A Touch of Grace

by Lauraine Snelling

  Graduation went beautifully; all our little girls now think they are grown up.

  I always look forward to letters from you but would be overjoyed with a long visit. Cook up lots for Onkel Olaf, and then you, Arne, and Rachel get on the train and come kiss your grandson.

  With love and joy,

  Your friend, Ingeborg

  She read it through, added a word here and there, and folded it so she could put it in an envelope as soon as she went back into the house. After making a face at the cold coffee in her cup, she tossed the liquid under the rosebush and stopped for a minute on the top step to shade her eyes and search the fields for the teams. Haakan was cultivating corn with the new cultivator he and Lars had designed during the winter. Four up could pull the machine, which covered three rows at a time, with Haakan riding instead of walking behind. Hoeing corn would be a thing of the past, or at least that’s what they hoped.

  A hammer on metal rang from the machine shed, telling her that Lars was either tearing apart or repairing another piece of machinery.

  She patted her fairly new washing machine as she walked past it. The men weren’t the only ones to have new machinery. Penny, who loved having the latest household tools, had shown her a new kerosene-heated model of the flatirons she’d heated for so long on her kitchen stove. Because the new iron stayed hot, ironing would go faster without repeated trips to the woodstove.

  When she rang the triangle for dinner, five loaves of cooling bread waited on the counter. She’d made gravy to go over the rice, sliced the venison, and cooked the dandelion greens Astrid had picked for her before she left for the surgery. Fresh greens were such a treat before the garden produce was ready, especially when cooked with bacon left over from breakfast. With the table set, she sliced the bread, holding a heel to her nose to inhale the wonderful fragrance. Nothing smelled as good as fresh bread.

  Barney’s barking would have let her know the men were at the barn if the jangling of harness hadn’t already informed her. She set the platter of bread on the table, sliced the cheese she’d brought in from the well house, and pressed the butter out of the mold and onto a plate.

  By the time she could hear the men at the wash bench, all was ready, and she stood back to see if she’d forgotten anything.

  “We found us a pilgrim,” Haakan called from outside, “so you better put another plate on the table.”

  Without checking the window to see who it might be, she took a plate from the cupboard and set out the silverware. Company was always welcome. She quickly changed her dirty apron for a clean one and went to the screen door.

  “Why, Hjelmer, I didn’t know you were home again.” She pushed the door open and welcomed the traveler in. As usual, Hjelmer’s grin made her smile more widely. As the youngest of the Bjorklund brothers and the legislative representative from their district, Hjelmer was away more often than he was home, much to the dismay of his wife, Penny.

  “Just got back yesterday.” He hung his hat on the rack by the door and inhaled. “Ah, Ingeborg, you’ve been baking bread. I came at just the right time.” He leaned forward and dropped his voice. “Did you save the heel for me?”

  “How could I, when I didn’t know you were coming?” Something was up. She could tell by the look in his eyes. Always one with forward-thinking ideas, Hjelmer often came to ask Lars and Haakan for advice or blessing on his latest venture, whatever that might be. “Besides, I didn’t hear your automobile drive up.”

  “I came on horseback.”

  “You mean that smoking monster wouldn’t start … again?”

  “Now, don’t go make disparaging remarks about my Oldsmobile.”

  “Why not? Everyone else does.” Haakan hung up his hat too. He looked to Ingeborg. “I hear you’ve been doctoring today.”

  Ingeborg nodded and smiled at Jonathan, who trailed in after Andrew. As the men took their places at the table, she slid a heel of bread onto Hjelmer’s plate, earning a wink from him and a headshake from her husband.

  After Haakan said grace, she set the platters on the table and stood back a moment to watch them help themselves and pass the food around the table.

  “So what brought you out this way?” Haakan asked.

  Hjelmer looked up from his full plate and caught Ingeborg’s gaze. “Come sit down, Ingeborg. You need to hear this too.”

  At the look in his eyes, she caught her breath. Something was afoot, and she had a feeling she would not be happy with the news.

