Mrs. Valders glanced up from sorting the mail. “So you decided to come home after all?”
Rebecca smiled sweetly in spite of what she was thinking. “Yes. It is good to be home, thank you. Since that was my first trip on the train, it was an exciting experience.”
Mrs. Valders leaned forward. “Did you tell Penny how much we all miss her?”
Rebecca stood quiet for a moment to absorb the shock that Mrs. Valders was actually talking to her like a real person. “I did. And she misses everyone and everything here. They have a lovely house, but Bismarck is really a big city. One could get lost there very easily.”
“Hmm. I hear that congratulations are in order.” “They are?”
“Well, I shouldn’t say anything. Wait until you make the announcement.”
Rebecca glanced around. They’d moved the telephone exchange. The last thing she wanted to do was ask Mrs. Valders where Gerald was. “What announcement?” This was getting frustrating.
“Well, you know how news flies around here.” She closed the door that covered the back of all the mailboxes. “There now. That’s finished. You do have some mail. I should have just handed it to you.”
“That’s all right.” Rebecca walked around the side of the counter to the wall of numbered post-office boxes. “In Bismarck all the mail is delivered right to the houses.”
“Ja, well, they can do things differently in the cities. Here we are too spread out.”
Ask her. I can’t ask her. “Many of the people there had telephones too. Talking into a black mouthpiece and hearing a voice from the earpiece …” Rebecca shook her head. “It took some getting used to.”
“Mr. Valders says that soon everyone here will have them too. Then we will need a larger switchboard. That is why we moved it to a different room right away.”
“Of course. That’s what is missing in here. I wondered why the room seemed so spacious.” She congratulated herself on changing the subject. Something to remember, Mrs. Valders liked to think of herself as one who thought up new things, stayed right with the times. “So where did you”—emphasis on the you—“move it to?”
“Right next door. No one else had rented the extra space that we built into this building. So now we have the bank, the barbershop, the post office, and the telephone exchange all in one building.”
“And a fine building it is. I cannot tell you how good it felt to plant my feet back on the wood platform here in Blessing.” Oh brother. She kept her eyes from seeking her eyebrows. She tucked the mail into her shopping bag. A letter for Dorothy was all they had. She’d been hoping that Kurt might have written to her right away, but she immediately realized that even if he had, the letter wouldn’t have arrived yet.
She turned her thoughts back to Mrs. Valders. She’d have to ask Sophie what announcement the woman had referred to, although she’d never had such a pleasant conversation with the woman. “I better be about my errands. Good day to you, Mrs. Valders.”
“And you.”
Rebecca stepped back out the door and lifted her face to the warmth of the sun. That had been an unusual conversation. She’d not been glared at once. She turned to the right and, in a few steps, opened the door marked Telephone Exchange. Her heart took a little skip to match that of her feet.
Gerald looked up from the chair on rollers that faced a broad switchboard with holes, each of which connected to a member of the cooperative exchange. When a buzzer announced a call, he would ask whom they wanted and then plug a metal-tipped fabric-covered wire into the correct hole.
“Rebecca, how does it feel to be home again?” The smile he sent her warmed her clear to her toes. His dear face was so pale. Had he been ill again? His straight hair was slicked back with pomade, and his gentle brown eyes looked tired today. He started to stand up, but a call came in and he answered, “Operator. How may I help you?” He listened a moment. “Of course. Here you go.” He plugged another wire in the correct place and spun his chair around. “You were rushed off so quickly yesterday, I didn’t even have time to see what changes the big city had made in my good friend.”
“Good friend.” The words made her sigh inside. “No changes.” Other than I found out what perfidious brothers I have. “And so glad to be home. Although I had a fine time.” She crossed to stand at the wooden railing that separated the visitors from the machinery. “How do you remember who is what number?”
