A Blessing for Miriam (2 page)

But the money hadn’t tainted Miriam like
Daett
claimed money always did. She hadn’t spent it on material goods. That must mean something, didn’t it? The money was sitting in the bank in
Sugarcreek, Ohio, far away from Oklahoma. And the Lord had showered grace upon her life—much more than she deserved. Look how she’d been accepted in the Oklahoma community. She’d even been asked to teach school for this term, and the students’ parents were singing her praises at school gatherings.

Miriam had so much she was thankful for—the Lord, first of all, and Wayne after that. Wayne had loved her before he knew about the millions, and he still loved her afterward. Wayne wasn’t like Ivan Mast back in Possum Valley. There
Daett
had been right about what money did to a person. Ivan had been sweet on her in their teenage years, and she’d anticipated he would ask her home from a hymn singing someday.

Ivan had given every indication he would, and she hadn’t detected any change in his smiles…until the Sunday evening he took the beautiful Laura Swartz home. The Swartz family had moved back to Possum Valley from the community here in Oklahoma, but Miriam hadn’t paid the new family much attention. How could she have been so blind? And how could her heart have become entangled with a man who would drop her at a whim? On top of that, he had sought to renew their relationship after Mr. Bland left her his farm. Ivan had arrived at the Yoder home with professions of renewed love and affection.

How could the man think she wouldn’t see through that? To make matters worse, he’d done so
while
still dating Laura! Ivan claimed the inherited farm made little difference, but that wasn’t true. Miriam rejected his advances. Soon after that, she traveled to the Oklahoma community with Shirley to help Aunt Fannie with her baby’s arrival. Both Miriam and Shirley needed this fresh start. Shirley was trying to fight the temptation to be with Jonas Beachy, and Miriam was trying to recover from Ivan’s betrayal.

The Lord had blessed the move, and soon after their arrival baby Jonathon had been born to Aunt Fannie and Uncle William.
The baby was now a happy, chubby boy. Even now Miriam could hear his cooing downstairs. He was, no doubt, ready for bed. Miriam smiled at the sound. Babies were surely one of the Lord’s great blessings to the world. They came as a reminder of all that was sweet and innocent. Would she and Wayne have children? Miriam’s neck and face flushed at the thought. She shouldn’t think of such things, even though she was promised to Wayne. But she did love the man, and he would make a
wunderbah
father—if the Lord chose to give them children. Miriam knew married life wasn’t always smooth, but she was confident the Lord would continue to supply grace for whatever might lie ahead of them after their wedding. Hadn’t He done so up until now?

Miriam flopped on the bed. Why did she think of trouble that might lie ahead? Had the letter from
Mamm
affected her? Miriam sighed.
Yah
, in part, though her heart had already been troubled about something else. Esther Swartz from Possum Valley had appeared in the Oklahoma community this past month. She was Laura’s older sister, and all the memories of how Ivan had betrayed Miriam came alive again. She had no reason to dislike Esther. She seemed like a kind and compassionate person—even if she was Laura’s sister and just as beautiful.

And Miriam shouldn’t blame Laura for the problems back home anyway. That trouble was with Ivan Mast. The Swartz girls had a
gut
reputation in Possum Valley, and Esther had come to Oklahoma to care for her elderly grandmother, Mabel. Who could fault a girl on such an errand? Aunt Fannie had said tonight at the supper table, “The Swartz family sure is appreciating what Esther does for her grandmother. I guess the Lord sends the help we all need when we need it.”

The Lord would also help her, Miriam assured herself, because she needed help. She knew that Esther had a past with Wayne from when her family lived here before their move to Possum Valley. She
could also tell from the way Esther acted that she still had feelings for him. Miriam hated thinking such thoughts, so she told herself that she was mistaken. Esther might smile in Wayne’s direction, but she sent smiles to all the unmarried men.

Miriam played with the edges of the letter as her thoughts whirled. She hadn’t dared bring up the subject with Wayne. She wanted to ask him why he was clearly returning Esther’s shy smiles, but Wayne would think he was promised to a jealous woman. He’d claim he was fond of Esther like everyone else. She could hear him say the words even now. And why shouldn’t she believe him? The Oklahoma Amish community was known for its friendliness. Wayne’s love for her was a sealed matter, and she should trust him. He had begun to speak lately of their plans for the future, including what they would do with her two million dollars. Nothing was sure yet, but Wayne had his eye on a farm north of the community where they raised cattle. He’d even driven her past the place once so she could see for herself.

“With the two million,” Wayne had told her, “we can start up after the wedding without the crushing debt load many young couples are under. Give the farm in Possum Valley to your parents,” Wayne had decreed with a grin. “You want to stay here anyway.”

And she did! His generosity warmed her heart. But what if Wayne’s feelings for her were now influenced by his plans? Hadn’t Ivan’s affections turned because of her inheritance? What if Wayne wanted to return Esther’s attentions, but he couldn’t bring himself to give up the hope of owning a huge cattle farm? Miriam groaned out loud. “What a horrible thought! Wayne wouldn’t do something like that. He loves me for my own sake,” she said out loud. Then she waited, as if expecting the bare walls to answer. There was only silence. To ease her mind, she would speak with Aunt Fannie tonight—even if that included the revelation of her secret money.

Miriam left
Mamm
’s letter on the quilt and quietly walked downstairs. Aunt Fannie and Uncle William were in the living room. There was no sign of baby Jonathon except for his blanket, which lay askew in front of the stove. Aunt Fannie glanced up with a weary look on her face.