  Hjelmer laid his fork and knife on his plate. “I’ve been offered a position in government that requires me to move to Bismarck. I told Penny about it last night, and now I’m talking to the rest of you.”

  “And Penny said?” Ingeborg’s voice broke on the words.

  Hjelmer sighed. “Penny is having a very hard time with this.”

  “Have you accepted the job?”

  “No. I knew I had to come home and see if we could make arrangements. We have a lot of questions. Do we sell the store and the machinery business, find someone to manage them for us, or … ?”

  “Or stay here.”

  “Right. But if I take the position, I would have to resign my seat in the legislature or at least not run again in the fall.” He sighed again. “It is a good opportunity.”

  “But you would have to move.” Ingeborg used the corner of her apron to dry her eyes.

  “Either that or never see my family. You know how Penny already feels about my being gone so much.”

  “She loves her store.”

  “I know.”

  “Would you have to sell it? I mean, can you afford a house in Bismarck without selling the businesses here?”

  Hjelmer buttered the heel of bread, staring at it longer than necessary before raising his head to look directly at Haakan. “I don’t know. Most of our money is tied up in the businesses.”

  You can’t move away. Lord, don’t let them move. But what if this is the plan you have for them? Ingeborg tried to unscramble her thoughts, but they tumbled over each other in spite of her good intentions. Penny couldn’t leave. They were all used to Hjelmer being gone, but Penny and her store were part of the warp that held the tapestry of the town together. Newcomers were threads in the picture, but without strong warp, the piece would not continue to grow. Ingeborg glanced around her kitchen. The zinc dry sink came from the Blessing General Store, as did the jars that held her canning, the crocks of all sizes, the cast-iron frying pans and pots, her sewing machine, the new washing machine, the gingham she had turned into curtains for the windows. Penny loved stocking new inventions for the women of Blessing. Hjelmer brought in the latest in machinery, and his blacksmith shop not only reset wheels but repaired some of the farm machinery. His windmills dotted the countryside, providing fresh water for humans and animals.

  “You can’t leave Blessing.” Ingeborg tried to put a touch of teasing in her voice, but the cracking was a dead giveaway. “Please don’t leave.”

  AS JUNE DANCED WITH BLOOMING LILACS and the issue of whether Sophie would sell the boardinghouse was settled, the new chief discussion of Will they or won’t they? held the folks of Blessing in thrall. While the men seemed to think Hjelmer had to go where he could do the best, the women were tearfully praying that Penny would not be forced to leave.

  When Grace entered the store, she studied the stony look on Penny’s face. Did she really have a choice? Didn’t the Bible say women were to go where their husbands led? At least that’s what her mor said, but no one wanted to even think of that.

  Penny saw her and half smiled. “Good morning, Grace. What can I get for you today?”

  “I have a whole list.” She laid the paper on the counter. “I thought maybe I would go see Sophie while you filled this.”

  “That will be fine. She is some tired.”

  “I know.”

  “How’s young Mr. Gould doing?”

  “He is working hard. He said he even likes milking the cows. He is over helping Tante Ingeborg in the chees
e house again today.”

  “Did you bring a wagon in or walk?”

  “The buggy. Why?”

  “Some parts came in that Lars ordered. I thought perhaps you could take them back to him.”

  “Of course, if there is room.” While she wanted to ask Penny about her decision, she couldn’t bring herself to ask the questions. Sometimes things were better left unknown. “I’ll be back later, then.” Once out the door, she took a deep breath, as if she’d not taken one since she’d entered the store, and exhaled. The sorrow failed to follow her outgoing breath. She realized it was selfish to want everything to stay the way it was. Sophie had come home, and no one else should leave. People moving in was fine. It was the leaving that tore her apart. I don’t ever want to leave Blessing, she told herself for more than the second time.

