Miriam's Secret (38 page)

“
Yah
, it was.” Her voice was a whisper. How perceptive of him to see her heart and need so plainly. “I thought at times you'd leave once you knew I had so much. Even though my heart told me it wouldn't matter to you, my fear kept reminding me that it might.”

“Why, Miriam?” His hand tightened on hers. “I'd never think less of you, Miriam. Not for something like that. I mean, what's money?”

“Maybe it does signify too much to me,” Miriam confessed. “For as long as I can remember
Daett
told us about the evils of money—how it corrupts and the power it holds over people. I guess I was afraid more than anything else. An experience back home has left me a bit…confused about how to handle all of this.”

She decided that was all she needed to tell Wayne about Ivan at this point. One confession was enough for tonight. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now Ivan's fake attention felt cheesy and out of place. She wouldn't even honor him with a mention. And what she used to feel for Ivan—or imagined she felt for him—seemed small and insignificant compared to her feelings for Wayne. The moonlight and the relief from sharing her secret was probably accentuating her feelings, but they were real enough in their own right.

Miriam knew now she could trust Wayne with her heart. He would know what needed to be done—if and when they said the wedding vows together. Her heart beat faster at the thought, but
her fingers slipped from his grasp when a new one took its place. “Do you think I need to share this news with someone else right away?” She glanced up at him.

Wayne didn't hesitate. “I don't think that would be the Lord's will. He's given
you
the money to handle. And I'd say you've shown yourself worthy of the task. So there's no reason to create a problem or give fodder for rumors. Not that there is anything to be ashamed of, but your
daett
was correct on one point. Money can do strange things to people.”

“But it won't change us?”

In the moonlight his smile was genuine. “We'll have to pray that it doesn't. And we can ask for the Lord's grace each and every day.”

“Thank you, Wayne,” Miriam whispered. If he'd given her wild assurances that nothing would change, she would have doubted him—but he hadn't. She smiled. “Now, I'd best entertain you inside the house before you starve to death. Let's go in.”

Wayne chuckled. “I was about ready to think I'd never get to eat pie tonight.”

Miriam took a quick step forward. “Come inside then!”

His hand found hers. “Miriam, I was teasing, but pie does sound good.”

She clung to his hand on the short walk. They let go only when they reached the front door. Her heart right now could barely be contained. Floods of relief and joy, happiness and love were rushing through her. She thought she might be in danger of floating away for all the
wunderbah
emotions she was experiencing. And Wayne must be feeling some of the same things because his face was glowing!

She left him seated on the living room couch while she went into the kitchen. Minutes later she returned with two bowls of
homemade vanilla ice cream on two slices of cherry pie, the delicious fruit oozing out the sides exactly like cherry pie was supposed to. Wayne took all of it in and smiled his approval. “It looks like you're quite some cook.”

“How do you know I made it?” she teased.

His smile didn't dim. “Because I know you.”

“Sounds like you have me all figured out.” Miriam sat beside him and offered a silent prayer: “Thank You, dear Lord. Just thank You.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

M
iriam set a brisk pace as she walked toward the community's little one-room schoolhouse. The sun had barely peeked above the horizon, and the cool morning air hung low to the ground. What a
wunderbah
day this Saturday was! The morning felt fashioned just for her and this blessed time in her life. She was so unworthy of all the Lord was bestowing on her.

Ezra Mullet's niece, Sarah, had shown her the schoolhouse on Wednesday. And Miriam now had a special dress—a dark-blue one she'd finished last week—for the opening day of school hanging in her closet at home. Her thoughts should be on focused on schoolbooks and lesson plans, Miriam reminded herself, but this morning Wayne was the brightest thing on her mind. Thoughts of him crept in everywhere she went. They'd had two official dates now, and she'd seen glimpses of him all week at the greenhouse. During work hours they'd spoken only briefly—mostly “
gut
mornings” shared with warm smiles. Wayne had stayed true
to his word these past two weeks and hadn't once brought up the matter of the inheritance.

It was still hard not to doubt the man at times—the possibility that he really was like he said he was so boggled her mind. And yet it seemed to be true. Wayne wasn't influenced in any way by her wealth, and his attitude fit perfectly with his
wunderbah
character. Thoughts of him towered over her head like Mount Everest in those stories of faraway lands she enjoyed. She had to admit that Wayne loved her for herself, even though she found it hard to believe.

The memory of Wayne's words from last Sunday evening stirred in her mind. “I really want to make it clear, Miriam, how blessed I am that the Lord has brought you into my life. I mean, what were the chances that you'd find your way out to Oklahoma from Possum Valley? And that you'd like it here once you arrived?” His smile had lit up his whole face. She hadn't known what to say so she'd murmured something that she couldn't remember now.

She'd accept all this eventually, Miriam told herself. Wayne was no Ivan Mast. She mustn't allow the negative character of one man to color her perceptions of all the others who touched her life.

Sunday evening she'd wanted desperately to give Wayne a kiss. That was a thought that took her breath away. Why had such a desire risen up inside of her? Never had she felt that way with Ivan, even with all the smiles and glances they'd shared.

