Read Online A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling - Free Book Online Page B

comments that he’s not asked anyone else to dance.”
    “Oh.” Astrid wished for a fan. Surely the sun was burning her skin in spite of it being after nine—and inside the barn. The setting sun was tinting the horizon from lemon to azure as the eye traveled upward. Maybe she’d gotten a touch of sunburn during the day.
    “You can see that Grace and Jonathan are besotted. Love is just flying through the air.” Sophie looked besotted herself. In love with love is what came to Astrid’s mind, not that she knew much about love between a man and a woman, other than what she’d seen with her mor and far.
    “How come Maydell is dancing with Toby?” Astrid asked her friend.
    “She wants to make Gus jealous.”
    “From the look on his face, it’s working. Someone better warn Toby.”
    “Oh, he knows what’s going on. Toby’s no fool.”
    “I wish he’d find someone.” Remembering Sophie’s comment, Astrid jerked her gaze away from Joshua, who was laughing at something someone had said.
    “You mean Toby or the man you keep looking at?”
    “I do not.”
    “Astrid, this is Sophie you are talking to.” She turned to smile at the man who stopped beside her. “Yes, I’d love to dance with you.”
    Astrid smiled inside. Even Sophie’s voice changed when Garth came up. Although they’d been married almost a year now, they still acted like newlyweds a good part of the time. Sophie was married; Grace was spoken for or engaged—even if not officially yet—Rebecca was married, though only a couple of weeks ago. Ellie and Andrew had been the first to marry, so that left only her and Deborah of their group. Oh, and Maydell, but she was a latecomer. Astrid frowned. Her feelings toward Maydell were still a little prickly after Carl’s broken arm. And now she was trying to stir Gus up, not realizing Toby could get hurt. Or someone could get hurt. When was Maydell going to start acting like a grown woman?
    And I’ll soon be leaving. Or will I? The thoughts intruded again, as they had for the last days. Will I or won’t I go to Chicago? At a tap on her shoulder, she turned to see her cousin Samuel grinning at her.
    “You said you wanted to dance with me.”
    “That I did.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for asking.” They took their places in one of the squares, and Lars announced the dance, “Texas Star.” The musicians swung into the tune, and Mr. Valders called, “Swing your partner do-si-do.” One had to pay attention to the caller, even if you’d been dancing this one for years, or you might make more than yourself stumble. Astrid laughed at something Samuel said as he claimed her for a partner again after they’d moved in opposite ways around the circle. At sixteen, Samuel was no longer one of the children, but not really one of the adults yet either. But he was her favorite of the male cousins.
    The dance ended with everyone laughing and puffing. A movement at the dessert table caught Astrid’s attention. There was Inga taking cookies off a plate and handing one to Carl, who was getting a lot of attention with his broken arm strapped to his body. The two ran giggling over to the side and sat down against the wall to enjoy their booty. Astrid glanced around to see where the parents were. She saw Andrew and Ellie talking with Mr. and Mrs. Aspland, so newly arrived in Blessing from Minnesota. Since there were no babies around, someone must have taken them up to Andrew’s house, where they would be laid out like cordwood on one of the beds with an adult watching over them. Oh yes, Tante Kaaren was missing. She loved being with the babies.
    Astrid swayed slightly as the music slowed to a waltz.
    “May I have this dance?”
    Even his voice gave her the shivers. “Of course.” She stepped into Joshua’s arms and laid her hand on his shoulder. “You play so well.” They moved together in the pattern, one hand warm at her waist, his other holding hers gently.
    “Thank you. You suppose that will