Chapter 1

I don't know where I was planning on running to. I just lifted my legs and started down the rocky road. I never thought I would get lost. The surroundings weren't familiar and I became aware that I wouldn't be able to turn back if I were to get scrared. So I just kept on moving and never once did I look back.

I got tired so I rested by a tree that had thick grass beneath its shade. The running must of gotten to me because I drifted off to sleep once I sat on the grass floor. I could feel the summer breeze hit against my cheek while I was sleeping, but never did I wake to look at my surroundings. Later to the day I felt someone was coming down the road. I lifted my heavy eye lids to see what it was and I found that a buggie was coming down the road. The driver of the buggie was farely young around sixteen or seventeen. The young man looked like he had blonde hair and was somewhat tan. Something inside of me knew he was a farmers son.

Once the buggie came closer to the tree I was laying beneath I got up and tried to flag him down. The young man slowed the buggie down until it was at a full stop. Then he spoke and his words seemed so vivid to me.

" Ma'am are you lost?"

" Yes, I lost track of time and I got lost along the way," I said. But I don't think he saw that I was lying.

" Well I'm headed home and if you would like a ride your welcome to one," he said with such hopefullness in his voice.

" I would be much abliged, but I don't know where I am and I don't know where I'm headed."

" Well, I don't know if I can help if you don't know where your off too."

" I guess I could use a ride after all the walking I have done," she said hoping she didn't give any clues away.

" By the way my name is Leah," she said while holding out her hand for him to shake.

" Nice to meet you Leah I'm Ethan Longacre," he said with a hint of pleasure in his voice.

" Ja," he said to his horse and then we were off, not to fast but fast enough to get somewhere before dark.

I couldn't help but think about the things I left back at home. Like my mother especially sense she was just widowed. Some part of me wanted to run back home and walk through the front door and hug my mother, but part of me just wanted to run away from the past that could rip me apart. Then I came back to reality when the buggie wheel went over a bump.

" So, where are you headed to," Ethan asked breaking the silence.

" I don't know yet, I guess I will just keep following the road until I get somewhere where I'm welcomed," I said knowing that part of me knew that if I kept talking I would start to cry.

I looked down at my plain black dress that was wrinkled knowing that I wouldn't be able to change until I found a town and a job.

" Ethan, do you know if there is a job in town that might hire a a young women like me," I asked with a grim look on my face. I think he saw because with a concerned look he asked,

" Why I don't think there is and may I ask why you might want a job in town?"

" Well I am after all in a town without any possesions and I need money to get supplies."

" Do you not have any fmaily this way?"

" Unfortunately I don't have any relatves and the only family I have is my mother," I said answering his question. But what he said next caught me off guard.

" Is there anyway I may be able to help?"

" I don't think anyone can help me, I think only I can help myself."

" Leah I may not know you, but I may be able to help you with your problem."

" I would love to hear the solution," I said commly even though my heart was racing.

" You could stay with my family until you are able to find yourself a job and a comfortable place to live," he said with such eagerness.

" I don't think I could do that, I wouldn't want to be on you and your family."

"Oh, my family wouldn't mind, they would love to help one of their own."

I knew what he meant by one of their own. He meant that sense I was Amish it wouldn't be a problem, but I knew better than that. My mother always told me never have other Amish help you because some how their ways start to become your ways. So I stayed close to home and didn't interact with other Amish, that's until now.