A Heart for Home (28 page)

That brought on another spate of giggles.

“You should tell that story to all the others at our girl party. Don’t forget, it’s tomorrow night.”

“I won’t forget.”

As they sipped their glasses down to the tiny ice chunks, they shared the town news, being careful not to gossip.

“How do we know when it is gossiping and when it is just sharing the news?”

“I guess it depends on what our motive is and what the news is.”

“I suppose so.” Sophie laid her glass against her cheek. “Every bit of coolness counts on days like today.”

“Put your feet up, Sophie. Your ankles are swelling.” After the advice, Astrid continued with her thought. “I’m thinking we’ll be having a thunderstorm.” She nodded toward the west, where dark clouds were massing. “Feels like one too.”

“I know. We need the rain, and it should help clear the air.”

“Remember when we used to go puddling with Mor and Tante Ingeborg? Washing our hair in the rain and then sitting on the porch to brush it out and dry once the sun came out?”

“Even though we have running water, I’d rather wash my hair in the water from the rain barrel to this day.”

“Me too. And with a lemon rinse. Mor was livid one time when we took the precious lemon and rinsed our hair with it. But it sure felt good and smelled wonderful.”

“What about when you cut your hair in a fringe?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Anything for excitement and something different. I think going to Seattle killed that adventurous spirit I had.”

“I’m glad it didn’t kill more than that. You could have been in so much trouble after Hamre died. I cried for you for days and was so happy when you came back.”

“I heard a line that I like. ‘Home is where they always have to take you in.’ I was afraid Mor and Far wouldn’t let me come back.”

“Really afraid?”

“Terrified. I knew I had hurt them badly. I was most certainly selfish and headstrong. And now I’m as happy as anyone can be. Mor has always said that God works in mysterious ways, and I am living proof of that.”

“We all are.” Astrid checked her watch just as they heard the far-off whistle blow. “Let’s go meet Grace.”

Jonathan and Kaaren were there before the girls arrived. The three females hung back while the young man paced the platform, as if his stomping could bring the train more quickly.

“And here I always thought he was the model of patience.” Astrid smiled at her aunt and cousin.

“He is a young man in love. That’s for sure.” Sophie clasped her mother’s hand and held the parasol over them both. “I wish they didn’t have to wait so long to get married.”

“Less than a year now.” Kaaren flinched as the screech of wheels and the shriek of steam announced the arrival of the monstrous black engine. By the time it stopped, the engine was in place for the water to refill the boiler, and the passenger cars lined the station platform.

The conductor put the stool at the bottom of the stairs, and Grace stepped gracefully down to them, only to be swung around in a hug and dance step by the tall young man who let out a whoop of joy. She clapped her hand on her straw hat and tried to look dignified but failed miserably.

Astrid enjoyed the sight. Grace was more lovely than ever, aided by the beauty of love as she saw her Jonathan again. The two turned as one and smiled at the waiting family members. Sophie and Astrid stepped back so Kaaren could greet her longed-for daughter.

“And you are really home to stay?” Kaaren asked.

“I really am.” Grace spoke, but it was easy to tell that she’d been communicating in sign more than speech back in New York these last two years. She stumbled over some words, her pronunciation harsh on others. But with all the new people that had arrived in Blessing, not everyone signed any longer, so her speaking the words was all the more important.

“Except when we visit my family,” Jonathan added, even though he stood behind Grace. “Or when she teaches at training centers.”

Kaaren looked at her daughter. “Are things happening we don’t know about yet?”

“I have much to tell you. We will need a wagon for my trunks, but I see you brought the buggy.” She turned to Astrid and held her arms wide. “Well, Dr. Bjorklund, you don’t look a whole lot different, but you have a wonderful title. I know you earned every letter of it.”

“I did and I’m doing what I like best. And the best part is I am home in Blessing and not in Africa.”

