Grace's Forgiveness (13 page)

“All right, you try.” He passed the chisel and hammer to her then moved behind her, keeping a safe distance between them, and wrapped his hand around hers on the tool. His breath caught.
Umm, her mamm must’ve baked cookies again. The cinnamon scent in her hair is sweet and nice
.
Her skin is soft and her hands dainty.
He had a wild notion to take her in his arms and hold her tight. He’d dreamt about it, but it was forbidden.

She didn’t flinch or move. She tapped the chisel and cut a
Z.
A little crooked, but all right.
Impressive.
He could smooth out her flaws later.

“How’d I do?”

He held it up and blew off the chips and dust. “You do fine work, madam.”

Her button nose wrinkled and her eyes squinted as she concentrated on each letter. She was so cute.

They continued working.

“
Ezra Wittmer
is centered and the dates and numbers are etched underneath his name perfectly. You’re a natural. Would you like to work with me?”

She laughed. “I liked learning something new, and I would like to work with you but Sarah may have an opinion about my switching jobs.”

They laughed and then quieted. His pulse increased. He raised her chin and met her beautiful brown eyes then lowered his lips onto hers and kissed her gently. He let go of her slowly and put a little distance between them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so forward.”

Her cheeks pink and her voice soft, she raised her eyes to him. “Don’t apologize.”

“I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time. Your lips are softer than I had imagined.”

“You’re the first man to kiss me. I’m glad your lips were the first to touch mine.”

His heart hammered against his chest. He thought it would explode. This memory would burn in his mind forever. He hoped to reminisce about it for years to kumme.

A patron entered. Mark stepped back quick. He strode to the customer. “Please kumme in. Are you looking for anything in particular?”

The gray-haired Englisch man tapped his cane and stepped to a potato box. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to browse.”

“Go ahead. I’m here if you need me.” He returned to Grace and lowered his voice. “I’m glad he didn’t knock on the door earlier.”

She put a hand to her lips. “I’m relieved he or Sarah didn’t ruin our special moment. I will treasure our first kiss for a long time to kumme.”

“I will too.”

A clang came from the corner of the room. Grace startled.

The patron apologized and righted the umbrella tin.

She blushed, cleared her throat, and brushed dust off her apron. “I wish we had more time together.”

Mark tilted his head and grinned. “I don’t want to let you go either.”

The customer held up a wooden toy horse. “Excuse me, do you have more of these?”

Mark nodded. “Jah, I have more in the back room. I’ll be with you in one minute.”

Sighing, Grace clasped the connecting door’s knob. “I should let you help your customer. I hope you’ll join Sarah and me for dinner.”

He winked. “I’ll look forward to seeing you at noon.” Grace held his gaze for a moment then returned to the store.

Mark answered his customer’s questions, sold him wooden toys, and collected his payment. He waited on a steady stream of customers until noon, then went to join Grace and Sarah for dinner. “My morning went fast. How did yours go?”

“We haven’t had a minute to ourselves. The rush of customers was good for business but has worn me out.” Grace removed apples, cold pork sandwiches, and cherry tarts from the picnic basket and set the food on the table.

Sarah handed Mark a jar of water and sat. “Mark, would you offer a prayer for our dinner?” She bowed her head.

Mark prayed and thanked God for the food and to comfort Mrs. Wittmer. The three of them recounted their day at the barn raising, finished their meal, and returned to work.

At the end of the day, Mark locked his shop door. On the way home, he recalled the events leading up to Mr. Wittner’s passing. It all happened so fast. The man’s death brought back memories of his parents’ funeral. He loved his parents and had enjoyed mealtimes, working alongside his daed and bruder, eating mamm’s good cooking and treats. She had given the best hugs. He looked forward to having a family of his own one day.

Chapter Six

Customers trailed in and out during the long afternoon. Grace swept the floor and dusted off shelves to keep busy in between waiting on patrons. Tomorrow would be a hard day. Funerals brought tears and sad faces of family members and friends who would miss their loved one who had gone to Heaven. Poor Mark. It must bring back memories of his parents and bruder. He didn’t have any idea if Abel was dead or alive. Did he experience loneliness? She must be a good friend to Mark and assure him she’d do anything for him. He had swept into her life and given her hope she might be his fraa someday.

