Read Online Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1) by Nancy Mehl - Free Book Online

yes. It–it’s not that serious though.”
    “Sounds like Mary thinks it is.”
    His eyes bored into mine. “Let’s talk about something else, okay? I’m not comfortable...”
    “I’m sorry. It’s not my business anyway.” My eyes strayed to the photographs on the wall next to us. “Tell me about these pictures.”
    Sounding a little more relaxed, Sam launched into a few stories about the families that had settled in Harmony years ago. Many of the original settlers still had descendants who lived in the small town. He confirmed my suspicion that as a rule, Old Order Mennonites didn’t go in for having their pictures taken. They believed capturing your likeness on film was akin to creating a “graven image” and that excessive attention to one’s outside appearance could lead to vanity and self-worship. Their lives revolved around aspects they considered to be really important. Faith and family were at the top of the list. However, there were a few scattered pictures of people dressed in clothing that identified them as members of the Old Order community. Sam explained that down through the years, a few pictures had turned up here and there. Some families who really wanted keepsakes had pictures taken in secret, not letting the rest of the community know. I thought back to the photograph I’d found back at Benjamin’s. It tickled me to think of Papa Joe as a rebel—even back then. I was certainly grateful he’d had at least one portrait taken. I wondered if there were more somewhere. Maybe a little digging would uncover others.
    I was so engrossed in Sam’s stories I didn’t even notice that Mary had returned with coffee. I looked down to see a cup in front of me. I picked it up and took a sip. Its deep, rich flavor was exactly what I needed.
    “You’re probably used to that froufrou Starbucks coffee,” Sam said. “The only flavors you can add here are cream and sugar.”
    I laughed. “Who told you I drink ‘froufrou’ coffee anyway? For your information, Starbucks has regular coffee, too.”
    He raised his cup. “Point taken. Sorry to make assumptions.”
    Before I had the chance to admit that I liked many of the flavored lattes and Frappuccinos that probably fit his “froufrou” description, the front door of the restaurant opened and a large man with a dark, bushy beard walked in. He wore the kind of straw hat I’d seen in Benjamin’s closet and on some of the other men in Harmony. His black pants and blue shirt reminded me of Benjamin’s clothes. However, he also wore a blue Windbreaker not much different than the one I had on.
    “Abel!” Sam called to him.
    The man raised one of his meaty hands and a wide smile spread across his broad face. “Hello there, Sam.”
    Sam waved him over, and the man approached our table. His size was intimidating, but he radiated affability.
    “Grace Temple,” Sam said, “I’d like to introduce you to Abel Mueller. He’s the pastor of Bethel Church.”
    Pastor Mueller’s huge fingers enveloped my hand. “Grace Temple? Is this Benjamin’s niece?”
    I nodded. “One and the same.”
    He kept my hand nestled in his and covered it with his other hand. “We’re glad you’re here, Grace. I’m so sorry your family wasn’t notified when Benjamin became so ill. I tried and tried to convince him that you would want to know, but he forbade me from contacting anyone.”
    I had to admit that Pastor Mueller had taken me by surprise. In my mind, I’d lumped him into my preconceived idea of Mennonite leaders—grumpy, judgmental, and humorless. But this man was far from that. “It was Benjamin’s choice, I guess. Not much you could do about it.”
    “Thank you. That makes me feel a little better.” He finally let go of my hand.
    “Emily and Hannah meeting you for breakfast?” Sam asked.
    Pastor Mueller grinned. “Yes, as soon as they’re through picking out fabric from Ruth’s place. Spring is in the air, so new dresses are on the