A Blessing for Miriam (36 page)

“I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have asked.” Miriam lowered her head in contrition.

Deacon Phillips cleared his throat. “Katie, we’d better hurry and ask our question before the crowd begins to gather for the picnic.”

Miriam felt her body stiffen from the sudden chill in her heart.

Deacon Phillips continued. “You probably don’t know all our customs around here regarding school, Miriam. The school board doesn’t usually ask the current teacher to stay another year until the last day of school. Now with you, we could have asked a long time ago because we knew what we wanted, but then those of us on the board decided to stick with our tradition.” Deacon Phillips appeared apologetic. “We’ve had bad experiences in the past with other teachers, so we’re never sure what might come up. Miriam, we’d like you to be our teacher next year. If you’ll consider it, of course.”

Miriam took a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure if my failure to tell my parents about the full inheritance would disqualify me. It didn’t reflect well on my character. And a teacher must be of the highest character.”

Deacon Philips nodded. “
Yah
, I do wish you had told your parents about that from the beginning. But mistakes like that happen to the best of us. And with the gift you’ve given, that’s all behind you. I can’t think of a better teacher to ask to come back for next year. I understand your parents want you back in Possum Valley. Hopefully that’s just for the summer. You wouldn’t need to be back here until the week before the new term starts.”

“We would like to have you back very much,” Katie hastened to add.

Miriam’s mind spun. She hadn’t dared hope for such an offer so liberally given. Tears filled her eyes. Now that the moment of decision had arrived, she had to consider if she could live in the land where she’d lost Wayne.

“Of course you can think about it for a week or so,” Deacon Phillips said, interrupting her thoughts. “Or you could even write from Possum Valley. We hope you don’t wait too long to give us a positive answer.” His smile was back full force. “Our children have certainly enjoyed you as their teacher this year.”

“I’ll do it!” Miriam stood tall and smiled. “I’ll come back and teach next year.”

“Are you sure?” Katie reached out to squeeze Miriam’s arm. “I know this has been a hard season for you.”

“I’m okay,” Miriam said. And she really would be by then.

Deacon Phillips and Katie glanced at each other. Deep smiles filled their faces with joy. “I’m glad to hear that!” Deacon Phillips told Miriam. “I think you’ll be in a much better state by then. And I know the Lord will be with you this summer.”

“
Yah
, and many blessings to you during your time off,” Katie added.

Miriam glanced toward the schoolyard. She’d heard several buggies pulling in while they’d been speaking, but she hadn’t taken much notice.

“Thank you both so much,” she told them.

As representatives on the school board, Deacon Phillips and Katie were already greeting the other arrivals.

Miriam took her place at the schoolhouse door, a smile on her face for the first time in weeks. Her heart still pounded at this sudden turn of events. She’d been the teacher last year and now she was asked to be the teacher for next term. She should act like she’d received a great gift—because she had. The loss of Wayne and the misstep with the money hadn’t carried over and taken her job away.

“Heal, heart, heal,” she whispered to herself and sent a prayer heavenward. “Help me, dear Lord. I need all the grace I can get to move forward with Your joy.”

And as if to test such a prayer, the next buggy to arrive belonged
to Wayne’s
mamm
and
daett
. She could handle this, Miriam encouraged herself. She’d smile and act normal, and no one would see the huge hole in her heart. Miriam kept up the smiles and shook hands with the parents and students who came past. Apparently most of them assumed she’d accepted the school board’s job offer for the next term.

“It’s so
gut
for you to come back next year.”

“We really enjoyed the time you’ve been in the community.”

“We love to have Shirley around as well,” a woman added. “She was such as sweet girl. I heard she had another operation.”

“
Yah
,” Miriam replied. “She’s doing much better.”

“That’s so
gut
to hear!” the mother said, turning to her young daughter who was pulling on her dress sleeve.

Miriam watched as a softball game was beginning on the playground, and recruits were being called for among the men. Reluctantly a few joined. They pretended to limp onto the field with exaggerated gestures. Deacon Phillips hauled himself to the field as if every muscle in his body had been pulled out of shape.

Miriam grinned. The truth wasn’t that far away. Some of the older men only played at community picnics, so strained muscles and sprains weren’t unusual. The steady, strenuous farm work most of them performed, for the most part, didn’t involve sudden moves and hard jolts.

Miriam jumped when a familiar voice came from beside her. “Enjoying the game?”

“
Yah
,” Miriam responded, giving Katie a quick smile.

“There will be a lot of men with sore muscles tonight,” Katie commented with a chuckle.

Miriam laughed too. Although her heart still hurt for Wayne, there was also joy in this day. And for that she would give much thanks.

Chapter Thirty-Five

S
hirley rocked gently in her chair on the front porch. Miriam would soon arrive from the bus station.
Mamm
and
Daett
had left right after lunch with their neighbor Mrs. Faulkner to pick up Miriam from her long trip from Oklahoma. Shirley had considered going along to welcome Miriam home but decided not to. Miriam’s return was joyfully anticipated by the whole family, and she was sure everyone in Possum Valley would be happy to see her sister back. Miriam would take center stage again, but Shirley could deal with that. She was selfish to even think of such a thing, she told herself. Especially since Miriam’s heart must still be bleeding from all that had happened.

Shirley glanced up as Naomi approached. “I’ll wait out here with you if you don’t mind,” the girl said. “It’s so exciting that Miriam’s home again—and for the whole summer.”

