Grace's Forgiveness

by Molly Jebber

  Mark raked a hand through his hair. “I would assume the thief who stole your things is the same man who hid in my barn. This stranger must be in trouble with the law or up to no good. Otherwise, he’d ask us for help. The women shouldn’t walk or drive alone until we catch this thief. This man could be dangerous. I’ll stay awake as long as I can tonight. Maybe he will show up again and I’ll capture him.”

  Levi rose and patted Mark’s shoulder. “Stay alert. Fire shots in the air tonight if you need any help.”

  “I’ll be fine. You watch over Sarah.”

  “Sarah told me you’re opening a store in town a week from Saturday. Congratulations. We need a store like yours.”

  “Danki. You’re welcome to visit here or my store anytime. Take care, and enjoy the rest of your night.”

  Levi waved and departed.

  Mark went to his workshop and finished cutting and sanding wood for two chairs. The sky darkened, and he lit a lantern to walk back to the haus. It was time for supper. A bacon and tomato sandwich would hit the spot and satisfy his hunger. He gathered what he needed, set the items on the table, and then reached for a plate. He’d use his small wood-burning stove for the bacon.

  He tossed in a couple of sticks and corn cobs in the stove, poured a bit of kerosene over the kindling, and lit the fire. Flames flickered and he replaced the plate and waited until the fire burned hot.

  He set a cast-iron skillet on top and dropped six slices of bacon in it. Moments later, the pleasant scent of the smoked hog meat he bought yesterday from the General Store sizzled and filled the air. He sliced two pieces of the fresh bakery bread and then cut a slice of tomato. I’m thirsty. He poured a glass of water and sipped it then layered his sandwich.

  Positioning his chair in front of the window, he had a perfect view of the barn while he enjoyed his meal. Eyes heavy, he put his plate on the floor beside his chair and blinked his eyes to stay awake. Darkness fell, and he sat without light but left the lantern at his feet. Eyes on the structure, he settled back in the chair.

  The early morning sun shone through the window on Thursday and heated his face. Mark opened his eyes and glanced at the clock. Four in the morning. He’d fallen fast asleep. Bolting to the barn, he scanned the area on the way there. No sign of anyone.

  He would have to warn Grace not to travel alone until this thief left town or was caught. His heart quickened. He didn’t want her or anyone else getting hurt.

  Chapter Two

  Grace woke and dressed earlier than usual. Then she went to the kitchen and poured coffee into a container, darted outside, secured her horse to the wagon, and went to town. She stopped at the livery and handed her horse’s reins to the liveryman. The townsfolk filled the boardwalk this glorious, bright, sunshiny Thursday morning. Dodging in between the men and women entering and exiting shops, she breathed in the apple scent as she passed the bakery. They must be preparing tarts. Yummy. The familiar peddler’s loud voice coaxing passersby to buy his hand-carved canes rang in her ears.

  She gritted her teeth at the squeaky spring of the wagon’s wheels ahead of her. Hurrying past them, the smooth rhythm of the horse’s hooves clippity clopping next to her was a pleasant change. The aroma of beef wafted out the window as she passed the Berlin Restaurant. She closed her eyes for a brief moment and breathed it in. She’d swallowed a gulp of water and had three bites of a buttered biscuit in a hurry at home. Mark was coming to her shop, and she planned to arrive early.

  Butterflies in her stomach danced with excitement. Mark would be in the store most of the day. What would she discover about him? She paused and her breath caught.

  Mark stood at the front door. “Good morning, Grace.”

  Oh no. He had arrived before her. Shelves and a crate of supplies were already stacked outside the door. He’d been busy. She left home forty-five minutes earlier than her usual time in order to get to work to have coffee ready for him before he arrived. It didn’t matter. The more time they had to visit before customers came in, the better. “Good morning, Mark. Please kumme in. I’ll heat coffee.” She reached into her pocket, pulled out the worn brass key, and opened the front door for him.

  Smiling, he entered with her and held a straight wooden handle attached to his open toolbox. “I’ll set this down and then bring in the rest of the wood and supplies. I’d love a cup of coffee before I start work. I came early hoping we’d have a chance to visit.”

