Miriam and the Stranger

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Tyler stepped closer. “I really need to speak with you, Miss Yoder. It’s important.”

  “But why?” she croaked.

  A smile played on his face. “Well, we could go inside to talk about this—if you have the time right now.”

  “I think it would be better if you just left,” she said, her voice not even trembling.

  Tyler regarded her with a tilt of his head. “I’m sorry this is uncomfortable for you. I just want to ask a couple of questions for my story, and then I’ll leave… if you really want me to.”

  He had read her correctly, Miriam told herself. Oh, why couldn’t she have feelings for Mose like the ones that were racing through her heart right now? This was an Englisha man, and he was completely out of her league. Miriam forced out the words, “I don’t think I have any answers that would interest you.”

  “You might be surprised.” Tyler was his confident self again. “Can we go inside now? I’ll take only a few minutes. And your classes don’t begin for a while, do they?”

  Miriam couldn’t speak, so as an answer she led the way to the schoolhouse and held open the door for him.

  “Thank you,” Tyler said, sporting that same grin that made her stomach flutter.

  Miriam led Tyler up the aisle and took her usual place behind her teacher’s desk. That left Tyler to sit where the students sat on the benches. She needed to establish some control over the situation even if she couldn’t restrain her own emotions. Perhaps the one would affect the other now that she could sit down.

  She stole a quick glance at him. He smiled at her from his lowered position. The man had enough charm to… Miriam pushed the thought away to ask, “So why are you here?”

  “To get some answers,” Tyler replied, still smiling.

  Miriam looked away. They’d go around this point all morning, and yet she felt totally helpless. Was this the Lord’s way to humble her? If it was, the job was well done. She didn’t have a smidgen of self-respect left.

  Tyler regarded Miriam for a long moment. “I now know who gave the two million dollars to the Clarita Relief Fund.”

  Miriam’s head spun. How could Tyler know? Had Deacon Phillips told him? But that wasn’t possible.

  Tyler seemed to read Miriam’s question. “I asked one of your students yesterday on his way home from school. Doesn’t your Bible say, ‘out of the mouth of babes’?”

  Miriam clasped her hands together until they hurt. The man was brilliant. Even she wouldn’t have thought to ask the schoolchildren, but of course they would know and think the matter of small concern. Such things couldn’t be kept a secret in the small community.

  “Who would have thought?” Tyler had open admiration on his face. “It was you who gave the money. Will you confirm this?”

  I could lie, Miriam told herself, but that wasn’t possible even at this horrible moment. She was who she was. And Tyler might expect her to deny it, and this would only motivate him to dig deeper. What if Tyler went to Deacon Phillips or Uncle William for confirmation? Mose might even hear of the inquiry.

  “Yah, I did give the money,” Miriam said, finding her voice.

  His eyebrows went up. “So you really did?”

  “I see that was the wrong thing to say,” Miriam snapped.

  “Well, I didn’t think you would lie.” Tyler was sober-faced now. “So let’s backtrack a little. That means you once had two million dollars. Can I ask how you came into the possession of such a sum? Have you been married before?”

  That’s none of your business, Miriam almost said. But the words would sound bitter.

  “Of course, you don’t have to tell me,” he said. “I won’t use this for my story. I respect you, and I respect your privacy.”

  He was a reporter, Miriam told herself, but Tyler appeared sincere, so the words spilled out. “I once worked for an older man for three years, a Mr. Bland in Possum Valley. He could take care of himself during the night but needed someone with him during the day, for meals, and making sure he took his medicines. I also kept the house clean and that sort of thing.” Miriam’s voice died off.

  Tyler remained silent while she searched for words.

  “I had grown to love Mr. Bland. He was generous to me with wages, and we needed the money at home badly. Daett isn’t that gut handling money.” Miriam bit her lip. She shouldn’t have said that, but Tyler didn’t know Daett and never would. Miriam hurried on. “One morning I arrived at his house as usual and helped him get out of bed and buttoned his shirt for him. Mr. Bland said he had dreamed of his frau, Thelma, that night. He said it was a lovely dream. As I helped him to his front porch rocker while I fixed his breakfast, his face just shone with the memory of his dream. When I came back with his breakfast, he was gone… to join Thelma.” Miriam felt a tear well up at the memory.

