Grace's Forgiveness (21 page)

He pictured them living life and working out problems together. She had a strong will he suspected would challenge him at times, but he liked having a woman not afraid to speak her mind. She’d be a good partner to consult with. No doubt she’d be a good mamm. He’d witnessed her way with kinner. Jonah adored her. Of course, who wouldn’t?

He strolled outside to the barn and looked around. Lifting the trunk lid, he peeked inside. The bag appeared undisturbed. It’d been days since he found the scarf. She mustn’t be coming back. He shrugged his shoulders. Something rubbed against his leg. Glancing at a dog, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He petted the scraggly, dirty black mutt. “Do you belong to someone? Are you lost? Since you’re rail thin, you’ve probably gone without food for a while.”

The dog tilted his head from side to side and wagged his tail.

He’d noticed dogs playing with kinner in the community, but not this one. “You must be hungry, but we better bathe you before I offer you food. You’re filthy.”

He pumped water into two big washtubs and added soap to one. He grabbed a towel from a shelf in the barn and threw it over his shoulder. He set the dog into the soapy water and washed him then moved the animal into the tub with plain water. “Good boy. You’re obedient. You and I will get along fine.”

“What should we name you?” He rubbed his chin. “I’ll call you Dusty.”

The dog jumped out of the tub and shook.

Mark laughed and held up his hands. “Hey, you’re getting me all wet.” He grabbed the towel off his shoulder.

Dusty stood and licked his face while he toweled him off.

The medium-sized dog had the softest coat of black fur. “You’re a handsome animal when you’re clean. Let’s fatten you up.”

Mark led him in the haus and offered him a plate of leftover food. He cut up chicken and scooped leftover potatoes in a bowl and pumped water in another bigger bowl.

Dusty jumped on his hind legs and scratched at Mark’s knees. He barked.

Mark pointed. “Sit. Be patient.” He put the bowls on the floor, and Dusty stuck his nose in the food and didn’t raise it until he’d licked the bowl clean. He then drank the water.

Mark watched him and waited for a minute. “You downed your supper too fast. You’re not going to get sick on me, are you?”

Dusty tilted his head as if he understood.

Satisfied his new furry friend wasn’t going to get sick, he readied for bed and climbed in.

Dusty jumped up and snuggled next to him. His soft fur tickled Mark’s nose, but he liked having a new pet. He’d never had a dog. The animal obeyed, was friendly, and was good company in the short time they’d spent together. He hoped Grace would like him. He wouldn’t want to have to give him away when he and Grace got married.

Mark woke with a start to Dusty’s loud barking.

Dusty paced the floor and barked over and over.

“What’s wrong, boy?”

A loud snap came from outside. Light flickered in the window. It hadn’t been dark all that long. He climbed out of bed and dashed to the window. “Fire!”

Dusty ran through the haus barking.

Mark’s heart throbbed against his chest. He hurried to the door and opened it. “I’ve got to alert the neighbors.” He rushed back inside, grabbed his shotgun off hooks above the door, and ran to the front yard. He pointed to the sky and fired off two shots then put it by the door. Flames flickered and crackled. Black smoke billowed out between burning wall planks.

He opened the barn door, blinded, and urged the horses out first. He turned them loose in the corral a safe distance away. Back inside the burning building, he got the rest of his livestock out. Friends and neighbors, who’d arrived within minutes of the gunshots, worked along with him to save his livestock.

Dusty barked and herded the animals to the far end of the corral.

Chickens, hens, and the rooster squawked and carried on. The dog herded them into the enclosed chicken-wire area and nudged the door shut with his nose.

Relieved to find the fire stayed on the left side and not the right, he hoped it was manageable. Men and women filled every tub and pail they could find and helped put out the blaze.

Mark caught sight of Grace, her parents, Levi, and Sarah. They had formed a line with several others and were throwing one pail after another on the fire. He joined them. It was working. The fire had diminished. He bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, danki for saving me, my animals, and my dwellings. Danki for kind and helpful friends and neighbors. Danki for Your love, grace, and mercy. Amen.” He trembled. His livestock might have been killed and everything he owned destroyed. God had been good.

He, Levi, Mr. Blauch, Noah, and other neighbors lugged wooden planks he had in his workshop to the barn and repaired the damaged areas by lantern light.

