Grace's Forgiveness (34 page)

Please turn the page
for an exciting sneak peek of
Molly Jebber’s next
Keepsake Pocket Quilt Amish romance,

TWO SUITORS FOR ANNA
,

coming from Kensington Publishing in February 2017!

1903, Berlin, Ohio

It was Monday morning and Anna flipped the Grace and Sarah Dry Goods Shop sign to open. Glancing out the window, she saw an Englischer buying a newspaper. A boppli was running away from his mamm. The blacksmith had a line of customers outside his door. The streets of Berlin bustled with men and women entering and leaving the shops, restaurants, post office, and livery.

She squinted and held her nose inches from the window. Noah crossed the boardwalk dodging the horse-drawn wagons and buggies, and cars. He was headed in her direction. She loved his sandy blond hair, sky blue eyes, and tall thin frame. Restless and carefree, Noah loved change. During their two year friendship, he’d rearranged his chore schedule often, experimented growing different kinds of herbs, and built all kinds of things out of wood. Interesting and a delight most of the time, she enjoyed these changes but his latest obsession put her nerves on edge.

All he talked about was traveling to different Amish communities over the next several years to experience living in other locations. She’d avoided answering hoping he’d forget the silly notion. He’d hinted at marrying her, but he hadn’t proposed. She and her family and friends had assumed they’d wed someday. The last two months, she wasn’t sure God wanted them to wed. She and Noah no longer wanted the same path for their lives. She wasn’t sure what to say if he did ask her to leave and marry him. He’d been quieter than usual before and after the church service yesterday.

Noah sauntered in and set his sewing box on the counter. “Good morning. It’s only the sixth of July, and already, the sun is blazing hot. I like this time of year. All the plants and flowers are in full bloom. They’re pretty, just like you.” He touched her nose then grinned.

“You’re sweet.” She studied him. His big blue eyes were hard to resist. “What are you carrying?”

“I finished handcrafting a sewing box out of maple, and I wanted to show it to you before I delivered it to Mark’s shop next door.”

She peeked inside and gasped. “I like the way you varied the sections in the lift out box. You did a wonderful job. It’s beautiful.” She grinned. “Mark will be pleased.”

“I can’t take all the credit. Mark’s been a good teacher and friend. Taking care of his livestock and farm is fun rather than work. I wish he had more time to spend with me in the workshop. He’s got great ideas for constructing different household products. I’ve changed some of his designs like adding more sections to this sewing box.” He patted the lid. “I’m excited he’s offered to sell my products in his store. I’ll need the money for
our
future soon.” He winked.

She wasn’t surprised he wasn’t satisfied to construct his creations the way Mark showed him. He liked doing things his way. Anna opened her mouth to respond to his comment about his plans for the money, but shut it. An attractive Amish man strolled in the shop. He looked familiar. He was several inches shorter than Noah. Powerful muscles bulged in his sleeves. She guessed him a couple of years older than Noah. “May I help you?”

He removed his hat and gave her a sheepish grin. “Jah, I’m here to purchase much needed kitchen towels.”

“I’m Anna Plank, and this is Noah Schwartz. I’ll be glad to show you what we have in stock.”

“I’m Daniel Bontrager. I relocated here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.” He shook Noah’s hand.

Anna snapped her fingers and smiled. “I recognize you from the church I attended in Lancaster. It’s been three years since I’ve lived there.”

Daniel raised his eyebrow. “Jah, now I remember you. Our families were acquainted, but didn’t really know each other well. We missed a lot of social gatherings. Our farm and our roof repair business kept Daed and me busy. Mamm managed the haus and altered clothes for a few Englisch families in town for extra money.”

“I understand. The Amish community was much larger there. It’s easier to get acquainted with other Amish families in Berlin, since it’s smaller. You’ll like this community.”

Noah crossed his arms. “Are you any relation to Jonathan and Adele Bontrager?”

“Jah, he was my bruder.”

Anna frowned. “Adele was a sweet woman. I miss her. I was shocked when she and the boppli died in childbirth, and then when Jonathan died from a tragic heart attack a few months later. You have my deepest sympathy.”

“Danki for your kind words.”

Noah cleared his throat and put a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry this happened to you. What made you choose to leave Lancaster and move here?”

He acknowledged Noah’s concern with a nod. “My parents have passed. They were shot in a robbery while shopping in the general store almost two years ago. The robber had killed them along with the owner. The sheriff had been walking to the shop when he heard the gunfire. He’d rushed in and killed the man.”

Anna heaved a big breath. “Were you in town when it happened?”

“My brother and I were working at home. The sheriff and the bishop came together and told us the dreadful news on the tenth of November in 1899. Two years later, Jonathan and Adele married and moved to Berlin.” He shuffled his feet. “Jonathan wrote how much he loved this town. I’m ready for a fresh start. My Lancaster neighbors don’t mean any harm, but they still gossip about the robbery. I had to get away.” He gave a resigned shrug. “I sold everything, and am ready to start a new life here.”

He must feel so alone. Curious to learn more details about the robbery, she didn’t want to upset him and it would be rude. “I understand.”

