An Amish Reward

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  “I think I understand what you are saying. I think Isaac shows his love by giving gifts. And by saying nice things to me.”

  “And how do you show your love?”

  “Ach, I don’t know. When I get my soapmaking supplies, I will make him some soap. I will try to keep the house clean for him. And wash his laundry.”

  “And kissing?”

  “Aunt Lucy!”

  “I’m just saying that men usually like a woman to give them attention. Especially in the bedroom.”

  “Aunt Lucy!”

  “It’s the truth. Not that you need to give him that kind of attention now. Now you just tease him a little and give him a taste of what is to come. But you remember that for the future, Becky. Men need lovin’. Lots of it.”

  Ach, Becky felt like her cheeks were on fire. How could her Aunt Lucy speak so freely about such things? Ach…she felt like hiding away in her room.

  “Sounds like your aunt is giving some gut advice.”

  Becky turned at Isaac’s voice. His grin was wide and he winked at her. Ach, jah, this was probably the most embarrassing moment of her life. “Ach, Isaac!”

  “I can actually use a little bit of teasing right now.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to him.

  “I’m turning around right now,” Aunt Lucy said. “You two can just pretend I’m not here.”

  He led Becky by the hand, heading toward the living room. “Don’t worry, Aunt Lucy, I’ll let her tease me in the other room.” Isaac called over his shoulder before they turned the corner.

  “Well, don’t tease him too long, Becky. You and I have a trip to make.”

  Isaac sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap. “Tell me about this trip.”

  His hand lightly trailed her arm leaving sparks in its wake.

  “I…uh…”

  “My sweet Becky’s at a loss for words, ain’t so?” He reached up and caressed her cheek and neck, his eyes searching hers.

  “Jah,” she whispered, then leaned down until her lips met his.

  “Ach, Becky…” One of his hands spanned the back of her head as he leaned in to her kiss. His other arm wrapped around her, pulling her even closer to him.

  Ach, being in Isaac’s arms was like a wonderful dream she didn’t want to end. Jah, she’d have no trouble keeping up this part of the bargain.

  His hands seemed to gently massage her head and neck as they continued their kiss. Then she felt the warmth of her hair tumbling down around her ears and shoulders.

  His lips moved along her jaw to her neck, his face buried in her hair. “Ach, Becky, I want to…” he murmured between kisses—

  “Uh…hum!” Aunt Lucy cleared her voice loudly. “I’d say, by Isaac’s breathing, that’s more than enough teasing for one day. Becky, fix your hair and put your kapp back on. By the look of it, we’d better get that wedding dress made fast.”

  Isaac chuckled, lifting Becky into his arms. He helped her stand on her own, then pulled her into his arms again and planted one last kiss on her lips.

  In front of Aunt Lucy.

  Becky’s cheeks flamed. Jah, this was definitely the most embarrassing day of her life.

  NINETEEN

  Becky perused the array of fabric in the dry goods store. There didn’t seem to be as much to choose from as there was in her Pennsylvania Amish district.

  “Well, did you find what you’re looking for? Anything tickle your fancy?” Aunt Lucy came up behind her, a large container of gummy worms in one hand, another package of candy in her other hand.

  “What are you doing with those?”

  “I plan to eat them. They will satisfy my sweet tooth perfectly.”

  Becky shook her head and smiled. If Aunt Lucy ate that way all the time, it was a wonder she had any teeth left yet.

  “May I help you with something?” A plain woman approached them. Becky guessed she was likely Mennonite, if her attire was any indication. The woman glanced at the fabrics. “Are you sewing a wedding dress?”

  “Uh, jah.”

  “Then you’ll be interested in the back room.”

  “The back room?”

  “Come along. I’ll show you.” The woman smiled. “When is the big day?”

  “In a month.”

  “Oh, wow. Not much time then.”

  Becky followed her through the store, then she stepped into a side room she hadn’t been aware existed. Her eyes were on sensory overload as they moved over every hue of blue and green imaginable.

