Miriam and the Stranger

by Jerry S. Eicher

  “No!” The word sprang from Miriam’s lips. “I would never tell you. And now it’s time for you to leave.”

  Surprise was written on his face as Miriam ushered Tyler toward the door with one hand on his arm.

  “I’m sorry about this,” he tried again. “I didn’t mean to offend you in any way.”

  “Just go.” Miriam opened the door and pushed on his shoulder. Tyler left with a quick backward glance, as if he couldn’t figure out her sudden change in attitude.

  As the sound of Tyler’s car died away in the distance, Miriam collapsed at a student’s desk and held her head. Now she still had all her grading of papers ahead of her, and Mose would be at Aunt Fannie’s for supper tonight. She couldn’t be late. Oh, how had this happened? She had entertained an Englisha man in her schoolhouse for more than an hour. There was no other way to look at this. Neither Mose or anyone else must ever find out about this. Never! Or how far her heart had strayed from the straight and narrow. How could she have such feelings for an Englisha man? Only Tyler’s sudden question about the two million dollars had brought her out of the stupor she had been in.

  Chapter Eight

  Later that evening Miriam was filling the water glasses on Aunt Fannie’s kitchen table in preparation for the meal. Moments earlier, Mose Stoll had arrived, and Miriam had shaken hands with him. The blush on her face had clearly been interpreted by Mose to mean she had feelings for him. Miriam could see the delight spread across his face.

  Aunt Fannie came up beside Miriam and whispered, “He’s so handsome, isn’t he? I saw you turn all sorts of colors when he arrived. Oh, aren’t the Lord’s ways just wunderbah?”

  The comment shouldn’t be allowed to pass unchallenged, Miriam decided. She whispered back, “I might have had other reasons, you know.”

  Aunt Fannie still glowed with happiness. “Don’t try to dodge the point, Miriam. You already love the man.”

  Miriam forced a smile. Aunt Fannie would have to think what she wished. Now if she could forget Tyler Johnson for the evening… but the memory of the stubble on his chin wouldn’t go away. Miriam turned her back to hide her face from Aunt Fannie.

  “Call the men for supper,” Aunt Fannie said more loudly.

  Miriam peeked around the edge of the kitchen doorway before she stepped out to announce, “Supper is ready if you are.”

  “Sounds great to me,” Mose said. He stood slowly to his feet with a broad smile on his face as Miriam beat a hasty retreat.

  Uncle William had a grin on his face when he carried Jonathon into the kitchen. He set the boy on the back bench and declared, “There you go, little man. All settled in for supper time.”

  Aunt Fannie waved Mose to his place, and he sat down as if he owned the place. Miriam forced a smile as she took a seat across from Mose. At least Aunt Fannie hadn’t seated them side by side. Aunt Fannie must know she needed a little breathing room with the speed at which this courtship was proceeding.

  Aunt Fannie took her own seat and smiled. “I think we’re all ready.”

  “Then let us pray,” Uncle William announced.

  They bowed their heads as Uncle William led out with the first words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. We come tonight to give You thanks for this food prepared for us. You have blessed us with so much, we can never give You thanks enough. Be with us now. We give You praise and glory that…”

  Miriam snuck a look at Mose across from her. His beard nearly touched the table below his bowed head. His face was solemn, filled with holy thoughts of thanks, Miriam was sure. Why couldn’t she give thanks for this great blessing the Lord had sent her way? Here was no doubt a wunderbah husband who had landed right in her lap. She didn’t even have to look for him. He was surely prosperous—in a reasonable way. She wouldn’t have to worry about financial difficulties if a dozen kinner were given to them by the Lord. Mose was a minister, and she would hold a position of honor in the community in Wayne County. This would all be achieved overnight without effort on her part. All she must do is go along with things. But instead of feeling thankful, all she could feel were the clear, blue eyes of Tyler Johnson as they pierced into hers.

  “Please help me, Lord.” Miriam whispered her own prayer as Uncle William pronounced the amen. The words caught in her throat, and Miriam coughed into her apron.

