A Blessing for Miriam Read Online Free PDF Page B

like Burger King fine. It’s just not where we usually go.”
    “For fast food, I usually like Subway. Tonight I just wanted something different.”
    A stab of pain ran through Shirley. Was that how Jonas looked at her? As something different? The poor Amish girl who was a nobody? With his money, he probably had his choice of women. Why had he picked her tonight?
    Since returning from Oklahoma several months ago, Shirley had gone out with Jonas a few times. She never knew if or when he’d call again. Did he like her for real or was she just some kind of Amish amusement for him? And was she okay with that? Yes, she was. Dating Jonas was an opportunity she just couldn’t pass up. She decided she’d not feel guilty about seeing him like she had last fall. She was, after all, into rumspringa , and Jonas fit into that scenario well. She didn’t want to let him go.
    Jonas gazed down at the valley. He pointed toward the light illuminating an Amish farmhouse. “I wonder who lives there?”
    Shirley looked quickly and then unwrapped her sandwich. “I don’t know,” she replied. “It could be the Stolls, but Possum Valley is a big place. It could be someone else.”
    Jonas’s voice was low. “I’ve often wondered how life would have turned out if my parents had stayed Amish.”
    Shirley looked over at him. “You’re not thinking of going back to being Amish? Is that why you keep seeing me?”
    Jonas laughed. “I don’t think so…I mean the going Amish part. I see you because I like you.”
    A soft sigh escaped Shirley’s lips. “I like you too. But I’m only on my rumspringa . I’m not committed to your world.”
    His grin filled his face again. “Not yet anyway. But maybe someday?”
    “You mean leave the Amish and join your church?” She gasped. “I could never do that.”
    Jonas shrugged. “You also told me we weren’t made for each other last fall. Remember? It was on a night like this. We were out near Apple Creek…and we kissed.”
    Shirley tried to take a deep breath. That evening had been so special. And that kiss had been their first and only kiss—so far. Was that why Jonas had brought her here tonight? Did he want their relationship to return to where it was headed last fall, before she’d left him for Oklahoma?
    “It doesn’t bother me that you’re Amish,” Jonas said.
    “I’m glad,” Shirley said. “But we both know…” She let the words go unsaid, knowing he’d understand what she wouldn’t say. We are worlds apart. One of us would have to give up a lot. Do we love each other enough for that?
    “I understand.” Jonas nodded. “But I still like being with you.”
    Jonas played her well, Shirley thought. That was why she was drawn to him despite her continual resolutions to never see him again. Her mind told her this relationship could never work, but her heart told her she could love Jonas…for now. And there was the fact that Jonas’s daett was one of the richest men in the county. She was ashamed to admit that part of her attraction had to do with their money. Jonas deserved a frau who loved him for himself, not for what he possessed and might someday inherit.
    Jonas reached for her hand. “You’ve never really told me what happened out in Oklahoma.”
    Shirley held her untouched sandwich and didn’t move. Jonas had accepted her return without explanation so far. Why bring it up now? Was he really interested?
    “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” His voice was kind.
    Tears sprang to Shirley’s eyes. “Oh, it was lots of things, I guess. Mostly turmoil with myself. Trying to figure out where I belonged. It didn’t seem to be in Oklahoma.”
    “You’re not eating.” He motioned toward her sandwich.
    Shirley looked down at her food. “I’m…I’m just thinking about things, that’s all.”
    He said nothing more as she took a bite and chewed slowly. The sandwich was delicious. She didn’t often get a chance to eat in Englisha restaurants, even