The day dawned Friday morning. Grace rolled over in bed, sat up, slid her legs over the edge of the bed, and stood. She couldn’t wait until this sad day ended. What a terrible thought. She shouldn’t wish her life away.

After she dressed, she headed to the kitchen. “Good morning. Where’s Daed?”

Mamm stood flipping pancakes in the skillet. “He’s finishing his chores and readying the buggy for our trip to Mr. Wittmer’s funeral. Sit and I’ll put these on your plate.”

Grace obeyed and poured maple syrup on them. “These look delicious.”

Daed entered the kitchen. “I’m starved.”

“Yours are almost done. Wash your hands and sit.”

“Absolutely, madam.” Daed laughed, did as Mamm asked, and sat with his fork in hand. “You make the best pancakes and everything else I put in my mouth.”

Mamm slid his breakfast onto his plate. “It’s easy to keep you happy. All I have to do is feed you several times a day.”

They all chuckled and started chatting until they were finished with breakfast.

Daed wiped his mouth and stood. “I’ll hitch the horse to the buggy and wait outside.”

Grace carried the dirty plates to the counter. “I’ll rinse the dishes.”

“Danki, Grace.” Mamm checked the basket. “On second thought, leave the dishes. Put the syrup away and kumme. We haven’t much time.”

Grace grabbed the glass container and dropped it. “Ack!”
Bang. Splat.
“What a mess.” The thick brown liquid stained her apron. Broken glass pieces slid in the oozing, sticky mess and onto the floor. The syrup on the counter would reach the pie keeper if she didn’t hurry.

Mamm put her basket on the counter and grabbed a cloth. “You change clothes. I’ll hurry and clean this up.”

“You go ahead without me. I’ll take care of wiping up the syrup and change clothes.”

“All right.” Mamm peeked outside. “Your daed is waiting in the buggy. Be careful picking up the glass. Don’t cut yourself.” She retrieved her basket and headed outside.

Grace shut the door behind Mamm, grabbed some rags, and sopped up the edges of the slow-moving liquid. Thankfully, Mamm had an extra pan of hot water on the stove that didn’t get used. She filled a tub with soap and water, removed her apron, and left it to soak. Stepping out the back door, she grabbed an old wooden bucket off the back porch and filled it with the hot water and added lye soap.

This is an awful mess.
Dipping a cloth in the water, she got on her hands and knees, gathered and discarded the broken pieces, and threw them away before she mopped the wood floor. Her dress wet and dirty, she changed clothes and opened the door to leave.

Noah pulled in front of her haus. “Grace, I’m glad you’re home.”

“Why aren’t you at the funeral?” She swatted at a bee flying in the door.

“Is Mrs. Blauch here? Mark has a high fever. I came to fetch you and your mamm to help him.”

Grace’s pulse raced. Her mouth dried. “Mamm and Daed left already. I’ll kumme.” She grabbed her bag and followed Noah outside. “You go on ahead. Mark shouldn’t be alone. I’ll be right there.” She hurried to get her wagon and then rode to Mark’s.

Noah accepted her horse’s reins. “I’ll put your horse in the barn. You tend to Mark. I’m worried about him. His fever’s raging hot.”

She threw the reins to Noah and dashed inside the haus to Mark’s bedroom. Covers were stretched to the top of his head.

He groaned, moaned, and his legs moved beneath the blankets.

She peeled the quilt back a little and touched his cheek. “You’re very warm.”

He rolled to his side and blinked. “Grace, what are you doing here?”

His face pale and his eyes glassy, she swallowed hard. Beads of sweat coated his forehead and his hair was damp. He must’ve had a fever off and on through the night. “Noah came to fetch Mamm and me, but she has already left for the funeral. I’m going to take care of you, and don’t argue with me about it. How long have you been ill?” She shouldn’t be in his bedroom alone, but she didn’t care. He had no one. She wouldn’t leave him. He needed her.

His lips quivered and his body shivered. “I’ve been miserable all night.”

She stepped to a table in the corner of the bedroom and poured water from the pitcher into a bowl. Then she grabbed a clean cloth from the pile on the table, dipped it into the tepid water, and wrung out the excess. Hopefully, cooling his body would help. She couldn’t stand for him to suffer. A high temperature could be dangerous. Dragging a chair to beside the bed, she draped the cloth over his forehead then untied her medical bag and removed a bottle of aspirin powder. “I’ll be back. I’m getting a spoon and a glass.”

