His Brother's Castoff

by Lena Nelson Dooley

  Anna could hardly believe her ears, but her spirit heard and drank in every word. They were an added balm on her wounded heart, to help finish the healing the Lord had already started.

  “Yes.”

  Once again Anna’s voice spoke in a whisper. August wondered what she meant.

  “What?”

  “Yes.” This time when Anna answered, it was stronger. Then she laughed, her voice playing a melody in his heart. “I would like to be courted by you.”

  August could hardly believe it. She had agreed. This was wonderful! He had thought it would take longer.

  “I mean right away.” He saw the stars twinkling in Anna’s eyes, even though they were under the shade of the tree.

  “Right away would be nice.” Her shy smile touched his heart.

  August didn’t want to return to the party, but he knew they had been outside as long as they should. This time he danced every dance with her. He never took his eyes off her, but she didn’t seem to mind. Tomorrow, the courtship would start in earnest.

  Fifteen

  When August arrived home that night, he fell to his knees and dropped his head into his hands. “Help me be what Anna needs, Lord. Show me the best ways to express my love to her. I’ve waited so long.”

  The next morning, he didn’t go to the smithy first. After breakfast, he drove the wagon back to Gustaf’s. On the way, he noticed that the open fields between town and the house were full of wild flowers. He was glad he had walked over to pick up the wagon the day before. On his way back into town, he gathered colorful blossoms. Instead of going to his place of business, he went to the Dress Emporium. It wasn’t open, so he climbed the stairs to the apartment. Each step built his anticipation for glimpsing Anna’s lovely face again. Had it only been a few hours since he had seen her? It felt like an eternity.

  Gerda answered his knock. August peeked around the large bouquet and winked at her. She stepped back.

  “Anna, it’s for you,” she called, turning toward the dining room.

  ❧

  Anna set her cup of tea on the table and went into the parlor. A rather large bouquet filled the doorway and hid whoever was carrying it. Black-eyed Susans, butterfly flowers, wild geraniums, trillium, and columbine—some of her favorites. She put her hand to her chest to still the fluttering of her heart. Without seeing him, she knew it had to be August. He was aware of how much she liked wild flowers. It was one of the things they discussed on one of his many trips to visit her at the shop. The only way he could have gotten those was to pick them this morning. She could picture him walking through a field of wild flowers, filling his arms with the multicolored blossoms. No one had ever before done anything like that for her.

  “Come in, August. Would you like a cup of tea, or should I make you some coffee?” Anna’s voice sounded breathless, but she couldn’t help it. He could think whatever he wanted to about that.

  When he stepped over the threshold, Anna thought that she would like to have him in her home every day. . .for the rest of her life. She only hoped their love was strong enough to last that long.

  Gerda offered to take the flowers and put them in a vase. “If we have one large enough,” she said with a chuckle.

  August slid his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. Anna wondered why he was nervous today. She wanted to make him feel comfortable. “You didn’t say whether you wanted tea or coffee.”

  He glanced toward the dining room. “Whatever you and Gerda are having is fine.”

  Anna nodded. “We’re finishing our breakfast with a cup of tea.” She led the way to the table. “Have a seat. I think there’s another cup in the teapot, if that’s what you want.”

  “Tea’ll be fine.”

  ❧

  After the wonderful time they had over tea, August came to the Dress Emporium at noon with a picnic basket. While they were visiting that morning, Anna and Gerda had told him how busy they were. He decided that they might like to spread a picnic on the table in the workroom. That way the young women wouldn’t have to take time from their work to prepare the noon meal.

  When Anna helped August put the tablecloth that he had packed in the basket on the cutting table, their hands brushed. His touch was light as a feather, but it caused excitement to zing up her arm. She quickly glanced at his face. He looked as surprised as she felt. Maybe he had felt a spark, too. She hoped so.

  In addition to eating the wonderful food, the three friends laughed and joked a lot.

  “I didn’t know you could cook, August.” Anna grinned up at him. “You might make someone a good wife.”

  August almost choked on the piece of fried chicken he was chewing. “A good wife?”

  She laughed. “Yes, you could do the cooking and clean up the kitchen.” She reached for another hot roll.

  He had a thoughtful look on his face when he took her hand in his. “I wish I could cook if it would make you happy, Anna, but Mrs. Olson prepared this lunch for me.”

  Oh, August, you make me happy. Anna wished she were brave enough to say the words, but she wasn’t. . .at least, not yet.

  Not only did August come at noon, he came to the store after he finished work. He asked if there was any way he could help them. He looked at Anna when he asked the question, but Gerda put him to work carrying crates of new fabrics from the storeroom to the showroom. A new shipment had arrived on the morning train. The stationmaster delivered them right after noon, but Gerda and Anna hadn’t had time to unpack the merchandise.

  Gerda came back into the workroom. “Anna, why don’t you show August where you want the bolts of fabric placed.” She sat down and started sewing lace on a blouse.

  Anna wondered if Gerda was giving her and August time to be alone. When she stepped into the front room, he had set the final wooden crate on top of the stack.

