Miriam drew in a long breath and stepped away from the window. She must talk with Shirley. If Shirley was troubled, Miriam could understand why. The poor girl had never had something like that happen to her. In Possum Valley, Shirley had always been the center of attention at any youth gathering.
Miriam tiptoed over to baby Jonathon. He hadn’t stirred yet, so perhaps his colic had calmed down. Making sure she kept Jonathon in sight, she made her way to the kitchen to see what Shirley was doing.
Shirley glanced up with a weak smile when Miriam walked in. “Is Jonathon asleep?”
“Yah, finally.” Miriam picked up a towel and began to work on the just-washed dishes. She glanced at baby Jonathon after drying each one.
“It’s your touch.” Shirley smiled a bit brighter this time. “You have a way with babies.”
Miriam shook her head. “Don’t say such things. I have enough problems with pride already.”
Shirley laughed. “You? Problems with pride? What does that say about me then?”
“I guess it says we’re both needing the Lord’s mercy, I suppose.” Miriam reached over and give Shirley a quick hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t said more about the youth gathering. I don’t think you enjoyed it much, but I was too wrapped up in myself to really notice.”
“I must say it was a new experience,” Shirley admitted with a hint of bitterness.
Miriam frowned. “I’m so sorry, Shirley.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Shirley gave a little shrug. “There’s something different about this community. I’m not used to it yet.”
“I know. I’ve sensed it too.” Miriam touched Shirley’s arm. “Will you be okay?”
Shirley pasted on a sweet smile. “Yah, I’m okay. I really am. I’m trying to lessen some of my faults, and this may be just the motivation I need. But that’s me. As for you, you should be happy.”
Miriam gave Shirley a quick glance. “It’s so new to me—getting so much attention. I’m not sure what to think. But I don’t want to reject the goodness of the Lord.”
“There you go!” Shirley washed the pan in her hands with vigor.
“Enough about me,” Miriam said. “Are you sure you’re okay? I mean really okay?”
“As gut as can be expected.” Shirley motioned with her hand. “Now, stop paying me attention. I’ll soon burst out crying, and that’s what I don’t need.”
Miriam reached over to give Shirley’s shoulders another fast squeeze. “We’ll make it through together, Shirley.”
“Yah. Whatever the Lord has for us, let’s accept it. And that goes especially for you, Miriam.”
“I’ll try. I’ve been wondering what I should do about Ivan’s letter. The nerve that man has!”
“I guess just trust that the Lord is working the best out for him too,” Shirley offered.
Miriam glanced at her sister. How fast did things change here? Shirley had never talked like this at home.
At her look, Shirley nodded. “I know that doesn’t sound like me. But enjoy it because tomorrow I may be back to the same person I was before.”
A soft step at the kitchen doorway interrupted the conversation. Both girls turned around.
“He’s sleeping.” Aunt Fannie had a pleased smile on her face.
“You’re up?” Miriam scolded gently. “That wasn’t much of a nap.”
“I can’t sleep,” Aunt Fannie said. “I just toss and turn. Maybe I’ll sleep better tonight…if Jonathon cooperates.”
“Are you going to tell us about the surprise now?” Shirley teased. “I can’t wait until this afternoon.”
“You’re too excitable, Shirley,” Aunt Fannie said good-naturedly. “Oh, all right. I thought we would run into town—just the three of us—for a little shopping. That would give both of you time to look around the big town of Coalgate.”
“But what about helping Uncle William in the greenhouse?” Miriam spoke up.
“You can do that this afternoon,” Aunt Fannie said. “Uncle William and Wayne can handle it this morning. And Coalgate isn’t that far anyway. I phoned Mr. Whitehorse yesterday and scheduled everything. His wife, Leola, is coming along too.”
“Then it’s settled.” Shirley glowed.
Miriam smiled at her sister. Even back at home a trip to town never failed to cheer Shirley. “When is Mr. Whitehorse coming for us?” she asked.
Aunt Fannie glanced at the clock. “At ten. That should give us plenty of time to get ready.”
