Grace's Forgiveness Page 14

  How had she gotten so fortunate to meet a man as kind as Mark? She never thought she’d be blessed to have a man like him in her life. He empathized with her, Mrs. Oyer, and the Brandenburgs. She had no doubt he’d support his fraa and put her first in any given situation.

  After witnessing his compassionate heart and integrity, his ability to get along with friends, neighbors, and customers, his patience and kindness, she wanted him to ask her to marry him soon. She loved him. He listened to her joys and her concerns, offered constructive advice, and she could be herself with him. She could trust and depend on him if they experienced hardship or a loss of a loved one. “Danki, Mark.”

  “I’ll wait and leave with you.” He untied her horse and handed her the reins.

  “No, you go ahead. I need a minute, then I’ll head out.”

  He paused, then nodded.

  She waited until he departed and climbed in the wagon. She bowed her head and prayed. “Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me my sins. Please give this family the strength to overcome this infant’s loss. My heart breaks for them. I love You, and I praise You. Amen.”

  She would never grow accustomed to the sad and forlorn face of a mamm holding her lifeless infant. She drove to her favorite spot near the creek in the woods by her home. She got out and secured her horse then sat near the water’s edge not far from a covered bridge. She plucked a full dandelion from the ground and blew the seeds. She followed them as they danced in the air. A cottontail hopped a few feet away. The timid creature paused and stared at her. She wanted to reach out and touch the animal’s soft coat but refrained.

  The water moved over stones in the shallow end of the river. Birds perched on tree branches were chirping and a chubby brown squirrel unburied a nut. Did Mark have a plan for them? She bowed her head. “Dear Heavenly Father, danki for bringing Mark into my life. Amen.”

  A menacing grunt came from behind a cluster of trees. The hairs on her head and neck stood straight up. She gasped, ran, and hid behind a thick tall tree. A bear had its back to her a short distance away.

  She brought her hands to her mouth and stared.

  The bear stood still for a moment. Two cubs joined her.

  Grace stiffened and held a knuckle between her teeth to keep from screaming. The bear went in the opposite direction with the two little cubs tumbling behind her and disappeared in the woods.

  She waited then peered around the trunk again. Her close call was a sign she should be more careful. She’d had more than enough excitement. She untied her horse, climbed in the wagon, and headed home. What a day. Life could change in an instant.

  Mark rode toward town. He uttered a prayer for the bereft family and for Grace. He couldn’t imagine what she must be going through after birthing a lifeless, deformed infant. He respected Grace’s ability to control her emotions and to put others first.

  He left his horse and wagon at the livery and crossed the boardwalk to Grace and Sarah’s shop. Glancing over his shoulder, he shrugged. There weren’t many shoppers milling about today. He opened the door. Sarah stood alone at the counter.

  She pushed a stack of aprons aside. “Did Marie have a little boy or maedel?”

  Mark frowned. “I don’t like having to deliver sad information. Oh, Sarah, it was awful. The poor infant’s disfigured body shocked the parents. They’re grief-stricken, of course.”

  Sarah gasped. “Oh no! They must be devastated! Poor Grace. I’d fall apart at the seams, but Grace is strong in difficult situations and puts her heartache aside to focus her bottomless compassion on the mamm. I’ve witnessed her having to deal with a stillborn boppli more than once. It’s one of the traits I love about my dear friend.”

  “Jah, you’re right. She performed her midwife duties and comforted Marie as best she could. I tried to lend support to Grace and the daed. I hope I don’t experience this.” He held his hat to his chest. “Grace is exhausted. She’s gone home. I came back to work the rest of the day, and then I’m going to do the same.”

  He bid Sarah farewell and went into his store. He slid a knife and small chunk of pinewood off a small table and sat to whittle a lamb. The Oyers’ dochder would be a sad memory he’d never forget. He’d expected to share in a joyful moment with the young daed, but instead, it had been dreadful. He bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, bless the Oyer family. Strengthen and comfort them in their time of sorrow. We don’t understand why this happened, but we trust in Your divine will. Amen.”