“Most people here just say the person they want to talk to. Sometimes the call comes in from somewhere else, like people calling the boardinghouse to make reservations. A lot of calls go to the flour mill or to the doctor. Thorliff says that this spring when they can set telephone poles again, most of the rest of this area will get telephones. By the way, if you go see Astrid, ask how her pa is doing.”
“Haakan? What happened?”
“He had an apoplexy attack Wednesday night. But not a severe one, I’m told.”
“Oh no.” A pain stabbed her heart. They were fairly sure that was what finally took her pa, although she’d always believed it was a broken heart that gradually killed him after her ma died. So many of those she loved had died young. Although her ma and pa had not seemed young to her, others their ages were still alive and doing very well. And her brother Swen being gored by the bull … That was an accident that never should have happened.
“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.” He took care of another call, giving Rebecca time to think on the news and watch his hands plug the cords in securely. When a light flashed, he disconnected the earlier call.
“You like doing this, don’t you?”
“I do. In most places women are the operators, but this is something I can do very well. I take care of the bookwork for the exchange also.”
“So I don’t suppose you could take some time to go have a cup of coffee with me at the boardinghouse?” Rebecca Baard, what has gotten into you?
“Are you sure you should do that?”
His question caught her by surprise. “Why not? I know young ladies aren’t supposed to invite young gentlemen, but we’re friends, and I want to catch up on what all went on while I was gone. If Sophie is there, she can have coffee with us too.” Rebecca nibbled her bottom lip. No wonder his mother thought she was forward and silly. “I’m sorry, I—”
“You go on, and I’ll meet you over there as soon as my mother can spell me. I’m about due for a break anyway.”
“Oh good. I could wait.”
“No, it might be better this way.”
Rebecca got the feeling that something was going on, but again she wasn’t sure what to ask. “Are you sure you should do that?” His question echoed in her mind. She held eye contact with him and smiled before turning back to the door. Leaving the horse hitched to the rail would not be a problem because it was warm enough and the boardinghouse was just across the street.
The planks of the boardwalk that surrounded the building echoed beneath her boots as she walked to the end, down two steps, and crossed Main Street to mount three steps to the porch of the three-story boardinghouse, painted gray with white trim edged with a dark blue. They’d all helped to repaint the boardinghouse last summer. It had turned into one of the best parties of the year. She pushed open the right side of the double doors with etched glass panes, a bell tinkling her arrival. The fragrance of fresh baked bread and something made with cinnamon greeted her before Sophie looked up from whatever she was doing at the high registration desk.
“Rebecca, you are home!” Arms extended, she came around the end of the desk in a rush, and the two friends hugged in the middle of the room. “I was beginning to think you were going to write and say, ‘Send my things, I’m staying in Bismarck.’ “
She stepped back to give Rebecca a once-over. “You have a new hat.” She touched the fur hat that Penny had given her. “And a muff to match. If you don’t look stylish.” She wrapped her arm through Rebecca’s. “Come, let’s have a cup of coffee, and I’m sure there are cinnamon rolls left from breakfast
.”
“Um, Gerald is coming too.”
“Good. The more the merrier. Here, let me hang up your coat.”
“Are the twins here?”
“No, they’re at home with Deborah. She’s been helping me for the last couple of weeks. When I work here, she takes care of the house. Other times she works here or at the switchboard. Between her and Miss Christopherson, things are working well.” Arm in arm, they strolled into the dining room, where all the tables were set with white cloths, napkins, and silver, ready for the guests.
“Well, look who’s here.” Lily Mae, Mrs. Sam’s daughter, turned from setting out coffee cups and saucers. “Welcome home.”
“Bring us coffee and rolls, please, set for three.”
“Sure ’nuff, Miss Sophie.”
“Is Mrs. Sam feeling all right still?” Rebecca asked as they sat down at a table for four.
“Seems to be. Dr. Elizabeth has her on some kind of medicine that has made a lot of difference. Plus with the extra help, I make sure she doesn’t work as hard as she used to.” Sophie leaned forward. “But don’t you ever tell her I said such a thing.”
