Read Online A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston - Free Book Online

mother’s death was almost too much to bear, and Miriam’s regret for not contacting her mother sooner was a raw wound in her heart. Abraham, her father, wouldn’t meet her gaze during visitation, service, or burial, which pushed the knife further into her soul.
    In keeping with tradition, they returned to a neighbor’s house after the funeral to share a meal prepared by members of the community. While family members and friends milled around the house balancing plates of food and cups of water, Miriam attempted to sneak out the back door and retreat to her Aunt Edna’s house across the street. Her efforts were foiled when Hannah caught her by the arm and insisted she stay for the family gathering.
    Hannah soon became distracted by an old friend from a neighboring district, allowing Miriam to slip into the kitchen and grab a drink.
    Miriam moved unnoticed past the women volunteers who were serving the meal and then found a place along the back wall where she stood sipping her ice water and watching the knot of mourners float about the room, chattering, most likely about her.
    While a chorus of voices speaking
Dietsch
sang around her, Miriam rubbed her temple where a migraine was brewing.
    “You must be starved,” a voice beside her said. “You haven’t eaten all day.” Abby stood next to Miriam with a plate of food in one hand and a cup in the other. “Cookie?” Abby held out the plate. “It’s not one of the ones I made, so it’s safe for consumption.”
    “No.
Danki.”
Miriam blew out a sigh. “I don’t think I could eat anything if I tried.”
    “You’re gonna pass out if you don’t eat.” Abby set the plate on a small table next to her and adjusted her black suit jacket. Miriam placed her empty cup on the table. She plucked a cookie from the plate and scanned the crowd while Abby babbled on about the latest community news.
    “I was talking to Millie Yoder, and she told me —” Abby began.
    Abby’s words faded into the background when Miriam spotted a man moving through the crowd accompanied by a petite young woman. Although she couldn’t see his face, his stature and swagger were all too familiar. When his face turned in Miriam’s direction, she sucked in a breath and dropped the cookie onto the floor.
    “What’s wrong?” Abby asked, her voice urgent. “You okay?”
    Miriam shook her head as her eyes took in Timothy Kauffman’s countenance. He looked the same as he had when she’d last seen him. Standing at six-foot-two, he was muscular, complete with a wide chest and thick arms filling his dark blue shirt. His sandy blond hair was cut in a traditional Amish bowl cut, and his powder blue eyes sparkled in the light pouring in from the large windows around him.
    And then the reality hit her—he was clean-shaven, which meant he wasn’t married. Her stomach flip-flopped.
    Hannah was right! Timothy’s still single!
    He leaned down to hear what the pretty young brunette was saying. When he smiled down at the girl, Miriam nearly swooned. Why did that man still have power over her emotions years after she’d left him?
    “Miriam?” Abby moved closer. “Are you all right?”
    “No.” Miriam’s voice trembled. “I’m not even close to being all right.”
    Abby followed her gaze. “Wow. That tall hunk must be Timothy Kauffman.”
    “
Ya.
” Miriam nodded. “He’s still perfect.”
    Her cousin snorted. “No man is perfect. Trust me, I know.”
    Timothy’s gaze met Miriam’s, and she held her breath. For a long moment, their stares held, and his smile faded. Her cheeks flamed as he studied her. She wanted to run, but an invisible force held her, cemented her in that spot until the young woman grabbed Timothy’s arm and shook it. He glanced down at the woman, breaking the trance.
    “I’ve got to go,” Miriam muttered, bolting for the door.
    “Miriam?” Abby called after her.
    Miriam rushed through the back door and down the steps, running right into Zach Fisher, causing him to