Mr. Blauch clapped the dirt off his hands. “The barn should air out in a couple of hours, and then you can put your animals back inside. The damage isn’t too bad. Earlier, I worried you’d lose the entire structure. Do you have any idea how this happened?”

“I didn’t see anyone, and I didn’t leave a lantern on. I have no idea.”

Mr. Zook greeted Mark and Mr. Blauch. “Sorry about the fire, Mark. I’m glad your livestock survived and there wasn’t more damage. Your furry friend did a fine job helping corral the animals.”

“Danki. He came in my barn earlier. I’ll keep him, unless someone claims him.”

Mr. Zook and Mr. Blauch nodded to Mark then got in conversation about their hay fields.

Mark approached Grace. “Danki for kumming.”

Grace wiped her wet forehead. She was pretty, in spite of her dirty apron, the smoke scent, and her sweat-stained face. “It’s over, and the barn is still in good condition. I’m relieved your animals are unharmed. What caused the fire?”

“I wish I knew.”

Dusty joined them.

Grace petted him. “Who is this handsome boy? He’s quite helpful and smart. I was impressed and stunned by his heroics.”

“His name is Dusty. He showed up in the barn earlier this evening. We’re becoming fast friends. I’m surprised at what he did for me tonight too.”

Dusty licked her hand.

“He’s a pretty dog.” She giggled. “He’s friendly, too.”

The Helmuths, Blauches, and many friends and neighbors surrounded him. They asked if they could do anything else, and if not, they were headed home.

“No. I appreciate your help more than I can say. Danki for your quick response.” He waited until the others turned their backs to leave, then exchanged a look with Grace and mouthed the words,
Danki again for your help.

He waited until the last person had departed and then checked on the animals. He’d keep his gun handy in case a coyote threatened to harm them. The soft breeze would help rid the barn of smoke.

Monday morning Mark fed the animals, milked the cow, petted Dusty, and went to work after chatting with Noah a minute. He grabbed and pushed a broom across the floor of his store and familiar voices drifted his way minutes later. Icy dread crawled up his back and neck. He held the broom tight. “What do you want?”

The thugs bore down on him.

Buck stood inches from his face. “How’d you like our warning?”

Mark winced at his putrid alcohol breath, stepped back, and gritted his teeth. “You started the fire? Why?”

The man sneered. “Call it a warning.” Buck knocked the broom out of Mark’s hands. “We haven’t found your brother, and we want twenty dollars to tide us over until we do.”

“I don’t have twenty dollars on hand.”

Skinner brandished a knife from his boot. “Maybe you need a little more convincin’.” Skinner stepped in front of Buck and pressed the sharp blade to Mark’s throat. The man narrowed his eyes. “Give us what you’ve got then, or you’re a dead man.”

Heart thundering against his chest, Mark stared at the man. “Let go of me and I will.”

Skinner poked the knife against Mark’s neck then lowered it. “Make it quick.”

Mark reached in his pocket and pulled out three dollars in coins and passed the money to Skinner. “You’ve taken all my money. Now leave.” His legs threatened to buckle, and he hoped the fear rising in his chest wouldn’t show.

Skinner scoffed and curled his fist around the coins. He held them to Mark’s nose. “You think this is enough?” The thug smirked. “Buck, the Amish man isn’t moving to open his cashbox. Guess we shoulda lit his house on fire.” He pressed the knife once again to Mark’s throat and pricked the tender skin. Blood trickled down Mark’s neck.

Buck crossed his arms. “Maybe you didn’t make yourself clear, Skinner.” He crossed the room, and Skinner stepped back.

“We can sure take care of putting some fear into him.” Buck grabbed Mark’s shirt and held up his fist. “You tell me, Amish man. Do I need to knock you around to get our point across? My friend, Skinner here, would like nothing better than to drive his knife into your side. I might let him do it if you don’t cooperate. Where’s your money box?”

Mark held his breath a moment then let out a ragged sigh. “Under the counter.”

Buck pushed Mark. “Come on, Skinner. Let’s see what the Amish man’s got hidden in his treasure box.”

He had taken his earnings to the bank on Friday. Glad the men wouldn’t get a substantial amount of money, he worried their tempers would flare. He slid back the curtain under the counter and removed the metal box.

