An Amish Blessing

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  “So, if you do start going to an Amish church, do you think your parents will expect you to date an Amish girl?”

  “They will expect it and hope for it, but it’s not up to them.”

  “Well, I’m happy to go out with you, if you think it will be okay with your parents.”

  “My folks probably wouldn’t approve.” He frowned.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t date, then?”

  He thrust his hand through his hair. Was she making excuses not to go out with him? “Did you not like the kiss? Or is it because of that Englisch guy?”

  “No, of course, I liked the kiss. The kiss was great. And this has nothing to do with Brandon. It’s just that if your parents don’t approve of me…” She shrugged.

  He sighed in relief. “Amish don’t usually tell others who they’re courting. My folks don’t even need to know until we’re about to get married.” Without an Amish community nearby, who would attend their wedding? He wondered.

  “Married?” Her eyes widened.

  Maybe he shouldn’t have mentioned that just yet. “When the time comes.”

  “If you’re sure about this.” He still sensed the hesitance in her voice.

  “Jah, I am.” He took her hand in his.

  “Okay, then I guess I’ll see you on Sunday. What time?” She briefly looked down at their hands.

  “After supper. Is eight okay?”

  “Sure. Eight will be fine.” She smiled. “I can walk out and meet you at the end of the driveway. It’s probably best if my parents don’t know yet.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” He gazed into her eyes, tempted to kiss her again.

  “Yeah, me too.”

  FIVE

  Ruth moved her finger over her lips, remembering Mahlon’s kiss from earlier today. It seemed she’d sat dreamy-eyed in her room all evening since dinner had been finished. It was difficult knowing that Mahlon resided just next door.

  What was he doing right now? Was he remembering their kisses in the barn too? She couldn’t seem to get them out of her head. She’d thought of little else since the occurrence.

  Mahlon could kiss. Better than any other boy she’d dated. Her body quivered at the thought. She could get into all kinds of trouble with a boy, no, a man like Mahlon. They’d have to be careful that they didn’t get carried away.

  Her family had no idea she was smitten with the Amish boy next door. What would Mom and Dad say if they knew? Would they be okay with it? Would they forbid her to see him?

  She’d have to keep their relationship a secret. She couldn’t chance them forbidding her to visit their next door neighbors. Not just because of Mahlon—he was certainly a huge reason, but also because of Naomi. She’d come to cherish their time together, just the two of them quilting and talking. She was learning much about the Amish culture, things that would be very helpful if she ever became Mahlon’s wife.

  Mahlon’s wife? Yes, that was what she was hoping for. It was true that their Amish culture was vastly different from hers, even a little strange perhaps. But Ruth admired Mahlon’s family. Although she’d only met his father and brother once, they seemed amicable.

  She couldn’t wait to go courting in Mahlon’s buggy. The whole idea just seemed romantic. Just the two of them driving around at night with the sound of a horse clip-clopping along the road.

  She’d have to sneak out while her parents were watching television or make up some excuse or say she was going to bed early. She’d feel bad about deceiving them, but not as bad as she would feel if she didn’t go with Mahlon.

  Butterflies danced in her belly as she thought about spending time with the handsome boy next door. Would he kiss her again? She sure hoped so.

  ~

  Mahlon took his pocket knife from his pocket and began whittling the block of wood he’d brought in from the shop. Perhaps he could carve something nice for Ruthie.

  Mamm set her crochet hook down in her lap and looked at Daed. “Eli, what do you think of joining the church over in Brighton Township?”

  Daed moved his newspaper to the side and rubbed his beard. “That’s nearly two hours away by car.”

  “I know, but it’s been so long since we’ve had fellowship with other Amish. The boys should be going with the young folks, don’t you think?”

  Mahlon frowned. He was pretty sure this had to do with him spending time with Ruthie.

  Daed shrugged. “I suppose.”

  Mahlon glanced at his brother. If he wasn’t mistaken, he was pretty sure that Leon had been interested in an Englisch girl as well. He’d snuck out at night more than once, and he’d been dressed nice and smelled of soap. A sure sign he was meeting a maedel.

  Mahlon stayed quiet, but his brother made his thoughts known. “We don’t need to go with the young folks. We have friends.”

  “But not Amish friends.” Mamm frowned.

  Mahlon understood his mother’s unspoken words. She wanted Leon and him to find Amish maed to marry and that wouldn’t happen where they were now. But even if they did visit another church district, it wasn’t like they’d take their buggies along to court any young ladies. They’d have to stay the night over at another family’s place and borrow buggies. The whole idea just seemed difficult and awkward to his thinking. If his parents truly wanted them to marry Amish, wouldn’t they have settled in an Amish district?

  “Jah. Peter and I send letters back and forth,” Leon said.

  Mamm’s lips pursed together. “That’s not the same thing, is it? See, Eli, that’s what I mean.”

  “If you’re wantin’ some company, Naomi, why don’t you invite that neighbor girl over more often? Ruthie, isn’t it?”

  Mahlon hid his smile. That sounded just fine to him, although it did sound like delicious torture. He’d be tempted to steal her away to a freshly cleaned horse stall in the barn.

