Miriam's Secret (21 page)

“
Yah
, I will,” Shirley promised as she dashed out the door.

“Hi,” Jonas greeted her as he got out and walked around to open the car door for her.

“Hi, yourself!” Shirley said as she climbed in.

Jonas got back into the driver's seat and shut his door.

Even as they pulled away from the house, Shirley began to remove her
kapp
.

Jonas drove out of the lane and sped off, his face beaming.

The joy of the moment was strong even though they both knew this was their last night together for a long time. How alike they were, and yet so far apart.

“Isn't this trip of yours kind of sudden?” Jonas asked, glancing at Shirley.

“
Yah
.” She hesitated, and he seemed to understand.

“Is it because of me?”

Before she could answer, he said, “Never mind. I don't think I really want to know the answer.”

How like Jonas, Shirley thought. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable answering that question. Maybe later in the evening she would broach the tender subject. But if further words on the matter were left unsaid, she would be just as happy.

Jonas glanced at her again, his gaze a tease now.

Shirley laughed and raced her fingers through her hair, knowing it would be a long time before she'd take her hair down in front of a man again. She'd not do it again until she said her marriage vows with a good Amish man. With Jonas the rules seemed different. And this was as it should be, Shirley decided.

Jonas watched as she continued combing her fingers through her hair. “Beautiful,” he said as he reached for her hand and squeezed her fingers before he let go to make a tight curve on the road. “Where to?” he asked once he could take his eyes off the road.

“Anywhere is fine with me.” She gave him a warm smile.

“Come on now,” he teased. “Surely you have some preference?”

“I really don't, Jonas. Remember, I don't know much about your world.”

“Well, then, how about dinner some place close? Like the Good House?”

“Sounds good to me.” Anything sounded good to her right now as long as Jonas was with her.

Jonas looked Shirley's way as he took another curve in the road. “So you're really going to leave Possum Valley? Just like that?”

She nodded. Somehow talk about stars sounded foolish right now, what with his presence so close to her.

“Will I get to see you once in a while?”

Shirley sat up straight. Should she say what she wanted to say?
If you come visit me in Oklahoma.
But,
nee
, that wouldn't be right. She didn't want Jonas out in Oklahoma. She let her silence speak for her and eventually said, “Let's not spoil our last night together. I've really enjoyed being with you, Jonas. I wish this would never end, but it has to. And there's nothing either of us can do about it.”

“Agreed.” Jonas was smiling a bit ruefully. He took his convertible around a few more curves before pulling into a full parking lot. “Looks like we have plenty of company tonight.”

“But I have you,” she said. “You're all the company I care about.”

Jonas grinned as he got out, walked around, and opened her car door. He took her hand and helped her out. They held hands and walked into the restaurant.

After a brief glance at Jonas, a smartly dressed man ushered them to an open table. “Your server will be right with you.”

“Does he know you?” Shirley asked when the man left.

“Maybe.” Jonas shrugged. “I come here often. They have the best crab cakes in the area.”

It must be nice to have people know you, Shirley thought. But that was what happened when one's
daett
had lots of money. Not wanting to follow that line of thought, she changed the subject. “So, what have you been doing with yourself?”

Jonas shrugged. “The usual. Working at Dad's place. I help him out where I can. I grew up around the business, so it's not really that hard. Dad has me doing different jobs to learn the business.”

Shirley smiled. “I've done mostly housework. I've never done outside work like Miriam did taking care of Mr. Bland. That job seemed boring at first, but it turned out more exciting at the end when Mr. Bland left Miriam his farm.”

Jonas's eyes twinkled. “Are you sure that's all Mr. Bland left your sister?”

Shirley glanced at him. “You're teasing, of course.”

He shrugged. “Maybe. I'm not sure. Dad has heard rumors, that's all.”

“Rumors about what?” Now Shirley stared at him.

Jonas looked away. “This could be wrong, of course, but Dad sits on the board of the bank Mr. Bland used, and rumor has it that a fairly large sum of money was also left to your sister.”

Shirley laughed. “Miriam's not said a word about anything but the farm, and she'd be the last person to have secrets. Miriam's like ‘Miss Upright' herself. She would have said something. And believe me, the farm is more than anything we'd ever dream of hoping for. The Yoder family is poor, Jonas. Like really, really poor. And
Daett
seemed to like it that way.”

“Sorry.” He reached over to touch her hand. “I didn't mean to stir up anything, Shirley.”

“Oh, I'm okay.” Shirley took a deep breath.

Their waitress appeared. “Good evening, Mr. Beachy. Glad to see you again.”

Jonas smiled up at her and gave her his order.

Shirley noticed he hadn't even opened the menu, so she wouldn't either. Besides, she didn't know one thing from another in these fancy places. “I'll have the same,” she said. “I like what he likes.”

The waitress left.

Silence fell between Shirley and Jonas until he finally said, “Thinking mighty deep thoughts there?”

“Not deep, no,” Shirley said. “Deep thoughts would be Miriam, not me.”

His hand reached across the table and touched hers briefly. “I wasn't trying to put you on the spot. I like to hear what you think, that's all.”

“Probably not this time. I think I'm getting just a little bit sad.”

“You know I'll miss you, Shirley,” he said, squeezing her hand. “I wish things could have turned out differently. But I understand…I guess.”