  Aunt Fannie glanced at Miriam with concern on her face. “Is everything okay?”

  Mose half rose from his seat.

  Miriam managed a painful smile. “Something caught…” Miriam rubbed her neck. This had to stop. But how? Maybe if she’d think more about Mose, the memory of Tyler would fade into the distant past?

  Mose had settled back into this chair. “You had me worried there,” he teased. “I thought my presence had unsettled the dinner table.”

  Miriam forced a laugh. “No, I’ll be okay. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Uncle William gave Miriam a strange look. No doubt that was a little forward of her to say, but she had to get Tyler Johnson out of her mind.

  Mose appeared pleased, though, responding, “I’m also glad to be here. And oh, if I didn’t say it plainly enough this afternoon, your school was very well run. The children appear well taught and well behaved.”

  Comprehension seemed to dawn on Uncle William’s face. “So that’s what the nervous attack was about. I’d be weak bodied myself if someone had inspected my schoolteaching.”

  Mose waved aside the comment. “You don’t have to worry. Miriam passed with flying colors, as I’m sure you all knew she would.”

  “We expected nothing but the best,” Uncle William said, his tone sober. They all laughed, and even Miriam managed to join in.

  When the laugher died down, Mose said, “By the way, Bishop Mullett told me this afternoon about the two million dollars Miriam inherited and gave away. Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?”

  Miriam coughed again and kept her head down. This was not her place to speak.

  Thankfully, Uncle William answered for her. “I take it as a compliment to Miriam that she hasn’t told you, and we didn’t think that was our place either.”

  “I suppose not,” Mose allowed. He appeared quite pleased. “That was a very courageous and righteous act, Miriam. I commend you for it.”

  “Thank you,” Miriam whispered. Now she had turned all sorts of colors, and not because of Tyler Johnson.

  Aunt Fannie reached over to touch Miriam’s arm. “Miriam has been through her trials. But the Lord has seen her through them all and has never stopped the blessings.”

  Mose smiled. “When one does the will of God, it always ends well. We should remember that even in our darkest hours.”

  Everyone nodded. After that gut word, the Lord would surely remove Tyler Johnson from her memory, Miriam told herself.

  For the next several minutes, the chatter was light, and Miriam relaxed and even laughed at some of the banter. Finally, Aunt Fannie bounced up to announce, “And now for dessert.”

  Miriam motioned with her hand for her aunt to seat herself again. “I’ll get the pies.”

  She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Mose was impressed. She hadn’t intended to make a statement, but Mose’s further approval might help remove her obsession with Tyler Johnson.

  Miriam brought the pies from the counter, and Aunt Fannie began to cut large pieces. Mose lodged a protest, “Just a small piece for me, please.” He patted his stomach. “I’ve been sitting around for days now with no work, and the pounds are staring me in the face.”

  Uncle William chuckled. “I can put you to work tomorrow in the greenhouse. Or you can pull weeds in Fannie’s garden.”

  Aunt Fannie glared at Uncle William. “I’ll get to those weeds tomorrow. I was making supper today.”

  Mose laughed. “Far be it from me to introduce disharmony into a family’s life. The garden looked fine to me.”

  “Thank you,” Aunt Fannie replied. “See there.” She gave Un
cle William another glare. “The man’s on the poor woman’s side.”

  “My deepest apologies for my error,” Uncle William said with mock gravity. “I see I could not have been more wrong.”

  “Men!” Aunt Fannie grumped, but a smile played on her face as she settled into her seat and took a slice of pie.

  A comfortable silence settled over the kitchen.

  Uncle William finished his last bite with a sigh. “Nothing like cherry pie to settle the mind and body at the end of the day.”

  “You can say that again,” Mose seconded. “Even a small piece has that effect.”

  Laugher filled the kitchen again, and moments later they bowed their heads for a prayer of thanks. Miriam was on her feet seconds after the amen.

  Aunt Fannie waved her out of the kitchen at once. “You’ve been enough of a help, so go, Miriam.”

