Plain Proposal (36 page)

Miriam stared at her like she’d lost her marbles. “What are you talking about? Saul and I will be baptized in October, then married here in November.”

Rebecca shook her head, then smiled. “No. I don’t think so. There’s been a change in plans.”

19

M
IRIAM TRIED TO WRAP HER MIND AROUND EVERYTHING
. It was all happening so fast. Shelby was staying, and Miriam was leaving, moving to Pittsburgh with the love of her life. Miriam knew she should be the happiest girl on the planet. She was marrying Saul tomorrow at one o’clock. It would be a small private ceremony in a Christian church in town, the church that their friend Barbie Beiler attended. Barbie had helped make the arrangements. And the Fishers would get a new start. Her mother had explained the help Zeb would be receiving, which opened the door for Saul to have a chance at his dream.

Miriam sat down on her bed and glanced around the only bedroom she’d ever had. After a few moments, she put her face in her hands, and the tears came on full force. Once they started, she couldn’t get them to stop. She couldn’t believe that her mother had worked with the bishop and Saul’s father to arrange all of this so that Miriam could go with Saul to Pittsburgh. It was the most unselfish thing a parent could do, and Miriam knew the cost for her parents. They’d never wanted any of their children to leave the community. But
Mamm
told Miriam that she knew the Lord would guide her steps no matter where she went, and that she wouldn’t hold her back if she wanted to go with Saul to Pittsburgh.

She wanted to be with Saul, but leaving her community terrified her. It was exciting in the beginning, and Saul’s face always lit up at the mention of it. But now she was going to be married— something exciting but frightening on its own—and moving to a new place, leaving the only home she’d known.

“What’s the matter,
mei maedel
?”

Miriam lifted her head and quickly swiped at her eyes.
“Mamm.”
It was all she could say, then the tears started again. Her mother sat down beside her and pulled her into a hug. Miriam felt like she was five years old, and certainly not old enough to be getting married and venturing out on her own. “I’m scared,
Mamm
.”

Her mother held her, rocking back and forth the way she’d done when Miriam was a child. “I know, Miriam. A lot is happening for you all at once.”
Mamm
eased her away. “But you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Sniffling, she said, “I know. And I want to be with Saul.”

“These are decisions only you can make,
mei dochder
.”

Miriam reached for a tissue on her nightstand, then blew hard. “Saul said we can stay here and raise a family, that we don’t have to go to Pittsburgh.”

“And what did you say?”

“That I really want to go to Pittsburgh.”

“Do you?”

Miriam thought long and hard about the new adventures they would be sharing together as husband and wife. “
Ya
. I do. I’m just scared.”

“But it’s also not too late to change your mind.”

“I want to start a new life with Saul, and I’m excited about going to a new place.” She stared into her mother’s sympathetic eyes. “Will you come to visit us?”

Mamm
smiled. “Pittsburgh is not that far.” She paused, winked. “I think we can travel to the city to see our only
dochder
.”

Miriam tried to smile, but another tear found its way down her cheek.

“Let me ask you something, Miriam.”
Mamm
cupped Miriam’s cheek. “Do you feel led to go on this new venture?”

“I’m so scared,
Mamm
. But not only do I love Saul with all my heart, I do feel led to go in this new direction. I really do think Saul would stay here if I really wanted him to, but I want to share his dream, and I feel like there is something there for me too.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t know what, though.”

“Trust the Lord, Miriam. Follow your heart.”

Miriam knew her next comment would be juvenile, but she couldn’t marry Saul tomorrow and leave without asking. “I’m not being replaced, am I?”

Mamm
smiled warmly. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” Miriam sighed. “No. I guess not. And I am glad that Shelby is staying. Do you think she’ll join the church?”

“I don’t know.” Again she cupped Miriam’s cheek. “But either way,
mei maedel
, you are not being replaced. A mother can love all kinds of folks, but there is no love like the love she feels for her
kinner
.” She kissed Miriam on the cheek. “Take my love with you, Miriam, and know that I am always here for you.”

“
Danki
for what you did,
Mamm
. Noah told Saul that his father could have died if he didn’t get some help with his illness.” She lowered her head, then looked up again. “And Saul and I wouldn’t have been able to go to Pittsburgh if you hadn’t offered to help with Ruben and James.”

Mamm
chuckled lightly. “We will have a houseful of new folks, and, Miriam, all of them put together will not replace you. But I walk in here and see you crying like this, and it makes me wonder if I did the right thing. Are you sure this is what you want? I don’t want you to leave, Miriam, but I want you to follow your path, the one you feel led to follow.”

