A Blessing for Miriam (31 page)

Aunt Fannie’s smile was strained. “The Lord was with us, and our lives were spared. All that was lost was our business—our greenhouse. We will rebuild if the Lord allows.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the man said. “Thanks for coming out even with your own losses.”

“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Aunt Fannie said.

Fifteen minutes later Miriam watched the man leave as she dipped the last of the mashed potatoes from one of the bowls. She added a dash of gravy to the plate and closed the lid. Their supper had helped, but greater things were on people’s minds tonight than food. Uncle William had been right. When lives are at risk, all else dims in comparison.

Miriam stepped out of the tent to take a look out over the town’s horizon. The bright lights had moved further south, so the search of the north side of town must have concluded. Uncle William and Deacon Phillips were out there somewhere. Had Wayne arrived too? He would have come if he could. She hoped the Yutzy farm hadn’t suffered too much damage. She figured Wayne was safe or she would have felt it in her heart. She trusted the Lord had watched over them as He had the Byler household.

Miriam took another look at the lights over the town before she slipped back into the tent. The food line had grown longer. She hurried back to the trailer for more food to prepare. At least she was of use tonight. That was a comfort to her heart.

Chapter Thirty-One

T
he morning sun had just risen above the horizon when Miriam peeked out her bedroom window. Even in the shadows of the dawn the destruction from the tornado was obvious. The heartache from last night returned with a vengeance. There would be no school today, and many in town would be in sorrow over the passing of their loved ones. The damage to hearts would take time to repair, and plenty of money would be needed to rebuild the destroyed properties. She would have to trust the Lord again this morning. She sent a quick prayer upward. “Help us all, dear Lord, and be with those who suffered the loss of loved ones last night. I know I can’t begin to understand their pain, but You can.” Miriam hesitated as that sober thought filled her. “Be with the hurting families,” she whispered as she dressed.

She hadn’t seen Wayne in town, but no doubt he’d been helping out someone…if his parents’ place didn’t need work. Today he’d probably stop by to check on her and to let her know how
he’d fared. She figured he’d probably heard that the greenhouse had been destroyed.

Aunt Fannie was already in the kitchen, she was sure. Her aunt usually would have awakened her, but Aunt Fannie probably thought she needed the sleep after their late night. They hadn’t gotten back to the house until after two o’clock in the morning. Even then sleep hadn’t come easily for Miriam. The extent of the tragedy had weighed too heavily on her spirit.

Miriam paused by the bedroom window as the clip-clops of hooves sounded in the still, morning air. She strained her eyes to catch the faint outline of a buggy in the distance. Was it Wayne? She studied the buggy as it approached. The familiar gait of the horse caught her attention first. It wasn’t Wayne’s horse, it was Deacon Phillips’s. She couldn’t be mistaken. Had the deacon come to help Uncle William clean up his property? At this time of the morning after such a late night? Probably not. He must have come with other news from the community. Miriam’s heart pounded at the thought. She hurried down the stairs. As she’d surmised, Aunt Fannie was busy in the kitchen.

“You should have called me,” Miriam scolded gently.

Aunt Fannie smiled wearily. “There’ll be plenty to do today, don’t worry.”

“The deacon’s here,” Miriam said. “He must have news.”

Aunt Fannie shook her head. “Deacon Phillips is probably checking up on us. Even with what we told him last night, he would wish to check in, especially with the loss of the greenhouse. William’s outside already. They can talk, and we’ll hear later if there’s anything we need to know.”

“I suppose so,” Miriam allowed as she set out the breakfast plates. Deacon Phillips must be deep in conversation with Uncle William. Maybe Aunt Fannie was right, and the deacon wanted nothing more than to check up on their well-being. That wouldn’t be out
of character for him. Both the deacon and his wife, Katie, had gentle hearts, and the duty of a deacon was to care for the community’s people. Miriam’s face fell as her thoughts turned to the destruction that lay just outside the house. Uncle William and Aunt Fannie’s greenhouse was gone. Their livelihood was gone. Her aunt and uncle would struggle to make ends meet and rebuild. And there might not be as much help available from the community with other homes and barns damaged. Miriam glanced at her aunt. “I’m sorry about the greenhouse. I’d almost forgotten for a moment.”

Aunt Fannie’s glance was grim. “It was a tragedy, but we’ll come through. We always do.”

Miriam stopped in the middle of the kitchen floor as the thought raced through her mind. Why hadn’t she thought of this before? The money! She could spend some of her money to help her aunt and uncle. Wayne and she wouldn’t need all of the money to purchase the cattle farm. The rest could go to help with the storm damage. Wayne would agree, wouldn’t he? How could he object? He said the money didn’t matter to him in the first place.

Aunt Fannie was staring at Miriam when she came out of her daze. “The money! I can give you and Uncle William enough money to help rebuild the greenhouse. Then I can help other people too if they need it.”

“What money?” Aunt Fannie asked, puzzled.

“The two million dollars.”

Comprehension dawned on Aunt Fannie’s face, which was quickly followed by doubt. “You can’t do that. We can’t take your money.”

Miriam clasped her hands tightly. “After I help you and Uncle William, I can give some funds to Deacon Phillips to divide up for anyone else that needs help in the community. And if he needs help figuring it out, the other ministers can assist. Wayne will have no objections, I’m sure.”

Aunt Fannie didn’t look convinced. “You should still speak to him first.”

Miriam paused. “I will, but he won’t object.” Joy filled her heart. “Wayne and I planned to use the money to buy a cattle farm, but there will be a lot leftover. We can use that to help people hurt by this tornado.”

Aunt Fannie continued with her work. “That’s an awful lot of money to let go of. An awful lot.”