  Go meant go off to the front porch with Mose. Miriam opened her mouth to protest, but Mose was already halfway to the kitchen doorway. She could do nothing but follow. They walked through the living room and found seats outside on the far end of the porch. Dusk had begun to fall, and the occasional lights from a passing Englisha automobile flickered from the road.

  “Nice evening out here on the prairie,” Mose said. His gaze swept the horizon. “Have you become fairly attached to the place?”

  “I like it,” Miriam said, “but I’m not fastened to the prairie like some people are.” Mose still probed, but he didn’t have to worry. She had learned that the Lord’s grace reached wherever one lived.

  “That’s gut to hear.” Mose’s voice was low. “I really meant what I said about your school and the fact that you gave away those two million dollars. I must say nothing I’ve heard about you was exaggerated in the least.”

  “You shouldn’t say such things.” Miriam hid her face. “I’m just an ordinary woman.”

  “But with extraordinary grace given to you.” Mose studied Miriam. “I feel very blessed to have met you, Miriam.” Silence settled for a moment before Mose continued, “But what about you? Do you have any questions for me? Here I’m asking all the questions while you must also have some. I drop in out of nowhere, and…” Mose let the words hang.

  She really had no questions, but Mose would expect some. Well, she was interested in his former frau. She could ask about her.

  Miriam framed the words with care. “Your frau, Rachel—can you speak of her? What she was like?”

  “Sure.” Mose didn’t seem uneasy. “We dated for several years before we were married. Happily, I might add. The only sorrow we had was that the Lord failed to add kinner to our union, but that was His choice, which we didn’t wish to question. We had several happy years together, but cancer came soon after that, quickly and without warning. Breast cancer.” Mose’s voice faded for a moment. “Rachel was a dear woman, too wunderbah for me. I never could see what she saw in me, but we had been sweet on each other since our rumspringa days. I suppose she didn’t think it worth the effort to look for someone else.” Mose let out a deprecating laugh. “I was deeply attracted to Rachel, and a piece of my heart passed with her. Only lately have I found the strength to look again for a woman to walk with me… mostly for my ministry’s sake, I guess. A minister needs a frau by his side. But if I may be so bold, Miriam, I must say that you have moved my heart deeply. I didn’t expect to find another woman like Rachel, whom I could both respect and love.”

  Miriam didn’t meet his gaze as she whispered, “I don’t know what to say about that. You praise me too highly, I’m afraid. But I’m glad to hear that things had gone well between Rachel and you.”

  Mose nodded solemnly. “That is a gut observation, and one I would expect from you. A bad first marriage would likely lead to a bad second marriage. I hope and pray this time that I can spend many long, happy years with my second frau.”

  Miriam held her breath for a moment. Mose hadn’t proposed outright, but he had come close. She would have said yah if he had asked, but thankfully the moment hadn’t arrived. She needed a little more time to prepare her heart.

  “Is there something else?” Mose’s voice was gentle.

  “You have a farm, I assume?” The words slipped out. Now she sounded like a financial concern was the second most important thing on her mind.

  Mose chuckled. “Women would think of such things. Can I afford a family, in other words?”

  Miriam began to protest, but Mose silenced her with a motion of his hand. “Your character has already been established when it comes to money, so don’t worry. You have a right to ask. Any woman would. So here goes. My farmhouse sits on more than one hundred acres. Not all of the mortgage is paid off, but enough that I’m comfortable with the payment. And Wayne County’s farmland is known for its abundant production of crops. So unless the Lord has other plans, I should be able to raise a family with my next frau and not face starvation.”

  Will the Lord give you kinner this time? Miriam almost asked. Mose seemed so certain, but she had never borne children for a man. What if she failed him in this area?

  “You don’t object to kinner, do you?” Mose glanced at Miriam.

  “No, no, of course not,” Miriam sputtered.

  “Then you fear how many the Lord would give you?” Mose’s gaze pierced again.

  Miriam hid her face with both hands. “No, Mose,” she whispered. “I’m satisfied with what the Lord gives. But please, let’s speak of something else.”

