by Molly Jebber
He held up Mark’s present. “Mark brought us a new bread box.”
Sarah led Mark and Levi to the sitting room. “Mark, how sweet of you! Danki. Levi’s been in trouble over not replacing this one.” She gave the leaning box a soft kick and winked at her husband. “He’s back in my good graces danki to you.”
“Jah, danki, Mark.”
“I’m glad you both like it, and if I helped my friend get out of trouble with his fraa, all the better.”
They laughed.
Mark approached Grace and her parents. “Good evening, Grace, Mr. and Mrs. Blauch.” He exchanged a winning glance with Grace.
Mr. Blauch extended his hand. “Good to see you, Mark.”
Mrs. Blauch grinned. “Save room for dessert. Sarah baked blueberry tarts.”
“I might want those first.”
Mrs. Blauch’s cheery disposition was uplifting.
Mark slid a chair next to Grace and sat.
Leaning close, Grace whispered in his ear. “You’re so thoughtful, but you didn’t have to bring a gift.”
“I wanted to, and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to spend time with you for anything.” He sniffed the fragrant scent coming off the food centered on the table. “Sarah, this turkey, carrots, boiled potatoes, and green beans make a pretty picture on your table. I’m anxious to sample each of them.”
“Danki, Mark, but there’s enough for you to spoon heaping portions on your plate. Don’t be shy. Would you like to pray for us?”
Mark bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, danki for this food and bless Sarah for preparing it for us. Danki for Your love and mercy. Amen.” He raised his head and picked up his fork.
Mr. Blauch sat across from him. “How is your store doing?”
“Better than I anticipated. My regular customers must’ve spread the word.”
“How’s Noah working out for you?”
“Noah and I have become good friends. He’s a wonderful and hardworking man. You did me a favor recommending I hire him. He’s talented and a perfectionist when taking care of the farm. I’m blessed to have him working for me.”
“Noah’s an inquisitive young man. I worry about him.”
Mrs. Blauch sipped her water then held the glass. “His mamm told me Noah asks a lot of questions about the outside world. She’s afraid he’ll leave our faith.”
“Jah, he is curious about life outside our community. I’m doing my best to discourage him from leaving us. I hope he’ll stay here and settle down.” Mark scooped more potatoes onto his plate.
“Did you like living in Pennsylvania?” Mr. Blauch helped himself to a slice of turkey.
Grace’s daed wasn’t shy. Mark stifled his chuckle. Putting a carrot in his mouth, he had little time to chew his food before answering the man’s questions. Was he sizing him up for a potential husband for his dochder? Mark hoped so. “I liked Lancaster very much, but I prefer Berlin.”
“Good.” He forked a carrot.
Mrs. Blauch passed him a bowl of potatoes. “Would you like more?”
He’d already had plenty, but he accepted it. “Danki.”
Levi wiped the corner of his mouth. “How’s your vegetable garden doing, Mrs. Blauch?”
“The vegetables are plentiful, and the animals have left them alone this season. I’m so pleased. I plant marigolds around my vegetables and it keeps those pesky bugs away.”
Sipping his water, Mark was grateful his friend had given him a little break from Mr. Blauch’s inquisition. He set his glass on the table.
Mr. Blauch held his fork in midair. “Do you have siblings?”
Levi’s attempt to change the discussion hadn’t worked. This was it. The question he’d been dreading. The question he wasn’t sure how to answer. “My bruder, Abel, joined the Amish order then left to live in the world.”
Mrs. Blauch frowned. “You’re young to suffer the loss of your entire family. I’m so sorry.” She set her knife on the edge of her plate. “Anything you need, you don’t hesitate to ask. Any one of us would be glad to help you. Consider us family.”
Grace, Sarah, and Levi nodded in agreement.
Mark met Grace’s daed’s gaze then waited. The man’s face had grown serious. What thoughts were running through his mind? He wished he’d say something.
Mr. Blauch pushed his half-empty plate inches in front of him and leaned forward. “My fraa is right. Anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask, but please don’t mention your bruder again.”