“I know, but it’s for the best. Wayne will be right with me on that.” Relief swept over Miriam.

“You’re a brave woman to let go of that security,” Aunt Fannie said. “But it would be a helpful decision. That much I do admit.”

The clink of pots and pans filled the kitchen for the next few minutes. Aunt Fannie finally said, “I think we’re ready. Call Uncle William. If Deacon Phillips is still here, call him too. He’s welcome to our table.”

Miriam moved toward the front door. Should she tell Deacon Phillips her plan right now before she discussed it with Wayne? Surely Wayne would join her in rejoicing that the funds would be put to such
gut
use. Perhaps this was even why the Lord had allowed her to receive the money in the first place!

Miriam opened the door and stepped out on the porch. Deacon Phillips and Uncle William were standing beside the buggy with bowed heads. Miriam stopped short. Deacon Phillips must have brought sad news. How else could the sorrow on their faces be explained? They looked up and both of them turned her way for a moment. Then they bowed their heads again.

Whatever news Deacon Phillips brought must be born with faith and hope in the Lord. This she knew, but the weight from tragedy again pressed hard on her shoulders. Miriam sagged and sat on the porch.

Uncle William took a step toward her, followed by Deacon Phillips. The two men stopped in front of her.

Miriam looked up. “You’d best tell me.” Miriam’s voice cracked. “I know something terrible has happened by the looks on your faces.”

Deacon Phillips cleared his throat. “I wish I were not the one to bring you such news, Miriam.”

“Please tell me.” Miriam searched the deacon’s face.

“The Yutzy place was hit hard, Miriam. As you know, only Wayne and Joy were at home. They were found this morning. Their
Englisha
neighbors went over and discovered their bodies several hundred yards from the house. Wayne was still alive, but he passed to the next life on the ride to the hospital in the ambulance. Joy was already gone when they found her.” Deacon Phillips paused for a moment. “I am so sorry, Miriam. My heart is too broken for words, and yet I had to come to tell you.”

“You did no wrong.” Miriam’s head and heart were spinning as she clutched the edge of the step for balance. “He’s gone? Wayne is gone?” Miriam sobbed. She tried to collect herself. “They must have been trying to bring in the horses.”

“No one will ever know what happened, Miriam.” Deacon Phillips hesitated. “You must not trouble yourself with the whys of this tragedy.”

“He is right,” Uncle William said. Then he walked past Miriam and went into the house.

The deacon cleared his throat several times as Miriam’s sobs increased. He finally reached out and touched her hand.

Miriam let go of the step and grasped his hand. They were in this awkward position when Aunt Fannie ran through the front doorway and wrapped Miriam in her arms.

“He’s gone,” Miriam wailed. “He’s gone, Aunt Fannie!”

“I’m so sorry.” Aunt Fannie held Miriam tightly. “Oh, you poor dear.”

Miriam took a deep breath. “I want to go see him. I want to go to him right now.”

“You can’t,” Deacon Phillip protested.

“Why not?” Miriam searched the deacon’s face again.

Deacon Phillips stared at the ground before finally looking up. “Miriam, the funeral will be closed caskets for both of them. They were severely injured in the storm. Do not see him like this. You want to remember him as you do now. The Lord has done what He thought best, and we won’t always be able to understand.”

“
I will see Wayne
.” Miriam stood. She placed a trembling hand on Aunt Fannie’s shoulder. “I was promised to him.”

“She shouldn’t do this, William.” Deacon Phillips glanced at Uncle William for support.

Uncle William shrugged. “You are the deacon, but if Miriam wishes, I won’t disallow it.”

“I agree,” Aunt Fannie said.

Deacon Phillips hesitated before he said, “The bodies were taken to a mortuary in Coalgate. They’ll probably be taken to Raymond Yutzy’s house. That is where the funeral will be held. Wayne and Joy’s parents are on their way back from Possum Valley this morning. Your parents are coming with them, Miriam. They will be driving straight through the night, I’m thinking. The van driver will have to sleep sometime, but they should be here in less than forty-eight hours.”

Uncle William nodded.

Silence fell over the four of them. Miriam’s sobs had ceased, though her heart still screamed. Numbness was creeping through her body. How could this be? How could the Lord have taken Wayne? After all they’d been through? The man who had loved her despite her faults. The man who didn’t care that she’d inherited a farm and money. Despair rose in her throat, and this time Miriam couldn’t hold it back. The mournful sound traveled across the lawn and over the mangled forms of the timber that had once been Uncle William’s greenhouse. It could be rebuilt, but Wayne’s torn body would never be repaired. Miriam sobbed and allowed her body to sag. Aunt Fannie caught her before she hit the floor.

Deacon Phillips and Uncle William waited until she had calmed before they turned to walk toward the deacon’s buggy. Aunt Fannie sat down on the porch and gently rocked Miriam in her arms as if she were baby Jonathon. Miriam didn’t object as the now-quiet sobs moved through her body in slow convulsions. Deeper emotions than she could express tore at her spirit. Wayne was gone. This she would never understand or comprehend. Why had the Lord done this to her? Had she sinned?

Aunt Fannie seemed to read her thoughts. She whispered in Miriam’s ear, “This is not a time for condemnation or judgment, dear. Remember what William said last night.”

Miriam remained silent, but Aunt Fannie’s words did bring some relief. If Miriam searched her heart and heaped on blame on top of everything else this morning, she would go mad. Then a thought niggled at Miriam. She waited for a few moments getting used to the idea. “
Mamm
never got to see Wayne like he was—alive, vibrant, loving. I’m glad in a way, I guess, about the closed casket. I wouldn’t want
Mamm
to see him in any other way.”