  Mamm sighed and turned back to her crocheting, no doubt forfeiting an argument with her introverted husband. “Never mind, Eli.”

  “We shall be content as we are, jah?” Daed reached for his Bible. “Shall we have our evening reading now?”

  Mahlon reached for his Bible from the stack that sat on the small table which held the family’s most cherished volumes. Daed had purchased an English Bible for each of them when they moved away from their Amish district in Northern Indiana. He’d also begun a nightly Bible reading ritual. Mahlon figured Daed probably deemed it necessary since they wouldn’t be receiving regular spiritual instruction from the Amish leaders. He now wondered if they’d ever join another Amish district.

  “Let’s continue reading in the book of Romans for the New Testament,” Daed said. “We left off on chapter three.”

  Mahlon listened to the words and followed along as Daed read the verses. They seemed to paint a pretty pathetic picture of mankind. Not one person in the entire human race is righteous? Who, then, can be accepted into Heaven?

  Daed continued, but certain parts jumped out at Mahlon. “…the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

  Mahlon spoke up. “So all one must do is believe in Jesus Christ and he can receive this grace, God’s righteousness?” He looked to Mamm and Daed.

  Mamm glanced at Daed, waiting for his explanation.

  His father scanned over the verses again. “Jah, son. That is what it appears to be saying.”

  But Mahlon needed more of an explanation, more clarification. “So, let me get this straight. All of mankind is evil. We are without hope. But if we place our trust in Jesus, who was the only one who ever lived on this earth without sin, we will be given God’s righteousness and we won’t be judged?”

  Daed nodded.

  Mamm spoke up now. “Yes, Mahlon. You will see when we read the next chapters that this is referring to eternal life. When we trust in Christ’s sacrifice on the c
ross, we allow him to pay our sin debt. He, in turn, gives us eternal life in Heaven.”

  “This is a gift,” Daed added. “It’s something we cannot earn by our good works.”

  Mahlon smiled. “That is good news! We only have to believe? What a wonderful gut gift!”

  “Jah, it is.” Mamm agreed.

  Mahlon quietly pondered this newfound truth.

  Daed then turned to the book of Ruth for their Old Testament reading, and Mahlon couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t help but think about his Ruthie. He couldn’t help but think about her kisses and their future together.

  He was quite certain she was his and they did have a very bright future. After all, she’d told that Englisch guy that she wasn’t interested. Then she’d proved it to Mahlon by sharing her kisses with him in the barn and agreed to go courting.

  Jah, she was his for sure. He was content alright.

  SIX

  Ruth put on the finishing touches of her makeup and turned in front of the mirror. Would Mahlon like the outfit she’d chosen for their date? Since they’d be driving around and it might get chilly, she’d opted for boots, a pair of dark jeans and a red top. She also grabbed a light hoodie just in case she needed it.

  She tiptoed out the back door and hurried down the driveway. The sound of a horse’s clip-clop made her smile. Mahlon was almost there.

  He pulled slightly into the end of her driveway and slowed the horse to a stop. She noticed how the muscles in his arms moved at just the slightest gesture. She had no doubt that Mahlon was strong and a hard worker.

  Before she entered the buggy, she looked up at Mahlon. He seemed fresh, as though he just had a shower. His hair was still wet and slicked back slightly as though he’d run a comb through it, a little falling over his forehead just under his straw hat. He wore a royal blue shirt that brought out the blue in his eyes and nicely defined his physique, with black trousers, and suspenders pressing taut against his chest.

  She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was absolutely gorgeous.

  He grinned, adding to his attractiveness. “You getting in?”

  She cleared her throat. “Oh, uh, yeah.”

  She felt her cheeks heating as she stepped onto the small buggy step and hoisted herself up. As soon as she did, Mahlon clicked to the horse and set the buggy in motion.

  A breeze brought a whiff of something fresh-smelling to her nostrils. She guessed it must’ve been the soap he’d used. It was quite pleasant compared to when they’d been in the barn after he’d been working all day. Not that she minded the smell of a hardworking man, but she much preferred the freshly-showered scent. She was thankful that he wasn’t drenched in cologne like some of the high school boys she’d dated.

  “You look nice. Red is a gut color for you.” Mahlon reached over and took her hand.

  “Thank you. You look good too.” That was the understatement of the year.

  “I’m glad we got some nice weather tonight.” He turned off onto a country road.

  “Yeah, me too. It’s a perfect evening.”

  Just then, the horse lifted its tail.

  “Hold your breath,” Mahlon warned.

  Ruth promptly did as told.

  The horse’s tail resumed its normal position.

  “Sorry about Timber’s bad manners.” He grimaced.

  She shrugged. “That’s okay, he’s an animal. That’s what animals do.”

  “Close your eyes, I have something for you.”

  She smiled. “I like surprises.” She felt him wave a hand in front of her face to be sure her eyes were closed. “They’re closed, I promise.”

  “Well, it’s not really a big deal or anything.” He put something light into her hand. “You can open them now.”

  She looked down at the small wood-carved horse in her hand and her mouth hung open. “Mahlon! Did you make this?”