  She stepped back and opened the door for him to exit. He had kumme early to visit with her. Maybe this would be the start of something wonderful. She bit her lip, a nervous habit she’d tried to break. Don’t jump to conclusions. She hardly knew the man. “The corner would be fine.”

  Moving to the back of the room, she threw kindling in the small woodstove and lit a fire to heat the coffee. Each time he walked in and out of the shop, her heart fluttered.

  He brought two shelves in at a time and stacked them on the floor. He then carried in the rest of his things. “Do I smell coffee?”

  Her heart fluttered again at the sound of his voice. “Yes.” She handed him a mug.

  “Did you kumme to town by yourself this morning?”

  “Yes, I always do. Why?”

  “Someone broke into my barn yesterday. Blankets piled on straw lead me to believe he sought shelter there. He hasn’t returned, but he may be hiding in the woods. You and Sarah shouldn’t travel alone until we’re certain he’s gone or caught.”

  His face showed concern. Should she be worried? The stranger might be harmless and in need of a warm place to lay his head. Maybe he was shy and afraid to ask for help. “I would be upset about this news if our community had experienced trouble from Englischers, but we haven’t had reason to lock our doors for years. If the stranger meant to harm anyone, he would have done so. He probably needed a place to sleep and necessities to help him survive.”

  “Levi visited me. He told me things are missing from his haus. I suspect the same intruder robbed him and slept in my barn. Please don’t go anywhere alone.”

  “I’m not afraid. He hasn’t harmed anyone. I doubt he will.”

  “Grace, I understand you want to find the good in people, but you must be careful. I don’t want any harm to kumme to you.”

  He’s frowning. I’ve upset him. He had her best interest at heart. Was their meeting the start of something special? She shouldn’t be difficult. “I’ll heed your advice.”

  Grace and Mark talked about the exact placement of the shelves. At eight o’clock, customers entered and interrupted their conversation. Grace greeted the women. They requested she unfold one coverlet after another. She explained the patterns on each.

  Mark set his coffee on a small table then removed his carpenter’s apron and tools from his scuffed and weathered toolbox. He tied on his apron, hammered, braced, and nailed ten long shelves on the longest wall on the right side of the shop throughout the morning.

  Grace fretted patrons would complain about the noise, but she overheard customers comment on the excellence of his work and on the beauty of the wood grain in the shelves. She liked a man who could fix and build things.

  Every chance she got, she stole glimpses at him. She caught him looking over his shoulder at her several times. Would they have time to talk today? Maybe he’d stay for dinner. She had prepared an extra thick ham and bacon sandwich for him before she left home this morning, hoping he’d stay for the noon meal. Maybe they could eat early.

  Sarah entered and dropped her plain reticule under the counter. “Hello to you both.” She kissed Grace on the cheek and stroked the last board Mark had hung. “This shelf is far more striking than any I’d anticipated we’d have for our shop. You’re a fine craftsman, Mark. The finely sanded oak you used to make the shelves is exquisite. Grace told me about your furniture store. I told Levi, and he’s thrilled for you. He and his friends are going to help you manage your farm until you have a chance to hire someone.” She stepped back and admired his work. “They are sturdy and will hol
d a lot of quilts, blankets, and other textiles.”

  “Danki, Sarah. I’ll appreciate their help.”

  Grace joined them. “The shelves are gorgeous. Our space will look less cluttered, and customers will have more choices.” She poured more coffee in his now half-empty mug. He gripped the cup with such force, she expected it to break. No doubt he wanted to ensure he wouldn’t drop it again. Poor man had a time holding on to things. He’d dropped his hammer a couple of times.

  “Danki. I’m pleased you like them. They will fill up the wall quite nicely.” He held up his mug. “Danki for the coffee. I better get back to work.”

  The bell clanged. “Grace, is my pocket quilt ready?”

  “Yes. I have it right here.” She crossed the room, ducked behind the wooden counter, and passed Mrs. Paulson a gray and white circle of love keepsake pocket quilt.

  The gray-haired Amish woman removed the exact amount of money from her black reticule with her bony fingers and paid for her purchase. “Someone robbed Samuel and Irma’s haus last night, while they were visiting her parents.” Mrs. Paulson shook her head in dismay.

