Miriam and the Stranger (21 page)

Miriam sobered as she thought of Mose. She had tried not to think of when she would see him again. His last letter had arrived in Oklahoma and now lay unread in the bottom of her suitcase. She had intended to open the envelope and read the pages on the long bus ride, but she had postponed the moment. Maybe she’d feel able to read the letter now that the joy of home filled her again.

Mrs. Faulkner slowed for the turn off of Highway 39.
Mamm
and Mrs. Faulkner continued the conversation they’d been having.

“
Yah
, Shirley’s been through a lot,”
Mamm
was saying, “but she’s ready to settle down now. Really, she’s been ready for some time, I think.”

“I’ve been praying for your family,” Mrs. Faulkner said. “Charles and I never had any children, so living next door to your family I watched everyone grow up and always hoped that things would turn out well for them all.”

“By the Lord’s grace we’ve made it through some difficult times.”
Mamm
’s smile was grateful. “Thank you so much for your concern.”

“You’re welcome,” Mrs. Faulkner responded. “And thanks for accepting the use of our pole barn for the wedding reception. It’s a great honor for us. Charles and I feel almost like family.”

Mamm
’s smile brightened. “We’re the ones who need to thank you. I don’t know what we would have done otherwise. Perhaps we’ll even have to bother you again soon.”

Mrs. Faulkner glanced over her shoulder and teased. “Oh. Are there any more weddings coming up?”

Mamm
laughed. “We hope so.”

Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “Come on now, Miriam. Your secrets are still secrets with me. You know that.”

“Well,”
Mamm
said, “maybe Miriam should tell the story. She’s more up-to-date than I am. But I do know she came home early for a very important date next Sunday.”

“Oh my…” Mrs. Faulkner cooed. “That’s sounds romantic. Who’s the lucky man?”

“I think I’m the woman who should be happy she has a chance at a husband,” Miriam said.

No joy leaped up in her heart, though. Not like she had felt moments ago on her arrival. Why did Mose do this to her? Only it wasn’t Mose but her own heart that was to blame. Tyler knew how she felt about him. He had enough confidence to show up near the Greyhound bus station to see her off. Aunt Fannie hadn’t noticed him, as Tyler had stayed out of sight a block away and waved as the bus passed. That was the real reason Mose’s letter had remained unread in the bottom of her suitcase on the long trip home.

“Miriam’s just being modest,”
Mamm
said. “Mose Stoll is a real catch, if I must say so myself. My mother’s heart is gladdened. I had begun to think our oldest daughter would be an old maid.”

“I am an old maid,” Miriam said, and
Mamm
and Mrs. Faulkner laughed.

She didn’t join in. If she messed up this relationship with Mose, she would be an old maid forevermore. No Amish man would come close to her with a marriage proposal again. So perhaps it was time she bared her soul to
Mamm
tonight and received some
gut
advice.
Mamm
would know what should be done.

Mrs. Faulkner made another turn, and the old homestead where Miriam had grown up came into sight. Miriam sat up straight and began to wave at Shirley and Naomi, who were standing in the yard waiting for her. Their smiles became even wider as Mrs. Faulkner came to a stop and Miriam dashed out to embrace both of them at once.

“Welcome, Miriam!” the two said together.

“You both look so
gut
,” Miriam gushed. She let go of Naomi to hold Shirley at arm’s length. “Glen must kiss you every time you come into his sight.”

Shirley reddened a little. “He has been more than kind to me. That’s why I’m marrying him.”

“What about me?” Naomi teased. “Don’t I look kissable to a man?”

“Stop it, girls,”
Mamm
ordered. “Here I was bragging about how all of you turned out so well.”

“Kissing is perfectly normal and healthy,” Mrs. Faulkner chuckled. “I can’t say I don’t still like a few from Charles.”

Naomi gave a little shriek. “I can’t wait!”

“This is totally inappropriate, girls,”
Mamm
told them, but a smile played on her face.

“With my wedding just next week,” Shirley reminded her, “talk of kissing is allowed until Glen and I have said the vows. Then life can go back to normal.”

They all laughed, and the girls walked toward the house hand in hand.
Mamm
stayed behind to pay Mrs. Faulkner. Once inside the house, Miriam pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat down.

Shirley paced the floor, chattering away, “Two serving couples—Emil and Lois, and Ronny and Laura—have canceled. They have a conflict with a cousin’s wedding. The cousin contacted them later than I did but lives closer. I can understand that. Travel is expensive, which, by the way, Miriam, thanks for coming early—for coming at all. I know how far away Oklahoma is, but I so wish Aunt Fannie and Uncle William could also have come.”

“They’re both thinking of you,” Miriam assured Shirley. “Of course, I also came early so I can see Mose next Sunday.” Miriam
attempted a smile. Maybe if she acted as though she were deeply in love with Mose, the proper feelings would follow.

Shirley read the look on her sister’s face and said, “I sure hope Glen hasn’t gotten you into something you don’t want. Mose is Glen’s friend and all, but to be honest, Mose always appears so stern. I can’t imagine being wrapped up in his arms for a kiss. He’d probably bite if…” Shirley stopped as Naomi giggled. “Sorry, I forgot you were over there.”

Miriam felt her face color as Naomi’s giggles continued. “Mose has a kind heart!” Miriam declared.

“Have you…” Naomi struggled to get her giggles under control.

Miriam didn’t answer, which was all the answer Naomi needed. “See, Shirley might be right. You should kiss him
before
the vows, just to make sure.”

