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Anna gave Miriam and Ruby a tour around the house. Including the basement with the double doors leading into the cellar. “There is an opening at the outside directly into the basement. It will help a lot come canning time.”
Miriam knew Anna was the one who insisted on getting the squatters into a warm house before she and Wayne moved into the house and made it their new home. Her sister-in-law was entirely right to worry about those people. She thought they all might be relieved when the families got here.
She would check them medically once they got settled, especially the children. Miriam discovered two of the ladies were pregnant. Spring would see a lot of new life on their farm.
Wayne and Levi finished the repairs in the kitchen and heat in the old house. To her surprise, they even updated it with propane.
Ruby told her David and others were already finding jobs for the men. Some of the district ladies wanted to teach the new ladies how to make quilts and other sellable goods to make money in the store. Ruby also wanted to begin going to the craft shows in the area, having these ladies here, would be a big help to Ruby.
She couldn’t stop running her hand over the bump of life growing inside of her. Their boppli should arrive this summer, and they both could hardly wait for it to join them.
***
Miriam hid her humor over Anna’s authoritative arm wave for herself and Ruby to follow her.
“I want to show the two of you the rooms we set up. I think we can get at least four families, maybe five depending on how many children are involved.”
“You have been really busy, Anna.”
“You know how it is, Miriam. Our men need some guidance.”
Ruby and Miriam looked at each other and mouthed the word guidance. Thankfully neither of them laughed. Miriam decided Anna possessed a great talent to take charge of things. “Whatever the reason, I am glad to see so much progress.”
Ruby stepped forward, “Anna, should we begin by getting the curtains up?”
“Jah, it will be wonderful. I can go check the twins and put the dishes away which were dropped off. Our neighbors have become quite helpful and are donating many wonderful household items. I think there will be enough for them all.”
With the announcement, Anna swirled about and headed downstairs.
“Sister, she is a marvel to have Gotten this house in order. It really is beautiful.”
“I know Ruby, I have been busy sewing up all the items she needed and taking care of our house. I do not think it would be this ready for anyone if Anna hadn’t taken charge. Levi said there was more to her than anyone knew to suspect.”
“Well, he is right.”
Anna called up the back stairs to the kitchen for them to come down for a moment.
“Here Ruby, let’s put the curtains in here for now.”
Once downstairs, they followed Anna’s call from the basement.
“Oh good, you are up there. Come down here. I wanted to show you both how large the basement is.
When the sisters walked into the basement, Anna said, “We will need to string some clotheslines for the rest of the winter. Do you think we can find a washer? I discovered some faucets over in the corner we could use to hook up to a washer.”
Ruby spoke up, “I will put a notice up on the board at the shop, it should get the word out.”
“Oh thank you, it has been working quite well since you made the notice board.”
“Anna? When will the families be arriving?”
“Levi and Wayne made contact with the families when we were leaving, and the Bishop with Wayne have been back. Levi said the men from your district, or should I say ours, now, should be ready to pick up and bring them here in two days.”
Miriam came back from checking out the rest of the basement. “I am so worried about this whole thing. I will be relieved to have it done and out of our lives.”
She tried not to get upset, but it became too difficult to ignore. Levi was in danger, and it needed to stop. If they did not catch them, Miriam knew she would not be quiet about it. She refused to stay with Anna and Wayne that night.
“Miriam, what did you find over there?”
She smiled at Ruby, understanding she was trying to take her attention away from the worry. "We need to get shelves up for the canning. There is a lot of room, and even after they leave, it will be wonderful to have the storage.”
“Oh yes, Miriam. You are so right about it, I will make sure to note it for Wayne. Once planting is over, he will be able to make some.”
Anna’s smile became contagious.
“Oh, look over there, Anna. There is an outside door. I have always felt they lent safety to the inhabitants. I will make sure the doors are cleared of any debris.”
The girl giggled, and Miriam looked at her in question.
“Miriam, we do think alike. I cleared the door the other day to be sure anyone can get in or out.”
***
“If everyone could take a seat in the other room we will begin with the meeting.” Levi’s voice carried over all the heads of people in the kitchen. Miriam smiled and hoped they would listen, she needed to sit down.
After cooking breakfast for the crowd, she was exhausted. She wondered how all these ladies fared so well during their pregnancies. She still felt tired all the time. Even eating small snacks almost every hour hadn’t boosted her energy.
