––––––––
The rest of that summer continued to be unusually wet and blustery. Peace Landing residents were relieved when no more tornadoes formed, although other areas of Pennsylvania and even Ohio were hit as the summer wore on.
Jacob and his daed were in the fields on one of the rare sunny days they had. They took that time to look closely at the corn.
“We’ll have a harvest, Jacob, but it’s going to be small. I’m glad you suggested planting a crop that loves the water and heat we’ve been getting this summer. When we sell it, I think this will help us earn what we need to get through the rest of the year and buy seed and supplies for next spring. Have you found any buyers?”
“Ya, I have. I sent letters to several and most of them have expressed an interest in buying what we harvest. I think, from now on, we need to have an idea of other crops we can fall back on, depending on the weather we get during planting and growing season,” said Jacob.
“And?”
“I’ve come up with a list of the crops we could grow, depending on the weather we get,” suggested Jacob. Walking to the long shelf, he pulled down a book and extracted a short list. “Here’s what I have. If you think these are a good idea – or a bad one, let me know.”
Mr. Lapp carefully read through the list, which Jacob had divided by different weather conditions. “This is good, Jacob. We can decide when we know what the weather will be like. We shouldn’t rely only on corn or soybeans. We need other crops that we can sell, either for feed or to food producers. In fact, I’m thinking we should put an additional field into active growing status and keep only one field fallow – just in case. Any money we earn from the extra field can go into savings.”
“Thank you, daed.”
“How are things going with Jenny King? How is she recovering?”
“She’s recovering well – she thinks her doctor will like her progress the next time she sees him. Daed, I’m falling in love with her. I want to ask her parents for permission to ask her to marry me,” said Jacob.
“Gut, son! She is a good woman and her faith is strong.”
***
At the end of the summer, temperatures dropped, but the rain continued. Area Amish farmers had to time their harvesting carefully in between rain storms to ensure they brought their crops in at the right time. This kept Jacob and his daed busy as they tried to hire harvesting crews for both the corn and the alternate crop they had planted before the tornado hit the area. Every evening, when Jacob got home, he was tired to the bone. After he ate dinner and showered, he was sleepy enough that he went to bed early several nights in a row. Finally, the last of the crops were harvested and stored in warm, dry barns. Jacob rested for several days and worked with his daed to identify equipment that needed repair or replacement.
The first weekend after the harvest had ended, Jacob went to see Jenny, who was just about done with the child’s quilt. As they sat in the King living room, he held her hand and they talked about what was going on.
“Church meeting will be at Deacon Bontrager’s farm next week. Would you like to stay after for the sing?” Jacob asked.
“Ya, if my parents say it’s okay,” Jenny said.
For the rest of Jacob’s visit, they talked quietly about their faith and events from their respective childhoods. After an evening of laughter and snacking on Rebecca’s snickerdoodle cookies, Jacob gently pressed a light kiss to Jenny’s lips.
Jenny was amazed – she hadn’t expected the kiss. Her fingers went to her lips as she seemed to hold the soft contact to her face. A soft smile slowly grew as she gazed at her beau.
Jacob continued looking into Jenny’s large, soft blue eyes. As he gazed into their depths, he like he was sinking down into her soul. Catching himself with a start, he pulled back, giving Jenny a grin.
***
Over the next several days, Jenny carried out her chores with a smile on her face – she kept going back to that moment when Jacob had surprised her with the kiss – her very first kiss. She had to force her mind away from a time that was still far down the road, if it even arrived. At night, she would be in bed, thinking of Jacob – as her husband and the father of her boppli.
Rebecca noticed – and recognized – the soft, dreamy look on Jenny’s face. She knew it was time to begin monitoring Jacob’s visits a little more closely.
Two nights later, John came to the house and gestured to Rebecca – Come outside with me. Drying her hands and wrapping a cloak around her shoulders, she told Jenny to finish cleaning the kitchen. “Your daed needs me outside.”
In the barn, she was not surprised to see Jacob standing inside. She felt sorry for him – his nervousness was plain to see as he shifted from one foot to the other.
“Denki for speaking with me. I have been courting Jenny now for almost a year. She is a very special young woman, and I have come to love her. With your blessing, I would like to ask her to marry me next wedding season. When . . . when the tornado came through Peace Landing, I realized how close I came to losing her. I . . . I want her to be a part of my life, as the mother of my boppli,” Jacob said breathlessly.
While they had expected this announcement John and Rebecca were surprised it had come so quickly. Looking at each other, they communicated silently.
“Jacob, we appreciate you coming to us. We have seen your growing feelings for our daughter, and I believe she returns them for you,” began John. “I think that tornado reminded all of us of our mortality in the face of God’s power – I know it reminded me of how tiny and insignificant I am.”
Rebecca joined the conversation. “Jacob, I know Jenny shares your feelings. I’ve seen her looking . . . happy and content as she goes through her day. I hope the day comes when you ask her to become your wife – but she still needs to be baptized into our church. She has told me this is what she wishes . . . to fully join the Amish church. She wants to live within the Ordnung.”
“Jacob, we are overjoyed that you want to marry Jenny, but we would rather see the two of you wait another year before you become engaged. Get to know each other better,” John added.
Jacob smiled, happy with the responses of his beloved’s parents. “Denki. I am glad you have been honest with me. I will do as you have asked and I will get to know Jenny and her heart much better.”
That night, at home, Jacob smiled with contentment. Within two years, he and Jenny would be man and wife.
The End.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
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