  A young couple wandered in the store. Mark met the couple halfway. “Kumme in. How can I help you today?”

  The Englisch woman wouldn’t look at him, and the man gazed at her with a sparkle in his eyes. “I’m Wallace Brownstone.” He circled the young woman’s shoulders. “Meet Tillie. She’s my wife.”

  The man was proud of his pretty fraa. They both glowed around each other.

  “I’m Mark King. I’m glad you stopped in today. Is there anything in particular you had in mind?”

  “We got married yesterday. I built a small house on the outskirts of town, and we’d like to purchase a bed frame and dresser. Friends have provided a settee and kitchen table and chairs.” The young man reached in his pocket and pulled out coins. “Here’s what I have to spend.” He held up the money. “Do you have a set for a reasonable price?”

  Mark guessed the couple to be around seventeen. His heart went out to them. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other. He stroked the simple maple frame and matching dresser he was willing to let go for less than what he had in it. “Do you like this furniture?”

  Mrs. Brownstone stroked the finish and bobbed her head, looking at her husband.

  “Is this enough?”

  Mark nodded and accepted the payment. He would’ve given it to them without charge, but he didn’t want to injure the man’s integrity. “Would you allow me to help you load it into your wagon?”

  “Yes, please.” The man threw back his shoulders and circled an arm around his fraa’s waist.

  Mrs. Brownstone bounced on her toes and hugged her husband’s arm. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  Mark and Mr. Brownstone carried the furniture to the couple’s wagon. The man removed his hat and wiped perspiration from his brow before he shook Mark’s hand. “Thank you for your help.”

  “You’re wilkom. Best wishes to you and your fraa.” He waited until the couple drove away before returning to his shop. He envied their openness in showing affection for each other. More than once, he’d wanted to hold Grace’s hand, trace her cheek with his finger, and kiss her full lips when there were too many people around. He wished the Ordnung didn’t dictate the Amish not do so. His mouth formed a mischievous grin. He had managed to slide his hand across Grace’s a time or two when no one was looking. He loved her soft skin and dainty hands. And their first stolen kiss was something he’d never forget.

  He blinked a few times and rubbed his forehead. It had been a long day. He closed the store early and locked the door. He stopped to glimpse in Grace and Sarah’s shop window. Empty. Sarah must’ve gone home already.

  On the way to the livery, he passed the saloon. A man tumbled out and bumped into him. He steadied himself and moved away. A second man picked the first one up by the shirt collar and punched him in the face. Mark quickened his pace. He wanted nothing but distance from their dispute.

  The cruel men who had threatened him came to mind. He must speak to Noah. His friend shouldn’t be working for him alone during the day. Those men could decide to visit and question him. He didn’t want to put his friend in harm’s way.

  He arrived home and found Noah washing his hands using the outside pump. “It’s time for you to go home, but can you spare a few minutes before you leave? I’d like to speak to you about a matter.”

  Noah dried his hands on his shirt. He bit his bottom lip. “Is everything all right? Did I do something wrong?”

  Mark patted Noah’s shoulder. “No, you do an excellent job for me. It’s about your safety. Kumm
e inside.”

  Mark filled two jars of water and passed one to Noah. “Have a seat.” He gestured toward the kitchen table. “Noah, I’ll get right to the point. Two menacing men confronted me at my shop. They’re looking for my bruder, Abel, who left the Amish life in Lancaster to live in the world.”

  Noah pushed his back against the chair. “I’m surprised you have a bruder. Do you have any idea where he is? What did you tell them?”

  “I never told you about Abel, since Amish law forbids me to mention him. I had no choice but to talk about my bruder with you now because these men might kumme here searching for him.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “They are aware of where I live and have already been here. I’m not comfortable with you out here alone. It would be best if you didn’t work for me.”

  Noah frowned and his pleading eyes watered. “You need me. You can’t handle the farm and store yourself. We discussed my continuing to work here when you found evidence a stranger had hidden in your barn.” He leaned forward. “Please, Mark, I need this job. I’m not afraid. I always keep my shotgun loaded to fire warning shots to the neighbors. If I need someone, they’ll kumme running.”