  “That is well said.” Mose settled back into his chair. “You respond with shame like a virtuous woman should, and I am grateful.”

  Miriam clung to the sides of the chair and wished for dusk to fall completely. Yet Mose seemed to understand. He allowed long moments to pass before he spoke again, “Perhaps we should go inside and spend some time with your Uncle William and Aunt Fannie.”

  “As you wish,” Miriam heard her voice tremble.

  Mose smiled. “I hope I can see you again this week. Maybe on Thursday evening for supper?”

  “If Aunt Fannie will fix a meal.” Miriam tried to smile. “I can come home early from school to help, but…”

  “Your Aunt Fannie has already invited me, so the matter is settled,” Mose interrupted. He regarded her for a long moment. “I have enjoyed my time with you tonight, Miriam, and I hope you have also.”

  Mose didn’t wait for an answer as he led the way back inside the house.

  Chapter Nine

  Two days later Miriam hitched up Star and headed the buggy out of the driveway toward the schoolhouse. The brisk morning air stirred around her. The sun had risen only moments before and was now flooding the prairie with golden light. Long shadows stretched across the road in front of the buggy.

  Miriam had risen early as usual, even though classes didn’t begin until nine o’clock. She was accustomed to arriving at the schoolhouse early and spending quiet moments alone preparing for the day’s work and having some time of communion with the Lord. This morning she especially needed that time of prayer. Her next date with Mose Stoll was tonight. He would be at Aunt Fannie’s for supper. Mose might even propose a wedding date, since he had announced his plan to leave after the coming weekend. Mose was both cautious and practical. That much she had figured out. And since she had passed every test he had placed in her path with flying colors, why should he not return home with his mission accomplished?

  Miriam winced at the thought. She didn’t usually make such prideful observations, with a touch of bitterness also included. The man was so full of himself. Had some of that spirit rubbed off on her? But Mose did live a righteous life, Miriam reminded herself. She shouldn’t think evil of the man. The problem was her own heart. She enjoyed knowing she had passed Mose’s rigorous inspection. She had pleased him. More than she had imagined possible. Streaks of heat warmed Miriam’s face in the cool morning air at such plain thoughts.

  “Whoa there,” she called out to Star as she turned into the schoolhouse driveway. Moments later she parked and climbed out of th
e buggy to unhitch Star from the shafts. All she wanted was love from a decent Amish man. She hadn’t exactly envisioned that man as Mose, but still… why object? Miriam tied Star inside the stall of the small shelter and patted his nose.

  “There now, be happy for the day,” she said as she dropped half a bale of hay in his stanchion. Star lowered his head to munch away as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

  The crunch of tires on the schoolhouse’s gravel lane brought both of their heads up with a start. Star stared along with Miriam through the shelter door as the car approached. Miriam felt a weakness creep through her entire body. She knew this vehicle, and it shouldn’t be here. Why had Tyler Johnson come back again when she had made herself so abundantly clear? She wanted nothing to do with the man. But here he was so early in the morning. There went her quiet time with the Lord, to say nothing of her preparations for the day’s lessons. She could never settle down after this even if she could get rid of Tyler at once. Why did the man have this effect on her? What if Mose found out about this visit? Neither Uncle William nor Aunt Fannie had said a word in Mose’s presence about a strange Englisha reporter who was asking questions of those in the community.

  “Good morning,” Tyler called out to Miriam as he closed the car door with a loud thump.

  Miriam turned her face away and didn’t answer. This was horribly ill-mannered for a Christian girl, but she couldn’t help herself. Here she had thought so well of herself only moments ago.

  “Am I disturbing your morning?” Tyler seemed genuinely concerned. “I can make an appointment for later. I would have, but of course you don’t have e-mail or a cell phone… and I didn’t really want to stop in at your aunt and uncle’s.”

  And they both knew why, Miriam told herself. This was a most inappropriate call, and Tyler knew it. Yet here he stood. Had she somehow given him a reason to take this liberty the last time they spoke? Perhaps as an Englisha man her flaming face in his presence had been all the permission Tyler needed.