“I wouldn’t. Oh, Sophie, I have so many questions to ask. Is Maydell still here?”
“Sure is, and you won’t believe who she’s been sitting with at church.”
“Who?”
“Toby, that’s who.”
“Really?”
“Really. Now that you are back, we should have another girls-only party and see how the lists are doing. We could have it here at the boardinghouse again, just like we did before. What do you think?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. Otherwise, we can send Gus over to stay with Knute and Dorothy. Do you know what those two brothers of mine did?”
“You mean Mr. Jeffers?” She put a slight sneer on the mister. Rebecca nodded. “I could quite cheerfully throttle both of them.”
Sophie heaved a sigh of relief. “I admit I was shocked when I heard the news.”
Rebecca felt her breath stop. “What news did you hear?”
“Why, Jeffers is bragging all over town that he is going to marry Miss Rebecca Baard.”
Rebecca’s jaw dropped. Openmouthed, she stared at her friend, then swallowed and slowly shook her head. “He isn’t!”
Sophie nodded, sympathy sobering her face. “He is.”
“No wonder Mrs. Valders was so nice to me. She thinks—” Rebecca tipped her head back and stared up at the lamp in the ceiling. “It’s worse than I thought. I might die of embarrassment.”
“If you want, I’ll help you behead your brothers. No one ever died of embarrassment, however.”
Until now. Rebecca slumped in her chair. Maybe I better just get back on the train and return to Bismarck.
22
SOPHIE WAVED GERALD OVER when he entered the dining room. “Have a seat while we try to help out our friend here.” She filled his cup with coffee, motioned toward the cream and sugar, but when he shook his head, propped her chin on her hands. Contrary to what all their mothers had enforced, her elbows fit nicely on the table.
Gerald leaned slightly for ward. “Have you heard about Haakan?”
“No. What?” Sophie set her cup back down.
“He had an attack of apoplexy Wednesday night that mostly affected his right side. He can speak, but slowly.”
“Oh, poor Haakan,” Sophie said.
Rebecca closed her eyes for a moment, fighting back the memories that threatened to swamp her. Haakan advising her brothers on farming questions through the years after their parents died. Haakan promising her that he and Ingeborg would take care of them no matter what. The friendship between her folks and the Bjorklunds. Haakan was never one to push to the front but could always be counted on to be there when needed. Haakan had taken Gus with him harvesting and to buy more cows. He was the closest to being an uncle of anyone in her life.
“Pastor Solberg said no visitors today, other than his family.”
“I’ll be glad when everyone has a telephone. Just think how quickly a call for help could be made.” Sophie took a sip of her coffee.
“We’ll be the last to have one if Gus has the final say.” Rebecca shook her head. “Such a skinflint he is. I feel sorry for whoever he marries.” She scrunched her eyes and heaved a sigh. “What am I going to do about Mr. Jeffers?”
“Confront him. That’s the only way you’ll get him to stop.” Sophie patted her friend’s hand. “Just go and tell him that your brothers had not consulted you before agreeing to the courtship and you politely refuse him permission to come calling.”
“But I shouldn’t have to do that. Knute and Gus should do it.” She couldn’t look at Gerald. He’d heard the gossip. The stories that Jeffers had been bragging about and spreading all over town. What must he have thought? “Besides, I don’t even like to be in the same room as he is.”
“Well, I’m glad this is cleared up. I was having a hard time thinking I should say how pleased I was when the idea of your marrying that man made me choke.” Gerald’s voice held such conviction that Rebecca dared allow encouragement to sit beside her. His smile made her think of summer evenings and a stroll with friends, especially one good friend. She tried to smile, but her lips didn’t quite make it.
Then she planted her feet flat on the floor, lifted her chin, and sat straighter. “Let’s change the subject.”
“Good. How did you like being in Bismarck?” Sophie’s eyes sparkled. “Travel is such fun.”
