by Molly Jebber
“I will.” Noah gave him a reluctant look then departed.
Mark beheld Grace with pleading eyes. “Please go, Grace. What will your family and friends say? And what punishment will the bishop bestow on you if he finds out. Think of the dire consequences.”
Pursing her lips, she threw back her shoulders. “So be it. I’d rather be scolded than to leave you here alone sick. I’ll speak to them about this later.” He was right. If anyone found out, she’d be shunned for a period of time for staying with Mark in his haus alone. It wasn’t proper, since they were unmarried. She wouldn’t abandon him. Getting caught was worth the risk. “Mark, I’ll return in a minute.”
Grace bolted outside and found Noah. “Don’t tell anyone where I am. Tell my parents I’ll explain my absence from the funeral when I arrive home.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t have told anyone anyway. I’m glad you’re here to help Mark. I’m worried about him. I’ll return after the funeral and spend the night if he needs me to.”
“Danki, Noah.”
“Take care, Grace.” He secured the grave marker in the wagon and untied his horse.
She went inside the haus and entered Mark’s room. She approached the side of his bed. Putting a hand to his cheek, she found he remained very warm. She poured water in a bowl and dipped the cloth in it and then gently dabbed his face over and over. Her heart hurt. His restlessness and quivering showed his discomfort, and she felt helpless to ease his pain.
A few hours passed, and his fever broke. She relaxed, rolled her shoulders, and sat quiet. He dozed in and out the rest of the afternoon. His restless legs stilled beneath the covers.
She startled when he touched her. “I must have fallen asleep. I’m sorry. How are you feeling?”
“You’re an angel to care for me like this.” He attempted to sit up.
Mark’s hand had cooled and his eyes appeared less cloudy. The medicine must’ve worked. She pointed her finger. “No. You stay put. Noah will do the chores, and you need your rest. You’re weak and it will take a day or two to regain your strength.” She pushed the chair back. “Now that’s settled, do you want anything to eat?”
“Bread with peach jam slathered on top and coffee?”
Grace waggled her finger. “Not a good choice, since you’re sick. Settle your head in the pillow. I’ll bring the appropriate food on a tray.” She left the room.
In the kitchen, she found what she needed in the cupboard and prepared his meal. She carried it to his room. She gasped. “Get back in bed. What are you doing?”
He sat on the edge of the bed, still in his work clothes from the day before. “I’ll join you at the table.”
She set the pinewood tray on the bedside table. Why wouldn’t he cooperate? His body must be weak. She couldn’t stay much longer. Didn’t he realize he could get sick again if he didn’t listen to her? “You are a difficult patient. I’m trying to help you, but you’re exasperating.”
He scooted back on the bed and sat. “I apologize. I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
She softened. Maybe he wasn’t as stubborn as she feared. His face was contrite as if guilty. She had to stand her ground and have him take her seriously. “I fixed you chicken broth and bread and butter. Get back in bed.”
He pushed his suspenders off his shoulders and pulled the covers over his pants and shirt. “This will hit the spot.” He sipped the broth. “This is what I needed. Danki.”
She sucked in her bottom lip. Her parents must wonder why she hadn’t shown up at the funeral. They might be worried she’d cut herself with the glass from her earlier mishap. She should head home and explain her whereabouts. It wouldn’t be an easy conversation. She hoped they’d be empathetic. The last thing she wanted to do was worry Mark about this. She’d keep it to herself. “I need to help Mamm and tell her you are good. Noah’s going to stay with you tonight. Now stay in bed.”
“Danki, Grace.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “Again, you’re my angel.”
His words warmed her from head to toe, and her hand tingled from his touch. It washed all the worry from her mind. Her face warmed. “I like being your angel.” She nervously twisted her kapp ribbons around her finger. “You scared me. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.” She gave him a sideways endearing glance. “I’m glad your fever has gone, but I won’t relax until you have fully recovered. Please stay home tomorrow.”
He mumbled, “Be careful going home. Danki, again, my beautiful Grace.”
