An Amish Reward

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  She smiled, as he continued on.

  He chuckled. “I must admit that, at first, I thought my vatter was ab im kopf. To say I was reluctant would be an understatement, for sure. Who does something like that? But after he explained, I finally agreed to it. Mostly for mei vatter’s sake, since he is getting up in years and he does not need to add worry to his life. But the more I dwelt on the prospect, the more excited I became. And then, I couldn’t wait for Ezekiel to return.”

  She nodded. “Jah, it was surprising to me when he showed up. But I had been praying for Der Herr’s will. And it didn’t surprise me that He answered, only how He answered. This was something I never would have dreamed up, and I have a pretty gut imagination.”

  “Ach, it has to be God’s will for sure, then.” She thought his grin couldn’t stretch any wider.

  “There was a man whom I worked for. He had two kinner that I cared for. It seems everyone thought we should marry.” She shook her head. “He asked to court me, but I declined. I never felt peace in my heart about it. And then, when Ezekiel showed up and stated his business, a peace filled my soul like I’d never known. It was almost like Der Herr had spoken directly to my heart and said, This is the way, walk in it.”

  “Ach, that is amazing!” He reached for her hand again. “Kumm, my beautiful Becky. I’d like you to meet my father.”

  ~

  “Dat,” Isaac jogged to his father as he came in from one of the paddocks.

  Dat’s brows rose. “Is she here? Has your fraa come?”

  “Jah, she is here.” His eyes danced with excitement. “Kumm, I want you to meet her.”

  “Let me wash up.” Abraham eyed Isaac. “I see you are pleased. Did Ezekiel do well?”

  “Ach, jah, very well. She is a dream.” He couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Ach, he was a mess.

  “Well, then, what are we waiting for? Introduce me to this dream girl.”

  Isaac led the way inside. Becky stood staring out one of the large windows in the living room area. His heart did a flip at just the sight of her. “Becky.”

  She turned and her smile broadened. She walked toward them.

  “This is my father, Abraham King.” Isaac announced. He turned to his father. “Dat, this is Rebekah Lehman. She goes by Becky.”

  Becky smiled and held out her hand. “It’s wunderbaar gut to meet you.”

  Dat shook his head and dismissed her outstretched hand. Instead, he pulled her into a warm hearty embrace. “Welcome to our family, dochder.”

  He held her for several seconds. When he pulled back, they both had tears in their eyes.

  Becky dipped her head. “Thank you for choosing me.”

  Dat grasped her hand and looked into her eyes. “Der Herr chose you for mei sohn.” He reached for Isaac’s hand as well. “Let us pray and give thanks to Der Herr for His provision.”

  THIRTEEN

  Becky entered the kitchen to see what she might make for supper that evening. She opened the refrigerator, then surveyed the pantry.

  “What do you think you’re doing in here?” She turned at Aunt Lucy’s voice.

  “Looking to see what I’m going to make for supper.”

  Aunt Lucy shook her head. “Shoo. You just go on out of here. I will make supper. You need to spend some time getting to know that handsome prince of yours.”

  “But I should help with supper,” Becky protested.

  “Your aunt is right,” Becky turned at Isaac’s voice. He winked at Aunt Lucy, then reached for Becky’s hand. “Kumm, my princess. We have much to talk about.”

  “You’re sure?” She asked Aunt Lucy again.

  “Shoo.” She dismissed her with a flick of her wrist.

  Becky shrugged, then followed Isaac out of the kitchen.

  “Kumm, let’s sit out on the porch, lieb.” Isaac opened the door and gestured to a porch swing.

  She sat down and waited for Isaac to do likewise.

  He took her hand in his, intertwining their fingers.

  Ach, it felt so wunderbaar to have a man fuss over her. Like he was already in love with her.

  But she felt the same way although she’d only known Isaac for such a brief time.