  “Do you have a crowbar to open these?” He leaned one arm on the top box. “I’ll do it for you.”

  She had been opening crates ever since they opened the Dress Emporium, but she was glad he wanted to do it for her. She told him where he would find the tool in the storage room. While he was gone, she walked to the front window and looked out at the busy street. Litchfield was growing, and every day activity increased. An ice cream shop had opened down the block. Of course, all the new people coming into town gave her and Gerda a lot of business, and she was glad.

  Soon her mind filled with the man who was helping her. Lord, I love him so much. If only her heart was at peace. Her thoughts were interrupted by August returning. Immediately, he started opening the top crate. It was full of bolts of silk.

  “Anna, maybe you should unpack this. I’m afraid all the calluses on my hands would snag it. It’s too pretty to damage.”

  She turned around and glanced at him standing beside the counter. Tall and strong with blond hair and those penetrating eyes that changed color to match what he wore. Looking at him caused her heart to beat faster. He was thoughtful in so many ways. His tender side balanced his virility. Why hadn’t she seen it sooner? What would her life have been like if he had been the first man to seek her out?

  After helping her unpack the crates, he asked her if he could pick her up for church the next Sunday. “Monday, I’m going to Minneapolis to buy a buggy. I don’t want to take you anywhere else in a farm wagon. You deserve to ride in style.”

  ❧

  When August went to the station to catch the eastbound train, he was surprised to see Anna and Gerda waiting for him on the platform. It was more pleasant waiting for the train to arrive since they were there, especially Anna. But the wait wasn’t long enough. The loud train was right on schedule. It was the first time in his life he wished for his ride to be late.

  Before he boarded the car, he took Anna’s hands in his. “Thank you for coming. I should be home in a couple of days.”

  Anna reached up and placed a light kiss on his cheek. Then she blushed and turned around. Gerda stood back and smiled.

  On the long ride, August had
time to think about that kiss. During the whole time, the spot on his face still felt the imprint of her soft lips. It didn’t matter that the touch had been as fleeting as the flutter of a butterfly’s wings. Anna had kissed his cheek. He knew it was a silly thought, but he didn’t even want to wash his face. He was afraid the feeling would go away. If only they were already married. He wished he was going to return to their home instead of a lonely room in the boardinghouse.

  Minneapolis had grown since the last time he was there, and across the river, the state capital of St. Paul was equally bustling. August couldn’t keep from thinking of the many new directions his life had taken. As a boy in Sweden, he would never have imagined that as an adult, he would be a blacksmith in the state of Minnesota in the middle of the great country, the United States of America. He would raise his family here, but someday, he wanted to take them back to the land where he had been born. They needed to know their heritage.

  While he shopped for the right buggy, August learned a lot about what was going on in the rest of the world. There were major changes in transportation, and he wasn’t sure he was ready for all of them.

  ❧

  Anna began to worry when August hadn’t returned by Thursday evening. What if there was a train wreck, and he was hurt? But she knew if that was true, the news would have reached Litchfield by now. However, something could have happened to him in Minneapolis. Or driving the buggy home. She whispered a prayer for his safety several times during the day, and she couldn’t go to sleep that night. She had tried. She really had, but sleep eluded her.

  Finally, Anna got out of bed and pulled on her housecoat. After tying the sash, she stood by her window, watching the quiet street below, soaking up the peacefulness of midnight. The whistle of the westbound train whined in the distance. She almost wished August hadn’t left town. She didn’t mind riding in a farm wagon with him if that meant he was all right. Her attention was drawn to movement at the end of the street. The shiny paint of a large black surrey glinted in the moonlight. The light was so bright that she could see the red fringe that decorated the roof. A beautiful black stallion pulled the buggy, and August sat on the seat.

  Anna smiled to herself. Thank You, Lord. Suddenly, Anna yawned, and her eyes felt heavy. She settled into bed with a satisfied sigh. August was home, and all was well.

  Because August had so much work waiting for him, it was Friday evening before Anna saw him. He came into the Dress Emporium right before closing time. Anna looked up when the door opened.

  “Are you through for the day?” August’s voice floated across the room to caress her ears.

  “Just about. Why?” Anna couldn’t take her eyes off his imposing figure in nice trousers and a white shirt. She wondered why he was dressed like that. She was more used to seeing him in denim trousers or overalls and a plaid work shirt.

  “I want to take you for a ride in my new surrey.” When August smiled at her, Anna could hardly catch her breath. She had never felt this way before. What was wrong with her?

  While they stood there staring at each other, Gerda walked in. “August, when did you get back?” She rushed across the room and hugged him.

  Anna wished that she could have done that. She remembered the night of the dance. He had held her in his arms under the tree, while they talked. It felt good. . .and so right.

  “What are you doing here all dressed up?” Gerda voiced the question in Anna’s mind.

  August looked above Gerda’s head to where Anna was standing. “I came to take Anna for a ride.”

  “So go, both of you.” Gerda made a shooing motion with her hands. “I can close the store by myself.”

  ❧

  Anna started patting her hair the way women did when they thought something was out of place. August thought she looked wonderful, but he would give her time to freshen up if she wanted to.