“I wondered for a while, but one day when I was praying, it was like God was speaking right to me. He said, ‘Fear not.’ That’s something He has said to me too many times. ‘Fear not.’ I always feel like He’s waiting to catch me if I trip, or waiting to make sure I am where He wants me.”

Astrid could only nod. For Grace to make such a long speech took plenty of effort on her part. So she tapped the cousins’ secret code into Grace’s hand. And they both smiled, Astrid with one eyebrow slightly raised. Grace nodded. “We will.”

Sophie dabbed at her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Astrid, ever watchful, asked.

“I’m just so happy. My other half is back in this part of the world, where she belongs.”

Grace gave Sophie another hug. Then at Jonathan’s nudge, they walked over to the buggy.

“Now remember, Grace, like I told you in my letter, we are having a girl party tomorrow night in your honor. Well, in everyone’s honor, because the daughters of Blessing are all together again.” Sophie threw her arms wide as if to encompass the entire town. “And, Mr. Gould, you’ll be able to live without her for at least one evening.”

“As if I have any choice in the matter.” His woeful look made them all laugh again. This was a good day for laughter.

The whistle blew and the train eased forward, steam billowing again, the conductor waving from the bottom step of the passenger car. “All aboard!” His call lingered behind on the wind as the train picked up speed.

Jonathan helped Kaaren into the buggy first and then Grace, before taking the front seat to drive.

Astrid and Sophie waved good-bye, laughing at the stack of luggage that belonged to Grace, and strolled off the platform.

“I think we need a soda.”

“I think you are right.” Astrid and Sophie turned left instead of right to the boardinghouse. They pushed open the door to Rebecca’s Blessing Soda Shoppe to find it empty.

“Rebecca?” Sophie called.

“Back here. Just a minute.”

“Where’s Benny?”

“Knute and Dorothy took him out to the farm for a couple of days,” she said as she emerged from the back. “He is having a wonderful time.” Rebecca finished tying her apron in place.

“She’s going to have her hands full when her baby arrives in November,” Sophie commented.

“She’ll handle it with ease, I’m sure,” Rebecca said. “Now, what can I get for you ladies?”

“Ladies?” Astrid and Sophie turned to look at each other.

“Ladies?”

“Sophie might be but not me, at least not yet.”

“Dr. Bjorklund is not a lady? Now, that sounds strange.”

“Dr. Bjorklund is Elizabeth. Isn’t it funny that I still feel that way?” Astrid paused and made a huff in her throat. “When I was at Rosebud, I felt like Dr. Bjorklund. I forgot how young I really am and did what had to be done. Then I come back here and sometimes I feel like I’m playing at being a doctor. That I really was never away, and – ”

“Astrid, sometimes I wonder about you,” Sophie said, shaking her head. “Give her your latest kind of soda and wake her up a bit. Stitching heads and setting broken bones and birthing babies is
not
playing at doctor.”

“I agree.” Rebecca turned to fetch a glass, and Astrid could see the mound growing under her friend’s apron.

“Are you feeling all right?” Astrid asked.

“Sometimes I get a bit tired, so I do what you told me and go sit on the porch in the shade with my feet up. That’s what I was doing when you came. After all, I am not due until January.”

“Good for you.” Astrid turned to Sophie. “Guess I can’t be playing at it when even my friends do what I tell them.”

“Don’t get too smug. Not all your friends and not all the time.”

“Right. Some things will never change. You are the one that needs your feet up, Sophie. Your time will be here before we know it.”

“It couldn’t come soon enough for me. Being so close to term in the summer is not the best of situations. Winter is much better.” Sophie took a quick look at the menu. “Make three sodas, Rebecca, whatever kind you recommend, and we’ll all sit on your back porch. If we sit in front, half the town will decide they need to come and visit.”

But when Sophie put down the money for the three sodas, Rebecca argued.

“I can too buy you a soda, if I want,” Sophie insisted.

“Sophie!”

“Just hush. Let’s go hide on the back porch.”

The next evening the daughters of Blessing gathered at Sophie’s house as ordered.

