Grace's Forgiveness (22 page)

Daed nodded. “You deserved a few minutes to yourself. You work hard. Your food tasted delicious, as always. I’m pleased to find our dochder smiling a lot these days too.”

Grace stared off in the distance. She would be a bride soon.
Mark’s fraa.
He hadn’t appeared uneasy asking her to marry him. A sure sign he was certain about her and their future together. She had no qualms about spending the rest of her life with him.

Grace listened to her mamm’s chatter but couldn’t concentrate on what she was saying.

“My dearest dochder, you haven’t paid attention to a word I’ve said, have you?”

“No, I’m sorry. Tell me again.”

The wagon wheel jostled when it hit a rut in the dirt road. Mamm clasped Grace’s arm for support. “What’s got you preoccupied?”

Daed laughed. “Not
what
but
who
would be the appropriate question.”

Mamm patted Grace’s hand. “It’s all right. I’m pleased our dochder and Mark have a spark. This is an important time in her life.” She nudged his arm. “I remember when I swooned after you.”

Daed chuckled and scoffed.

Grace said, “Speaking of Mark, he’s coming for supper tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll take venison out of the icebox.” She winked. “This might be a very special occasion.”

Daed halted the horse and jumped out of the wagon. “He’s wilkom to our haus anytime.”

Grace climbed down and grabbed a dish. She avoided Mamm’s gaze. The words on her tongue begged to be spoken, but she mustn’t say anything. The joy she’d felt since Mark proposed had put a smile on her face. Mamm must suspect something. Nonetheless, she’d honor Mark’s wishes.

Grace opened a jar of peach jam and emptied it in a small dish Monday evening. Mark would arrive any minute. This had been the longest day. Would her daed have any reservations about Mark’s proposal? She was certain he’d be delighted to have Mark for a son-in-law. “Mamm, what else can I do?”

Mamm bustled about the kitchen. “The table is set, and food is done, and ginger cookies are ready for dessert. You’ve been as jumpy as a cat today. Is anything bothering you?”

Tempted to tell Mamm Mark had proposed, she stifled her excitement. “I’m fine. I’m anxious to have Mark join us for supper.”

Voices came from the sitting room. She went to greet Mark and waited. Her daed welcomed him with a grin and handshake. This night was off to a great start.

“Kumme in, Mark. Take a seat. Let’s have supper while the food is hot. I’m pleased you could join us this evening.” She poured water in their glasses.

Grace couldn’t sit still. Food sat heavy in her stomach, and she struggled to clean her plate. Glancing at the mantel clock, she willed the minute hand to move faster.

Mr. Blauch asked Mark how his store was doing, and they discussed his latest handcrafted items to sell.

Mark asked, “Mrs. Blauch, what would you shop for in my store?”

Being asked her opinion brought dimples to her cheeks. “I would seek out potato keepers, bread boxes, and mending chests large enough to hold material and supplies.” She blushed. “Danki for asking my opinion.”

“You’ve provided a new idea for me. Mending boxes are something I can add to my inventory. Danki.”

Grace passed Mark the carrots. “Would you like more?”

“No danki, but it was delicious.”

They chatted a little while longer about church, the weather, and how well Jonah had recovered from his incident in the woods. She squirmed in her seat. Her patience had run out.

“Let’s save apple pie for later.” Mamm carried the dishes to the kitchen.

Grace wasn’t sure her nerves could take another minute of sitting still. She was more than ready for Daed and Mark to go off alone to discuss what would be a life-changing and memorable occasion for her.

Daed pushed back his chair. “Mark, join me on the porch. The night’s quiet and the stars are shining bright tonight. We can chat while the women clear the table.”

Grace caught Mark’s wink. This was it. Her hands trembled as she dried the dishes Mamm handed her. Straining to listen to the men’s conversation, she couldn’t understand a word they were saying.

Mamm paused, dried her hands, and slipped her arm through Grace’s. “I have an idea what’s going on here tonight. What are we doing in the kitchen?” She gave her a playful grin. “Let’s go to the sitting area. The door’s open. We can eavesdrop.”

Grace’s mouth flew open. “You don’t miss a stitch.” She laughed and gently squeezed her arm.

They sat in the chairs closest to the door. She cast her eyes on Mark through the open doorway.

