An Amish Reward

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  He didn’t say anything. He really didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know how to make this better.

  They walked inside the house.

  “Becky…” He sighed. “I’m sorry.” His voice shook with emotion. He couldn’t help it. Just knowing the grief he’d brought to his fraa. Ach, he’d let her down.

  He was supposed to protect her.

  To love her.

  To cherish her.

  He’d failed. Miserably.

  She shook her head. With her chin trembling and tears flowing down her cheeks, she fell into his arms. “I just want to go home.”

  “We will, Schatzi. We will.”

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  A measure of peace engulfed Becky as she stared out the balcony across their beautiful acreage. Ach, it was so gut to be back home. Jah, they had done wrong. Very wrong. But home was certainly a consolation. Somehow, just being here made her feel that everything was going to work out. Everything would be fine.

  Denki, Gott.

  She did worry about Isaac, though. He’d apologized several times, but she could tell he still carried a heavy burden upon his shoulders. Please help him, Gott.

  She heard a buggy pull up and by the voices that wafted up the stairs, she realized the bishop had come to talk to Isaac. Most likely he would want to speak with her, as well.

  How would Isaac fare being shunned from his vatter? And what about Ezekiel? The two men would be working together day in and day out. She was just glad that they would be in the bann together, if that was the course of action the leaders took. Which she guessed it would be.

  To her surprise, the Elmer Peachy left after a brief conversation with Isaac. She thought for sure she’d be called down to speak with the bishop as well.

  “Becky,” Isaac called from downstairs.

  She moved to the top of the stairs. “Jah? He is gone already?”

  “Jah, he has left. He just asked me about what happened in Millers’ district. I told him the truth. All of it.” He grimaced. “He will call a meeting with the other leaders and they will decide what to do and whether or not we will be put in the bann.”

  “Do you think we will?”

  “Ach, I don’t know. They might just require a confession.”

  A confession before the g’may would be humiliating, but she figured they deserved it.

  She read the worry in his eyes. “Isaac?”

  “Jah?”

  “It is gut to be back home, ain’t so?”

  “Jah, it is, Becky. For sure and certain.” A half smile lifted at the corner of his mouth.

  ~

  Becky had been pondering their life lately. She thought about her sisters and their families. Each one of them had been blessed with bopplin in their first year of marriage. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she and Isaac hadn’t conceived yet. She’d even done research on when the best days to conceive were. Still, nothing.

  “Isaac, do you think what happened in Millers’ district is why we have not been able to have any bopplin yet?”

  “Ach, nee.”

  “We’ve been married plenty long enough now. Why hasn’t it happened? There has to be a reason. I’m thinking maybe that is it.” She shrugged.

  “Ach, Becky. Our thoughts are not the thoughts Der Herr has. He has His reasons. I do not claim to know what they are.” He caressed her hand. “If you want, I will pray about it.”

  “I will pray too.”

  “I should have just prayed and asked Der Herr about the surrey too. Doesn’t He own the cattle on a thousand hills? Does He lack any power? Nee, He does not. It is our lack of faith that prevents us from seeing His miracles.”

  “But what if we ask and He says no?”

  “Then we will trust that it is His will for our lives.” He turned and held her at arm’s length. He stared into her eyes. “But what if He says yes? What if He just wants us to ask? A vatter wants to give gut gifts to his kinner, ain’t so? Der Herr wants to give us good things as well.”

  “Even if we are in the bann?”

  “The g’may might punish us for a time, but Der Herr looks straight into our hearts. He sees whether we have been sincere and whether our repentance is true.”

  “Denki, Isaac. You are a gut husband.” She smiled.

  “Ach, sometimes I do not feel like it. I do not deserve you.”

  “I feel the same way about you.” She giggled as he bent down and nuzzled her neck.

  ~

  “Isaac, your father and his fraa are here. And so are Aunt Lucy and Ezekiel!” Becky squealed.