“I understand.” Mark appreciated the soft tone the man used to deliver his message.
Mr. Blauch sniffed. “My nose tells me blueberry tarts might be for dessert. Am I right, Sarah?”
Mark relaxed. Grace’s parents were compassionate and kind people. Her daed had put him at ease and ended the subject of Abel. He respected the man.
Sarah stood. “Jah, you’re right.”
Grace scooted her chair back. “I’ll help you serve.”
“No, you sit. It won’t take me a minute.”
Mark asked Levi and Mr. Blauch how their crops were doing, and they discussed the possibility of an early fall.
Mr. Blauch folded his hands on the table. “Mr. Peter Lehman’s fraa died this morning. The man has five kinner. He’s distraught and needs help. I’m going to take care of his animals in the morning. The Pine and Zook families are tending to the Lehman farm and garden.”
Grace frowned. “She’s young to pass at the age of thirty. The kinner are all under the age of eight.”
Mamm held a palm to her heart. “A group of us have already coordinated taking food over for the next month or so.”
Sarah carried a tray of tarts in and put them in the center of the table. “How did she die?”
Grace shook her head. “The doctor isn’t sure. She passed in her sleep.”
Mr. Blauch cut a corner of his dessert. “Her husband said she had complained of a bad headache for several days. He’d coaxed her to go to the doctor, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Mark couldn’t imagine losing a fraa and raising and providing for five kinner alone. What an undertaking it would be for a daed. “What can I do?”
Mr. Blauch reached for the napkin. “He has enough help right now. You have a full schedule running your property and store. A fraa would make your life and Mr. Lehman’s easier.” He finished his blueberry tart.
Mrs. Blauch nodded.
Grace blushed.
Sarah and Levi chuckled.
Mr. Blauch’s comment about his needing a fraa hadn’t escaped anyone’s attention, least of all his. He’d take it as a good sign Mr. Blauch’s caring words meant he’d found favor with the man. Jah, he’d say this evening was a success.
The women cleared the table and headed to the kitchen to wash dishes. He joined Levi and Mr. Blauch on the porch. Stars sprinkled the sky and the full moon provided natural light. The air was pleasant.
He pushed his chair between Levi and Grace’s daed.
They sat silent and listened to the frogs croaking and watched the fireflies light the night.
Mr. Blauch crossed his legs. “When do you want to go target shooting, Mark?”
“Friday would be a good day for me. Levi, would you like to join us?”
“Jah, Levi, kumme with us.”
“I’d like to, but Friday is my day to help Mr. Lehman. Don’t wait on me. Go and have a nice time.”
Was Levi giving him time alone with Grace’s daed? Maybe it was a good idea. “I’m sorry you can’t join us. Maybe you can join us another time.”
Mr. Blauch outstretched his legs and crossed his ankles. “I’ve got to get home soon or I’ll fall asleep in this comfortable chair. What time should we meet and where?”
“Six o’clock? I’ll meet you at your haus.”
“All right, I’ll be ready. I’m going to corral my fraa and dochder.”
Levi stood and whispered in his ear. “Target shooting with Mr. Blauch is a smart idea.”
Mark went inside w
ith Levi and bid everyone farewell. He exchanged glances with Grace before he followed Levi outside to get his wagon. Mark nudged Levi’s arm. “You’re bowing out of target practice to give me time alone with Mr. Blauch, right?”
Levi gave him a sly grin. “Of course. I told you, Sarah and I are doing everything we can to help you foster a positive relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Blauch. We think you and Grace would make a good couple, and it’s obvious you and she care for each other.”
Mark put his hand on Levi’s shoulder. “I can use all the help I can get. Danki.”
Mark rapped on the Blauches’ door early Friday morning, and Grace answered. Her birthmark was more prominent this morning. Maybe it was the way she turned her head. He had gotten used to it, and it did nothing to diminish her beauty to him. He loved her sweetheart-shaped face and sweet lips.
She opened the door and gestured him in. “Good morning. Daed’s ready to go shooting. He’s been cleaning his gun and talking about it since our supper at Sarah’s the other night.”