Mamm leaned forward. “I wish they’d speak up.”

“Me too!”

Mark stood and shook her daed’s hand. They came inside.

Her daed directed his attention to Mamm. “Mark’s got something he’d like to say to you.”

“Mrs. Blauch, I asked Grace to marry me. She said jah, and your husband has given us his blessing. Do you?”

Mamm jumped up from her chair and put a hand to her heart. “I’m thrilled! Grace hasn’t wiped the smile off her face since meeting you. She has a lilt in her voice and a bounce in her step, and I credit both to how happy you’re making her.”

Grace rose and stood next to Mark. “Danki, Mamm and Daed, for your blessing. This is the happiest day of my life.” She gazed fondly at her future husband.

“Why don’t you two take a walk? It’s a beautiful night, and I’m sure you have a lot you’d like to discuss.”

She grabbed a lantern and walked outside next to Mark. Out of her parents’ earshot, she paused. “How did it go with my daed?”

“He was gracious and kind. He didn’t hesitate to offer his acceptance of me as a son-in-law. Spending time with him rescuing Jonah and going target shooting was a good idea. We’ve grown close, and he’s had a chance to find out what kind of man I am. I promised to love, honor, and protect you.”

Grace bubbled with excitement. “Mamm shocked me. She figured it out. Like a schoolmaedel, she wanted to overhear your conversation with Daed. I did too, but we couldn’t understand your conversation. I had no doubt she’d be pleased for us.”

He led her to the barn, hidden out of sight from her haus, set the lantern on a tree stump, and put his arms around her.

Her heart raced and her knees weakened. Not sure what to do, she placed her hands on his shoulders.

He gently raised her chin and leaned close to her face.

Her body melted with excitement. He was going to kiss her. The moonlight hid his eyes. She held her breath for a moment.

“I love you, Grace.” His lips met hers.

Mark’s lips were soft and the swell of delight went from her head to her toes. His kiss was so much better than she’d imagined it would be. Nothing like the brief, stolen kiss in his furniture store so long ago.

He rested his forehead on hers and hugged her closer. “My heart is about to jump out of my chest.”

“I can hardly speak. I don’t want our time together tonight to end.” She thought her heart would melt.

He’d said what she wanted to hear, and she had no doubt he meant it. Words she hadn’t expected to hear from a man. Not with her ugly birthmark marring her face. Mark had looked past her flaw and taken the time to find out what was on the inside.

“I love you so much. I want to climb the highest mountain and shout to the world I’m marrying Mark King!”

“I’d stand beside you and shout our news too.” He caressed her cheek. “When would you like to get married?”

“Tomorrow!” She laughed. “In all seriousness, we must check the bishop’s schedule. This is a busy time for you with farming and the store. I’ll leave the wedding date to you.”

“I, too, would like us to marry as soon as possible.” He kissed her nose. “I’ll speak with the bishop and schedule the date, then we can look forward to him announcing it to the membership.”

His touch and smallest kiss sent a thrill through her. She didn’t want to wait. “Because of the harvest season, November is popular for weddings. I’m not sure I can wait.”

He stepped back and held her hands. “I’ll ask the bishop for a date in early November.” He swung her hands a little. “As much as I don’t want to wait, our friends and family will enjoy our day more after the harvest. They will also have more time to help us.”

“Good idea. Thursday is a popular day for weddings. It allows us one day before to prepare and gives everyone two days before Sunday to catch up on chores.”

“Will you tell Sarah right away?”

“Yes, she and Levi won’t share our wedding plans with anyone until the bishop has a chance to announce it.”

“I’d like them to know now.” He gently squeezed her. “I’m so anxious to begin our life together.” He embraced her and kissed her again.

She closed her eyes for a moment and willed herself to remember the way his lips touched her mouth, his arms circled around her waist, the perfect night air, and the stars lighting the sky. “I’ve been praying for a man like you. God sent you into my life when I least expected it.”

“Since losing my parents and Abel, I’ve anticipated finding a fraa but never found the right woman, until I met you. Now I understand why. God had you in mind for me.” He caressed her soft cheek. “We should go back. I don’t want to have you out here too long. The last thing I need is for your daed to catch me kissing his dochder!”

She laughed, and they went inside. Mamm and Daed sat across from each other in the sitting room drinking lemonade with Bibles in their laps.