Noah stretched out his hand. “I’m sorry you suffered the loss of your parents in such a horrific way, and then your bruder and his family too.”

Daniel cleared his throat. “It was hard at the time to accept, but I’m doing all right and friends have been good to me. Mr. Zook was a close friend of Jonathan’s, and he arranged everything for my bruder’s funeral and cared for the farm and animals until I arrived. I’m happy with what I’ve experienced in Berlin thus far.”

Noah shook Daniel’s hand. “Mr. Zook’s a fine man. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Daniel. My mamm and I live on the last farm on South Street. Stop and visit anytime. I’m happy to help with whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Danki, Noah.” He strolled over to a stack of towels on a shelf.

Anna tilted her head and followed Noah to the door. “Would you like to kumme to supper this evening?” She’d ask him later why he was so quiet yesterday.

“Of course, I’d never turn down your mamm’s cooking.” He winked. “After supper, I’d like to talk to you about our future.” He left through the connecting door to Mark’s shop.

She paused for a moment and watched Noah leave. What would he say about their future? She loved him, but she had questions. She sighed and glanced at Daniel. She didn’t have time to think about tonight. She should help Daniel. Walking to him, she pointed to the top towel. “We have a wide variety of towels.”

Leah rushed in minutes later and threw her bag under the counter. “Good morning.”

“Leah, please meet Daniel Bontrager. He’s moved into his bruder, Jonathan Bontrager’s home. You probably don’t remember him, but he attended our church in Lancaster.”

Smiling, Leah stood next to Anna. “I’m Anna’s schweschder. I apologize. I don’t remember you.”

He tilted his head. “I’m not offended. There were a lot of members in the church. It’s hard to get to know everyone. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. Your schweschder has been kind and was about to show me towels for my kitchen.” He scanned the walls surrounding him. “I like this shop. You have an interesting arrangement of patterned quilts on the walls.”

“Anna, you should show him our keepsake pocket quilts.”

He walked over to a star patterned dark brown and white quilt. He patted the pocket. “What do you put in here?”

Anna removed the quilt from the hooks, draped it over her arm, and untied the ribbon holding the pocket closed. “You write a letter to the person receiving the quilt and tuck it inside. The quilt and letter become keepsakes.”

“I like the idea. I could use a quilt. I’ll buy this one.”

Leah joined them. “I’ll wrap it for you, while Anna shows you our selection of dry goods.”

Anna pulled two different sized white cloths off the oak shelf. “Touch the thickness of each one.”

He fingered the material. “These will last me a long time. I’ll take three of the thicker cloths.”

A drop of water dripped onto her sleeve. She blinked a few times and touched the wet spot. Pointing to the ceiling, she sighed. “We have a leak in the roof. Yesterday, I had to put a bucket under it to catch the water. I’m thankful for the hot sun today.”

He peered up at the moisture on the ceiling. “I’d be glad to fix it for you. The cost will be minimal.”

She smiled wide. “That would be wonderful. I’ll ask Grace King, my employer, for permission. She has to approve maintenance costs.”

“I’ll stop in on Friday to take a look at the damage and give you an estimate. Please assure Mrs. King I’ll give her a fair price. If she agrees to me doing the work, I’ll schedule a time with you for next week.”

Anna nodded, unpinned the price notes, and pulled her cashbox from under the counter.

He pressed the correct change in her hand. “I’ll probably be back to buy more dry goods. I haven’t finished going through everything yet.”

Leah passed her the paper and twine. “Kumme back anytime. These are my favorite towels. They keep their shape and absorb the water much better than the rest of the ones we sell.”

He smiled but kept his eyes on Anna.

Her cheeks pinked. She wrapped his purchase and handed him the package. “Have a pleasant day, Mr. Bontrager. Enjoy Berlin.”

“I’ll talk to you Friday, Miss Plank.”

“Call me Anna.”

“Only if you call me Daniel.”

“Agreed.”

Daniel tipped his hat and put his hand on the doorknob. “Danki for your help.”

Leah closed the sales journal and stowed it under the counter. She chuckled. “Noah better hurry and ask you to marry him. He’s got competition. Daniel Bontrager couldn’t pry his striking dark brown eyes away from you.”

Anna sucked in her bottom lip. Daniel had matured and was more attractive than she remembered from three years ago. The Amish community in Lancaster met in a large barn, and it was full to the brim with members every other Sunday. No wonder their families hadn’t gotten better acquainted. Noah seemed to like Daniel, but then Noah befriended others easily. It was another reason she’d fallen in love with him. She had noticed Daniel staring at her, but she wouldn’t admit this to Leah. “You missed Noah earlier.”

“Did he meet Daniel?”

“Yes, they got along well.” She hung another quilt in place of the one Daniel bought. “Noah’s coming to supper tonight. He wants to talk about
our
future.”

Leah’s eyes rounded, and she put a hand to her mouth. “So Noah’s finally going to discuss your future. This could be the night Noah proposes to you! A night you’ll never forget.”

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2016 by Molly Jebber

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

ISBN: 978-1-4201-3763-7

eISBN-13: 978-1-4201-3764-4
eISBN-10: 1-4201-3764-6