Miriam's Secret

by Jerry S. Eicher

Miriam shivered. These were not the proper thoughts for a young Amish woman to have. She knew that. But she hadn’t asked for any of this to occur, so she wasn’t to blame. Hadn’t Rose assured her that her brother knew what was best? She would trust God to guide her, and she would trust Mr. Bland’s judgment, even if he was Englisha. Hadn’t she been there in the moments before he passed and seen the expectation in his heart that he would soon meet his beloved frau in heaven? Mr. Bland had been redeemed by the Lord just like she had. And just like her family had.

  A soft hand fell on her shoulder, and Miriam jumped and turned around. Mamm’s face came into focus. Her concern was written deeply on her countenance. “What’s happening to you, Miriam?”

  “I don’t know.” Miriam paused. The words had just slipped out, but they were true. She didn’t know.

  “You should come back in, and we’ll pray about this.” Mamm pulled on her arm.

  Miriam stiffened. “Daett already said what he said. I’ve decided to give the farm to him. There’s no sense in praying.”

  Deep hurt and shock spread across Mamm’s face. “But we must always pray, Miriam. Have you forgotten that already?”

  Miriam’s shoulders relaxed. Mamm was right, and she should take correction in good faith. Wouldn’t that be a sign that she hadn’t been corrupted? She nodded and followed Mamm back into the living room.

  Daett was already on his knees, so Mamm and Miriam joined him.

  Oh, what a mess, Miriam thought. Where had her peace and gut sense fled to?

  Daett’s prayer rose in a soft whisper:

  Dear Lord, look down upon us now and have mercy upon our situation. You know that Miriam didn’t ask for this situation to happen, and You know that neither did we. All our lives we have sought to walk before You in humility and brokenness. There has been peace and harmony in our home because of Your grace and presence.

  Now this trial of temptation has come. Do not allow it to bring that which displeases You. Break our hearts of the pride that still lies there ready to rise again. Let us not be like Satan, eager to think more highly of himself than You made him. Let us remember that we are dust, that we are made from the ground that our feet walk on.

  Teach us to think lowly thoughts. Do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. Help Miriam make the right decision about this matter.

  Please forgive me where I may have spoken out of turn and said things that bruised my daughter’s heart.

  There was a long silence before Daett stood. Miriam and Mamm followed. Miriam wiped her eyes just as a loud clatter sounded on the stairs behind them. Shirley must have decided that with the end of the prayer, it was safe to return. The smaller children poured down the stairs and out of the stairwell, scattering throughout the house to resume their play.

  Shirley soon appeared with a sheepish look on her face. “Problem solved?”

  “I wish,” Miriam said.

  “The Lord will help us,” Mamm spoke up.

  Daett was already headed for the washroom door and his chores.

  Shirley could be filled in later on the details, Miriam decided. Right now she had to keep focused on carrying out her plan. Once the farm was safely in Daett’s name, the news would be broken to the whole family, whether Daett wished it or not. She would then be clear of the matter.

  Chapter Ten

  Rose’s car pulled into the driveway soon after lunch, and Miriam quickly made her way across the lawn. There had been grim tension in the house since the morning’s conversation about Mr. Bland’s farm. Shirley begged for more information, but Mamm refused to talk about it. It was best that way, Miriam decided. She pulled open the car door, climbed in, and offered a cheerful-but-strained, “Good afternoon.”

  Rose wasn’t fooled. “How’s the family taking it?”

  “Not well.” Miriam winced. “We just had another round of speaking about it this morning.”

  Rose pulled out of the driveway. “Did you spill the beans about the money?”

  Miriam shook her head. “Things went badly enough with just the farm topic.”

  “What is your father’s advice?”

  Miriam’s chuckle was forced. “His orders, you mean.” She couldn’t believe that came out of her mouth and the tone of her voice. How did she dare speak about Daett like that?

  Rose didn’t look surprised though. “So, what were his orders?”

  Miriam kept her voice low. “He told me to give the farm away. I told him I would—but I’m giving it to him.”

