A Promise for Miriam (33 page)

“Pretend shooting? The children were doing this?” Miriam took another drink from her glass.

“
Ya
. Even the little ones. Parents too. Booster seats for the youngest ones so they could see the screens. Terrible things.”

Eli shook his head and dropped the pen on the table. “When they say Amish Arcade, you don’t suppose Mr. Drake means to develop games with Amish people inside of them, do you?”

“We can’t know.” Jacob pressed his hands flat against the table. “You four will go to the meeting, listen, and present them with our first two points. The third point—Eli, you may write this down—can simply be that we are concerned about the presentation of our Amish lifestyle within his business.”

Eli began to write, but stopped when Miriam stayed his hand.

“That’s it?” she asked Jacob.

“
Ya
, and I doubt that will do any
gut
. He’s there to make money, and he won’t be caring if it hurts our feelings or not.”

Gabe cleared his voice. He’d been silent for most of the meeting, but he sensed it was nearing the end and they were about to be dismissed. While he didn’t relish stirring up a storm, he also felt the responsibility of having been chosen by the people of his church—the parents of Grace’s friends.

That was what he’d thought on the most as he’d driven from home. His daughter would be growing up in this community. His neighbors and their children would be living in the midst of whatever was built. They had chosen him to
do
something, not to simply go with defeat as a foregone conclusion.

It was time for him to step forward and say something, even if it meant the disapproval of Samuel and Jacob. Gabe didn’t do so lightly. Though Samuel was cantankerous, he was on the board where Grace attended school. He was influential in the community.

And Jacob was his spiritual leader for as long as he lived here in the Cashton district.

Gabe didn’t see himself moving and uprooting Grace again.

So when he made his mind up to speak, it was no light decision. There was an important lesson he had learned from his daughter, though, and it was worth remembering.

He had learned that staying silent came with a price.

Chapter 40

M
iriam knew Gabe well enough to understand when he was struggling. No doubt he’d been trying to keep quiet, to let remain unspoken those things Samuel and Jacob would be reluctant to hear.

When he began to speak, she realized he was once again taking a step forward—as he did on Christmas afternoon before her family. The step forward this time appeared to be just as difficult. She now realized that the first day he walked into her classroom, holding on to Grace’s hand, he must have been determined to remain apart.

So what had happened over the last two months?

He’d learned to tolerate the help of others—yes, but what else was at work here? Was he finally a part of their community? Was he committed to staying? What had changed his mind?

Miriam wanted that. She had even prayed for that. The thought that he might pack it all up and move back to Indiana had become one of her deepest fears.

When he first began to speak, it was as if he was finally letting his true feelings through. Instead of listening, she found herself watching the three other men at the table and their reaction to Gabe. Samuel continued to stare down at his hands, Eli leaned back and studied him, and Jacob leaned forward in interest.

“The businesses in Indiana—”

“We’re in Wisconsin,” Samuel pointed out.

Gabe glanced around the table and started again. “The businesses in Indiana found that it was beneficial if they worked with the Amish community rather than against it.”

“We have no desire to yoke ourselves with the
Englischers
,” Jacob reminded him.

“Yet as I’ve learned even in two short months, many of our families depend on side work to supplement their farming income. The
Englisch
tourism—especially one such as Mr. Drake’s, could bring additional customers to our cottage businesses.”

“How is that possible?” Jacob asked. “They won’t be needing a barn built or wanting someone to shoe their horse.”

Miriam knew Gabe had to move carefully now, because it seemed that their bishop was finally listening. And it wasn’t only that she wanted him to win this argument—it wasn’t their argument to win. It was that she truly did want what was best for their community.

“You’re right there.
Ya
, they might not need a barn built, but they might need carpentry work done on a summer place. And though most don’t own horses, they are interested in them. Many would like to take a ride in a buggy.”

“This is ridiculous. So now we’re supposed to use our farm animals to ferry around
Englischers
?” Samuel nearly spat out the words.

Gabe stared down at the table for a moment before responding. When he answered, his voice was calm and quiet, but sure. “If you fight this man, and if you turn the village board against you, then you’re more likely to find yourself diapering your horses every time you’re on a public road. Do you realize the cost of that?”

“
Gotte
will provide—”

“I know
Gotte
will provide, Samuel. He also gave us common sense and called us to be gut neighbors.”

“Maybe it would help if you explained what happened in Indiana.” Eli stood and stretched. “I think that’s one of the reasons you were voted onto the board. The community wanted someone who had experience with the
Englischers
.”

Miriam was curious too. Though she had never been farther than fifty miles from Cashton, she had heard that Indiana was quite different from Wisconsin.

“Much of Indiana is practically overrun with tourism, and a lot of that tourism has recently been focused on the Amish communities.”

“Why do you think that is?” Jacob asked.

“Some say it’s nostalgia. Others that it’s disbelief…their world is now so different from ours. Many can’t believe we’re able to survive without technology.”

“They could too if they ever had the need,” Samuel said, staring down at his calloused hands again.

“And perhaps those are the questions they come seeking answers for. Questions about their own abilities. Whatever the reason, they come in droves.”

“To stare? To mock us?” Jacob’s frown deepened.

“Some of our community thought so at first. When it became clear that we could not win against the builders and developers, when our land prices started going so high that we could no longer buy any additional acreage for our sons…” Gabe shook his head. “We sent a group to several neighboring districts to speak with their leaders.”

“What did they learn?”

“That many of the
Englischers
who come are
gut
,
Gotte
-fearing people looking for a place of respite, and they seek it among our community.”

The room became quiet as they considered Gabe’s words.

