A Place of Peace (23 page)

“I’d like that.”

Colleen walked Miriam to her car and they chatted about the weather for a few minutes before Miriam climbed in and backed out of the driveway. She tooted the horn when she merged onto the main road.

Motoring down the highway, Miriam smiled and whispered thanks to God for lifting the burden from her heart. Then she thanked Him for giving Colleen and Trevor a beautiful daughter to help heal their hearts after the tragedy of losing their sweet Jeremy.

Miriam unlocked the door to the apartment she shared with Abby at seven-thirty that evening. Stepping into the small foyer, she dropped her duffle bag with a loud thump.

“Hello?” she called. “Abby?”

“Hey!” Abby came through the kitchen and hugged Miriam. “How’s your dad?”

Miriam nodded. “He’s doing okay. He’s going to be moved to a rehab center so he can learn how to do some things on his own, like feed himself.”

“Good.” Abby rubbed Miriam’s arm. “I’ve been worried about you and your family.”

“Thanks.”

“Now what are you doing back here so soon?” Abby asked, looking curious. “I thought you were staying two weeks?”

“I have some news.” Miriam glanced toward the kitchen. “But I’d love something to eat first.”

“I’ve got some leftover pizza I can throw in the microwave for you.” Abby lifted Miriam’s bag and carried it to her bedroom, where she dropped it in the doorway.

“Danki,
Abby,” Miriam said, fiddling with her purse strap on her way to the kitchen. “I was going to call but then I thought I could just show up and surprise you.”

“Oh really?” Abby gave her a suspicious look while slapping a piece of pizza onto the paper plate and placing it in the microwave. After slamming the door, she punched a few buttons, and the microwave hummed in response. “You seem anxious. This must be a great story.”

The microwave beeped, and Abby tossed the plate onto the small table.

Miriam lowered herself into a chair in front of the pizza. “How have things been?”

“You’re changing the subject.” Abby sat across from her, eyeing her. “What’s going on? It’s not like you to just get in the car and drive to Indiana. You’re up to something.”

Miriam took a bite of the pizza, fanning the air when it burned the roof of her mouth. Popping up, she rushed across the kitchen and fetched a cold can of Diet Coke from the refrigerator. She gulped down nearly half the can, wishing the burning sensation would subside.

Abby shook her head as Miriam sat across from her. “You always do that. You need to learn to let pizza cool down.”

Miriam sipped more soda. “I know.”

“Now spill it. What’s up?”

“I’m moving back to Gordonville, and I’m joining the church.” She waited for the explosion from her cousin.

“You’re
what?”
Abby’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy?”

“Maybe so, but I feel in my heart it’s the right thing to do.”

“Why this sudden decision?”

“My family has forgiven me.” Miriam sat up straighter, despite her cousin’s wary gaze. “My
daed
asked me to stay. He apologized for how he’s treated me. Lilly apologized and admitted that she’d lied to split Timothy and me up.”

Abby frowned. “And you forgave her? She completely ruined your life, and you’re going to just forgive her and move back to Gordonville like you’re one big, happy family?”

“You remember what the Bible says in Luke 6:37, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.'”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Abby deadpanned. “Your own sister sabotages your life, and you’re going to sit here quoting Bible verses about forgiveness? What she did is worse than taking the last whoopie pie and then lying and saying the dog ate it.”

Miriam took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. She knew Abby would be against the idea. “You’re right. What Lilly did was worse than wrong—it was horrible. However, she’s my sister, and I want my family back.”

Abby’s expression remained unconvinced. “You know you can’t change your mind after you’re baptized. If you leave the community, you’ll be shunned, and then your family won’t have much to do with you.”

“I know that, but I don’t plan to leave. I feel I belong there.” Miriam took another bite of pizza and tried to ignore the sting as the pizza hit the roof of her mouth. “Colleen Henderson forgave me too.”

Abby’s eyebrows shot up in question. “You went to see Colleen Henderson?”

Nodding, Miriam smiled. “I stopped by her house on my way here. She has a beautiful baby girl, Deanna, who’s about fifteen months old now. God has blessed her with happiness after taking Jeremy.”

Abby shook her head. “Wow. That’s a miracle.”

