“How have you been feeling?” she managed to force out of her closed throat.
“Lonesome. I missed you while you were gone.”
Rebecca swallowed. “You did?”
“It sounded like you had a good time in Bismarck.”
She turned to find him staring at her in that odd way again. She wished … But she couldn’t wish that. Mrs. Valders would run her out of town if she so much as guessed that she and Gerald were … Were what?
“I did.” Can I ask him a really important question? She rolled her lips together. “Gerald, if I ask you something, please don’t get upset with me.”
“I won’t.”
“Why does your mother hate me so?”
The question lay like a dead snake in the road between them. She stared at her fingers, watching them twine around one another as if they belonged to someone else. The silence stretched, broken only by a hunk of wood settling with a sigh into oblivion in the stove.
He sighed. “I wish I knew. I don’t understand her at all, but she took Toby and me in when we were less than charming and has treated us like her blood-born sons all these years. I’ll try to talk with her again. I know she hurt you deeply.”
“She’s hurt a lot of people through the years.”
“I know. But then, she’s done a lot of good for people through the years too.”
“She brought me two braided rugs—one for the front door and one for my quarters.” She paused. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” She was still amazed at the gift. But as he said, Mrs. Valders had done a lot of good through the years too.
“Yes, I would.”
“It’ll take a bit of time to make.”
“Good. That’ll give old friends some time to catch up.”
Rebecca sighed. So they were back to old friends, eh? Well, at least that was better than not seeing or speaking to each other. And if his mother learned they’d had coffee together all by themselves, she would have a conniption fit. Maybe even take back the lovely rugs.
30
HE’D HELPED HER. GERALD had come to the store last night and helped her again—after everyone else was gone. The euphoria had floated her up the stairs to her new bedroom. Shame he hadn’t stayed longer, but any visit was better than none.
Rebecca had recognized the signs, though. He was getting sick again. The gray tinge to his face had been a dead giveaway, especially after the bright flush. He’d grown quieter. Hopefully he’d gotten a good night’s sleep to cut it off before it took hold.
This morning she had awakened to the winds again and ideas of a dozen things to be done before she opened the doors to customers on Monday. So much yet to do. Surely God would forgive her if she skipped church today. And though Astrid had invited her back to their house, she wouldn’t be missed, for there would be people in and out all day. Besides, God forgive her, she still couldn’t face her brothers, and somehow it seemed wrong to go to worship with so much anger in her heart.
Rebecca stretched and ordered herself out of bed. For the first time in her life, she had a place of her own with no one to tell her what to do or when to do it. Except the work list that she had written herself. If Penny decided to buy the store, so be it. It would be back in good shape before she would take over. If Penny decided not to buy the store back, then Rebecca had a good job and could possibly add her real dream to this one. The two would fit well together. It had to, because after all this she didn’t think she could move back to the farm again.
Her mind played with one idea and then another as she dressed in a well-worn and thusly faded cotton dress, leaving off the padded winter petticoat for the first time this winter. She added a shawl to keep her warm while she started the stove. After brushing her hair, she braided it and wrapped both braids into a coronet to keep her hair out of her way. She glanced in both empty bedrooms, which had also been cleaned, as she made her way down the narrow stairs to the one large room that was kitchen and sitting room combined. While small for a family, the place was plenty large for her. If she stayed here, she could even let out a room, if necessary. So many possibilities.
Downstairs she could still smell a hint of the kerosene they’d used to clean the windows and scrub the dirtiest places, like behind the counter. Her mother would have been outraged at the amount of dirt they’d washed out of this place. Before starting the stove, Rebecca pushed aside the clean drape and strolled through the store. Her store. No matter that Thorliff had signed his name on the bill of sale, it was her store, at least for now. And Penny’s.
She straightened the stack of men’s overalls, righted a metal bucket that had somehow been overturned, opened a box that held women’s shoes, size 5, and slid the lid under the box. When she came to the window display, she paused, one elbow in the palm of the opposite hand. And thought.
Shame she didn’t have a wheelbarrow. Even a used one to set in the window to hold the hoes, rakes, shovels, and a bucket filled with seed packets. A yellow sun would look nice on the wall. She flew back to the dress-goods section, pulled off a bolt of yellow fabric, and took it to the counter to work. She made glue by mixing water and flour, smeared it on the back of a round piece of cardboard, and after cutting a bigger circle out of the cotton, glued it onto the cardboard. She now had a sun. Using a hammer and nail, she pounded it into the aging wood that framed the window display.
Streamers. How could she make streamers? Back to the fabric. She ripped some two-inch-wide strips, attached them around the bottom of the sun, and stretched them to where she decided to set a washtub instead of the wheelbarrow to hold the garden things. With the remainder of the display in place, she walked out the front door and around to look in the window. Not bad for the first time. Not bad at all.
She dusted her hands off and put away her supplies. She’d need to make some advertisements too, like the signs she saw at the store in Bismarck. Penny had pointed such things out to her. My, the things she’d learned in Bismarck for her soda shop were already coming into use.
“Are you sure you want to try going to church?” Ingeborg asked Haakan.