  He stared at her as though trying to take a mental picture and ingrain it into his mind. “Ach, Becky. You make me so happy.”

  “That is how I feel about you.”

  “When would you like to marry? Do you want your folks to come?”

  She thought on her parents. They weren’t exactly in a financial position to travel across several states. A trip like that would be expensive. And now that they no longer had Becky’s income to help support them, well, it just probably wasn’t feasible.

  “I don’t know if my folks will be able to make it.” She frowned. Ach, she hadn’t really considered her folks not being present at her wedding.

  “Why not?”

  She shrugged. “Traveling is expensive.”

  “I see.” He nodded but didn’t say anything further.

  ~

  Isaac examined this beautiful woman before him. Ach, he would give her the moon if she asked and it was in his power to do so. He’d definitely need to speak to Dat about bringing her folks out for the wedding. But he’d want it to be a surprise.

  “Tell me, Becky. Which do you prefer? Would you like me to court you for a bit so we can get to know each other? Or do you prefer to marry as soon as possible?”

  “Ach, a little courting sounds gut. It might make it less awkward.” She shrugged.

  “That’s what I was thinking. That way when we…” He cleared his throat. Oh, man, he couldn’t just say the words. But then, he couldn’t just let them hang in the air, either. They were to be married, after all. “When we, uh, come together, we won’t be total strangers.”

  Her cheeks brightened a bit. “Jah. But, do you think people will talk? You know, because we’re already betrothed and we’ll be living under the same roof.”

  “Ach, I do not care what others think. Let them have their opinions. The only opinion I care about is Der Herr’s.” He backtracked. “Well, not the only opinion. I do care what you think, and Dat.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. I feel the same way. It seems that people who live their lives to appease others are never happy. We should live for an audience of One, in my opinion.”

  Isaac smiled. Ach, surely Der Herr knew what He was doing when He put the two of them together. He loved her already.

  ~

  Isaac lightly knocked on the door of Becky’s room. He’d wanted to tell her goodnight before turning in for the evening. Ach, what a wunderbaar day it had been! If only Mamm could have been here to meet Becky. That was his only regret.

  “Kumm in,” she called in a soft voice.

  He turned the knob and entered.

  She gasped. “Ach, I thought you were Aunt Lucy.” She began to put her hair back up.

  He held out a hand. “Nee, don’t.”

  She let her hair fall back down around her shoulders.

  Isaac approached and sat next to her on the bed. He took the brush lying next to her and held it up. “May I?”

  Becky smiled and swallowed. “Jah.”

  He positioned himself behind her and reached around her neck for her hair. He let his fingers rest on her shoulders for just a brief moment, longing for the day when he’d be able to touch her freely. He gently pulled her hair back and lightly ran the brush through it.

  “Ach, Becky. How is it that a woman as wunderbaar as you has not been snatched up by some man yet? It’s as though Der Herr saved you just for me.”

  She seemed to lean back into the strokes as he made a brushing motion. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

  “Does that feel gut?” He asked, running the brush through her hair several times. Ach, it smelled wunderbaar. He noted that her eyes were closed.

  “Jah, I enjoy it very much.”

  “How many times do you usually brush it?”

  “I do not cou
nt. Just until all of the tangles are out.”

  “I think they are all out now.” He handed the brush to her, then moved to sit next to her.

  “Denki. That was very nice.”

  “It was very much my pleasure.” He nodded. “I came in to tell you guten nacht. Is there anything you need?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, then. I guess I’d better let you get some rest.” Ach, but he hated to leave. He leaned close and lightly brushed her cheek with his lips, taking his time as he did it. “Sweet dreams, my sweet Becky.”

  She grasped his hand and held it as though she didn’t want to let go. Their eyes met and they admired each other for several seconds. He wondered what she was thinking. She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth with her teeth. Ach, he longed to kiss her on the mouth. But he wouldn’t. Not yet.

  “Goodnight, Isaac.” She kissed his hand, then let it go.