Shirley rushed to finish the last of the dishes. “Oh, I’m so excited!”
A short while later Aunt Fannie stayed with the baby while Miriam and Shirley went upstairs to their rooms.
With the door closed behind her, Miriam pulled the checkbook from the dresser drawer. “Why do I even want to see you?” Miriam murmured under her breath. “It can’t be because you’ve become my friend because you haven’t.” Even so, Miriam studied the checkbook and debit card, along with the instructions the lawyer had given her. She then reached back into the drawer and took out Ivan’s letter. She slipped all three into her large dress pocket.
She opened her bedroom door to find the hall empty. Stepping out she closed the door behind her and hesitated at Shirley’s door. Should she call? Shirley was probably trying on her best Sunday dress for the venture into town. Miriam nodded her head and smiled as she moved on. She was glad some things hadn’t changed, even if it was only Shirley’s excitement about a town trip.
Miriam took the stairs down and walked into the living room. Aunt Fannie must have taken baby Jonathon with her into the bedroom while she changed clothes.
The bedroom door opened, and Aunt Fannie came out cradling Jonathon.
“May I hold him?” Miriam asked.
Aunt Fannie nodded and carefully passed the boy to Miriam.
Miriam took him into her arms and cooed into this face, “Are you ready for a town trip, little one? You’re so adorable, you sweet thing.” Miriam kissed him on the cheek. “We’re all going on a trip in an Englisha car, and you’re going along! Won’t you just love that?” Through the living room window, she saw Mr. Whitehorse’s car pull up next to the house.
Chapter Thirty
Early that afternoon Miriam stepped out of the Coalgate library and crossed the street at a brisk pace heading toward the bank’s ATM. They had all eaten at a Subway restaurant after visiting a thrift store. Then they’d parted ways from there. Shirley was still at the dollar store searching for inexpensive treasures. Aunt Fannie was picking up a few things in the grocery store. Miriam would have time enough for this short side adventure to see if there really was money in her new bank account. She wasn’t sure she knew how to do it. The instructions from the lawyer were in her pocket, but they hadn’t made much sense. How was it possible to access an account when her bank was in Sugarcreek more than a thousand miles away?
Miriam gathered her courage and approached the ATM. A man had just finished pocketing his cash. He gave her a quick glance as he walked by, and Miriam almost said out loud, I don’t know what I’m doing. Please help me. Embarrassment stopped her. What if Shirley or Aunt Fannie unexpectedly came out and saw her at an ATM? she thought. Word would get out fast, and her deception would become known. Bishop Wagler back home might even excommunicate her. But surely that was an irrational thought brought on by her guilty conscience. The bishop would do no such thing, she was sure.
After one last, quick glance up and down the street, Miriam slipped the card into the slot with an arrow. The machine pulled it in and beeped. Miriam jumped. Then she planted both feet on the ground and read the instructions the lawyer had given her and the ones that appeared on the screen. Soon the machine gave her a list of options.
“Withdraw cash,” Miriam said aloud. “Why not try that?” She’d planned to only check to see if the money was really there. But wouldn’t a little money in her pocket feel gut? And if the money wasn’t there, she wouldn’t be able to get cash. A thrill ran through her. Her heart was betraying he
r, Miriam acknowledged. Did that make her a friend of money?
Miriam pushed the thought away and punched the button with twenty dollars beside it. Immediately the machine responded. A twenty dollar bill spit out of a slot. Miriam took a deep breath and retrieved the money. So far so good. How much money was really in her account? There was only one way to find out. “Check balance,” Miriam read. She punched that button. She gasped when machine spit out a slip of paper with the number $2,008,234.00. There was no question about it. She had over two million dollars in the bank! The money had grown. Now she couldn’t stop herself. Daett had been right. Money did strange things to one’s heart. Miriam held her breath and pressed the withdraw button again—the $500 one this time. The bills came out of the slot. Miriam stuffed them into her handbag without looking at them. Surely her face must be burning red by now. She gasped at how easy it had been. She pocketed the debit card and cash slip before hurrying away. What was she going to do with all this money? There was no place to spend it without being obvious. They already had enough funds for incidentals. Mamm had given it to them the day they left for Oklahoma.
