Grace's Forgiveness Read Free Page B

hands in his lap. “I miss my parents and the Stoltzfuses. The haus and barn were replaceable.” He heaved a deep breath. “With God’s help, I was able to move on with my life.”
    The bishop leaned back against the feather-filled black cushions and drummed his fingers on the oak armrest. “Levi told me you’re a talented carpenter.” He pointed. “Your oak desk and matching spindle chair sitting in the corner are exquisite. I now realize those pieces match the furniture you and I are occupying. You do fine work.”
    “Danki. I bought and am opening a furniture store next to Grace and Sarah’s Dry Goods Shop a week from Saturday. I’ll sell similar chairs, settees, desks, and tables, along with potato bins, cashboxes, toys, and household items. You’re wilkom to stop in and browse.”
    The bishop moved to the door. “I will, and I’ll also spread the word we have a new furniture store in town.”
    The man’s offer was generous. Mark appreciated his kindness. “I would be grateful if you would.”
    The bishop stopped. “I hope you’ll like living in Berlin. We’re a close community. The townsfolk help those in need of clothes, money, food, and care. We keep to ourselves. I ask you to do the same. Englischers visit and buy our goods, but otherwise leave us alone. We don’t want any trouble from the outside world.” He withdrew a booklet from his jacket pocket and passed it to Mark. “Please read our Ordnung. You have been born and raised in the Amish faith, but each community has its own set of rules. You’ll be expected to follow ours if, by chance, they differ from the ones you’re accustomed to.”
    Mark accepted the Ordnung. “I understand.” He wouldn’t cause any trouble. He couldn’t help it if trouble followed him. He hadn’t been sure how to answer Grace when she’d asked him how his barn caught on fire.
    It hadn’t been long ago when Abel, his drunken bruder, had shown up at his haus in Lancaster. He’d asked for money, knocked over a lantern, and set fire to Mark’s barn when leaving. Before help arrived, high winds and grass fed the flames and the fire burned out of control and spread, destroying everything he owned, except his workshop. Thankful he’d hidden his money in his workshop and not in his haus, he was able to buy what he needed to move to Berlin.
    His bruder hadn’t meant to do it, but for his bruder to still have the nerve to ask for money had disappointed him. He had begged him to turn his life around, to no avail.
    His neighbors in Lancaster knew his new location. If his bruder found out where he lived and came to his haus, the bishop and community wouldn’t approve. He loved his bruder, in spite of his bad judgment. He’d continue to pray for Abel to turn back to God and his Amish life.
    “I’ll expect you to attend our church service a week from Sunday. Our services are held every two weeks. Mr. Ropp donated land to the church to build a separate barn and stable on his property for the purpose of holding services. He’s on South Street. You’ll find the barn and a sign out front not far from here. The ladies bring a simple but delicious meal for us to enjoy after I finish delivering my sermon. Do you have any questions?”
    “No. Danki for the directions.”
    “Get acquainted with the people in our community. I’ll introduce you to our members on a Sunday of my choosing and ask you to acknowledge your agreement to follow our Ordnung. Then I’ll ask the members to accept you into our Amish order.”
    “I understand, and I’m looking forward to it.”
    The bishop shook Mark’s hand. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”
    Mark followed the bishop outside, retrieved the man’s horse, and bid him farewell. He waited until the bishop had reached the end of the long dirt road before heading inside. The bishop had spoken in a gruff voice and been direct with his points. He’d been kind and wilkoming too. Mark respected him. The bishop seemed to have a