  Becky’s mouth dropped open. “Ach, Aunt Lucy! Look!”

  “A little better selection in here, don’t you think?” The woman smiled knowingly.

  “Ach, jah. Denki!”

  The clerk pointed to one of the piles of material. “You’ll find the prices on the end of the bolts of fabric. I’ll be behind the counter if you have any questions.”

  She watched the woman disappear around the corner, then turned back and surveyed the plethora of fabric. “How will I ever be able to decide?”

  “Do you have any idea which one Isaac prefers?” Aunt Lucy stared at her.

  “Nee.”

  Aunt Lucy held up a finger. She thrust her packages of candies into Becky’s arms, then dug into her purse. She pulled out a cell phone and snapped a photo.

  Becky gasped. “Where did you get that?”

  “It’s Abraham’s.” She pushed the screen a few times.

  Becky heard a ding.

  Aunt Lucy showed her the message. “He said the fourth one from the left.”

  “Ach!”

  “Fourth one from the left.” Aunt Lucy pulled out the bolt.

  “That’s the one I was leaning toward.”

  “Well, lean no more. Your prince has spoken.” Aunt Lucy smiled. “Come on, let’s pay for this and go get a banana split at Dairy Queen.”

  As they walked out, Becky clutched the bag of material and pointed to Aunt Lucy’s purse. “I didn’t even know Abraham and Isaac had phones.”

  “They just use them for business or emergencies.” Aunt Lucy shrugged.

  “But you just called Isaac.” She stepped up into the buggy.

  “He said to call if we had an emergency or if it was urgent. He didn’t want us to be out stranded somewhere.”

  “Ach, he was probably worried that something had happened.”

  “Becky, dear. Something did happen. Anytime a maedel has trouble choosing material for a wedding dress, it’s an emergency.”

  Becky was unsure whether she should laugh out loud or cry. Poor Isaac! Of course, he already knew Aunt Lucy. Chances were, he’d probably suspected something like this.

  “Is there anywhere else you need to stop?” Aunt Lucy jiggled the reins to move the horse and carriage out onto the road.

  “Nee, I don’t think so.”

  “Jah, I wouldn’t have suspected as much. It’s likely you’re wanting to get home to tease Isaac some more.”

  “Aunt Lucy!” Becky shook her head. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to live that down. From now on, she and Isaac would have to find somewhere a little more private if they wanted to show each other affection. But then, if they were secluded, that might be more of a temptation.

  She wouldn’t even have dreamed of having these thoughts just a couple of weeks ago. But now? Now, spending time with Isaac was all she could think about. Ach, she was a mess.

  TWENTY

  The entire ride home, Becky had been aching to write in her journal. She rushed to her private haven the moment she returned home.

  Dear Isaac,

  I never realized a man like you even existed. I feel like Der Herr has read the pages of my journal and fashioned you according to my desires.

  Are you sure you’re real? Because I’m not quite convinced. I keep thinking that soon I will wake up and this wonderful fantasy will all be just a dream.

  I have a confession to make. I think I might be addicted to kissing you.

  Ach, Der Herr has blessed me so by bringing yo
u into my life! I will cherish you always, my love.

  Your Beloved,

  Becky

  Becky closed her journal and held it to her chest. Soon, very soon, her beloved would read the words she’d penned for his eyes only. Words that spanned nearly a decade now. What would he think? Would he think she was silly? Or would he cherish the words she’d written as much as she cherished the one they’d been written to? Only time would tell.

  She opened up one of her earlier journals and read her thoughts from several years ago.

  Dear Future Husband,

  Greetings in the Name of our Lord!

  Tonight is my very first singing. It wonders me if I will meet you tonight. It wonders me if I’ve already met you and known you my entire life or if you live somewhere entirely different and we will meet at a future date.

  It wonders me when we will go on our first buggy ride. Ach, I am nervous, to tell the truth.

