Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman

Author:Beth Wiseman [Wiseman, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc.
Published: 2011-02-10T13:00:00+00:00

10

SAUL CHASED AFTER MIRIAM AS SHE RAN TOWARD THE buggies. He felt like a louse, but he’d be even more of a louse if he asked Miriam to leave her family and all that she’s ever known behind.

“Miriam, wait!” He finally caught up with her and grabbed her arm so she’d stop. Tears spilled from her eyes, and with little thought, except that he couldn’t stand to see her cry, he cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed the tears on her face. “Please, Miriam. Please don’t cry,” he whispered. When his lips finally met with hers, he kissed her softly, and when she kissed him back, something inside of Saul made him want to beg her to go with him if he left, but nothing could be more selfish. He eased away from her. “I’m sorry I made you cry.” He brushed away her tears with his thumbs, then pulled her into his arms.

“I am such a dummkopp.” Her body shook as she choked out the words, her face buried in his chest. “I should have known that you didn’t feel the same way I do.”

He gently pushed her away. “Is that what you think, Miriam? I’ve liked you since we were kinner.” He kissed her again. “But I would never ask you to leave your family and your friends. Never.”

She sniffled as she gazed into his eyes, and Saul wanted to drop to one knee right there in the old Zook front yard.

“I thought you had changed your mind about leaving our community because of me,” she squeaked out as she started to cry again. “And I wanted you to know that I would go with you, if that were the case.” She stepped back from him and stomped her foot. “I’m such a dummkopp!” she repeated even louder this time.

Saul pulled his eyes from hers as he rubbed his forehead. He couldn’t tell her the real reason he might not be able to go, but her willingness to follow him certainly gave him cause for speculation—Would she really go with me? He could envision a life with Miriam. But just as quickly the image faded. Ruben and James. He couldn’t leave his brothers, not with their father like this. “You’re not a dummkopp, Miriam. Please don’t say that.”

“I want to go home, Saul.” She swiped at her eyes, and Saul saw Jesse and Shelby heading their way. “I’m embarrassed, and I want to go home.”

“Miriam, you don’t understand.”

“Ya. I do.” She moved toward her buggy. Saul followed her.

“I can’t ask you to leave here.”

She faced him, her cheeks stained with tears, and she spoke softly. “No. It appears you can’t.”

Jesse walked up on them, Shelby trailing behind. “What’s going on?” Jesse nudged Saul out of the way and put his hand on Miriam’s arm. “Miriam, what is it?”

“It’s nothing, Jesse.” She sniffled again, and Saul didn’t think he could feel any lower.

Shelby charged ahead, pushing Jesse out of the way. “Miriam, what’s wrong?” She didn’t wait for an answer but instead balled her hands into fists at her sides, moving closer to Saul.

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