Buck grabbed it from his hands and opened the lid. “Not much in here.” He counted the money. “Five dollars in coins.” He snorted and pinched his lips together. “This will have to do for now.”

Buck socked Mark in the stomach. “We’ll be back for more if your brother doesn’t show his face soon. You can count on it.”

Mark gasped for air, moaned, and doubled over. “Get out.”

The scoundrels left, slamming the door.

He looked out the window. The men crossed the street to the saloon. It wasn’t the Amish way to notify the sheriff about trouble from Englischers, but he couldn’t put up with these ruffians harassing him. He thought they would’ve been tired of searching for Abel in Berlin and moved on. He’d settled into Berlin, gained friends, and was about to ask Grace’s daed’s permission to marry her. He didn’t want to create a stir about this. He’d wait.

Mark rose to a gray sky on Sunday morning. There had been no encounters or sightings of the menacing men the rest of the week. He hoped not to lay eyes on them again. He shrugged into his clothes, hitched his horse to his buggy, and rode to church.

He caught sight of Grace the minute he entered. He adored her beautiful face, waved to her, and sat next to the men on the other side. Eager to see her, he struggled to pay attention to the bishop’s message for the first few minutes.

Bishop Weaver held up his King James Bible. “Please turn to the Book of Luke, chapter six, verses twenty-seven, twenty-eight, and twenty-nine.” He adjusted his spectacles and read.
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, and do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.”

Mark stared at his hands. This was a difficult message to adhere to these days. He bowed his head in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for wanting to harm the men who came in my shop. Protect Abel in spite of his shortcomings. Prick his heart and conscience. Help him find his way back to You. Please give me the right words to say to Grace’s daed. Amen.

He raised his eyes at Grace and her family. Enough time had passed. He would ask Mr. Blauch for his dochder’s hand in marriage. He was ready to move on with his life and put the past behind him.

Outside, after the service, Jonah hugged Mark’s legs. “Play hide-and-seek with me.”

“I’ll help the women set the table and then I’ll fix you a plate.” Grace strolled toward the food table.

“Danki.” Mark chased Jonah and played the game with him for a while. “Everyone’s gathering around the table. We should fill our plates before the food is gone.” He escorted Jonah to his parents then returned to Grace. “Would you like to join me at the small table under the oak tree?”

She carried two jars of water, and he carried their filled plates of food. She squinted at the bright sun. “I watched you with Jonah. I’m not sure who was having more fun, you or him.”

“He’s a well-behaved boy. I like having him around.” He sat across from her. “I can’t wait to have kinner.”

“Me too.”

He paused, leaned in, and met her eyes. “Grace, I’m in love with you. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you in it. I’m going to ask your daed for your hand in marriage tomorrow. He and I have spent enough time together to know and trust each other. I don’t want to wait any longer.” His mouth curved in a teasing grin. “You haven’t changed your mind about marrying me, have you?”

“Of course not!” She squirmed. “I’m anxious to marry you. I’m nervous but confident my parents won’t have any objections.”

Her sweet expression confirmed her love for him. He reached out to touch her hand but withdrew it. “I have the hardest time not wrapping my arms around you and planting the biggest kiss on your sweet lips.”

She blushed. “Oh, Mark, I’ve longed to have your arms around me. If we were alone, I wouldn’t push you away.”

“Sarah and Levi are coming. I’ve been itching to tell them about our plans, and you must be also, but let’s not say anything until I’ve had a chance to talk to your daed.”

“I’m bursting at the seams to tell Mamm and Sarah. You must kumme for supper tomorrow. Mamm loves cooking and having people over for meals. It will give you a chance to talk to Daed in private.”

Her enthusiastic response and providing the perfect opportunity to carry out his task thrilled him. He wouldn’t forget her expression for the rest of his days. If Mr. Blauch agreed to his request, the Blauch family would soon become his in-laws. It would be comforting to have parents again.

On the way home, Mamm patted Grace’s knee. “I rocked for a few minutes on the porch this morning and delighted in the sunshine, watched squirrels chasing each other up and down the trees, and listened to the birds chirp. I thought about how happy you have been, and it warms my heart.”