When she saw Shirley walking toward her, Miriam almost rushed the other way, but she forced herself to move forward calmly.
“Where have you been?” Shirley asked.
When Miriam didn’t answer, Shirley’s look turned to concern. “That’s right. You went to the library. Were you reading novels you shouldn’t be?” She giggled at the thought of Miriam doing such a thing.
Miriam gave a strangled laugh. “Of course not! I’m just out of breath from hurrying to find you.” But I have five hundred dollars in my pocket, she almost said out loud. And more than two million dollars in the bank! Shirley probably wouldn’t believe her! Only a trip back to the ATM machine would accomplish that. Not a good idea. Better to let Shirley think what she would about a trip to the library.
Shirley shrugged. “Well, okay. Look what I found!” Shirley drew a small, leather-bound tablet from her pocket. “And for only a dollar! Isn’t that just perfect for a little diary? I would have bought two of them, but this was the only one left. And no wonder since it’s such a gut price.”
Miriam took the offered tablet and turned it over in her hand. “It is wunderbah. You’ve always been a smart shopper.”
Shirley smirked. “That comes from necessity—not having much money. But let’s not speak of that now. Maybe I’ll meet a rich Amish man out here who will make me forget Jonas.”
“Don’t say that!” Miriam scolded.
“I was only teasing.” Shirley gave Miriam a bright smile. “Come, we’d better find Aunt Fannie.”
Miriam agreed and followed Shirley across the street. “I want to help in the greenhouse this afternoon.”
“And say hi to Wayne?” Shirley glanced over her shoulder with a grin.
“Sounds gut to me!” Miriam shot back, although she could feel her neck get warm. How bold she’d become! It’s the money, she told herself. It’s given me confidence. But then again, maybe it was the community in Clarita—being in a new place and all. That was the happier thought of the two, and certainly a lot more acceptable than depending on money for strength. In fact, she wanted to forget about the money…even if she had five hundred and twenty dollars in her pocket.
“You’re falling hard for Wayne, aren’t you?” Shirley teased.
Miriam ignored Shirley’s comment by remarking cheerfully, “Let’s head back to the car. It’s almost time to go.”
Moments later the two stopped beside Mr. Whitehorse’s car. Baby Jonathon was nestled in Leola Whitehorse’s arms. She was gently cooing to him. Mr. Whitehorse and Leola greeted them with pleased looks. Leola was obviously happy.
“She’s always been excellent with our children as well as our grandchildren,” Mr. Whitehorse commented.
“How many grandchildren do you have?” Miriam asked.
He held up five fingers and appeared a bit disappointed. “Children don’t have large families nowadays. We had eight ourselves.”
“There will be more,” Leola said as she continued to coo at Jonathon. “At least I keep hoping so.”
“I’ll check on Aunt Fannie,” Shirley said. “You can wait here, Miriam.”
Before Miriam could respond, the nearby grocery store doors were pushed open and Aunt Fannie appeared with a cart filled to the brim. Both girls rushed forward to help unload. Mr. Whitehorse got out of the car to open the trunk.
“Why didn’t you ask us to help you?” Miriam exclaimed. “I didn’t know you had this much shopping to do.”
“Now, now,” Aunt Fannie chided. “I’m just fine. I wanted you girls to spend some time in town doing what you wanted to do without worrying about me.”
“You should have let us help anyway,” Shirley said. “I did find this treasure.” She held up the leather tablet.
Aunt Fannie placed a bag of groceries in the trunk and then took Shirley’s find. She examined it carefully and glowed. “Now that is worth a trip to town, isn’t it? I’m sure you got it at a bargain.”
“For a dollar!” Shirley beamed. “I went to the dollar store and shopped carefully like any decent Amish woman would.”
Aunt Fannie handed back the tablet. “You’ll be a complement to a fine young man someday. Speaking of young men, I never did hear how Thursday night went. I guess I was too taken up with baby Jonathon.”