“I think we both understand that we couldn't ever be…” Shirley took a deep breath and forced the words out. “I'd love it if we could be a couple forever, Jonas. If only we weren't from such different worlds. If only it wasn't so…so…” Shirley sighed. “I think this trip to Oklahoma is for the best, even if it wasn't my idea.”

His eyes met hers as he teased, “You never know. I might go to Oklahoma on business sometime.”

A smile played on her face. “I will be back, you know. My plans for the future aren't definite, but I won't be gone forever.”

He squeezed her hand again. “Tomorrow isn't definite. Nothing is but God. You have been a joy, Shirley. I'll never forget you.”

She felt tears forming. “You know I feel the same way, Jonas.”

The waitress interrupted them by bringing their salads, but Jonas's hand lingered for another moment on Shirley's.

Shirley smiled at the certainty of a goodbye kiss when Jonas took her home. They would have to stop along the road before they arrived home because a long pause sitting in Jonas's convertible in the driveway would more than likely bring
Daett
out to investigate. Stopping before they arrived at her house, she'd linger within his arms. The memory of their short time together would be all the more precious as they said farewell. It could neither be added to nor taken away from forever. One thing was for sure—she would never forget Jonas.

Chapter Twenty-One

M
iriam took in the open stretch of grassland outside the bus window. The driver had called out the name of the small town moments before. “Antlers,” he'd said. A very western name, Miriam thought. And appropriate to the area. They had now left the last of the town's houses behind. She glanced over at Shirley, who was shifting on the seat beside her trying to doze off again. She clearly wasn't interested in the passing landscape.

It wouldn't be long now until the driver announced their destination: Coalgate, Oklahoma. Aunt Fannie and Uncle William's home was just outside the small town of Clarita, but the bus didn't stop there. Miriam glanced through the window again and wondered if much would change for them. Shirley would be happy whatever the countryside looked like. She likely had other things on her mind—like Jonas Beachy and their last evening together.

Shirley had been beaming when Jonas dropped her off at
home on that last evening. Up in their bedroom, Shirley and Miriam had talked. Shirley had let out a long sigh and looked rapturously at the ceiling. “What a
wunderbah
man—but one I can't have. But his kisses, Miriam. Oh, it's like heaven has come down to the earth!”

“All I can say to that is I think it's a good thing we're leaving tomorrow,” Miriam had muttered. “It's high time we got you out of here.”

Shirley had laughed but then turned serious. “Jonas said you might have been given some money by Mr. Bland. He's heard some rumors. His
daett
sits on the bank board.”

Miriam deflected the question. “The farm alone was plenty generous of Mr. Bland, don't you think?”

Shirley had shrugged and said, “
Yah
, that's what I thought.”

Miriam had breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't lied, nor had she been forced to admit the truth. Obviously Jonas was only repeating rumors and didn't have anything to substantiate it. The very thought though had turned her face pale. How had Jonas's
daett
come across even a rumor of the inheritance? The lawyer and Rose had assured her that any money in a bank account was a closely kept secret. If Jonas's father had heard about the money and shared the knowledge with his family, how long before someone else would find out? What if Ivan heard about it? He worked at the Beachy's business. Then his eagerness to pursue her hand in marriage would really skyrocket. It was
gut
of the Lord to provide a way of escape for her. She and Shirley might have to work hard for a while as they adjusted to the Clarita community, but they would succeed.

Miriam leaned back. Would Ivan follow her out to Oklahoma? She couldn't imagine that he would. She'd given him no encouragement that she would welcome further attention from
him. Shouldn't her sudden departure be enough of an answer to his overtures? Surely the man would get the message! And she could look forward to a fresh start out here on these grassy plains without any hassles or temptations from Ivan. Miriam sighed. Why was her heart so weak when it came to that man? She should have been able to distance herself from his charms without the drastic measure of a long-distance trip to Oklahoma. Well, no matter. The Lord must understand. Hadn't He helped out with these plans?

And this was for the best, Miriam told herself. For Shirley and for herself. Aunt Fannie had written about how much they enjoyed the community, so no doubt she would also enjoy Clarita. She already liked the change in landscape. The wind here could blow for miles across the grass with nothing to slow it down. Aunt Fannie had also written about how friendly the people were. There weren't that many Amish who lived here compared to Possum Valley. That made for closeness, Aunt Fannie had written. “We have few secrets among the community people.”

Miriam stared out of the window. How then would her secret be safe here? She sat up straighter. The inheritance money
had
to remain a secret. She would need to keep her mouth shut that was for sure. Not one word to anyone. Not even to Aunt Fannie, especially because she hadn't told
Mamm
and
Daett
back home. Another thought raced through Miriam's mind. What if there was a man in the community who showed an interest in her? Would she be able to trust him? She was wary after Ivan's deception. The communities at Clarita and Possum Valley were closely connected, so news usually traveled freely between the two. How would a man act if he found out about the two million dollars? It was bad enough when people just knew about the farm.
Nee
,
she must say nothing about the money. Nor could she trust herself to a man until she knew for sure he would love her for herself and not for what came with her. There wouldn't be another Ivan Mast in her life. Not again. But, of course, first there had to be a man who would show interest in her, and that might not even happen. Miriam glanced over at Shirley. If there were any available men in the Clarita community, they would certainly go for Shirley's
gut
looks instead of Miriam's plainness. Hadn't Ivan proven that point? Laura Swartz was
gut
looking like Shirley, and Laura had been Ivan's first choice, regardless of what he said.