An Amish Reward Read online

  AN AMISH REWARD

  An Amish Romance Inspired by a Beloved Bible Story

  Book 1

  J.E.B. Spredemann

  Jennifer Spredemann

  Copyright 2019 by Jennifer Spredemann, J.E.B. Spredemann

  All rights reserved. No part of this work/book may be copied, transmitted, or stored in any form or by any means, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written consent from the authors/publisher.

  All incidents and characters in this book are completely fictional and derived by the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual incidents and persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

  Disclaimer: The herbal information in this book was derived by the author’s (J.S.) education and experience as a Nutritional Herbologist, but is written for fictional and informational use only. No herbal information in this book is, in any way, meant as a prescription or medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA, AMA, or any other government agency. It is your constitutional right to prescribe for yourself, if you choose to do so. The author assumes no responsibility for the treatments in this book, if you should choose to implement them. Therefore, the government requires the recommendation that you see your health care provider if you have any medical concerns/issues.

  Published in Indiana by Blessed Publishing.

  www.jenniferspredemann.com

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  Cover design by iCreate Designs ©

  ISBN: 978-1-940492-42-1

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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  Table Of Contents

  BOOKS by JENNIFER SPREDEMANN

  BOOKS by J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  BOOKS by BRANDI GABRIEL

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Characters In An Amish Reward

  Dear Reader

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  Dear Reader

  Thanks for reading!

  Discussion Questions

  A SPECIAL THANK YOU

  Excerpt: An Amish Deception

  BOOKS by JENNIFER SPREDEMANN

  Learning to Love – Saul’s Story (Sequel to Chloe’s Revelation)

  AMISH BY ACCIDENT TRILOGY

  Amish by Accident

  Englisch on Purpose (Prequel to Amish by Accident)

  Christmas in Paradise (Sequel to Amish by Accident) (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  AMISH SECRETS SERIES

  An Unforgivable Secret - Amish Secrets 1

  A Secret Encounter - Amish Secrets 2

  A Secret of the Heart - Amish Secrets 3

  An Undeniable Secret - Amish Secrets 4

  A Secret Sacrifice - Amish Secrets 5 (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  A Secret of the Soul - Amish Secrets 6

  A Secret Christmas – Amish Secrets 2.5 (co-authored with Brandi Gabriel)

  AMISH BIBLE ROMANCES

  An Amish Blessing

  An Amish Honor

  An Amish Betrayal

  An Amish Reward

  An Amish Deception

  NOVELETTES

  Cindy’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 1

  Rosabelle’s Story – An Amish Fairly Tale Novelette 2

  OTHER

  Love Impossible

  COMING 2019 (Lord Willing)

  Unlikely Santa (Nov. 1)

  COMING 2020 (Lord Willing)

  Amish Country Brides

  BOOKS by J.E.B. SPREDEMANN

  AMISH GIRLS SERIES

  Joanna’s Struggle

  Danika’s Journey

  Chloe’s Revelation

  Susanna’s Surprise

  Annie’s Decision

  Abigail’s Triumph

  Brooke’s Quest

  Leah’s Legacy

  A Christmas of Mercy – Amish Girls Holiday

  BOOKS by BRANDI GABRIEL

  The Orphan Bride

  The Cowhand’s Bride

  If He Only Knew (co-authored with Michelynn Christy)

  Unofficial Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words

  Ach–Oh

  Aldi–Girlfriend

  Boppli–Baby

  Bruder–Brother

  Dat, Daed–Dad

  Denki–Thanks

  Der Herr–The Lord

  Dochder–Daughter

  Dummkopp–Dumb Head(dummy)

