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blessed.”
    For today at least. For no one knew what tomorrow would bring.
    ***
    Levi Fisher hefted the long wooden plank out of the wagon. The Stoltzfus family stored the benches in their barn and had brought them over last night. Levi’s chore first thing that morning was to carry them into the Schmidt house for the wedding. He paused briefly, leaning his arm on the wagon’s side, and his gaze flicked upward to the brightening sky then toward the window on the second story.
    The green shade was still pulled low, though by this time of morning it was usually rolled to the top of the frame. But he could see the window was raised only slightly and the shade wavered in the breeze. It was getting late and soon the guests would be arriving, so Hannah couldn’t still be in bed. She would be helping Rachel. But he hadn’t yet seen Hannah this morning, and he always felt a coil of tension in his belly until he saw her. This day was no different.
    Especially since the Yoder girl had gone missing. Of course her parents were worried. What parent wouldn’t be on their knees praying for their child to come home? It was the prayer of every Amish parent that their children would make quick work of their running around years and decide to be baptized and take their place in the community. Some in the district thought Ruby Yoder had gone off with an English boyfriend. Some said she had decided not to join the church and ran away rather than face her parents. Others thought she’d come to harm. Levi prayed nothing had happened to her. The good Lord would have to watch over her wherever she was. But the mystery of Ruby Yoder’s disappearance had caused an unsettling feeling to sweep over him. It only reaffirmed his commitment to keep an eye on Hannah. And keep her safe.
    â€œLevi!” Daniel Schmidt called to him. The older man stood on the wraparound porch of his house, carrying a rocking chair and looking as nervous as if he were the bridegroom. Levi supposed seeing your oldest daughter married was not an easy task for any father. “When you’ve finished unloading, Levi, go out to the road and help the guests with their buggies.”
    Levi nodded and gave a wave to signal he’d heard. He’d worked for Daniel for almost two years now and would gladly keep right on working for him if it meant he could be near Daniel’s daughter Hannah and possibly marry her someday.
    â€œDon’t worry yourself, Levi. I’ll help with the buggies.” Ephraim Hershberger hooked a suspender over his shoulder and came bounding down the steps, sprier than a man half his seventy years. Daniel nodded a greeting to his father-in-law, who lived in the small house attached to the back of his own, and hurried back inside to finish readying for the benches to be brought inside.
    It would be an awful busy day, but Levi assured himself he’d catch sight of Hannah sooner or later.

Chapter Four
    Roc didn’t have time for this. A normal traffic jam would be bad enough, and he’d sat through his share in New Orleans, but one with horses and buggies was just plain bizarre—like he’d suddenly been transported to some long forgotten time and place.
    He slammed a hand against the steering wheel of his black Mustang but it did nothing to ease the tension knotting his shoulders or his impatience, the fuse of which was firing down to its natural conclusion. What was it with the buggy? Couldn’t it pick up the pace? Or at least move over? Get out of his way?
    He swerved into the oncoming lane, ready to gas it, but realized he was fourth in line to three other horse and buggies. And coming toward him was another. What is it with these people? Wake up and smell the gas fumes and smog of the twenty-first century!
    He’d hit Philadelphia late yesterday, checked in with Mike, slept on his couch a couple of hours, and was now headed for the hometown of the missing Amish teen. Now here he was in