  Does that mean never to travel or only never moving away? Grace knew Sophie still dreamed of traveling again and that she wanted Grace to go with her. So yes, traveling was different than moving. And school too. Astrid would be leaving in the fall for nursing school, but she would be coming back like Elizabeth did. She cut off her thoughts as she approached the boardinghouse. Though how they would travel with twins was beyond her. And deep down Grace had a sense Sophie was not telling her something about Garth Wiste. Most likely Sophie was just dreaming about the traveling. Maybe I should come in and stay with her. Grace let her thoughts roam again. She might have a better chance of seeing Toby if she was in town. But sitting out on the front porch of the boardinghouse might be a bit obvious. He’d not come to the graduation festivities after the ceremony. She jerked the screen door open with a bit more force than necessary. What was she supposed to do? Trip him on his way home from work?

  She checked Sophie’s room. It was empty, so she headed into the dining room, also empty, went through the kitchen, empty, and out to the back porch, where she found everyone. Even Mrs. Sam was sitting down, for a change.

  “Miss Grace, I’ll get you a glass.” Mrs. Sam started to heave herself out of the rocker, but her daughter, Lily Mae, beat her to it. The older woman sank back into her chair with a sigh and a thank-you while Grace and Sophie greeted each other. Newborns Hamre and Joy were sleeping in a large basket next to Sophie. Hamre kept making sucking motions with his lips.

  “Here. I bring strawberry swizzle, prettier than lemonade.” Lily Mae set a tray on the low table. “Last of the canned strawberries.”

  “Good thing the berries are coming on pretty soon.” Grace loved strawberries … well, berries of any kind but strawberries the most. She loved the smell, the color, and the taste, and that they were the first crop of the summer. While those growing in the gardens were bigger, the flavor of the small wild ones haunted her.

  “Are any ready yet at Mor’s?” Sophie asked.

  Grace shook her head. “Not in the hollow either.”

  “Have you talked with Penny?”

  “Only a bit. I stopped at the store and left our order.”

  “I thought you might have done that.” Sophie looked around. “I feel so left out of everything.” She gave herself a bit of a shake. “No, enough about me. Tell me how Penny looked.”

  Grace stared at her sister. Was this a new Sophie?

  “She is sad, not like herself.”

  “The whole town is sad.” Sophie waved off a loose fly from above the babies. “I know it’s sad to say good-bye, but it can be interesting too to start a new life in a new place. Maybe Penny will be happier in Bismarck.”

  Away from all her family and friends? Seems to me you’re talking about yourself again.

  Grace took a good swallow of her drink and helped herself to a lemon cookie. Where are these thoughts coming from? Why is Sophie’s attitude bothering me? “Any other news?”

  “Mr.Wiste’s house is nearly finished, and Rebecca’s ice cream parlor should open on the Fourth of July, just like she hoped.”

  “Who is going to make her ice cream?”

  “I forget. She’s going to carry some of the new kinds of candy too. Hershey bars, just think.”

  “How do you know?” Grace asked.

  “She came by and showed me pictures from a catalog where she ordered tables and chairs and a refrigerated chest, something like they use on the trains.” Sophie stroked Joy’s back as she began to wiggle a little. “We are getting telephones here in Blessing soon.”

  “Telephones?”

  “Like they have in Grand Forks and Grafton. They are looking for someone to be the operator. Penny was going to let them put the board up in her store, but now if she is going to sell the store …” The words hung on the air, broken only by the sparrows chittering up in the cottonwood tree.

  “Are you going to have one here at the boardinghouse?”

  “Of course. People will be able to call for reservations like in a hotel.”

  “Maybe I should apply for the position of operator.” Grace paused, waiting for her sister’s reaction.

  “Grace, you can’t—” Sophie gave a hoot. “You are so funny.” She stopped and stared at Grace. “Oh, how I wish you could. Do you ever dream of hearing real sounds?”

  “I used to but not anymore.” She set her glass on the tray. “I’m sure Penny has the order ready. If you’d like, I could come and help you awhile tomorrow.”

