Grace's Forgiveness

by Molly Jebber

  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.

  He turned to Mr. Blauch. “Danki for introducing me to Noah. I’m relieved to find someone to possibly lighten my workload.”

  “Good.” Mr. Blauch put his hand on Mark’s shoulder. “Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you get in a bind.” He pointed at Grace. “And another thing, you’re wilkom in our home anytime. It must be tough to live alone without family.” He dropped his arm to his side. “The main table is full of food dishes. The women must have everything set out. People are filling their plates. Let’s fill ours.” Mr. Blauch’s pleasant expression showed his approval. This had been a splendid conversation.

  Mark swallowed around the lump in his throat. Mr. Blauch had taken an interest in him and treated him like family. The man’s kind comments reverberated in his mind. It was a generous offer, considering Grace’s daed had his property to manage. If he did need help, he would ask Grace’s dae
d. Mr. Blauch’s demeanor and tone seemed sincere.

  Mark and Mr. Blauch set their heaping plates on the picnic table and sat.

  He winked at Jonah. Did he have anything with him he could give to Jonah? “Mr. Blauch, I’ll be back in a minute. I need to fetch something from my wagon.”

  Mr. Blauch, mouth full, nodded.

  He strode to the stable and removed a miniature horse he’d carved from a bag he’d stuffed there to take to his shop tomorrow. He found Jonah with his parents. He exchanged pleasantries with Mr. and Mrs. Keim and then presented the horse to the little boy. “This is for you.”

  Jonah’s mouth flew open. He set his spoon on his plate. “Danki. I’m going to name him Star.”

  Mark cocked his head. “Why?”

  “You painted a white spot on his head. I’m going to pretend it’s a star.”

  He laughed. “I like the name.” He ruffled Jonah’s curls. “Take care, Jonah.”

  The boy hugged Mark’s legs then sat on the bench next to his daed.

  Jonah’s parents thanked him and wilkomed him to the community.

  Mark returned to his seat and pulled his plate closer. “I’m anxious to sample everything on my plate.” He picked up the soft white bread and slathered it with chicken spread, then separated his pickles, beets, and celery into sections. He placed two oatmeal cookies on the corner of his plate.

  Mr. Blauch dipped his spoon in buttered peas. “Everything is scrumptious.”

  Grace passed them two jars. “Here’s lemonade to drink. Do you need anything else?”

  Mark smiled through full cheeks and shook his head.

  Moments later, she returned with her plate arrayed with much smaller portions of vegetables. She sat next to him.

  Mrs. Blauch joined them and held an apple. “Would you like this, Mark? I grabbed it for you. I noticed you don’t have any fruit.”

  The act touched him. Mrs. Blauch’s thoughtful gesture reminded him of his mamm. He missed her love and attention. A decent cook, he could almost taste his favorite foods of vegetable stew, bread pudding, and apple tarts. He accepted the apple. “Danki. I appreciate it.”

  They conversed about the warm day, the delectable food the women had prepared, and how blessed they were to have a bishop to deliver such a fine sermon.

  Mark drew in a breath. The message was good, but the man’s subject matter touched a little too close to home.

  After they finished their meal, the women gathered baskets and loaded them in their wagons.

  Ever since he met Grace, he sensed a spark between them. The more he talked to her, the more he liked her. They had skirted around their emotions with longing looks and kind words. She had captured his heart. He gestured her aside. “Your parents are delightful. Your daed offered me an open invitation to visit him at any time. You’re blessed to have such gracious parents.”

  “Mamm and Daed have soft hearts. I’m pleased you’re comfortable around them.”

  Levi and Sarah joined them, and they quieted. “We wanted to say farewell before we left. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” The couple sauntered off to retrieve their wagon.

  “I should go home and check on my animals, but I don’t want to leave you.” Mark darted his eyes around. No one paid attention to them. He squeezed her hand for a moment. She didn’t jerk it away. Her soft skin and dainty fingers warmed his heart. He released it before anyone noticed.

  Her face pinked. “Join Sarah and me for dinner tomorrow.”

  “I look forward to it.” He waited until she’d reached her parents then walked to the barn to retrieve his buggy. On the way home, he laughed at the deer frolicking in the meadow. He nodded to the stagecoach driver passing by.

  He liked the direction his life was taking, and especially the prospect of having Grace as a potential fraa. He was twenty-two and didn’t want to wait much longer to wed and start a family. Precious Grace might be the one. Jah, this had been a perfect day.

  Arriving home, he secured his horse. Last night he’d searched for a larger kettle he remembered packing when he left Lancaster. Where had he put it? Maybe he’d find it in the old trunk he brought from home. In the corner of the barn, he peeked inside.