She looked down and rubbed her boppli’s large ball, Miriam almost laughed, she couldn’t see her feet. She was bigger than most at this stage. She sighed and refused to worry over it all.
People were not leaving the kitchen. Deciding men never like to listen to anyone, she picked up her pad of paper and walked through many conversations saying, “the pads of paper and pens are there on the counter if you need them.”
She smiled to herself when the men walked behind her, slow that they were, but at least they were finally moving, and she could sit and watch them filter in. Miriam rubbed her lower back to help ease the pain. Thoughts of Levi massaging her back tonight brought a silent smile to her face.
She felt his presence behind her just before his hands gently squeezed her shoulders. His warm breath brushed her ear as he whispered, “You look like an angel with not so nice thoughts in your pretty head.”
Miriam’s cheeks flared in heat, and it was all she could do not to laugh out loud. He gave her shoulders one last squeeze before moving away. Since she began staying home, their relationship flourished and felt so beautiful. At first, she worried she made the wrong decision but becoming close to Levi meant the world to her, she would not change a thing.
Ruby and Anna came to sit with Miriam in the front row of the ladies’ seats. They all settled down when Levi walked up to the front with the Bishop.
“This meeting is to keep everyone informed of the progress we are making. The house for the families is basically finished. We are waiting for the new heater to be hooked up today, the other one failed to keep working. But, all the major repairs are completed thanks to the extra help these last couple days. Thank you.”
Levi smiled and let the Bishop take over the meeting.
The Bishop raised his hands to gain attention again. “Everyone, I have some fantastic news, I have been able to speak to all six family heads to learn of each of the circumstances of their shunning and how they feel about coming back to the district and our church.
I will tell you, each of these family’s conditions is due to the last bishop. Also, I’ve researched all the records, and it seems as though all the men were shunned before being baptized. They all want to come back. There is one family that is ready to make this step and will do so at our spring service, Wayne and Anna Miller, please come forward.”
The whole room was silent, and Miriam couldn’t stop smiling. “This is so wonderful, Ruby. They are taking the baptism classes.”
Her sister reached over and took hold of her hand. “It really is, Miriam.”
The Bishop continued and said a prayer for the couple and their future in the district.
“You all know Wayne, and Anna Miller insisted on bringing the families into their home. We will be investigating the other families and their former homes to see what can be done. Wayne will be farming his family's land.”
With a final prayer, the Bishop moved on to other business. “Most of the men will be working on David Fisher’s land this spring. It isn’t far off, and we hope these people can heal. One family will stay in my dawdi haus. This is a man and his sister. We have two bedrooms there so this will accommodate them quite well. Another family will stay with Luke and Irene Temple. They are both quite aged and need help. The man will take care of the animals and small farm while his wife will maintain the house and meals. The Temple’s are so happy to have the younger couple stay with them. It is the best of both worlds. The elderly readily accept the help because they feel they are helping in their own way as well.”
The meeting continued with different attendees addressing their part of the project. Wayne had a list of items they needed for the spring. He read the list of various tools and equipment.
The women remained quiet while the men discussed the problems and successes at this point. It was decided the families were moving in later today and everyone who came was ready to go get them and their belongings. Most came with wagons so everything could be hauled at one time.
When the men left, the women held their own less formal meeting. Anna led the meeting.
“...that should do it. I want to thank you all so much. It is wonderful to be here.”
Surprisingly, all the women stood up and clapped for Anna. It was heart swelling to feel all the love in the room.
Everyone quickly gathered up the last items to take to the house. Miriam told them to load the wagon up. Ruby and Anna would drive the wagon over, and Miriam would follow with the buggy.
The air was more than brisk, and Miriam was relieved the families would be inside tonight. It was supposed to be below freezing in the single digits. Miriam prayed they had the new heater up and running. Levi told her if it were not hooked up, the old wood stove and heaters would be lit for heat. One thing about their men, they knew how to get things done
“Especially my love.” Miriam would not be surprised if the wood stoves were already lit to bring up the heat in the old place. “It really is a beautiful home.”
“What is it, sister?”
“Anna’s home, I think it is beautiful, and the families will love it.”
“You are right. Now move over I am driving.”
“What about the wagon?”
“Anna already recruited another lady to help her. She certainly gets things done.”
They both laughed softly over the truth.
“Do you know Ruby, Anna is the one who insisted the wood stove and heaters remain in each room and to stay and be functional.