Jacob's Amish Blessing

By Sarah Amberson

A young Amish man named Jacob gives his grandmother a ride on his buggy so she can visit Mary , an elderly neighbor who is not feeling well. Mary asks Jacob to fix a minor repair in her house, which he does. She is planning a trip to visit a nearby pond, and relive memories of her long-dead husband on their anniversary. In poor health, Mary is determined, but may need Jacob to give her a lift. This would mean he had to give up a long awaited first date with Amy, since Mary's anniversary is the same day, and she knows she probably won't live to see another one...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201344702

Book preview

JACOB’S AMISH BLESSING

SARAH AMBERSON

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JACOB’S AMISH BLESSING

A SHY WOMAN’S ROMANCE

BEAUTIFUL UNUSUAL

BITTERSWEET

RESCUING REBECCA

I WOULD LIKE MY HEART BACK NOW

Come on, you need to go talk to her. Noah urged.

Jacob rubbed his palms against the front of his pants. He had been thinking about talking to Amy Yoder for months now, but he hadn’t been able to work up his nerve. He really didn’t understand what was wrong with him. It just wasn’t like him. In fact, he rarely had problems with confidence when talking to anyone, even women.

His friends had been pushing him to talk to Amy and it wasn’t that he didn’t want to. It was just that whenever he thought about it, he forgot what he was going to say. His grandmother had mentioned that it might be a sign that she was the one for him. She had clucked her tongue and laughed at him and said that he was smitten and in love.

Jacob was doubtful that there was a specific one for him. He couldn’t possibly meet every single woman in the world, so what happened if his perfect one was half way across the world and they never met?

Jacob in fact wasn’t certain about family in the first place. He had mixed feelings. He loved working in the fields and in construction. He loved saving his money and working toward having his own things.

But he knew if he had a large family like so many people he knew, he would have more expenses and less time. But if he married, he would have children. That was just expected if you were part of the Amish.

Jacob sighed. He hadn’t talked with any of his friends or family about his concerns. He knew that they wouldn’t understand, and he wasn’t sure he even understood.

So, are you going to go or what? You look like you aren’t even listening. Noah threw his hands up as if he was frustrated.

Yes, yes. I’m going. Jacob took a deep breath. It had been enough hesitating. He needed to go and get this over with or he was always going to wonder what would have happened if he had been braver.

He walked confidently across the small area that separated him and Amy. She was standing by one of her friends and they were talking about something.

It was customary for them all to separate into little groups with their friends after church. The girl Amy was talking with was new to the community. Jacob didn’t’ even remember her name.

When he walked up, they stopped talking and turned toward him with questioning expressions on their faces.

Amy, could I speak to you for a moment? Jacob asked.

Amy only hesitated for a moment. I-I suppose so. Wait for me a moment, Martha.

Jacob took a step back and Amy followed him. Once they were a decent distance away from Martha and others, Jacob realized that Amy was staring at him strangely.

He cleared his throat awkwardly and then blurted out, I just wanted to ask you if you would like to go on a buggy ride with me some time. Jacob decided that it would be better to just put it out there than to hem and haw around.

He watched Amy, trying to detect any sort of reaction. He wasn’t sure how he expected her to react.

After a pause she nodded and smiled. I think I would like that. When were you thinking would be a good time? Amy was grinning broadly and looked as if she were quite happy about the development.

I- I- Jacob found himself stunned into silence. For some reason, he hadn’t really thought about what he would say if she said yes. What about next week on Friday? he finally stammered.

I think that would work for me. Where do you think we should go?

Well, I thought it would be nice to go and ride down by the river. There is a nice little road down there. I went there once by myself and thought it would be a nice place to take you umm, because the water is nice and it is just a pretty place to go, I guess. Jacob closed his mouth. He realized that he was just blabbering at this point and Amy was probably thinking that he was some sort of fool.

That sounds very nice. I am looking forward to it. You should go back to your friends and tell them I said yes. I can tell they are quite anxious to know what we are talking about. Amy giggled as she looked around him at the group of young men and Jacob realized that he liked the sound of her bubbly laugh.

He glanced towards where Noah and his other friends were staring. They certainly weren’t trying to hide it. He was going to have a talk with them when he got over there.

Yes, they can be very annoying sometimes.

As long as they don’t come with us on a buggy ride, they’re fine. Amy gave another one of her hearty giggles and then turned to go. She waved at him. I’ll see you Friday morning then.