  Rose shrugged. “That’s fine with me. Was that perhaps what he was after to begin with?”

  Miriam gasped before words gushed forth. “Oh, no! Daett’s not like that at all. In fact, that’s what I need to speak with you about. How can I give the farm to Daett and yet make it so he can’t give it away to someone else?”

  Rose glanced at Miriam. “If you’re serious about giving the place away, Mr. Rosenberg can help you. And the paperwork can be drawn up so the farm has to stay within your family. That might be a wise choice anyway. I would have offered to help you manage the place, but even then it might have gotten to be a little much for two women. Unless you have a beau on the line with marriage plans?”

  Miriam felt her face redden as she thought of Ivan. “I’m afraid not. There’s just little ol’ me.”

  “That might change now, even if the farm is in your father’s name.” Rose gave Miriam a knowing look.

  A leap of hope stirred inside Miriam. She pushed the feeling back at once. This was not something she would entertain. She would never try to steal Ivan just because her family had new wealth—even if the new farm was the nicest in the community. The change of fortune was still so hard to believe!

  “It will make a difference you know,” Rose pressed on. “One wishes sometimes that it wouldn’t, but that’s just the way things are…the way men are.”

  What if Ivan was told about the two million dollars? The thought burned through Miriam. That would be unethical to use such a low trick. Surely she wouldn’t even be tempted. She didn’t wish to win anyone’s heart with money. What a disgraceful marriage that would make.

  “Our people are different,” Miriam said.

  Rose came to a stop along Main Street and parked. Minutes later the two women were ushered inside by Mr. Rosenberg, who answered the office door himself. “It’s a Saturday,” he said and chuckled, as if he owed them an explanation. “I’m glad to offer my services whenever it’s convenient for you, with or without a secretary present.”

  He guided them into his office and motioned for them to sit down at a small table with comfortable chairs.

  “I can sign what I need to,” Rose said. “But with Miriam, it looks like there will a bit more paperwork involved.”

  “Oh?” Mr. Rosenberg raised his eyebrows.

  “I want to give the farm to my daett—and make it so he can’t give it away.” She was feeling nervous, but that was understandable. She’d never been in a lawyer’s office with or without a secretary present.

  Mr. Rosenberg thought for a moment. “That’s doable. Maybe a trust plan where you control a major interest. I’ll look into it. You’ll still need to sign papers today. The farm has to be turned over to you before you can transfer the property to anyone.”

  Mr. Rosenberg grabbed a stack of papers from the desk and sat down at the table. Putting the papers down, he said, “This pile involves the farm. The smaller stack concerns the money. This is your new checkbook and debit card, Miriam. Congratulations!”

  “Thank you,” Miriam said nervously. Was there really two million dollars in that checking account? She didn’t dare look, but maybe it wasn’t written down inside it.

  The lawyer quickly went over the checkbook and banking instructions with Miriam. “I’ve also written this down so you can refer to it if you need to,” he said. “I need your address and a legal form of identification. I’ll send the follow-up paperwork to you. The bank needs an address where you want your monthly statements sent.”


  Miriam’s mind spun. “I didn’t bring identification with me. I do have my birth certificate at home. As for the bank, I don’t want anything bank-related to come to my home. That would cause all sorts of problems.”

  Silence settled on the room for a moment. “Well then, use my address for the bank, and I’ll keep the statements for you,” Rose offered. “You can look at them anytime, of course. And you can bring in your birth certificate the next time we come here. Is that okay, Miriam?”

  “Yes, yes, of course. And thank you.” Miriam could breathe again. There were more pitfalls along this road than she’d imagined. If the Lord didn’t help her, she was sure to fall into one soon. Help me, please, Lord, Miriam whispered silently. Guilt rushed through her. Perhaps she had no right to ask help from the Lord with such a large amount of money?

  “Let’s get started.” Mr. Rosenberg interrupted her thoughts. “I’ll explain each document as we go along.”

  Miriam pushed the dark thoughts away. “I’m listening.”

  With a kind smile, Mr. Rosenberg explained the documents. Miriam signed each one without hesitation when he was finished.

