Grace's Forgiveness (25 page)

A cold chill prickled through him. “I’d take a beating or a bullet for her.”

“Since the men have left, I’ll not consult the deacons about contacting the sheriff. I’d rather not involve the Englischers if we don’t need to. If these men return, give them what they ask for. I don’t want you hurt. Then kumme to me. I’ll have to ask the deacons about involving the law then.”

“Again, I’m sorry for all this.”

“Like I said, I trust you will be true to your word. Otherwise, you will not find me so understanding.” He softened. “Be safe, Mark.”

Mark blew out a breath. At least he was in good standing with the bishop. One step at a time was all he could handle. He’d trust God to lead him. Hopefully, God’s plan included Grace in his life.

Chapter Twelve

Grace buried her face in her pillow and wept Thursday morning. She could never love another man as much as she loved Mark. Why couldn’t her daed soften his heart and put himself in Mark’s shoes? If her daed had lost a relative or close friend to the outside world, she’d never been told the story. If he had, maybe he would be more sympathetic toward Mark’s predicament.

She got up and washed her face. Eyes puffy and red, she dressed and dragged her feet to the kitchen. Mamm was flipping pancakes in the iron skillet.

“Good morning. If those are for me, I can’t put anything in my stomach, but danki for them.”

Mamm slid the pancakes on a plate. “Your daed told me he found Mark’s bruder at his haus. I am sad this has happened, but I must support your daed.”

“Mark and I love each other. I wish you would talk to Daed for me. Please?”

Mamm put the skillet aside and circled her arms around Grace. “I did. He’s not budging. Give him time. If God’s will is for you to marry Mark, he’ll soften your daed’s heart.”

“It pains me Mark is going through this turmoil and I’m not there to help him through it. A man and a woman in love should be there for each other through thick and thin. He has no family. We were his family.”

“Mark’s a strong man. He’ll be fine. God never leaves us, and He’s a prayer away. He’ll take care of Mark and you no matter.”

Pushing her chair back with her legs, she grabbed the quilt she had stitched for him, her midwifery bag, and bid Mamm farewell.

Driving to town, she pushed back the tears stinging her eyes. She had to talk to Mark. Daed wouldn’t like it, but she didn’t agree with his reasoning right now. Hopefully, he wouldn’t find out.

She handed her horse’s reins to the liveryman and gently pushed past the men and women entering and exiting the shops along the boardwalk. The familiar banging of the blacksmith’s hammer on a horseshoe and the clip-clop of horses’ hooves pounding the dirt road frayed her nerves unlike most days when she wilkomed the noise. An Englischer dressed in a belted, flowered cotton dress with her hair in ringlets smiled at Grace. Grace cowered and ducked, rather than offering a kind smile. She had no desire to uplift her sad mood.

Peeking in Mark’s window, her breath caught. Devastation hit her. She may never call him husband. She bowed her head and bit her lip. She had to ask how he was doing. Pushing the door open, her eyes pooled with tears.

Eyes red and his face pale, his frown turned into a smile. “Dear Grace.”

“I’m so broken without you.” She put the quilt on the counter.

He turned his sign to
CLOSED
, locked the door, gently pulled her in the back room, and held her tight. “I’m so sorry about all this.”

Hugging him, she pressed her head against his chest and inhaled the cedar scent on his shirt. This is where she wanted to stay. It was where she belonged. She believed it in her heart. “Mark, I forgave you the moment you told me about it. It’s not your fault.”

What happened to forgiveness? Her daed’s hasty decision to punish her and Mark by withdrawing his blessing from them deeply disappointed her. The bishop spoke about forgiveness often. “Have you talked to the bishop?”

He gently released her but held her hands. “Jah, and he isn’t going to ask the members to shun me for talking to Abel, since I asked him to repent and return to our fold. And because I agreed to turn my bruder away should he kumme to my doorstep again.”

“Did you tell him about the men searching for Abel?”

“Jah, but he doesn’t hold me responsible for them coming to me at the shop. There was nothing I could’ve done to prevent it. Since it’s our way to keep Englischers out of Amish business, he doesn’t want to alert the sheriff unless they kumme back. I agree.”

“Will he tell the deacons at this time?”

