Miriam and the Stranger Read Online Free PDF

true. You have impressed me greatly so far, Miriam.”
    Miriam looked away as the man’s gaze pierced into her soul. If Daett had approved of the man, that counted for something. Had not Daett spoken that wunderbah blessing to her over two years ago? She could still hear the words: “ You are a woman among a thousand, Miriam, full of the grace and the glory of the Lord. Blessed may your days be on this earth, and may a thousand people see the light of heaven in your life. May you live fully and walk the fruitful path that has been chosen for you. And remember that your mamm and I will always love you.”
    “Did I say something wrong?” Mose asked, his concerned eyes peering at Miriam.
    “Oh, no.” Miriam collected her thoughts. “I was just thinking of something Daett once told me.”
    “I’m sure they were gut words,” Mose said as he settled back into his seat with a smile. Clearly Daett had made an equally decent impression upon Mose.
    “ Daett and I are close,” Miriam managed.
    Mose looked up with a pleased expression. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. A daett ’s approval speaks well of any woman. I’m honored to have been told about you and to meet you, Miriam. Thanks for consenting to spend this time with me.”
    “I am glad you came,” Miriam whispered.
    Mose’s face had its tender look again. “I hope you’ll consent to seeing a little more of me—perhaps a lot more in the next few weeks. I can’t stay in the community very long, but I’d like to spend some time with you—whatever is decent, of course. I know this is all sudden, but I’m a cautious man, and I’ve proceeded the best I knew how. I didn’t feel comfortable writing a letter when you’d never heard of me, even though your mamm offered me the address.”
    Miriam stole a quick glance at him before she said, “ Yah, Mamm wrote there was a surprise coming my way, but I didn’t know it was you.” Mose was nothing like either her childhood sweetheart Ivan or Wayne, the man she had planned to marry, but maybe she should allow the Lord to choose her husband this time. Didn’t his request have all the markings of the Lord’s direction? There was Daett ’s and Mamm ’s approval, and that of Uncle William and Aunt Fannie, and Deacon Phillips and Katie.
    “It’s okay,” Miriam said softly.
    Mose’s pleased expression returned. “How do you spend your Sunday evening around here when you’re dating? I’m afraid I was married long enough to have forgotten.”
    “I think Aunt Fannie already has the evening planned,” Miriam said with a smile.
    Mose’s happy look remained on his face as he took his first bite of popcorn. They had forgotten to eat, Miriam noticed. She quickly picked up a few kernels herself.

Chapter Five

    T yler Johnson closed his laptop and slipped it into his carry-on bag. He couldn’t use the device for his meeting with the Amish Deacon Phillips Tuesday morning, but his technology would go with him on the trip regardless. How the Amish lived without such necessities of modern life was beyond him. He assumed there were side benefits. Maybe a connection could be made between a slower pace of life and the Amish’s fabled record of honesty and hardwork. That and the rosy-cheeked maiden named Miriam who had blushed at his presence the other evening.
    Tyler grinned at the memory of his meal with the Bylers. The community’s schoolteacher was no dashing beauty, but she exuded a wholesomeness and depth of character he liked. The world could use more of those qualities. All the Amish he had met on this trip were good examples of what society should be. His article would have no criticism of the Amish, despite their old-fashioned refusal to adapt to modern American life.
    His editor would be happy at that. The man had made it clear he wanted an article complimentary of the Amish, and especially of their unselfish efforts in that horrible tornado season a couple of years back. The two million-dollar