Miriam turned onto the side road leading to the schoolhouse and began to walk even faster. She must not think about kissing Wayne. With his quality character, he probably wouldn't kiss her until after they'd said wedding vows. And here she was with thoughts of her wedding this morning when they'd only had two
dates! They would have another one tomorrow evening, but that was still only three. Miriam slowed her quick steps. Just because Wayne was the perfect man didn't mean she should think of kisses and saying wedding vows with him without due consideration.

She knew Shirley had kissed a man—Jonas. But Miriam wouldn't cheapen her relationship with Wayne by giving in to hasty kisses. She would enjoy each step of the way, savoring each moment. Things would progress fast enough.

Miriam slowed down even more as she approached the front door. She entered the schoolhouse and paused for a moment to catch her breath. Her gaze took in the high ceiling, the rows of desks, and the smell of books and ink. This was her schoolhouse for the term. The community's children would be entrusted to her care. What a great honor this was, and one she hadn't looked for or even expected in her wildest dreams. What a
wunderbah
work the Lord had done for her—not only in Wayne's heart, but in the community as well. Coming to Oklahoma had certainly been the right choice for her. It was true that things were always the darkest before dawn. She would have to remember that in the future when trouble knocked on her door.

Miriam frowned as she thought of Shirley. There had been no letter or any news beyond a brief call to the phone shack to let them know Shirley had arrived safely home. No doubt Shirley was still struggling to find her place in life. She was probably still disappointed she hadn't found her happiness in Oklahoma.

Miriam stared out one of the schoolhouse windows. Was Shirley back with Jonas? The question had come to her last night, but she'd pushed it away. Shirley knew better than to give in to that temptation. Hadn't she said emphatically that she knew Jonas wasn't the right man for her? Hadn't she made a serious effort to change the course of her life?
Yah
, Shirley had. Perhaps
those attempts wouldn't all be in vain. But how easily one could slip back into the old ways. Shirley had always struggled to keep her promises, even though she usually had the best of intentions.

A rattle of buggy wheels interrupted Miriam's thoughts. She walked to the window, pushed aside the drapes, and peered into the yard. She exhaled suddenly when she saw Wayne climbing out of his buggy. She heard his clear voice calling to his horse, “Steady, boy. Stay right here.”

The reins hung straight down as Wayne walked toward the schoolhouse door with sure steps.

Why was he here? Miriam wondered. Surely, there wasn't trouble at Uncle William and Aunt Fannie's place. And how did Wayne even know she was here? He was supposed to be at work getting ready for another busy Saturday morning.

His knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She rushed forward, watching Wayne's face as he peered through the door window. Miriam paused to catch her breath before she opened the door.

“I figured you'd be here.” A smile lit up Wayne's handsome features.

“Surely there's nothing wrong?” Miriam clung to the doorknob.

“
Nee
.” He glanced at her white knuckles. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.”

Miriam heaved a sigh of relief. “I'm glad everything is okay. I wasn't expecting you, so I wasn't sure what to think.”

“I won't stay long,” he said. “May I come in?”

Miriam opened the door wider. “Of course!”

Wayne entered and glanced around. “You have quite a responsibility here—molding the minds of the community's young children. I'd swoon if I had to do this.”

“You wouldn't!” Miriam giggled. “I'm sure you'd be much better at this than I will be.”

“Don't underestimate yourself.” His smile was warm. “May I sit at one of the desks?”

He's so cute, Miriam thought as she watched Wayne squeeze his lengthy frame on the small bench behind a desk that was looking smaller and smaller. His legs stuck out into the aisle. Miriam laughed.

Wayne gave her a mock glare. “Is that the proper attitude for a teacher to show one of her students?”

“You're not a student,” Miriam corrected and laughed even louder. She slid into the desk chair next to him.

Wayne looked approvingly her way. “Now that's how a teacher should act.”

Miriam let the moment wash over her. She felt almost giddy—something that seemed more like Shirley than her. It was a delicious feeling all the same.

“Ah, the times of a youngster.” Wayne leaned back as much as he could in the little school seat. “So innocent and with the entire world in front of you. How great those days were.”

“You make it sound like you're absolutely ancient,” Miriam chided.

He grinned. “Old and withered before my time. That's me and mine.”

“Don't include me in the old part!” Miriam teasingly snapped at him. She felt goose bumps come as his gaze settled on her.

Nervous now, Miriam stood and was about to say something when a pile of books on the front desk toppled to the floor. She rushed to retrieve them, but Wayne stopped her with an upraised hand.

“Allow me, please.” He unwrapped himself from the desk.

“I'm such a klutz!” Miriam's words came out a shriek.

His look said everything she needed to hear.
No you're not. I understand why you acted like that, and I love it
.

Her knees were weak, so Miriam sank back into another chair so she wouldn't fall into a heap on the schoolhouse floor.

After Wayne picked up the last book and placed it back on the desk, he said, “I think I'd better get to work.”

Miriam rose and followed him to the door.

Wayne turned back, gave her hand a quick squeeze, and then turned and headed to his buggy.

Miriam watched him go as her heart pounded. The place on her arm where he'd touched her seemed deliciously warm and stayed that way long after Wayne's buggy was out of sight. It took a few minutes for her to get down to business. What a
wunderbah
surprise, Wayne's visit. They were two people in love…