  Sarah startled, tripped on her dark blue dress, caught the table edge, and straightened. “What did they find missing?”

  “The bandit stole a tin can full of loose change they keep by their bread box. If a man or woman needs help, why wouldn’t they knock on the door and ask? I’m afraid he’s running from the law. Please keep a watchful eye.”

  Berlin hadn’t had trouble from outlaws for a long time. Older kinner got into mischief now and then, but nothing serious. She hoped this wasn’t the start of trouble for her community. She and Sarah reassured their friend they’d heed her advice as Mrs. Paulson exited the store.

  Sarah lowered her voice. “Levi is up in arms about this thief helping himself to our things. I told him he shouldn’t overreact. The intruder who came into our haus while we were gone didn’t steal anything we couldn’t replace.” Her brow lifted. “Maybe Levi’s right. We don’t know what this man is up to. After listening to Mrs. Paulson’s news, I’ll be more cautious walking or driving my wagon alone. You should too.”

  Grace whispered in Sarah’s ear. “Yes. Mark is worried and asked we be aware of our surroundings.”

  Two customers entered, and Sarah left Grace’s side to help them.

  Grace studied Mark as he pounded a brace in the wall. His long, lean arms stretched high. She couldn’t help from swooning over him. His strong arms, tall legs, manners, kind eyes, and pleasant voice were some of the reasons, she supposed. She joined him. “Is there anything I can get you?”

  “No. You have enough to do managing your store. I don’t want to interrupt your work. I overheard your customer say an intruder had stolen things from another haus.”

  “Yes. I’m surprised. Sarah and I will be on alert from now on.”

  “Good. I apologize for all the noise. I’ll be done around eleven.”

  She didn’t mind the noise. She liked watching him work. After he opened his store, she hoped he’d use the connecting door between their shops. If he didn’t, she would. She and Sarah waited on a steady stream of customers. The store emptied and Grace stretched and yawned.

  He packed his tools and supplies then joined her. “I’m finished.”

  “I brought sandwiches. I wouldn’t want you to leave hungry. It wouldn’t be right after all the work you’ve done for us.”

  His handsome face lit with a smile. “I appreciate the offer. I’d like to join you.”

  Her cheeks heated. Mark was a gentleman and generous. Two more reasons to add to her list as to why she liked him. If she were writing his wonderful traits on paper, she’d need another sheet. She washed her hands, served the sandwiches, then removed three jars of water from an icebox. She tilted her head to a small table and chairs off to the side of the room. “We can sit here.”

  He patted his stomach. “Danki. This is kind of you, Grace.”

  Sarah joined them. “I didn’t have much breakfast. I’m glad we’re eating earlier than usual.”

  “I’ll say a prayer of danki for our food.” Mark bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for our sins and danki for the food we are about to eat. Danki for your love and mercy. Amen.”

  Grace raised her head. “Danki, Mark.”

  “The air is warm, the birds fill the trees, and wildflowers fill the meadows. It’s difficult to stay inside on a day like this.” Sarah sipped her water.

  This was the perfect place for her, sunny or not. Grace liked watching Mark work. She looked at his plate. He’d devoured half his sandwich before she had taken two bites out of hers. He must like ham and bacon. She chatted about the weather with Sarah and Mark in between bites.

  The three of them finished with their food. Grace wiped the plates with a rag and put them in the basket to take home and wash later as she carried on her conversation with Sarah and Mark about Mamm’s new recipe for corn pudding.

  A woman rushed into the shop.

  Grace wiped her mouth and stood. “How can we help you?”

  The woman paled. “Is there a midwife here? I asked the postmaster where I could find one, and he sent me here. He said to ask for Grace Blauch.”

  “I’m Grace Blauch. How can I help you?”

  “My friend, Annabelle Watson, is in my buggy outside. She’s ready to give birth. Please help us.”

  Sarah addressed the woman. “Madam, you stay with me. We don’t want to get in Grace and Mark’s way when they bring Mrs. Watson to our back room.”

  Grace dashed out after Mark and stood behind him.

