by Molly Jebber
Grace retrieved the two pots of warm water and set them on the table next to the exhausted woman. “We sell these smaller blankets in our store. You may have this one as our gift.” She scooped Julia into her arms and laid her in a wooden box on top of a soft blanket. This little one is so precious.
After washing her hands again, she massaged the woman’s stomach and worked to remove the afterbirth and then cleaned her. “You don’t need stitches. I have an extra plain dress for this reason. You can have it.” Reaching for the dress, she stole a glance at the newborn. Helping bring a new life into the world never grew tiring.
She cleaned her hands and escorted Mrs. Watson to a chair next to the bed. “Can you raise your arms for me?” The woman upstretched her arms and shivered as Grace removed her dirty clothing and shrugged the new dress on her. Pulling clean sheets off the shelf, Grace changed the sheets on the cot and assisted Mrs. Watson back onto it. She covered her with a clean blanket and passed Julia to her.
“I was scared, but you calmed me. Thank you for helping me and my daughter.”
“It was my pleasure. Mrs. Fox must be worried about you. Would you like me to ask her to kumme in?”
“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Grace opened the door, poked her head out, and gestured to Mrs. Fox. “Would you like to join your friend and her new boppli?”
Sarah didn’t seem to notice her. Two customers stood with her friend asking questions. Grace would join her in a few minutes. No sign of Mark. Where was he? She stepped back inside with the new mamm, friend, and infant.
Mrs. Fox sat in a chair near the bed. “How are you feeling? I was worried.”
“I’m weak and sore. After I rest for an hour or so, I’ll go home. Do you mind?”
“No, I don’t mind at all.” Mrs. Fox reached for the newborn and rocked the boppli in her arms. She paused and peeled back the blanket. “You have a girl. She’s so pretty.” The friend peered at the infant. “She’s perfect in every way.”
Grace bundled up the woman’s soiled clothing and placed it in a bag for her. She placed it on the floor at the end of the bed.
“I named her Julia.”
Mrs. Fox’s eyes glistened with tears. “I’m thrilled you’d choose to name her after my daughter. It means so much to me.” She gave Julia to her mamm.
Mrs. Fox faced Grace. “Annabelle and I met as children and have been friends for a long time. A year ago, my daughter, Julia, died five months after her birth.”
Grace put a hand to her heart. “I’m touched by your story. There’s nothing like the comfort and support of a best friend.”
“Annabelle’s husband is in Canton helping his father build a workshop. He’ll be home in a few days. We came to shop. We were certain she had another month before Julia would make her grand entrance. Her pains surprised us. We appreciate all you’ve done for us.” She turned to Mrs. Watson. “Mr. King delivered our buggy to the livery. Why don’t you close your eyes, and I’ll sit with you until you’re ready to go home.”
“My eyelids are heavy. I’ll feed Julia then rest for a few hours.”
Again, Mark had not hesitated to jump in and help. Grace brought the new mamm and her friend two jars of cold water. “Take all the time you need. Sarah and I will be out front if you need anything.”
Sarah met Grace halfway across the shop. “Earlier when you were helping Mrs. Watson birth Julia, we had a full store of women for about a half hour, and you couldn’t hear a thing out here amidst all the chatter. When two women were left in the store, they asked why a woman was moaning in the back room. I explained you are a midwife and that you were birthing a boppli. Each patron asked me to pass on their best wishes to the new mamm.”
“They’re going to rest for a little while before they leave. We’ve had an exciting morning.” She darted her eyes around the store. “Where did Mark go?”
“He’s in his store waiting until the women are ready to leave to fetch their buggy from the livery.”
Mark opened the connecting door inside their shops and peered in. “I’m next door sweeping and mopping the floor if you need anything. How are the new mamm and boppli doing?”
“The new mamm needs rest before she heads home. Julia is adorable.”
Sarah hugged herself. “I wanted to stay and ogle the newborn, but I got woozy seeing the soiled sheets and had to dart out of there.”
“I understand.” Grace yawned and covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m weary from all the activity today.”