  “And he left you the money,” Tyler finished.

  Miriam could only nod.

  “He must have loved you a lot,” Tyler said.

  Miriam glanced at him in alarm, but Tyler only smiled back. He understood, Miriam thought, and more tears welled up.

  “You must have been close.” Tyler stood to take a Kleenex from the desk and hand it to Miriam. She took it and wiped her eyes.

  “Yah, we were,” Miriam allowed. She finally collected herself. What if one of the students walked in early and found her in tears with the Englisha man? What had come over her? Words to dismiss him from the schoolhouse rose to her lips, but his gaze made them die before she could speak.

  “How did you decide to give the money away?” Tyler’s voice was gentle.

  Miriam looked away. She couldn’t share those intimate details with an Englisha reporter. But at the moment Tyler didn’t look like a reporter. He didn’t even look Englisha. His face was clean-shaven this morning as an unmarried Amish man’s would be, and she could almost imagine him with an Amish haircut.

  So the words tumbled out. “My daett has very strong opinions about money, so I kept the inheritance a secret from him and Mamm. Which was wrong, of course, but it seemed like the wisest course at the time. Anyway, I had some trouble with a sort of ex-boyfriend. Everything got all tangled up. I came out here to get away for a while and ended up falling in love with a local Amish man and became engaged to him. We had planned to marry when…” Miriam couldn’t go on.

  Tyler nodded. “Your deacon told me that part of the story. He died in the tornadoes. He and his sister. I’m sorry for you, Miriam. I really am.” Tyler handed her another Kleenex.

  Miriam wiped her eyes. “Yah, that’s what happened.” She tried to smile. “But the Lord has been with me all these years.”

  “I suppose so.” Tyler stared at her.

  Miriam stood to her feet. “Now, I think you’d better go. The children will be arriving soon and I have some work to do.”

  Tyler stood with her and moved a step away, but he paused to turn around. “I’d like to speak to you again, Miriam. Some time when it’s convenient.”

  “You can’t do that.” Miriam twisted the Kleenex into her hand. “You really can’t.”

  “Why not?” His blue eyes pierced hers.

  “The community… I mean it’s not proper… because…” Miriam shut her mouth. Now she had only made the situation worse.

  “I’ll see you in a few days then.” A slight smile played on his face.

  Before Miriam could speak, Tyler had gone out of the schoolhouse door. Miriam glanced down at the floor where little pieces of Kleenexes lay scattered about. She ignored them to rush over to the window and watch Tyler’s car leave. Once the vehicle was out of sight, Miriam brought herself out of her trance with a sharp pinch on the arm. She must get out of this dreamworld somehow. Slowly the Kleenex particles beside her desk came into focus again. Miriam hurried back to the closet and grabbed the broom to sweep them up. With a quick dump of the dustpan she emptied the pieces into the wastebasket.

  There, at least the evidence of her behavior during Tyler’s visit was gone. But what about the unsee
n evidence in her emotions? Her heart had betrayed her again. And where should she go from here? This was only getting worse. Perhaps she should confess to Mose tonight. He’d understand, wouldn’t he? But she knew he wouldn’t. If he knew what had happened at the schoolhouse this morning, Mose would leave tomorrow on the first Greyhound bus out of Coalgate.

  Chapter Ten

  After supper that evening Miriam and Mose sat quietly on the front porch of Aunt Fannie’s home. Miriam turned her face so the cool evening breeze could blow across her cheeks. The last of the sun’s glow was fading in the western sky, and the kerosene lamp on the porch flickered on Mose Stoll’s face. He had insisted they bring a light so they wouldn’t sit in the dark. What a holy man Mose was. He wanted only impeccable standards applied to their relationship. A flush of shame filled Miriam’s face. She should confess and tell Mose about Tyler Johnson right now, but the words stuck in her mouth. And Mose seemed happy with the silence on the porch as behind them the low murmur of Aunt Fannie’s and Uncle William’s voices came from the living room.