“This will be pleasurable for me as well. I haven’t taken time to go target shooting for a while. The sport relaxes me.”
Mr. Blauch came to the door. “Mark, would you like some breakfast before we leave?”
“No, danki. I had breakfast at home.”
“I’ve got my rifle, shotgun, and supplies. If you’re ready, let’s head out.”
Before following her daed out the door, he leaned close to her ear. “I have high hopes my time with your daed today will foster our friendship leading to my asking him for your hand soon.”
She blushed. “I hope so.”
He left and crossed the yard to his wagon. “I’ve got a bag of empty tin cans we can use for targets.”
Mr. Blauch patted a large gunny sack. “I brought some too.” He pointed. “Let’s go over there.”
Mark untied his horse and took his seat next to Mr. Blauch in the wagon, and then he directed his horse to a thick grassy patch down the road for his animal to graze. “Let’s walk east. No one should be there, and it will be a safe place for us to shoot.”
Securing his horse, Mark watched Mr. Blauch grab his gun, target cans, ammunition, and canteen. Mark did the same, and they trudged through the dense woods.
Mr. Blauch gestured to a large dead tree on its side.
“This area looks perfect for setting up our targets.” He untied his bag and lined the cans on the tree. “You go first.” He stepped behind Mr. Blauch, showed him how to aim his shotgun, allowing for windage and distance, and then backed away.
Mr. Blauch aimed and fired. A can flipped off the log. “It worked. Danki.”
For the next hour, they practiced. There was little left of the pellet-riddled cans when they finished the last of the shotgun shells.
Mark liked being with Mr. Blauch. The man’s relaxed grin, exclamations of success, and praising him for his pointers brought smiles to his face.
Mr. Blauch swiped sweat off his forehead with his shirtsleeve. “I’m tired. Let’s sit for a few minutes.”
Mark found a rock-free area. “This is a large enough spot.”
Mr. Blauch rattled his canteen. “Mine’s empty.”
Mark handed his canteen over. “Take mine. I’ve had plenty.”
Mr. Blauch thanked him and drank. He screwed the cap back on and passed it to Mark. “I’ve had a splendid time this morning. Danki.” He wiped his brow with a handkerchief. “Mark, you’re not getting any younger. Have you thought about finding a fraa?”
Mark choked on his saliva. He didn’t know what to say. “Jah.” He silenced for a moment then cleared his throat.
“Marriage and family are definitely something I’m considering in the near future.”
“Glad to hear it.” He checked his timepiece. “We better head back. We both have chores to do.”
Mark swallowed. Had he passed up a perfect opportunity to ask for Grace’s hand? No. Today was about concentrating on his friendship with Mr. Blauch. He didn’t want him to think he’d brought him shooting as a ruse. It was important Mr. Blauch understand he truly liked being with him. He bit his lip. His patience would run out soon. Each time he set eyes on Grace, he found it more difficult to wait.
Mark followed Mr. Blauch to the wagon and drove him home. The man looked tired. He bid him farewell. “Please give my best to Mrs. Blauch.”
“I will. Danki, Mark, for a nice day.”
“Wilkom. Take care.” Mark guided his horse to the store. Asking for Mr. Blauch’s blessing would be a big step. The timing and setting must be perfect for the occasion.
Chapter Ten
Mark finished working at the store, went home, and fixed soup and buttered bread for supper. He had fretted about closing during the morning to shoot with Mr. Blauch, but a steady stream of customers relieved his mind in the afternoon. His regret was not getting to spend much time with Grace. He’d had a few minutes to open their connecting door and say hello. She, too, had been busy.
He pictured them living life and working out problems together. She had a strong will he suspected would challenge him at times, but he liked having a woman not afraid to speak her mind. She’d be a good partner to consult with. No doubt she’d be a good mamm. He’d witnessed her way with kinner. Jonah adored her. Of course, who wouldn’t?
He strolled outside to the barn and looked around. Lifting the trunk lid, he peeked inside. The bag appeared undisturbed. It’d been days since he found the scarf. She mustn’t be coming back. He shrugged his shoulders. Something rubbed against his leg. Glancing at a dog, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He petted the scraggly, dirty black mutt. “Do you belong to someone? Are you lost? Since you’re rail thin, you’ve probably gone without food for a while.”