Mark waved off her remark. “Don’t apologize. You amaze me, Grace Blauch. Not many Amish women are midwives and manage a shop. I’m certain you also help your parents with chores at home. I’m impressed.”
“I will have to close my eyes when I give birth. The ordeal scares me.” Sarah rested her hand on Grace’s shoulder. “Injuries or births, no matter how messy, don’t make Grace pale, she handles whatever the task is with ease. I wish I had half her bravery.”
“You two stop. You’re embarrassing me, but danki. I’d wanted to learn midwifery since I witnessed Hester deliver our neighbor’s boppli. She offered to teach me how to assist in births. I loved learning midwifery from her.” She grinned at him.
He had voiced his appreciation of her talent and taken care of her needs without her having to ask him to do a thing.
“It’s good you enjoy your work.” He glimpsed at the connecting door to his shop. “Is there anything I can do for you before I go back to my store and wait until the women need their buggy?”
Sarah smoothed her apron. “You’ve been a big help to us today. Danki.” She stepped away to greet a customer.
Grace put her hands in her apron pockets. “Danki for everything you’ve done.” She tilted her head. “I can’t wait for you to bring in your furniture. I imagine your things are all exquisite, if they’re anything like the shelves you installed for Sarah and me.”
His face reddened. “On Saturday, you’ll have to visit and I’ll show you what I’ve crafted to sell.”
“I look forward to being your first patron.”
“Not more than I, Grace Blauch.” He threw her a sideways glance. “Call me when the women need their wagon.” He returned to his store.
She beamed. It wasn’t her imagination. He was interested in her. The rest of the afternoon, Grace pictured Mark’s brown eyes and soothing voice as she and Sarah assisted customers.
Grace slipped away and peeked in on the mamm, Julia, and Mrs. Fox. The mamm stood with Julia in her arms, and Mrs. Fox had her arm circled around her.
“May I get you anything?”
“No, thank you. I slept and am stronger. I’m ready to go home.”
“I’ll ask Mark to bring your buggy to the front of the shop.”
Grace sauntered to the connecting door, swung it open, and spotted Mark. “The women are ready to go home.”
Mark propped his broom against the wall. “I’ll bring their buggy out front.”
Grace and Sarah took turns holding Julia until Mark arrived. They escorted the women and Julia to their buggy, bid them and Mark farewell, and walked back inside the shop.
“I’ll tidy the store while you clean up the back room. My dinner will struggle to stay in my stomach if I help you clean up your mess.” Sarah chuckled.
“Good idea.” Grace moved to the back room, opened the rear door, and threw out the dirty water from the pots onto the grass. She unhooked a clean pot from its wooden peg, went out back and pumped water into it, and put it on the stove to heat. She checked the fire. It was sufficient. This had been a challenging and rewarding day.
She dropped the soiled rags in a flour sack to take home to wash later. Her body was tired from all the activity; her arms ached as she changed the cot’s sheets and blankets. Julia Watson was the nineteenth boppli she’d helped bring into the world on this cot. The women in her community knew, from word of mouth, they were welcome to kumme to the shop if they needed birthing assistance. If she wasn’t there, Sarah
was always aware of her whereabouts and could direct them to her.
She retrieved the new pot of hot water from the stove and poured half into another basin. She cleaned her rubber syringe and scissors in steaming hot water then used the other pot of water to clean the tables. She finished then stowed her things and joined Sarah in the front room.
Sarah untied her kapp strings and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m done for the day. It’s five o’clock, and I turned our sign to read closed.” She plopped in the spindle chair. “You’ve not had a minute to yourself. Mark proved helpful. He may be the man for you. I’ve been praying and asking God to introduce you to a hardworking and loving Amish man.”
The life of a spinster was what Grace had resigned herself to for the rest of her days on earth even though she was only twenty-one. Available Amish men had shown no interest in her thus far. She would love to get married one day, but she’d given up on meeting a man looking past her birthmark. Mark’s interest gave her hope. Would she learn anything about him she couldn’t accept? She blew out a breath. She wouldn’t worry yet. She had plenty of time to find out more about him. She’d pray for God’s guidance. “I hope so. Time will tell.”
