A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

age, but like most Amish kids, had stopped going to school after the eighth grade.
    That was where the similarities ended, though. Most Amish guys Mark knew were working with their fathers or apprenticing with a local business. No one had any idea what Peter did. It was obvious that his family didn’t have a lot of money; Peter always looked like he needed to wash his clothes better and get some that actually fit.
    Immediately, Mark felt guilty for even thinking that. Laura had told him that Peter’s mother had died a couple of years ago, and Mark knew all about making due without a mother.
    â€œHey, Peter,” Laura said.
    â€œHi,” he replied. When he noticed Mark standing there, he nodded. “Hi. Mark, right?”
    â€œ Jah . Hi.” They’d met at Pinecraft Park when he’d first moved there and had even seen each other at church, but they’d never really had much occasion to talk.
    Peter looked at them both a little awkwardly and Laura cleared her throat. “Can I help ya with something?”
    â€œ Nee . I, um, came in for a couple of things.”
    â€œOh, sure.” She smiled again, then started fiddling with the stack of plastic cups on the counter.
    When Peter picked up a mesh basket and started walking up and down the aisles, popping all kinds of things into it, Mark exchanged glances with Laura. Buying so many things at the Quick Mart was pretty unusual. Prices were higher here than just about anywhere else. Most people simply ran into the store to grab a quart of milk or a can of soda or a couple of candy bars. Hardly anyone ever picked up a basket.
    He’d sure never seen anyone picking up so much stuff at one time.
    Annoyed with himself for judging the guy yet again, Mark leaned on the counter. “Everyone’s talking about the Christmas parade,” he said to get their attention off Peter. “Do you ever go?”
    â€œOh, jah . Everyone goes.”
    â€œMaybe we could sit together?”
    â€œMaybe,” she teased. “But if you want to sit with me, you’re going to have to come early. Everyone starts staking out spots around noon.”
    â€œI’ll ask Emma and my daed what time they want to eat on Christmas, then I’ll let you know.”
    She smiled softly, making his insides turn to mush. He really liked her but he didn’t know what kind of future they had. She’d told him when her family had first moved to Sarasota, she’d been Amish, too. Now, at age sixteen, she was as English as any girl who’d grown up watching TV or using a computer. He’d never even seen her in a dress. She pretty much wore only jeans and T-shirts.
    From what she said, at first her parents had stayed true to their beliefs, but after a time they’d slowly drifted away from their church. Then, when Laura was seven, her father had received the chance to work at the airport for a lot more money, and he’d decided to break away from the church entirely. And though her parents’ decision was the result of weeks and months of prayer and debating, Laura had told Mark that it had still felt sudden: one day she was Amish, and the next she wasn’t.
    Mark was still in the middle of his rumspringa , which meant that his daed was letting him see Laura without a bit of criticism or a word of caution. But if they got serious, that would change.His daed would likely try to put a stop to things. He’d made no secret that he hoped Mark and his brothers would eventually join the church and marry Amish girls.
    He was brought out of his thoughts when Peter walked up to the counter, his basket pretty much overflowing.
    Laura pulled the basket close to the cash register. “So, are you trying to empty our shelves or something?” she joked.
    Peter started, looked a little embarrassed, and then seemed to catch himself. “Nah. Just, um, doing a little shopping.”
    Mark gave him an understanding look. “She’s just