Mr. Whitehorse was listening with an attentive ear as he loaded the rest of the groceries into the trunk.
Miriam noticed, so she didn’t say anything. Shirley bit her lip before she finally replied, “Well, Miriam is off to a running start with the youth group.”
“That’s gut to hear. I can’t say I’m surprised. But what about you, Shirley? Did you enjoy yourself?”
Shirley frowned a bit and wrinkled her brow. “I’d say so. It didn’t go quite how I’d hoped, but I’m okay with it.”
“That doesn’t sound gut,” Aunt Fannie said. “Were the youth nice to you?”
“Yes, Aunt Fannie. Everyone was very welcoming. I’m just spoiled and used to a lot of attention, that’s all.”
“She’s having a difficult time adjusting,” Miriam said as she stepped back so Mr. Whitehorse could close the trunk lid. She wasn’t about to say any more with Englisha around. There wasn’t that much for her to say anyway.
“Well, it’ll go better next time,” Aunt Fannie consoled.
Shirley nodded as if she agreed, but Miriam knew it was because her sister didn’t want to discuss the matter further.
They climbed into the car, and Leola handed Jonathon to Aunt Fannie with a smile. “He’s such a little darling. Sweet as my own pumpkins were. I’m glad we kept one of the child safety seats our kinner used for their children.”
“That’s kind of you to say.” Aunt Fannie kissed Jonathon on his cheek. “We sure love him. And I’m glad too.” She strapped baby Jonathon in, and then fastened her own seat belt. She leaned over and gazed at her precious son. “Lord, bless him and all the other little ones You see fit to give us.”
“May there be plenty!” Mr. Whitehorse seconded as he started the car, pulled out of the parking spot, and headed out of town.
Peaceful silence reigned inside the car as the miles rolled away. Miriam watched the landscape pass to take her mind off the ATM machine and the money in her pocket. The difference in this country from Holmes County was pronounced. It seemed quite like another world. She liked that. The uncrowded feeling and the sense that great vastness lay just beyond. Perhaps that explained why people loved each other deeply on the prairie. At least the community in Clarita did. And even though they were Englisha, Mr. Whitehorse and his wife seemed no exception. Even the Englisha were affected.
She settled back in the car seat with a sigh. There was peace here and promise. She could feel it even with the turmoil brought by the sight of all those twenty dollar bills spit out by the ATM. She shouldn’t have taken five hundred dollars out. She’d have to spend the money unobtrus
ively, but how and where? There wasn’t anything she needed. Spending frivolously was a fault she didn’t wish to add to her character. Perhaps she could give the money away. There ought to be opportunities to do that in the community. Maybe she could leave the money stuck in Mr. Whitehouse’s car? Would he be surprised that an Amish woman had that large sum of cash? But then Mr. Whitehorse would ask Aunt Fannie about mislaid money, and soon it would come down to the two sisters. Miriam knew she wouldn’t lie about it.
No, it was best to wait. The Lord would help her. In the meantime, she’d think about something else. Sunday lay ahead, and she would see the youth group again. She could imagine it already, and happiness surged inside her. Maybe Shirley would even enjoy herself this time. Wouldn’t that be an added blessing? Miriam decided she’d pray for that. And there was Wayne, of course. She might have a chance to speak with him this afternoon after the groceries had been unloaded and Aunt Fannie and baby Jonathon were settled in the house. Shirley could put the groceries in the cupboards while she went out to help Uncle William.
The car bounced as Mr. Whitehorse turned in at the Byler driveway. Wayne’s buggy was still in its place, so he was here. Miriam smiled even as she reminded herself not to appear overeager to see him. Yet her heart had softened even further toward Wayne. She wouldn’t continue to see wealth as an obstacle between them unless he did something to suggest it. Wayne wasn’t like Ivan, who had dated someone else and then wanted to come back when he learned of the inheritance. From all appearances, Wayne and the community accepted her for her own sake. Someday she might even tell Wayne about the money, although the very thought struck fear in her heart. But now it seemed at least remotely possible to be forthcoming about it.
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