She smiled at him, as he closed his heavy eyelids. She tiptoed out of the room and went outside to ready her horse and wagon. His barn and haus were much the same as her parents’ property, but his fields and pond were larger. The water glistened in the sunlight. Rows of vegetables in perfect lines looked pretty in his colorful garden. She breathed in the scent of honeysuckle growing wild near the barn, climbed in and sat on the bench seat. Reins in hand, she headed home. She hoped Mark would sleep the remainder of the day and get a good night’s rest. She had liked taking care of him, although she didn’t relish facing her parents’ displeasure when she told them she’d been with Mark alone and why.
Grace urged her horse into a trot. The barn doors were open. She chilled. Her parents had returned from the funeral sooner than she’d expected. No reason to wait to tell them where she had been today. Her hands quivered as she climbed out of the wagon. She took her time stowing her horse, then stared at the ground and took heavy footsteps to the haus. She entered the kitchen and cleared her throat.
Mamm faced her and put her hands on Grace’s shoulders. “Where were you? Noah said you’d explain when you arrived home. Your daed and I were frightened you were hurt or sick. Then I thought you may have been asked to help birth a boppli.”
“I’m fine. I told Noah not to tell you where I was so I could explain. He came to fetch you and me to help Mark.”
“What’s wrong with Mark?” Daed’s eyes narrowed. “Did you go to his haus alone?”
“No, Noah stayed with me until he left for the funeral. Mark had a high fever. I gave him medicine.”
Hands on hips, Daed stood in the kitchen doorway. “Is Mark doing better?”
“Yes, his fever broke. I’m hoping the food I prepared will give him strength.”
Her daed frowned and his eyes squinted.
He crossed his arms. “Am I to understand you stayed with Mark after Noah left?”
“Yes. His fever spiked dangerously high, and I had to make sure it broke before I left.” She put her quaking hands in her dress pockets. Her knees threatened to buckle. She stepped back.
He glared at her and stood, feet apart, shoulders straight. “I’m ashamed of you, Grace. You disobeyed Amish order.”
Mamm tapped her right foot. “Grace, you must mind your actions in the future. You don’t want friends and neighbors to gossip about you or Mark. If someone had caught sight of you alone with him, the bishop would ask our friends and neighbors to shun you for a period of time.”
“I understand.” Cringing, Grace shuffled her feet. She got caught up in the moment, and only saw that Mark needed her. She should’ve handled it differently, and had Noah tell Mamm at the funeral she needed her to kumme to Mark’s.
Daed stared at her, mouth shut in a grim line. “Enough said on the matter. Mind what your mamm tells you. I’ll speak to Noah and Mark about their part in this tomorrow.”
“Noah and Mark aren’t at fault. Mark begged me to go home for my reputation’s sake. They did as I asked.”
“They shouldn’t have listened to you. Noah should’ve fetched your mamm from the funeral to help. She would’ve obliged. Mark should’ve ordered you to go home.” He pushed the door open with force and strode outside.
She should’ve considered her reputation and Amish law when making the decision to care for Mark alone. Nonetheless, she didn’t want her daed to hold Mark or Noah responsible for her actions.
Mamm pursed her lips. “Don’t argue or spe
ak about this again with your daed.”
“All right.” Noah would probably take it in stride, but would her daed’s disapproval put a wedge between Mark and her parents? They had gotten along so well. This wasn’t good. She mustn’t push her mamm any further. Tired, she wanted to rest, but she should make peace with Mamm first. It would be rude not to ask Mamm about the funeral. “How did Mrs. Wittmer hold up?”
Mamm rolled her shoulders and rubbed her neck. “She misses her husband but says she finds comfort knowing he’s in God’s arms.”
She would want time alone when her parents joined God in Heaven. Even though friends and neighbors meant well, it would be too painful to speak to them about her loved one for a while, she just knew it. She shivered. She didn’t want to think about this anymore. “She’s a sweet woman.”
“I do like the custom of burying our deceased in white clothes to symbolize their passing on to eternal life.”
