The Troyer Sisters Series - Amish Romance: 4-Book Box Set Read online

  “But what about Abigail? Rose said you were going to teach her to sew.” I may be gone quite a while. There’s going to be a lot of plans to make, and we all have chores later this afternoon. Besides, I don’t want her to be left alone,” Miriam said, looking at Katie concerned.

  Laughing, Katie went over and hugged Miriam. “Of course, I’m bringing Abigail with me, and I’ll be able to start teaching her to sew as soon as I get back. I won’t be gone all that long.” Don’t worry about a thing. Just go and enjoy this moment.”

  * * *

  Miriam sat outside waiting for Jacob. Biting her lower lip, she kept rehearsing over and over in her mind how she would react.

  When she finally saw his buggy turn in the drive, her heart skipped a beat. She had to act normal because she certainly didn’t want him to suspect she knew anything.

  “Hi, Miriam. Sorry I’m late,” Jacob said, jumping out of the buggy. “I had to help my daed with a chore.”

  “You’re not late at all.” Miriam smiled, handing him the basket. “Gott has given us a glorious day for a picnic, don’t you think?”

  Jacob smiled at her. “Jah, it certainly is a glorious day.”

  Miriam wasn’t sure, but she thought Jacob looked a bit nervous which only made her more confident that he was going to ask for her hand. They made small talk until they got to the park. Miriam felt her excitement bubbling inside of her, and she fought the urge to jump up and say – JAH! JAH, you don’t have to ask. I will court you.

  Finding a spot on the bank of the river, Miriam laid the blanket down on the velvet grass and sat down.

  Looking at the basket, Jacob asked, “What wonderful treats did you bring today?”

  Miriam pulled out her containers. “Ach, just some chicken, salad, biscuits and for dessert some Shoo Fly Pie.”

  “Mmm, Miriam, you are going to make some man an incredible wife one day, that’s for sure.”

  Miriam sat there, numbed by his words. “What do you mean one day?”

  Jacob shrugged. “When you get married. Whoever you marry is going to be very lucky,” he said, seeing the look of confusion on Miriam’s face.

  Miriam tried to control her emotions. “I was hoping that that would be you, Jacob.”

  “Miriam, did you think today I was...ach, nee, Miriam, I am so sorry,” Jacob said, feeling embarrassed.

  “Well, why would I not think that, Jacob? We have been together for years and have both seen no one else. I figured it was only natural,” Miriam said, starting to cry.

  “Miriam, that’s not it at all. I wanted to spend some time alone with you to tell you I was moving away. I’m so sorry if you misunderstood my intentions,” Jacob said, holding out his hand to Miriam.

  “What do you mean you’re moving away?” Miriam said, confused. “Jacob, I don’t understand.”

  “Well, you know my mamm is not a healthy woman, and my daed is not the greatest farmer or handyman,” Jacob said. “My uncle who is Englisch has a farm out east, and they are going over to Europe for a couple of years. They’ve asked my daed to move into their farm and run it while they are gone. It’s a great opportunity for my daed seeing as he never had much luck around here… but the only way they can do it is if I go too.”

  “But why?”

  “Because they need me, Miriam,” Jacob said. “My mamm is better now, but she could fall ill again anytime, and my daed needs help. He can’t do everything on his own.”

  “I see,” Miriam said, coldly. “Will that mean I will never see you again?”

  Jacob looked down at his hands and nodded his head. “I’m afraid it may, Miriam. It’s too far to have any relationship, and it wouldn’t be fair to either of us. It’s just so hard to know what could happen during that time.”

  “When are you leaving?”

  “Tomorrow. We have to catch a train. My daed has sold everything including the buggy and horse. Someone is coming by tomorrow to buy them, and I wanted to tell you face to face instead of you finding out about it through someone else,” he said, looking at Miriam. “I’ll never forget you Miriam, but this is way Gott is leading me, and I must follow.”

  Miriam bravely swallowed her tears. “I wish you wouldn’t have waited so long to tell me. But you must follow Gott’s lead. I wish you the best, Jacob. Now let’s eat this wonderful picnic that I prepared.”