  It wonders me if this will be your first singing too, or have you been attending them for years yet? It wonders me how many girls you have taken home, how many girls you have kissed.

  I hope that you will save yourself for only me, but I know that is asking a lot. I pray Der Herr will keep you pure.

  I turned sixteen just last week. It wonders me how old you are.

  Well, that’s enough rambling for now, I suppose.

  Keeping myself for you alone, by God’s grace.

  Rebekah Lehman

  Wow! Who would have thought it would be so many years later that she’d actually meet him? Ach, but Isaac was worth the wait. Truly!

  She grasped another of her journals. Ach, Isaac would be reading these for days.

  Dear Future Husband,

  Today marks my twentieth birthday. I know I should be happy, but in truth, I’m a little worried.

  I know. I’m still young and have a couple of years yet to find you. But most of my friends have found their life mates already. It wonders me when I will find you.

  I know that I need to trust Der Herr. I know I need to leave these matters in His hands. Ach, but it’s hard.

  I hope we will meet soon, my love!

  Yours Alone,

  Becky

  Tears pricked her eyes. She remembered well when she’d penned those words. How lonely she’d felt. Little did she realize then that it would still be over five years yet before her beloved found her. Before Der Herr answered her cries.

  Now, she couldn’t thank Him enough. Ach, He had been so gut to her. So gracious.

  She flipped the pages. She would read one last entry before putting the journals away.

  Dear Future Husband,

  This is going to sound silly, I know. But my sister and I were having a discussion. She asked me a question that I’d never truly thought about. She asked me what I considered to be the perfect husband, what I look for in a man.

  So, here is the list I’ve come up with.

  1. He must know Der Herr

  2. He must be Amish

  3. He must love me

  4. He must be respectful to his folks

  5. He must like kinner

  6. He must be kind and caring

  7. This is not a requirement, of course, but it would be nice if he was gut looking

  That is my list for now, as far as I can think. Of course, I don’t expect you to be perfect, because, I assure you, I will not be. But now it wonders me, what do you look for in a future fraa? I hope and pray that I can be who you desire.

  Your Future Wife,

  Becky

  TWENTY-ONE

  “Dat, did you contact Becky’s folks? Will they come for the wedding?” Isaac couldn’t squelch the excitement in his voice. Ach, each day closer to their wedding, the more eager he became.

  He never thought he’d react this way to a woman. But Becky…Ach, Becky! She was everything he ever could have dreamed of. Smart, beautiful, kind, loving, and she loved Der Herr. She had the ability to excite all his senses. She had the ability to command non-stop daydreams. She had the ability to make his heart flip upside down at just the thought of her.

  And when he held her in his arms? He was gone. Worthless. Mush. But he loved it. Every heart-stopping second of it.

  What more could he have hoped for in a fraa? He didn’t know. Ach, but he was so glad he’d listened to his father. Where would he be if he hadn’t? He would never even know all these crazy wonderful feelings existed.

  For the day he could make her his fraa…Denki, Gott. Denki.

  “Jah, I left a message.” His father’s voice shook him from his musings. “I should hear back soon. I gave them my cell phone number.”

  “Okay. Gut. Gut.” He turned to his father. “Do you think they will come? It would be a wunderbaar gut surprise for Becky.”

  “I hope so, sohn. But we will have to wait and see.”

  ~

  Becky found the dress that fit her best and pulled it out of the closet. She would use this one to make the pattern for her wedding dress. Ach, less than a month ago she wouldn’t even have considered doing this now, yet here she was.

  She still couldn’t get over it. She was sure she’d still be pinching herself to see if it was true, even after the wedding. She had been patient and Der Herr had rewarded her beyond her wildest dreams. It almost seemed too good to be true.

  But with God, all things were possible. Even finding a spouse when you’d nearly lost all hope.

  Becky moved to the balcony and opened one of the double doors. She stepped outside, allowing the gentle breeze to caress her face. The King ranch was huge.