Miriam took another drink.

“I guess everything is working out for you,” Abby said. “Your family has forgiven you and you’ve made amends with the Hendersons. So you came back to say good-bye to boring ol’ me, huh?”

Miriam met Abby’s sad eyes. Guilt coursed through her. “I promise I’ll visit.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Like I haven’t heard that a hundred times from my sisters who have never come once to see me.”

“I’m not one of your sisters.” Miriam touched Abby’s hand. “You know I love you. I promise I’ll come visit and you can come see me too. Hannah,
Aenti,
and I would love for you to come. You know that’s true, Abby.”

Abby’s expression became serious. “I don’t want you to get hurt again by Lilly or by Timothy. He’s engaged to marry Naomi. You know that’s a promise that isn’t often broken in the Amish community, Miriam. Don’t set yourself up for heartache.”

Miriam nodded with emphasis. “I know that. I’m going back to be with my family.” She sighed, thinking of Timothy and his electric smile. “It won’t be easy, but I’ll get used to seeing Timothy with Naomi.”

Abby sighed. “Just be sure this is what you want.”

Miriam smiled. “I will. Thank you for worrying about me. Now, how have things been here?”

They moved on to a discussion about mutual friends in Indiana.

When Miriam began to yawn, Abby nodded toward her bedroom. “I think it’s time for you to hit the hay. You’ve got a lot of packing to do tomorrow.”

Miriam swallowed another yawn. “You’re right.” She squeezed Abby’s hand. “Thank you for taking me under your wing when I left Gordonville and came here. You’ve been like a sister to me.”

Abby chuckled. “You don’t have to thank me. That’s what cousins are for.”

“I won’t forget it. You’re a blessing in my life.” Miriam stood.
“Danki.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Abby rose from her chair. “You can just say thank you. No need to get all Amish on me.”

Chuckling, Miriam hugged her. “I hope you’ll come visit me too.”

“We’ll see.” Abby patted her back. “Just make sure you’re making this decision for you, not because your family is pressuring you.”

“I know in my heart that this is the path God has chosen for me. It feels right.” Miriam tossed the empty plate in the trash can. “I’m going to go see Lauren tomorrow to tell her I’m not coming back to work. She once asked about buying my car for her daughter, so I’m going to see if she still wants it.”

“You’re going to sell your car?” Abby leaned on the counter. “How are you going to get back to Pennsylvania?”

“The train.” Miriam laughed. “There are other modes of transportation besides cars.”

“You love that car.” Abby shook her head, her eyes full of awe. “You’re serious about this.”

“Ya.
I am. Good night.” Miriam headed toward her bedroom. After changing into her nightclothes, she scanned the room and wondered how she would manage to sort through all of the things she’d collected since moving to Indiana. She knew her Amish relatives were on the right track by not hoarding too many material things. She then crawled into bed and fell asleep, dreaming of what life would be like when she moved back to Lancaster County—for good this time.

“You’re leaving permanently?” The following morning Lauren sat at her desk across from Miriam, her eyes wide with shock. “I only wanted you to take a couple of weeks off, not start a new life back in Pennsylvania.”

Miriam bit her lip, hoping her boss would understand. “I know, but my relatives want to start over. We’re going to work things out and be a family again. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”

Lauren’s lips formed a sad smile. “I can understand that, but I’m sure going to miss you.”

“Thank you.” Miriam leaned on the desk. “Remember when you told me that if I ever decided to sell my car you would buy it for Kaitlyn?”

“You want to sell it?” Lauren raised her eyebrows. “You sure?”

“Absolutely. I can’t have a car or a license when I join the church. I have to give up all worldly possessions. I’m ready to sell it to you today.”

“Oh.” Lauren nodded. “I’d love to have it. Kaitlyn has been really good about keeping her grades up, and she’s been saving for a car. She may even have enough for half of the sale price already in her savings account. Let me talk to my husband, and I’ll get you a cashier’s check. How about I call you tomorrow?”

“That would be great.” Miriam sighed. “I’m really going to miss you.”

