Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1)
giving me a rather frosty stare. Was she warning me? I had no idea why she saw me as a threat to her relationship with Sam. I wasn’t going to be around long enough to cause her any problems. But maybe I was misinterpreting her actions.
    She refilled our coffee cups. “Anything else here?”
    “Thanks, Mary,” Abel said heartily. “Emily and Hannah should be along soon. We’ll need a round of your wonderful pancakes.”
    “You got it, Abel.” She shot one more pointed look toward me and headed to another table. I glanced at Sam to see if he’d noticed, but he was busy pouring syrup on his plate.
    “Abel, would you say grace?” he said after placing the syrup pitcher back on the table.
    I bowed my head as the pastor thanked God for our food and the day He’d given us. I silently added a couple of requests of my own, said “Amen,” and picked up my fork. The eggs were fluffy and delicious, and the sausage reminded me of Mama Essie’s. The coffeemaker behind the counter chortled as it created another round of the fresh, robust brew. I usually try to keep myself down to one cup of coffee a day, but I decided to relax my rule this morning. Mary’s breakfast was made to be eaten with the accompaniment of her great coffee.
    “So what do you think of Harmony so far?” Abel asked, looking at me.
    I quickly swallowed a mouthful of food. “I haven’t seen much of it yet. Sam’s going to show me around a little.” I put my fork down and frowned at him. “This town hasn’t had a good effect on my family, you know. I have to say that I came here expecting to find something much different than what I’ve seen so far.”
    Abel smiled. “You mean a place full of religious zealots and judgmental people?”
    I nodded.
    “Gracie,” he said with sincerity in his voice, “if you could see Harmony as it was thirty years ago, that might be exactly what you’d have found. Except for a few people, like your father, who stood up against the tyranny in this town, everyone took their orders from a man who certainly didn’t follow the real tenets of our faith. Amil Angstadt was a bully who thought his brand of religion was the only way to heaven. You see, Mennonites believe salvation comes through the grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But Angstadt taught that the price our Savior paid for us wasn’t enough. That what you wore, what you did or didn’t do, or even who you spoke to paved your way to heaven.”
    I shook my head at him. “But isn’t that the same thing you do? I mean, making these women wear these long dresses and odd caps. Not using electricity. None of these things produce righteousness. That comes from the inside. Not the outside.”
    I saw Sam’s eyebrows shoot up. Maybe I was being too direct, but after seeing the havoc this man’s religion had played in my family, I didn’t care.
    To my surprise, he smiled widely. “First of all, we use electricity. I know your uncle didn’t, but he held to some of the old ways that most of us don’t. And as far as what produces righteousness, you’re exactly right. I agree with you completely.”
    “I’m confused. Then why...”
    “Gracie, we don’t make anyone wear certain clothes or do anything else. You see, we live this way because we want to. There isn’t a single person in my church who has ever been compelled to do anything except follow the teachings of Christ: to love Him with all their hearts—and to love their neighbors as themselves.” His forehead wrinkled, and then he chuckled. “You know, I haven’t had to explain our ways for a very long time. I guess we’re rather isolated here.” He took a sip of his coffee and then set the cup down in front of him. His eyes sought mine. I saw compassion and kindness in them. Even though I hadn’t been prepared to like him, I did. Very much.
    “Living a simple life isn’t done so we can earn brownie points with God,” he said in a soft voice. “It’s a lifestyle we adopt because we truly

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