Grace's Forgiveness (29 page)

Mark pointed to his side. “Please call me Mark. Danki for coming. I can move my arms and legs. I don’t suspect anything is broken. I am sore. They punched and kicked me several times. I suspect I have a patch of hair missing.”

Mr. Blauch gave his dochder a curt nod. “Grace, you should step outside while Mark is examined. Bishop Weaver, I’ll wait and then escort him home. Noah works for him. Either he or I will stay if he’d like us to. I’m sure Grace and her mamm will bring him food.”

“I’ll go to my shop. I’m sure Anna is wondering what has happened. I left her alone to take care of the store. After I talk to Anna, I’ll head home.”

Bishop Weaver followed her. “If anyone needs anything, please let me know. I’ll be on my way. Take care.”

Mark, Dr. Rogers, and Mr. Blauch bid the bishop and Grace farewell.

Pulling up a chair, Grace’s daed sat.

Mark moaned as the doctor pressed harder on his side. Glancing at the door of the dry goods shop, Mark sighed. He must talk to Grace about their future soon. A conversation he would enjoy. The sound of Dr. Rogers’s voice jerked him out of his thoughts.

Dr. Rogers unclasped his medical bag and pulled out a stethoscope then listened to Mark’s heart. Mark’s lips parted, and he grimaced in pain as Dr. Rogers instructed him to move his arms and legs. He pressed on different parts of his body and examined him closely.

“Son, you’re a lucky man. You don’t have any broken bones. Your bruised ribs and body will ache for a week or so but improve with time.” He dug in his bag, pulled out several packets of aspirin powder, and pressed them in Mark’s palm. “Take a teaspoon of this with water every four hours. The medication will help lessen the pain.”

“Danki, Doctor.”

The doctor put his stethoscope back in his bag and pulled out a roll of muslin fabric. “I’ll apply liniment to this and wrap it around your middle. It will ease the pain. I’ll leave the jar of liniment with you and you can reapply it as needed. It’s up to you how long you wear the binding.”

Dr. Rogers applied liniment to the muslin and wrapped Mark’s midsection. “I hope this helps you.” He put the jar on the counter, pulled out a clean rag, wiped his hands, and threw it in his bag and closed it. He unscrewed another lid. “I’m applying salve to your wounded head. The bleeding has ceased. I’ll put a bandage on it. You can take it off tomorrow. The affected area is small.”

“Danki, Dr. Rogers. How much do I owe you?”

Patting Mark’s shoulder, Dr. Rogers grinned. “Mr. Blauch asked me about my fee and paid it before we came here. Thank him.” He shook Mark’s hand. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Take care.”

“I appreciate your kindness.” Mark waited until the doctor left and then said to Mr. Blauch, “I must pay you back for my medical care.”

Mr. Blauch shoved his hands in his pockets and dipped his chin. “No, please let me do this for you. I’m sorry this happened. I shouldn’t have acted in haste in my decision to judge you. I admit my wrong. I hope you’ll forgive me. I’ve never witnessed Grace suffer like she has since I withdrew my blessing for the two of you to marry. I’m sure this wasn’t easy on you, either.”

Mark trembled through the pain in his legs. This man had spoken the words he’d wanted to hear for so long. The woman he loved and adored would stand with him in front of their friends and family to exchange vows in a marriage ceremony. He would be Grace’s husband soon. God had answered his prayers. “I forgive you. I’m so relieved and thankful you’ve changed your mind. Grace means the world to me. I was miserable without her. You have made me a very happy man. We don’t have to talk about the past. I’m interested in discussing the future.”

Grinning and heaving a big sigh, Mr. Blauch crossed his arms. “Son, it’s time I take you home. I’ll get your wagon from the livery and tie it to the back of my wagon. Your animal will be fine following along behind.”

“I appreciate your help.”

Mark waited until the door closed before letting the tears fall down his cheeks. He swiped his face with his sleeve and closed his eyes. “Danki, Heavenly Father, for all You’ve done today. Amen.”

Mr. Blauch stepped inside and stretched out his arm. “Ready to go, son?”

Mark gripped the man’s arm and took slow steps to the door. As he climbed into the wagon, stabbing pains shot through him. Wincing, he bit his tongue to stifle the moans wanting to escape. Settled on the bench, he pictured his bed, anxious to slide into it. A few days ago, he wouldn’t have imagined Grace’s daed would be taking such good care of him.

Mr. Blauch grabbed onto the bench and hoisted himself into the wagon. He guided the horse to Mark’s. “Do you need me to help Noah while you recover?”

