Anna explained that she was training to be an area tour guide and would be bringing clients there soon. “But if I were choosing an Amish quilt for myself, it would be hard to decide. They’re all so gorgeous.” Anna mentioned that she and her mother and sister had made several quilts together, though they were not uniquely Amish patterns.

“We can also custom make anything you’d like,” the cheerful owner said. “Any color, any pattern . . . anything at all. Be sure to let your clients know, jah?” And she chuckled.

Anna thanked her and, after looking around a bit more, she and Mart left to head up the street the short distance to the large building housing the Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market. Before they went inside, Mart told her to make note of the summer hours, and again, Anna jotted the information down in her notebook.

“Do you like whoopie pies?” he asked as he held the door for her.

“Who doesn’t? My favorite flavor is peanut butter.”

“The ideal midmorning snack,” he agreed.

Mart led the way to Grandma Smucker’s, where Anna purchased herself a peanut butter whoopie pie. “It’s probably a good idea to sample one before I bring anyone here, don’t you think?” she asked with a smile.

“Definitely,” Mart said, purchasing the same flavor she’d chosen.

“Wow, these are extra big,” she observed.

“More goodness in every bite,” Mart replied with a twinkle, sounding like a walking advertisement.

After that stop, they returned to the car and drove past the country housewares store and several other shops featuring Amish goods before they stopped with their sack lunches at Kitchen Kettle Village. They found a picnic table near Lapp Valley Farms Ice Cream at the far end of the cobblestone walkway.

“Usually the center’s new tour guides are more familiar with Lancaster County, having grown up here,” Mart said as they ate in the welcome shade. “In your free time, you should take the Discover Lancaster getaway guide and spend time driving around to the recommended locations. You’ll especially want to become familiar with the cemeteries and one-room Amish schoolhouses, and our historic covered bridges, all of which we won’t have time for today.”

“I’ve heard about a few local highlights, like the Amish Farm and House, and the Amish Village,” Anna said. “And Miller’s Smorgasbord, of course. Are those on the information center’s list of possible tour stops, too?”

“No, and neither is the market we just visited.” He grinned and took a sip of his bottle of sweetened iced tea. “Typically we don’t take tourists to the big attractions that are easy for them to locate. We go to the out-of-the-way places, ones they wouldn’t necessarily be aware of or be able to find on their own.” He paused and studied her, as if he had something else on his mind. “Have you ever eaten at Miller’s?”