“No. He will keep it to himself unless the men return. He trusts me to keep him informed. The men are gone. There’s nothing more to do at this time. His understanding and discretion mean a lot to me.”

Relief washed over her, glad the bishop had been sympathetic to Mark’s situation. “What good news.” She stared at her feet. “I better go to the store. Sarah will be worried about me. I shouldn’t risk Daed finding me here, but I had to speak to you.”

“I’ll wait for your daed to reconsider his decision as long as it takes. We probably shouldn’t speak until he changes his mind about us. I don’t want to upset him any further. Remember, I love you, and I’m praying for God to intervene. I’ll approach your daed again after giving him more time.”

Her lips quivered. “I agree we shouldn’t converse until this problem is solved, but I want you to remember how much I love you, too. I have a gift for you on the counter.”

They walked to the front of the store. She lifted the quilt, passed it to him, and patted the pocket. “I wrote a letter to you and tucked it inside.” She blew him a kiss.

Putting a hand to his heart, he waved.

She exited through the connecting door to the dry goods shop. The memory of his arms around her and his scent lingered. Right or wrong, visiting him had been worth the risk.

Minutes later, Sarah whooshed in and caught her kapp in midair. “Sorry I’m late. I haven’t gotten over the excitement of you getting married. We’ll have to discuss the food. I want to make your favorite chicken and vegetable pie.” She threw her bag on the chair and whirled around on her heel. “Grace, why are you frowning? Your eyes are bloodshot, and the color has left your cheeks. What’s wrong?” She reached for her hands and held them.

The joy in Sarah’s face and the excitement in her voice brought forth the memory of her own happiness before that fateful day when her life came crashing down. Her euphoria in Mark’s arms this morning had fled. In Sarah’s arms, she could let the floodgates to her emotions open. Her best friend would understand. She cried and fell in Sarah’s arms.

Sarah held her. “You’re scaring me. What has happened? Please, Grace, say something.”

Taking a deep breath, she raised her head and wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. “Daed withdrew his permission for Mark and me to marry.”

“What? Why? We need to have a serious conversation. I’m locking the door and turning the sign over. We’ll open later this morning.” Sarah reached for Grace’s hand and pulled her into the storeroom where they couldn’t be seen from the front window.

“Abel, Mark’s bruder, who left him in Lancaster to live in the outside world, showed up at his haus. Mark told me thugs are searching for Abel to collect money he owes them. The men came to Mark’s shop questioning and threatening him if he didn’t tell them where they could find Abel. Daed went to visit Mark and found him with his bruder. He got angry because Mark allowed the bruder he is supposed to shun in his haus and withdrew his blessing for us to wed.” Her lips quivered. “Daed mustn’t discover Mark told me about Abel. It would make things worse.”

Guiding her to a chair, Sarah held an arm around Grace’s waist. “I’ll tell Levi, but I won’t tell anyone else. I’m sure Levi will understand and want to support Mark.” She beamed. “Levi and your daed have a good relationship. Maybe he can speak to him on Mark’s behalf.”

“It would be worth a try.”

She wiped tears from Grace’s cheeks. “Where is Abel now?”

“He left. Mark isn’t aware of his whereabouts.”

“What can I do?”

“Listen to my woes and pray for me.” The love of her life was lost to her. She’d rather remain a spinster if she couldn’t marry Mark. Her heart heavy in her chest, she sighed. “I don’t know what to do with myself. It’s as if someone dear to me has died. In the blink of an eye, my bright future with Mark vanished.”

Sarah pulled a chair across from Grace and leaned in. “God performs miracles all the time. Don’t give up.”

“Daed is a good man, but he’s stubborn. It will take a miracle for him to change his mind.”

Sarah embraced her in a warm hug. “No matter what happens, God has a plan for your life. He’ll not forsake you. I’m here for you for whatever you need. I pray you and Mark will be together.”

“Danki, Sarah. Your encouragement means a lot.” Pouring her heart out to her best friend had given her some relief. Sarah’s arms had provided a safe haven many times during their friendship after Becca left, but she couldn’t remember needing Sarah more than she had this morning.

Rain pelting the roof woke Grace on Sunday morning. She lay in bed and reached for the wooden doll Mark had given her. She treasured it even more now. Another week had dragged on. She’d tossed and turned each night since the awful day she’d learned she’d no longer be marrying Mark. Walking around in a fog at work and doing chores at home, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d smiled.