  He looked away, uncomfortable with the praise she was heaping on him. “Jah.”

  “This is amazing, Mahlon!” She leaned over and kissed his freshly-shaven cheek. “Thank you.”

  “So, you like it?”

  “Like it? I love it. It’s the kindest gift anyone’s ever given me.” She rubbed her finger over the figurine’s smooth surface. “It came from your heart. I’ll cherish this for as long as I live.”

  He stared at her as though he didn’t know what to say.

  “You are so talented. God has given you great gifts.”

  “You really think so?”

  She nodded.

  “Denki for saying that, Ruthie.”

  She held out the small gift, examining it. “I think I’ll call him Timber, just like your horse.”

  Mahlon grinned. “Timber it is.”

  ~

  Mahlon smiled in contentment as he admired the girl at his side. She was so encouraging. Perfect for him in every way, except for the fact that she wasn’t Amish. He had no doubt she’d make a wunderbaar fraa.

  He couldn’t believe the excitement she’d exhibited over this small simple gift. In actuality, it held no value. It had just been carved from a piece of discarded wood. But the way Ruthie described it, they way she’d carried on about it…he felt like it was worth a million dollars. He felt like he was worth a million dollars. How did she do that to him?

  Since they’d met and spent time together, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. She was air for his lungs. Nourishment for his soul. The reason he hopped out of bed in the morning. How had he survived before they’d met?

  It didn’t matter if they went somewhere extravagant or nowhere at all. As long as he had Ruthie by his side, that was all that mattered.

  SEVEN

  Ruth walked up the lane and Mahlon noticed the quilting stuff in her arms. Before she could reach the door, he called her over.

  She glanced at the door then back at him, her look hesitant.

  “Ruthie,” he whispered loudly, calling her again.

  She set her stuff down on the porch swing, then went to meet Mahlon.

  He quickly pulled her into one of the fresh barn stalls. No words were needed as he brought her face close and his lips branded to hers. Her back met with the rugged barn wall as his body pressed close. Several minutes passed as the desire between them grew. A pleasurable sound escaped Mahlon’s lips and Ruth’s heartbeat sped up significantly. She knew they should stop, but…

  A noise from the house forced them to jump apart. It wouldn’t do for Mahlon’s mother to come out here and find them like this.

  Her heartbeat finally began to slow to its natural rhythm as she put distance between them.

  “If only we were married…” His hand trailed down her arm and back up again. Longing flashed in his eyes.

  “I need to go inside now. Your mom will wonder where I went.”

  “I know.” He shook his head. “Ach, I’ve been looking forward to that all week.”

  She bit her bottom lip then smiled. “Me too.”

  He nodded. “Go to Mamm, but be sure to come say goodbye before you leave.”

  “That could be dangerous.” She teased.

  “Never. I love you, Ruthie.”

  She gasped. “You do?”

  He grinned and nodded. “Ruthie, do you like to fish?”

  She laughed at his abrupt change of subject. He seemed to do that a lot. “I don’t mind as long as I don’t have to bait my hook or clean the fish. That kind of thing makes me squeamish.”

  “I can do that part if you can fry the fish.”

  “That part I can do.”

  “Wonderful gut. How does tomorrow sound?”

  “I think that would work for me. Are we going in the buggy or should I drive?” Another buggy ride would certainly be romantic.

  “It will take longer in the buggy, but that’s not a problem with me.” His gaze held that spark of passion she’d come to look forward to.

  “How long is the drive?” She tucked her lower lip between her teeth.

  “Probably about thirty minut
es each way.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad.”

  “Nee, and it’ll give us a chance to talk.”

  Among other things.

  “I think I’d like that.” She would, but what would her parents say if they knew? And what about his mom and dad? But she wouldn’t think of that now. Not now, when she had an opportunity to spend more time with this handsome man. Her man.

  “Then tomorrow it is. What time?”

  “Can you be here at nine?” Dad will have left for work by then. It was a good time.

  “For sure.”

  “Do you want me to bring a lunch for us?” Just the two of them, a picnic, and fishing near a quiet stream almost seemed like paradise.

  “Jah, that sounds perfect.” Apparently, Mahlon agreed.

  ~

  “This looks like a gut spot.” Mahlon took the quilt he brought and spread it out on the ground a few feet from the water’s edge.

  Ruth took the picnic basket from the buggy and set it down on the quilt. “Are you hungry yet?”

  He smirked and leaned close to her, kissing her lips. “Very.” He raised a brow.

  She shook her finger at him. “I meant for a snack.”

  He cocked his head. “A snack, a full meal, dessert. Whatever you’ve got, Ruthie.”

  She gasped. “What would your father say if he heard you talking like that?”

  “I’m willing to brave his wrath for you.”

  “We’re supposed to be fishing today, remember? I’m sure your mother expects us to bring back some fish for supper.”

  “If we must.” He shook his head in mock disappointment and walked to the buggy to remove their fishing rods. “But for every fish I catch, I want a kiss from you.”

  She sobered. “Have you talked to your parents about us?”

  “No, not yet. Have you talked to yours?”

  “I’m too scared to.”