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

in edgewise until this moment.”
    Everyone chuckled.
    Lars Knutson spoke up with a shrug. “Besides, Thorliff, Haakan would have asked one of the questions.”
    Astrid mentally finished the comment: . . . if he were here . But while Haakan wanted to come, he needed too much helpgetting around yet. He was getting stronger each day. Still, both of his doctors had overruled him. The amazing thing was, he let them. That was not at all like him, to allow their pleading to indeed overrule his desires.
    Sophie nudged her with an elbow and leaned close to whisper, “My tongue is bleeding.”
    Astrid rolled her lips together to keep from laughing out loud. “All of us females, I know.” She shook her head the slightest bit, indicating they should be paying attention. But her own mind did not want to pay attention. The idea of someone armed and patrolling the streets of Blessing made her stomach sour. One of their own would be bad enough, but the thought of people shooting, bullets flying, and blood pouring . . . Her mind kicked into doctor mode. How would they handle a crisis like that at the hospital? Especially if more than one person were severely wounded. True, they had two doctors, but they lacked nursing staff and sufficient supplies. How could they remedy that in the shortest amount of time?
    She jerked her mind back to the discussion in time to hear Mr. Valders move that they hire help from Grand Forks. It looked like the group was divided fairly evenly. Wouldn’t waiting until tomorrow for the decision be a better idea?
    Thorliff raised his hands to calm the heating discussion. “I know we have a motion on the table, but since we are not an organized governing body, it seems to me that we need to postpone a decision like this until we talk with others in the town.”
    â€œLike their wives,” Penny whispered, especially since Hjelmer seemed to be siding with the hiring-help faction.
    Pastor Solberg stood up and waited for the turmoil to quiet. “I know I have no more say than the others, but I do want to suggest that this is something that needs to be prayed about, diligently. We all know the verse that a soft answer turns awaywrath. I am not saying either way here, but the wisdom of sitting quietly before our God and listening for His voice makes a lot of sense to me. We have seen God’s miracles so many times in our little town. Let’s expect another.”
    The temperature in the room had cooled considerably, even while he spoke.
    â€œAlmost a hangin’ mob here,” Sophie said from behind the fan she had taken from her bag.
    That’s what was happening, all right. Astrid gave her cousin a wide-eyed look. “How did you recognize that?”
    â€œSaw it happen one time. Not something I ever want to see again.” She looked over her fan to where her husband was sitting. Garth Wiste gave her a slight nod. “You think we can go home now?” she asked Astrid.
    â€œI think they have more business or at least some announcements.”
    Thorliff stood beside Reverend Solberg. “Thank you, Reverend. As always, you are the voice of wisdom.” He turned to the others. “While we have a couple of other things to bring up, I suggest we meet back here tomorrow night after the praying and discussion we need. A show of hands please.”
    When most of the hands went up, some halfheartedly at best, he nodded again. “Good. Now I have some other news. We have heard from more job seekers, including several who are married. Some of those women agreed they would like work too, so perhaps this will help.”
    â€œWhere are we going to house them?” Sophie asked. “Two rooms at my boardinghouse already have four bunks in them. I can’t handle any more boarders.”
    â€œHjelmer suggested we order army tents. We can build a frame for each rather quickly and erect them out south of the tracks. That would give us