Read A Touch of Grace for Free Online Page B

issue of whether Sophie would sell the boardinghouse was settled, the new chief discussion of Will they or won’t they? held the folks of Blessing in thrall. While the men seemed to think Hjelmer had to go where he could do the best, the women were tearfully praying that Penny would not be forced to leave.
    When Grace entered the store, she studied the stony look on Penny’s face. Did she really have a choice? Didn’t the Bible say women were to go where their husbands led? At least that’s what her mor said, but no one wanted to even think of that.
    Penny saw her and half smiled. “Good morning, Grace. What can I get for you today?”
    “I have a whole list.” She laid the paper on the counter. “I thought maybe I would go see Sophie while you filled this.”
    “That will be fine. She is some tired.”
    “I know.”
    “How’s young Mr. Gould doing?”
    “He is working hard. He said he even likes milking the cows. He is over helping Tante Ingeborg in the cheese house again today.”
    “Did you bring a wagon in or walk?”
    “The buggy. Why?”
    “Some parts came in that Lars ordered. I thought perhaps you could take them back to him.”
    “Of course, if there is room.” While she wanted to ask Penny about her decision, she couldn’t bring herself to ask the questions. Sometimes things were better left unknown. “I’ll be back later, then.” Once out the door, she took a deep breath, as if she’d not taken one since she’d entered the store, and exhaled. The sorrow failed to follow her outgoing breath. She realized it was selfish to want everything to stay the way it was. Sophie had come home, and no one else should leave. People moving in was fine. It was the leaving that tore her apart. I don’t ever want to leave Blessing , she told herself for more than the second time.
    Does that mean never to travel or only never moving away? Grace knew Sophie still dreamed of traveling again and that she wanted Grace to go with her. So yes, traveling was different than moving. And school too. Astrid would be leaving in the fall for nursing school, but she would be coming back like Elizabeth did. She cut off her thoughts as she approached the boardinghouse. Though how they would travel with twins was beyond her. And deep down Grace had a sense Sophie was not telling her something about Garth Wiste. Most likely Sophie was just dreaming about the traveling. Maybe I should come in and stay with her . Grace let her thoughts roam again. She might have a better chance of seeing Toby if she was in town. But sitting out on the front porch of the boardinghouse might be a bit obvious. He’d not come to the graduation festivities after the ceremony. She jerked the screen door open with a bit more force than necessary. What was she supposed to do? Trip him on his way home from work?
    She checked Sophie’s room. It was empty, so she headed into the dining room, also empty, went through the kitchen, empty, and out to the back porch, where she found everyone. Even Mrs. Sam was sitting down, for a change.
    “Miss Grace, I’ll get you a glass.” Mrs. Sam started to heave herself out of the rocker, but her daughter, Lily Mae, beat her to it. The older woman sank back into her chair with a sigh and a thank-you while Grace and Sophie greeted each other. Newborns Hamre and Joy were sleeping in a large basket next to Sophie. Hamre kept making sucking motions with his lips.
    “Here. I bring strawberry swizzle, prettier than lemonade.” Lily Mae set a tray on the low table. “Last of the canned strawberries.”
    “Good thing the berries are coming on pretty soon.” Grace loved strawberries … well, berries of any kind but strawberries the most. She loved the smell, the color, and the taste, and that they were the first crop of the summer. While those growing in the gardens were bigger, the flavor of the small wild ones haunted her.
    “Are any ready yet at Mor’s?” Sophie asked.
    Grace shook her head. “Not in the hollow