  Mark’s shoulders slumped and he closed his eyes for a moment. Noah had a point. What should he do? He understood Noah’s dilemma. Eighteen years of age, Noah would soon choose a fraa and have a place of his own. If his loyal friend wanted to stay and work for him, he should honor his request. The thugs might never show up. He would pray for God to protect Noah. “The intruder hasn’t done anything to threaten us. I have firsthand knowledge the hooligans who roughed me up are dangerous.” He paused. “All right, you can continue to work here, but please be mindful of your surroundings. Don’t let your guard down.”

  “Don’t worry. Mr. Pine and Mr. Zook stop and check on me now and then. I’m sure Mamm has asked them to keep an eye on me.”

  Mark sipped his water. “Mr. Zook’s and Mr. Pine’s visits ease my mind a bit, but you’ll be here alone most of the time. Be alert.”

  “I will. Danki, Mark. Your trust and confidence means a lot to me. I’ll be fine. Don’t fret.”

  Mark bid farewell to Noah, lit the stove to warm leftover stew, and slumped heavily in a kitchen chair. Why couldn’t life be simple? He liked living in Berlin, and he’d met beautiful Grace, benevolent friends and neighbors, and enjoyed a profitable living farming and running his store. He didn’t want any trouble.

  After he finished his meal, he went to check for signs of anyone who may have been in his barn. Opening the trunk, his head jerked in surprise. A yellow scarf lay on top of the bag. He picked it up. Had the stranger staying in his barn been a woman? The scarf’s threads had been woven from fine silk. Not the type of material an Amish woman would wear. This elegant piece of clothing would’ve been expensive.

  He pushed it aside and held up the stranger’s bag. Blood stained the side. He untied the bundle and found the Blue Diamond matches were inside, but the jar of water was empty. What’s this? Fabric tied in a knot containing money lay inside the bag. The stranger had to have returned and put it there, along with the scarf. Not wanting to remove the money, he fingered the coins through the material and guessed the thin bag contained about three dollars. He set the illicit stash back where he’d found it.

  He pinched his chin. Had a woman taken refuge in his barn? Where had the blood on the bag kumme from? Again, he hadn’t heard a sound. Noah hadn’t either. He dropped the bag back in the trunk and laid the scarf on top.

  Mark inched his way through the crowd outside his store on Wednesday morning and unlocked the front door, and men and women flooded in. He answered questions and hurried to accept money for his products. Moving to the left or right, he bumped into shoppers.

  A burly Englischer tapped his shoulder. “I visited your store a while back and told my friends about your fine furniture. We came together to buy furniture and goods for the new homes we built. Our wagons are outside.”

  “Danki for spreading the word about my store.”

  “Do you have another potato box? My friend and I both want the one you have in the corner.”

  “Jah, I have another potato box under the shelf over there.” He pointed to the back. The number of customers wanting to purchase goods overwhelmed him. He wondered if Grace and Sarah were busy. Men and women waited for his attention. If he didn’t have help, patrons might get frustrated and leave. He peeked around the door between their shops. Grace stood folding quilts. “Grace, would you mind helping me? I have a lot of potential buyers in my shop.”

  She dropped the quilts on the counter. “Sarah, I’m going to assist Mark. He’s overrun with shoppers.”

  “Go ahead. We’re not busy. I can manage.”

  Grace rushed to him and entered his shop. “Your display cabinet filled with boxes of Blue Diamond matches and assortment of knives is getting a lot of interest. There isn’t a bare spot left on the floor for another person to stand!” She greeted and waited on patrons, while he did the same. Noon passed, and they were too busy to pause for dinner. He couldn’t believe his good fortune.

  He noticed men and women bought some of his miniature wooden toys for their kinner, and others browsed and left without buying anything. Grace spoke highly of his handcrafted toys and sold a small lamb to a mamm holding a little boy’s hand. He stole glances at Grace.

  Mark was delighted Grace was there with him. Was there anything she couldn’t do? He didn’t think so.

  The last customer departed. “Danki for rescuing me.”

  She laughed and stretched. “You’ve had a profitable day.”

