But there was something about him she didn’t trust. She couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that he’d arrived in their community alone. What kind of Amish boy lives a solitary life? Where was his family? Why did he not wish to be around them? Was he running away from something? Or someone? Perhaps a former aldi?
She didn’t think he was an imposter or anything. Nee, his accent and speech assured her Jacob King was Amish through and through.
Ach, maybe she was prejudging too much. He certainly had his reasons, whatever they were.
Her friend Judy nudged her. “Mei vatter said he’s related to you.”
Rachel’s brow arched high. Ach, she would have remembered if she’d ever met Jacob King. He didn’t possess a face she was likely to forget. And those eyes…solemn, brooding. Ach…
“Jeriah said your aunt was his mamm’s second cousin, or something like that.” Judy shrugged. “Which, I think that would make him your third cousin, ain’t so?”
“Ach, I have no idea. Which aunt?”
“Your Aenti Fannie, I think?”
“She is my aunt only through marriage.”
“Well, that’s a gut thing, because he seems to have an eye for you.”
“He…he does?” Rachel briefly glanced his way, then smoothed back the imaginary strand of hair that may have fallen from her kapp.
“Ach, he’s staring at you, Rachel. For sure and certain, he’ll want to take you for a ride in his carriage.”
Fire spread through her face, warming her neck and ears. Nee, a boy as handsome as Jacob King couldn’t be interested in her. “But he’s a stranger. I have no idea what I’d say. I don’t know anything about him.”
“That’s why you’d talk to him on your buggy ride. Ask him lots of questions.”
“He looks quite a bit older than me, ain’t so? What if he’s ferhoodled?”
“He doesn’t look ferhoodled. And if he is, just be yourself. A ride won’t last a week. Just one night. I could think of what I might do with one night alone with Jacob King.” A cunning smile stretched across Judy’s face.
Rachel’s jaw dropped and she stared at her bold friend. Judy was a year older, so she’d had much more experience riding in boys’ buggies. She hadn’t been secretive about her courting adventures by any means. At least, not among her closest friends. Judy had kissed at least half a dozen of the boys present. She’d once told Rachel that she wanted to marry the boy who kissed the best so she’d never tire of it.
Ach, what would a kiss from Jacob King be like? Did people even get tired of kissing?
Which had reminded Rachel of her grossmammi’s words, “Kissin’ don’t last. It might make him smile for a moment or two, but a man will appreciate a maedel who can make his stomach smile till the day he dies.”
Strange word pictures had always popped up into Rachel’s head when Mammi said such things. She visualized smiling stomachs and lips falling off. Why wouldn’t kissing last? She couldn’t imagine getting tired of something so romantic and intimate as a kiss. And she’d never seen anyone without lips, so they obviously didn’t fall off.
But she was too nervous to even dream about kissing Jacob King.
~
Jacob couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the young woman across the yard. Ach, she was the sweetest thing he’d ever laid his eyes on. Beautiful, but she apparently had no idea judging by her bashfulness. Shy and innocent, yet she’d glanced his way more than once, planting a seed of hope that maybe, just maybe, she might agree to a ride with him.
He slightly nudged his cousin, Jeriah. After Mamm had sent a letter on behalf of Jacob, Jeriah’s family had taken him in with open arms. Although he’d only arrived a few days ago, he’d already been given a position in Onkle Peter’s flooring shop and was making decent money. Before too long, he’d be able to get a place of his own.
“Who is that?” Jacob asked his cousin.
“Who?” Jeriah followed his line of vision. “Ach, Rachel? Rachel Schmidt. She’s our cousin.” He grinned. “Do you want to meet her?”
Jah, he wanted to meet her alright. “A cousin?”
“Don’t worry. Not closely related enough to matter.” He cuffed his arm. “She’s perty, ain’t so?”
“Jah, she is. Sehr schee.” Jacob paused. “Schmidt sounds familiar.”
