A Merry Heart Read Online Free PDF

warm day, and as Clarence Smoker, their Mennonite driver, drove his van into the market parking lot, Miriam wiped the perspiration from her forehead and groaned. She hoped this summer wouldn’t be as hot and humid as last summer had been.
    Papa climbed out of the van first, then helped Mom down. As the two of them started toward the market building, Miriam stepped down, followed by Lewis. “I’ll be inside soon,” he said, nudging her arm. “I want to speak with Clarence about givin’ me a ride to my dental appointment in Lancaster next week.”
    “Jah, okay. I’ll go on ahead.” Miriam hurried toward the market and was halfway across the parking lot when she stumbled on a broken beer bottle someone had carelessly tossed on the ground. Her legs went out from underher, and she landed on the shattered glass. She winced and struggled to her feet, hoping no one had seen her calamity, and wondering what the nasty bottle had done to her dress and knees.
    Suddenly, Miriam felt two strong arms pulling her to an upright position. She looked up and found herself staring at a tall English man. His sandy blond hair was neatly combed, and he wore a pair of sunglasses.
    “Are you all right?” he asked, bending down to pick up the broken bottle.
    Miriam’s face heated with embarrassment. “I. . . uh. . .  I’m fine, really—thank you.”
    He whipped off his sunglasses to reveal clear, wide-set blue eyes. “Your dress is torn, and I see blood showing through it. You’d better let me see your knees because they might be cut up pretty bad.”
    His resonate voice was as impressive as his looks, and Miriam had to tear her gaze away from him. “I—I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine,” she stammered. There was no way she was going to lift the hem of her dress so the man could see her knees.
    Miriam glanced down at her soiled skirt and rubbed her hand against it, as though in doing so it might take away the red stain and ugly tear. She took a few tentative steps and cringed but determinedly went on.
    “At least let me offer you some assistance.” The young man put one arm around Miriam’s waist without even waiting for her reply. “I’ll walk you to the building. I assume that’s where you were heading before your little accident?”
    “I was, but I can make it there on my own.” Miriamshook herself free from his grasp.
    He smiled, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth and a boyish grin. “I didn’t know you Amish ladies could be so liberated. I figured you might like to have a man look after you.”
    “I’m not liberated, but I don’t need looking after.” Ignoring the sharp pain in her knee, Miriam hurried on ahead.
    The man continued to walk beside her. “I’m afraid we’ve gotten off to a bad start. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.” He extended his hand. “I’m Nick McCormick. Pretty catchy name, wouldn’t you say?”
    Miriam made no reply, nor did she make any move to shake his hand.
    “I make it my duty to rescue fair ladies in distress.” He reared his head back and laughed.
    Despite her best efforts, Miriam found herself unable to keep from smiling. At least she thought it was a smile. She smiled so seldom anymore that she couldn’t be sure.
    After a few awkward moments, she finally took his hand and gave it a quick shake. “I’m Miriam Stoltzfus, and I’m sorry if I seemed rude. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to catch up to my family.”
    “You’re married, then?”
    She shook her head. “I was speaking of my parents.” Miriam wondered why she was answering this man’s personal questions. It was none of his business who she was here with or what her marital status was.
    “I see. Then perhaps you wouldn’t mind giving me a guided tour of the place.”
    “A guided tour?”
    “I’m a photographer for the
Daily Express
in Lancaster. I’ve come to take some pictures for a cover story about the Amish and Mennonite people who are here at the market.”
    Miriam eyed