“Danki, but no, Noah has everything under control.” The wagon wheels hitting ruts in the dirt road sent more pain radiating throughout Mark’s battered limbs. He found the trip home pleasant most days, but today each turn of the wagon wheel set his teeth on edge in agony.

“If you change your mind, I’m available.” Mr. Blauch tucked his chin to his chest. “I’m looking forward to having you in our family and learning more about you. It will be good to have a son.”

“I miss my daed. I’ll appreciate having you in my life.”

Mr. Blauch’s words lessened the pain a little. Mark would not only gain a fraa but a mamm and daed. Parents he respected. Images of him and Grace sharing meals and family holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Blauch filled his mind. It was a comfort to have two people in addition to Grace to rely on in adversity as well as good times. It felt good to have them back in his life, even if it had been only for one day.

Mr. Blauch’s openness meant a lot. Men didn’t usually speak from the heart, but Grace’s daed had done his best to express his gratitude and right his wrongs. This man had accepted him as a son, not just as Grace’s husband. A position he had hoped to hold in the Blauch family. Jah, God had done more for him than he asked or expected.

“I suspect Mrs. Blauch will tell me how happy she is you and I have reconciled. She supports me in my decisions, no matter what, but she did plead your case first.”

Mark was touched she’d spoken on his behalf to her husband. He looked forward to talking to her soon. “She’s a woman who shines with God’s love. I’m pleased to soon have her for my mamm.”

Mr. Blauch rested a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “I’m glad you left off the in-law part. If you hadn’t, I would’ve asked you to.”

Grace’s daed had gone a step beyond his wildest expectations, offering such a caring gesture. It touched him. Mark swallowed at a poignant memory. “She reminds me of my mamm, and you remind me of my daed.”

Pulling in front of Mark’s haus, Grace’s daed secured the horses, jumped down, and helped ease Mark off the bench.

Sweat beaded on Mark’s forehead, as he leaned heavy into his future daed’s arms. Taking slow steps, he thought he’d never get to his bedroom.

Dusty struggled to his feet and barked a greeting. His tongue hung out of his mouth and his tail wagged.

Mark stroked Dusty’s silky coat. “Hi, boy. How’s my faithful companion?”

Lowering himself to the edge of the bed, Mark yawned. “Danki for your help. I’ll be fine.”

Dusty whined and licked his hand. He settled close to his master’s feet.

Mr. Blauch bent and gently carried the dog onto the bed. He rubbed the dog’s ear. “There you go.”

Dusty lay close to his master.

Mark stroked his new friend’s fur. “I’m a bit ragged, boy, but we’ll get well together.”

Noah clamored into the room and rushed to Mark’s side. “Mr. Blauch, Mark, what happened?”

“Thugs roughed me up, but the sheriff and my bruder arrived in time to rescue me danki to Grace.” Mark paused and drew in a shallow breath. “The sheriff arrested the criminals, and we now have no more trouble. I asked my bruder to stay with me, but he insists on returning to Louisville, Kentucky, and has left for good. He was the one staying in the barn.” Talking hurt but he wanted Noah to learn the full story from him. “After today, we mustn’t mention my bruder again.”

“I understand.” Noah winced. “Are you badly hurt?”

“The pain doesn’t hurt near as bad since I discovered my bruder spoke to Mr. Blauch and the bishop before he came to the store, and Mr. Blauch gave his blessing once again for Grace and me to marry.”

“I’m thrilled for you.” He faced Mr. Blauch. “You won’t be sorry. Mark’s an honorable and respectable man. You’ll be blessed to have him for a son-in-law.”

“I agree, Noah. Before I leave, is there anything either of you need?”

“If you don’t mind, I could use a glass of water. I’d like to take the medicine the doctor gave me before going to sleep.”

“I’ll fetch your water.” Noah glanced over his shoulder at Mr. Blauch. “I’ll stay here tonight in the other bedroom in case Mark needs anything. He might be sore tomorrow. I’ll make eggs and toast for breakfast.”

“Excellent idea, Noah.” Mr. Blauch patted Noah’s back and nodded to Mark. “You get some rest, son.” He crossed the room. “Take care, Noah.” He moved as if to leave then stopped. “Mark, I’ll take care of your horse and wagon before I go.”

“Danki.” He watched Mr. Blauch leave.

Mark shifted to get comfortable and moaned. “Noah, I appreciate you staying here tonight.”

