Grace's Forgiveness (7 page)

Sarah covered her open mouth. “He shouldn’t have mentioned him to you.”

“He’s not in communication with him.”

She should’ve known better than to share this information with her friend. Sarah didn’t have any compassion for anyone who left the Amish life. “A patron interrupted us. We didn’t discuss his bruder any further.”

“For your sake, I’m relieved he understood your situation with Becca, even though he should’ve scolded you for communicating with her. He’s abiding by Amish law and staying away from his bruder, and so should you stay away from Becca. I don’t want anything to change his mind about you. I have said enough on the matter.” She sat in silence for a few moments then opened her mouth. “Something else is bothering me.”

Grace sucked in her bottom lip. What else had she done to upset Sarah? Nothing came to mind. “What is it?”

“I wish I could have a boppli. What’s wrong with me? It’s been a year. I’m scared. What if I’m unable to have kinner?”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Grace slid her chair close to her friend. “God has a plan for your life. Be patient. You’re young and have plenty of time for kinner. I believe you will have a boppli when you least expect it.” She prayed Sarah would find herself with child soon.

Her friend longed for a child more than anything else in her life.

“I hope you’re right.” She rubbed her tummy. “Are you hungry?”

It’s dinnertime.
Her stomach grumbled. “I’ll check with Mark and ask if he’s hungry.” The door swung inward before she could put her hand on the knob. She jumped back, waved her arms, and regained her balance.

Mark reached for her. “I should be more careful when opening this door. Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” She hugged herself.
No, I’m more than fine. Thanks to the joy dancing in my heart from your touch.
“Kumme in. Are you ready for dinner?”

Grace lifted the lid on the worn wicker picnic basket and pulled out beef sandwiches and butter cookies. “It’s time to take a break.”

Mark dragged three chairs and a small table together in a circle in the middle of the floor. “A flood of people filled my store all at once. I had a line outside waiting to get in. I collected a pretty good sum of money this morning. I’ll have to carve more toys this week. My top shelf is almost bare.”

Grace readied three plates of food. “You’re off to a good start.” She handed Mark a plate.

Sarah clasped the handle of the white china pitcher and filled three glasses. She set them on the table and sat.

Mark bit into his sandwich. “Grace, this beef sandwich is tasty.”

“Mamm packed dinner for us today. I’ll pass along your danki to her.”

“Wait until you try her mamm’s famous butter cookies. She wrote out the recipe for me, but she must’ve left out an ingredient. Mine aren’t as sweet as hers.”

“She does make the best butter cookies.” Grace wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Mark, is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Not at the moment. It’s nice to know you’ll be next door if I need anything.” He met her gaze.

Her skin tingled and her body warmed. No, it wasn’t her imagination. He liked her, too. His eyes were like mirrors to his soul. She held a hand to her heart. Would Mark shun his bruder if he encountered him? Had Mark ever contemplated leaving the Amish life like his bruder? She swallowed hard and hoped not.

Mark added more toys to his shelves and contemplated meeting Grace’s parents. She’d be at church with her parents tomorrow. Maybe she or Levi would introduce him to her parents. If they didn’t, he would introduce himself. Would Mr. and Mrs. Blauch approve of him? Would they ask questions about his family? He told Grace about his bruder. Would she ask more questions about Abel? At least she understood since she was experiencing the same dilemma with her friend Becca.

The Ordnung came to mind. It clearly stated anyone who left the Amish order shouldn’t be mentioned and should be considered dead. He hung his head and scratched his chin. This law was the hardest for him to follow.

Mark reached for his razor and sharpened it on his leather strap Sunday morning. After he splashed his face with water, he lathered it with soap. Putting the razor to his neck, he shaved a small patch of yesterday’s growth. Wanting to look his best for Grace, he’d be careful not to nick himself.

Mark dressed in a crisp white shirt, pants, and suspenders. Grabbing a clean cloth, he wiped the dirt off his plain black leather boots. That should do it. Ready to attend church, he put on his black hat and headed to the barn to fetch his buggy.

He steered his horse to the church. Heart pounding, he prayed. “Dear Heavenly Father, please give me words to say to Grace’s parents. This I pray and ask in your name. Amen.”