She waited on the boardwalk and watched Sarah lock the door. Together, they went to the livery, collected their wagons, and headed to their respective homes. On the way home, she played the delightful day with Mark over in her mind.
The scent and sizzle of fried chicken caught her attention as she walked in the haus. “Mamm, my nose tells me we’re having one of my favorites for supper.”
“Your daed requested fried chicken, and I didn’t expect I’d get any complaints from you.” Mamm patted Grace’s cheek. “Your eyes are half open and your face is pale. Are you sick?” She placed a hand on Grace’s forehead. “You’re not warm.”
“I helped birth a boppli today. She was adorable with tiny fingers and toes. Mamm and little maedel are doing fine. I, on the other hand, am not so fine. I’m not ill, but I’m exhausted.”
“You are my strong and talented dochder. You wear yourself out helping others. Sit down and rest. Your daed should join us any minute. He’s in the barn. After supper, you rest. I’ll wash the dishes.”
Grace told her about the stranger stealing things from Levi and Sarah’s and evidence Mark found in his barn this intruder might be hiding there.
Daed entered and Mamm told him Grace’s news.
He raised his eyebrows and sat. “We should be careful and keep a watchful eye. He didn’t harm anyone or steal any animals. I would guess he got what he wanted and has left.”
Mamm nodded. “I hope so.” Mamm served Daed and Grace fried chicken and potatoes.
Grace didn’t want to talk about the stranger anymore. She agreed with Daed. The intruder must’ve needed shelter, food, and supplies and had moved on. She told them about Julia’s features and how much she loved holding her. She waited until Daed finished his meal and left before telling Mamm about Mark King and what she knew about him so far.
“Are you interested in him?”
“Yes. He doesn’t stare at my birthmark. He’s kind, a gentleman, and handsome. His store is next to Sarah’s and mine.”
“I’d like to meet him. Pray for God’s guidance. Maybe Mark is in God’s plan for your life.”
Pressing a hand to her heart, she leaned in. “Oh, Mamm, I hope so.”
“I hope so too, dear dochder.”
She finished her meal, carried her dishes to the sink, and offered to wash them.
Mamm protested and sent her to her room.
She plopped in the chair by her window and gazed out at the green grassy meadow. What did the future hold for her and Mark? She’d been teased by boys in school. She’d given up on men not shying away from her, until she met Mark. He met her eyes and seemed to hang on her every word. Mark was the only man who’d ever made her feel pretty besides her daed. To have her interest in a man reciprocated was a wonderful and new experience. She’d envied her friends getting married and starting families. For the first time in her life, she felt like it might be a possibility for her someday.
Chapter Three
Thump. Startled, Grace shot up in bed in time to find a sparrow falling from her window Saturday morning. The poor bird wasn’t the first to wake her up this way during her lifetime. Rubbing her eyes, she slid her legs over the bed and stood. Her heart soared at the thought of Mark. She had hoped their paths would cross this past week. She’d missed him. The shelves he’d crafted and hung for them were sanded and painted to perfection. She couldn’t wait to visit his store today and run her hand along his furniture.
She gobbled down her breakfast of fried eggs and white bread and butter. She had to hurry if she wanted to arrive at the shop before Mark. She rushed through her chores and changed into her shop clothes. She bid farewell to her parents and grabbed her medical bag, coffee container, and dinner box Mamm packed for her.
She threw her supplies in the wagon and prepared to leave. The sun warmed her face and the grass appeared greener. The cows grazing in the pasture and ducks swimming in the pond off to the left of the the weathered white barn painted a charming picture as she drove down the lane and headed for town.
Mark added excitement in her life. No doubt Mamm would tell Daed about her mention of Mark, and they’d want to meet him soon. Tomorrow, Mark would be at church. Maybe church would be a perfect place for her to introduce him to her parents.
Arriving at the livery, she passed her horse’s reins to the liveryman.
“I’ll take care of your horse, Grace.”
