Free Out of Darkness by Ruth Price

Her heart beat faster. "Why do we need to go back?"
    "Safer to have you leave in one of the buggies. You're dressed plain. All we need to do is properly braid your hair. Anyone watching will just assume you're one of the girls who came for the circle. Hide in plain sight," he grinned. "Literally."
    Sofia couldn't help but grin at Samuel's cleverness. "What a great idea!"
    He ran a hand through his hair, longish a hit in the front, and said, "Denki." It's nothing though."
    "Are the seats done?" Sofia asked. "Inside your car?"
    "Ja. Did you want to sit inside?"
    "Might be nice."
    "No radio yet though I do have a small handheld. I got used to working to classic rock at the garage. This way, Miss Grace."
    She felt she should correct her name to Sofia, but who knew if that was even right? Samuel lead her around the front of the car, outlining the work he'd done on the exterior and engine with an enthusiasm that brought warmth to his handsome features. He moved his hands as he spoke in dramatic gestures, pointing towards this and that like an excited child. When he finally pulled the door open and gestured for her to step inside, she felt as though she'd been given a rapidfire education on the intricacies of how to repair and maintain a car. It was interesting and fun. Samuel's energy was like fire to the deep calm of Abram's deliberate nature. His energy drew her in a different way from Abram's calm assurance.
    She stepped into the car; the seat was smooth leather but the floor was as yet uncarpeted, with bits of open space exposing the undercarriage. She breathed in the scent of leather, oil and iron as Samuel walked around the car and sat in the driver's seat.
    "I'm sorry," Samuel said. "I've just been talking and talking at you."
    "It's fine," Sofia said. "I like listening. It's clear how much you care for this."
    "Yeah, well..."
    "It's not a bad thing." Sofia wondered at his religion that would make him choose to abandon something that meant so much to him. "If you decide not to follow Amish ways, what would your family say?"
    "Nothing. I mean, my mother would be disappointed, profoundly so, but she would say nothing. I know at this point people think my choice should be obvious. They say I'm simply too afraid or too selfish to make a decision, or that I've already made one. The wrong one. But I do want God to be in my life and for us to have a close relationship. It's just hard to let go."
    Sofia didn't understand why he should have to, but she barely understood them so it didn't seem her place to judge. "I think God would want you to be happy," she said.
    "Ja."
    They sat in silence for a while, listening to the creaking of the wind over the shed and the awakening of the nighttime animals and insects. There was an anticipation in the air, half fear of what might await her outside, and half something more visceral. Samuel was a handsome man. Even in relative stillness, he exuded energy, tapping his index finger against his thigh. He said, "I wish I had something to feed you. You must be hungry."
    She was, but she only shrugged. "It's fine." In order to forestall another long silence, Sofia said, "Maybe you should show me how Amish girls braid their hair?"
    "I—uhh--" Samuel ran his hand through his hair, pulling it at the ends.
    Sofia smiled. "I assume there's some method to it. And I'll need something to tie the ends with."
    "Hold on," Samuel opened the car door. He went to the toolbox and rummaged around or a bit, until he came out with a spool of white string and a pair of scissors. Balancing them in his left arm, he got back into the car, placed the scissors and string on his lap before cutting off two lengths of about four inches.  "I've only watched my mamm and sisters do this, but I think if I do the part, you should be able to handle the rest."
    "Thank you." Sofia removed the kapp and turned in the seat so that her back was to his. "Is that good?"
    "Fine," Samuel said.  "Lean back a little so I can reach the front."