  They ate in silence, and afterward, Jacob drove Miriam home. After saying goodbye, Miriam stood in the driveway watching his buggy disappear. Fighting back the tears, she ran into the house and up the stairs to her room, throwing herself on her bed. It was only then that she allowed the tears to come freely, sobbing into her pillow, hoping that no one was home to hear her.

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  Miriam raised her head from her pillow and looked at the clock. Four o’clock. I must look a mess; she thought to herself as she got up and went and splashed some cold water on her face. Her body felt like it had been run over by a bulldozer. She couldn’t let her sisters know she was crying. They were going to ask how her afternoon went especially since they were as excited as she was.

  Miriam slowly went downstairs and stopped at the kitchen door when she saw Katie and Abigail sitting at the table sewing together. Katie smiled but stopped when she saw the look on Miriam’s face.

  “Miriam, what is it?” Katie asked, getting up and walking towards her sister. “You’ve been crying.”

  Miriam took a deep breath and started to talk, but her emotions took over. Breaking down in tears, she ran upstairs again to her room.

  “Stay here, Abigail. I’ll find out what’s wrong.”

  Katie knocked lightly on Miriam’s door and opened it. Slowly sitting down on the side of the bed, she said, “Miriam, what is it?”

  Miriam rolled over and looked at her sister. “Katie, he didn’t ask me to marry him. He told me he’s leaving for good, and I’ll most likely never see him again.”

  Wrapping her arms around her sobbing sister, she slowly managed to get Miriam to tell her the events of the day.

  “Miriam, I am so very sorry. I was so sure this was the day,” Katie said, stroking Miriam’s hair. “I can tell daed you aren’t feeling well if you want, and I can get supper ready.”

  “Would you mind? I just can’t face anyone right now,” Miriam said, wiping the tears from her cheek. “I know that this is Gott’s will, but I can’t understand why He would allow this pain.”

  “Miriam, surely there’s a reason. Gott knows best. But I’ll take care of supper. You rest,” Katie said. “I’ll bring up some supper later for you.”

  Going downstairs, everyone looked up when Katie walked into the room.

  “Where’s Miriam?” John asked. “I thought she would be bursting with news.”

  Katie looked at her father and sisters. She was going to tell them that Miriam wasn’t feeling well, but decided they had a right to know. Taking a deep breath, she told them what Miriam had told her.

  “I told her to stay in bed. She can’t face anyone right now,” Katie said. “Her heart has been broken in two.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Miriam dragged herself out of bed and got dressed. She knew she needed to face everyone sooner than later, so she went downstairs to make coffee and get breakfast started. John came in and went over to her. Putting his arm around her, he kissed her on the cheek.

  “My dochtah, Katie told me. It will be alright. This union between you and Jacob was not meant to be.”

  “Danke, Daed. Deep down I know that, but my heart feels like it will never mend. I was so sure that Jacob and I would marry,” she said, feeling her tears form in her eyes.

  “If you ask me, any man would be lucky to have you as their wife,” John said, going over getting a cup of coffee.” Gott has the perfect man for you in mind. You’ll just need to be patient.”

  Miriam sighed. “I am sure Gott would not want me to sulk. I’ll be okay,” she said, trying to sound confident. Deep down she had promised
herself she would never to fall in love again. She would concentrate on her family. If Gott wanted her to marry one day, then He would have to send her a sign. Until then, she would concentrate on the most important people in her life.

  * * *

  The next morning, Miriam was scrambling eggs for breakfast when she heard someone come down the stairs and into the kitchen. Turning, she saw that it was Abigail.

  “Abigail, can you grab me a bowl out of the cupboard for the eggs, please?”

  When Abigail didn’t answer her, Miriam turned and looked at her. “What is it, Abigail? You don’t look well.”

  “I don’t feel well, Miriam. I don’t know what’s wrong.” Abigail went over and sat down. “I feel really sick.”

  Miriam felt her forehead. “Child, you are burning up. Let’s get you back up to bed.”

  She brought Abigail back up to her room and had her climb back in bed. Getting a bucket, she put it beside her bed in case Abigail was sick.

