Grace's Forgiveness (27 page)

“Anna came in and asked for a job this morning, and I asked her to start right away. I’m blessed to have her here. She’s a hard worker and a sweet woman.” Grace gestured for him to follow her to the front and almost bumped into her new helper. “Anna, I thought I heard voices.”

“Two women came in looking for the bakery. They are visiting and not familiar with town.”

A woman entered, and Anna left to help her customer.

Grace couldn’t stand the thought of him leaving. She gestured Mark to the back room again. “When will I see you?”

“I’m not sure. We can’t afford for your daed to find us together. I want to give him time to settle down about finding Abel at my haus. Then I’ll ask him to reconsider his decision about us.” He caressed her cheek. “You’re on my mind constantly. I would do anything to regain your daed’s trust in me.”

“His mind’s made up for now, but I’m not giving up hope.”

“I agree.” He beheld her. “Standing here with you is difficult. Danki for my letter. I’ve read it over and over again. It’s comforting.” He gazed into her eyes. “Oh, Grace, I love you.”

“I love you, too. I always will.”

Dusty barked and moaned.

Grace examined the bandage. “His pain should diminish over the next couple of days as the wound heals, but watch to make sure he doesn’t tear his stitches. You can snip them out in about seven days. If the wound doesn’t look healthier each day, we’ll need to meet again.”

Mark tenderly scooped his faithful dog in his arms.

Dusty whimpered.

He petted the animal. “It’s all right, boy.”

Mark would be walking out the door any minute. Her heart ached to watch him leave and not know what the future held for them. Days ago, she’d been planning a wedding. “I miss you terribly.”

He gently caressed her cheek. “I miss the soft sound of your voice and those brown eyes looking at me like you are now. In time, I hope we’ll be setting a wedding date. I should go. Your daed could walk in unexpected any minute.”

Grace followed him to the connecting door. She opened the door and he went inside. Shutting the door behind him, she wiped a tear from her eye and walked in Anna’s direction.

Anna’s customer had paid for aprons and left. Anna joined Grace, readjusting supplies on the shelves from customers fingering them. “Is Mark your friend?”

She paused for a moment. “We love each other, but unfortunate circumstances are keeping us apart.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“You’re not. The situation is complicated. We would like to get married, but my daed is upset about something that happened and won’t give his blessing.”

“I can’t imagine what you must be going through. I’ll pray for you and Mark.”

“Danki. We need God’s intervention. My daed’s feet are planted firmly in the ground on this matter.”

Anna gently squeezed her hand and went to greet the customer coming in the shop. Having Anna here would be good for her. The young woman’s compassion and kindness had helped comfort her. She looked forward to learning more about Anna and her family.

Grace went to the back room and gathered the soiled sheets from the cot where she’d treated Dusty. Sad because the sweet dog had been injured, she hoped he’d heal without complications.

In spite of the circumstances surrounding why Mark had shown up, she’d been thrilled he brought Dusty to her. Closing her eyes for a moment, she heaved a big sigh, imagining Mark’s familiar cedar scent. Touching her hand, she relived the brush of his fingers. She stepped outside to pump water in a basin and stared at the sky. “Why, God? Why has this happened? Please make a way for us to marry.”

A noise alerted her. Heat rose to her face. Oh no, she shouldn’t be so careless. Had anyone heard her? She glanced to the left and right, behind the shops next to hers. No one was in sight.

The workday ended, and Grace bid Anna farewell, visited the livery, and steered her horse home. Daed stood outside the barn. “I’ll help you secure your horse and then I’d like you to kumme inside. I have an idea I’d like to share with you. Mamm will join us.”

Would he tell her good or bad news? Her stomach churned. Mamm or Daed might be sick. She’d taken for granted they’d always be with her. “Are you or Mamm seriously ill?”

“No, we’re fine.” He took her horse’s reins. “You go inside. I’ll join you and Mamm in a few minutes.”

“I’ll wait for you.” She sat on the porch step until he was finished and then followed him inside the haus with trepidation.

Mamm sat at the table. “Have a seat. I’ve put fresh lemonade on the table for us.”

Her mamm avoided her gaze and stared at her glass. Not a good sign of what was to kumme.
Oh no, had he found out Mark came to the shop today?
She opened her mouth to explain and then thought better of it.