  Ask her if she’s seen Toby. I can’t. Sure you can. Be casual. The two sides of her thoughts engaged in fisticuffs while she talked. I want to see Toby, and when I do, I shall just ask him flat-out what is going on. With that firm resolution she stood and smiled at Mrs. Sam and Lily Mae. “Thank you.”

  Mrs. Sam fanned herself with her apron. “Cooler weather sure would be a big help.”

  “I know.” Grace stopped at her sister’s side. “You behave now.”

  “What choice do I have?” Sophie looked up at her sister. “I want to give them everything I can.”

  “Oh, Sophie, you are.” Grace leaned down and hugged her sister. “I’ll tell them one day about your summer of the double Bs.”

  Sophie gave her a confused look.

  “You know, bench and bed.” Grateful at the bark of laughter from Sophie, Grace headed back to the store, made sure all of her supplies were loaded, and climbed up in the buggy to back the horses. While tempted to drive by the flour mill construction, instead she took the road past the schoolhouse and on toward home.

  Samuel and Mr. Gould—she still couldn’t call him Jonathan, it was not proper—met her at the barn to remove the parts from the rear of the buggy and rode with her to the house to unload the kitchen supplies. “Mange takk,” she answered when they offered to take the buggy back and unhitch it. She could feel eyes studying her back as she made her way up the steps to the house, the packet with sewing notions and flannel for more diapers to hem under one arm.

  You weren’t very friendly, one voice reminded her. You were polite but barely. She rubbed her forehead. Having two voices arguing was tantamount to a headache at times. This was a fairly new thing, these voices arguing in her mind. Of course she thought with her mind and dreamed there too, but argue? No. She tried to think when it had started. After Sophie ran off and married Hamre was as near as she could figure. But that was also when the deep down loneliness started. How grateful she was when Sophie came home, yet the arguing voices didn’t go away and neither did the empty feeling, even when she was with Sophie. Had they both changed so much? Only when she was with Astrid now did she really feel like herself. But fall would be here soon too. Then who will I be? Grace, assistant teacher for her mor or Grace, preparing to marry Toby Valders?

  The house seemed still without all the schoolchildren running up and down the stairs or slamming doors when they went outside, sending the vibrations up her legs. Even though they couldn’t speak without their fingers, they could create a restless busyness. Grace followed her nose to the kitchen, where her mother was taking a chocolate cake out of the oven.

  Kaaren set the cake pan on the wooden cooling rack on the table and turned t
o smile at her daughter. “Did you get everything?”

  Grace nodded. “And some parts for Pa that were in.” She paused. “Sophie looks very tired.”

  “Did she say anything about Mr. Wiste?”

  “No. But I didn’t stay a long time.” Because I was hoping to see Toby, and that didn’t happen. I fear I am becoming as self-centered as Sophie used to be. Why is everyone asking about Mr. Wiste? Rumors must be spreading if even Mor is asking. “She said Elizabeth is not feeling well.”

  “I know. Astrid was in helping in the surgery today?”

  Grace nodded. “Penny wasn’t herself either.”

  “These changes will be so hard on everyone.”

  A couple days later Lemuel galloped up on a borrowed horse. “Dey needs you, Miz Knutson. I tole Miz Bjorklund. She say she be here in de buggy. Them babies is crying up a storm.”

  “I want to go too.” Grace clenched her hands.

  “We need you and Astrid here to cook for the men. Today they are eating at Ingeborg’s, so you run on over there.”

  “But Sophie needs me.”

  “Sophie is so busy she just needs to get through one minute at a time.” Kaaren grabbed her basket, and after dropping a kiss on her daughter’s cheek, she said, “Pray hard” and flew out the door. Grace banked the fire, emptied the crock of cookies she’d baked into a basket, and after tucking a cloth over it, walked across the small pasture to find Astrid rolling out noodles. Fresh bread was cooling on the counter, and the fragrance of beef stew wafted from the cast-iron roaster simmering on the back of the stove.