“You’re welcome,” Tyler said. James continued, “I live up in Wayne County, so maybe you can give me details of how you two came together. I don’t think I ever heard the story.”
Miriam blushed. She hoped James didn’t know too much about her engagement with Mose. She wasn’t going to jog his memory.
Tyler got a dreamy look on his face. “It’s a long story, really. I don’t think we can do it justice here.”
“I suppose not,” James chuckled.
“I’ve heard some of it from Shirley,” Lois said. “It sounds most interesting. But I doubt if she told me everything.”
“I hope not,” Tyler said, and they all laughed.
“I heard you came to the community in Oklahoma as a reporter,” Lois said.
“That I did, and I decided to stay after Miriam charmed my socks off.” Everyone laughed except Miriam.
“You know that’s not true,” she protested. “I’m not that much to get impressed over.”
“See. Isn’t she something?” Tyler said. “Modest and righteous the woman is.”
Miriam’s color deepened, producing more laughter.
“There’s got to be more to the story than that,” James probed.
“Well,” Tyler allowed, “I did finally get around to making up my mind about Miriam, and the community. I was baptized some two months ago, just before we traveled out here to prepare for the wedding. I insisted that Miriam come sooner, but she said baptisms were milestones in Amish life and she wouldn’t miss mine. So here we are, after Miriam’s parents okayed me. That took a little doing.”
“Oh, it did not,” Miriam spoke up. “Mamm and Daett loved you the first time they laid eyes on you.”
“You are quite charming,” Lois said. “In a gut way, of course.”
“Hey,” James protested. “What about me?”
Lois had colored a little and quickly leaned over to squeeze James’s hand. “You have plenty of charm of your own.”
“To charm!” Tyler declared. “And to love, and to Miriam Yoder… er, Johnson, who is now my frau.”
James nodded and turned his attention to Lois. Miriam took Tyler’s hand under the table as they conversed in whispers.
Finally, as the crowd continued to thin in front of them, James got to his feet.
“Well!” he declared. “It’s been a long day, and we had best be going. I see only old people left around here.”
“Now don’t be calling us old,” Tyler warned.
James laughed and shook their hands. “You two make it good now.”
“Thanks so much for helping out,” Miriam said. “And you too, Lois.”
The other witnessing couple also stood and said much the same thing. Matthew and Rosy Lapp were friends of Deacon Phillips and Katie. Tyler had asked the deacon to pick a witness for him because he had no family among the Amish.
“Thanks to you too.” Miriam gave them both a big smile. “Tyler and I are very grateful.”
“I would have been up the creek without a paddle if you hadn’t helped out,” Tyler quipped.
They both smiled and excused themselves. In the stillness Tyler took Miriam’s hand again. “Now it’s just you and me, sweetheart.”
Tyler’s face swam through Miriam’s teary eyes, and his hand tightened on hers. She couldn’t speak, and Tyler seemed to understand. They sat in silence until the last person had found his way out of the pole barn. Miriam’s daett came back in to turn off all the gas lanterns except one. He turned to give them a quick smile and then retreated. Miriam pulled on Tyler’s hand and led him outside into the soft fall moonlight.
Tyler knew enough to grab the gas lantern and take it with him. Hand in hand they walked up the road to the main farmhouse as the soft glow of light fell on the road in front of them. The whole Yoder family had temporarily moved over to Mr. Bland’s old farmhouse for the rest of the week. Tyler and Miriam would have the place to themselves for a few days. After that they’d stay in Possum Valley for another month to visit relatives. Miriam’s room upstairs had been used by her younger sisters in the years she had been away from home, but Miriam had restored it close to what the décor had been in her growing-up years. It was important that Tyler see that part of her life. She wanted nothing in her life hidden from him, as he had hidden nothing from her in their often-long conversations since their engagement.
Stars twinkled overhead as the two walked toward the dark farmhouse. An especially bright one seemed to reach all the way from the heavens to cast its ray on the farmhouse lawn.
“A star,” Tyler said, astonishment in his voice. His free arm tightened around Miriam.
“Yah,” Miriam agreed. “It is the Lord’s sign that He will always be with us.”
Tyler was silent until they approached the front porch. “Is an Amish man allowed to carry his bride across the threshold?” he asked.
“You may do whatever you wish,” Miriam whispered back.
“I do believe I have myself a frau,” Tyler said.
Discussion Questions
1. As the story opens, Miriam thinks she has fully accepted her single life. Do you agree? What does this say of one’s ability to cope with uncontrolled events in life?
2. Why did Miriam accept the less than attractive advances of Mose Stoll? Can you imagine yourself in a similar situation? What would your reaction be?
3. What are your feelings on Mose Stoll as he sets out to make sure his next frau is suitable marriage material? Do you sympathies for him? Do you know anyone who is like Mose?
4. Should Tyler have pursued Miriam once he was aware that she was both attracted to him, and rejected him? What do you think of his obvious attempts to interfere with what he considers an intolerable situation?
5. Do you think the kiss was something Miriam wished to have uncovered? Does how Miriam once handled a similar situation between her beloved Wayne and Esther Kuntz play any part in the scenario.
6. Was Mose’s attempt to recover Miriam’s affections after the kiss, a wise decision? Should he have used another method that might have succeeded?
7. As the Amish barns burn, what are your feelings about Tyler? Should he have pursued his corruption investigation to this extent? When is it time to back down or to stand tough?
8. What advice would you have given Miriam during her dark time of excommunication?
9. Why is Tyler drawn to join the community? Could he have reformed his life without such a dramatic choice? Could Miriam have fit in such a life?
10. What causes Miriam to accept Tyler as potential husband material? Would Miriam have done so for any other reason?
About the Author
Jerry Eicher’s Amish fiction has sold more than 700,000 books. After a traditional Amish childhood, Jerry taught for two terms in Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. Since then he’s been involved in church renewal, preaching, and teaching Bible studies. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.
Other Books in the Land of Promise Series
Miriam’s Secret
Bestselling author Jerry S. Eicher (more than 600,000 books sold) brings new characters and surprising challenges to lovers of Amish fiction in the Land of Promise series.
In this first book, Miriam Yoder has a secret. Her compassionate care for Amos Bland during his last days resulted in her receiving a large inheritance. When Ivan Mast indicates his intentions at romance, Miriam suspects he’s discovered her hidden wealth and has plans that aren’t inspired by his love for her.
Seeking a fresh start where no one knows her, Miriam accepts a teaching position in faraway Oklahoma where she meets Wayne Yutzy, a local greenhouse employee. His interest in her seems genuine and when he proposes, Miriam accepts. Happiness surely awaits the newly engaged couple… or does it?
A Blessing for Miriam
In the second book of the Land of Promise series, Miriam Yoder is looking forward to her wedding day with Wayne Yutzy. But when beautiful Esther Swartz arrives t
o care for her ailing grandmother, Miriam is wary of Wayne’s past relationship with her.
When storms rip through the small Amish community in Oklahoma, Miriam’s daett arrives to help in the rebuilding efforts. Under pressure from Miriam’s daett the relationship with Wayne is upended, leaving Miriam to wonder if she must now build her new life as a single Amish woman.
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About the Publisher
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To learn more about Harvest House books and to read sample chapters, visit our website:
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
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