“As the bishop announced in church a while ago, Esau Erb’s fraa passed. He earns a good living as a farmer, adheres to the Amish law, and has a quiet and kind demeanor. I’d like to approach him about an arranged marriage with you.”

Grace gasped and grabbed her throat. Heat surged from her head to her toes.
Marry another man?
She couldn’t possibly share her life with anyone but Mark. She stifled the urge to scream at her daed. Not something she’d ever let enter her mind before, but she couldn’t imagine doing what he was asking of her. “I love Mark King, and he loves me. You’ve asked men to marry me before, and they have taken one look at my birthmark and declined. I want to marry for love like you and Mamm.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “Please, Daed, don’t add to my sorrow.”

“I understand you’re upset about Mark, but you’ll get over him in time. I want you to enjoy being a fraa and have kinner. The light has gone out from you. I want to help you.”

Grace gripped her apron. Her palms dampened. Esau Erb probably was a decent man, but he wasn’t the husband for her. No man would do but Mark. Esau Erb had a permanent slight bend and his weathered ruddy skin made him appear older than forty-five. His fraa had been a frail and kind woman unable to have kinner. The doctors hadn’t diagnosed why she died three months ago. Grace empathized with the widower, and she hoped he’d find happiness with another Amish woman, but it wouldn’t be with her.

She had to remain calm and convince her daed this was a terrible idea. She wiped her damp eyes and swallowed hard. “I am sympathetic to Mr. Erb’s situation, but please don’t ask me to wed him. I would be miserable. I’d rather be a spinster. I have the shop and my midwifery skills to keep me busy. Please respect my decision, Daed. I’m begging you.”

Grace swallowed hard. Mamm squeezed Daed’s hand. The gesture Mamm used to calm Daed eased Grace’s mind a bit. She hoped it worked.

Daed patted Mamm’s arm and bowed his head for a few moments then looked at Grace. “I’ll honor your wishes. I thought this might help, but I realize it may be too soon for you to consider another man. I don’t want to add to your unhappiness. Your mamm and I love you, Grace.”

She loved her daed, but his stubbornness about Mark had put a strain on their close relationship. It suffocated her like the humid air on a hot day. She missed the ease of their conversations. “Daed and Mamm, I love you, too.”

Her daed stood and pushed back his chair. “I must get to work.” He kissed Grace then Mamm’s forehead and strolled outside.

Mamm dragged her chair closer to Grace’s. “I’m sorry, my sweet dochder. I wish there was something I could do to lift your mood.”

“My heart skips a beat each time I encounter Mark. I’d rather be alone the rest of my life than marry anyone but him.”

“I’m praying for you. It’s all I know to do right now.”

A pain pierced Grace’s chest as tears formed in her eyes. “I am praying too, and so is Mark.”

Chapter Thirteen

Mark fluffed his furry friend’s favorite blanket next to him on the floor and then lifted Dusty and set him on it later in the evening. He gently petted the animal. “I worry about you. I wish you’d be more careful out in the woods.”

Dusty had cut himself a time or two on jagged branches. Grace had smiled happily at the sight of him entering her store. Talking to her and touching her again was both exciting and painful. Their brief and guarded time together ignited the love he had for her. Her daed’s disapproval of him loomed like a thunder cloud.

The windows open, he listened to the crickets and frogs. The night appeared peaceful, but his heart lay heavy. Alone wasn’t how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Grace was the fraa for him. He settled back in his favorite chair and wondered how long he should wait before approaching Mr. Blauch again.

Mark sipped hot coffee and buttered his bread Tuesday morning. The door creaked open.

Noah entered. “Good morning.” He bent to pet Dusty. “You look better, boy. You gave us quite a scare. I’m pleased you’re mending.”

“Have a seat.” Mark got up, opened the cupboard, and passed his friend a plate and cup of steaming hot coffee. “Danki for helping me with my furry friend and for working in the shop.”

“I didn’t mind managing the store for you, but I prefer working outside and getting my hands dirty.” He considered the dog. “I’ve grown attached to Dusty. He keeps me company during the day. If anything happened to him, I’d really miss him.”

“Jah, me too.” Mark sipped his coffee. “You’re here earlier than usual.”

“I’m worried about you. You’ve not been yourself. Is anything wrong?”