Shirley motioned toward the other porch rocker. “
Yah
, I know. I thought I would be out here to welcome her.”

Naomi nodded. “Miriam will appreciate the effort. She’s such a saint. I can’t believe that awful thing happened with Wayne. And I never got to meet him. What kind of man was he anyway? You saw him once, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Shirley said. “Wayne was nice enough from what I could see. I guess the Lord had other plans for Miriam.”

Naomi stared into space. “I sure hope the man I love doesn’t up and die on me. What a heartbreak poor Miriam has gone through!”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Shirley agreed.

Naomi glanced at her older sister. “How are you and Glen getting along? I must say, he seems much more suited for you than that Jonas Beachy ever was.”

Shirley bit back a quick retort. There was no need to antagonize Naomi. And Glen was
gut
for her.

Naomi appeared quite concerned since her sister hadn’t responded. “Surely Glen hasn’t broken off your relationship?”

Shirley laughed. “No, I’m more like the one who would do that. Glen is a jewel.”

“Life is sad sometimes, isn’t it?” Naomi asked. “I’m sorry for Miriam and you. You’ve had a rough time this year, and Miriam had been planning her wedding for this fall.”

Shirley reached over to touch Naomi’s hand. “Sometimes it seems that way. And I appreciate Glen’s attentions. He’s helped me get over the accident. He’s coming by this evening to help us celebrate Miriam’s homecoming.”

“He is
gut
for you,” Naomi said. “He’s considerate, kind, and compassionate. You should marry the man.”

“Now that’s going too far yet,” Shirley gently countered.

Naomi appeared ready to say something, but her response was interrupted by Mrs. Faulkner driving her car down the driveway. Both girls rose and were standing at the end of the sidewalk when the car came to a stop.
Daett
climbed out first, followed by Miriam.
Mamm
was right behind them, having exited via the front passenger door. Naomi rushed forward to wrap Miriam in a tight hug, but Shirley held back now that the moment had arrived.

Miriam didn’t seem to notice her hesitation. After hugging Naomi, she turned and opened her arms wide. “Shirley! It’s so
gut
to see you.”

“And you,” Shirley whispered as the two embraced. They stood for a moment afterward taking in each other, their hands clasping.

Daett
plunked two suitcases near the sidewalk and called out, “I could use some help here. Miriam has a bag you can get, Shirley.”

Shirley hurried to respond, but Miriam intercepted her. “I’ll get the bag.”

“You will not!” Shirley said. “You’re a visitor now.”

Miriam laughed. “Not for long, I hope.”

“You are never a visitor,”
Mamm
assured Miriam. “I’m glad you’re home. But come, we’d better get these things inside.”

Everyone’s hands were full, and they all headed toward the house. Shirley hung back from the others to whisper to Miriam, “I’m so sorry about everything that happened in Oklahoma. Are you okay?”

Miriam took a moment to respond. “The Lord is helping me. But let’s not talk about that right now. I’m home and life goes on. How are you doing?”

“Okay, I guess.” Shirley wrinkled up her face.

Miriam set her suitcase down to gently trace the faint scars on Shirley’s face with one hand. “I’d say things are doing quite well. This looks so much better from the last time I saw you. There is much to be thankful for.”

“There is,” Shirley agreed. “And Glen thinks I’m…well…” Shirley looked at the ground.

Miriam smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. You deserve the blessing of the Lord.”

How could Miriam be so cheerful after what she’d gone through? Shirley wondered. The two picked up their loads and hurried to catch up with
Mamm
and Naomi. After going into the house,
Mamm
put a suitcase down and slipped an arm around Miriam’s shoulders. The two spoke together in low tones.

Shirley couldn’t keep tears from trickling down her cheeks. Already Miriam was the shining beacon in the Yoder home. But that was how it should be, and she mustn’t be jealous.

Naomi must have noticed Shirley’s distress because she dropped back a step. “Miriam sure seems happy, but you’d be happy too if you’d just come home from that wild and terrible Oklahoma.”

Shirley grimaced. “I liked it in Oklahoma, and so did Miriam.”

Naomi didn’t look convinced. “There are tornados like oceans out there. They get almost three times the number of tornadoes we do! That’s what
Mamm
and Miriam are talking about right now. With so many tornadoes there must be very little land that doesn’t get hit.”

“Miles are different from oceans,” Shirley corrected. “I guess I’m a little emotional right now. Miriam’s the one who should be crying.”

“Miriam’s come home,” Naomi said, as if that explained everything. “And Glen’s coming this evening. You’ll feel better soon.”

A smile crept across Shirley’s face.

Naomi grinned and left to give Miriam another hug.

Done talking with
Mamm
, Miriam lifted her head high to take in a deep breath. “Home at last—and off that horrible bus. I declare, they get noisier every time I ride in one.”

Mamm
ignored the remark and ushered Miriam to the couch. “Sit down and tell us all about little Jonathon and more about your trip…if you want to.”

“Well, as I said,” Miriam began, “the bus ride wasn’t that great. Uncle William and Aunt Fannie took me to the bus station in
Coalgate with their faithful driver, Mr. Whitehorse. That was on Monday morning, and…”

The front door opened.
Daett
came in and plunked two more suitcases on the floor. He regarded Miriam for a moment. “My eldest daughter back home and safe. We have much to be thankful for.”