The dog tilted his head from side to side and wagged his tail.
He’d noticed dogs playing with kinner in the community, but not this one. “You must be hungry, but we better bathe you before I offer you food. You’re filthy.”
He pumped water into two big washtubs and added soap to one. He grabbed a towel from a shelf in the barn and threw it over his shoulder. He set the dog into the soapy water and washed him then moved the animal into the tub with plain water. “Good boy. You’re obedient. You and I will get along fine.”
“What should we name you?” He rubbed his chin. “I’ll call you Dusty.”
The dog jumped out of the tub and shook.
Mark laughed and held up his hands. “Hey, you’re getting me all wet.” He grabbed the towel off his shoulder.
Dusty stood and licked his face while he toweled him off.
The medium-sized dog had the softest coat of black fur. “You’re a handsome animal when you’re clean. Let’s fatten you up.”
Mark led him in the haus and offered him a plate of leftover food. He cut up chicken and scooped leftover potatoes in a bowl and pumped water in another bigger bowl.
Dusty jumped on his hind legs and scratched at Mark’s knees. He barked.
Mark pointed. “Sit. Be patient.” He put the bowls on the floor, and Dusty stuck his nose in the food and didn’t raise it until he’d licked the bowl clean. He then drank the water.
Mark watched him and waited for a minute. “You downed your supper too fast. You’re not going to get sick on me, are you?”
Dusty tilted his head as if he understood.
Satisfied his new furry friend wasn’t going to get sick, he readied for bed and climbed in.
Dusty jumped up and snuggled next to him. His soft fur tickled Mark’s nose, but he liked having a new pet. He’d never had a dog. The animal obeyed, was friendly, and was good company in the short time they’d spent together. He hoped Grace would like him. He wouldn’t want to have to give him away when he and Grace got married.
Mark woke with a start to Dusty’s loud barking.
Dusty paced the floor and barked over and over.
“What’s wrong, boy?”
A loud snap came from outside. Light flickered in t
he window. It hadn’t been dark all that long. He climbed out of bed and dashed to the window. “Fire!”
Dusty ran through the haus barking.
Mark’s heart throbbed against his chest. He hurried to the door and opened it. “I’ve got to alert the neighbors.” He rushed back inside, grabbed his shotgun off hooks above the door, and ran to the front yard. He pointed to the sky and fired off two shots then put it by the door. Flames flickered and crackled. Black smoke billowed out between burning wall planks.
He opened the barn door, blinded, and urged the horses out first. He turned them loose in the corral a safe distance away. Back inside the burning building, he got the rest of his livestock out. Friends and neighbors, who’d arrived within minutes of the gunshots, worked along with him to save his livestock.
Dusty barked and herded the animals to the far end of the corral.
Chickens, hens, and the rooster squawked and carried on. The dog herded them into the enclosed chicken-wire area and nudged the door shut with his nose.
Relieved to find the fire stayed on the left side and not the right, he hoped it was manageable. Men and women filled every tub and pail they could find and helped put out the blaze.
Mark caught sight of Grace, her parents, Levi, and Sarah. They had formed a line with several others and were throwing one pail after another on the fire. He joined them. It was working. The fire had diminished. He bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, danki for saving me, my animals, and my dwellings. Danki for kind and helpful friends and neighbors. Danki for Your love, grace, and mercy. Amen.” He trembled. His livestock might have been killed and everything he owned destroyed. God had been good.
He, Levi, Mr. Blauch, Noah, and other neighbors lugged wooden planks he had in his workshop to the barn and repaired the damaged areas by lantern light.
Mr. Blauch clapped the dirt off his hands. “The barn should air out in a couple of hours, and then you can put your animals back inside. The damage isn’t too bad. Earlier, I worried you’d lose the entire structure. Do you have any idea how this happened?”
“I didn’t see anyone, and I didn’t leave a lantern on. I have no idea.”