Miriam's Secret (37 page)

A slight smile crept across Ezra's face. “So that's what's wrong? Thinking about us, are you? Well…we know enough, I would say. But we appreciate your concern. It speaks well for your character, as has everything else I've heard. I confess that Deacon Phillip wrote to your bishop back in Holmes County…a Bishop Wagler. He had only
gut
things to say. I'm sure there are no complaints the bishop doesn't know about.”

He meant that as a question, Miriam was sure. She met Ezra's gaze. “I've behaved myself. I mean, how many
ordnung
rules can a girl break? I'm done with
rumspringa
, and I joined the church a year ago already.”

Ezra nodded. “I'm glad to hear that. We don't practice
rumspringa
here. It's refreshing to see a young person from somewhere else make up her mind at such a young age.” Ezra paused. “How old are you?”

“Twenty.” Miriam glanced at him. “I thought that would be the first question you'd ask.”

Ezra grinned. “Never ask a woman's age—at least not at first. I wasn't too far off. I guessed twenty-one.”

“Thank you,” Miriam said with a smile. She decided she'd take his guess as a compliment.

Ezra continued. “As you probably know, our school isn't a large one. You will teach all eight grades, and there are a few pupils in every class this term. Will that be a problem?” He studied her carefully.

Miriam hesitated. “I haven't taught before, so I'm not sure.” But her answer seemed to satisfy him.

“It'll be a learning experience, I'm sure. You'll be pleased to know that our teacher from last year, Sarah Mullet, my niece,
has agreed to help you. She married last fall and is expecting her first child. That's why she's not teaching this year.”

“I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions, although I can't think of any right now. I hope she'll meet with me before school starts.”

Ezra laughed. “First-term jitters,
yah
. Well, that's
gut
too. Overconfidence isn't the best approach, I say. In life or anywhere else.”

“I agree,” Miriam said at once. “And thank you for this chance. I can't say how grateful and honored I am.”

“You are more than welcome.” Ezra jiggled the buggy lines. “I guess I'd best be going then so you can get to work. I'm sure you'll be an outstanding teacher for us.” He clucked to his horse and said, “See you later” as the horse turned to head back down the driveway.

Miriam waited a few moments and watched until Ezra was gone from the driveway. The parking lot had begun to fill up with cars while she spoke with him. Uncle William and Wayne probably had their hands full, but they'd survived so far, she thought. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt. She needed to slow down the thoughts buzzing through her head. A quick trip to the mailbox would be just the thing. There might even be a letter from
Mamm
. That would bring a much-needed sense of familiarity with all the new things happening around her.

Miriam put her thought into action. She walked to the mailbox and found a pile of mail inside. She flipped through the items on the walk back to the house. There was a letter postmarked Berlin, Ohio, but the handwriting was unfamiliar. Shirley met Miriam at the front door, and she handed her the letter since it was addressed to both of them.

Shirley wasted no time ripping the envelope open. She scanned the page, and her face lit up. “It's another girl, Miriam!
Mamm
and
Daett
named her Anna, after our great-aunt on
Mamm
's side. Naomi's the one who's written to us about it.”

“Isn't it a little early for the baby?” Miriam took a deep breath. “I didn't think it would be this soon.”

Shirley read on. “Naomi doesn't say anything about that. Just that all went well. Oh, this is so exciting. We have a new sister!”

So the letter contained
gut
news. Miriam heaved a sigh of relief. Now, it was time to get to work.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

O
n Sunday evening after the hymn singing, Miriam waited beside Wayne's buggy as he disappeared into the Byler barn with his horse. Soft moonlight flooded the countryside. Miriam took in a deep breath of the summer air. Tonight had been a wonderful evening so far, and she was confident it would continue. She'd baked a cherry pie yesterday, and Uncle William had helped her make homemade vanilla ice cream last night. They'd eaten some for supper, and Aunt Fannie had declared the effort perfect. The rest was in the freezer for tonight. Everything was ready.

Now, if her heart would cease its heavy pounding she might be able to relax. There was no reason to be anxious, Miriam told herself. Wayne had been his usual kind and gentle self on the way home from Deacon Phillip's place, where the hymn singing had been held.

She took another deep breath. Silence hung heavy in the air,
and she took in ghostly shapes formed by the plants outside the greenhouse. Aunt Fannie and Uncle William would be asleep now, along with baby Jonathon—or so she hoped. Even if they weren't, no one would hang around since this was her first date with Wayne. The living room would be theirs for the evening.

That thought brought a tinge of sadness. Shirley wouldn't be around either. She'd hurriedly headed home to Possum Valley right after the news of baby Anna's birth. In fact, Miriam guessed that about now
Mamm
and
Daett
would be on their way to the bus station with a hired driver to pick her up. Shirley was scheduled to arrive a little before midnight, Ohio time.

The whole thing had been so sudden—the arrival of the letter with the news of baby Anna's birth and Shirley's sudden announcement that she would return home immediately. She used the excuse that she needed to help
Mamm
now that the baby had arrived. Miriam knew this wasn't the real reason. Shirley had given up on finding happiness in Oklahoma. In a way, Miriam felt like she'd failed her sister.