  Ach, he loved hearing joy in her voice once again. He swallowed, realizing he had been the one to steal her joy away. He had been the cause of her pain and grief.

  He’d put the dumm surrey above his fraa’s joy. He’d put the dumm surrey over the pricks of his conscience. He’d put the dumm surrey over listening to the voice of Der Herr. Jah, he’d been a dummkopp, for sure. He had surely learned his lesson on coveting.

  His father greeted him with a holy kiss and he briefly hugged Keturah, his stepmother.

  Aunt Lucy waltzed through the door, with Ezekiel not far behind. “How is my favorite young couple doing?”

  “We’re doing gut,” Isaac said, grasping his fraa’s hand. Ach, it was nice to not have to share Becky with anybody or pretend they didn’t belong together.

  “I’m happy you’re doing well, Isaac. But I was referring to Abe and Keturah.”

  “Aunt Lucy!” Becky’s jaw dropped.

  “I was just joking, liebling.” She winked. “You know I was talking about you two love birds. But Abraham and Keturah do make a cute couple too.”

  “You stirring up trouble again, woman?” Ezekiel grinned and nodded his greeting to Isaac and Becky.

  Aunt Lucy grasped Ezekiel’s suspender. “Are you lookin’ for trouble, Schatzi?”

  “Always.” He winked at his fraa. “But before you get us into some, let me take Isaac’s venison to the kitchen.”

  “Ach.” Isaac’s brow shot up and his stomach growled. “Venison twice in one week? I must be in Heaven.” He smiled at Becky. For sure, it was wunderbaar to be back around family again. As far as he was concerned, he and Becky could stay on this property till the day they died, surrey or no.

  “Isaac, I’d like a private audience with you when you get a chance,” his father said.

  “Ach, jah. Let’s go sit on the porch.” He turned to his fraa. “Becky, we’ll be right back. Don’t start eatin’ without us.”

  “We’ll wait.”

  “You better hurry,” Aunt Lucy called out. “All this venison might be gone by the time you get back in here, if you take too long.”

  “Funny, Aunt Lucy.” Isaac smiled, then led the way outside.

  His father took a seat on the porch swing and Isaac sat down next to him. Ach, it had seemed like forever since the two of them had been out here all alone. Part of him missed the times when it was just him and Dat, but he’d never go back. Not without Becky.

  “I heard what happened over in Millers’ district.” His father frowned.

  “I was a dummkopp, for sure.” He shook his head. “I never should have taken Becky there.”

  Dat stayed quiet.

  “I’m sorry. I have shamed our entire family. You have taken so long to build up a gut reputation, and here I go and do something dumm like this. I’m afraid it is something I will never be able to live down.”

  “Ach, Isaac, sohn.” His father placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are certainly not the first man to ever make a foolish decision. Chust remember, a gut name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”

  “Or a surrey.” Isaac sighed.

  “Ach, I would have given you money for a surrey.”

  “And that’s the thing, Dat. It’s not like I couldn’t afford a new one in the first place. This one was just such a gut deal, that I couldn’t pass it up. And then when I heard that I wouldn’t be able to buy it, well, I concocted a plan to
make it happen.” He shrugged.

  “I admire your drive, but it was misplaced. Some things are chust not worth the cost.”

  “Jah, I realize that now. I wish I could go back and undo it, but I can’t. I have failed my fraa. I have failed you. And I have failed Der Herr.” He hung his head.

  “You are but a mere man, Isaac. Nobody expects perfection from you, not even your fraa. You must learn to not only seek forgiveness from Der Herr, but you must forgive yourself as well. Only then will you be able to move forward and leave this behind you.”

  “Ach, denki, Dat. I needed to hear that.” He reached over and wrapped his father in a bear hug. “Denki.”

  “You know, I have it on gut authority that a private confession is all that will be required of you and your fraa.”

  “Dat, are you serious? You’re sure and certain? We will not have to go before the g’may?”