Mark told Noah about his bruder and Mr. Blauch’s unfortunate encounter. “I’m sorry to mention my bruder to you since I am to shun him, but I thought you should know in case he might kumme here again. If he does, send him away. Having Mr. Blauch withdraw his blessing for me to marry Grace is the worst thing I’ve experienced in my life, and I’ve had my share of sadness. Grace and I are praying God will work a miracle for us.”

“I won’t mention your bruder to anyone, but I’m glad you told me. I’m sorry you’re suffering. I’ll pray for you both.” Noah sipped his coffee and stroked the oak table. “I’ve considered exploring the outside world, but leaving my mamm, you, and my friends behind for good scares me. Mamm is taking in enough work, and the neighbors are helping us on a regular basis, so she’d be well taken care of if I left, but I’m torn.”

“The outside world brought no good to my bruder’s life. The world enticed him to take his mind off God and follow his selfish desires of money and material things. His greed has brought trouble to his life. Here is where you belong. Follow God and the Amish law. Build a happy life in Berlin.”

Noah’s worried face bothered Mark. “I’m sorry to bring this up. I shouldn’t burden you. I won’t make any decisions before talking to you first. I doubt I will ever leave.” He stood and pushed his chair back. “Danki, Mark. If there’s anything I can do for you or Grace, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Danki, please pray for all of us. Put leaving Berlin out of your mind. God has a plan for your life. Pray for guidance.”

“I respect you, Mark. Danki for talking reasonably with me about this. I’ll consider your advice.” Noah nodded then shut the door behind him.

Mark pondered Noah’s intentions as he dipped his dishes in the washbasin and stacked them in the sink. It astonished him Noah contemplated leaving Berlin. Hopefully, Noah had listened to his story about Abel and it would dissuade him. The young man had diligently taken care of his mamm. They had a close relationship. Hopefully, he wouldn’t excommunicate himself from her. At least for now, he’d discouraged him from leaving the Amish life.

He viewed the wooden Seth Thomas clock on the mantel then looked at Dusty. “I must get dressed and go to work, boy. It’s getting late.”

Crossing the room, he pulled his clothes out of his clothespress and got dressed. On his way out the door, he grabbed three boiled eggs and an apple and dropped them, with care not to break the egg shells, in a clean flour sack.

He frowned and groaned. Would he be alone the rest of his life? No, he had to have faith and trust God. He yearned to chat and eat with Grace at lunch. He missed each little thing about her. The screen door slammed behind him as he walked outside and waved to Noah.

“I’ll keep my eye on Dusty.”

“Danki. Please, Noah, kumme to me if you consider leaving this Amish life again. It will change your life and not for the better. I care about you. I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret.”

“I will, but I’m afraid your bruder has tarnished your attitude toward the good the outside world might offer. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes as Abel.”

“I’ve learned the hard way our Amish laws are meant to protect us from the outside world.”

“I’m not going anywhere right now.”

Mark chuckled. “Good.”

Mark bid Noah farewell and guided his horse toward the familiar dirt road to town. Even though Noah had assured him he wouldn’t get into trouble if he left the Amish community, Mark worried his friend would be lured into the evils of the outside world. Hopefully, Noah would stay and Mark could put his mind to rest about this matter. He wished he could talk to Grace about Noah. They would be in agreement, and it would lessen his burden to discuss it with her.

Leaving the livery, he crossed the boardwalk and glanced at her shop window. She and Anna stretched out a pinwheel quilt for a customer to view. He caught her eye. He thought his heart would burst as he met her gaze. The customer leaned into Grace. She was reluctant but broke their moment.

He unlocked his door and entered his shop. He paused and gazed out the window. Should he step outside and check the street for signs of the villains? No, they were long gone like Abel and had probably given up on him having enough money to satisfy them or keep them in town. Lifting a broom, he brushed the dirt he’d carried in on his boots.

The door whooshed open, and he froze.
Oh no, what are they doing back here again?
He should’ve listened to his instincts earlier. He stared at their guns and gripped the broom handle tight. “Leave now.”

“Mister Amish man is actin’ strong and tough. Why, my hands mighta trembled a bit.” Buck laughed. “What do ya make of Mister Amish man’s attitude, Skinner?”