Free A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston

she asked. “What’s bothering you today? You’ve been acting strange ever since we got to the funeral.”
    Frowning, Timothy met her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    She pursed her lips and folded her arms in front of her chest. “You keep saying that, but you keep getting this dazed look on your face. You can talk to me. You can trust me.”
    He sighed. No, I can’t tell you because the truth will hurt you too much.
    “How about we head home?” He touched her arm. “I’m really tired.”
    She lifted her chin in defiance. “You’re avoiding the question, Timothy Kauffman.”
    He smiled. “You got me there, Naomi. I’m avoiding it because it’s too boring. I was thinking about a job I’ve been struggling with at work. I’m trying to figure out how to fix this one bureau that has been giving me a fit since Monday. See?” He shrugged. “It’s not that exciting. Let’s head home. I’m tired of the crowd.”
    Her eyes said she wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t push the subject any further. “Let me say good-bye to Lilly first. I didn’t get to talk to her earlier.”
    While Naomi stepped back into the house, Timothy cut his eyes toward the field once more. He spotted Miriam crossing the street and heading toward her aunt’s house, and he glowered.
    Would he ever figure out who Miriam Lapp truly was? And what did that intense expression she gave him mean?
    Why did she still make his toes curl with just one gaze?
    Shaking his head, he stepped into the house and tried in vain to put Miriam out of his mind.
    Miriam slipped off her shoes and walked into the den, where Edna sat with her feet elevated on a hassock. “How are you?”
    “Tired, Miriam.” Edna frowned. “Arthritis is a nightmare.”
    Miriam stepped over to the kitchen area, fetched a glass of ice water, and brought it to Edna. “This should help you feel better.”
    “Danki, kind.
You’re so thoughtful.” She took a long drink and then set the glass on the end table beside her. “The funeral was nice.”
    “
Ya.
” Miriam lowered herself onto the sofa. “I can’t believe my
mamm
is gone. I wish I’d spoken with her one last time. I wish I’d had one more chance to tell her I loved her.” She sniffed as the tears began to flow down her hot cheeks.
    “Oh,
liewe.”
Edna reached out with a gnarled hand. “Come sit with me.”
    Swiping her hands down her cheeks, Miriam moved to the chair next to her. Miriam sobbed while Edna rubbed her arm.
    “There, there,” Edna cooed. “You mustn’t punish yourself. Your
mamm
loved you and knew you loved her. Lift your burdens up to God. He will help heal your soul.”
    Miriam sniffed. “Abby said she’s going to book a flight home. I’m sorry to see her go, but she says she has to get back to work.”
    Edna shook her head. “That
maedel
works too much. I think she’s forgotten what matters most in life.”
    Miriam studied her bitten fingernails. Who was she to judge Abby when her life was nearly parallel, except for the big-time corporate job?
    “What about you?”
    “What?” Miriam looked toward Edna.
    “Are you leaving me too?”
    Miriam shook her head. “I want to stay a while so I can spend time with you, Hannah, and Lena Joy. I’d also like to work things out with
Daed.
He ignored me at the funeral, and I need to get him to realize I’m not to blame for what happened at the Hendersons.”
    Edna patted Miriam’s hands. “I think that’s a good plan. You can wait a few days for things to settle down and then try to talk to him again.”
    “I’ll call my boss in the morning and tell her I’m finally going to use that two weeks of vacation I have set aside.” Miriam stood and headed for the kitchen.
    “What are you doing?” Edna asked.
    “Baking. Beth Anne will be here tomorrow to pick up more pastries for the bakery. We need to have them ready, don’t we?”
    Edna rose. “Let me help you.”
    “No, no.” Miriam gestured for her to sit. “I’ve got it. Your cookbook is