Grace's Forgiveness (31 page)

“I forgive you, Daed.” She hugged his arm. “I’m over the moon joyful today. Part of my joy is greater because of your acceptance of Mark into our family.”

“Don’t worry. We can put this ordeal behind us. I couldn’t ask for a better son than Mark. He remained strong through a tough situation. He’s proven he’s a good man.”

“From our first meeting, he’s been helpful to Sarah and me, and then to our community at large.”

“I love you, Grace. It’s important to me you’re happy. I’m glad everything is working out in your favor. You have a bright future ahead.”

Minutes later, Daed pulled back on the reins and halted the horse. She loved her daed. They had always worked out their misunderstandings. They had mended this difficult fence in their relationship. She could relax and enjoy their conversations again.

“You go in and tell your mamm about Sarah. I’ll be in soon. I’ll take care of the horse and wagon.”

Grace jumped out. “I’d be glad to help you.”

“No. Your mamm will be sick with worry about Sarah. Put her mind at ease.”

She skipped up the porch steps and pushed through the door. Entering the kitchen, she drew in a deep breath of fresh baked bread and stew. “Mamm, Sarah is all right. Dr. Rogers came to examine her. She is to stay in bed as much as possible for the next two weeks.”

“I couldn’t stop fretting about her and watching the clock, hoping you’d return soon with good news. Will Levi fetch her mamm to help out?”

“He brought Miriam to their haus before I left. I got to tell her our wedding date. She’s thrilled.”

She dipped stew into serving bowls. “Where’s your daed?”

“He’s stowing the wagon.”

Mamm kissed her cheek. “I’m pleased the two of you will be on happier terms. I’m certain he and Mark will form a close relationship as time goes on. He’ll be thrilled when you have kinner. So will I.”

“It will be a joy to watch him entertain my kinner. He’s a good daed, and I suspect he’ll be an even better grossdaadi. No doubt I’ll have a hard time separating you from my kinner.”

They chuckled.

Life was about to get even more exciting.

Chapter Fifteen

Mark opened his eyes and eased himself into a sitting position Wednesday morning. Examining the bruises on his arms, he raised his shirt and found more of the same deep purple bruising around the binding on his ribs. The criminals’ faces and their fists punching him tormented his mind. He hoped the bad part of that day would soon become a distant memory. Shaking his head, he scooted to the edge of the bed.

Dusty looked up and thumped his tail on the floor.

Easing off the bed, Mark scratched Dusty behind his ears. “Good morning, boy. Are you feeling better?”

Noah peeked in. “Were you able to sleep? I’d like to fix you breakfast. Are you hungry? Do eggs and toast sound good?”

“I’m starving. Will you join me?”

“I’ll keep you company for a short time, and then I should do chores.” Noah glanced out the window. “Bishop Weaver is coming up the lane. I’ll greet him and bring him inside.”

“Danki, it will give me time to throw some water on my face.” Mark hobbled over to the bowl of water on a small stand, washed, and wiped his face then stepped to the sitting room. “I appreciate your help yesterday, Bishop Weaver.”

“I came to check on you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m moving slow, but I’ll be fine. Kumme to the kitchen table. Noah offered to fix breakfast. Have you eaten?”

“No breakfast for me, danki. My stomach is full from too much coffee and food this morning at the Berlin Restaurant. I have a busy day ahead. I can’t stay long.”

“You and Mark take your time and visit, Bishop. I’ll prepare food for Mark and me.”

“Danki, Noah. Bishop Weaver and I will stay in the sitting room. These chairs are more comfortable.” He gestured to the settee. “Please have a seat.” Mark waited until Noah left the room, and then he eased his body slowly onto his favorite chair. “I’d like to schedule marital counseling meetings with you for Grace and me.”

The bishop’s cheeks dimpled. “I suspected you’d be in a hurry to put a plan in motion to wed Grace. It’s the other reason I came here today. You and Grace may kumme to my haus for marital instruction on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next several weeks. Will five thirty fit into your schedules? We’ll see how much time we have for each session to determine how many more we need.”

“I’ll tell Grace. Five thirty will give us both enough time to lock up our shops and walk to your haus. Is there anything I need to prepare?”