  “You rest, and I will be up with some dry toast and a cup of tea. That always settles my stomach when I’m not feeling well,” Miriam said.

  Going back downstairs, she finished putting breakfast on the table when everyone else came in.

  “Abigail is sick with some sort of flu I think,” Miriam said. “I just put her to bed.”

  “Josh Turner was telling me his wife is sick with the flu too,” John said, helping himself to some eggs.

  “Well, I’ll keep her in bed and let her get her rest. Hopefully, it will pass, and we won’t all get it.” That was the last thing she needed was to come down with the flu. She had planned to start the fall cleaning in the house and certainly didn’t want to get sick.

  Rose came into the kitchen and looked curiously at Miriam.

  “Are you alright? I heard what happened,” Rose asked.

  It always amazed Miriam how calm her sister was. She never seemed to show any emotion when it came to others. She knew that she would get less sympathy from Rose than from any of her sisters.

  Miriam shrugged. “It was just Gott’s plan.”

  “Well, there are other fishes in the sea. Someone else will come along,” Rose said, nonchalantly.

  Miriam just smiled. She knew better than to get frustrated with her sister. Miriam didn’t know all the details, but she knew that Rose had had her own share of heartbreak over the last couple years which had made her a bit unemotional when it came to matters of the heart.

  Abigail's cough coming from upstairs brought Miriam back to reality. Right now, her main concern was Abigail. She had always been a sickly child, and whenever she became ill, it seemed to hit her harder than normal. Miriam knew the next couple of days would be busy, and she put her own pain behind her as she concentrated on her family.

  * * *

  Chapter 5

  “Ach, I don’t feel good this morning,” Rose said when she came down for breakfast. “I think I have a fever.”

  Miriam jumped up and felt Rose’s forehead. “Jah, you do have a fever. How does your stomach feel?”

  “It feels sick, and my bones ache,” she said, sitting down.

  “Up to bed. You have what Abigail has,” Miriam said, going over to her sister. “I’ll be up in a minute with some toast and tea and a cold compress for the fever.”

  After breakfast, she made sure that Rose and Abigail were tucked in bed and sleeping before she headed into town to go to the drugstore. Katie wanted to stay home and help her, but Rose felt her school was more important especially seeing as this was her last year.

  “Miriam, how are you?” Mr. Wilson, the pharmacist asked as Miriam walked into the drugstore.

  “Fine, Mr. Wilson, but my sisters seem to have gotten a flu bug. Can you recommend something?”

  “Oh dear. I hope it isn’t the same flu that’s going around. Apparently, it’s a very bad strain. What are the symptoms?”

  “Fever, sore and aching bones, night sweats and tiredness,” Miriam said, trying to remember if there was anything else. “Oh and a dry cough.”

  “I hate to tell you this, but that sounds like the same flu that’s going around. It’s pretty harsh,” Mr. Wilson said, going over to the counter and taking a bottle of pills.

  Miriam looked at him concerned. “What can I do?”

  “Here, have them take two before bed. It will help reduce the fever. Keep them in bed with lots of ice for fever and plenty of fluids. If you notice any red splotches on their skin, get them to the hospital right away,” he said. “And pray that you don’t come down with it.”

  Miriam quickly drove home and went up to check on Rose and Abigail. Both were still fast asleep. Going back downstairs, she made herself a cup of tea and sat down at the table. She felt exhausted due to missing sleep. Between the pain of Jacob leaving and her sisters getting sick, she hadn’t been able to rest.

  Hearing the door open, she looked up to see Katie standing at the door.

  “Ach, nee, not you too,” Miriam said when she saw the look on Katie’s face.

  “I’m sorry, Miriam. I know you need help, but I have to go to bed,” Katie said, turning towards the stairs. Miriam stood up and followed her.

  “I’ve never felt this sick before in my life,” Katie moaned, pulling the blankets up to her chin.

  “Your fever hasn’t started yet,” Miriam said, feeling Katie’s forehead. She had a funny feeling that today was going to be another very long day.

