Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1) by Nancy Mehl

wisdom. I don’t know what to do. Thank You for Your guidance.”
    Remembering Sam’s comment about a chill in the air, I grabbed a light jacket from the closet and put it on. When I went downstairs, he was still sitting in Benjamin’s rocking chair. He stood up as I entered the room.
    “Wow, you really do clean up quick.” An odd look flitted across his face. “Please don’t take this wrong, but you sure look like...”
    I sighed. “I know. My uncle Benjamin. I saw a picture of him last night.”
    “It’s just the coloring. I don’t want you to think you look like a middle-aged Mennonite man.”
    “Oh, thanks. Because that’s certainly not the look I was going for.”
    He laughed and walked to the door, holding it open for me. “Then you’ve succeeded. Ready for breakfast?”
    I searched for my purse and found it next to the couch. “I don’t usually eat much in the morning. Sometimes I grab an energy bar on the way to the office or some coffee cake from Starbucks.”
    His expression registered confusion.
    “Oh, Starbucks is...”
    His hearty laugh stopped me in my tracks.
    “Grace, I know what Starbucks is. I may have lived in Harmony most of my life, but I do get to the city quite a bit. Besides, we actually do have television out here.” He shook his head. “You’re still in America, you know. This isn’t a foreign country. I was just wondering how anyone can get their day started without breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day.”
    Now it was my turn to laugh. “Yes, I know. My mother tells me that all the time. And sorry about the Starbucks comment. It’s just so different here. Sometimes it feels like I’m living a long way from civilization.”
    He pointed toward the door, his gray eyes twinkling. “Just the reason I want to introduce you to Harmony. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
    I stepped outside to a chilly morning. I tugged my Windbreaker closed and locked the door.
    Sam trotted down the steps in front of me. “There is a lake behind us,” he said. “On the other side of the tree line. You’ll find that it’s cooler living near the water. We’ll warm up fine in a couple of hours.” He pointed up the road toward his house. “My place is even closer to the shore. Believe it or not, it’s a little colder in my backyard than it is in yours.”
    I pushed back a desire to ask him if I could see the inside of his fabulous house, but I was afraid he’d misunderstand my intentions. Besides, running into “Sweetie” wasn’t something I looked forward to.
    On the way to the restaurant, Sam told me some of the history of Harmony. Founded in the late 1800s by a group of German immigrants, it was once called Bethel. In the early 1900s it was changed to Harmony because of another Kansas town that adopted the original name.
    “Although at one time, most of the residents lived under Old Order rules, now the population is largely Conservative. There are a few, like Ben, who still live under the old traditions, but along with the conservative Mennonites are those who are much more liberal.”
    “I noticed two churches here,” I said. “We just passed Harmony Church, and on the other side of town is BETHEL MENNONITE CHURCH.”
    Sam nodded. “Bethel serves the conservative Mennonites. Harmony members are either more liberal Mennonites—or not Mennonite at all. Harmony Church is nondenominational.” He turned to smile at me. “That’s where I attend. I’m not Mennonite and never have been. But the pastor there, Marcus Jensen, was raised Mennonite.”
    I stared out the window of Sam’s truck. Main Street bustled with activity. The shops were open and people meandered down the sidewalks, stopping to visit before proceeding on to their destination. Most wore clothing I would associate with Mennonite culture, but quite a few were dressed just like Sam and me.
    “How do the two churches get along?”
    “Surprisingly well,” he said. “For the most part,