  “Jah. I am sure and certain.” His smile stretched wide.

  And that was when he realized it. Dat must’ve spoken with the bishop on his behalf. He likely pled for mercy for his son. “Ach, Dat. Denki.”

  “Do not thank me. Thank Der Herr. He has given you favor.”

  “Jah, I will for sure.”

  “Shall we join the others now?” His father raised a brow. “We don’t want our venison getting cold.”

  “No, we most definitely do not.” Isaac grinned and they walked inside to join the others.

  With all the turmoil he’d created, Der Herr had seen him through it. He’d pulled him out of the miry clay and set his feet upon the Rock.

  Denki, Gott. Denki.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Becky poured the measure of oil into her pot. Ach, she was excited about this batch of soap. This would be just for Isaac. And maybe she’d keep a few to send as gifts for her father and brother. But Isaac had been her inspiration.

  She didn’t like the store-bought soap because of all the chemicals. Jah, it smelled gut for sure. But from what she’d found from her research, the chemical agents inside each bottle were detrimental to the human body. She had no desire for her beloved to acquire cancer, so she’d come up with a solution. Her soap would not only cause her husband to smell great, but it would actually nourish his body.

  Her smile lingered as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist and a firm chest press against her back. She leaned back into her beloved. Ach, she loved it when he came and bothered her. This was a dream she’d never thought would come true. But God had made it happen, in spite of her thoughts to the contrary.

  Isaac pressed his lips just below her ear, sending tingles down to her toes. Ach, how did he expect her to get anything done when he showed her so much affection? Not that she minded one bit.

  “I see mei fraa is hard at work.”

  She turned around in his arms. “Jah. I made a new recipe.”

  “Come with me.” His voice was low and husky. “I have a recipe for love.”

  She couldn’t help it. She laughed out loud.

  “Ach, what’s so funny?”

  “A recipe for love?” She tried forcing the corners of her mouth not to turn up but they disobeyed.

  “I thought it was more creative than asking for—” His words cut off when she met his lips with her own.

  He lifted her into his arms, like he had the very first time they’d shared their marriage bed.

  She pulled away from him slightly and smiled. “I think I like this recipe.”

  ~

  Isaac walked up the lane waving an envelope in the air. “Look, another letter from your brother!”

  Becky clipped the last towel to the clothesline and went to meet Isaac. “Did you open it? What does it say?”

  “Nee, not yet. Let’s sit on the porch, jah?”

  They both sat down and he opened the letter. “Look.”

  “A wedding invitation?”

  “It looks like it. And there’s a note too.”

  She took it from him and began reading.

  Dear Isaac and Becky,

  As you can see, Stephanie and I have decided to get married. I wanted to let you know of our plans. Since her folks are here, we’ve decided to marry in Montana. After that, though, we plan to move to Pennsylvania to be with Mamm and Dat.

  We are excited. I know it’s a long way, but we hope you can make it for the wedding. I’m not sure if any of our other family will be able to come, so it would mean a lot. You can stay in my cabin.

  If you arrive a few days early, Isaac and I could go on a short hunting trip and maybe bag some elk.

  Well, that’s it for now.

  Hope you are doing well.

  Your brother,

  Laban

  “Wanna go?” Isaac’s face brightened.

  “To Montana?”

  “Jah.”

  “Ach, it’s a long way. But it would be an adventure, ain’t so?”

  “Hopefully a little less adventurous than our last adventure.” He smiled.

  “Jah, Isaac, let’s go.” She smiled.

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  She stood from the porch swing and swayed. She immediately sat back down.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Jah, I just… Oh, oh, no.” She jumped from the swing and ran inside.

  Isaac followed quickly after her.

  She closed the door to the bathroom.

  “Becky, fraa? Are you okay?” He attempted to remain calm.

  “Jah. I’m okay.” She came out of the bathroom looking a bit blanched. “Have you been praying?”