  “Now,” Mr. Rosenberg said when they’d finished with both stacks, “on to our next project, which I think I can finish within the week. Shall we set up another appointment now?”

  “It has to be on a Saturday. I go back to work full-time next week,” Miriam said. “I’m sorry if that inconveniences you.”

  Rose laughed. “Not many young women with two million dollars would worry about missing work.”

  Mr. Rosenberg laughed in agreement, so Miriam smiled at the joke, although her thoughts were about how little the Englisha knew about the community. Money or no money, work was what one did. Was that foreign to the Englisha? she wondered.

  “How about you let me know when you have the paperwork ready,” Rose spoke up, “and I’ll pass the word on to Miriam. Then we’ll meet the following Saturday at ten o’clock. How does that sound?”

  “Okay with me,” Mr. Rosenberg said.

  “That sounds good to me too. Are we finished?” Miriam stood and moved toward the door. She really wanted to get home.

  Rose seemed to sense her urgency and stood quickly.

  They said their goodbyes to Mr. Rosenberg. He followed them to the door and was waving when Miriam glanced over her shoulder on the way to Rose’s car. He was a kind man, and she trusted him completely. But that was about the only gut feeling at the moment. She wanted to get home. The Yoder farm in Possum Valley was her haven from storms. And it would be, Miriam told herself, even when her daett realized that he would have to keep the farm according to the terms of the trust. In the end, Daett would see the wisdom of what she was planning.

  Seemingly lost in her own thoughts, Rose didn’t say anything as they drove toward Berlin.

  “Do you miss him—your brother?” Miriam finally asked. “I know I do.”

  Rose nodded. “It’s amazing how fast you can forget the little things when there’s business to conduct. Amos was such a good man.”

  “I know.” Guilt rushed through Miriam again. Soon she’d be able to forget about the money. But could she? Now she was acting like Shirley—promises and promises when she knew gut and well that with two million dollars in a bank account in her name, her whole life had changed. Even if she gave the money away, something inside of her was different now. Life would never be the same.

  Rose slowed for the Yoder driveway and pulled to a stop by the barn. “Why don’t you call me around Wednesday to see if Mr. Rosenberg has the necessary papers ready. We’ll make arrangements then. And don’t worry. He’ll get everything right.”

  “That’s the least of my worries,” Miriam said as she climbed out of the car. “Thanks for your time and patience and assistance.”

  Rose laughed. “I’m happy to help. Remember, I’ve benefited from my brother’s will too. Helping you is the least I can do.”

  “You’re still kind, and I appreciate it.” Miriam stepped back as Rose turned the car and drove down the driveway.

  Miriam turned and walked toward the barn. Hopefully Daett would be inside. It seemed right that she speak with him alone about the plans for Mr. Bland’s farm. The rest of the family would find out soon enough.

  The barn door squeaked as she pushed it open. She paused and squinted in the dim light. Chore time was still hours away, so the lanterns hadn’t yet been lit. There was no sound as Miriam walked deeper into the shadows. A deep sob rose from near the haymow door. Miriam stopped. Was Daett in prayer among the hay bales? Perhaps he was praying for her soul and the danger she was in? Stabs of regret ran through her. She stepped back. She could slip out, and Daett would never know she’d been there.

  But she couldn’t run away like that. And hadn’t she looked forward to the peace she would find here at home? No doubt she’d felt the power of Daett’s prayers at the lawyer’s office in Sugarcreek, and this was where the interceding for that peace had probably come from.

  “Daett?” Miriam called out.

  The answer came softly. “Come, Miriam. We need to talk.”

  “Yah, I’m coming.” Miriam moved forward and chose a hay bale across from her daett. The hay on the floor was disturbed where he’d been kneeling.

  Daett cleared his throat. “I’ve come to a peace about Mr. Bland giving you the farm. The Lord has spoken to my heart. You don’t have to give it away if you don’t wish to. I spoke too heatedly and without enough prayer.”