“I’m sure. I’m just scared.”

“I know. Me too.” She kissed Miriam on the forehead. “Peace and blessings be with you always, my sweet Miriam.”

Then
Mamm
swiped at her own tears and wrapped her arms around Miriam.

If there had been any doubts for Miriam, she couldn’t remember them as she stared into Saul’s eyes the next day in front of both their families. Shelby stood at Miriam’s side as her bridesmaid, and both Ruben and James stood for Saul.

She and Saul were wearing
Englisch
clothes for the first time in their lives. Miriam had chosen a knee-length white dress from a dress shop in Paradise, and Saul was wearing a pair of tan slacks and a white button-up shirt. He’d never looked more handsome. Instead of Bishop Ebersol marrying them, it was a pastor from an unfamiliar church. It was nothing like the Amish wedding ceremony she’d dreamed of her entire life, but when Saul professed his love for her in front of everyone and with a tear in his eye, Miriam knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be. She couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that her new life was opening up possibilities that she couldn’t yet foresee, but for now, she just wanted to bask in the love of her new husband.

Both her parents cried, along with Shelby, during the short ceremony, but Miriam never hesitated, and she didn’t have any more doubts. As she’d told Shelby months ago, you can take your faith anywhere in the world, and Miriam knew her faith in the Lord Jesus would go with her to her new home. Miriam couldn’t believe that she was now Mrs. Saul Fisher.

Mamm
insisted on making the traditional wedding dinner back at their house after the ceremony: turkey roast with all the fixings. Miriam was glad to have that tradition as a memory of her special day. This afternoon she and Saul would leave Paradise and head for Pittsburgh. Saul had rented them a small furnished apartment near his job.

“I love you so much, Miriam.” Saul pulled her around the side of her house, out of sight, then kissed her in a way that made Miriam feel like his wife. She couldn’t wait to start their life together.

“I love you too, Saul. With all my heart.”

“I know you’re scared, Miriam. But I’m going to make you happy for the rest of your life.” He kissed her again, his lips lingering, and Miriam thought she would lift off the ground. Afterward he pulled her into a hug, and Miriam buried her head in his chest, closing her eyes.

“I’m not scared.” And she wasn’t.

Saul held Miriam tight, then they slowly made their way back to the front yard. Saul saw his father standing with Aaron and Rebecca, laughing and smiling, and it warmed Saul’s heart. He felt confident that his father would get the help he needed and that Ruben and James would be tended to by Rebecca and Aaron. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to Rebecca alone, so he needed to take the opportunity right away.

“Rebecca, can I talk to you for a minute?” Saul asked as he and Miriam approached the group. “Be back shortly,” he said to Miriam with a wink. Rebecca followed him to an iron bench near the garden where they both sat down.

“I want to thank you for everything you’re doing, Rebecca. It was hard for me in the beginning to understand. . .” He avoided her eyes for a moment, then looked back at her. “Anyway,
danki
.”

Rebecca patted his leg. “I hope you will remember the
Deitsch
for when you bring my baby girl back to visit me.” She smiled. “I wasn’t sure that I did the right thing. But then something arrived in the mail yesterday.” Rebecca reached inside the pocket of her apron and pulled out an envelope. “It was addressed to Ms. Raber, so I opened it, but it was clearly meant for Miriam. I haven’t shown it to her yet.” She pushed the envelope in Saul’s direction. “But clearly our Miriam has dreams of her own.”

Saul opened the envelope and pulled out a letter.

Dear Ms. Raber,

It would be a pleasure to have you work at the Watkins Christian School for Children with Special Needs. While we normally hire teachers and counselors with experience and/or a degree, we were so moved by the letter you sent us that we would like to offer you an entry-level position within our organization, and we would be happy to have you as a member of our team. We look forward to hearing from you.

Peace in the Lord’s name,
Francis Parker, Director

“Wow.” Saul stared at the letter, pleased that Miriam would be pursuing her dream too. “Can I be the one to tell her?”

“Of course. You’re her husband.” Rebecca smiled, then stood up. When Saul stood up, she hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a
gut
man, Saul Fisher. I trust you to take care of my baby.”

“I will.”

Rebecca turned to walk away, but Saul called after her.

“Ya?”

Saul grinned, then folded his arms across his chest. “I have a little something for you, Rebecca.”

“What’s that?” She raised a brow.

Saul tipped his head to one side. “Miriam sure does want to make sure that you, Aaron, and the boys come to visit us. If I give you this, you have to promise to visit us in Pittsburgh.”