“No, I’ll go over biblical principles, finances, and other topics for putting you on the right path to a successful marriage.” He rose. “I’m glad everything worked out for you and Grace. I look forward to officiating the wedding.”

Mark bid the bishop farewell and moved to the kitchen for his breakfast. He stepped outside and breathed the fresh air heading for the workshop. He wouldn’t rest until he told Grace their counseling dates were set.

Saturday afternoon, Mark crossed the yard, crunching the brown leaves beneath his boots. He reveled in the slightly cool breeze on his way to find Noah. He found his friend in the garden. “Would you help me with something?”

“Sure, I’d be glad to.” Noah followed Mark.

“I’ve built a cradle for Sarah and Levi. You’ve probably noticed it in the workshop. I need help lifting it into my wagon.”

“I peeked at it the other day and thought you were selling it in the store. They will appreciate the beautiful piece.” He studied Mark. “You’re moving a little better than you were this morning.”

“I swallowed some aspirin powder and drank water, and the medicine has helped ease the aches and pains.” He uncovered an oak cradle. “Do you have time to go with me to take this to them? I’d like to deliver the cradle today.”

Noah slid the bag off his shoulder and dropped it onto an old weathered trunk. He sniffed in the scent of the fragrant wood. “I never tire of the cedar scent. You outdid yourself on this piece. This cradle is the prettiest one I’ve laid eyes on. I admire your talent.”

“You’re kind. If you want to learn to work with wood, I’ll be glad to teach you.”

“I’ll take you up on your offer. In the winter, it would give me something to do.”

“If you like constructing the things I sell in my store and do a good job, I’ll buy your pieces from you. You can use the wood in my workshop. Construct a stool first and follow the pattern of the one already made in the barn.”

“I’m eager to get started. After the harvest and wedding, I’ll have time.”

Noah and Mark carried the cradle into the wagon, climbed down, and covered it with an old blanket.

Mark groaned, leaned against the wagon, and held his side.

Noah said, “I should’ve asked a neighbor to help load this. It’s too soon after your ordeal for you to lift it.”

“I’ll be fine, but when we take it out, let’s have Levi help you.” Mark straightened and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. A wave of nausea passed.

“I’ll hitch up the horse, and we’ll go there now.”

“Before we go to Levi and Sarah’s haus, let’s go into town. I’d like to speak to Grace about something and show her the cradle.”

“She’ll love it.”

Mark stepped outside, washed his hands at the pump, and then joined Noah in the barn. He wiped his hands on his pant legs to dry them then climbed in the wagon.

Noah led the horse outside, hitched it to his wagon, and drove down the lane.

Mark listened to Noah prattle on about helping harvest the fields, his mamm’s selections for canning vegetables, and furniture he was anxious to learn how to construct. He’d liked working alongside Noah in the barn, garden, and fields. Even better, he’d love teaching him how to build things out of wood.

His friend stopped in front of the store. Together, they walked inside the shop.

Grace and Anna stood at the counter sorting through quilts. Grace darted to them. “Mark, you look much better.” She waved Noah over. “Kumme here, it’s good to see you.” She gestured to Anna. “Mark, you met Anna when you brought Dusty in for treatment.”

“Jah, it’s nice to see you again.”

“How are you and Dusty feeling?”

“Dusty and I are on the mend. Danki for your concern.”

Grace gestured to Noah. “Anna, Noah Schwartz works for Mark doing farming and chores.”

Noah removed his hat and bowed his head a little. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Anna blushed. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Mark pulled Grace aside. “The bishop visited me. Our counseling dates are set for Tuesdays and Thursdays at five thirty.”

Grace beamed. “I’m so happy! Everything is going smoothly.”

“The days and time work out perfectly.”

He glimpsed at Noah and Anna, thankful they were chatting and not paying attention to him and Grace. Relieved no customers were coming through the door as well, he grazed her hand.

“I want to hold you in my arms.”

Her cheeks pinked. “It won’t be long and we’ll be together each day.”

“You can count on it.”

“I wish it was tomorrow.”

“I’m ticking the days off until I can carry you over the threshold to
our
haus.”

She blanched. “I like hearing you say ‘our haus.’”

Grace peered over at Noah and Anna. “They aren’t having any trouble finding things to talk about. Look at those cheery faces. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were interested in each other?”