  Miriam stared. Daett had never backed down before. Not when he spoke to one of the children. Daett was a gut man…a very gut man. A soft sob caught in her own throat. She moved over to Daett’s hay bale and slipped her arm around his shoulders. “But I’ve already decided. I’m giving it to our family. That’s what my heart is telling me to do.”

  Daett’s face was troubled. “I can’t accept something I didn’t earn.”

  “But you have earned it!” Miriam’s look was intense. “Consider all the long hours you’ve put in for your family. Look at how much you accomplish as you work the best you can. What if this is the Lord’s doing? He knows I have no use for a farm but you do. Lee and Mark can help you work the place. And we won’t be short on money all the time.”

  Daett attempted a smile. “There’s more to life than money, Miriam. I’ve tried to teach you that. I can’t accept the gift.”

  Miriam took a deep breath. “Then Lee and Mark can work the place because this is going to happen, Daett. The lawyer, Mr. Rosenberg, is drawing up the papers now. The farm will become a family trust. You’ll be in charge of it, but it’s arranged in such a way that you can’t give the farm away without my permission.”

  Daett studied her face as he struggled to remain calm. Finally he said, “And does wealth cause my eldest child to disrespect me on top of everything else?”

  Miriam clutched one of Daett’s hands in both of hers. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m speaking so…so forcefully like this, but it’s not because I don’t honor you. I’ll never forget that you are my daett. I never want to disrespect you. But you have to admit that we’ve struggled financially for a long time. And it is through no fault of your own. You work hard. Your lameness wasn’t your choice.”

  Pain etched deeply across Daett’s face. “I’m shamed before my daughter, I see. And yet this humbling may be what I needed. Apparently pride in my own efforts and a determination to never give up on my principles have displeased the Lord. He has now spoken, and I will bow my head in submission. But this much I still say. Mr. Bland’s farm will always be your land. Once you and your beloved marry, you will move on to that farm. Until then, the boys and I will tend it for you.”

  “You must not say such things!” Miriam squeezed Daett’s hand even tighter. “I love you, Daett.”

  “I will say them.” Daett squared his shoulders. “They are the truth. And I did need a humbling. Come, let us tell Mamm. This will be a great load off her shoulders. I know the burden of the coming little one
has lain heavy on her heart, and she will be pleased that we’ve settled this problem. And having a bit more wealth won’t hurt us, I guess.”

  Miriam followed Daett out of the barn and across the lawn. He gave her a smile as he opened and held the front door for her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Shirley sat on the couch with a serious look on her face as she listened to her family discussing Mr. Bland’s gift to Miriam. She was glad for Miriam, Shirley told herself. She really was, but what a shocking surprise. And Daett’s acceptance of the gift was the biggest surprise. Yah, he claimed repeatedly the farm would be Miriam’s once she married, but in the meantime he planned to farm Mr. Bland’s old place. Well, at least the family wouldn’t be so poverty stricken now. She was glad for that.

  In the meantime, her fresh resolutions since Monday night not to call Jonas again had drifted ever further away. This news didn’t help. If Miriam had a farm she could move on to once she married, where would that leave Shirley and the rest of the family? In the same place there were right now—poor! She didn’t need that reminder at this crucial moment of temptation. Yet there it was. Poverty was still staring her in the face.

  She shouldn’t be bitter, Shirley chided herself. And she didn’t want to be. But then she needed to look after her own interest too, which just might include Jonas Beachy. She would call him and see if he would pick her up from home sometime soon. Shirley’s heart beat faster at the thought. Yah, she felt a lot less guilty about calling him now. Daett certainly wouldn’t think her logic made any sense at all, but then he wasn’t a girl who had to look forward to living life on a shoestring all alone. A better life might lie out there beyond the horizon. Not necessarily with Jonas, of course, but finding more for her life was the thought that counted at the moment.

  Shirley got up and slipped into the kitchen. No one noticed as the chatter continued. Lee and Mark could hardly control their excitement as they talked of how they would start work on Mr. Bland’s place. Even Daett seemed caught up in the joy, although a look of sorrow had crossed his face briefly as she walked past. Daett would struggle mightily with this change in the family fortune, Shirley knew.