“You’re pretty young to be dishing out advice,” Miriam retorted. Naomi meant no harm, but the remark still irritated her.

“That’s okay.” Shirley patted Miriam on the arm. “I was just afraid Glen had gotten ahead of himself. But I see you have made up your own mind.”

“Mose might draw the lot for bishop on Sunday.” Miriam lifted her chin a few inches higher. This was so unlike her, but she needed a boost to her ego.

Both of her sisters’ eyes widened. “Wow,” Naomi said. “You’ll get to kiss a bishop after the wedding.”

“Enough about kissing,”
Mamm
said, appearing in the kitchen doorway. “Don’t you girls have anything better to talk about?”

“I’ll get right back to work.” Naomi put on a repentant look and dashed off.

“Phew!”
Mamm
exclaimed as she took a seat at the kitchen table. “Here, you’re home at last, Miriam. I can’t say I believe it myself. It’s been more than two years now since you’ve visited Possum Valley, hasn’t it?”

“
Yah
, at least that long.” Miriam reached over to give her
mamm
a quick hug. “It’s so
gut
to be here.”

Shirley cleared her throat and changed the subject. “What did Mrs. Faulkner want? You were talking with her for some time.”

“She just wanted to talk about the wedding.”
Mamm
smiled. “She’d like to help in some way beyond the use of her pole barn. Do you think we could find something for her to do that wouldn’t offend anyone from the community?”

“She’s our neighbor,” Shirley mused. “People would understand. But we have our own ways, and we can’t stand around explaining things all day, especially if Mrs. Faulkner would like to serve as a cook. That’s about all an older woman can do at an Amish wedding.”

Mamm
sighed. “That’s what I told her. But I promised Mrs. Faulkner she would be welcome to attend both the morning and the evening services. I said we would be greatly honored with her presence.”

“I agree,” Shirley said. “So whatever you think is fine. Now I have work to do upstairs. Talk to you later, Miriam.”

Miriam felt a sense of relief. It was good to see Shirley again, but her being upstairs would give Miriam some time to herself with
Mamm.

With the kitchen now empty, Miriam took her chance. “
Mamm
, I need your advice.”

Mamm
turned to face Miriam. “Are you and Mose having problems already?”

“Not that I know of,” Miriam managed. “I don’t have any real feelings for him, but I do appreciate his character and how dedicated he is to our way of life.”

“There you go.”
Mamm
appeared satisfied. “And the lack of feelings is a common concern of older girls. They’ve often had a relationship earlier full of emotion and youthful vigor, and now the
man is older, and they’re older—it’s almost like a second marriage, really. But you shouldn’t be worried about this. If everything else is right, your feelings will come for the man once you’ve said the vows.”
Mamm
paused to glance at Miriam. “Since you girls have been talking about it, I’ll ask. He hasn’t kissed you. Is that the problem?”

Miriam’s gaze was fixed on the kitchen wall.

Mamm
clucked her tongue and scolded again. “Mose is the limit, but men who have been married before are often that way. Not that I would know from personal experience, but I’ve heard the talk at the sewing. They’re afraid their emotions will get the best of them, so they come across a little cold. All that goes away after the wedding, Miriam. You just have to believe that.”

Miriam took a deep breath. “But there’s more,
Mamm.
A young
Englisha
man hangs around the community and pays me attention. I wonder sometimes…” Miriam fell silent, and her face flamed.

Mamm
’s gaze became alert. “Does Fannie know about this?”

“About the
Englisha
man,
yah
. But she doesn’t seem to notice the attention he gives me.”

“Then it’s nothing.”
Mamm
relaxed. “This young man probably stirs up memories of Wayne and your experiences with him. Perhaps he brings up thoughts that have been long dead and buried. But how like life! When the Lord’s will is revealed, something else is always offered. No, Miriam, you have nothing to worry about unless you’ve returned his affections, but then you wouldn’t. Not to an
Englisha
man.”

Miriam swallowed and wet her lips. “I have told him my heart is settled on Mose.”

Alarm filled
Mamm
’s face. “Then you have spoken this plainly with the man?”

Miriam kept her head down. “He has spoken with me. He is not shy about saying such things.”

“But you have told him this cannot be?”
Mamm
’s hand reached for Miriam’s.

“
Yah
,” Miriam assured
Mamm
as their fingers clung to each other. “I have told him.”

Mamm
searched Miriam’s eyes. “My oldest daughter, I trust you with all my heart, so don’t worry about this. You have been strong through your troubles with Ivan and your engagement with Wayne. You helped us when Shirley strayed from the truth. The Lord will give you strength for the trial that’s been placed upon you. But remember that no great honor comes without an equally great temptation. I have withheld my tongue so far, but I will say it now. You have lightened my old age, Miriam, with the thought that my daughter should be a bishop’s
frau
. This is more than we should even speak of, but there, I have said it.”

“Thank you.” Miriam squeezed her
mamm
’s hand. “I knew you would tell me what I needed to hear.”

“So relax now and stop worrying,”
Mamm
said. “Mose will be by this evening to see you. I don’t know where you can go to court the man properly, but maybe he’ll take you for a short drive.”

Miriam stood to her feet. “If Mose is coming, then I have something I have to do.”

She hurried into the living room before
Mamm
could speak and retrieved her suitcase. Moments later she was upstairs and had Mose’s letter in her hand. Miriam took a deep breath. With that load of guilt off her shoulders, she could at last read Mose’s words with an open heart.

Chapter Twenty-One