Miriam was the first to speak. “We have the occasional visitor, even now, in the schoolhouse. They are usually older, and they tell me how much our ways bring back memories of when they were a child, of how the schoolhouse reminds them of simpler times.”

She cleared her throat, shaking her head and causing the strings on her prayer
kapp
to brush forward. “It’s not that we mind visitors. Perhaps
Gotte
brings them into our life for a reason. It’s only that we aren’t sure we could handle so many.”

Eli returned to his chair at the table. “So we have our list.” He tapped it with his finger. “Are you suggesting anything in addition to this?”

Gabe sat back, crossed his arms, and rubbed his chin. “You’re right. This isn’t Indiana. You know the people of our district far better than I do. I’m only suggesting that perhaps we could point out to Mr. Drake how we could work together in a beneficial way, rather than him coming up with ideas like…”

He spun the paper around so he could read from it again. “Amish Astronomy or Amish Angels.”

Frowning, Jacob rubbed his forehead. “You’re not saying we offer to work in his hotel, his shops?”

“Nooo…” Gabe drew the word out. “Unless some of our young men and women on their
rumspringa
choose to. That’s something that would have to be discussed with you, Bishop.”

Miriam thought it was interesting that Gabe addressed Jacob by his title at that point. Jacob didn’t seem to notice, but it was a nice show of respect. She adjusted her position in her chair and watched the others as if she were watching one of the
Englisch
theater presentations. It wasn’t that they were acting, but Gabe knew how to read people better than she realized.

Did he also know how to read her? The idea caused her cheeks to warm.

Catching her staring at him, he winked.

“A matter for another time,” Jacob decided.

“What else did you do in your old district?” Samuel asked.

“In Indiana, which
ya
, is decidedly more liberal, we started out by offering some of our goods that we made at home in the
Englisch
stores. At least then people had a chance to see honest Amish craftsmanship versus something made overseas that has been labeled Amish but has never seen the inside of a Plain workshop.”

“Several of our young men could certainly use the income with their furniture and woodwork. David, Miriam’s
bruder
, has even started making toys in the winters. Because his acreage is so small, there’s not as much work.” Eli folded his hands as if he were praying. “The women too. They make quilts and rugs, even knitted items, and you’ve allowed them to set out signs by the roads, Jacob. But not many people see them and stop, especially during the winter months when they could use the income most.”

“It could be a
gut
compromise,” Jacob admitted. “The buggy rides I will have to think on, but selling the goods in the store…this might make sense.”

“We’d have to pay Drake a percentage,” Gabe reminded him.

“
Ya
, but it would be worth it if we sold more.” Eli stared down at the list, which still didn’t have a number three. He tapped the sheet. “Could we offer to work with him to better portray Amish lifestyles and craftsmanship in his stores?”

“Possibly including offering some of our goods there,” Miriam added.

Eli wrote quickly to add the words to the sheet, and then he glanced around the small group to be sure everyone was in agreement. When they all nodded—even Samuel—he tore the list from the pad and put it in his pocket.

It seemed to Miriam that Gabe hesitated, but then he pushed on with sharing what was on his mind. “Many
Englischers
have a genuine interest in the old ways. I read an article in the
Budget
my
mamm
sent me. Often they pay to bring schoolchildren on tours, or retired people. Some like to come out and see how the buggies are made. It could be
gut
for your work too, Jacob.”

Standing and adjusting his suspenders, Jacob nodded. “You’ve set out your reasons well, Gabriel. What your bishop told me about you is true.”

They had all stood and Samuel was already walking toward the door. Miriam noticed Gabe’s head jerk up and around. Eli didn’t. He was busy pushing in the chairs and making sure Jacob’s dining room was back to the spotless condition it had been in when they arrived.

“And what was that, Jacob?”

“Don’t be offended.”

Now Samuel had turned back and was listening.

“It’s my responsibility when a member of my district is as new as you are and they have been chosen to lead. I take that responsibility seriously. If one day you are chosen for the position of minister or deacon, then you will know what a weighty thing it is.”

When Gabe nodded, he continued. “I considered this a matter worthy of a phone call to your old bishop. Ezekiel spoke highly of you. He also said that you put the needs of the community first. I’ll count on you to continue to do so.”

“
Ya
, of course I will.”

“Very
gut
. Eli, be sure that you have the list with you when you attend the informational meeting with the village president and board of trustees in two weeks. I would ask you all to make this a matter of priority during your prayers. Samuel and Miriam,
danki
for coming.”

Everyone murmured their goodbyes as they stepped out into the cold evening air.

Miriam wanted to ask Gabe what he was doing for Old Christmas. The January sixth celebration of Epiphany would include a large family feast and no school. She was about to speak to him about his plans, but then she heard him ask Eli what they could bring for the meal. Her heart sank, but she forced a smile when he turned toward her.

“I hope you have a
gut
Old Christmas, Miriam.”

“You too, Gabe.”

“Perhaps Aden will be home to see his
dat
again,
ya
?” he said as he helped her into her buggy. She thought about running over his foot with the buggy wheel. He was so determined to bring up Aden’s name every time they were together. Maybe she could train him otherwise, the way her dad had trained Pepper not to chase on a hunt until he gave him leave to do so.

“You’re smiling now, and you were frowning a second ago.” Gabe stepped back so she could lower the flap and shut out the cold.

Instead of answering him, she changed the subject. “You know, Gabe, sometimes I don’t understand men at all.”

“Is that so?” He pulled at his beard as if he should give that some thought. “I suspect you’re not the only one.”

“But when I don’t understand something, it makes me want to puzzle it out all the more.”

Now he was the one frowning, and that did lighten her mood. “I’m headed back to the school now. Tell my
mamm
hello for me when you pick up Grace, would you?”

“
Ya
, of course I—”