Sarah had baked Grace butter cookies and tried to lift her spirits, but to no avail. The pain hadn’t diminished. She doubted it ever would. For fear Daed would visit the shop, she stayed away from Mark, but she pictured him in her mind often. She had memorized the sparkle in his eyes, his gentle touch, and his declaration of love.

She understood Daed thought he had her best interests at heart, but nothing could erase the utter sadness looming over her. Why wouldn’t he listen to what Mark had to say? Maybe she’d discuss her dilemma with Daed again today.

She wrapped her hair in a bun, pulled on a dark blue dress, and then pinned a white kapp on her head. Entering the kitchen, Daed sat at the table sipping coffee. She joined him. Should she risk asking him about this? It could make things worse. She had to try. “My heart is heavy, Daed. I love Mark. I want what you and Mamm have together. I believe I could have a good marriage with Mark. Is there any way you can find it in your heart to change your mind? Please.”

Frowning, he pushed back his chair.

Wincing, she squinted at the scraping sound and froze.

He bowed his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, and went outside.

Tears streamed onto her cheeks. She wiped her damp face with the corner of her apron. The two men who meant the most to her in life were at odds, and she was powerless to bring them together. She hoped God would intercede.

A few minutes later, she sat quiet in the buggy beside Mamm. To lay eyes on Mark would be good but sad.

Close to her ear, Mamm leaned in. “It pains me to see you like this. Have faith. Pray to God for guidance.”

Mamm was a prayer warrior. She accepted God’s will for each of her prayer requests, and Grace couldn’t remember a time when she’d complained if things hadn’t gone her way. Grace pinched her lips. Why had God brought Mark into her life if He hadn’t intended for them to marry? She viewed the daisies covering several acres of land along either side of the rutted dirt road. A deep pang of regret shot through her. Sarah had been right. Whatever her future held, God would do what was best for her. As she had heard so many times before, it was easier said than done.

Climbing out of the wagon, she searched for Mark. No sign of him. Inside, she sat and stretched her neck. Sitting next to Noah and the other men, Mark gazed into her eyes. Her heart raced. She returned his smile, bowed her head, and turned around before Daed caught sight of her.

An unfamiliar woman and kinner sat in front of her. “Mamm, who is the family sitting in front of us?”

Frowning, Mamm shook her head. “The widow’s name is Madeline Plank. The kinner are her dochders. They moved here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and moved into her bruder, Peter Miller’s, haus. Peter moved to their haus in Lancaster, and he gave them his here. Word is her husband died from a heart attack five days after they arrived. I can’t imagine what a shock it must’ve been for them.”

“Why didn’t we go to the funeral?”

“She wanted a private ceremony since she had met so few people, having been in town such a short time. I dropped food off to them. It slipped my mind to mention them to you.”

“How are they getting along?”

“She is working at the Berlin General Store, but it’s evident she’s having a hard time. I noticed before they sat that the dochders’ dresses are faded and stitched where they must’ve torn. But they are clean and present a neat appearance. She’s a pleasant and kind woman. Her dochders are lovely.”

The bishop raised his hand. “If you’ll give me your full attention, I’ll begin the service.”

Grace listened to Bishop Weaver’s message on forgiveness. She glanced at her daed. He stared straight ahead, his lips pinched, his arms crossed. No encouragement her Daed would apply the bishop’s message to his attitude toward Mark.

The service ended, and she helped set the table then sat and chatted with Sarah about the store. Mark played hide-and-seek with Jonah. They exchanged endearing glimpses on several occasions, and she wanted to run to him and tell him they should get married anyway. It was no use. She wouldn’t go against God or her daed. He made no effort to approach her. It was another reason she loved him. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her relationship with her parents or God.

Levi joined them. “Grace, I pulled your daed aside and spoke to him about Mark. He won’t listen to reason on this matter. I’m sorry. Sarah and I are praying for both of you.”

“Danki. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, and I’m sure Mark does too. I’m praying for a miracle.”

Sarah came through the door of the shop Monday morning, cheeks pink and cheery. “Grace, I’m pregnant. I stopped by the doctor’s office this morning. I suspected it when I’d gained weight. I’m so excited!”