A Place of Peace Read Online Free PDF Page B

their past.
    However, Beth Anne could tell Jessica the story, and then Jessica could share the story …
    Miriam swallowed a groan.
    Edna nodded toward the refrigerator. “There are three more pies in there. I made them last night.” She frowned. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make more, but my fingers are very painful lately.”
    “Oh, I understand,” Beth Anne said. “I hope you’re feeling better soon.”
    “Abby and I helped her make some more desserts this morning,” Miriam said. “We’ll help again tomorrow.” She fetched the pies from the refrigerator and then turned to Beth Anne and Jessica. “I’ll help you carry everything outside.”
    “Danki.”
Beth Anne took the pies from the table. Turning, she smiled at Edna.
“Danki.
I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Jessica grabbed the bags of cookies and said good-bye.
    Miriam took a deep breath while following Beth Anne outside, where they approached a dark blue SUV with Virginia license plates.
    Smiling, Beth Anne took the desserts from Miriam’s hands and placed them on the back floor of the SUV. Miriam bit her lower lip, holding back the questions bursting forth in her mind. Was Timothy married? Was he a father?
    Had he ever loved Miriam or was their whole relationship a mistake?
    But if he did love her, had Miriam messed up by leaving? Still, she couldn’t imagine doing otherwise, considering what Timothy had done and what had happened to Jeremy. Then there had been her dream of going to nursing school. She sighed. Leaving Lancaster County had once seemed so right. So why did it now seem so wrong?
    Jessica said good-bye and climbed into the driver’s seat.
    “I’m very sorry about your
mamm,”
Beth Anne said, closing the back door to the SUV. “She was a
wunderbar fraa.”
    “Danki.”
Miriam cleared her throat and sniffed. “How are your parents doing?”
    “Gut.”
Beth Anne opened the passenger door and leaned on it. “The bakery and the furniture store are doing
gut.
We’ve been so busy at the bakery that Edna has been a big help. Sarah Rose and Rebecca are taking some time off to be with their
kinner.”
    “Edna told me. I’m so glad to hear Sarah Rose has found someone. I was sorry to hear about Peter and the fire.”
    “
Ya.
” Beth Anne frowned. “It was tough on us all, but she and Luke seem very froh.”
    Miriam nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    An uncomfortable silence fell between them, and Miriam wracked her mind for something to say. She longed to ask about Timothy, but it felt too risky. Beth Anne was being so nice. What if mentioning Timothy changed her attitude toward Miriam?
    “How are you doing?” Beth Anne asked. “Are you still living in Indiana?”
    “
Ya.
” Miriam leaned against the banister at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ve been working for a pediatrician for almost two years now. I love being with the children—I mean
kinner.”
    Beth Anne smiled. “I guess
Dietsch
feels foreign now, ya?”
    “
Ya.
” Miriam smiled.
    “You’re a nurse, yes?”
    Miriam shook her head. “I started nursing school, but my scholarship money ran out. I’m an office assistant.”
    “Oh. Do you like it?”
    Miriam shrugged. “I do.”
    “Do you have a family?”
    “No. Abby and I share an apartment. She was married, but her husband left her. We’re helping each other out.”
    Beth Anne’s expression was surprised. “You don’t have a family?”
    “No.”
    “Were you ever married?”
    “No.” Miriam tilted her head in question. “Why do you ask?”
    Beth Anne smiled again. “I was just curious. I better get back. The tourist crowds have been rather large.”
    “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    “Ya.”
Beth Anne climbed into the car, and the engine revved.
“Danki
for the pastries.”
    “Gern gschehne.”
Miriam waved as the SUV drove off.
    She then breathed a deep sigh and lowered herself onto the stairs. Gazing at the back of the SUV disappearing down the driveway, she wondered how she would survive