A few minutes later, Hiram entered the room and stood next to his bed.
“How long before they let you out of here, Blake?” he asked.
Hearing his name from Hiram made Blake a little more than nervous. Did the man want him to get well so he could take him out to the barn and have good “talk” with him?
“I—don’t know.” Blake answered.
“I hope it’s soon because we need you for the harvest. That’s what I hired you for, and I need a gut strong mann to help me. I hope you’re still willing to help me even though I hear you’re a wealthy mann now.”
Blake couldn’t believe his ears.
“I’m not—fired?”
Hiram laughed. It was probably the only time Blake had heard him really laugh. “Nee, you can’t get out of this by getting shot. We know that your daed was the one that forced you into this life. You were a victim more than we were.”
Blake swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry.”
“I know you are, Son. I forgive you for lying about being Amish, but Rachel tells us you’d like to join the church.”
“Yes, I—would.”
“Get your rest then, and we’ll talk to the Bishop about getting you into the classes as soon as you get out of here. You can take the Baptism after the harvest.”
Hiram patted Blake’s hand and then left the room. A few minutes later, Rachel returned.
“Grossdaddi says you’re to take the Baptism in the fall.”
Blake chuckled, but the pain stopped him.
“Jah. Imagine. Me—Blake Monroe. Amish!”
“It doesn’t matter if your name is Blake Monroe, Levi Schrock, or something else. Gott knows your heart, and Just so long as it belongs to Him…and me...” Rachel kissed him lightly on the lips.
Blake closed his eyes, feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness. “Always.”
Danki, Lord.
Amish Summer of Courage: Book Six Page 11