Martha sat across from Miriam at the kitchen table, sipping her hot meadow tea and thinking about what Amos had told her about James. A cold, wet sensation tickled the skin underneath her eye, but she wiped it away before Miriam could notice. She wasn’t sure what to think anymore, and if Amos was telling the truth, why was James still acting like he cared about her? That was the only part that didn’t really make sense. Or was she imagining James’ interest in her?
“Our new guests have just gotten settled in, and so far they truly seem to be enjoying their stay. How wonderful!” Miriam exclaimed.
Martha could tell how happy Miriam was that things were starting to go so well. If only she could say the same for herself. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy that they like Eden.” Although her words were sincere, saying them without sounding indifferent was proving difficult.
“How was your day?” Miriam asked.
“Oh, it was gut, denki,” Martha replied. It hadn’t been the worst day of her life, but it was far from good in any way. “I had a productive day out in the garden. I was able to fertilize the plants and got them all watered. Then, I cleaned up a bit and checked in with the guests we have. They do seem content,” she said with a smile.
“Each day seems to bring more prosperity. I just hope it continues, for the sake of this place. And for us,” said Miriam.
Upon hearing those words, Martha couldn’t help but let her defenses fail briefly and Miriam must have been watching as she sipped at her tea.
“Martha, are you sure everything is okay?” A look of concern fell over Miriam’s face.
Caught off guard, Martha looked down at her cup and drifted off into her thoughts. She focused on the steam from the warm tea as it slowly billowed up toward her nose. The smell quickly brought her back to reality. She looked at Miriam and frowned. “Things aren’t as great as they seem to be, unfortunately.”
“What do you mean?”
“I knew you’d be so upset if you walked in to see more vandalism, so when I discovered a huge mess this morning, I cleaned it up and kept it from you.” Martha sighed. “I only wanted to keep the day positive,” she added.
Miriam rubbed her temples. “What happened?” she asked.
“There was no lasting damage as such; it was just a mess. Someone took a few bags of the manure that we had set outside for the garden and threw it all around the living room and lobby. When I walked in this morning, I was horrified. The guests were due to arrive in hours and I didn’t want to see you dealing with more issues.”
Miriam looked up from her tea, but rather than appearing upset, she seemed happy. “I’ve been in and around this place all day and never even had a suspicion that any such thing had happened. You helped me avoid a distressing day, and I thank you for that.”
Martha’s mind felt blank. How could she appreciate Miriam’s gratitude when she felt so torn because of James? Her strength waned momentarily and tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Martha, please tell me what’s wrong.”
Martha dabbed at her eyes with her apron. When she pulled the fabric from her face, she saw Miriam looking at her with sympathy in her eyes.
After regaining her composure, Martha let out a deep sigh and found the strength to explain the situation. “I’m starting to like James,” she said.
Before she could continue, Miriam spoke. “Why would that make you so sad? He’s a nice, young mann. Surely that’s a gut thing?”
“Yes, but he doesn’t like me. I mean, I thought he did, but I was wrong.”
Miriam raised her eyebrows in obvious confusion. “It sure looks like he has some sort of fondness of you. I don’t think anyone can deny that, but why do you suddenly think this?”
Martha looked down at the table once more. Without lifting her face, she spoke softly. “After I walked in this morning to find the manure strewn out around the rooms, I dropped down to my hands and knees and got to work scrubbing.” She took a deep breath and sighed before continuing. “After I had been cleaning for quite some time, the door opened and James walked in to see most of the mess still there. He didn’t say a word, but was right there beside me scrubbing away. We were able to get the entire place cleaned up.”
“Then why are you in such low spirits?”
Martha finally looked back up at Miriam. “Because soon after we finished, Jonas called for James to help him on the roof, leaving Amos to help me bring the soiled linens to the laundry room. On the way, he told me that James is dating an Englischer girl.” She coughed away some of the sadness that had welled up in her throat.
“Amos told you what? That James is dating an Englischer? I haven’t heard anything of the sort. I’ve been chatting quite a bit with Jonas and he hasn’t once mentioned anything about James being interested in any woman other than you. Are you certain you can trust what Amos told you?”
Martha shook her head. “Nee, I don’t even know if I believe it myself, but what if it’s true? But why would Amos lie about such a thing?”
Miriam sighed long and hard. “Some people lack integrity or any kind of moral code. It’s a real shame, but there are evils in this world that can afflict even the most honorable of men.” Miriam paused to take a sip of her tea. “Have you considered that Amos might be trying to cause trouble?”
Martha shook her head. “I’m not saying he wouldn’t do something like that, because I don’t really know him, but what benefit would it be to him?”
Miriam grew silent. Martha could tell she didn’t have a valid response, but a deep part of her was hoping Miriam did have a believable answer.
Martha refilled her cup and looked off into the distance. The B&B looked beautiful; it was nearly empty and partially engulfed in darkness. The dim lights of the lobby and dining room shone through the darkened halls. After a few minutes of quiet, Miriam’s voice echoed through the night. “Do you truly believe James would hide such a secret from everyone? Even you?”
Martha wasn’t sure what to think, so answering Miriam’s question was almost impossible. “I don’t know if he would, but if so, I’m sure he has his reasons. I just feel like a fool for how I’ve been feeling and acting if this is all true.”
“Martha, Jonas would know if James was dating anyone, especially an Englischer. I know such things are to be kept quiet in some circles, but Jonas is like a father figure to James, and James would not keep it from him.”
Martha wasn’t sure what to think. “Again, that brings us to why. Why would he do such a thing? He helped me with the laundry of his own accord, and I have given him no reason to tell me fictional stories.”
Miriam shot her an intense gaze. “I think he likes you, too.”
Confusion seeped into her every thought. “What? Who?” Amos? That didn’t make any sense.
“Amos is the only person that is saying anything about James having a girlfriend,” Miriam said. “Maybe he’s trying to cause friction between you and James so he can try for your affection himself.”
The thought had never even crossed Martha’s mind. She had assumed that Amos had just been blurting out his thoughts without considering the consequences of his admissions, but now it all seemed another explanation was just as plausible. “You think he would do something so hurtful?”
“I think it’s impossible to put anything beyond someone who lets greed run away with his morals,” Miriam insisted. “It doesn’t make him a bad person; it just means he’s willing to do bad things to get what he desires.” Miriam drained the last of her tea. “Almost time to call it a night. Dawn won’t wait for us.”
As Martha stood, her thoughts were being filled with sadness and uncertainty. She was grasping at straws to piece together the clues. Surely an answer could be found if the puzzle was solved. Who has a bigger reason to lie to her? Which of them actually cares about her? The series of questions floated around her mind like kites on a windy day. They even blew about violently, causing pangs of confusion and suffering.
“Don’t let it get the best of you, Martha,” Miriam said. “James is a gut mann, and if he is indeed seeing someone, I am sure he would be completely honest about it.”
Martha looked up at Miriam, who was now standing. “I’m so sorry for keeping you up even later than usual,” Martha said by way of apology. Then, a question formed in her mind. “Miriam, do you think I should ask him about it?”
“James or Amos?” she asked.
“James. I mean, I won’t actually bring it up, but maybe in passing I can mention how Amos told me he had a late night recently. Perhaps he’d confirm or deny if that part of the story is at least true.”
Miriam smiled. “I think that is a gut idea. I wouldn’t make it obvious, but if you just give him something to respond to, it’s likely he’ll clear up any confusion. Just let your faith guide your trust. With that said, have a good night, and pray and think on it.”
“Guten nacht. I’ll see you in the morning.” A slight smile found its way upon Martha’s lips as Miriam disappeared into the night.