Jacob nodded and stuffed his sweaty palms into his pockets. He forced himself to walk slowly back to his friends as nonchalantly as he could, even though he wanted to jog. It felt strange to be walking calmly when he felt so giddy inside.

So, what did she say? Noah’s voice was eager and too loud. Jacob winced, he could almost imagine that Amy could hear his friend’s words. He glanced over his shoulder and saw her and her friend laughing merrily as they watched him.

It went fine and you guys were no help, he said in a scolding tone.

What do you mean? We weren’t even watching. Josiah, his other friend shook his head and gave a smirk.

Yes, you were. In fact, you were staring so hard, no one could have missed it.

Well, it’s just interesting to see you speak to the one woman who seems to make you nervous. It’s quite funny for all of us. Noah shrugged.

Jacob gave him a playful punch in his shoulder. You know, when you become interested in a girl, I’ll be sure to be there to make it difficult for you too.

No, you won’t. I won’t even tell you when I like someone. Noah crossed his arms over his chest, looking angry, but Jacob knew it was just an act. Noah was one of the most easy - going people he knew.

It won’t be hard to tell when you like someone. You’ll finally have a better disposition.

Their other friends burst into loud laughter. Jacob saw Amy glance their way out of the corner of his eye and cover her mouth. He hoped she didn’t think they were talking about her.

I have to go, I think grandmother is ready to go home. She always likes to go rather quickly. Jacob didn’t mind though. His grandmother was the only person that he had left in his life who loved and cared for him.

He waved to his friends and hurried across the yard in front of the church to where his grandmother was talking to one of her closest friends.

Jacob had asked his grandmother how long she had known her oldest friend. She had insisted that they had known each other since they were only his age.

Jacob couldn’t imagine his grandmother his age no matter how he tried. She had silvery grey hair and wrinkled skin and she was a little stooped over. He walked up to her and politely waited for them to finish their conversation before touching his grandmother’s arm.

Here he is, she exclaimed patting his arm and smiling up at him. I need to go I suppose but I will see you again tomorrow. His grandmother squeezed her friend, Mary’s hand before she turned back to Jacob.

What was that all about? he asked curiously.

I said we would come tomorrow to have lunch with her. Do you think you could take me in the buggy?

I think that would work. Jacob knew that he would have to rearrange his schedule and make a plan in order to have the next day free, but it wasn’t a big problem for him.

His grandmother was his biggest priority. He didn’t mind spending time with her or taking her wherever she needed to go. She had taken care of him for years after all. It was only fair that he do the same for her.

He helped his grandmother into the buggy and then hopped up beside her. Next week it would be Amy beside him, and it surprised him to find that he was very excited about that.

—-*—-

The next day, Jacob’s grandmother wanted to go to Mary’s house right after breakfast. It didn’t surprise Jacob. His grandmother could spend a week talking with Mary if they had a comfortable place to sit and chat and plenty of snacks.

He helped her load up the jars of jellies and the bread she had managed to bake before he was even up and then both of them headed out.

Jacob was often in amazement at everything his grandmother managed to do. When his parents had died in a buggy accident when he was eight years old, his grandmother had raised him as her own son.

He had never been lacking in anything and his grandmother always seemed to have energy for everything, just like a little boy would expect. Now that Jacob was older and knew more about life, he wondered if it had been hard on his grandmother filling the role of both of his parents.

His father had been her only son and his mother had been an orphan. His grandmother had quickly become his only family member and he loved her all the more for it.

Jacob knew that when his grandmother died, he would be left all alone, and that was not a nice thought.

What are you thinking about? His grandmother was watching him as if she could see right into his soul.

Well, I finally asked Amy to go on a buggy ride with me next week, Jacob said without realizing what he was doing.

He had been so eager not to tell his grandmother what he had really been thinking that he had told her about his plans with Amy. In the Amish tradition, couples rarely told their parents or other relatives that they were even seeing each other until there was a wedding to be planned.

Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Besides, I knew you had something for that young woman for ages now.

You did? I was that obvious? Jacob turned the horses by pulling on their reins and they pulled into the driveway where Mary lived.

"Yes, you were always quite obvious, Jacob. Besides, with all your questions about how to tell who is the one how could I not know?"

Jacob chuckled as he pulled the buggy to a stop in front of Mary’s house. Here we are, grandmother. Let me help you down. He leapt down and rushed around to her side, reaching up to take her old wrinkled hands.

"You