“Ach, that’s because I told you about her schweschder, Leah. The alt maedel.” Jeriah began walking in Rachel’s direction, then glanced back at him. “Kumm. She won’t bite.” He winked.
Maybe not, but was he ready? He blew out a breath and willed his pulse to slow down. “Jah, okay.”
He followed his cousin near the chairs where Rachel sat with a friend. A game of volleyball ensued about twenty feet from the chairs.
Jacob felt a little out of place since he knew no one here except his cousins Jeriah, Christy Ann, and Jenny Lee, whom he’d only met a few days ago.
“Judy, Rachel, I’d like to introduce you to my cousin from Kentucky.” Jeriah grinned like the Cheshire cat, pushing Jacob in their direction.
“Hello.” The girls smiled. Rachel briefly glanced up, then stared at her hands.
He smiled, still unable to look away from beautiful Rachel.
Jeriah elbowed him. “Tell them your name.”
“Oh, uh, I’m…I’m…” All coherent thought took flight with the volleyball someone had just served over the net.
Jeriah laughed. “Jacob King. And apparently he’s lost his ability to speak.”
Jacob shook his head, then chuckled. “Jah, Jacob.”
Ach, he was a dummkopp for sure. Rachel would likely not give him the time of day.
“Rachel, why don’t you show Jacob where the snack table is?” Jeriah prompted.
“Uh, jah. Okay.” She glanced at Jacob, tucking her lower lip under her teeth. Was she nervous too, or just ruffled because Jeriah had put her on the spot?
“You don’t have to,” Jacob said, frowning. But what if she got the idea that he wasn’t interested? Ach… “I mean, if you don’t want to.”
“No, she wants to,” her friend—what was her name?—said.
Jah, they definitely needed to get away from their friends. Poor Rachel had turned three shades of pink, but she was lovely nonetheless.
They strolled slowly toward the house. “Where are you from?” Rachel flashed a shy smile.
“Kentucky. Northern Kentucky. Bishop Peachy’s district.”
She nodded. “I’ve never been to Kentucky. Is it nice?”
“Jah. It’s lush and green and wunderbaar. We have a large horse ranch. Do you like horses?”
“Jah, they are schee. I usually tend to my father’s sheep.”
He nodded. “Mei Mamm keeps goats. She uses the milk to make soap.”
“I’d like to try her soap sometime. I bet it leaves your hands soft.”
He rubbed his hands together, itching to let her take hold of them. “I don’t think it makes much difference when you work hard. But I wouldn’t know either way because I’ve never used anything else.”
“Do you mind?” She reached for his hand.
Ach… He didn’t need any more invitation. He shook his head and held his hand out to her.
She gently rubbed her fingertips over his palms, then the top of his hand, causing all sorts of inexplicable sensations. Ach, he didn’t think he could ever tire of Rachel’s touch.
“They are softer, but I can still tell you are a hard worker.”
Jah, he was a hard worker. He was working hard at breathing at this moment. He boldly curved his fingers around hers.
Her gaze shot to his face, surprise lit her expression. But she didn’t take her hand away.
Although reluctant, he set her hand free. No need to scare her off before he even got a chance to court her. “Sorry. I…I couldn’t help myself.”
Her smile indicated she didn’t seem to mind. “Do you like it here?”
“I’ve only been here a few days, but jah. I like
it so far.” Especially you. I like you. A lot. But he wouldn’t utter those words aloud. He’d scare her off for sure and certain then.
“Gut.”
“Have you lived in this area your whole life?”
“Jah. I live with my Dat and older schweschder. My mamm died a couple of years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” He frowned. Ach, he couldn’t imagine losing Mamm. “Were you close to her?”
“We had a gut relationship.”
“Do you have any other siblings besides your sister?”
“Nee. What about you?” She handed him a paper bowl.
“I only have one bruder. We’re twins, actually, but we don’t look anything alike.” He reached into one of the large bowls of popcorn with his bowl and filled it.
A smile spread across her face. “I always wanted to be a twin. Is it fun? Are you two best friends?”