“Danki.” She climbed out of the wagon. She passed townsfolk on the way to the shop. Englischers wore the prettiest clothes. Big floppy hats decorated with flowers and colorful printed dresses showing their ankles. She could never be comfortable in a dress fitted to her body. She liked her loose-fitting plain light blue dress and white apron.
Pins instead of buttons didn’t bother her. Her friend Becca Carrington loved buttons and must like wearing fancy clothes since she abandoned Amish life to marry a doctor. In her heart, she was happy for Becca, but she missed her.
The desire to write and tell Becca about Mark had overwhelmed her the past several days, but she wouldn’t chance it. In her last letter, she’d told Becca it would be her last letter she’d send to her. The commitment she’d made not to correspond with her friend any longer had been the right decision.
She’d been fortunate to not have been caught thus far. If the bishop found out about her transgression, she and her parents would suffer. She’d been selfish to put her mamm and daed in such a position.
Pausing in front of Mark’s shop, she scanned the words above the door. KING’S FURNITURE. I like it. The bold letters were cut thick and dark against the light wood behind them. It stood out as the best crafted sign on the boardwalk. Customers would find the beautiful masthead hard to miss. She opened the door to the dry goods shop and found Mark with a cup of coffee in his hand talking to Sarah.
Her heart raced as she dropped her bag behind the counter. “Good morning.”
Sarah hugged her. “Good morning.”
“Mark, I’m surprised we didn’t bump into you last week.” Grace straightened her kapp blown to the kumming in the door.
“I brought in a couple loads to my shop on Tuesday and Thursday after the stores were closed. I didn’t want to deliver my things during the day when there were customers shopping. I was afraid they’d stop me and want to peruse my things before I had a chance to get them out of the wagon.”
“I understand. How will you manage a store and your farm?”
“Levi and his friends have been helping me manage my property and animals until I hire someone. It’s been a pleasure to be better acquainted with Levi and his friends. They’re very supportive of me opening my store.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Sarah grinned. “Levi and his friends are always helping each other out. They’d rather work together than alone.”
&nbs
p; Smiling, Grace poured herself a cup of coffee. “Are you ready to open your doors to customers?”
He sipped his coffee. “Jah. I hung my sign and arranged my stock on the floor and shelves. First, I wanted to invite you to kumme over.”
Sarah plucked a hair off Grace’s sleeve. “I peeked at his store. His furniture and household items are the prettiest I have ever laid my eyes on. You must let him show you around. I’ll manage our shop.”
Grace put her hands in her apron pockets. “I admired your masthead above your door before I came inside. It stands out on the boardwalk. It’s plain in big letters and easy to read.”
“Danki. It will be a reflection of my work to customers, so I’m relieved to hear you say you like it.” He gestured. “Kumme on in.”
She followed him to the connecting door but stopped. She recognized the woman coming into her and Sarah’s shop. Why couldn’t she remember this woman’s name?
The Englischer held her chin up and scanned the room. “What a lovely shop you have.” She clicked her shoes across the wooden floor to a multicolored pinwheel quilt hanging on the wall and fingered the corner of the note pinned to mark it sold. “I must buy this quilt. How much is it?”
Grace set down her coffee cup and joined her. Sarah stood behind the counter.
“This quilt has been sold. The woman who bought it is picking it up later this afternoon.” Grace picked up another similar patterned quilt. “Do you like this one?”
“No, I do not. I will pay you double what your customer has paid. What do you say?”
Sarah moved next to Grace.
Grace flexed her hands by her sides. “We won’t sell you a quilt already promised to someone else. We would be willing to stitch you a similar quilt. You may choose the fabric and pattern. The quilt would be ready in about a week.”
The woman frowned and narrowed her eyes at Grace. “You look familiar to me. You’re a friend of my daughter-in-law, Becca Carrington. Am I right?”
Grace swallowed hard. How could she have forgotten meeting Becca’s mamm-in-law? The woman had her nose in the air when meeting her at the wedding. Her tone was direct and cold. She was intimidating. The stories Becca had told her about Mrs. Carrington before her friend and Dr. Matt Carrington had wed weren’t pleasant. She understood why. Her pinched face and stern demeanor showed the woman’s prejudice toward her and Sarah.
