A Blessing for Miriam (35 page)

“I’m glad you’ve made this choice, Miriam.”
Daett
had partially turned around to speak as Uncle William drove out of the lane and south on Highway 48.

“Wayne would want this too,” she responded.

Daett
didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he chided, “You must never again come close to money, Miriam. Never! It corrupts the soul and everything it touches. I’m going to get rid of that farm
Mr. Bland gave you once you get home. I believe I’ve been corrupted myself by all this.”

Miriam clasped her hands together in desperation. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,
Daett
. We need the income. You can’t sell the farm on your own anyway. It’s set up as a trust for the family.”

Daett
regarded Miriam with a troubled look. “That it is, but I can no longer excuse the situation on technicalities. You must sell the place, Miriam, and give the money to those who are in desperate need. There’s a Haiti mission near Berlin that can place the funds to
gut
use if you have no other thoughts.”

“But our family…” she tried again.

“We must trust the Lord.”
Daett
’s face was resolute.

“Mr. Bland did nothing wrong by leaving me the money,” Miriam protested.

“Perhaps not.”
Daett
studied Miriam for a moment. “But look at all that has happened to you.”
Daett
waved his hand about. “And there’s the matter of Ivan Mast. Once we’ve taken care of the money and farm problems, I’ll speak to him once we get back. If he has repented of his love of money, perhaps there can yet come
gut
out of this situation. Perhaps a blessing for you, Miriam. I do not understand the mind of the Lord, but clearly you and Ivan have another chance at a relationship. That might be the way the Lord has opened up for you. Now that Ivan’s
frau
is gone and your Wayne too, Ivan might be a proper husband for you.”

“
Daett
, please!” Miriam objected. Horror gripped her heart. She could not, would not marry Ivan, much less love him!

Daett
ignored Miriam and continued with his lecture. “And with the farm gone, this would further clear up the way between the two of you.”

Miriam gasped. No words would come out. Surely
Daett
didn’t mean what he said! But she knew him well. He did. And nothing she could say would change his mind.
Mamm
would support
Daett
too. A quick glance at
Mamm
’s face was all the confirmation she needed.
Mamm
gave her a kind-but-firm smile. She was in full agreement with
Daett
.
Ivan!
Miriam prayed that Ivan had the good sense to not attempt a renewal of their relationship. That idea was long dead and gone.

Daett
went on as if Miriam hadn’t protested. “I will find out more about Ivan. I’ll ask around about him once we get back. I know he works for the Beachy family. I won’t allow Shirley’s past connection with Jonas to cloud my judgment. A job is a job, and I’ve heard Ivan is a hard worker.”

Miriam struggled to speak. Finally a squeak came out followed by words from her heart. “Please don’t mention Ivan right now,
Daett
. My heart can’t take it.”

Daett
shrugged. “Ignoring the obvious is not the answer, Miriam. After I fully understand your history with Ivan and the money is taken care of, it only makes sense for the two of you to consider saying vows. I know how men think. I’m sure the man must be troubled in his conscience about the matter if it is as you say it is. After I speak with him, I’m sure he will be calling…when the trouble is cleared up between the two of you.”

“I can’t even think about dating someone right now,
Daett
,” Miriam tried again.

“You must not be bitter.”
Daett
’s voice was firm but gentle. “King David wrote, ‘I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor the seed of the Lord begging bread.”

“I don’t feel so righteous.” Tears stung Miriam’s cheeks again.

“But you are laying up treasures in heaven. And you will do that even more with the sale of the farm and the giving of the money to the Lord’s work.” A smile crept across
Daett
’s face.

Uncle William guided Sally into Deacon Phillips’s driveway. He pulled her to a stop and got out to tie the horse to the hitching rail.

Miriam took a deep breath and climbed down from the spring
wagon. She turned to take baby Jonathon from Aunt Fannie.
Mamm
squeezed her hand and offered another kind smile. The two men led the way to the house.

Deacon Phillips opened the front door. “Well, what a surprise! Come in, come in.”

Miriam bit her lower lip as they were shown to seats in the living room.

Katie said, “I think this calls for popcorn!”

Aunt Fannie reached over to touch Katie’s arm. “No, don’t bother. We’re fine. Just come and sit down with us.”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” Katie insisted. “And I have oranges in the basement. Does anyone want orange juice?”

“Then I’ll come help,” Aunt Fannie said, giving in. The two vanished into the kitchen.

Miriam remained seated with
Mamm
beside her. This was the perfect time to spill the news to Deacon Phillips as to why they’d come, Miriam decided. Then everyone could enjoy the rest of the evening the best they could. She’d smile on the outside and weep on the inside, but that couldn’t be helped.

Daett
must have had the same idea because he cleared his throat and said, “I don’t know how best to break this news, but I thought we’d come along to better explain things.”
Daett
glanced at Uncle William, who nodded his agreement.

Deacon Phillips smiled and waited.

“Miriam was given a fairly large inheritance by an
Englisha
man some time ago,”
Daett
said. “A farm first of all…”
Daett
paused, and Deacon Phillips nodded. That was old news to him. “She was also given a large sum of money.”
Daett
added, “Two million dollars, in fact.”

Deacon Phillips leaned forward, a concerned look on his face.

