Read Online Miriam's Secret by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online

for a short prayer, and Miriam felt relief. What would she have done if Rose hadn’t prayed? Maybe a silent prayer would have sufficed, she decided.
    Mr. Rosenberg frequently regarded her with a steady gaze as he ate, and Miriam felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter. When would he say something? It wasn’t her place to start the conversation—even if she was up to it. The sheer tension of the moment was awful.
    Thankfully Mr. Rosenberg finally cleared his throat. “Rose tells me she told you about Amos Bland including you in his will.”
    â€œShe did,” Miriam managed. The food had gone down whether she planned on it or not, and her stomach had settled some. Perhaps she was hungry and didn’t know it. Anything seemed possible right now.
    â€œAnd you weren’t surprised?” Mr. Rosenberg asked, regarding Miriam openly.
    â€œYes, I was. I was shocked. I never expected anything like that,”Miriam began. “I’m pleased that he thought of me, of course, but yes, very surprised. I didn’t ask for anything and certainly never desired anything beyond my salary. And even the money Mr. Bland insisted on paying me was too generous.” She smiled at the memory but then frowned. “Rose didn’t say much else, but I sense your concern. You are wondering whether I influenced Mr. Bland to mention me in his will. I assure you, I did not. And please understand that if there’s even the appearance of impropriety, I’ll gladly forfeit whatever Mr. Bland left me. I’m content with what he set my salary at, and I was just happy I got to know him and work for him. If there is a problem with Mr. Bland leaving me something, Rose can take me home now, and that will be the end of it. I don’t want any trouble or be the cause of any trouble. My family has enough of them already.”
    â€œOh?” Mr. Rosenberg said.
    The words rushed on. “My sister, well, let me start with the fact that money has caused my family untold problems. My daett has a lame leg from a childhood injury, but he works hard on our farm. My brothers help him, but there never seems to be enough money to go around. Yet the Lord provides for us, just as He promises in His Word. So I never asked Mr. Bland for money. Never. I didn’t ask for the generous salary he paid me each week. I was thankful, and my family needed the funds, but I was more than content with what I was given.” She glanced at Rose. “Maybe you should take me home now?”
    Rose glanced at Mr. Rosenberg with a “See, I-told-you-so” smile. “Like I said, she’s genuine.”
    Mr. Rosenberg shrugged. “A will’s a will, but I needed to ascertain whether Amos was talked into something or not. That’s part of my job, that’s all.”
    â€œI don’t understand,” Miriam said.
    â€œI’m sorry, Miriam.” Rose smiled. “Mr. Rosenberg was my brother’s attorney. It’s his job to see that Amos’s last wishes are carried out. But he also has to make sure there was no…well, no undue influence on my brother in his weakened condition. I knew Amos well, of course, and I know you, Miriam. I have no doubt about the nature of your relationship with Amos. But Mr. Rosenberg knew only Amos…not you. He needed to be sure that nothing untoward occurred so that the will’s arrangement won’t end up contested in court.”
    Miriam gasped. She stood up. “My people don’t get involved in Englisha courts. I could never have my family involved in any such occurrence. That would be a disgrace. Rose, please take me home.”
    Rose stood and gently held Miriam’s arm. She guided her back into the chair. “Miriam, everything is okay. I can assure you that you will not be going to court.”
    â€œLet me cut to the chase then.” Mr. Rosenberg wiped his brow. “Miriam, Mr. Bland left you his entire farm, including all the