  Isaac stood and moved to the door. He turned around one more time before leaving and smiled. “Ich liebe dich.”

  He closed the door, but longed for the day when he’d be able to stay all night and hold her in his arms as his fraa.

  FOURTEEN

  “Dat, I’d like to speak with you about something.” Isaac approached his father in the barn after breakfast.

  “What is it, sohn?”

  “Can we contact Becky’s family and make arrangements for them to come out for our wedding?” He frowned. “She doesn’t think they will come because it’s too much money.”

  “Ach, I don’t see why not. We brought their dochder all this way. It would be unfair for them to miss out on the most special day of her life.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  “Do you have a date planned yet?”

  “I was thinking about a month. I don’t want to wait too long.”

  “I know what you mean, sohn. I imagine it is difficult having her in the same haus?”

  “Ach, jah. I just want to…”

  “Jah, I know.” Abraham nodded. “But you must wait. You do not want to dishonor your fraa.”

  “Nee, I do not.”

  “Very well, then. We will plan for a month. I will talk to Elmer Peachy to see if that suits him.”

  “Denki, Dat.”

  “I am chust glad you found someone.”

  “Jah. Me too.”

  ~

  “What does my future fraa think of her new home?” Isaac held the reins lightly, taking his time as he maneuvered the horse onto their long driveway. He wanted to make their first date memorable.

  “Ach, it’s wunderbaar. Truly.” She smiled. “Are you sure it is Amish?”

  He chuckled. “A little different from your folks’ district, ain’t so?”

  “Jah. I was surprised that your Ordnung does not have guidelines for your home.”

  “There are a few. No electric, except for work-related things.”

  “But that is pretty much it, ain’t so?”

  He shrugged. “Pretty much.”

  “It’s amazing. I almost feel like an Englischer here.”

  He chuckled at her comment. “Do you know what an Englischer feels like?” He teased.

  “Ach, nee. But I can imagine.”

  He pointed to the horse pulling their buggy. “Now, if we had cars, then I would feel like an Englischer.”

  Her eyes widened. “Have you ever driven a car?”

  He grinned. “I have. Have you?”

  “Ach, nee. I’d be too frightened.”

  “Jah, I understand.”

  “Were you?”

  “Just a little. I thought it would just take off on its own and I wouldn’t be able to stop it.” He laughed. “I had much more control over it than I thought I would.”

  “It would still make my heart race, I think.”

  He covered her hand with his. “You make my heart race.”

  “That is how I feel about you too.” She lifted a shy smile.

  He turned down a dirt road.

  “Ach, where are we going?”

  He winked at her and grinned. “It’s a secret.”

  “Okay.”

  He glanced over at her. “About home…is there anything you lack? Anything you need?”

  “Well, there wasn’t much room in the truck, so I left my soapmaking supplies at home.”

  “Ach, that is right. Ezekiel mentioned something about that to me. Remind me when we get back home, if I forget. I want you to have anything you need. Anything you want. We can order them online when we get back to the house tonight.”

  Her brow shot up. “Online?”

  “On our computer. We are allowed to have it for business.” He nodded. “Ezekiel said that you like to sell your soaps, ain’t so? Is that something you’d still like to do?”

  “Jah, I would. That is what I did back home before working for Mervyn Swartzentruber. I’ve been missing it. I took my soaps to Englisch stores and they sold them. It brought in money for Mamm and Dat. But then I took the other job because I was needed to watch the kinner and it was nice because it paid more money.” She shook her head. “I do not know what they will do now without my income.”

  “Your mamm does not make soaps?”

  “Nee, she’s allergic to some of the ingredients.”

  “Well.” He shrugged. “We do not need the extra money. If you still want to make and sell them, you could send that money to them if you’d like.”

  “Ach, that would be wunderbaar!”

  “I love your heart, Becky. You honor your folks. That is something to be admired.”