  “I need to go get the horse and buggy. I’m keeping them in Gustaf’s barn until the livery stable is rebuilt.” He smiled into Anna’s eyes that looked green today to match her dress. “I’ll be back to pick you up in a few minutes. Is that all right?”

  Anna nodded. “Come to the apartment to get me.” She followed him out the door.

  When August returned, Anna was waiting in the parlor. They went down to the new vehicle standing by the boardwalk.

  “It’s beautiful, August.” Anna clasped her hands. “So shiny. And the horse matches it so well.”

  Soon they were heading out of town. The slight breeze increased as the horse picked up speed. Anna gave a tiny shiver, and August pulled her toward him.

  “I missed you while I was gone,” he whispered against her hair. It was a good thing the horse was well trained, because August didn’t want to have to pay that much attention to him.

  “I missed you, too.” Anna pulled away from him a little. “Actually, I was worried about you. I was afraid something bad had happened, since you took so long to come home.”

  He laughed. He knew this showed how much she cared. “I didn’t want to worry you. It took me longer than I thought it would to find the right surrey and horse.”

  She smiled and moved back closer to him. “Tell me about Minneapolis.”

  August told her about all the new things he had seen in the large city. “I even had to go into St. Paul to find the right horse. And do you know what I saw there?”

  “No, what?”

  “A horseless carriage.”

  Anna looked puzzled. “What is a horseless carriage?”

  “Someone took a buggy and put an engine on it. It ran without having a horse pull it.”

  Since it was almost dark, August didn’t want to go too far from town. At a crossroads, he turned the buggy around and headed back. “I don’t think anything will come of it, even though people told me that a lot of those contraptions are being used in France. It was very noisy. It scared the horses. I can’t ever imagine it sharing the roadways here with the dependable horses we have.”

  ❧

  August often came to take Anna for a ride. The more time they spent together, the more she fell in love with him. His kindness and devotion touched a place in her heart that hadn’t ever been touched before. Not by Gustaf, not even by Olaf. Hardly a day went by when August didn’t come by for lunch or dinner. Even Gerda had started setting a place for him when she was the one preparing the meal.

  Anna began thinking about what marriage to a man like August would mean. The dream of a husband and family that she had decided was not God’s plan for her became more possible every day. She could imagine strong sons like their father and a few girls who would be tall like her. The more she thought about these things, the less her heart hurt, until one morning she awoke with the knowledge that all the old pain was totally gone.

  ❧

  About two weeks after August asked Anna if he could court her, he went to the mercantile for supplies.

  “I know you like books.” Marja glanced over toward the bookshelf display. “We have some new ones.”

  August decided to browse through them before he returned home. There were several novels he hadn’t read, but the book that caught his eye was Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. When he opened it, he found that it was not a recent publication, but he hadn’t ever seen it before. It was bound in the same leather as the Emily Dickinson book he had bought Anna, but it had an added ribbon bookmark bound into it. When he opened it to the marked page, these words caught his eye. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

  By the time he finished the poem, he knew that he had to buy this book for Anna. A plan began to form in his mind.

  After Marja Braxton wrapped the parcel for him, he took it into the dress shop. Anna was waiting on a customer in the front room. He walked around studying the displays until she was finished.

  Then he went to the counter and leaned on it to get closer to Anna. “I have something for you.”

  She smiled. “I wondered what you were looking for as you walked al
l over the shop. I thought you were familiar with everything in here. And I was sure you didn’t need any of that lace you were studying so intently.”

  He put the package on the counter between them. “When you open this, please read what’s on the page where the bookmark is. I’ll be back to pick you up after work. We’re going for a ride.”

  ❧

  Anna shook her head. The man swaggered as he went out of the store. And he didn’t ask if she would go riding with him today. He told her. She waited for the old feelings of being controlled to come over her. But they didn’t. She had come to know August’s heart. He wasn’t overbearing. If he said they were going for a ride, there must be a good reason. She knew he would never intentionally do anything to hurt her. She couldn’t help wondering what he was planning.

  No one was in the shop, so she went to the workroom. Gerda had gone to the post office, so she was alone. She tore the paper off the book and opened it to the page August told her to read. After the first line, she read slowly to let the words soak into her heart. It expressed how she felt about him, too. The words freely. . .purely. . .passion. . .smiles. . .tears touched something deep in her heart that had never been reached before. Once again, she read every word. They were so beautiful, and August wanted her to read them for a reason. Thoughts of what that reason could be brought excitement bubbling up from the depths of her heart. She could hardly wait for the ride later that afternoon.

  When Gerda returned, Anna told her that she was taking the rest of the day off. She didn’t tell her why, even though Gerda looked surprised. When Anna reached the apartment, she went to her wardrobe and looked at all her dresses. Since she was part owner of a dressmaking business, she had more to choose from than most women. She took several out and laid them on the bed. One by one, she picked them up and held them in front of her as she gazed in the looking glass. Finally, she picked a soft green lawn with tiny white flowers and trimmed with lace.