  “Jah. About a lot of things.”

  “Well, I think Der Herr has answered our prayers.”

  A puzzled look crossed his face.

  She looked like she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face if she tried. She wrapped her fingers around his. “I think we are going to have a boppli.”

  EPILOGUE

  Isaac looked on as the midwife examined his fraa. “Well, how is she doing?”

  “Gut. She looks real gut.” The midwife frowned.

  “Your mouth says gut, but your face does not. Is there a problem?” His brow furrowed in concern.

  “Nee, I do not think so. When did you say you think you conceived?”

  Becky glanced at the calendar. “I would be about twenty-four weeks, I’m guessing.”

  “That’s what I thought.” She took out the tape measure and took the reading again. “I think I might have a surprise for you.”

  Becky and Isaac looked at each other in puzzlement.

  “You are going to have twins.” She smiled.

  “Twins?” Becky and Isaac exclaimed in unison.

  The midwife nodded. “But let me have a listen. I didn’t hear two heartbeats before, but…” She held the stethoscope to Becky’s abdomen. “Jah, just as I thought. There they are. There are two.”

  “Ach, Becky! We are doubly blessed.”

  “Jah, for sure and certain.”

  The midwife began putting her things back into her bag. She looked up at Isaac and Becky. “You two wouldn’t happen to know of anyone who is in the market for a surrey, would you?”

  ~

  Isaac bustled into the house unable to contain his grin. Ach, it seemed lately that Der Herr had continued to heap on blessing after blessing.

  Jah, there was tragedy too, and he expected more to come, especially with Dat getting up in age. Ach, losing him was not something Isaac wished to ponder. Ever.

  “What are you so excited about?” Becky asked, elbows deep in dish suds.

  “You will never guess the news I heard today.”

  “What?”

  He shook his head.

  “You are going to make me guess, aren’t you?”

  He grinned and nodded.

  “Okay. Um. News, you say?” She tapped her chin. “Hmm…let me see…”

  “Ach, you are teasing me. You’re stalling on purpose.”

  “Maybe.” She winked and tossed a few suds in his direction.

/>   “Are you looking for a bubble fight, fraa? Because I happen to be the King of making messes.”

  “If you make a mess, I’m afraid you’ll have to clean it up.” She placed a hand on her lower back. “I’m not too limber nowadays.”

  “Okay, fine, I’ll tell you.”

  “Nee. Okay, let me think. Laban and Stephanie are expecting a boppli?”

  “Close.”

  “One of mei schweschdern?”

  He shook his head. “Ezekiel and Aunt Lucy!”

  “Nee!” Her mouth hung open.

  “Jah.”

  She pointed at him. “You’re joking.”

  “Nee.”

  “You aren’t? You didn’t let me guess.”

  “You were taking too long and I was too excited.” He shrugged.

  “Our bopplin will be near the same age.”

  “Close.”

  “But, they are not too old?”

  “Ach, Becky! Have you seen mei vatter?”

  “Don’t tell me they’re expecting too.”

  “Nee, not yet.”

  “Not yet?”

  Isaac shrugged. “Well, you never know!”

  ~

  Becky held little Jacob in her arms. He was so tiny, yet perfect in every way. “I think Der Herr has answered both of our prayers. That is why we have not just one, but two bopplin.”

  Isaac smiled, lightly jostling little Ephraim. “One to go hunting with me and one to help you in the garden.”

  Becky smiled. “I think I like the sound of that.”

  “They are perfect in every way, ain’t so?”

  “Jah, but they look nothing alike. Our family is perfect as Der Herr has willed.”

  “Der Herr has been faithful to us, my sweet Becky. First He gave us each other and now we have these two little blessings. My heart is so full, I don’t know if I can contain it.”

  Becky had thought she’d already smiled enough for a lifetime, but she couldn’t help it. “Jah, I feel the same way.”

  THE END

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading An Amish Reward. I truly hope it was rewarding.