Free The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall Page A

yesterday, she’d found an item she wanted but didn’t have the money for. An older woman at the sale offered to buy the item for Cara in exchange for some yard work. So the two of them struck a deal, and by tonight Cara would have earned a fantastic gift for Lori. Of course it was used, but Lori wouldn’t mind that part—if she even noticed it.

    Deborah fixed herself a cup of coffee. “Ada will be down in a minute. We’re leaving extra early so I can visit my family first. You’re welcome to join us. We’ll stay for the meal afterward and probably visit until midafternoon.”
    “Nope, we’re good. Thanks.” Cara liked between Sundays ever so much more than church Sundays. Ephraim had church today in Dry Lake, and he would come to Hope Crossing next Sunday to go to church with her, Lori, Ada, and Deborah. But so far he’d not pressed her to come to Dry Lake on her off Sundays. She appreciated that. It was enough for her that she sat through three hours of unintelligible preaching every other Sunday. Of course Ephraim understood the language spoken during the service, and he’d grown up attending three-hour services.
    What possessed the Amish to have such long services anyway? But sometimes, when a few Pennsylvania words that she understood were strung together, she found it exciting. And those rare moments helped move the service from hair-pulling boring to slightly interesting.
    Deborah sipped her drink. “Just as well, I suppose. The meeting will be held at the Lantzes’ today.”
    “Lantz?” Cara tried to hide the snarl she felt. “As in Anna Mary Lantz?”
    “Ya. It’s at her parents’ place.”
    Anna Mary’s parents—just the thought of them set her on edge. Their deceit had ruined Cara’s mother’s life and had opened the floodgates of bad luck. It’d overflowed into Cara’s life and even Lori’s, yet the Lantzes were still members in good standing. She’d never understand the Amish ways. Not ever.
    “But if you don’t go.… Well, I just want some backup when Lena returns the favor for our prank on her.”
    “She won’t pull anything on a Sunday during church, will she?”
    “No, not during the service but maybe afterward.”
    “Good luck with that, Deb.” Cara patted her on the shoulder.
    “You’re awful. The plan was yours after all.”

    Cara shrugged. “Yeah, but Lori and I met an old woman yesterday. She lives a few doors down, and we’re going to her house in a little bit.”
    “To visit?” Deborah asked.
    “Sort of. I’ll tell you the rest when we get back.” She placed her index finger over her lips before pointing at Lori. “It’s a surprise.”
    “But you’re not wearing that, are you?”
    Cara looked down at her clothes. “Yep. It’s my off day. I’m comfortable. And I’m in my rumschpringe.”
    “Well, now, see, you’re a little wrong. It’s the Lord’s Day. You’ve already admitted that dresses are just as comfortable as jeans. And the rumschpringe doesn’t apply to you since its purpose is for freedom to find a spouse and you’ve found one.”
    Cara rolled her eyes. “Hair pinned back and prayer Kapp too?”
    “You don’t have to, but do you think wearing only part of our Amish apparel is a good idea?”
    “I guess not.” She sighed. “Great.”
    Ada walked into the kitchen, wearing what looked like a new burgundy dress under a new apron. Cara whistled.
    Ada’s cheeks grew pink. “Don’t be ridiculous, Cara.”
    “Oh, so there isn’t a man in Dry Lake you’re hoping to look good for?” Cara continued to tease.
    Deborah’s face radiated behind her mostly hidden smile, and Cara knew she hoped the same thing for Ada.
    “That’s more than enough, girls,” Ada said firmly before she took a chair. “I feel too old for such nonsense.”
    “You’re not old. Don’t you know forty is the new thirty?” When Ada looked torn between amusement and true embarrassment, Cara decided to change the subject. “How are you getting there if the