  “Jah. I sold a lot of high-priced items, plus my display cabinet is about empty.”

  “I’m not surprised. You do exquisite work and offer an assortment of useful household items as well as essential furniture. I’m delighted for you. Each shop owner longs for a day like the one you’ve had today.” She checked the clock. “Since the patrons have dwindled here, I better return to Sarah.”

  “Oh no, I shouldn’t have taken you from her for so long.”

  “I’m sure Sarah’s fine. She wouldn’t hesitate to kumme and get me if she needed me.”

  “I’ve got disturbing news. The stranger came back.” He described the scarf and blood on the flour sack.

  She opened her mouth in surprise. “I would never have guessed a woman would be stowing a bag in your trunk. How did blood get on the bag? She mustn’t have been too hurt to walk, or she would’ve still been there. Did you notice blood on the ground?”

  “No. There wasn’t any sign of blood on the trunk, barn floor, or outside.”

  She tapped her lip with her finger and raised her eyebrows. “I’m baffled.”

  He shrugged. “I left the sack in the trunk. Maybe she’ll kumme back for it.” He hesitated and then told her about the thugs visiting his shop and why. “Grace, please be mindful. If any men kumme into your store and sound like the description I’ve given you, grab Sarah and run through our connecting door.”

  Grace wrinkled her nose. “They didn’t bother us. I doubt they’d have any reason to kumme into our store.” She wrung her hands. “I’m worried about you and your bruder.”

  Her concern warmed him. Her fearlessness scared him. “I’ll be all right.” He couldn’t put Abel out of his mind. “Sounds like Abel’s up to no good from what these ruffians told me, but there’s nothing I can do but pray for him.”

  “I’ll pray for his safety and yours.”

  A man came in.

  Mark whispered to Grace, “It brightened my day to have you by my side. I appreciate your help.”

  She waved as the Englischer approached him.

  He listened to the door shut behind him. He missed her when they weren’t together. He could talk to her about anything, and she understood. She hadn’t scolded him for bringing up Abel, even though it was forbidden. Grace wasn’t a judgmental person, but a compassionate one. There were so many reasons why he loved her. Her physical beauty sent his heart
racing. The sound of her soft voice, her gaze into his eyes said she cared about whatever he had to say, good or bad. He admired her midwifery and manager skills. It set her apart from other Amish women in the community in his eyes. The more he learned about her, the more he loved her.

  The man strolled around his store, picked up toys, and slid his hand across the wooden frames and household products. Weak from missing dinner, Mark wished the patron would make his selection and leave, but the shopper asked lots of questions.

  The Englischer held a small oak footstool. “I like this fine piece.”

  Mark collected his money and wished the man a pleasant day.

  His store’s appearance was a mess. Sighing, he grabbed a broom and swept dirt off the floor and out the back door, straightened toppled toys on the shelves, and righted quilt racks turned sideways.

  Outside, he locked the door. Grace and Sarah had left. Surveying the area, he didn’t catch sight of the menacing men searching for Abel. He sensed he hadn’t seen the last of them, though. The scent of fried chicken drifted from the Berlin Restaurant. He crossed the boardwalk and stepped inside. The bell clanged overhead and the restaurant buzzed with conversations of men and women filling the round oak tables and chairs. Amish waitresses jotted customers’ orders and bustled back and forth to the kitchen. A display of delicious desserts on a tray caught his attention. He found a seat across from a small window.

  The young maedel set a glass of water in front of him. “What would you like to order? Our special is shepherd’s pie.”

  “I’d like the special and bread pudding, please.”

  She jotted the order on paper and went to the kitchen.

  Mark watched the men and women passing the restaurant, bags in hand. He’d had a busy week at the shop, and he missed dinner with Grace and Sarah. What a profitable week both their shops had experienced. Wagon trains and travelers from all over had kumme through town and kept them busy.

  He was certain the mystery woman would return to collect her money. It didn’t make sense she had such an expensive scarf but needed to sleep overnight in a barn. Perhaps she was hiding from somebody. Why not go the sheriff if she was in danger, or was she hiding from the law?