The big two-story white barn stood surrounded by buggies and wagons in the middle of a green grassy field. A stable stood next to it for the horses. He handed the reins to the young Amish stable hand, no doubt selected by the bishop to handle the horses, and thanked him. He spotted Levi outside the front door. “Can you show me where to sit?”

“Jah. Kumme and I’ll introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Blauch.”

Mark’s heart thudded against his ribs.

The hay stacked in the loft and on the sides provided his favorite fresh scent. Men dressed like him in all shapes and sizes filled the structure. Husbands sat with their fraas and kinner, and unmarried men sat apart from the unwed women.

Levi gestured to Mr. and Mrs. Blauch. “I’d like you to meet Mark King. He is the man who bought the Stoltzfuses’ haus next to my place. You should visit his furniture store in town. He will have to tell you about it.”

Mr. Blauch stood and accepted his hand. “Wilkom to Berlin.”

Mrs. Blauch rose. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Grace told me what stunning shelves you built for her and Sarah’s shop. It was generous of you to take the time to help them out.” She pointed to Grace and Sarah. “They will be back in a minute. They are speaking with Jonah Keim, our neighbor’s little boy.”

Mark traced the brim of his hat with his fingers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” He sat across from them with the other unwed men and studied Mr. Blauch, who had taken a seat next to Grace’s mamm. The man was average height and build. His hands had raised thick blue veins on top. Very little hair remained on his head.

Mrs. Blauch had dimpled cheeks and spectacles sat halfway down her nose. A wisp of brown hair, like Grace’s, had escaped her kapp. She was a round, short woman with bright brown eyes like her dochder’s. He found them warm and welcoming.

He recognized Grace’s voice. She and a little boy, he guessed about six years old, were laughing. The child had an angelic face, brown eyes, brown hair, and a small frame. He was jabbering away.

Grace and Sarah joined him, with the boy between them. “Good morning, Mark. I’d like you to meet my friend, Jonah Keim. Jonah, this is Mark King.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, and you can call me Mark.”

Sarah kissed Jonah’s head. “He’s a sweetheart. I want a son like him.”

Jonah pointed to his open mouth. “My tooth popped out when I jumped off the porch last night. I had a hard time bitin’ into my apple this mornin’.”

They all laughed.

Mark patted the boy’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Each day you wake up, little by little your new tooth will appear.” He eyed Grace talking to Sarah and returned his attention to Jonah.

“My grossdaadi lost five teeth.” Jonah held up his hand. “He told me they won’t grow back. I’m scared mine won’t grow back either.”

“No, your grossdaadi lost his boppli teeth then his big boy teeth grew in, and those are the ones he lost. You’re losing your boppli teeth.”

“That’s good. I need ’em to bite and chew apples and hard candy.”

He chuckled. “Grace and Sarah are right. You are a delightful little boy.” He tousled the boy’s hair.

Jonah swayed to and fro. “Can I sit with you?”

“Jah, if your parents approve of you sitting with me.”

Jonah skipped to where his parents were seated.

“He’s an adorable little boy.” Grace blushed. “Have you met Mamm and Daed?”

“Jah. They’re very kind.”

She bit her bottom lip and folded her hands. “I’m glad you had a chance to get acquainted with them.” She blushed. “Levi, Sarah, and I have told them about you. Now they’ll have a face to put with your name.” She lowered her chin. “Will you attend the after-church meal?”

Her shyness warmed him. Of course he’d stay for the meal. He wanted to spend time with her. If he wasn’t with her, she filled his mind. “Jah, I am. Are you?”

“Yes. You can sit with me and my parents when we eat. I’m sure they’d like to learn more about you. Would you mind?”

“No. I appreciate the invitation.”

“The bishop is walking to the front. I should go find my seat.”

He waited until Grace sat with her parents and then followed Jonah to his seat with the men. Each time he encountered her, his heart beat a little faster and his mouth went dry. He hadn’t experienced this with any other woman.

Jonah beamed and moved close to him. “Mamm and Daed said I could sit with you.”

“I’m glad to have a new friend sit next to me. We should be quiet and listen to the bishop.”

Jonah put a finger to lips. “I’ll be real quiet.”

“Please refer to your Ausbund and join me in singing this hymn.”