“Do you want anything to eat?”

“No, I’m too tired to lift a fork to my mouth.”

“It will take me a minute to fetch your water, and then I’ll leave you to rest.” Noah stepped out of the room.

Staring at the ceiling, an idea popped into Mark’s head.

Chapter Fourteen

Grace found Mamm in front of the fire stitching Daed’s pants. She rushed to her. “Mamm! You’re never going to believe what happened today! I stood in our store and then jumped when loud thudding and scraping noises came from Mark’s shop. The commotion sounded violent and scared me.”

Dropping the pants in her lap, Mamm put a hand to her throat. “What did you do?”

“Afraid to open the connecting door to our shops, I asked Anna to take care of our customers while I went to peek in the window of Mark’s shop. I then rushed to tell the sheriff men were attacking Mark. On my way, I ran into Daed, Bishop Weaver, and an Englischer. The Englischer was Abel, Mark’s bruder. They accompanied me to the sheriff’s office.”

Mamm’s mouth hung open. “Jah, he came here to meet with your daed. We can talk about their conversation in a minute. What happened to Mark? Is he all right?”

“The sheriff and Mark’s bruder burst into Mark’s store to apprehend the criminals. The sheriff had asked Abel to kumme with him since his deputy wasn’t there at the time. When he said yes, the sheriff tossed him a gun. In minutes, they had rescued Mark. After taking the criminals out of the store, the sheriff let the bishop, Daed, and me in. My heart broke at the sight of blood running out of Mark’s swollen mouth and the way he doubled over in pain, holding his side. He’d been beaten.”

“He should be examined by a doctor.”

“Daed fetched the doctor, and he came to Mark’s shop. Thankfully, he doesn’t have any broken bones. The doctor gave him medication to make him more comfortable.”

“Where’s Mark now?”

“Daed delivered him home. Noah should still be there working. They will take good care of him.”

Mamm cocked her head. “Don’t you have other news?”

Grace bounced on her toes. “I’ve saved the best news for last. Daed has given Mark and me permission to marry! Oh, Mamm, isn’t it wonderful! God intervened and answered my prayer. The bishop said we can have November fifteenth for our wedding date.”

Mamm grinned. “We will have to get busy! This will be perfect timing.” She hugged Grace. “Mark’s bruder and the bishop came to our haus to speak to your daed. After listening to Mark’s bruder, your daed couldn’t get out of here fast enough to apologize to Mark. It pained him you were sad and upset to not marry Mark. He looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders when he left here to speak to Mark and then you. He couldn’t wait to ask the two of you to forgive him and offer his blessing for the two of you to wed.”

Grace folded her hands against her chest. “I’m so happy Daed changed his mind. Now we can put the sad event behind us. I’m ready to plan my future with Mark.”

“I’m thrilled for you both. God is so gracious. We can get our fabric back out and stitch you a new dress. Mark will need a new shirt and pants.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “We are going to have so much fun.” Mamm caressed Grace’s cheek. “My dochder is getting married. I’ll be sad when you leave this haus but happy you’ve found your true love.”

“I won’t be far. We’ll be together often.” While leaving home would be sad in some ways, Grace was thrilled to wed Mark, share his haus, and make a new life with him. The time had kumme for her to leave and start her own family. Her parents would be near, and she’d cook meals for them and give Mamm a rest from always preparing food for the family. She would soon clean, cook, and wash clothes in her own home and have private and intimate conversations with Mark. She would love being his fraa.

Mamm pressed a hand to her chest. “It would’ve been nice if Mark’s bruder had asked God and the church for forgiveness for his transgressions and returned to the Amish life.”

“It would have meant a great deal to Mark to have his bruder as a part of his life, but the man has refused to stay. His bruder claims he won’t get into any more trouble. He has met a woman in Kentucky he plans to marry, and he has an opportunity to work for her daed. At least Mark can rest easier knowing his bruder is safe.”

Mamm frowned. “There’s nothing Mark can do but pray for him.” She put her needle and thread in the sewing box. “I’m sure this wedding will cheer him. In church, he can’t take his eyes off of you. I worried your daed would catch him staring. I didn’t want him more irritated.”

Grace giggled. Mamm hadn’t said a word. Her mamm had watched her and Mark exchange looks and hadn’t scolded her. Being the prayer warrior her mamm had always been, Grace was sure she’d prayed for God to intervene on their behalf too. “I love him so much. In spite of the dangerous men hurting Mark, it’s been a wonderful day. One I’ll not forget.”