“Where are the children?” Deborah asked.

“Next door at Helga’s. She will take May too, Ellie, so you can forget about anything else but having a good time.”

Ellie went next door and handed her baby into Helga’s waiting arms. “Are you sure you want to take her? I didn’t expect this. She’s been fed and is sleepy, ready for bed. I can just put her down here. Carl is home with his pa.”

“That’s all right. I’ll take her.” Helga smiled down at the sleepy little girl. “So precious she is.” Helga Larson and her family moved from Minneapolis to Blessing to be close to her brother Garth, Sophie’s husband. Helga’s husband, Dan, worked at the flour mill.

Back at Sophie’s, Astrid led a frustrated Sophie into the parlor, where a wing chair and ottoman sat in front of the tall windows overlooking the backyard. “Why don’t you sit here? With the fan going, this will give you some real relaxation.”

“Oh, Astrid, I don’t have time for this.” But she sank into the chair with a sigh. “I know putting my feet up will indeed feel good, but I’m the hostess.” Sophie tucked her full skirt around her legs while Astrid removed her shoes.

“As if we don’t know where things are.” Astrid probed Sophie’s ankles. “When did this puffiness start?”

“Just the last couple of days. It’s been so hot, and I’ve been canning string beans – oh, and making jam too. It goes away at night.”

“How about if Freda comes to finish your canning and you knit sweaters or something instead?”

“Astrid, I have four children to take care of and – ”

“And Freda or Helga don’t know how to do that?” Astrid beckoned to Deborah. “See how her ankles are swelling? As a nurse, that is something to look for in pregnant patients. While in the summer the heat and humidity might contribute to the swelling, it can be a sign of possible problems. I think nurses will play a larger part in caring for pregnant patients. At least at our hospital they will.”

Sophie and Grace clapped their hands. “Bravo, Dr. Bjorklund.” Astrid shook her head. “I get no respect here, and you wonder why I feel as if I am playing doctor?” She looked over at Rebecca, who was reclining on the sofa. “Go over and check her out. Tell me what you find.”

Deborah did as she was told, making a joke about free medical care. “Your ankles are swelling a bit too. Is this an epidemic, or what?”

“No, the typhoid was, or could have been, an epidemic. This is pregnancies and hot, humid weather. Well, not as hot as before the rainstorm yesterday, but it’s still a steam bath today.” Astrid brushed a hank of hair off her cheek.

After Deborah gave her report, Sophie clapped her hands. “Enough medical stuff. Let’s eat and drink and be merry.”

“I think that refers to another kind of drinking,” Grace said and signed.

“You know what I mean.” Sophie stood and bowed. “Supper is served, my friends. Help yourselves and then bring your plates back in here.”

Deborah interrupted her. “You sit. We will fill plates for our pregnant people, and if you don’t like what we bring, oh well.” The face she made brought laughter from all.

Once their plates were full and they were gathered in the parlor again, Sophie started the discussion. “We have three married women, one engaged, and two who are still not attached. I think we need to talk about this to figure out how we can help the two not yet attached.”

“You can help best by not helping at all,” Astrid offered.

“Okay, then let’s begin with you.” Sophie pointed to a chair she had moved into the center of the somewhat circle. “Sit.”

“I’m not going to sit in the middle like that so you can all stare at me.”

“Sit. Sit. Sit.” The chorus made her roll her eyes, but she sat, taking a forkful of salad at the same time.

“Now, I thought there was a budding romance going on here between you and Joshua Landsverk. When he sings, my heart goes pitty-pat.” Sophie patted her chest. “Well?”

Astrid’s smile disappeared. “There was. I broke it off.”

“My land, why? He’s handsome, charming, building a house for his wife – ”

“And he cannot deal with his wife being a doctor who puts her patients before her family.”

“Oh, Astrid, I’m so sorry.” Grace came and knelt at Astrid’s knees, taking her cousin’s hand. “But it is better to see that now than to live a miserable life together.”