Mark turned the page and shared his Ausbund with Jonah. He recited the song along with the members. Mark’s voice and heart soared with the familiar words. This was music for the soul.

Glancing at Grace, he could envision spending many more Sundays with her. He paused. Her voice was faint, but the sweet and smooth sound of it warmed his heart.

Jonah stood obediently by his side and chanted the words he must’ve known from heart. He vocalized the song in rhythm with them and stared straight ahead at the bishop. The child was well-behaved and splendid company.

The bishop led them in several hymns and then asked them to bow their heads for prayer. He prayed then preached on obedience for the next two hours. At the end of the sermon, he closed his Bible. “Everyone must adhere to the Amish laws written in the Ordnung. These laws are meant to protect us from the outside world. Be fervent in your prayer life and diligent in obedience.” The bishop prayed for the after-meeting meal and dismissed them.

Jonah tugged at his sleeve. “Danki for letting me sit with you.”

“You can sit with me anytime, as long as your parents give their permission. You are an adorable little boy.”

Jonah waved and scampered toward his parents.

Mark watched the child. His mind drifted back to the sermon. It was as if Bishop Weaver’s message was directed at him. Would he wilkom Abel into his haus if he showed up on his porch? He needed prayers for himself and his bruder.

Grace interrupted his thoughts. “I’ll find you after I help the women prepare the table.”

“All right. I’ll talk with your daed.”

Searching for Mr. Blauch, he spotted him heading out the door. He caught up to him. “The bishop gave a good message.”

“He’s an excellent bishop. We’re blessed to have him.” He stopped under the shade of an old oak tree. “Levi told me your parents suffered a tragic accident. I’m sorry for your loss. I was saddened to learn the Stoltzfuses have died. We were mere acquaintances, due to their short time living here. I understand from Levi you had the opportunity to befriend them in Lancaster.”

“Jah. They were a kind couple.”

“You must be glad Mr. Stoltzfus had a workshop on his property. Levi tells me you handcraft items out of wood. What do you create and from what type of wood?”

Nerves had given him a slight headache, but Mr. Blauch had put him at ease. The pain diminished. “The workshop is perfect for me. When I resided in Lancaster, I handcrafted wooden furniture, toys, and household items out of maple, pine, and oak. I sold half of my supply before I left and brought the rest to sell in my store. When you have time, kumme in. I’ll show you around.”

He crossed his arms. “I’ll take you up on your offer and stop in sometime. Do you need advice on where to find livestock to buy?”

“No, danki.” He recounted his story about meeting Mr. Post and how he bought the man’s livestock for a reasonable price.

“You have set yourself up to provide a good living in a short time. Will you have time to manage a store and tend to his hay, and livestock?”

Mark understood he was new in town. It wasn’t unusual for elder Amish men to ask the younger men these questions. Grace’s daed didn’t waste time getting to the point. Mark didn’t mind and stifled his urge to chuckle. “I’m in need of a man to manage my place. Who would you suggest?”

“Let me introduce you to Noah Schwartz. He’s eighteen and needs work. His mamm, Jane Schwartz, is a widow and works at the bakery in town. They scrape by and could use the money.” He gestured for Mark to follow him.

Mr. Blauch approached a man with blond hair and deep blue eyes. The man stood.

“Noah, meet Mark King. He’s recently moved here from Lancaster and needs help at his farm. Are you interested?”

Noah stretched out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. King. I am interested. When can we discuss this?”

Mark shook Noah’s hand. He liked Noah on sight. His long legs and muscular arms would kumme in handy lifting bales of hay and minding the animals and his farm. Noah’s enthusiasm impressed him. “We best not discuss this on Sunday. Kumme to my haus at six o’clock tomorrow morning. We’ll speak about it then. And call me Mark.”

“Danki. I’ll be on time.”

Mark followed Mr. Blauch to their seats.

Jonah approached him. “You met my friend, Noah. He brings me treats on Sundays.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a wrapped piece of hard candy. “It’s red, my favorite.” He plopped the sugary gift in his mouth. “I’m going to find Mamm. She helps me fill my plate for dinner.” He skipped away.

Mark returned Jonah’s wave. Noah’s gesture of kindness toward Jonah impressed him. He looked forward to getting better acquainted with him. It would be a worry off his mind to have someone managing his farm.