Miriam's Secret (15 page)

“
Yah
,
yah
, I know this.” Mose laughed. “But I thought your wives had served you a big enough breakfast you wouldn't be quite so hungry.”

This produced hoots of laughter from the older men.

Miriam smiled. Everyone knew that Mose teased, and that no man would miss lunch regardless of how large his breakfast had been.

“Unmarried girls over here!” Mose hollered out.

Miriam moved toward the table with the other girls her age. She'd helped serve the first tables, and now she looked forward to a meal herself. The time was already well after one o'clock, and hunger gnawed at her. The problem hadn't been the breakfast served at home. There had been plenty of food. She'd been unable to eat a full meal out of nervousness. By today everyone would have heard the news about the farm the Yoder family had been given by the
Englisha
man Mr. Bland. And they would have had time to think and talk about the matter. Not that anyone would object, but this would change their status in the community. How that would play out, Miriam wasn't sure, but it certainly would have an impact.
Daett
had stayed true to form and made sure everyone understood that she would have the farm once she married.
Daett
didn't have to add the detail that this made her a more attractive marriage partner. That would just be accepted. This was another reason she hadn't breathed a word about two million dollars. What kind of a stir would that make?

Miriam seated herself at the long table, and Bishop Wagler's call to prayer soon rang through the house. All heads in the vicinity bowed. When Miriam looked up, she caught Ivan Mast's gaze fixed on her. He was seated across the room with the unmarried men. Miriam looked away quickly as blood rushed up her neck. Why did Ivan pay her attention today? His girlfriend, Laura Swartz, sat not three people away from her at the table. What was Ivan up to? When their eyes had met a few weeks ago, he'd glanced away disinterestedly. Today, he was still looking at her—if she didn't miss her guess. Miriam sneaked a peek. Sure enough, Ivan's gaze was still on her.

Well, she would ignore him, Miriam decided. There could be only one explanation for Ivan's sudden interest. She'd once
wanted his attentions badly, but she didn't want him because she would own a prosperous farm. What kind of marriage would that be? Ivan had missed his chance. He'd chosen Laura, and his long look in her direction was completely inappropriate. That was all there was to it.

Miriam studied the food in front of her. She'd been hungry moments ago, but now all she wanted to do was get up and leave. Well, she would eat now whether she felt like it or not. Miriam took a bite of her sandwich and accidentally caught Ivan's gaze again. To her horror, she felt a thrill at his attention. Against her will she had to struggle not to smile back at him. There was no sense to this. She wouldn't—couldn't—encourage him! Ivan might even speak with her if she wasn't careful.

Miriam choked on her food, and the girl beside her gave her a concerned glance.

“I'm okay. The food just caught in my throat,” Miriam offered.

The girl nodded and went back to her conversation.

She was being immature, Miriam told herself, to even think such things about Ivan. She was still desperate for his attention, and she had to stop it. Both of them would have to live with the choice Ivan had made. It was too late to switch girls now—at least for the reasons Ivan had. She forced herself not to look in his direction as she finished the meal.

His newly found interest in her would pass once the news of the farm wore off and Ivan figured out she was the same girl she'd always been. Decent—at least from a man's point of view—but a little on the homely side. Certainly no beauty like Laura. She didn't need a farm to attract a decent husband. And Miriam wouldn't stoop to that level, either.

Bishop Wagler soon called for a prayer of thanks for the food they'd eaten. Miriam tried not to, but she snuck a quick glance in Ivan's direction after Bishop Wagler's “Amen.” Ivan gave her
a warm smile, and her heart pounded in her chest. This had to stop! Miriam looked away at once. She couldn't be drawn into this trap! Her heart could never trust this man again. Ivan's attention at this juncture was not a coincidence, no matter how much she might wish otherwise. And what about Laura? She had to notice Ivan's wandering eye. Glances like he'd given her might escape the attention of most of the people around them, but certainly not a girlfriend.

Had Laura perhaps broken up with Ivan? The thought sent such a rush of joy through her that she became light-headed. Miriam pushed the thought and emotion away. She'd have heard that news by now. And it wouldn't change anything anyway. Ivan's interest right now was highly suspicious, and she mustn't forget that. How many times had she longed for this very moment, yet now everything had changed. Now Ivan had an ulterior motive.

Miriam moved toward the kitchen crowded with busy women at work on the dishes. She saw she wasn't needed and returned to the living room to help. Laura had come to the same conclusion and was already there. She didn't want to meet Ivan's girlfriend at the moment, but what should she do? She went to work clearing the table.

Moments later Laura gave her a glare and then returned to the kitchen with her hands full of dirty utensils.

Obviously Ivan and Laura still had a relationship or Laura wouldn't have sent her such a look. Miriam squeezed into the crowded kitchen. She smiled to several women when they nearly collided. All of them returned her smile. Laura's sister, Esther, offered her a dish towel. Miriam set to work with a will, pushing thoughts of Ivan and his antics far from her mind. That's all this was, she assured herself—childishness, which would go away once Laura had time to speak with Ivan and straighten things out.