“Yes, I am sure. We’ll have to leave plenty early so I can make it from the wagon to the inside.”
“Much as I want you to be able to do this, the thought makes me really uncomfortable.”
“So what could happen? I get there and the men carry me in on a chair. I walk in and I’m so worn out I fall asleep during the service. If that happens, I know you won’t let me fall off the bench.”
“True. I promise to keep you from falling.” But would all the activity cause another attack? She refused to allow the thought to take over her mind, as well as refusing to voice her fears to her husband. If he felt going to church this morning was this necessary, she would do everything in her power to help him, including praying every minute. At least it was a beautiful day. The warmer air continued to charm the snow away, causing the water to soak as deep into the soil as the frozen ground permitted. As long as the melt continued like it was, the river would thaw slowly too. Heavy rains always increased the flooding, because the mouth of the river was to the north at Lake Winnipeg and was the last part of the river to thaw. She’d once mentioned that was poor planning on God’s part, but He hadn’t seen fit to change the river flow. She figured praying for protection was far more simple.
Andrew arrived and hitched up the lightest buggy, since the roads were now well cleared of snow. “I’ll take you over and then come back for Ellie and the children.”
Haakan nodded.
“Are you ready?”
“Ja, as I’ll ever be.” Haakan already had his coat and hat on and was waiting in the kitchen for Ingeborg to get hers. Then, leaning heavily on Andrew, he shuffled out the door for the first time since the apoplexy. They paused on the top step for him to inhale spring and new life. With Ingeborg on one side, Andrew on the other, and Astrid behind, he made it down the steps and out to the buggy. There they stopped. His right arm was not strong enough to help him in.
“All right, Mor, you get in the buggy and help pull him, and we’ll give him a boost from the back.”
“Ja, you be careful you don’t boost me clear out the other side.”
Ingeborg climbed into the buggy, praying for wisdom, strength, and anything else God figured they needed. “On three. One, two, and three.”
Haakan twisted himself sideways so he landed on the seat instead of the floor and sat puffing. “Uff da. Never thought getting into a buggy would take every bit of strength I own. You think Pastor Solberg would move the service outside so I don’t have to get out?”
“Everyone will be so glad to see you that they’d probably even do that.” Ingeborg settled herself into the seat and turned to Andrew. “Let’s get going so you can return for the others.”
The rejoicing when they drove up exceeded her expectations. As she’d suspected, four men brought out Pastor’s office chair, which had arms, and helped Haakan down into it. Then they picked it up and carried it and its passenger into the church. Ingeborg followed behind, grateful for the fuss being made over Haakan. Being on the receiving end of the outpouring was a new experience for him.
The Valderses stopped on either side of him. “Good to see you, Haakan.” Mr. Valders shook the extended left hand.
“Praise God, Mr. Bjorklund. We are glad to see you here, in spite of all your difficulties.” Hildegunn patted his shoulder.
Ingeborg kept her mouth shut, a feat that surprised her. She smiled instead, acting as if this were a regular occurrence. But then, she’d always been polite and proper with Haakan nearby. Ingeborg thought about it while the others milled around them. Hildegunn always called the men mister, even her husband. This bore more concentration. She’d think about it later.
As the congregation took their seats, she sat on Haakan’s right and held the hymnal. Please don’t try to stand, she thought. Sitting all through the service is just fine, when standing is such an effort. But she knew if she said anything, he’d probably make sure he stood. Men could be so stubborn.
But Haakan wisely chose the easier path and remained seated. She caught a glimpse of moisture in his eyes and reached over to stroke his hand. He covered hers with his left hand and didn’t let her go, something so out of character that she had to fight tears herself. Just because he didn’t say much didn’t mean he didn’t feel much. She tucked that kernel of wisdom away to be considered later as well.
“So, my friend,” Pastor Solberg said after he pronounced the benediction and the final hymn was sung, “how are you now?”
“Mighty weary.” Haakan shook his head. “I had no idea how tiring coming to church could be.”
Solberg burst out laughing. “I’m just glad you didn’t say I was boring.”
“Never boring. Never wearisome, but I’ve never had to look at things from this point of view before.” He patted Ingeborg’s hand on his shoulder, another one of those out-of-character actions.
Perhaps things had shifted inside of him more than any of them knew. This seemed to be a day for Ingeborg to tuck things away in her heart like Mary, the mother of Christ did, to take them out and ponder them later and through the years. Please, Lord, let there be lots more years.
The same four men picked up the chair and carried Haakan back out to the buggy. With them assisting, he was settled on the seat with little effort on his part.
“You want to come home with us and do the same?”
“Ja, if that is what you need,” Lars answered.
“I will come,” Toby Valders said. He winked at Astrid. “If you promise not to practice your medicine on me.”
“Why, Mr. Valders, I assure you I have enough to do with practicing on my father.” She turned her chin slightly and gave him a sideways look that made him laugh.
“I’ll ride with the Knutsons,” Toby said. “T hey have more room.”
“We would love to have you join us for dinner.” Ingeborg leaned forward so she could see Toby’s face. When his smile widened, she nodded. “And bring the rest of your family too.”
