Grace's Forgiveness (2 page)

Both women unclasped their reticules and paid Grace for their selections.

“Danki.” She dropped the coins in their proper spots, closed the box, and recorded the sale in the journal. She and Sarah would have extra money to pay Mark for building the shelves, without taking it out of the money they’d planned to use for buying new fabric. “I hope you’ll have a chance to visit us again. Have a safe trip.” She stowed the cashbox underneath the counter. She’d never tire of recording a sale.

Grace joined Sarah in the supply room at the back of the store. “With the two quilts off the walls, we have the perfect spot for Mark to build the shelves.” She yanked a sheet and white blanket from the top of an old oak chest and put them on a cot. “The shelves will allow us to display more of our products, and we won’t have to store as much of them back here.”

Sarah sighed. “I appreciate you managing the shop with me in addition to helping women birth their bopplin. I wouldn’t want to manage this place alone. I could never be a midwife. I can’t stand the sight of blood.” Sarah frowned and crossed her arms. “Something you said earlier bothered me.”

Grace paused and raised her eyebrows. “What did I say to upset you?”

“You shouldn’t tell our patrons Becca and her schweschder gave you the idea to sell the quilts in our shop. We have no need to communicate with her. If Bishop Weaver finds out, we’ll be chastised. You are to shun Becca and Ruth for joining the church then leaving our Amish community.” She heaved a big sigh. “Enough said on the matter. We don’t need to discuss it any further.”

Grace opened her mouth to speak but shut it. Becca was her dear friend. She missed her. Shunning Becca hurt her worse than customers making rude comments about her birthmark. Her friend had no problem adhering to Amish law when it came to Becca. Sarah hadn’t experienced losing a best friend to the outside world.

“I understand your concern. I won’t mention to patrons again that Becca and Ruth gave us the idea to sell the keepsake pocket quilts.”

“Like I said, we can put this behind us.” Sarah nudged Grace’s arm. “I’m more interested in talking about Mark. Are you excited he’ll be working here?”

Grace clasped her hands. Of course she was, but she didn’t want to dwell on him. New in town, it wouldn’t be long before other available women would find him handsome too. “I am, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.” Grace moved to the stove. She touched the small pan on top and withdrew her hand back. The coffee was hot. Mark came in. She turned in surprise.

He strode over to her and removed his hat. “Did I leave a paper marked with shelf measurements here?”

She searched behind the desk, bent, and snatched a note from the floor and held it up. He had a striking, suntanned face. “Is this what you’re looking for?” She passed the note to him.

He scanned it. “Danki. Now I don’t have to measure the walls again.”

Sarah grabbed her small, plain reticule. “Mark, I apologize for not offering you anything to drink earlier this morning. Please stay and have a cup of hot coffee with Grace. I’m going to the General Store. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“No need to apologize.”

“I appreciate your understanding, but really, don’t rush off. Customers may kumme in and interrupt, but I’d like for you and Grace to get better acquainted.” She winked at Grace, tied her kapp strings, and departed.

Grace loved her friend, but she could be too direct at times. Putting the embarrassing moment out of her mind, she shrugged her shoulder to the small pan. “Would you like coffee? I brought some from home and it’s on the stove and ready to drink.”

“Jah, danki.”

This man affected her like no other. She couldn’t explain it. Grace poured the coffee and passed a mug to him.

The mug slipped through his hands.
Bang. Splat.
Pieces of glass slid across the floor. He blushed. “I’m as clumsy as an oaf. I’m sorry about the mess.” Mark bent to pick up a shard of glass and cut his hand. “Ouch!” He jerked his hand back. Blood dripped onto his shoe. “You’ll never invite me again if I keep dropping things and bleeding all over your floor.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “You’re wilkom here anytime. Accidents happen. Are you all right?” She grabbed a clean towel and threw it to him. “Wrap your hand. I’ll be back in a minute.” She ran to a porcelain pitcher filled with water in the back, wet a towel, grabbed two dry ones, and picked up her medical supply bag by the front door. Next to him, she stooped, threw open her bag, and dug out what she needed and tended to his hand.
I like his large, strong, calloused hands. He must be a hard worker.
“You don’t need stitches and the bleeding has stopped. You may take the bandage off in a day or so.”

