Miriam's Secret by Jerry S. Eicher

Author:Jerry S. Eicher
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736958806
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Miriam watched with interest as Mr. Whitehorse pulled into the driveway of an obviously Amish homestead. She didn’t know exactly how the Byler place would look from Aunt Fannie’s brief descriptions in her letters, but there were buggies parked in the yard and there was a large greenhouse. Yah, this had to be Aunt Fannie and Uncle William’s home. Plus Aunt Fannie’s chatter had stopped. They had arrived! Aunt Fannie certainly wasn’t the quiet one of the family, but that was one of the things Miriam had always liked about her aunt.

“Here we are!” Uncle William announced as they all got out of the car.

Aunt Fannie waved her hand about. “This is it. Our western spread. Well, a nursery really. But you already knew that.”

“It’s beautiful,” Shirley gushed. “I’ll love it here.”

Aunt Fannie laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Make yourselves right at home.”

Mr. Whitehorse opened the trunk and set their suitcases on the ground. “There you are.” He added, “And again, welcome to Oklahoma.”

“Thank you,” Miriam said. She turned to face her aunt. “You’ll be getting off your feet now that we’re here. I’m taking over until the baby comes.”

“I…I have to do something,” Aunt Fannie sputtered in protest, but she appeared relieved.

“I certainly agree with Miriam,” Shirley added. “No more work for Aunt Fannie now that the Yoder sisters have arrived!”

Uncle William glowed. “Now that’s what I call the Lord’s gut timing. But don’t spend all your time at work. The community will have plenty of youth activities. You won’t want to miss any of those. And we do have a shortage of unmarried girls, I believe.”

“William!” Aunt Fannie scolded, even as a young man came out of the greenhouse door. He shielded the sun from his eyes as he looked in their direction.

Shirley drew in her breath and whispered. “I told you, Miriam. There he is!”

Aunt Fannie and Uncle William must have heard, Miriam was sure. She felt blood rush up her neck. What kind of impression did this create with Uncle William? He would think they had discussed being on the lookout for suitable boyfriends. In her case, it was exactly the opposite. She’d fled one potential suitor, and she didn’t want another one.

“That’s my nephew Wayne.” Uncle William grinned from ear to ear. “He helps out at the greenhouse once in a while.” Uncle William lowered his voice. “And he’s available.”

Miriam tried to think of an adequate response, but the words stuck in her throat.

Shirley had no such inhibitions. She smiled her sweetest as the man approached.

“Introduce them,” Aunt Fannie whispered to Uncle William, as if she were in on the conspiracy.

Which maybe she was, Miriam thought. From all appearances, her aunt and uncle had been the ones who had discussed this matter at length. But no matter. Miriam simply didn’t want a boyfriend. And this handsome man would go for Shirley anyway. They always did.

“This is Miriam and Shirley Yoder, my nieces.” Uncle William was obviously happy in his role as potential matchmaker. “And this is my nephew Wayne Yutzy.

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