Mark said, “I wanted to say farewell and danki for the meal and your blessing.”

Mr. Blauch stood and patted him on the back. He glanced at Mamm who joined him. “We couldn’t be happier.”

Mamm handed him a container. “Here’s a bag of shortbread cookies and some leftovers to take home.”

“I’d never turn down your cooking. Danki.”

Watching her parents, Grace hugged herself. This night had surpassed her expectations. She walked outside to bid Mark a private farewell then stepped in the haus.

“When will Mark speak to the bishop?”

She stifled her giggle at Mamm’s enthusiasm. “Tomorrow. It’s no secret I’m not a patient woman. Waiting for my wedding day to arrive will be my hardest challenge yet.”

The three of them shared a warm laugh.

Daed kissed their foreheads. “I’m off to bed. I’ll leave the two of you. You have a wedding to plan.”

Mamm returned to her chair. “Of course, you’ll make your dress. Do you and Sarah have light blue fabric at the store? It would be perfect.”

“You and I have the same idea. If we don’t have enough of what I’d like, I have time to order the material.”

“Grace, I’m so elated for you and Mark. He fits in well with us and the community. I’m looking forward to helping you with your dress, cooking for the wedding, and whatever else you need.”

“Danki. You’ve set a good example of what a good fraa should be to her husband.”

“I fell in love with your daed the first day I met him. Taking care of you and your daed makes me happy. I want the same for you.” She reached across the short distance between them and squeezed her hand gently. “I love you, Grace. It warms my heart you’re happy.”

“I’m not going to sleep a wink tonight, I’m so thrilled. I’ve waited a long time for this moment.” She hugged her mamm. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She went to her room and shut the door. After attending a number of weddings, she’d be the bride this time. She’d stitch her wedding dress instead of one for a friend who couldn’t sew, stand with Mark in the church, and exchange vows with him.

She undressed and shrugged into her nightclothes. She’d be a mamm someday. A pang of guilt went from head to toe. She’d doubted God at times. She knelt beside her bed, folded her hands, and bowed her head. “Dear Heavenly Father, I’m sorry I doubted You in my prayers to provide a husband for me. In my heart, I thought I’d be a spinster. Mark is an even kinder, gentler, stronger, and more loving man than I’d pictured marrying. Danki for mercy and grace. Danki for Mark and my parents’ acceptance of him. Amen.”

Pushing herself up, she stood. Sharing their wedding day with friends and neighbors would be a pleasure. She wished she could tell everyone her news now. They were supposed to keep their secret until a month before the ceremony, but she’d tell her best friend. Sarah would be delighted.

She fingered the quilt over her chair in the corner. She took a bottle of ink and a piece of paper and wrote Mark a letter. Tucking it inside, she wondered when she should give it to him. She could give him one before and the other after the wedding. He’d have the note in the pocket to read and remind him of her before they were married, and the other as a keepsake to read on their anniversary date for years to kumme. It would be her way of telling him she loved him every day.

Becca would be happy for her, but how could she tell her without getting in trouble? She’d visit Hester and ask if she needed help. At the same time, she’d tell Hester she was getting married. No doubt Hester would pass her news on to Becca. This day had been special, and she couldn’t stand to have it end.

Chapter Eleven

Grace arrived at Hester’s haus on this bright and warm Tuesday morning. A red fox scurried in the brush, and a fish jumped out of the pond, making a splash. She climbed out of the wagon and tied her horse to the hitching post. She flinched. A little gray mouse crossed in front of her feet.

Hester stood fastening a sheet to a clothesline. Her long dark braid hung down her back. Her calico dress fit pretty on her tall thin frame.

Grace tiptoed and snuck up behind her. “Good morning.”

“What a nice surprise!” Hester quickly turned and circled her in a hug. “It’s been a while since I’ve laid eyes on you. Have you been busy at your shop?”

“Our shop is making a profit this year. Have you delivered any bopplin lately?”

“No, but children hurting themselves have kept me busy patching them up.” She gestured to the porch. “Let’s sit outside in the rocking chairs. I need a break.” She paused. “Would you like lemonade?”

“Get some lemonade for you, but I’m all right. I won’t be here long. I must get to the shop. I have something exciting to tell you.” She sat.