Grace's Forgiveness Read Free

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