Hardly. He tried to suppress a frown. It was anything but fun. “Nee, not at all. It’s kind of a long story, but we’ve never been gut friends.” He offered her one of the cups of what appeared to be tea. “He is…unkind to me.”
She received it and took a brief sip. She frowned at his words. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “It is what it is. How about you? Are you and your schweschder friends?”
“We get along fine, but I wouldn’t say we’re particularly close. She’s quite a bit older. Eight years. She doesn’t attend the youth gatherings anymore.”
“How old are you, then?” They each sat down on one of the folding chairs set up on the lawn next to the barn. Jacob was pleased with their easy conversation.
She ducked her head. “Ach, I’m just barely sixteen.”
Jah, she was young. But not too young. He could be patient if he had to. What was a couple of years?
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
“Seven years older than me.”
“Jah.” He shifted to study her. “Is there someone I should talk to about asking to take you home? I mean, if I’m not too old for your liking.”
Her cheeks darkened and she lowered her lashes. “Nee. And I…I don’t think you’re too alt.”
“How do you think your father would feel? Would he approve?”
She shrugged. “I think he maybe would. He might like to meet you.”
“Where do you live?”
“Down the road from the schoolhouse. Mei schweschder teaches there. Has since she was my age.”
“She is not married?”
“Nee.” Rachel shrugged. “Sometimes she is sick. I think her condition scares off potential mann.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” He didn’t really know what to say about her sister, but he felt bad for her nonetheless. It wondered him if this was the ‘Leah’ Jeriah had spoken of. “Is she expected to get better?”
“Nee, she’ll only get worse. But she’s not too bad yet. Most people don’t even know. Dat didn’t really want us telling people because he didn’t want to scare off buwe, but several people know. It’s hard to keep secrets in the g’may.”
“I won’t say anything to anybody.”
“I don’t really think it’s that big of a deal. Dat was just hoping she’d be able to find some happiness. Marriage and kinner bring lots of joy into your life.”
“Jah, they usually do.”
“But no man wants to marry a fraa that isn’t expected to survive long. I mean, if she did marry and have kinner and then she passed, who would raise the kinner? Her mann would have to work to provide.”
“Ach, I see the problem.”
Jacob thought of his twin brother. Maybe Leah would have been a suitable mate for Ephraim, had he not been interested in that Englisch girl. He quickly dismissed the thought. In his current state, or at least when Jacob had left home, Ephraim had wanted to kill him. He likely would not be doing him favors anytime soon or listening to his advice on anything, let alone maed. Besides, Ephraim and his Englisch maed had been dating long enough now that they could very likely be planning to get hitched. Mamm had mentioned their fear of him marrying the maedel.
“She’s never really talked about it, at least not to me. I don’t think she minds one way or another.”
“Are you sure and certain about that? I mean, if she’s a school teacher, she’s obviously fond of kinner. Ain’t so?” Jacob’s heart went out to Rachel’s poor sister. It must be a terrible predicament for an Amish woman.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I reckon.”
He noticed the volleyball game winding down. “When will the singing start?”
“Should be any minute now.”
“Do you already have a ride home then, for afterwards?” Please let her say no, Gott.
“I do.”
His heart sank to his feet, till he caught the sparkle in her eye.
“At least, I think I do. Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
A winning bet on the horse racing track that some of his father’s clients attended could not have made him change his mind. Not that he would ever bet.
“Nee, I haven’t changed my mind.” He grinned.
NINE
Rachel leaned forward in the buggy when they pulled into her driveway. It was apparent there were still a couple of lanterns lit, which meant Dat was probably still awake. Should she bring Jacob inside even if Dat was still up?
Spending an evening with Jacob had almost been like a dream, and she didn’t want it to end. Aside from the butterflies flitting around in her tummy, she’d felt completely at ease with Jacob King.
“Ach, it looks like mei vatter is awake.” She chewed on her bottom lip.
“Would this be a gut time to meet him?” His expression was eager.
