“I packed cheese and bread and fruit for the journey.” Emma handed the basket to Miriam, who placed it on the floor of the buggy.
Miriam smiled with gratitude. “You have done too much.”
Emma waved off the comment. “Promise you will write to us when you arrive in Ethridge and let us know about the wedding plans? Isaac and Daniel and I want to be there to celebrate with you and Abram.”
“I’ll write and let you know, even before the date is published at church.”
“It is gut that Abram and our datt have reconciled. That is your doing, Miriam.”
She shook her head. “No, Emma, the credit goes to Abram. He had to forgive himself. Once he did, he was able to ask forgiveness from his father. Their relationship, at least through the mail, seems strong, although I have to admit that I’m worried about meeting him.”
“Our datt has a gruff exterior but a heart of gold.”
Miriam rolled her eyes and laughed. “Now I’m even more concerned.”
“I promise, our parents will love you.”
“You’re sure?” Miriam asked.
“Yah. As Daniel says, ‘Cross my heart.’”
Both women laughed for a long moment and then the smile on Emma’s face waned. “I am glad you will stay in Ethridge until the investigation is over and all those involved in the trafficking ring are brought to justice. Isaac saw more reporters in town, asking questions. He fears the stories they write in their newspapers will draw attention to Willkommen.”
“Abram says I will be safer in Tennessee. We wouldn’t be able to go if you and Isaac hadn’t offered to take care of the farm.”
“It is good we live close.” Isaac approached the buggy. “Abagail’s twin brothers will help, as well.”
Daniel left the workshop and skipped toward them, with Abram and Bear following close behind. The boy blew into the wooden train whistle Abram had made. The deep, soulful sound filled the air.
“Daniel, you must not blow the whistle around Nellie,” Emma cautioned lovingly. “You will spook her for sure.”
The boy hurried to Emma’s side, his eyes wide with excitement. “Abram said he will teach me woodworking when he and Miriam return.”
Emma touched his cheek lovingly. “That is something to look forward to, yah.”
The boy nodded then turned to Miriam and smiled slyly as if he had a secret to share. “Mamm baked cookies for your basket.”
“Your new mamm is very thoughtful.” Miriam loved the way Daniel had accepted Emma into his life.
“How many of the cookies did you eat, Daniel?” Abram asked as he neared.
“More than Datt thought I should.”
The adults laughed and watched as Daniel chased Bear around the yard.
Abram’s face grew serious. He turned to Isaac. “Be careful, my friend. There is talk that this hijacking operation is large. More could happen. Ned told me.”
“I have heard the same. I will take care of Emma and be on guard lest anything else occurs. And do not worry. We will not divulge where you and Miriam have gone. Your secret will be safe with us.”
“But we will eagerly await your return.” Emma squeezed Miriam’s hand. “The talk at the market is that Samuel will have a long recovery, although Ned Quigley is doing a good job as acting sheriff.”
“If he can do enough,” Abram mused. “At least he is searching for Sarah.”
“The Petersville police chief is helping him,” Isaac added. “It appears he was not involved in the corruption.”
“Ned promised to write me if he learns anything new,” Miriam said as she hugged her soon-to-be sister-in-law and then Isaac. “Abram and I continue to pray.”
“Gott will answer us with good news, I am sure,” Abram said before he hugged his sister and helped Miriam into the buggy. “We must go, if we are to catch the bus to Ethridge.”
Isaac shook Abram’s hand and then slapped his back. “The twins will drive your buggy back this afternoon when they come to work on the farm.”
“They will be good farmers by the time we return.”
Abram climbed in beside Miriam and lifted the reins.
Daniel ran to stand between Isaac and Emma and raised his hand in farewell as the buggy turned onto the roadway, heading to Willkommen.
“Take care of Bear and Gus,” Abram said as he glanced back over his shoulder. Ezra Jacobs’s beagle ambled out of the barn, wagging his tail. The well-being of the old dog had tugged at Abram’s heart until he had found Gus wandering aimlessly in the woods.
Daniel waved. “Yah, we will.”
When the farm and Isaac’s sweet family were out of sight, Miriam shrugged out of her cape, enjoying the warmth of the day.
“The flowers will be in bloom soon,” she said, eyeing the countryside as they passed by.
“The letter from my mother said she is painting the house and watching her celery grow,” Abram shared.
Miriam laughed, remembering the celery served at Isaac and Emma’s wedding. “There are many customs I must get used to, Abram.”
“I will help you learn them all.”
“What if your parents don’t like the woman you have chosen to marry?”
“Ah, but they will love you. After the wedding, we will move into the house next door that belonged to my grossdaadi, my grandfather, and my mammi, my grandmother. It will be a time to reconcile with the family I left behind.” He gently elbowed her, his eyes twinkling. “And a time to get to know my new wife.”
“A honeymoon,” she said, smiling. “As the Englisch say.”
He laughed and took her hand. “Hopefully, Gott will bless us soon with children. Lots of children who will help their mother in the kitchen and their father in the fields.”
“And in the workshop,” she added. “Your business is growing, Abram. So many people at the market love your work. I knew they would.”
“You encouraged me, Miriam. For that I am thankful.”
He pulled back on the reins and the buggy came to a stop. Turning to face her, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Most of all, I am thankful for you, Miriam. That you came into my life and set me free from the past.”
He kissed her for a very long time. Her heart leaped for joy and was filled with hope for the future. A future with Abram.
She raised her face to the sun, peering through the clouds. Spring, a wedding, children in the future and her Amish protector who had saved her life and saved her heart.
As Nellie started moving again, Abram wrapped his arm around Miriam’s waist and pulled her close. “Soon we will be one, Miriam. An Amish man and an Englisch woman—”
“An Englischer turned Amish,” she added with a smile.
“What could be better?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she sighed.
Nothing could be better than living the rest of her life with Abram at her side.
“Thank You, God,” she whispered. “Thank you, Abram.”
He raised his brow and leaned closer. “Did you say something?”
“I said thank you for saving me, for loving me and for asking me to be your wife.”
“Our life will be gut,” he said with a flick of the reins.
“Yah.” Miriam smiled. “Our life will be very, very gut.”
* * * * *