Grace plucked an apple from the fruit bowl. “How long did the bishop preach?”
“About an hour and a half, I’d guess. The women prepared a superb funeral meal.” She sat next to Grace and clasped her hand. “I like Mark. In spite of your error in judgment today, it tickles me to see you taken with him.”
Grace swallowed the bite of apple in her mouth. “I’ll be disappointed if he isn’t your son-in-law one day.”
“God hears your prayers and mine about Mark for you and your happiness.”
Grace hoped to mend fences with her daed this easily. She wondered what he would say to Mark.
Mark woke Saturday morning to a noisy woodpecker. He blinked. Stretching his arms above his head, he yawned. Fever gone, he sat up then slid out of bed. No dizziness today. He wished Grace’s mamm had kumme with her yesterday. It wasn’t good she and he were alone in his haus. What did her parents say when they found out? He would stop and visit Grace at the store this morning.
He dressed and went to the kitchen. Oatmeal, bread, and apple butter would go well together for breakfast. He readied the stove and prepared his meal.
A few minutes later, he burped and covered his mouth. Excuse me. He’d eaten too much. He found Noah in the barn. “I’m leaving for work.”
“Are you feeling better?”
“Jah. Whatever sickness I had has passed. Danki for your help, Noah.”
Mark wondered if the man who’d snuck into his barn and slept there weeks ago had returned for his bag he hid in the trunk in the corner. He opened the lid and searched for it. “Noah, the flour sack the intruder stuffed in my trunk a few weeks ago is gone. Have you found anything missing or out of place in here?”
“I haven’t noticed anything different in the barn, and I didn’t move the flour sack. Let’s search for the bag again.”
Noah rummaged around inside and held it up. “I found it. It’s here on the side.”
“Danki, Noah.”
“I doubt he’ll return.”
“I hope not. Have a pleasant day.” He climbed in his wagon and steered his horse to town. He was weak but felt much better. An eagle perched on a tree limb spread its wings and soared to the sky. The wildlife was a joy to watch on his way to work. The eagles were the most fascinating.
After arriving in town and dropping his horse and wagon at the livery, he opened the shop. Not quite as strong as usual, he moved about a little slow. He worried Grace wouldn’t understand and would scold him for not heeding her advice and resting at home today, but staying in bed wasn’t something he could afford to do. He’d never witnessed her temper until yesterday. No doubt it could be a problem when she found out he didn’t honor her request.
He stepped inside and met her cold eyes. “Good morning.”
Grace approached him, her face red. She eyed Sarah heading for a customer coming in the door and lowered her voice. “What are you doing here? We have to keep our voices low. I don’t want Sarah to find out I tended to you. She wouldn’t approve.”
He agreed Sarah shouldn’t discover she’d been at his haus alone, but her reprimand about his being at work was ridiculous. He didn’t owe her an explanation. She had taken excellent care of him, but he decided what he would and wouldn’t do. He’d had enough of her bossy tone and glare. “I won’t say a word to Sarah.” He crossed his arms. “My being here is not up to you.” He huffed. “I have to earn a living. Enough said on the matter.”
She crossed her arms and tapped her left foot. “You’re pale and your voice is weak. You have no business being here. You’re as stubborn as a mule.”
“Grace Blauch, you shouldn’t speak harsh to me. It isn’t proper.” He removed his hat. “I’d like us to resolve this awkwardness between us. I’ve recovered, and there’s no reason I shouldn’t be working. Furthermore, it was sweet of you to help nurse me back to health, but it’s not your decision whether I stay home or manage my shop.” He held her angry gaze.
She shoved her hands in her apron pockets and dropped her chin to her chest. She remained silent for a few moments then raised her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you in such a way. Speaking my mind has gotten me in trouble more than once. Forgive me?”
She’d put her hand on her cheek. A gesture she did to hide her birthmark when something upset her. Even though her temper had flared, she hurried to apologize. His worry she’d be stubborn and hold on to anger eased away. This was a good sign they could resolve conflicts. A trait he wanted in a potential fraa. “Of course I forgive you. Can we put this behind us?”