  She shook her head. “It is nothing. They have given me much.”

  “Still…you know, we can send extra money too if your folks are lacking. I do not mind at all.”

  “I am not sure if my father will accept it. I do not even know if he will take my soap money, but I’d like to at least attempt to send them some.”

  “I understand. It can be difficult for a man to accept charity. He feels like he needs to provide.”

  She nodded. “My father does still farm, but his place is not very large. It brings in some income. He cannot keep up with more land, though, all by himself.”

  “You said you have a bruder, ain’t so? Will he take over your father’s place?”

  “I always thought he would. But he’s been up in Montana for a while now.”

  Isaac perked up. “Hunting?”

  “Jah. How did you know?”

  “I love to hunt. A place like Montana is a hunter’s dream. They have a vast range of wildlife.” He glanced her way. “But your bruder should really step up and care for your folks.”

  Becky nodded. “I think I will write him a letter and suggest that. Especially since I am no longer there. Who knows? Maybe my folks have contacted him and he is already on his way back home.”

  “Jah, I guess that’s possible.” He pulled on the reins, bringing the buggy to a stop. He turned and smiled. “We’re here.”

  Becky glanced around. “Where?”

  “You’ll see. Look over there.” He pointed to a break in the tree line.

  “Ach, a trail!”

  “That’s right. It will lead to our destination. That’s why I wanted you to wear comfortable walking shoes.”

  “How far is it?”

  “Not too far. Maybe a mile. But it will be worth it. I promise.” He hopped down, then moved around to Becky’s side. He placed his hands at her waist and helped her down, which resulted in her falling against him in the process. He left his hands there for a brief time, enjoying her nearness.

  She looked up into his eyes, and he could feel her rapid heartbeat against his chest.

  He reached up and fondled a strand of her hair, curling it between his fingers. He ached to press his lips to hers, to indulge in a romantic moment. “Ach, Becky…”

  But it wasn’t time. Not yet. He wanted their first kiss to be perfect.

  He reluctantly released her. “I…I’d better get the box I brought along.�
��

  He immediately sensed her disappointment. Ach, it seemed she’d wanted him to kiss her as much as he desired to.

  Soon, my sweet Becky. Soon.

  FIFTEEN

  Isaac led the way down the trail. “Kumm, but watch your step and stay close to me.” He turned around to be sure she followed.

  “Ach, Isaac, this is beautiful.” She took in the wondrous beauty of spring all around them.

  He led them to the trail, the box he’d brought was perched on his shoulder. “Take a deep breath.”

  She did as he suggested. “Mm…Der Herr’s fragrance is the best, ain’t so?”

  “Jah, for sure.” He pointed out a plant. “Watch out for poison ivy. I do not want my future fraa miserable.”

  She examined the plant closely. “Is there a lot of it around here?”

  “Jah. But Dat and I have attempted to keep it off the trail.”

  “Do you come here often, then?”

  “When I have time. This is one of my favorite places on our property.”

  “I didn’t realize this was part of your property.” He heard amazement in her voice.

  “Jah, Der Herr has blessed us for sure.” He couldn’t wait to show her the most exciting part.

  “Kumm, it’s not too much farther.”

  She stopped in her tracks. “Ach, I think I hear something!”

  “Jah, you do.” He continued walking to their final destination.

  As soon as they emerged from the path, Becky gasped. “Ach, Isaac!”

  “Do you like it?” He couldn’t erase the smile from his face. He hoped she’d react this way.

  “A waterfall? We have our very own waterfall?” She beamed. “I can hardly believe it! Ach, I wish my folks could see this. It’s beautiful! Denki for bringing me here.”

  He set the box down at his feet. “On the other side, there is a cave.”

  “I feel like I’ve entered a dream world.”

  He reached for her hand. “I want to make all your dreams come true, Becky.”

  “You have. Der Herr has.” Her eyes shown with tears.

  He draped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m so happy.”