A bit later Miriam saw Lee go out the front door, no doubt on
his way to the barn ready to travel home. Lee had his own horse and buggy, and Shirley and she had ridden with him. Mark was forced to drive the girls' horse, Mindy, on Sundays, toting along two of his siblings, which Mark grumbled about. He wanted a horse that belonged exclusively to him, but they could barely afford the three driving horses and buggies they had. For all of them to arrive at the community gatherings crammed into two buggies would have been a shame too heavy to bear. Even now, with three in each of the single buggies, that left four children and
Mamm
and
Daett
for the double surrey. Perhaps Mark would finally get his own horse now that there was income from a debt-free farm in the family. She could put up with the pain Ivan caused in her heart by focusing on the blessings her family would now enjoy.

Miriam slipped back into the living room and tapped Shirley on the shoulder. Shirley was deep in conversation with their cousin Martha, but at Miriam's nod quickly wrapped up the talk and headed outside. Lee didn't like to wait. He would if they hadn't come out of the washroom by the time he pulled up to the end of the sidewalk, but they'd hear about it later.

Miriam led the way to where their shawls and bonnets were stacked. She found hers, and Shirley did the same. Minutes later they were properly attired and outside. Lee was nowhere in sight.

“Wonder what's holding him up?” Shirley muttered. “You sure you saw him head out to the barn, Miriam?”

“I know I did.” Miriam couldn't have been mistaken. “Let's go out by the buggies. Maybe he'll come by then.”

Lee appeared about the time they arrived near the long line of parked buggies. He wasn't alone. Ivan Mast was sticking close to his elbow. Miriam stiffened.

Shirley giggled. “Didn't I see him make eyes at you today?”

“Shhh!” Miriam commanded with a meaningful glare.

Shirley wasn't finished. “He must be quite impressed now that we are no longer poverty-stricken. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?”

“It's not,” Miriam said between her teeth.

The two young women fell silent as the two men approached. Ivan was smiling as he left off his conversation with Lee. He turned his charms on Miriam and Shirley. “You two look cheery this afternoon.”

“I expect so,” Shirley sang out.

I don't want to be impolite, Miriam told herself. She forced a smile but said nothing.

Ivan's glow didn't dim. “Got to talking with your brother and thought I might as well help him hitch up. Didn't expect to find you girls out here.”

Miriam clenched her teeth. Ivan certainly
did
hope to find them with Lee. That's what his plan had been all along, and she wouldn't play his game. “Come,” Miriam muttered to Shirley. “We might as well climb in.”

Ivan's face fell as the two clambered inside the buggy. He didn't dare come to the buggy door for an intimate chat with Miriam. Instead, he held the buggy shafts as Lee backed his horse in, fastened the tugs on his side, and waved goodbye as Lee drove them down the lane.

Miriam leaned back and let out a relieved sigh. She hadn't seen the last of Ivan's attention, unless she missed her guess.

Shirley's giggle confirmed her suspicions. Lee seemed lost in his own world, but he was a man so he couldn't be blamed. Men often didn't notice the most blatant things when it came to romance.

Chapter Fifteen
 

I
t was Friday evening. Shirley was with Jonas as he raced his convertible down Route 83. The roof was down, and Shirley leaned her head over the doorframe and allowed the wind to meet her full in the face. The sensation was exhilarating. She'd left the house managing to avoid making any foolish last-minute promises to
Mamm
. She had to live in the real world, Shirley told herself. And the real world at the moment was with Jonas. She'd taken off her
kapp
once they were out of sight of the house, and the wind blew her long hair out behind her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Shirley saw Jonas's gaze linger on her before he glanced back to the road. She almost couldn't bear the joy rushing through her. For almost two weeks she'd waited for this moment when she could be with Jonas again. It was as
wunderbah
as she'd imagined. Jonas was exciting and kind, all at the same time.

Jonas laughed and Shirley joined in, their voices mingling with the sound of the wind rushing by and the car tires clinging to the road.

“Thanks for picking me up,” Shirley said with a glance in his direction.

Jonas shook his head. “I'm the one to say thanks. I like being with you.”

Shirley looked away and didn't answer. She would have to be careful and not say too much about how she felt. They were both young, and this evening her plan was to enjoy the fun of the moment. She did finally admit, “You're too nice to me.” She took a deep breath and drank it all in—the exciting car, the daring speed, the beautiful evening, and, of course, the handsome Jonas. How could life be so sweet and full of pleasure when
Mamm
and
Daett
thought this was something awful? What a tragedy such suspicions were. She wouldn't allow their disapproval to dampen her spirits or spoil her
gut
time tonight.

“Family giving you problems?” Jonas seemed to read her thoughts.

Shirley brushed her hair from her face. “Just the usual. At least I didn't get any lectures this time before you came.”

“Then they're accepting…you and me?”

“I wouldn't say that. But do we have to talk about it? I'd rather not, if you don't mind.”

Jonas didn't hesitate. “Sorry. I was concerned, that's all.”

Shirley gathered her courage and reached over to touch his arm. “I know…and I appreciate that you're concerned. But talking about it makes me think about it. I'd rather just enjoy the time I have with you.”

Jonas grinned. “Okay, I understand. So what shall it be tonight?”

“Perhaps a movie? I think I'll do better this time than before,” Shirley said.

Jonas laughed. “How about I take you out to eat? Do you have a favorite place?”

“Me?” Shirley laughed. “It's not like our family goes out to eat much. We're Amish and poor. We're not like you or your family.”

“Let's not talk about that either,” Jonas said. “I'm just a simple man. Money isn't everything, you know.”