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

until winter to get more housing up.”
    â€œWhat about a couple of apartment houses? We can do two-story, like the boardinghouse. And that new wing on the boardinghouse could be rushed into occupancy more quickly.” Toby Valders glanced at the others. “I know our construction teams are being pushed to the maximum, but we will have more help soon.”
    â€œAnd here I was hoping to get my well-drilling team back on the road.” Hjelmer said his piece so mournfully that the others laughed, helping to lighten the tension in the room.
    Sophie stood and waited until Thorliff nodded to her. “I hate to add fuel to the fire, but many of these new families may have children, so we can count on needing an addition to this school building too . . . before school starts.” She gave a slight bow. “And thank you, gentlemen, for the promise that the new wing at the boardinghouse will be usable more quickly.”
    Garth rolled his eyes, and Thorliff slid into the look he sometimes gave Inga when she had been especially outrageous.
    â€œAnd on that cheery note, I am now closing this meeting.” He smacked his hand on the table. “Done.”
    â€œGood thing, before all the women take it upon themselves to . . .”
    Astrid didn’t hear the rest of the comment due to the hum of conversation fast growing louder than a hum as the group disbanded.
    Small groups visited outside in the deepening dusk, and others left immediately.
    â€œYou did well, Thorliff,” Mr. Valders offered on his way past. “I thought it was going to go worse than that.”
    â€œThank you. And thanks too for being a voice of reason, especially since you manage our bank.”
    â€œNo money is worth getting shot over.” Anner tipped his hat and headed toward home, leaving Astrid with a sense of growingadmiration. It was a shame his wife had not been there. The idea of Mrs. Valders sitting still through a meeting like that made Astrid chuckle on the inside. Actually, she was surprised Hildegunn had not come, but then women were not invited. Those that showed up did so without an invitation, and the men were too polite to run them out.
    She hooked her arm through her husband’s, and they accompanied Elizabeth and Thorliff back toward the Bjorklund House, as theirs was on the way. “I’m glad that’s over,” Astrid said to no one in particular.
    â€œMe too.” Daniel gave her arm a quick squeeze. “When you four ladies showed up, I thought there might be trouble, but those disgruntled hid it well. Thorliff, I’ll bet you’ll get several letters to the editor over this.”
    â€œPossibly. Then I won’t have to write an editorial, unless they all agree, of course. Dissension is good for the soul.”
    â€œAnd that is in what Scripture?” Elizabeth asked.
    Astrid knew Elizabeth’s right eyebrow had arched, even though she couldn’t see it in the deepening gloaming.
    â€œI’m sure it must be somewhere.” Thorliff stopped, so the others did too. “I sure would love to have Far at the meeting tomorrow night. We could—”
    Elizabeth and Astrid both groaned. “Thorliff.” They even said his name in unison.
    â€œNo one ever brought up a way to pay for help, should we go that route,” Daniel said. “The talk of money usually cools any hotheads, not that I really saw that going on tonight. The people of Blessing seem more level-headed than other places I’ve been to.”
    â€œBut things they are a-changing.” Thorliff shook his head. “We need to make sure newer people feel they are a part of this decision.”
    â€œYou men better talk with your wives too.”
    â€œOr invite them along,” Astrid added to Elizabeth’s comment.
    â€œWe might not have a vote, but we do have opinions and valid ones, at that.”
    â€œAstrid, I think we better hurry home before this