“I think it might be okay.”
He reached over and grasped her hand for the third time that evening. Each time, she’d welcomed it. “I had a gut time with you, Rachel. But just in case I don’t get a chance to say a proper goodbye later, is it all right if I say it now?”
Her face heated. What did he mean by his words? Did he mean…?
Her eyes widened as he moved close and briefly brushed her lips with his. Her heartbeat raced and her eyes instinctively draped shut, but the moment ended all too soon. Ach, his lips had been soft and his kiss had been wonderful gentle. It was better than what she’d imagined a first kiss would be like, but, ach, she wanted to do it again. Longer.
“Was that okay?” he murmured.
“Nee.” She really needed another taste of his peppermint kisses.
He moved back and studied her. “Nee? I’m sorry, I should have waited till—”
“It wasn’t long enough.” Her words tumbled out. She ignored propriety and pulled Jacob close.
“Ach…” Instead of saying another word, he cupped her cheek with his warm hand and brought his lips down on hers once again. This time, he kissed with intention, as though he were a thirsty man in a desert and her lips were the only water that could quench him.
She tilted her head as his lips seemed to explore hers. She followed wherever he was leading, craving his woodsy cologne and minty breath more with every second that passed. She had no idea how this was supposed to go and wondered if he thought she did.
No wonder why her friend Judy liked kissing buwe so much! Now she understood. Jacob was…ach, he was like a dream…a fantasy.
He finally broke away when a slight noise sounded from inside the house. Jah, Dat was still up. Hopefully, he or Leah hadn’t been watching from behind the curtain.
Jacob’s breathing was ragged. “Mm…that was…nice. Very nice.”
“Jah, I liked it too.”
“Gut. I didn’t know if I was doing it right.”
“It was…” She couldn’t help her breathy voice. “It was your first time too?”
“Jah. You are the first girl I’ve ever really been interested in.”
Her heart sang. Ach, he’d saved up that kiss just for her? She felt like a queen. Was Jacob the one? She already knew
she could gaze into those brooding eyes every day of her life, for sure and certain. But it was way too soon to be making any lifelong plans just yet, wasn’t it? Jah, she was getting ahead of herself.
He glanced back toward the house. “Should we go inside?”
“Are you…are you done saying goodbye?” Warmth spread through Rachel’s entire being. She couldn’t believe her boldness. Ach, she felt like she could sit out in the buggy with Jacob all night.
He traced her lips with his thumb, a look of longing in his eyes. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be done.”
He cleared his throat. “But your vatter might get suspicious if we’re sitting out in my buggy kissing all night. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I wouldn’t want him to think I’d dishonor you.”
~
“Dat, this is Jacob King. He is new to our community.” Rachel tried not to appear too eager in front of her father. She turned to Jacob. “This is mei vatter, Marlin. He is also the deacon of our g’may.”
Jacob stretched his hand toward her father. “Gut to meet you.”
Marlin shook Jacob’s hand and nodded. Rachel caught the twinkle in her father’s eye. He rubbed his hands together. “Tell me about yourself, Jacob.”
Ach, they seemed to be getting along. This was a gut sign.
She smiled as she moved to the kitchen to prepare a snack and coffee for the three of them. Should she prepare an extra cup in case Leah joined them downstairs? Jah, she would. She’d never want Jacob to think she was inconsiderate.
A few moments later, she reentered the living room. Jacob and her father were deep in conversation. She attempted to listen.
“I’m sure it is difficult keeping up with your property, having the burdens of a deacon.” Jacob said. “You only have two maed? No sons?”
“Ach, jah. Der Herr never saw fit to give mei fraa and me sohns. But we’re thankful for our dochdern. It seems I am always falling behind on everything, though.”
Rachel offered each of them a steaming cup of coffee along with one of the muffins she and Leah had made yesterday. She set the tray down on the table, then joined the two men.
“Denki, Rachel.” Jacob’s sincere smile took her breath away.
An Amish Deception Page 4