  There was an excuse for her weakness, Miriam assured herself. In the years she had taken care of Mr. Bland, she must have become comfortable around Englisha men. Perhaps too comfortable. Was that the explanation for why she had such an unusual reaction to Tyler Johnson? No wonder Mamm had entertained misgivings about her job with Mr. Bland. Still, the Lord would see her through this difficult situation. In the meantime she wouldn’t spill her thoughts to Mose. It wasn’t necessary. They might even marry this wedding season, and as a minister’s frau her past would lie forever behind her.

  “You seem comfortable enough with me tonight.” Mose’s voice interrupted Miriam’s thoughts. He turned to face her with a pleased expression on his face.

  “Just thinking, that’s all.” Miriam forced a smile. “About us and the future.”

  Mose nodded. “That’s gut. I’m glad you’re taking this seriously. I’m planning on leaving after the weekend, and I’m thinking we should see each other only once more before then. Perhaps on Sunday evening?” He smiled. “I can bring you home like a proper dating couple.”

  Miriam lowered her head. “Whatever you think is best is okay with me.”

  Mose seemed pleased again. “Can I look forward to a letter writing time between us once I return to Wayne County?”

  Miriam’s head spun. Would there be no marriage proposal? Was a time of letter writing all that Mose offered after this week of intense scrutiny? Did Mose pick up the discord in her heart over Tyler Johnson?

  Mose leaned forward to ask, “Or do you need more time to think about this?”

  “Oh, no!” Miriam let out a little gasp. “Yah, I can write letters.”

  “So it’s settled then.” Mose had a big smile on his face. “We must take this slowly… even though I could use a frau at home in Wayne County next week.”

  What was she to say to that? So she said nothing.

  Mose continued. “I know that my house is empty, and I’m lonely, but I can’t think of taking you away from your schoolteaching job before the term is over. And more time would also give each of us a chance to think about whether marriage is what the Lord wants for us. I hope you understand that I meant no harm by my sudden appearance in the community or by my suggestion that we correspond by letter for a while. I understand that a woman’s heart turns slowly, and I have been grateful that you’ve been as open to me as you have been.”

  Miriam cast her gaze to the porch floor. There was only one proper response, and she must say it. With a steady voice Miriam spoke. “I will pray about this, and I’m not offended by your attentions. I can understand your position, and I trust Daett and Mamm’s judgment on the matter. They haven’t led me wrong before.”

  Admiration filled Mose’s face. “You truly are a woman blessed by the Lord, Miriam. I continue to be amazed.”

  “Oh, I do have my faults,” Miriam managed to whisper. “For which I ask forgiveness each day.”

  “Ah, but we all do,” Mose said. “Faults are nothing to be ashamed of. They keep us humble and walking in the Lord’s strength.”

  She could breathe again, Miriam told herself. Slowly the throb of her conscience drifted into the background.

  Mose cleared his throat beside her. “But there is something I wish to tell you before I leave.”

  “Yah?” Miriam glanced up at his face. Surely the man wouldn’t confess detailed faults of his own. Mose would expect her to follow his example after that.

  “I understand that you’ll be coming to Possum Valley for your sister’s wedding soon.”

  “Yah.”

  Mose smiled. “I’ll be seeing you of course when you do.”

  “Sure,” Miriam said at once. “That’s better than reading and writing letters.”

  Now why had she said that? She sounded overeager again.

  Mose spoke as if he hadn’t noticed. “I should tell you another thing. There might be a change, a serious change, in my ministry before long.” Mose let out a nervous chuckle and seemed to gather his courage. “Far be it from me to know the mind of the Lord or to even think of my own worthiness for such a high and holy calling, but it would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention the possibility. You would think for sure I was trying to hide something from you.”

  Miriam waited with her gaze fixed on his face. She whispered a silent prayer, “Please, no secrets.”