  “Madam, my name is Mark King. I would like to help you inside. Grace Blauch is behind me. She’s a midwife.”

  The distressed woman held her arms out to him. “I’m Annabelle Watson. Yes, please help me.”

  He reached inside and lifted the Englischer out of the open doorway of the buggy and carried her inside. “Where should I take her?”

  “Lay her on the cot in the back room.” Grace darted ahead and opened the entry door, and then she led him across the shop, where the small room’s door was already open for him. She smiled at the woman’s friend. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll fetch you after the boppli is born.”

  Mark lowered Mrs. Watson on the cot and backed out of the room. He closed the door behind him.

  The distressed woman groaned and pressed her hands against her swollen belly. Her eyes rolled with fear.

  Grace brushed sweat-dampened hair off the woman’s cheek and tucked a pillow under her head. “Take a deep breath and relax.” Grace washed and dried her hands then untied her medical bag. On a small table close to the bed, she arranged clean towels, a stethoscope, a syringe bulb, scissors, a needle and thread, and saline solution.

  Mark knocked on the door. “May I do anything for you?”

  “If Sarah is busy, please warm two pots of water on the stove. I’d appreciate it.”

  Grace positioned herself at the end of the cot. “How are you doing?”

  The woman trembled. She held a hand to her stomach. “Ack! My baby is coming.”

  Grace pushed Mrs. Watson’s dress to her chest and removed the woman’s undergarments. She eyed the boppli’s head. “I’m going to count to three. On three, push hard. One, two, and three.”

  Mrs. Watson grunted and pushed. “Ack!”

  Grace caught the slippery tiny maedel. “You have a dochder.”

  The newborn wailed.

  After cutting and tying off the umbilical cord, Grace suctioned the newborn’s nose and mouth. She grabbed her stethoscope and stuck the tips in her ears with one hand and checked the boppli’s heartbeat. She wiped the infant with a dry cloth. “She didn’t waste any time coming into this world.” Grace placed the infant on Mrs. Watson’s chest. She washed her hands again. “You rest while I clean your dochder. I’ll remove your afterbirth and wash you in a few minutes.” She placed a lightweight blanket over the mamm’s legs and took the newborn.

  Sarah cra
cked the door open and peeked in. “Mark warmed water. Do you need it?”

  “Yes. I would appreciate it.” She accepted the water. “Boppli and Mamm are doing fine.”

  “I’m Sarah Helmuth, and I understand from your friend, Mrs. Opal Fox, you are Annabelle Watson. In addition to being a midwife, Grace is also my business partner. We manage this shop together.” Sarah joined Grace and put her finger in the newborn’s hand. “She’s so tiny.” She glanced over her shoulder. “What did you name her?”

  “Her name is Julia Watson.”

  “Grace, I’ll fetch anything you need. I’ll be out front. Mark left for a bit, but he’s back. I suspect he was uncomfortable. He’s filled another pot of water and put it on the stove to warm while I assisted a patron. He’ll knock on the door when it’s ready.” Sarah nodded at the mamm and dashed out of the room.

  Grace suspected Sarah wanted to escape the bloodstained sheets. Her friend couldn’t stand the sight of blood. She washed the infant and checked her from head to toe. The wrinkled red-skinned maedel kicked her long legs, fisted her hands, and cried. Grace found no visible signs of anything abnormal. What a beauty. She had coal black fuzzy hair, a button nose, and fat cheeks.

  A soft knock on the door caught her attention. “Yes?”

  Mark’s voice startled her. “I have more warm water. Would you like me to leave it by the door?”

  “Yes. Danki.”

  Sarah returned with a pot of warm water and set it on the floor next to Grace. “Here’s the water Mark heated for you.” She beheld the little maedel. “She’s so pretty.” She grinned at the mamm and motioned to Grace. “Again, if you need me, give me a shout.” She rushed to leave.

  Grace yanked a small pink blanket from a shelf and swaddled the infant in it and then delivered Julia to Mrs. Watson. “How are you holding up?”

  Tears stained the new mamm’s cheeks. “I’m tired, but happy. The baby blanket is beautiful.”