Mark’s body quaked.

She returned, grabbed the pitcher, and filled his water glass. He had gone to bed in his work clothes. He must’ve been sick not to change into something more comfortable. She measured the powder and added droplets of water to it. “Can you raise yourself?” She held a spoon filled with the medicine.

He eased up on his elbows and opened his mouth.

Carefully, she tipped the spoon into his mouth.

Shuddering, he motioned for the water. “Aspirin is the nastiest medicine to swallow.”

She held the glass to his lips. His teeth chattered against the glass. She’d rather it be her sick than him. Maybe the medicine would work and lower his fever. “Put your head on the pillow. Close your eyes and rest.”

“I appreciate your help, but don’t miss the funeral on my account. I’ll be fine.”

His clammy hand, warmer than normal, worried her. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re better. You don’t have any blotches on your skin, and you aren’t scratching your face or neck. No measles or chicken pox as far as I can tell. Hopefully, the medicine will work and your condition will improve.”

“Grace, you must go. You shouldn’t be alone with me. It isn’t proper, according to Amish law.” He drew in a deep breath. “I don’t want you to get what I have. Please, tell Noah not to kumme in again. He mustn’t catch this either.”

Noah peeked in the door. “How’s Mark?”

Grace moved her chair to address him. “I’ve given him aspirin powder. It will take time to work. I’ll stay with him. You can finish your chores.”

“May I attend Mr. Wittmer’s funeral?”

Mark raised his head. “Jah, Noah, you go.”

“I’ll pass along your condolences and apologies for your absence to Mrs. Wittmer.”

“Danki, please take the marker for Mr. Wittmer’s grave. It’s by the door.” Mark coughed and covered his mouth.

“I will.” Noah gave him a reluctant look then departed.

Mark beheld Grace with pleading eyes. “Please go, Grace. What will your family and friends say? And what punishment will the bishop bestow on you if he finds out. Think of the dire consequences.”

Pursing her lips, she threw back her shoulders. “So be it. I’d rather be scolded than to leave you here alone sick. I’ll speak to them about this later.” He was right. If anyone found out, she’d be shunned for a period of time for staying with Mark in his haus alone. It wasn’t proper, since they were unmarried. She wouldn’t abandon him. Getting caught was worth the risk. “Mark, I’ll return in a minute.”

Grace bolted outside and found Noah. “Don’t tell anyone where I am. Tell my parents I’ll explain my absence from the funeral when I arrive home.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t have told anyone anyway. I’m glad you’re here to help Mark. I’m worried about him. I’ll return after the funeral and spend the night if he needs me to.”

“Danki, Noah.”

“Take care, Grace.” He secured the grave marker in the wagon and untied his horse.

She went inside the haus and entered Mark’s room. She approached the side of his bed. Putting a hand to his cheek, she found he remained very warm. She poured water in a bowl and dipped the cloth in it and then gently dabbed his face over and over. Her heart hurt. His restlessness and quivering showed his discomfort, and she felt helpless to ease his pain.

A few hours passed, and his fever broke. She relaxed, rolled her shoulders, and sat quiet. He dozed in and out the rest of the afternoon. His restless legs stilled beneath the covers.

She startled when he touched her. “I must have fallen asleep. I’m sorry. How are you feeling?”

“You’re an angel to care for me like this.” He attempted to sit up.

Mark’s hand had cooled and his eyes appeared less cloudy. The medicine must’ve worked. She pointed her finger. “No. You stay put. Noah will do the chores, and you need your rest. You’re weak and it will take a day or two to regain your strength.” She pushed the chair back. “Now that’s settled, do you want anything to eat?”

“Bread with peach jam slathered on top and coffee?”

Grace waggled her finger. “Not a good choice, since you’re sick. Settle your head in the pillow. I’ll bring the appropriate food on a tray.” She left the room.

In the kitchen, she found what she needed in the cupboard and prepared his meal. She carried it to his room. She gasped. “Get back in bed. What are you doing?”

He sat on the edge of the bed, still in his work clothes from the day before. “I’ll join you at the table.”

She set the pinewood tray on the bedside table. Why wouldn’t he cooperate? His body must be weak. She couldn’t stay much longer. Didn’t he realize he could get sick again if he didn’t listen to her? “You are a difficult patient. I’m trying to help you, but you’re exasperating.”