“Are you a nurse and a shop owner?”

“I’m a midwife. My daed and Sarah’s husband, Levi, bought the shop and gave it to her and me to manage. It adds extra income to both our families to tide us over, especially in the winter months.”

Grace grabbed the soiled cloths, stuffed them in an empty flour sack from under the shelf, and dropped them out of sight behind the counter. “I’ll pour you another mug of coffee.”

“I’d like another one. Danki.” He grabbed a broom and dustpan propped against the wall behind the counter, swept up the broken pieces, and threw them in the trash bin. He returned the broom and dustpan to their original spot then snatched towels to wipe up the remaining liquid and added the soiled cloths the bag Grace had dropped rags in.

Grace poured steaming coffee in Mark’s mug. She then scanned the floor where the glass had been. “You didn’t have to clean up the mess, but I appreciate it.”

“Glad to do it. My mamm taught me well.” He pointed to her middle door. “We’ll be neighbors. I bought the empty space next door after I left your shop this morning. We’ll have a connecting door between our shops, making it easier for us to visit. I didn’t tell Levi or Sarah. I didn’t want to say anything about it to anyone until I was certain the previous owner and I could agree on a price. I’ll open my store a week from Saturday.”

What wonderful news.
This day kept getting better.
“
Congratulations.” She slid her hands in her white apron pockets. “Did you have a store in Lancaster?”

“No. I built homes. In the evenings I constructed tables, chairs, and bread and potato boxes out of oak and maple. I carved miniature toy bears and other animals out of pine. I wanted to have a sampling of different items to sell before I opened my shop. I had hired a man to manage my farm so I’d have more time to construct my things. I’m thankful my worker found another job before I left.”

“Why did you choose Berlin to start a new life?”

“My haus caught on fire and burnt to the ground. I had gotten acquainted with Mr. Stoltzfus, and he offered to sell me his property here.”

Grace sighed. “What caused it?”

“Someone I knew accidentally knocked over a lit lantern in my barn. The fire spread and destroyed it and my haus. I stayed with my other neighbor until after the Stoltzfuses’ funeral and then came to Berlin.”

Mark had endured a lot of pain in his life, losing his parents and his haus. It must be hard to move to a new place where he wasn’t familiar with anyone. She couldn’t imagine doing the same. “It must’ve been disheartening for you to lose your barn, your haus, your parents, and the Stoltzfuses.”

“It was a shock. As far as the fire goes, I’m relieved my handcrafted furniture and such in the workshop weren’t harmed. It would take a long time to replace them.”

“I’m surprised you bought Mr. Stoltzfus’s haus sight unseen.”

He laughed. “We had become fast friends. I trusted him.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I needed somewhere to live, and the man asked a fair price I could afford. If anything had been wrong with the haus, I knew I could repair it.” Pausing, he walked over to a quilt. “This caught my eye while we were talking. Did you make this one?”

“I did. The Jacob’s ladder pattern is one of my favorite ones.”

He put his mug on the counter. “This would be perfect to drape over the back of my settee.” He studied the pinned price note. “I’ll buy it.”

Mark helped her unhook his purchase off three wooden pegs, folded the material, unpinned the small white paper, and paid her. She patted the pocket. “You could write a letter, tuck it inside, and give the quilt to someone special for a keepsake.”

“Maybe I will someday.”

His rough-skinned fingers grazed hers, and she warmed. Mark King had left his friends and church and everything familiar behind. How intriguing. Did he have other reasons why he left Lancaster to begin a new life in Berlin? “Won’t you miss your friends?”

“Jah, but I’ll write to them.” He tucked his quilt under his arm and then glimpsed at the small wooden pine clock on the counter. “I should go. I bought livestock, a rooster, and hens from an Englischer I met at the General Store. His name’s Jed Post. He told the storeowner he’s moving and selling his livestock. He asked if the storeowner knew anyone who’d be interested in buying them. I introduced myself, and Mr. Post sold them to me for a good price. He’s bringing them to me around ten.”

“The man’s timing and yours couldn’t have been better. Have a nice day. I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning.”

“See you then, Grace.” He closed the door behind him.

Sarah returned several minutes later. “Did you have a chance to get better acquainted with Mark?”

