Grace's Forgiveness by Molly Jebber

her toes. She liked him a lot.
    The door opened. Mark stepped back and greeted a customer. “May I help you?”
    The Englischer stroked the ornate oak headboard. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to browse on my own.”
    “Please take your time.” The woman moved to the far end of the store.
    Grace studied the second shelf. “Your ideas for wooden trains with moving side doors are smart. Little boys will like them. I believe your store will be empty in no time. Customers will want to buy everything.”
    “I would be happy if they did, but I doubt they’ll be half as excited about my things as you. Danki for your support. Your opinion means a lot to me.”
    She didn’t want to put off discussing Becca with him any longer. Mark’s customer was out of earshot.
    She lowered her voice. “You must have overheard me say I attended Becca Carrington’s wedding in Massillon. She’s my Amish friend who joined the church but left our community to marry a doctor. Her parents invited me to go with them to visit her. We went to Massillon to buy supplies, but I also spent time with Becca. I attended her schweschder Ruth’s wedding too.”
    “I could tell by Sarah’s frown and tone, she disapproves of your actions. Has she lost anyone to the world?”
    “No, and she and Becca weren’t close.”
    “I’m not going to pass judgment on you. My bruder, Abel, joined the church then departed to live among the Englisch. I understand I’m to act as if he’s dead, but I find this Amish law the most difficult. It pains me to not know if he’s all right. I love my bruder. We were close. I miss him.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to separate ourselves from friends and family who leave this life.”
    “I agree. Where is he?”
    He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t have the slightest idea.”
    A tall Englischer with a thick black mustache and tailored suit entered. Mark greeted the patron. “May I help you?”
    Grace swallowed around the lump in her throat. She had struggled with obeying Amish law where Becca was concerned, but it must be harder for Mark to shun his flesh-and-blood bruder. She was glad he trusted her enough to share such an intimate detail about his life. His face read relief when a customer interrupted their conversation. She wouldn’t question him about his sibling. This was his first day to open his new shop. She didn’t want to ruin his excitement or run the risk of someone overhearing them talking about anyone who had left Amish life. They’d be punished.
    The man studied a chestnut hope chest. “I’d like to buy this. Would you help me load it?”
    “Of course. I’ll be with you in a moment.”
    Grace whispered to him. “I’ll leave and kumme back later. You’re busy.”
    “Please wait. This won’t take long.”
    Mark accepted the patron’s money and helped him carry and load the chest in his cart.
    She viewed him through the window. What strong arms he had. He’d delivered the heavy chest into the man’s cart as if it was as light as a feather.
    He returned. “What a nice way to start the day. I’ve spent time with you and collected money already.” He held up his fistful of silver dollars.
    “And the day’s not over yet.”
    They both laughed.
    Her face warmed. This Amish man had it all. Handsome features, a kind heart, and was talented.
    “I should let you get to work. Kumme to our shop for dinner. I brought sandwiches again today.”
    “I will. Do you have butter cookies?”
    “Yes, are those your favorite?”
    “Jah, and oatmeal cookies.”
    Grace chuckled. “I’ll bring oatmeal cookies another day.”
    The door between their shops opened. Sarah waved her over. “A wagon train is traveling through town. A crowd of women entered our shop, and I need help.”
    Grace bid Mark farewell and scurried behind Sarah. The women huddled around her and asked questions about the quilt patterns. Beads of sweat formed on her lip, and her body heated. Sarah stood behind the counter. A