“Did you get the little fellow off to bed?” Miriam asked with a smile.

Aunt Fannie smiled back. “
Yah
, he’s settled in for the night. Does your
mamm
’s letter say anything about baby Anna?”

Miriam frowned. “I haven’t gotten that far. I…” She let the thought hang.

Concern crossed Aunt Fannie’s face. “Is something wrong at home?”

Miriam took a deep breath. “Nothing more than the usual. Shirley’s out with Jonas Beachy again. Could we…?” Miriam motioned toward the kitchen with her head.

“Sure.” Aunt Fannie rose at once.

Uncle William wrinkled his face. “You mean I don’t get in on the juicy news?”

Aunt Fannie paused to squeeze his arm. “I’ll keep you up-to-date, dear—if you need to know.”

Uncle William laughed. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

“Ignore him.” Aunt Fannie took Miriam’s arm and led her toward the kitchen. “He’s only teasing.”

Miriam gave Uncle William a quick, conciliatory smile over her shoulder just in case he was offended, but his attention had already returned to the weekly
Budget
. She knew he did care. The love and concern from both of them warmed her heart. How blessed she was to have such a mature and caring family at her beck and call when
Mamm
and
Daett
weren’t around.

Aunt Fannie motioned toward a kitchen chair. “Sit and tell me what’s troubling you.”

Miriam groaned a little. “That may take a while, and it’s already late.”

“We have all night—if it’s that serious.” Aunt Fannie studied Miriam’s face. “Was there awful news in the letter?”

Miriam shook her head. “It’s me. I think I’m the root of the problem…maybe…at least a little…but I don’t know for sure.”

“You’re not making much sense, dear.” Aunt Fannie stroked Miriam’s hand. “Has something happened at school?”

Miriam tried again. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I…I have a secret. In fact…” Miriam half rose from the chair, “perhaps I should get the bank statement for you so you can see what’s going on for yourself.”

Aunt Fannie patted Miriam’s arm. “You’re still not making sense. Are you saying you have money problems? I’m not sure I can believe that. Your salary from the school is plenty, and you don’t spend hardly anything—at least not that I can see. I mean, you’re never in town, and you’re a decent girl with
gut
spending habits.”

Miriam looked away. “I’m not a decent girl. I have a huge secret that even
Mamm
and
Daett
don’t know about.”

Aunt Fannie’s eyes widened. “Miriam? Really? Have you and Wayne been indecent?” Aunt Fannie stood. “I think I’d better get Uncle William.”

“It’s not that!” Miriam said quickly. She took in a huge breath and blurted, “I have two million dollars in my bank account.”

Aunt Fannie froze. “Now I
am
getting Uncle William.”

Her footsteps faded as Miriam buried her face in her hands. The confession in front of Uncle William wouldn’t be quite as painful now that she’d told her aunt. Hopefully they would speak words that would ease her struggle.

Chapter Two

M
iriam sat on the kitchen chair listening to the low murmur of her uncle and aunt as they talked in the living room. Nervously, she clenched and unclenched her hands. Did Uncle William have harsh things to say that Aunt Fannie didn’t want him to repeat? Did he believe the news? Likely it was the latter. Uncle William would only speak grace into her life.

Miriam looked up when she heard footsteps approach the kitchen. Aunt Fannie entered first, followed by Uncle William. Their faces were grave as they sat down on the chairs on either side of her.

Uncle William cleared his throat. “Miriam, what you’ve told Fannie is…well…quite a surprise, to say the least. Two million dollars? Is that right? Will you tell us about it—starting at the beginning?”

Miriam tried to keep the tremble out of her voice. “I’ve mentioned that I worked for Mr. Amos Bland for two years or so. I was his caretaker—cooking, cleaning, and the like. You know when he
died that he left me his farm. But what very few people know is that Mr. Bland also left me two million dollars.”

“And you’ve kept this a secret until now?” Uncle William asked.

“
Yah.
The only person I’ve told is Wayne. I thought it best to not tell anyone in the family at the time knowing how
Daett
feels about earthly riches.” Miriam squirmed in her chair. “And I’ve mentioned how Ivan Mast acted when he found out I’d inherited a productive, working farm. Imagine what would have happened if he’d known about the money too.”

“Okay, I see. So why are you telling us now?” Uncle William regarded Miriam steadily.

Aunt Fannie interrupted before Miriam could answer. “You really have two million dollars?”

“Would you like to see proof?” Miriam started to stand.

Aunt Fannie waved her back down. “Of course not. I believe you. It’s just so…well, such a shock.”

Uncle William raised his eyebrows. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see this proof.”

Miriam got up and walked up the stairs. Aunt Fannie sputtered something behind her, which she couldn’t understand. Once in her bedroom, Miriam found the latest bank statement in a dresser drawer. With it clutched in her hand, she made her way back downstairs. Surely Uncle William believed her, Miriam told herself. He just wanted to see the proof for himself. A man would want to see proof. Still, she had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Daett
had always said money bred distrust and dishonesty. Perhaps Uncle William felt the same way.

Uncle William and Aunt Fannie looked up as Miriam entered the kitchen. She handed the statement to Uncle William and slipped into her chair.

He stared at the page for a few moments and then let out a long breath. “Well, you do seem to own close to two million dollars.”

“That’s an awful lot of money.” Aunt Fannie’s voice was filled with awe.

“Well, I inherited two million dollars”, Miriam admitted uncomfortably. “I withdrew some when I wasn’t sure the money was real. According to the lawyer, compounded interest will increase the funds substantially. To simplify matters, I just think of it as two million.”