Chapter Two
After making a trek to the blacksmith, Elias Petersheim was not happy about having to return to his farm in such hot weather. He had always preferred the cold of winter to the heat of summer and was appreciative to have a hat to keep the sun out of his eyes.
His thoughts on how blinded he might be by the harsh sun’s rays were it not for the protection afforded by the wide-brimmed hat were interrupted by an unfamiliar sound.
While the sound of Englischer cars had been commonplace during his rumspringa, it was now fairly unusual, four years down the line.
He moved to the side of the one gravel road that met the county’s expectations, to be sure not to get run over. The Amish community had little need for paved roads, and a gravel road was deemed necessary for access by police or firefighters in the event of an emergency.
Elias stopped to take in the peculiarity of a motor vehicle in their community as the vehicle approached. He was further surprised when it pulled up beside him. Perhaps they were lost; that was the only explanation he could think of as he watched a side window roll down.
He could make out the two people in the front of the car. It appeared there might be two people in the back, too, judging by the chatter, followed by a shushing from the woman who wanted to speak to him.
“Excuse me, but I was wondering if you could point us in the direction of the Amish community?”
The woman’s voice had an accent, one Elias couldn’t place.
Her face was surprisingly familiar. Her jawline was somewhat round and soft, with blue eyes that seemed to have seen more in the last couple of years than she had ever imagined.
Her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail that hung down her back as bright as the sun.
“Just keep following this road,” Elias said.
“But if I may make a suggestion? Park your car to the side of the road, and I will walk you into the community. No one will mess with it here. It’s quite common for vehicles to be left here for a day or two when visitors call by.
The locals don’t like the noises the cars make. ”
“I think we can do that for a day,” the woman said. “What do you think?”
She now turned to the others in the car, and they conferred with each other before pulling into what was essentially a small parking lot for Englisch visitors to the community.
They all tumbled out of the car, stretching their legs as if they had been in the car for too long. Elias vaguely recalled that feeling.
“Come. This way,” he said as he motioned for the women to follow him.
There were four in total, and he couldn’t help but look at the one who had asked him for directions again. Then, he realized why her physical traits were so familiar.
“Thanks for walking with us. I’m Hannah,” the woman said. “Hannah Kauffman. These are my friends, Wendy Black, Patricia Hall, and Jasmine Woods.”
Kauffman.
The name brought answers to his questions. While he still couldn’t place her accent, he could accept that there was a reason behind his finding her features so familiar.
“I think we ought to stop at the carpenter’s shop, then, Hannah,” Elias said. “I’m Elias Petersheim. But I think you’ll like John.”
“That sounds like a good idea. We’re looking to see if we can find any trace of my family,” Hannah shared as they started their walk into the community.
“My immediate family lives in London, across the sea, but I hear that I have relatives who migrated here to be part of an Amish community. I’d like to see what they think is so appealing about all of this because I’ve never wanted to leave London but for my college education. ”
“Then, to John’s shop. And in a hurry.”
Elias didn’t waste any more time. He listened as they all told him about their trip.
Though he was sad that Hannah couldn’t have gone home for the summer, he was glad that she had found his community.
Something about her struck him as peculiar and pretty, and it wasn’t just because she had John’s looks and an unusual accent.
He wondered whether she would have been open to a relationship, but he remained silent about it. He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. This trip was mainly to see her family, so it seemed, and he didn’t want to be a distraction.
If she wanted more, then she could easily make that distinction when the time came.
They arrived at the shop, and Elias stood outside the door.
“This is his shop,” he said to the four women. “He might be on his lunch break, but I think that would be the best timing. Do you want to know if you’re related? He’ll know. He’s done all of his familye history work that can be done.”
“That’s great to hear,” Hannah said. “Do we just… walk in?”
“Like any other shop that you may visit in the city, jah.”