“Yes.” She stared at her feet. “Mark, my parents are upset about my caring for you alone. Daed may visit and scold you. I’m sorry. I hope you won’t allow his disapproval to change anything between us.”
He put on his hat. He didn’t want to kumme between Grace and her parents. He’d do his best to calm her daed about this matter. “Don’t fret. I respect his objection to you being at my haus alone with me. As far as we’re concerned, you have nothing to worry about.”
Grace gave him a shy grin. “Danki.”
Sarah peeked in a basket. Mark doubted she’d overheard their conversation. They’d been cautious and whispered.
Sarah turned around and held up a dish. “I bought some delicious bread pudding from the bakery. I’ll share a scoop with you and Grace after dinner. Kumme back about noon.”
“I never pass on dessert.” He paused. “The bag the intruder left behind in the trunk weeks ago is still there. There’s no sign of him being there.”
“I’d put this man out of your mind. Throw the bag away or use what’s in it.” Sarah straightened a quilt hanging on the wall.
Grace nodded.
“Noah agrees with you. To be on the safe side, both of you still be careful.”
They both murmured they’d be watchful.
Satisfied they’d heed his advice, he pushed the intruder out of his mind, bid them farewell, and headed to his store. He was late to open. Grace’s demeanor had changed for the better since their conversation. If any other woman had spoken to him as harshly as she had, he would’ve changed his mind about pursuing her, but not Grace. He loved her, and odd as it was, he also loved her reckless determination to speak her mind. She was sweet and tenderhearted but, at the same time, strong and opinionated. He’d always know where he stood with her. He hoped not to experience her directness too often. If so, it could be a problem.
When would Mr. Blauch visit him? If he didn’t kumme to his store before the end of the day, Mark would go to the Blauches’ haus and ask to speak to him. He had settled his differences with Grace, and he needed to settle differences with her parents.
Chapter Seven
Mark shut the door behind a patron and gazed at his shop. He picked up a knife with a small blade and chose a thick piece of oak. He sat and imagined a miniature toy bear. Slivers of wood flew off as he whittled and waited for another patron to visit the shop. The bear’s round belly, four legs, and head took shape.
Mr. Blauch entered. “Good morning. Are you feeling better?”
Mark stood and placed his knife and unfinished toy on the table. “Jah. Danki for asking. I was going to kumme to your haus after work to speak to you about Grace tending to me during my sickness. Please don’t be angry with Noah or Grace for wanting to help me.”
Mr. Blauch’s jaw clenched. He stood, feet apart, with arms crossed and head tilted. “Noah knows better than to listen to Grace. He’s an Amish man and has been taught our laws. He shouldn’t have taken her to your haus or left her alone with you, and you should’ve been more persistent with her and sent her home.”
The man’s statement came across direct and to the point. Mark would never forgive himself if this incident severed his relationship with Grace and her parents. “You’re right, Mr. Blauch. I apologize for not demanding she go home. I hope you can forgive me.”
Grace’s daed stared at him. “Don’t let it happen again.”
“Jah, sir.”
“Is Noah working at your place today?”
Mark wouldn’t let Noah take the blame for what happened. His friend had the best intentions in going to get Grace. “Please don’t blame him. I’m the one at fault.”
“I accept your apology.” He paused. “I’ll not speak to Noah myself about this, but I trust you’ll speak to him as to the proper person to alert should a situation present itself such as this again. Remind him of Amish law and his responsibility to uphold it. I expect you to do the same. Understood?”
It would’ve bothered him if Mr. Blauch had expressed his displeasure to Noah after all his friend had done to help him. “I understand, and I’ll do as you ask.” He scratched behind his ear. “Is everything all right between us?”
“I said what I had to say. I still think you’re a good man, but I won’t be as forgiving if you disappoint me again where Grace is concerned. I’m giving you leniency since you were sick and not yourself.”
“Danki, Mr. Blauch.”
“Good day, Mark.”