Grace traced the top of his empty mug. “Yes, and he bought the store next to us this morning.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t tell Levi about it. We assumed he was going to sell his things out of his workshop beside his barn. Having a store in town will give him better access to walk-in customers.”

“He didn’t want to tell anyone until he’d settled on a price with the owner. He’ll open it to patrons in a week from Saturday.”

“Oh, Grace, I’m so excited! He’ll be right next door. It’ll give you an even better chance to talk to him.”

Grace glanced at the clock. Eight in the morning couldn’t kumme soon enough.

Mark stepped onto the boardwalk, shielded his eyes from the bright sun, and headed for the livery. The morning had flown. It was 9:40. He should’ve left Grace’s earlier, but wild horses couldn’t have pulled him away from her. She’d captivated his interest with those deep brown eyes. He walked faster. Mr. Post might already be at his haus.

He dodged horses and buggies while crossing the road. Townsfolk filled the streets, and stores buzzed with activity. He passed Amish and Englischer patrons exiting and entering Berlin’s General Store and post office. He glanced at the blacksmith hammering a horseshoe. The aroma of fresh baked bread filled the air in front of the bakery. He ducked in the store and bought a loaf for supper.

His purchase in hand, he sidestepped past the hunched-over peddler selling carved oak canes to a patron. Threatening gray clouds rolled in and covered the sun. The weather wouldn’t dampen his mood today. Not after meeting Grace. Her choice of work forced her to deal with patrons face-to-face. Her birthmark hadn’t stopped her from being a midwife and store manager.
Impressive.
She had a melodious voice, big brown eyes, and a cheerful attitude. Kind and sweet described her best.

He hadn’t known whether to mention his bruder or not when Sarah asked if he had siblings. Amish law stated he should shun anyone who joined the church then left the Amish order, as if they were dead. His bruder might ask friends in Lancaster where he had moved to. If Abel came to his haus or shop and asked for help, what would he do? He pushed the anguish out of his mind.

Mark approached the liveryman, paid his fee, and retrieved his horse and buckboard. On his way home, the soft wind blew the dark clouds away, allowing the sun to shine. He’d open the windows to invite the fresh air inside when he arrived home.

He climbed out of the buckboard and tied the horse’s reins to the white hitching post. Jed Post stood on his porch. He motioned to a young man who sat in a spring wagon loaded with crates of hens and a rooster. Three other young men managed the livestock.

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”

“No, we arrived a few minutes ago. We’ll follow you to the barn and help you secure the animals.” Mr. Post introduced Mark to his sons. “Call me Jed.”

“Danki, and call me Mark.” He unhitched his horse from his buckboard and stowed him in a stall.

The men guided and secured the plow horse, sow, hogs, cows, hens, and rooster inside the barn.

Mark indicated the haus. “I’ll go inside and get the money I owe you. You’re wilkom to kumme inside and rest. Would any of you like something to eat or drink?”

“Danki, but we can’t stay long. We’re getting ready to move and have a lot of work to do before the sun sets. I’ll wait here.”

Mark went inside, retrieved coins from his money jar, and joined Jed. He pressed the coins in his hand. “Danki.” He chatted with his visitors for about ten minutes.

Jed gestured to his sons. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Mark. We should be on our way. My bruder is expecting us. He’s much older than I am and not in good health. We’re going to move into his big place and take over his farm in Lancaster. He’s got more livestock than I need. I’m pleased you bought mine.”

“I’m sorry your bruder is ill. I hope all goes well as you travel there.” Mark bid them farewell and checked the livestock again. The animals appeared healthy and were what he needed.

Several minutes later, a horse’s neigh caught his attention. He peeked outside. Who was coming toward his haus? This day had been busy. It was a good thing he’d finished a lot of his chores at six this morning. A short, round Amish man got out of his buggy and held his horse’s reins. Wire-framed spectacles sat low on the man’s nose. “I’m Bishop Weaver.”

“I’m Mark King. Would you like to kumme in?”

“Jah, may I call you Mark?”

“Of course, but before we go inside, I’ll give your horse food and water.”

“Don’t bother. I mean to stay only a short time.” Bishop Weaver secured his horse to the hitching post and patted the animal’s head. “There you go, boy.” He then followed Mark inside.