Faith and Hope in Lancaster (The Amish of Lancaster County #1) by Daisy Fields Read Free Book Online Page B

preparing the day’s lunch. She hadn’t had a day off as far back as Miriam could remember, never mind a life of leisure. Looking at Pamela now, with her smooth, manicured hands and designer clothes, it was impossible to think the two of them had anything in common. They might as well be the aliens Pamela compared them to.
    “Money solves a lot of things, Miriam,” Pamela said seriously. “It opens a lot of doors. Remember that.”
    Mikey appeared then, two frosted glasses in his hands. “Sorry it took so long. The new server didn’t have any idea what she was doing.” He set the glasses down on the table.
    Pamela shot Miriam a conspiratorial glance, making her blush. “Such a nice young man you’re turning into, Mikey.”
    “Oh, yes, thank you for the drink,” Miriam said, trying to ignore the funny flutter in her stomach as Mikey studied her. She glanced up and found herself studying his lips. They looked soft. She wondered just how soft, then forced herself to look away. “How much do I owe you?”
    “I don’t take money,” Mikey said, grinning. “You’ll have to pay me back some other way.”
    “Oh?” Miriam tried not to panic. She didn’t know what to do if he didn’t want money. She didn’t have anything else to give him. She wasn’t rich, not like Pamela and him. Maybe she should call her mamm and ask for help?
    Pamela swatted Mikey’s arm. “Mikey’s teasing you. He is trying to say he’d like your company, isn’t that right, Mike? On a date, complete with dinner and entertainment, whatever you kids do these days.”
    Mikey nodded. “I was planning to go to a movie premiere tonight. Red carpet event. You could thank me by coming along, Miriam.”
    “Miri,” Miriam corrected. She frowned, puzzled by her own correction. No one had ever called her Miri, but now it seemed right. She was in New York City, wearing new clothes, sipping new drinks, enjoying new adventures. Surely she could wear a new name, too.
    “Miri, then,” Mikey said. “Would you do me the honor of joining me tonight?”
    “Oh, Miri,” enthused Pamela, “we’ll have to get your hair done, and your makeup, and oh, maybe even another dress!”
    Miriam let herself get caught up in the excitement swirling around her. People strolled past, walking dogs, singing. The air was full of happy chatter and honking horns. She’d wanted to see what life in NYC was all about, and now she had her chance—on the arm of a handsome young man who painted.
    “Only if you’ll let me see some of your paintings,” she replied at last, shocked at her own boldness.
    Mikey grinned again. “I’ll do one better. I’ll even paint you.”
    Graven images! Miriam thought. The idea of being painted, of so clearly defying the Ordnung , thrilled and terrified her. Being painted was creating a graven image. She immediately squashed the thought. God wanted her to try new things, she was sure of it, so she could make a true decision of will when the time came. And Pamela was clearly so happy to have a daughter to dress up and send out into the world.
    And Mikey . . . the way he was looking at her now, with big puppy-dog eyes, there was no way she could say no. So she did not.
    “Yes,” she said, throwing all caution to the exhaust-filled winds. “It’s a date.”
    * * *
    Annie sat on her porch swing, praying. Dear God, won’t You show me the way? Why has Jacob returned now, when I am betrothed to another man? And why, dear God, why do I still feel something for him?
    She lurched forward, almost falling off the swing. She did? She still felt something for Jacob?
    That was ridiculous, simply ridiculous. All they had shared was one kiss, while Stephen had her heart.
    Didn’t he?
    The horses nickered and neighed. Some help there , Annie thought. Right now, she would give anything for her life to be as uncomplicated as a horse’s. They grazed, they mated, they bore foals, and they galloped. It didn’t come much easier than that.
    She stomped