  Englischer–A non-Amish person

  Ferhoodled–Mixed up, Crazy

  Fraa–Woman, Wife

  Gott–God

  Grossmudder - Grandmother

  Gut–Good

  Ich Liebe Dich – I love you

  Jah–Yes

  Kinner–Children

  Kinskinner–Grandchildren

  Lieb (Liebchen)–Love, My Love

  Maedel/Maed–Girl/Girls

  Mamm–Mom

  Mann – Husband

  Nee–No

  Ordnung–Rules of the Amish Community

  Schatzi–Sweetheart

  Vatter–Father

  Characters In An Amish Reward

  King Family

  Abraham – father

  Sarah – mother

  Isaac – Abe and Sarah’s son, protagonist

  Lehman Family

  Benuel – father

  Anna – mother

  Laban – son

  Rebekah (Becky) –daughter, protagonist

  Janie – married daughter

  Ruby – married daughter

  Others

  Aunt Lucy – Becky’s aunt, Benuel’s sister

  Ezekiel – Bachelor neighbor and friend to the King family

  Mervyn Swartzentruber – Becky’s employer, widower

  Leroy – Bishop in the Lehman’s district in Pennsylvania

  Elmer Peachy – Bishop in the Kings’ district in Kentucky

  Nathan Yoder – Bishop in Indiana district

  Peter Yoder – Nathan’s son

  Dear Reader,

  This series is loosely based on stories of actual people who are mentioned in the Bible. These books are not necessarily retellings, although you will find quite a few similarities between the books and their Bible counterparts. I am, in no way, attempting to rewrite the Bible (God has done a fine job with it and He certainly doesn’t need my help!) nor am I depicting the true Biblical characters. The characters in my books are
portrayed as Amish and there are some things contained in the actual Biblical accounts that simply cannot be included, due to Amish culture and customs. With that said, I hope that you will enjoy this series as it is, but I also hope that it will encourage you to go back and read the actual Bible stories themselves. There are so many truths contained in God’s Word that we can never even really scratch the surface of its depth. His mercy and grace are beyond measure.

  Blessings,

  J. Spredemann

  PROLOGUE

  Isaac King glanced at his father, knowing the conversation that was about to ensue. Again. He mentally braced himself.

  Really, truly, he understood his father’s dilemma. Dat was afraid that if he didn’t do something about Isaac’s bachelorhood, his son would never marry. Which, Isaac admitted to himself, was probably true.

  What was wrong with being single, anyway? Their friend and neighbor Ezekiel was a bachelor nearing fifty and he seemed happy enough.

  His father now stared at him, scratching his head as if in dismay. “Sohn, you really need to find yourself a fraa.”

  “Da-at.” He’d elongated the word like a five-year-old. No wonder his father was concerned for his singleness. He shook his head at his thoughts. “We’ve been over this before. There are no maed around my age that are still available. I’m too old.”

  His father scoffed. “Twenty-five is hardly too old to marry. You’re chust a boppli.”

  Jah, he’d imagine that he would seem like a boppli to his eighty-five-year-old father.

  “Besides, I’m fine just the way I am. I have freedom. I don’t need a fraa around telling me what I can and can’t do.”

  His father laughed. “So that’s what you think marriage is about. No wonder you do not wish to marry.”

  “Tell me, Dat. Who would I marry?”

  “How about Widow Stolzfus?”

  “Widow Stolzfus?” His voice screeched. “She’s like forty-five! No way.”

  “They say women outlive men.”

  Isaac frowned, his look pointed. “No, Dat. Just…no.”

  “Isaac, you’re going to need someone to help you take care of this farm and your mother and me. We are getting old and your mother’s health hasn’t been the best lately.”

  “But Mamm’s okay, right? She’s not about to die or anything, is she? I hope that’s a long way off.” He didn’t even want to think of not having his mother near. He couldn’t bear to lose either of his parents. They hadn’t been able to conceive when they were younger, but Der Herr miraculously blessed them with a son in their later years.

  But Mamm was eighty, and death was an inevitable part of life.

  Isaac’s gut twisted at the turn his thoughts were taking. “Besides, like I said before, who would I marry?”

  “You’re right, sohn. I will pray for a solution.”

  “Dat, have you ever considered that Der Herr might want me to remain single?”

  “No. And you are not Gott. Der Herr said it is not good that man should be alone.”

  “Well, unless Gott drops her from an airplane, I don’t know where she’s going to come from.”

  “Ach, the ideas you come up with.” Abraham nodded resolutely. “I will pray.”

  ONE

  Becky Lehman carried the pail of goat’s milk into the house. She’d been blessed that Rose was still giving milk. This would be perfect for the soap she planned on making this week.

  Not only did she make enough soap for the family to use, but she also earned an income by providing her handmade soaps to local grocery stores. It seemed Englischers liked her products as much as she did.

  She couldn’t wait to experiment with the new scents she’d recently ordered. Hopefully, they’d come in today’s mail.

  Becky opened the back door and walked through the small mudroom and into the kitchen. She found the metal strainer and continued the task at hand. As she strained out the milk, she heard voices coming from the other room.

  Apparently, her younger sister and brother-in-law had come to visit. They’d been married for almost six months now. Janie was the youngest of her parents’ four maed and one bruder, while Becky was the oldest. Janie had been the third daughter to marry, leaving one singleton. Her.

  Becky sighed and tried not to become discouraged. At twenty-five, there was very little chance of her ever marrying. It seemed she’d been looked over most of her life. She’d gone on a few buggy rides, but none of them ever amounted to anything substantial as far as relationships went.