  From where she stood, even the horses seemed small. She caught a glimpse of Isaac as he led a horse from one barn to the other. Isaac had given her the grand tour the first week she’d arrived, and she still couldn’t get over the grandeur of it all.

  In all of her ponderings of what she desired in a husband, money was honestly something she never even considered. She’d be content in a tiny two bedroom home, as far as she was concerned. But she was happy with what Der Herr had provided for her.

  She knew that Abraham and Isaac were both generous. She’d seen, quite by accident, the large check Isaac had written after the bishop mentioned a need in the g’may. She’d also heard him request that his donation be kept anonymous. Isaac truly had a heart of gold.

  Ach, she did not feel like she deserved him. Yet, this is who Der Herr had chosen for her. And she was who Der Herr had chosen for Isaac. Who was she to question the ways of Der Herr? Nee, she would not. She would simply be thankful.

  ~

  As soon as she was finished, Becky tried her dress on. Ach, she had to go show Aunt Lucy. How she wished Mamm was here with her to see her in her wedding dress! But she was not and Aunt Lucy would have to do.

  She was just glad that her aunt had accompanied her to Kentucky. It would have been much more frightening had she come alone. It had been wise of her folks to suggest that Aunt Lucy come along.

  The moment she hit the bottom step, she sought out Aunt Lucy. She was likely in her room or in the kitchen. She hoped she wasn’t outside. Becky didn’t want to step outside in her wedding attire. Not when Isaac could come up to the house at any moment and see her.

  “Well, what do you think?” Becky held out her arms and turned slightly.

  A wide smile stretched across Aunt Lucy’s face. “I think that groom of yours is going to faint dead away as soon as he looks into those mesmerizing eyes. Ach, Becky! That color is absolutely perfect for you. How on earth did Isaac know?”

  Becky shrugged. “I love the color. I’ve never owned anything in this hue.”

  “I am sure and certain that bu is going to love it.”

  “Going to love what?” A male voice echoed from the mudroom.

  Becky quickly moved to hide behind Aunt Lucy’s bedroom door.

  “Now, Ezekiel,” Aunt Lucy warned, “You don’t just come barging in on women unannounced in the middle of the day when you’re supposed to be out working. What if we wer
e hanging up our undergarments to dry, for goodness’ sake?”

  Becky peeked through the crack in the door and almost laughed out loud at poor Ezekiel’s befuddled expression.

  “I…uh…” He rubbed his chin. “What are you talking about, woman? I come in here unannounced just about every day. I need a drink.”

  “Come here, Ezekiel.” Aunt Lucy grasped his arm and led him over to the window. “See that thingy out there? That’s a water pump. Prime it a few times, stick your cupped hands under it, and get yourself a drink.”

  “Oh, so now I have to fetch my drinks outside?”

  “If you’re going to barge in unannounced, then yes.” Aunt Lucy’s hand planted firmly on her right hip.

  Ezekiel shook his head, huffed, defiantly walked to the refrigerator, and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea. He calmly poured himself a nice tall glass and gulped it down, all the while staring at Aunt Lucy, daring her to contradict him.

  “I been working here nigh unto twenty years. I come in the house and fetch myself a drink, if I please.” He set his glass in the sink. “Better yet, why don’t you come out and serve it to us hard-working men, if it’s so much of a chore that I come inside?”

  Becky continued to enjoy this amusing conversation, wondering just who would have the final say.

  “I can see right through this act, Ezekiel. You’re just cooking up ways to see more of me during the day.”

  Becky’s hand flew to her lips covering her chuckle.

  Ezekiel coolly walked to the door, placed his hat on his head, then turned back to Aunt Lucy with a smirk on his face. “Jah, that must be it. For sure.” He winked, then stepped out the door.

  “Ach…”

  Was Aunt Lucy speechless?

  “Well, I…”

  “I think maybe he likes you, Aunt Lucy,” Becky teased.