Bethy's Heart's Hideout (Amish Circle Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

came back or decided to join but she had never really heard of someone who wanted to be a part of the community but still drive cars and be a part of the modern world. Elizabeth didn’t really understand how the Mennonites fit in to her world and was desperately trying to understand this strange man and his odd ways.
    “My familye is Mennonite. Well, we were. We came from the same place that you guys did and we still speak the same language and stuff. But, like, we use electricity and can listen to modern music and drive cars. We have more fun. You know, fun? It’s that thing that seems seriously lacking around here?” Mark seemed angry and a little bitter although Elizabeth thought she might feel the same way if she was forced to move and join the lifestyle without really wanting to.
    “I know you said you thought corn sounded boring and it can be,” Elizabeth said. “I may not be able to make it any more interesting but I can show you one of the more fun-filled areas around. Do you want to take a bit of a detour on our way home?” She looked over at Mark and saw that he was considering her offer. He nodded and the two youngsters made plans to head off in the opposite direction from home.
    They talked as they unhitched the buggy and drove slowly along the road. Mark was still getting comfortable with driving the buggy and steering the horses so he was taking things slowly. Elizabeth tried talking to him about the different things that the young men and women did to pass the time. Every suggestion she made was met with an incredulous look as if Mark couldn’t believe that anyone would consider it fun in any way. Elizabeth was beginning to get very frustrated with him. She asked him questions about his Mennonite lifestyle and what the outside world was like.
    Before long, they had travelled about a mile. Elizabeth had been watching the side of the road and there was a specific spot she was looking for. When she saw the narrow lane appear out of the fading light, she told Mark to turn the buggy down the road. Before long it narrowed even further and they hopped out of the buggy so that they could lead the horses along the narrow, rutted track. It opened out into a large cornfield. There was a place where they could hitch the horses so that they would be comfortable.
    Then, after they had made sure that everything was well set up, she showed Mark an opening in a hedge. They squatted down on all fours and began to crawl through the hole. The hedge was thick and the hole ran along its length rather than directly from one side to another. They crawled for a little while and suddenly the narrow tunnel opened up.
    They emerged from the hedge into another corn field where the stalks grew close and dense. There was an open area that was in the shape of a circle. It was small; when Elizabeth was young, she was able to fit into it with three or four of her friends but now that she was older, it was only large enough for her and Mark to lie down together.
    He looked at her and she could tell he was waiting for something interesting to happen. She smiled apologetically and gestured around at the clearing.
    “This is it, I’m afraid. This is my hideout. I come here a lot. It’s just about the only place I can come where nobody can find me. I like having the chance to get away from my parents. I used to come here with some of my friends when we were younger but I’m about the only one that comes here anymore. It’s my special place and I wanted to share it with you.” She looked down and hoped that the gathering shadows wouldn’t allow Mark to see her blushing.
    Mark had to admit that it was very peaceful here. There was the soft murmur of the wind moving through the corn stalks. He heard insects and small birds moving around, getting ready for the approaching night. The world suddenly seemed both very large and very small at the same time. He looked over at Elizabeth and, for the first time, didn’t mind that his parents had