Daett
hurried on. “I myself only learned of this tonight. Miriam kept this matter a secret from us for her own reasons, but she sees
her mistake now. She wishes to give the money to relief efforts in this area to help the community rebuild.”
Daett
cleared his throat again.

“All of it?” Deacon Phillips found his voice. “All two million dollars?”

“
All
of it—two million plus whatever interest has accumulated,”
Daett
told him. “And if you would keep the source of this money quiet, we would really appreciate it.”

“Of course.” Deacon Phillips seemed to struggle to breathe. “That’s a large sum of money. I’ll have to involve the other ministry people for integrity purposes. I won’t have to disclose the source.”

“That would be
gut
,”
Daett
said. “And may I suggest you use the funds to help the community people first and then the
Englisha
?”

“Of course,” Deacon Phillips said.

Sounds of popcorn popping came from the kitchen, and a peaceful silence settled over the living room. Miriam was glad she hadn’t come by herself. Things would not have gone as well without
Daett
and Uncle William taking charge. The still-startled look on Deacon Phillips’s face showed her that plainly enough. The deed was done. She’d cry more tonight over Wayne, but for the spending of the money, she’d shed not one tear.

Chapter Thirty-Four

M
iriam pulled Sally to a stop in the schoolyard on Saturday. For two days this week crews had worked at the site. Lunch could now be served inside for the school picnic. Miriam climbed out of the buggy and unhitched. Others should be here soon, but she’d wanted to arrive early. The basement might still be cluttered by tools and construction debris. The truth was that she wanted a few minutes alone at the schoolhouse before the bustle of the day began. The days behind her weren’t nearly enough to heal from the loss of Wayne, but she’d made a start. Here at the place of so many
gut
memories more of her heart might be comforted. She’d be leaving the Clarita Amish community next week. The decision weighed heavily on her.
Daett
had insisted it was for the best that she come home for a while, and
Mamm
had agreed. What else, then, could Miriam do?

“Possum Valley, here I come again,” Miriam muttered. Great sadness crept over her, but she pushed it away. Deep down she wanted to stay here, but now that seemed impossible.
Mamm
and
Daett
had made it clear enough before they left for Possum Valley.
Daett
was going to speak with Ivan like he’d promised. Miriam frowned. She didn’t want to think about that man. Still, she couldn’t defy
Mamm
and
Daett
, could she? No, she’d go home—at least for the summer.

The thought of returning at the end of summer seemed like a possibility. Unfortunately she hadn’t been invited to teach next year by the school board. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. For all she knew, the board might already have a new teacher lined up. If she came back she could work at the greenhouse. It should be rebuilt by then.

Miriam shook herself. She was going to cry if she didn’t stop these thoughts. With an effort she turned to more pleasant things—memories of the school year, including the games she’d played with the children. Right here little Adam Yoder had pulled a new trick while they played prisoner’s base—rolling several times toward safety. The maneuver had so astonished Verna—one of the eighth-grade girls who had been assigned to guard him—that Adam had arrived untagged.

Miriam smiled. There were also more pleasant memories. That of being called “teacher,” for one. The feeling of belonging, of being needed and appreciated by the students. They had liked her. Miriam let the joy fill her heart.

She entered the newly framed school building. No drywall or insulation was up yet. That would happen this summer before the start of another school term. She imagined the voices of the students when they would again recite their lessons and sing cheerful songs about the glories of God. She could see the light in their eyes as one and then another caught on to the lessons.
Yah,
she would miss this—more than she wanted to admit. That sorrow must also be overcome. She couldn’t expect the school board to rehire her.

Horse hooves beat on pavement, and Miriam moved to the
window. She looked out to see Deacon Phillips and Katie driving up. They were very early. Why would they arrive before everyone else? Did he wish to speak with her in private?

Miriam had been to Coalgate and the bank on Thursday. Then she’d driven over that evening with a cashier’s check for almost two million fifty thousand dollars just as Deacon Phillips had requested. The check was made out to the relief fund that had been created for this purpose. Had she made a mistake? She took a deep breath. She would not assume she’d made an error. If there was a problem, it would be handled. At least Katie was along to soften any criticism. She was one of the kindest people Miriam had ever met.

Miriam waited in the schoolhouse until Deacon Phillips had unhitched his horse. She walked over to meet the two of them at the schoolhouse door.

“Good morning, teacher!” Katie greeted her. “Early on the job, I see.”

Deacon Phillips smiled and nodded his greeting.

“Did I do something wrong with the check?” Miriam blurted out, ignoring her decision to not assume fault.

“Oh no!” Deacon Phillips assured her. “The relief board had nothing but
gut
things to say about such a large donation. They wanted to meet the person and thank him themselves, but I said that wasn’t possible.” Deacon Phillips smiled again. “Of course, I didn’t breathe a word about you. Your secret stays with me. I do want to tell you that I agree totally with your
daett
. You couldn’t have done a wiser thing than laying up treasure in heaven through your gift.”

Miriam blushed and looked away. “Let’s not talk about me. I do hope Uncle William will be given enough for his greenhouse.”

Deacon Phillips didn’t hesitate. “That’s up to the relief board, but I’m sure your uncle will be dealt with fairly because no one knows the source of the money.”