Read Online To Everything a Season by Lauraine Snelling - Free Book Online

Astrid’s arm. “Trygve is back!”
    Astrid craned her neck to see. The young man, grinning and shaking hands, was joining the fellows in the corner. He looked tanned and healthy.
    Thorliff stepped to the front of the group of about twenty men, and the growing group of women, all of whom owned businesses in Blessing. Rebecca joined them just as Thorliff started talking.
    â€œGlad you could all make it, since the announcement just went out this afternoon. Before we begin the business, Reverend Solberg, will you lead us in prayer?”
    John Solberg stood and bowed his head, waiting for theshuffling to cease before he began. He waited a bit more and then his voice came gently. “Our heavenly Father, who gives us life and livelihood, family and friends, homes and farms, and all of our businesses, we thank you for your presence here among us and within us. Thank you for the myriad ways you have blessed this town and all of us individually. We cannot begin to count the ways and times you have come to us in our needs. Thank you that Haakan is responding so well. Near as I can tell, that fits in the miracle category.” A whisper of agreement and nods drew them all even closer. “So Father, now we ask you to bless this meeting, to give us good ideas that can benefit our town and help us to always grow closer to you. We thank you and praise you for hearing us and for always answering. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
    Thorliff stood again. “There are several reasons we believe we needed to get together, and number one on our agenda is the robbery in Grafton. I am sure all of you read the article I printed a while back in the paper. I figured they’d catch the thieves in short order and all would be well. But they are still on the loose, and they robbed the grocery store in Pembina. That was done by only one man, but I’ve heard tell, the others were nearby.”
    â€œMakes no sense. Where could those varmints hide for almost two weeks?”
    â€œI know, Anner, and your safety is part of the reason we are here. Let’s face it, we have both a bank and a thriving grocery store. We could be on their list.”
    â€œIf they are not caught.”
    â€œSo what do you suggest we do?” Dr. Deming, the dentist, asked, glancing around as if to apologize for a newcomer speaking up.
    â€œGlad you asked,” Thorliff said. “Daniel, you’re the one whotalked with the law in both Grand Forks and Grafton. Would you please tell us what you learned?”
    Daniel Jeffers nodded and stood. “I spoke first with the sheriff in Grafton. He is frustrated and furious. The folks of Grafton are hollering for his hide, as if this were his fault. He said we better get together a plan to protect Blessing, but he also reiterated that the band could be discovered any day.”
    â€œRight.” The sarcasm came from someone else.
    â€œI talked with Grand Forks, and they suggested we hire one of their deputies to patrol the bank and the town at night, since both of the robberies were at night. They said that lawbreakers usually use the same tactics each time.”
    â€œWhy hire someone when we could take turns?” Hjelmer Bjorklund leaned forward. “We all know how to use guns.”
    â€œTrue, but—”
    â€œHow would we pay an outsider?”
    â€œWhy not close the bank and make it known that there is no money here any longer? You know, take away the prize.”
    â€œNah, that wouldn’t work.”
    The women glanced at one another. Who said that last? Astrid wished she could see more of the group, but from the back it was hard to tell some of them. Talk about frustrating, being only an observer. Perhaps . . . no, there was no sense in riling the waters.
    Trygve stood. “What will it take to hire someone, and do we really want to do that? Would only one man be enough?”
    â€œThree questions?”
    â€œI couldn’t get a word