––––––––
Two weeks later, Miriam told her parents that she needed to go to the Amish market for items she needed. Her father told her he would take her. As they were on the way to the market, Joseph spotted the black truck.
“He’s back. I’m taking that side road there,” he told Miriam.
Miriam sighed, grateful now that her daed was now with her.
Lance, driving down the quiet roads, spotted Miriam’s buggy in the far distance. Figuring out which road the buggy was on, he veered onto that road. As he approached Miriam, he realized, too late, that Miriam was with her father.
Oh, no, no way! I don’t want to tangle with him again!
Pulling abreast of the buggy, Lance floored the accelerator, speeding down the dirt road. He left a huge, brown cloud of dust behind him, causing Miriam and Joseph to choke on it. Once they had gotten the dust out of their mouths, Joseph drove straight to the market, where Miriam bought everything she needed.
“I’m ready, daed,” Miriam said.
“Home, then?”
“Ya. I have a Wedding quilt to finish,” Miriam said.
Spring slowly melted into summer and the outside temperatures increased. Miriam’s new pattern of traveling about Ephrata continued. Her last encounter with the determined Englischer had truly scared her. On some trips to town, she spotted the black truck at a distance. On other days, she sighed in relief as she got home without spotting the truck.
***
She’s being escorted everywhere like a prisoner. I know she goes to that Amish market place, looking for new clients. Maybe I can get her attention then and get her to spend some time with me.
The next market day was bright and cool. Miriam and Anna were together, each buying the supplies they needed to continue their work. As Miriam was standing in line to pay for her purchases, she spotted the all-too-familiar black truck.
“Look!” Miriam tapped Anna’s shoulder. “See that truck? That’s the man – the Englischer who’s been bothering me,” she whispered.
Anna, a very traditional Amish woman, heartily disapproved of Lance’s action. She grabbed Miriam’s arm and pulled her in the opposite direction.
“Let’s pay for out things over there, then get out of here,” she said. Looking around, she spotted Sarah and caught her eye.
Sarah swiveled her head around and spotted the truck. Hurrying behind Miriam and Anna, she paid for her items and trotted out behind the two young friends. Clambering into the buggy, she waited as Miriam jumped in. Flicking the horse’s reins, she sighed as the buggy began moving ahead.
“Nee!” she whispered under her breath.
Lance had come around the opposite side of the market in his truck. Sarah pulled in a deep, shaky breath and pulled to the front of his truck. Stopping the horse, she looked down at him.
“Your efforts to get Miriam’s attention are not appreciated. Please leave – and do not come back!” Sarah said angrily.
Lance looked at Miriam, who was refusing to acknowledge him. Finally, Miriam laid her hand on Sarah’s shoulder and whispered into her ear.
Miriam looked straight ahead and spoke. “Mr. Newman, I love John Fisher and that’s why I am engaged to him.” Now, looking at Lance, she glared at him. “Leave me alone! Once and for all, just leave me alone! Mamm, let’s go home.”
Lance hearing what Sarah and Miriam had to say, decided she was being forced to rebuff him. Heaving out a gusty sigh, he thought.
I need to find a way to get Miriam to understand that I’m attracted to her and I want to get to know her better. It’s probably best to stay away from here for the time being until I have a good plan to . . . get to her.