A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston

Miriam.”
    Timothy dropped his fork, which fell to the floor with a loud clatter. His eyes locked on his sister’s, and he glowered. “I knew you had an ulterior motive by coming here. You came to tell me you saw Miriam. I’m
froh
you saw her, but I don’t see how that has anything to do with me.”
    Beth Anne’s eyes remained focused on his, challenging him. “I think it has everything to do with you.”
    “How could that be?” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “She made her choice and left. End of story.”
    “No, it’s not the end of the story.” Beth Anne leaned forward, slicing her fork through the air like a sword and showering the table with crumbs. “If it were, then you’d be married by now.”
    His eyes widened with shock. “What did you say? You think my not being married is due to Miriam’s leaving?” He laughed with bitterness. “Beth Anne, you don’t know me at all.”
    “Don’t I?” She dropped her fork on the table and folded her hands. “I know you haven’t made a commitment to Naomi or any other woman because you’re not over Miriam.”
    “Naomi and I are just friends, but that’s none of your business. Besides, we’ve only just started to get to know each other. It takes longer than a month to decide if you want to marry someone. You and Paul dated for longer than a month.”
    Not backing down, her stare was steady. “It’s time you moved on, Timothy. You’re not getting any younger.”
    He jammed a finger in his chest. “It’s my business if I choose to stay single. You need to be concerned about your marriage and your
kinner.
I can handle my own life, and it’s none of your concern.”
    “Ya, it is my concern. You’re my brother, and I care about you. I want to see you
froh.
You need a
fraa
and a family. It’s part of who you are.”
    He glowered. “I choose to be alone. I appreciate your concern, but I’m happy.”
    “Are you?” Sitting up straight, she looked unconvinced. “Then why are you stringing poor Naomi King along?”
    He shook his head. How dare she criticize his relationship! “Naomi and I are good friends. I’m not stringing her along as you say. I resent that accusation.”
    Beth Anne shook her head. “Naomi is in love with you. She’s just waiting for you to propose to her.”
    “She is not. You don’t know her.” He knew Beth Anne was right, but he didn’t want to hear it.
How is it that Beth Anne can read people just like Mamm does?
    “I can tell. It’s obvious by the way she looks at you. You have her wrapped around your finger, but you refuse to acknowledge the love she wants to give you.” Beth Anne shook her head and sighed. “I’m not here to accuse you or upset you. I want you to have closure with Miriam. That’s why I think you need to talk to her and—”
    “No.” Timothy slammed his hand on the table, causing the plates and mugs to rattle. “I have nothing to say to Miriam. What we had is gone. It’s the past. Talking to her will just rehash things I let go a long time ago.”
    “You didn’t let it go. That’s the problem.” She ran her fingers over a napkin as if collecting her thoughts. “I truly believe God sent Miriam here to settle things between you two. I think it’s God’s will that you talk with her and work out all your hurt feelings. It’s just what you need so you can move on and make a new life for yourself. I think it’s the Holy Spirit working in your life, Timothy. I talked to
Mamm,
and she agrees with —”
    “You discussed this with
Mamm?”
He ran his hands down his face, imagining his sisters analyzing his life while they baked sand tarts. There had to be chitchat more interesting than his sad, sorry life.
    “Please, just listen, okay?” Reaching across the table, she touched his arm.
“Mamm
and I want what’s best for you, and we think that working through your feelings for Miriam would be healthy for you. Besides, when I talked to Miriam, she seemed