“It wasn’t Blessing.”
“Of course not, silly. It’s a big city with all kinds of exciting things happening. What did you do?”
“I went to an ice-cream parlor several times and learned as much as I could about having a shop like that. I could go work there for a while if I wanted to.”
“You know, that sounds like a good idea. What else?”
“They have a frozen pond near where Penny and her family live, so we ice skated several times.” She didn’t bother to mention that she skated with Kurt most of the time. Somehow it seemed that had happened years earlier or to some girl she had read about in a book.
“We could make a pond here in town if we wanted,” Sophie said. “That lot next to the surgery has a bit of a depression. If we dug it out some—”
“We could fill it with water from Thorliff ’s well.” Rebecca grinned at her friend. “I would serve hot drinks instead of cold. That way I could keep the doors of my shop open year around.”
Both girls turned to Gerald, waiting for his response. “You’re being mighty quiet,” Rebecca said.
“The pond sounds like a good idea. Safer than the river. I remember we used to make one by the Bjorklund barn. I wonder why we haven’t done that recently.”
“It’s easier just to sweep the snow off the river, and then it can be any size.” Sophie refilled all three cups. She looked up when Lily Mae set a plate of cinnamon rolls on the table. “Thank you, and you even heated them.” She held out the plate for the others to help themselves. They each took a roll and visited some more while they ate the warm treats.
Finally Rebecca wiped her mouth with her napkin and gave a half shrug. “I need to get going. Gus promised he’d keep the fire burning, but for some odd reason, I’m having trouble believing his promises right now.”
Sophie chuckled around a bit of roll. “You want me to come with you when you attack Mr. Jeffers?”
“I still think Gus and Knute ought to suffer the consequences of their rash behavior.”
“Just tell him there has been a misunderstanding, and that will be that.” Sophie peeled off a section of her roll and ate it. “I’d like to go with you, but Miss Christopherson can’t come in today, so I need to be here over dinnertime.” She smiled at Gerald. “And if you go, there might be fireworks.”
“Could be.” Gerald’s jaw appeared to be a bit tight. “I need to get back to the switchboard. Thank you for the coffee and roll.” He ate the last bite and wiped his mouth with the napkin.
“I’ll walk you partway, Rebecca.”
“If you hear anything about Haakan, call me please?” Sophie said.
“I will.”
The three pushed back from the table and headed for the vestibule, where the winter coats waited. Gerald held Rebecca’s coat for her and lifted her hair from inside the collar.
Rebecca froze. Such an intimate gesture sent lightning bolts zinging up and down her back. When she glanced at him over her shoulder, she nearly fell into the warm pools of his eyes. His gaze touched her mouth, and she caught her breath. Something had surely changed since she went to Bismarck. And she’d not even told Sophie about Kurt and the times they’d had.
She and Gerald walked out together and paused on the top step while he drew his gloves on. In spite of the wind and sun, the winter cool had not left. Why all of a sudden was she having a hard time thinking of something to say? After all, she and Gerald had talked for hours sometimes. Although, now that she thought of it, rarely just by themselves. “I’m glad you like your job at the switchboard.”
“It is better now that we have a separate space. I have a cot there for the night shift.”
“Who else is working there?”
“Deborah. She helps Sophie with the children too, so she keeps really busy.”
Things just felt different. She fished for something to say, the silence with their stroll growing. “You think we’ll ever have as many cows again as we used to?”
“Oh, it’ll take a couple of years, but yes. I’m just glad I don’t have to milk them.”
“Milking isn’t hard.”
“No. But I never cared much for it.”
“You don’t want to farm, then?”
“Not really. Although I’ve always done whatever was needed, I don’t have that tie to the land like Andrew does. Maybe it’s because I was born in a city, not on the land.” He stopped in front of his building. “I’m really glad you are home and that you didn’t agree to being courted by Mr. Jeffers.”
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