Free Miriam's Secret by Jerry S. Eicher Page B

Mamm clearly felt deeply for her plight. Probably Daett did too, even if neither of them had found the words to express themselves that way.
    Daett cleared his throat. “ Mamm and I have spoken at length about this matter, Miriam. You know how we feel about money, so you can imagine our feelings on Mr. Bland leaving you his large farm.”
    â€œI didn’t know he was going to do such a thing,” Miriam said. “Rose assured you of that. And the lawyer questioned me at the restaurant about it too. They are satisfied that everything is…was…in order.”
    Daett regarded her steadily but his voice trembled. “Were you inappropriate with him, Miriam? Is that why Mr. Bland left you the farm?”
    Miriam froze. How could Mamm and Daett think such a thing? Even the lawyer hadn’t asked such a question! Miriam tried to speak, but no words came out.
    Mamm stood and reached across the space between them to squeeze Miriam’s arm. “I’m sure Daett doesn’t mean to accuse you by asking so directly, but we have to know if there was any hint of improper behavior between you.”
    Miriam choked out the words. “He was like a daett to me. Was that a sin?”
    Daett ’s face relaxed. “That’s gut to hear, Miriam. Even though you shouldn’t have regarded an Englisha man like a daett . But it does explain a lot. Mr. Bland must have looked on you like a daughter.”
    Miriam tried to breathe deeply as Mamm said, “We don’t hold that against you, do we, Daett ?” Mamm glanced toward Daett in his rocker.
    Daett nodded. “I should have paid more attention to whatwas happening with Mr. Bland and you.” He hung his head for a moment. “I guess the regular paycheck blinded my eyes, and now we’re in this situation.”
    â€œMaybe the Lord can bring some gut out of this?” Mamm asked, looking for the positive.
    Daett didn’t say anything. He seemed lost in thought.
    â€œI did nothing to ask for this,” Miriam said. “But I’ll still repent if you believe I did something wrong.”
    â€œYou did nothing wrong that I can see,” Mamm said.
    They both waited for Daett ’s verdict.
    What he said would be final, Miriam knew. But how could Daett hold this against her? She couldn’t think of anything untoward that had occurred between Mr. Bland and herself.
    â€œYou must give this farm away.” Daett ’s voice was firm. “It’s not right for a twenty-year-old girl to have such riches. And how would you care for the place? You can’t. And if you could and did, that would be a scandal too great to imagine in our community. A young woman managing a large farm. It wouldn’t be seemly.”
    Miriam swallowed hard. Here was her answer, and it was an option she’d already considered and rejected. Rose and Mr. Rosenberg would consider such an action a great insult to Mr. Bland’s final wishes. How was she to explain this to Daett , let alone change his mind?
    Mamm ’s hand had found Miriam’s arm again. “Your Daett is right, Miriam. And I can see you’re struggling to accept his decision. See how much of a hold wealth has on a person? Let this be a warning! Get rid of this farm at once. Surely Rose will know how this can be done.”
    â€œShe’s coming this afternoon,” Miriam reminded them. From the look on Mamm and Daett ’s face, this was a relief. The soonershe gave the place away the better. But how could she? And it wasn’t because money had a hold on her heart. It was because she wished to honor Mr. Bland’s wishes.
    A sob rose from her heart. “Mr. Bland’s memory shouldn’t be offended like this. He loved me like a daughter. Rose even said so. And this was a gift given from his heart.”
    Daett ’s lips were set in a firm line. “That is not a good reason, Miriam. Look where this path might lead. There lies nothing