smile.”
    Miriam felt the heat of a blush stain her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized that she’d given him a smile. She looked down at her hands, clasped tightly around her hairbrush, and noticed that she was trembling. “I—I don’t know what to say.” Her voice was strained as his gaze probed hers. How could this man’s presence affect her so, and why?
    “Now I’ve embarrassed you,” he said. “I apologize for that, too.”
    Glancing out the corner of her eye, she admired the perfect line of his profile. He was the most handsome man she had met since William. Instantly, she halted her thoughts. How bold of her to scrutinize the Englisher like that. As much as she would have liked to get to know Nick better, she was eager for him to leave.
    “What’s wrong? Aren’t you willing to forgive me?” he asked, his lips twitching with a flirty smile.
    “Of course I am. It’s just that. . .well, no one has ever called me beautiful before.”
    “Then they must have been wearing blinders.” Nick roseto his feet. “I’d better get going. I’m on a quest to find covered bridges, and so far I’ve only found two.” He grunted. “I thought I could get some information from people living in the area, but you’re the first person I’ve run into, and you probably wouldn’t be willing to help.”
    “What makes you say that?”
    “You didn’t want to show me around the farmers’ market last week, and I’ve offended you twice already today, so I just assumed—”
    “You assumed wrong, Mr. McCormick.”
    “It’s Nick, remember?” He looked at Miriam in such a strange way, it made her mouth feel dry and her palms turn sweaty. Maybe she just needed something to drink. “So do you know where some covered bridges might be?” he asked.
    She nodded. “There are a few not far from here, and several more throughout the county.”
    “Can you give me some specifics?”
    “Let’s see. . . . There’s one near Soudersburg, just off Ronks Road. Another is close to Strasburg, off Lime Valley Road.” She paused and thought a minute. “There are two south of Manheim, one north of Churchtown Road, one east of Rothsville, and another one northeast of there. Then somewhere between Reamstown and Martindale you’ll find one, and I believe there’s one north of Ephrata, too.”
    He whistled. “That’s pretty impressive. You must get around quite a bit.”
    “Not anymore. I spend most of