“Thank you, but I’m sure Mother will go right home. Gerald is feeling poorly again. It came on suddenly in the night.”
“The malaria?” Astrid shook her head. “Someday I hope they figure out a way of curing that disease. It can be so debilitating.”
“Gerald tries hard to keep his spirits up. He’s worried about his shift at the switchboard.”
“Can Deborah take more hours?”
“Some, but it is easy to fall asleep at the post in the early morning hours. I should know. I did last night.”
“Did you sleep through any calls?”
“Not sure how long one had been ringing. People should use the telephone only during daylight hours.” He touched a finger to his hat brim and climbed into the back of the Knutson wagon.
The road was quickly turning to mire with the passage of the buggies and wagons. The men had to get out and free the buggy once and the wagon twice.
“I think we should develop a runner that slides over the mud, like the sleigh does the snow,” Haakan said, leaning back against the seat. “We need to get out on the fields in the next few weeks too, but it’s too wet yet.” He clenched his good fist, then started working on the fingers of his right hand. “I have to be able to manage the lines.” He pressed his fingertips into his thigh muscles and forced his right hand to stretch.
“If you keep working as hard as you have been with your exercises, we’ll get you walking well enough to get to the barn in no time,” Ingeborg said.
“I don’t know. We might have to hire help this year.”
“The cousins will be coming from Norway. That will give you two men.”
“And women to help with the cheese house.”
“I can go out and help plow,” Ingeborg said, giving Haakan an arched eyebrow look. They all knew she could do it again, as she had in the past, but Haakan had pleaded with her to not wear britches any longer. Besides, she had plenty to do to keep her busy around the house and garden.
He mumbled something that sounded like “Over my dead body.”
Ingeborg ignored him but wanted to remind him not to joke about such things. That could too easily have been the case.
Andrew dropped them off, then headed back to the church to pick up his family. They’d swing by home and bring whatever Ellie had prepared for Sunday dinner. While they’d suggested dinner at Andrew’s, they decided it would be easier on Haakan to be at home.
“I think I’ll take a quick nap,” he said when he made it back into the house. “Those steps, I never realized how high the risers are.” He allowed Ingeborg to help him out of his coat and took Astrid’s arm to help him back to the bedroom. “I should be out shoveling the banking away from the house now that the snow is receding.”
“Not on Sunday.”
“But not tomorrow either. Uff da. The chores are building up.” He sank down on the bed and watched her kneel to remove his shoes. Laying a hand on her head, he whispered, “You are such a good daughter. God has blessed us with such wonderful children.”
She tucked the shoes under the bed and stood. “Thank you.” She stepped back and let him fight to get both legs up on the bed. “You know I’d help you, but letting you do it is far better.”
“I know.” He flopped back on the pillows. “So if I bark at you, please forgive me. I feel more and more like barking the stronger I feel, which makes no sense.”
“Sure it does. Remember all those years you reminded me of the importance of patience? You even gave me Bible verses to memorize, like Mor did.”
“Why do I have the feeling I’m going to get my wise words thrown in my face?”
“Not thrown. Handed gently.” She gave him a smile and headed to the kitchen. “Door open or closed?”
“Closed for now.”
“Rebecca?” a female voice called from the back door.
“In here. Come on in.” Rebecca left the ledger she was working on at the counter and started toward
the living quarters.
Sophie pushed the curtain aside. “I had to come and see the transformation.”
“I’ll go put the water on for tea and give you a tour.”
“Forget the tea. I can’t stay long.” Her lips curved upward. “I just couldn’t wait to see it.”
Rebecca started walking her around the store, showing off the new merchandise. “And we have more coming, plus those crates back there to unload.”
“Now I know why I couldn’t stand to come in here. It was too dark and too dirty. This is wonderful.”
“So many people came to help out. You should have seen them; some would leave and others would come. Thanks for sending Lemuel over. He scrubbed half the walls, I think, up on the ladder. You wouldn’t believe the dirt and junk we hauled out of here.”
When they reached the window display, Sophie clapped her hands. “Perfect. How’d you make that sun?”
“Cardboard, paste, and yellow cloth. Penny took me around a couple of stores in Bismarck and taught me about displays and choices of merchandise. When we have some money ahead again, I want to put in washing machines, sewing machines … things especially for women like Penny did.”
“Well, if Hjelmer comes back, I’m sure he’ll be selling automobiles along with the farm machinery. You could carry oil and tires and rubber cement, all kinds of newfangled things. Anyway, I came to ask you to come for supper tonight. After all, we are neighbors now, and we want to welcome you to town living.”
Rebecca chuckled. “This is me, Rebecca Baard. I’m not new to this town. I’ve known you since the quilting bees when we played under the tables while our mothers sewed quilts.”
“I know, but come anyway.”
“All right. Can I bring something?” She couldn’t think of a thing to bring since she hadn’t really settled into the living quarters yet. Her kitchen needed a good buying spree at the grocery store, but she didn’t have any money for such a thing. Unless she tapped into her savings for the soda shop, and she refused to do that. She’d eat beans and canned goods first and whatever anyone brought her.
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