“If you ever change your mind for whatever reason, you always have a job here waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” Miriam leaned across the desk and hugged her. “I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

Lauren glanced at the clock. “How about I take you to lunch since you didn’t give me time to plan a going-away party for you? It’s almost eleven, so we can make it an early lunch—unless you have plans.”

“No, I don’t.” Miriam shook her head. “I just have to stop by the bank and close out my accounts. I can do that on the way home.”

“Great.” Lauren stood. “Let me just tell the girls up front.”

While Lauren disappeared out of the office, Miriam glanced around, remembering her first visit to the large room when she interviewed for the job. She’d felt so out of her element and lost. Yet, Lauren had given her a chance and taught her everything she now knew about running the front of a doctor’s office. Miriam had loved the job and cherished her friendship with the patients and other members of the staff. It would be bittersweet to say good-bye to the friends who’d become her surrogate family.

“Okay, let’s go,” Lauren said, crossing to the desk and snatching her purse from the bottom drawer. “The girls said you’d better stop by and see them before you leave.”

“I will,” Miriam said, following Lauren into the hall.

Stepping into the front office, tears filled Miriam’s eyes. She hugged each of her former coworkers and thanked them for their friendship.

She followed Lauren out to her car and silently thanked God for the wonderful friends she’d made in Indiana.

T
imothy steered the horse toward Naomi’s house. He stared out the windshield of the buggy, trying in vain to concentrate on his passenger in the seat beside him.

“Supper was
appeditlich,”
Naomi said, her voice cheery.
“Danki
for inviting me.”

“Of course,” Timothy said, glancing at her smile. “I’m glad you could join me and my family. My
mamm
always enjoys having you.”

While Naomi yammered on about stories his sisters had been swapping, Timothy’s thoughts wandered back to Miriam for what seemed like the hundredth time this evening. He couldn’t stop wondering why she’d decided to move back to Gordonville and join the church. Was her family the real reason? Or did she think somehow they could get back together?

He pushed that thought aside since it was a moot point. He’d made a promise to Naomi, and he intended to keep it. As Miriam had said, Timothy was her past, and their relationship was in the past.

If she was his past, then why couldn’t he get Miriam out of his head?

“Timothy?” Naomi asked. “Are you still with me? You’re distracted again.”

“I’m here,” he said, hoping his thoughts weren’t transparent. “It’s been a long day for me.”

“Ya, it has.” She sighed. “It was nice getting to spend more time with you. Before you know it, we’ll be spending a lot more time together.” She squeezed his arm. “I can’t wait.”

He forced a smile. “It’s coming up fast.”

He wished he could be more excited about their wedding. It bothered him that he wasn’t more enthralled about bringing Naomi home the night of their wedding. When he’d talked to Daniel, his older brother shared that he had often looked forward to his first days in his home with his new bride. Why didn’t Timothy possess those feelings for Naomi?

Was he making a mistake marrying a young woman with whom he wasn’t completely in love?

Timothy turned his thoughts toward maneuvering the buggy up the long rock lane to Naomi’s parents’ home.

“Lunch tomorrow?” Naomi asked. A smile grew on her face. “I’ll bring you something special.”

“That would be nice.” He took her hand in his.
“Danki
again for having supper with my family and me.”

“They’ll be my family soon.” Her expression turned expectant, and she sucked in a breath.

He knew she wanted a kiss, and he wished he were more excited about fulfilling the request. Leaning down to her, he cupped her face in his hands.

I wish you were Miriam.

The thought caught him off guard. He stared at Naomi’s face.

Her eyes widened with worry. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He pushed a lock of hair that had escaped her
kapp
back from her face. “I was just thinking about how beautiful you are.” He was ashamed of how easy his lips blurted out the fib.

Lying is a sin.

Her cheeks blushed crimson.
“Danki,”
she whispered, shifting closer to him.

Leaning down, he brushed his lips across hers.

“I love you.” Her words came in a tentative whisper.

“Ich liebe dich,”
he echoed, wishing with all his heart that the words were true.

Her expression brightened. “Lunch tomorrow?”

“I look forward to it.” He began to open his door.

“No, no.” She placed her hand on his. “I can find my way to the porch alone. You get on home. It’s getting late and you must rise early.
Gut nacht.”