Read The Way to a Man's Heart (The Miller Family 3) for Free Online

learned and could not be studied from any book. The New Order singing was faster and more upbeat than Old Order. Although the service was in German, the ministers occasionally threw in some English.
    The only real difference Emma had noticed was that a members’ meeting followed the service before lunch was eaten. They would discuss upcoming community and outreach projects to hospitals and prisons. Their church was even sending a group to Haiti to rebuild schools destroyed by an earthquake. Because Old Order Amish didn’t do missionary work, Emma hoped she wouldn’t be asked to travel to a foreign land. Cleveland and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, were far enough away for her tastes.
    Soon the congregation spilled outdoors into the bright May sunshine. Tables had been set up under the elms for a potluck lunch while the hosts dragged out large coolers of soft drinks. Pitchers of lemonade and iced tea were already waiting in the shade.
    James rubbed his palms together in anticipation. “Let’s get the hamper, Emma, and put our stuff on the table. I am starving.” He took her arm as they headed toward their buggy.
    Emma waited until they were away from the crowd before she whispered into his ear, “Leave the hamper and cooler, Jamie, and please hitch up the horse. I’m taking that food to my mamm’s.”
    “Your mamm’s?” he squawked. “It’ll take us two hours to get to your parents’. Everybody in our district is here and the food is ready to eat.”
    She thought she heard his stomach growl to emphasize his point. “Please, Jamie? Can’t we go see my family this afternoon? It’s been weeks and I miss them so much.” She wrung her hands together.
    He met her gaze and smiled. “Okay, Emma. Someday I’ll be able to say no to you, hopefully by the time I’m fifty But today isn’t the day, so let’s go visit your folks.” He handed her up into the buggy. “It’s been a while since your daed grilled me on my Deutsch lessons.”
    After hitching up their ornery horse, they started the long drive to Winesburg. Emma had plenty of time to mull over the fact that she’d told only half the truth. The real reason she didn’t want to stay for the afternoon socialization was that her new district intimidated her. Did they have to be so vocal, so loud about their faith? Testifying about personal struggles and shouting “amen” was hard to get used to. Emma much preferred a quieter session with God without creating so much fuss.

     
    Matthew had never been so happy to see his sister as that Sunday when the Davis buggy pulled up the Miller driveway. He had missed Emma plenty since she’d married and moved to her husband’s family farm. But if Emma were there, James would be too. And he needed to talk to an Englischer, or rather, a former Englischer.
    In the week since he’d seen Jeff Andrews doing something suspicious at work, he couldn’t think about much else. Andrews treated him the same as always—brusque but civil. He had no idea his actions had been observed. What else was the guy up to behind Mr. Mac’s back? Matthew had heard some talk in the bunkhouse, where the hired help took their meals, but he hadn’t paid much attention. He’d figured those kinds of shady dealings happened near the big horse racing centers in Kentucky and New York, but not in Holmes County, Ohio. And certainly not on a farm where he worked.
    “Hi, Emma,” he called. She was walking his way with arms outstretched.
    “Guder nachmittag, Matthew,” she said, wrapping him in a warm hug.
    He felt his face turn red enough to blend his freckles together.
    “Have you lost weight? Maybe you’ve grown taller. I hope you’re not working too hard between your chores here and at Mr. Mac’s farm.” She finally released her embrace. “I’ve brought a noodle casserole. You’d better eat some or my feelings will be hurt.” Emma rattled on, kissed his cheek, and then headed toward the house to find mamm. She didn’t wait to hear