Mark chuckled. “I remember the first time I met you. I was smitten at the sight of you. Noah looks enamored with her already.”

The attraction the couple portrayed on their shy faces warmed his heart. He hoped Noah would decide to stay in Berlin. Maybe falling in love with an Amish woman would entice him to stay. He was reminded, once again, of the first time he met Grace. The overwhelming connection he had with her, he couldn’t quite explain it at the time. The same one he experienced over and over again each time he saw her.

“You made an excellent impression on me during our first meeting, Mr. King.” She blushed. “It didn’t take me long to fall in love with you.”

“You had my heart early on, Grace Blauch. No doubt about it.”

Noah’s laugh interrupted them.

Mark viewed the couple. They were both beaming and seemed unaware of anyone around them.

Grace smiled. “Anna and I drove to Sarah’s. They chatted for a bit, and we delivered fabric Sarah requested. They enjoyed each other’s company. Sarah liked her. She and Levi are so excited for us.”

A customer entered. “Oh sorry, I’m in the wrong place. I’m looking for the post office.” She ducked out before any of them could answer.

“I have a present for Sarah and Levi. I wanted to show it to you first. Noah and I have it in the wagon. We’re taking it to them after we leave here.”

Grace stepped to the door. “Anna, can you watch the store for a minute?”

She nodded then returned her attention to Noah.

Mark and Grace stepped outside. He slowly climbed in the wagon. He winced and uncovered the cradle.

She stepped to the bench, sat, and turned around to view him and the piece. “Oh, Mark! Be careful.”

“It’s getting better.” He motioned to the gift for Sarah and Levi. “Do you like it?”

She perused the piece. “This is an exquisite cradle! I love it!”

“Someday, I’ll make a cradle for our kinner.”

“What a wonderful thought.” She stroked the side of it.

Mark covered the cradle again. “May I tell Sarah and Levi we’ve got our counseling dates set?”

“Yes, please tell them. Noah reminds me of you. You both take initiative and help. It’s one of the many traits I love about you.”

“He’s become a good friend to me, as Anna has to you. Wouldn’t it be something if they had a budding romance?”

“Yes, I’d like watching their attraction grow.”

“We’re accumulating a nice group of close friends. I’m really happy I chose to settle down in Berlin.”

She gazed at him. “I’m thankful your haus in Berlin will soon be my address.”

He gripped the side and stepped out of the wagon and reached for her hand. “Me too.”

She jumped down. “We’re fortunate Levi and Sarah are our age. It will be convenient to live close to them.”

“You can change and decorate the haus anyway you’d like. I’m looking forward to your special touches.”

“I’m eager to organize the cupboards and arrange the furniture. Most of all, I’m yearning to get into our own routine. My parents like to drink hot chocolate by the fire at night. Mamm knits and Daed reads his Holy Bible. They discuss their day. They have a rule never to go to bed angry. I’m not sure if they follow it all the time, but it’s a good practice.”

Mark covered the cradle. “Let’s follow this same rule in our marriage.”

“I can be stubborn. If we have an argument late in the day, it might be difficult to resolve before we go to bed. We might need to further discuss it the next day.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll resolve our issues faster if we’re tired and anxious to get some rest.” He winked.

She raised her eyebrows. “Good point. When I told her Mamm and Daed’s rule, Sarah suggested they practice it. She said the rule has worked quite well for them. Let’s try it.”

Noah came out of the shop. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the shop is getting busy with customers. Anna asked me to fetch you.”

“It’s our busiest time of the day. I should go back inside. Danki, Noah.” She bid Mark farewell.

Mark waited until she left and climbed on the bench seat.

Noah untied the horse and got in. He jiggled the reins. “Anna and I couldn’t help but notice you and Grace seem excited about something.”

“Bishop Weaver gave us our dates for our counseling. I wanted to tell her first before anyone else.”

“Congratulations! I’d love to help with anything you need.”

“I appreciate it. I can’t think of anything at the minute.” He paused. “How did you like Anna?”

Noah blushed. “She’s very sweet.”

He’d been right. Noah had found Anna attractive, and she seemed interested in him. “Grace told me Anna is a hard worker and kind to customers, and they have become good friends.”