  Miriam trudged back down to the kitchen and took out the pot to make some soup. She knew it was important to get them to eat something, and chicken soup always worked. While the soup boiled on the stove, she went back upstairs to peek in on everyone. Checking on Abigail first, she found her soaking wet with fever.

  “I’m going to fill up the bathtub and give you a bath then put on a clean nightgown,” Miriam said to Abigail.

  Abigail looked at Miriam as if she had no idea who she was, but allowed Miriam to bring her into the bathroom and put her in the bath. Once Abigail was changed and put back into bed, she went in to check on Rose.

  “I feel like I’m dying,” Rose moaned.

  “Well, you aren't,” Miriam said. “I have some chicken soup simmering on the stove and I’ll bring some up.”

  “I’m thirsty, Miriam. Can you get me some water?” Katie yelled from the other room.

  “Miriam, I was just sick. I missed the bucket,” Abigail cried from her room.

  Miriam finished making sure Rose was comfortable then ran and got some towels to clean up Abigail.

  “Miriaaaam, where’s my water? My throat is dry,” Katie yelled.

  “Katie, I’ll be right there. Abigail was sick in her bed. I have to get her cleaned up,” Miriam shouted from Abigail’s room.

  Running downstairs, John had just come in from work.

  “What on earth is going on?” he asked, seeing Miriam looking disheveled.

  “Now Katie and Rose have also come down with the flu,” Miriam said, running to get a glass of water for Katie. “Mr. Wilson at the drug store told me it’s going around and it’s a bad strain; it’s apparently spreading like wildfire.”

  “Well, I’ll look after myself for supper. You are better able to handle the girls than I am,” John said. “Can I do anything in the kitchen?”

  “Could you fix three trays with some chicken soup? It’s important to keep giving them fluids,” Miriam said, heading back upstairs.

  Several hours later, Miriam finally was able to get each girl to eat some soup. They were washed and cleaned and tucked into bed. Going downstairs, she dropped her tired body into one of the chairs.

  “Did you have some soup, Daed?” she asked when she noticed him standing at the sink.

  “Jah. It’s just like your Mamm used to make,” he said, going over and getting a bowl for Miriam. “Here; you’re so busy taking care of everyone else, I can at least get you some soup.”

  Miriam smiled. “ Danke, Daed. I’m hoping they all sleep through the night. I’m going to eat this and th
en go to bed myself. I’m exhausted.”

  Miriam collapsed on her bed and fell into a deep sleep only to be awakened a few minutes later by the cries of her sister. Jumping out of bed, she went running into Rose’s room to find her thrashing around in her bed.

  “Rose, calm down. What is it?” Miriam asked, not realizing that her sister was having a nightmare.

  “Ach, Rose, you’re burning up,” Miriam cried, running downstairs to get a bag of ice to put on her forehead and grab two more pills that Mr. Wilson had given her.

  Once Rose was tucked back in bed, Miriam flopped back into her bed. Closing her eyes, she tried to fall back asleep.

  “Miriam, please Miriam. I got sick again,” Abigail cried out.

  Trying to keep calm, she went and grabbed the last two towels left in the linen closet. She hoped there was time tomorrow to do some laundry. Getting her sister cleaned up, Miriam sat in the chair in the corner of Abigail’s room. I’ll just stay here for a bit to make sure she doesn’t get sick again, Miriam said to herself as she slowly closed her eyes. The sound of Abigail crying out in her sleep roused her, and she opened her eyes. I must have fallen asleep for a bit, she said to herself. Miriam stretched her aching body then got up to check on Abigail. She was still hot with fever but asleep. After checking Katie and Rose, she had a quick bath and put on some clean clothes. Exhausted, she forced herself to go downstairs and start the four loads of laundry that were waiting for her. Miriam grimaced when she realized it was only four o’clock in the morning. If I get started now, and can get the sheets and towels hung out they should be dry by mid morning , she thought to herself and went over to the washing barrel.

  Coming in from hanging the first load on the line, she saw her father come into the kitchen. Miriam looked at him and dropped her basket on the floor.

  “Ach, nee, Daed. Not you too!” was all John heard before he collapsed into the chair.

  * * *