But Shirley's problems paled right now in comparison to her own, Miriam decided. She feared how this evening would end despite her prayers and her trust in Wayne. Her faith was weak, but surely the Lord understood. He would carry her onward.

She might never have another moment like this, Miriam reminded herself as Wayne came toward her in the moonlight. She had a
wunderbah
boyfriend in hand—someone who loved her. She would risk all to tell him the truth. It must be done.

Wayne's face broke into a broad smile as he walked up to her. His hand moved forward for a moment, as if he meant to reach for hers.

Miriam trembled. She didn't dare reach for him, although Wayne's hand in hers would be heaven on earth.

“Nice evening,” Wayne said as he gestured toward the house. “Are you ready to go inside?”

“Maybe we can stay out here a few more minutes.” Miriam clutched the buggy wheel. “It's so lovely in the moonlight.”

Wayne grinned. “Anywhere with you is fine with me, Miriam. And I must agree it's lovely. These prairie nights with a full moon have their own special glory.”

Miriam laughed nervously. “It's my first summer here, so I want to enjoy it to the fullest.”

“Hopefully there will be many more.” Wayne gave her a quick glance before he turned his gaze at the full moon.

The light that flooded his face showed a hint of stubble. Once Wayne had a
frau
, his beard would grow full and long. Miriam turned the thought away at once. This was not for her to think about. Not until she'd made her confession. And wouldn't out here in the moonlight be a better place to tell him than on the couch in the living room? She couldn't see Wayne's face as easily out here, but then neither could he see hers.

“Wayne?” Miriam gathered herself together. “Do you remember I said I had something important I wanted to tell you?”

He seemed to think for a moment. “Yah, I remember, but you don't have to.” His voice was quiet. “Whatever it is, Miriam, I'm fine with it.”

She searched his face. “What if I've committed a grave sin? Wouldn't you want to know that?”

His voice was confident as he said, “You haven't. I know it.”

Her heart beat faster. What confidence this man had in her. It took her breath away.

“I'm sure you haven't done anything extraordinarily wrong, Miriam. No one is perfect, but I'm sure you come close.” He reached over and squeezed her hand.

She held on for a moment before she let go. “There's more to the story of my inheritance from Mr. Bland, Wayne. I want to share something with you that I haven't told anyone else—not even my family.”

He waited calmly and patiently.

When Wayne didn't say anything, Miriam continued. “Mr. Bland left me the farm, which is now set up in a trust to benefit my family. None of us can sell it without the consent of the others. But Mr. Bland didn't just leave me his farm. He left me enough money to operate it—and much more. He bequeathed two million dollars to me. The money is in a bank account under my name.”

He stared at her, and then looked back at the moon.

Minutes that seemed like hours ticked by.

“Please say something, Wayne,” she whispered.

He shrugged. “What am I supposed to say? Do you think that changes anything in my mind? That I might be impressed with that amount of money instead of you? None of that's possible…unless it's that my feelings for you increase because of your integrity.”

“Higher?” Miriam choked on the word. “How about lower?”

Wayne didn't hesitate. “No way, Miriam. There is no negative side of this. You didn't ask the man to leave you his farm and money.”

“I could have refused it. I could have at least given the money away…” Her voice trailed off.

Wayne shrugged. “You were right in not doing any of those things. If the Lord allowed you to have that kind of money, then He must have a plan for your life that will require those assets.”

Miriam gasped. “Like what, Wayne?
Daett
says money is a terrible corruptor. What could I possibly need such an amount
for? What kind of trials would the Lord send that would require two million dollars to fix?”

Wayne's smile was gentle. “Don't look on the dark side of things, Miriam. I didn't mean it that way. Money can be used for
gut.
The Lord might desire for you to do much
gut
with that money. We don't know what He has planned. Obviously you didn't go out and spend it like many people would. Isn't that wisdom to your credit?”

Miriam took a deep breath. This was more than she'd hoped for. It seemed too good to be true. Wayne saw that the Lord's hand must be in her situation! And Wayne seemed unimpressed with the amount of money involved. Had he not heard correctly?

Miriam repeated the information. “It's two million dollars, Wayne. A two followed by six zeroes.”

His laugh was soft. “I heard you, Miriam. And I suppose you're worried that I might want my hand in the cookie jar, so to speak. I'm not concerned, Miriam, and I don't desire your money. This information doesn't change anything between us, Miriam. I don't want or need the money. Things are different out here. Can't you feel and see it? Not that any one of us is perfect, but we think differently. I know for myself that I would have felt the same way about you even if I'd known you had two million dollars stashed away. When I first laid eyes on you, I told myself, ‘Now here is a woman of character I want to know better.' And I've not changed my mind. I feel blessed to be interested in a woman like you, Miriam. I do care about you a lot, and I'm grateful that you seem interested in knowing me better too.”

“Oh, Wayne!” Miriam was so relieved that she could hardly talk.

Wayne's hand found hers and squeezed it gently.

She clutched both his hands. She wanted to lean on his
shoulder, but that wouldn't be seemly. She felt the Lord had orchestrated this moment.

“I'm glad you told me,” Wayne said, interrupting her thoughts. “That must have been a great weight on your shoulders to carry alone.”