Free Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1) by Nancy Mehl

believe it’s helpful for us.” He held out his open hands. “Take television. Don’t even have one. When there’s a storm, sometimes I’ll come here and Mary will turn the set on so we can get updated weather forecasts. Or if something of national importance happens, I may go to a neighbor’s house and watch a news channel for a bit so I can keep abreast of the situation. While waiting for whatever information I need, I’ve seen snatches of several of today’s ... what are they called ... sitcoms?” He pulled on his beard. “I think our community is better off without them.”
    “But there are good things on TV, too,” I said. “Shows that spread the gospel.”
    “I know that. I believe television can be a wonderful way to touch the world with the Good News. But the rest of it ... Well, we would just rather live without its leaven. Please understand though—it’s not a rule of the church or anything like that. It’s a suggestion. Just as with many of our other choices. Like what we wear.” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Let me ask you a question. Some of the schools in Wichita have adopted dress codes. Do you know why?”
    I nodded. “Because it stops kids from wearing gang colors. Also, it helps to cut down on the attention to clothes and refocuses it back on schoolwork.”
    “That’s exactly right. In wearing modest, simple clothing, we believe it helps us to focus our lives on God and His service and away from worldly concerns. It’s as simple as that.” He shrugged. “But please understand—we only ask that our members dress modestly. They choose their outfits. I don’t visit everyone’s house in the mornings and approve their choices.” He chuckled. “Not even for my Emily. She says I have no taste.”
    I stabbed another sausage with my fork. “Okay, I understand the clothing thing. But why did my uncle turn his back on our family? Sam says you don’t actually ban people.”
    “He’s right. If we discovered a church member was involved in some kind of serious error, we would reach out in compassion to him, but we wouldn’t turn him away unless there was no other choice. In my entire life I’ve never seen it happen. I’m not saying I haven’t watched people leave the faith, but they always left on their own accord.” He hesitated and gazed intently at the tabletop for a moment. “I’ve heard that Amil Angstadt used what at one time was called The Ban, but trust me—when he died, the practice died with him. I visited your uncle many times, trying to convince him that he needed to reach out to his family. He refused to even discuss it with me. I have no idea why.”
    But I was pretty sure I did. “Abel, I appreciate everything you’ve said. I had some wrong ideas. I guess it isn’t your religion that was the problem in my family. It seems that following the wrong leader caused most of the destruction.”
    He nodded. “I believe that to be the truth.”
    I finished the coffee in my cup and glanced toward the front counter. Mary leaned against the back wall and glared at me. I changed my mind about raising my cup to indicate I wanted more coffee. Fortunately for me, Sam noticed I was out and waved to her. She picked up a pot, carried it over, and silently filled everyone’s cup. She left the table with a backward glance at me. Let’s just say that the small town charm evident in the café didn’t carry over to its owner.
    “I—I do have another question,” I said to Abel while I tried to ignore Mary’s obvious distaste for me, “but I’m not sure you can help me. You weren’t in Harmony when my parents lived here.”
    He shook his head. “No, I wasn’t. But I have learned a lot about those days from some of the folks who lived through them. Ask away.”
    “Do you know anything about a man named Jacob Glick?”
    A loud gasp from behind me revealed an older woman standing next to a girl who looked to be around fourteen or fifteen.