  But Mose appeared pleased with her attention and began to speak again. “Our district is ordaining a bishop this fall at communion time. We’ve been without a bishop for a year now, and I guess it’s time. What I’m saying is that there is a chance the lot might fall on me. If it does, I beg the Lord for mercy and strength for the task. But this would be one more thing you should consider in a marriage relationship with me.”

  Miriam stared at him. “You might be made bishop?”

  “Yah.” Now Mose studied her. “Is that a problem for you?”

  “No, of course not.” Miriam folded her hands on her lap. “You know this would be a great honor.”

  “And one I am unworthy of,” Mose added at once.

  “And so would I be unworthy.” Miriam’s fingers dug into her palm. She might be a bishop’s wife? The thought took her breath away. So this was where the Lord’s plan was leading her? No wonder the road had been so rough and difficult. One didn’t become a bishop’s frau without preparation. A great light seem to shine right out of heaven into her heart. This explained so much of her past sadnesses and even her temptations with Tyler Johnson. The Lord had clearly been testing her. She had been too blind to see before this. And yet, she had somehow been able to trust the Lord and prevail.

  “You have nothing to say to this?” Mose had turned in his chair to face Miriam.

  “It’s… it’s just so much to fathom, I guess,” Miriam managed. “I’m just a schoolteacher.”

  Mose smiled at this description. “You’re also quite humble, and before the Lord’s eyes that’s of great value. We will submit this to the Lord and await His decision, but I’m glad I told you and that you’re still willing to continue the relationship.”

  Had Mose really thought she wouldn’t? Or had he wanted to see her reaction? Either way she had apparently passed the test. Mose studied the darkened horizon beyond Uncle William’s greenhouse. “Your sister Shirley is getting a gut man, you know.”

  The bishop subject must be over, Miriam told herself. She responded, “Yah, I know. Glen is gut for her.”

  She could play along with Mose’s light conversation, but she would have appreciated a few more moments to ponder this turn of events. Becoming a bishop’s frau was not a light matter. She still hadn’t absorbed the full implications. Mamm would be so impressed, and Daett would glow with joy from ear to ear. That was if Mose was chosen in the lot, but somehow she knew he would be. Likely Mose would get most of the votes, but it only took three votes from the members to make any of the ministers a candidate. Surely the Lord would pick Mose, Miriam told herse
lf. Too many things pointed in that direction.

  “Maybe we should go inside.” Mose stood to his feet, not waiting for an answer before he headed for the front door.

  Miriam followed him. Once inside, the smiling faces of Uncle William and Aunt Fannie greeted them. There was no sign of Jonathon, who had already been sent to bed.

  “Time that I should be on my way,” Mose announced. “Thank you so much for the supper, Fannie, and for the way both of you have taken me into your home this week. I am most grateful.”

  “It was a great pleasure,” Aunt Fannie gushed. “Do you want another piece of pie before you leave?”

  Mose laughed. “And swell my stomach to indecent proportions? I think not. But thanks anyway.”

  Miriam winced. She should have thought to offer Mose food before he left, but her mind wasn’t working very well.

  “I’ll see you on Sunday then.” Mose smiled in Miriam’s direction and then opened the front door and was gone into the night.

  “Abrupt sort of man,” Uncle William muttered. “But a solid man too.”

  “He certainly needs a frau,” Aunt Fannie added. “He’s way too skinny, whatever he says. Only a frau can fatten up that kind of man.”

  Uncle William grinned but didn’t say anything. Miriam moved into the kitchen to hide her red face. This conversation disturbed her, as did the rest of the evening.

  Footsteps followed her into the kitchen, and she heard Aunt Fannie’s gentle voice.“I’m sorry if I offended you, Miriam. I didn’t mean my comments about Mose to sound the way they did.”

  Miriam forced a smile. “That’s okay. I’m troubled about something else.”

  Aunt Fannie took a seat at the kitchen table. She looked up with a smile on her face. “Did Mose propose tonight, and did you accept? Is that it? I can see where that would be a big adjustment.”

  Miriam shook her head. “He didn’t propose. Mose wants to write letters for a while. He doesn’t want to take me away from my schoolteaching job until the end of the term.”