  He gasped and lifted a flour sack. He hadn’t packed this bag. Dropping it, he ran outside and scanned his property. Quiet, and no one in sight, he rushed to the trunk. Who put it in here? He reached for it and untied the bundle. A box of Blue Diamond matches and a jar of water lay inside. Had the same intruder who’d sought shelter in his barn left this here? Abel? He shook his head. Abel would ask him for help. The stranger must be hiding from the law or too proud to ask for food and shelter. Why had this stranger chosen his barn to stash his belongings? He didn’t want any trouble. He stuffed it where he found it. Maybe the owner would kumme back and claim his stash, and he’d confront him. He’d keep a close eye out.

  Chapter Four

  Grace woke to the rooster’s crow Monday morning. She blinked a few times and sat up in bed. Her life had taken a wilkom change meeting Mark. His face flashed in her mind before she went to bed and when she opened her eyes. She’d pictured herself living with her parents or in a small home alone for the rest of her life. Mark presented possibilities she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on. She hoped their interest grew and resulted in marriage. She was enjoying the hope she felt in her heart that she may experience being a fraa and mamm someday. She rose, dressed, and joined Mamm in the kitchen. “Bacon smells delightful.”

  Sliding the rest of the bacon from the skillet onto a plate, Mamm raised her eyebrows. “You’re chipper this morning.” She gave her a mischievous grin. “Does Mark King have anything to do with your cheery mood? You like him, don’t you?”

  She suspected her mamm worried her dochder would remain a spinster. Grace had wondered if God planned to have her remain unwed, since more than one man had rejected her daed’s offer to arrange a marriage with her.

  She remembered waiting for her daed to kumme home and the first time he’d left to ask a man to marry her. The man had met her in church. He’d stared at the ground, and she’d hoped he was just shy and not avoiding looking at her cheek. Hope rang in her heart until her daed told her the man had declined his offer. No matter how kind her daed was in delivering the hurtful news, the words ugly, alone, and unwanted flashed in her mind and filled her with dread.

  Six months later, her daed begged her permission to arrange another marriage. She had relented and regretted it. The man came to the door, took one look at her, winced, and said he couldn’t look at her face for the rest of his life and left. Her daed told her with tears in his eyes how sorry he was to have asked the man. He’d misjudged him. She felt ugly, alone, and unwanted all over again.

  Grace never wanted to settle for an arranged marriage in the first place, but she thought it was the only way she’d ever have kinner. Her desire was to fall in love with the man she would wed, but she hadn’t thought it might be possible until now. “I do like him. I’ve enjoyed learning about him these past weeks.”

  “At church yesterday, I noticed the gleam in his eye when he looked at you.” Mamm patted her hand. “The good news is your daed likes him.” Mamm joined her at the table.

  It was important her parents approved of Mark, since she considered him a potential husband. “Maybe God sent Mark to Berlin for me.”

  Mamm spooned scrambled eggs onto Grace’s plate and hers then sat. A smile lighted her face. “God sends us surprises when we least expect them. Maybe you’re right.”

  Grace gulped her breakfast down in four bites, grabbed her bag, the picnic basket, and crossed the grassy yard to the barn. She raised her chin, closed her eyes, and let the breeze spread across her face. Summer was delightful. She secured her horse and buckboard. On the way, she waved to friends passing her. She waited her turn at the busy stable then handed the liveryman her horse’s reins. Strolling to the shop, she waved to friends opening their stores. The familiar rattle of wooden buggy wheels sounded on the dirt road
in the middle of town. The peddler stood haggling with a man over one of his more elegant canes. An Englischer shook his fist at a driver kumming to close to him.

  She turned her key in the lock and opened the door to their store. The connecting door opened. She jumped and brought her hand to her mouth. Mark’s handsome face stared back at her.

  “Good morning. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  She giggled. “I’m fine.”

  “I met with Noah Schwartz this morning, and he’s agreed to work for me. Thanks to your daed, my life should be much easier from now on. Noah was determined to start work right away. He’s working at my place as we speak.”

  “You’ll not regret your decision. Noah’s a hard worker and has a cheerful disposition. He’s a pleasant person to have around. My daed has asked him for assistance a number of times. He liked Noah’s work ethic and his bright outlook on life.”

  “Do you have any concerns about him?”

  “He’s curious about the world. Daed worries he’s too inquisitive. He’s eighteen and has joined the church, committing to the Amish life, but he seems restless at times. Daed fears he’ll visit the outside world and not kumme back.”

  “Maybe his choosing to work for me is a sign he’s planning on staying. I’ll do what I can to tamp down his interest in the outside world.” Mark perused the shop. “You’re not busy yet. Let me show you what I brought in today.”

  She stepped inside his shop. He’d added more rocking horses for small Englischer kinner. The wooden horses had carved manes and big eyes. Unlike the first rocking horses he brought in to the store, leather reins hung attached for small fingers to grasp. Amish maedels would like the faceless dolls. Full-length trains on the bottom shelf now had cabooses next to them. The same three-inch tic-tac-toe wooden X’s and O’s on gray and black squared boards filled the second shelf.

  Sarah entered. “Good morning. I hoped I’d find you here.”

  Grace waved her over. “Cast your eyes on this hope chest. It’s exquisite.”