  Not that she wasn’t a suitable mate, at least she didn’t think that had been the reason. She really had no idea what about her seemed to scare most boys away. She was a little bit taller than the young women in their district and perhaps slightly bigger boned. That’s how Mamm had always described her. But she’d never considered herself overweight. No, she was simply solid. Sturdy. She’d never be mistaken for one of those dainty feminine girls, that was for sure. Sometimes, she wondered if she had Nordic blood running through her veins. Her blonde hair would attest to that.

  “Rebekah, will you bring in a snack when you’re done?” Mamm called from the living room.

  “Sure.” She would need to put some coffee on too. She went to the pantry and removed the cinnamon rolls she and Mamm had made yesterday, along with the container of instant coffee. After filling the kettle from the hot water reservoir behind the stove, she quickly poured several cups of coffee, set them on the tray with the cinnamon rolls, and then went to join their guests.

  She offered coffee to each person present—Dat, Mamm, Janie, and Ralph.

  “No, thanks,” Janie declined.

  “Really? You don’t want coffee?” This was certainly a first.

  Her sister glanced at her husband, but Rebekah noticed the gentle blush on her cheeks. Her sister couldn’t be… Janie quickly looked away. It wasn’t their way to talk about what Becky suspected.

  Rebekah studied Janie’s face. “Would you like a cinnamon roll then?”

  “Jah, just half.”

  “Are you sure you’re feeling okay, schweschder?”

  Again, Janie shared a quick glance with Ralph. Yep, she was quite certain her suspicions were correct. Her sister must be in the familye way.

  A pain struck Rebekah’s heart but she quickly dismissed it. She wouldn’t be envious. She’d simply be happy for her sister and brother-in-law.

  She’d always loved the little ones. Perhaps it was due to her being the oldest of the siblings. She’d always had someone to care for in her younger years. The seeds of joy the bopplin brought had been planted in her heart at an early age, and just seemed to grow. What would it be like to be able to hold a boppli of her own? It would be a dream indeed.

  Ach, she shouldn’t be entertaining such thoughts. Der Herr knew what was best for her. If He someday chose to bless her in that way, she’d be happy. But for now, she would be content as she was. No matter how the envy threatened to well up inside her heart.

  ~

  Becky brought her journal out of her dresser drawer to pen a quick note. It was something she’d been doing since she first began attending singings, when she first thought of marriage and her future.

  She’d occasionally write notes to her future husband, a man only God knew. Someday, maybe, she might allow him to read the thoughts she’d written throughout the years.

  She’d already filled up several journals with her musings, telling her beloved of the events surrounding her life. Hopefully he, whoever he was, would appreciate the things she’d written for his eyes only.

  Dear Future Husband,

  Today my sister and brother-in-law came over. She didn’t say as much, but I’m guessing she’s expecting their first boppli.

  Ach, I think of my future—of our future—and I can’t help but think of how it will be for us. Will you look at me with a look of love and admiration the way my brother-in-law looks at my sister? Will my cheeks glow bright red any time a boppli is hinted at?

  Of
course, I do not know what the future holds, only Gott does. Perhaps I will never meet you. Perhaps I will never know what it’s like to hold a newborn boppli in my arms, created in love between us along with Der Herr’s blessing.

  Even so, I can’t help but dream of it. Of you and me and our boppli. Maybe someday…

  But if not, I will be content with what Der Herr has given me.

  Your Loving Future Wife

  Becky read over her words one more time before closing her journal. Would anyone ever read her private thoughts? Would Gott bring along someone special for her to love? She didn’t know.

  TWO

  Isaac sat atop his horse, surveying the many creatures and the land Der Herr had blessed his father with. Soon, this entire spread would belong to him. In actuality, it already did, as his father’s only son. Was he ready for the responsibility of caring for this vast property all by himself?

  His father and mother wouldn’t be around forever. They seemed to be aging more quickly than he was prepared for. Ach, thinking about it now, without his father’s guidance, owning such a large spread seemed like a burden. Of course, he could always hire more help, if need be.

  But tending the property alone would be, well, lonely. Perhaps he should give heed to his father’s suggestion of trying to find a fraa. Nee, he wouldn’t find one in this district. He’d have to go elsewhere. But where? He didn’t want to leave his folks, especially since Mamm’s health seemed to be declining lately. What was the solution? He didn’t know.

  Gott, please help me to find answers. Help me to find a fraa, if that is Your will. Amen.

  ~

  “Rebekah, Leroy is here to speak with you.”

  Becky’s eyes widened. The bishop was there to talk to her? What on earth had he come to see her for? She mentally combed through her mind. Had she done something wrong? Was he going to disallow selling her handmade soaps to the Englisch stores? Ach, she prayed not.