A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston Page A

She thought of Ruth and hoped she was feeling better. She really must go check
     on her after her break. “How’s your day?”
    “I was just heading out to run a few errands.” He sipped his coffee. “I enjoyed supper
     last night. Thank you again for inviting me to meet your family.”
    “You’re welcome. I had a nice time too.” Hannah yearned to hear about Mr. Peterson’s
     move to Lancaster County. “Tell me more about your plans for the bed and breakfast.”
    He rubbed his hand over his goatee and paused. “Well, I was thinking I would possibly
     offer Amish country tours if the guests are interested, or I would at least give them
     a map of the area with recommendations for the most authentic places to visit.”
    “What about meals?” Hannah gripped her coffee cup while she imagined herself creating
     a menu for a bed and breakfast. “I think guests would love to have at least one Amish
     meal.” She sipped her coffee and found it warm and sweet, just the way she liked it.
    “Oh.” Mr. Peterson raised his eyebrows. “That’s a great idea.”
    “I think it would work well. Tourists love to have authentic Amish food. They want
     to have the whole experience when they come to visit.”
    “What would you suggest serving the guests?”
    Hannah began counting off the options on her fingers. “When I used to host meals I
     normally made homemade chicken pot pie, corn or peas, potatoes, pie and cake, and
     a fruit salad. I sometimes would make beef with carrots or ham instead of the chicken
     pot pie. Oh, and homemade bread.” She found him studying her with an intense expression
     that caused her stomach to quiver. “You don’t like my idea?”
    “Actually, I love it.” A wide smile spread across his face. “It sounds like you’ve
     given this some thought.”
    Hannah shrugged. “I guess I’ve always thought about doing something like opening a
     bed and breakfast.”
    “You have?”
    “When I was a child, my mother hosted dinners almost every week, except for during
     the dead of winter. Tourists would pay a fee to eat a meal in our home, and we always
     made a traditional Amish meal. I loved meeting the tourists and telling them about
     my faith and my life in Lancaster.” She glanced around the lobby. “I enjoy working
     here, but I had more interactions with visitors when they came to my childhood farm.
     I like meeting and talking to people. Working in a bed and breakfast would give me
     the chance to do that again. It’s sort of my dream to work in a place like that.”
    “That’s really great. I bet you met some interesting people from all over the country
     when you hosted dinners.” Mr. Peterson sipped more coffee. “What else would you recommend?”
    “Have you thought about how you’ll decorate the bed and breakfast?”
    “No, not really.” He glanced around the room. “What do you think of this hotel’s décor?”
    Hannah frowned. “It’s very fancy. I like a plainer look, but that’s probably because
     of my upbringing.”
    “So how would you decorate the bed and breakfast?” His expression was eager.
    “Well.” Hannah looked toward the main lobby entrance. “I like the grandfather clock
     here. It has a beautiful elegance, but it’s not too fancy. I think the chandelier
     is obviously too much for a country bed and breakfast.” She pointed toward candles
     at the far end of the lobby. “I like simple candles. They are always lovely to have.”
    Mr. Peterson nodded slowly as if taking in all of her suggestions. “What about the
     paintings?”
    Hannah considered the impressionistic paintings hanging near the elevators. “I prefer
     simple nature scenes. They remind me of God’s glorious creation.” She contemplated
     the guest rooms. “I would also use Amish-built furniture. I prefer the traditional
     look rather than the modern furniture in the hotel rooms here.”
    Mr. Peterson grinned and then reached over and took her hands in his. His hands were