A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling Page B

his mother home?” She poured herself a glass of water.
    Ingeborg nodded. “He said he’d come back for you if you wanted.” She put a wedge of pie in front of her daughter without being asked.
    â€œTakk, Mor. No, I’ll walk with Trygve and Miriam. Who won the game?”
    â€œThe old guys did.” Manny shuddered and shook his head. “Can you believe that?”
    â€œAnd the final score?”
    â€œFive to three.” Trygve, glum as a grave digger, wagged his head. “We had three innings with no scoring, tied up. And then Father Devlin hit a homer with one on base. End of game. Unbelievable.”
    â€œWho woulda thought some duffer that old could hit so hard?” Manny took the final bite of his sandwich. “And that cow kicked the bucket over for Andrew tonight. I think she was getting even for us being late.”
    Ingeborg looked at Dr. Astrid in amazement. “All that was going on when we were in there? I never heard a thing.”
    Dr. Astrid smiled. “We were busy, Mor.”
    â€œIf there is nothing else to be done, I should probably get back to the boardinghouse.” Miriam fought back a yawn. “I know I’m not on regular duty tomorrow, but I would like to go in and catch up on things, if that is all right.”
    â€œDid you sleep on the train?” Dr. Astrid asked.
    â€œSome, but I think it is catching up with me.”
    â€œWell, the milking is done, so I’m sure Trygve won’t mind walking you back, unless you want a buggy ride.”
    â€œOh no. Walking sounds wonderful. Are the mosquitoes still around?” Miriam tried to hide another yawn. “Sorry.”
    Trygve pushed back his chair. “Are you sure you can walk that far?” His grin said he was teasing.
    â€œI’ll check our patient first and then I’ll be ready.”
    â€œI’ll set Mr. Munro up with the cot and check your patient. I’m going to sleep upstairs, so we don’t have to disturb them. You go ahead.” Ingeborg gave Astrid and Miriam each a hug. “Just think, we had another baby born here, like you said. We are so very blessed.”
    Miriam smiled back. “I’ll never forget this.”
    â€œNo, you won’t. Your first baby will always hold a specialplace in your heart. I remember mine, and it was clear back in Norway. Oh, so many years ago. I was in training to be a midwife. That’s all I ever really wanted to do.”
    â€œGood night, Tante Ingeborg. Thank you for insisting we have dinner here and the ball game. Some things will never be forgotten.”
    â€œLike Benny riding the horse?” She smiled at Manny. “All thanks to you.”
    Manny ducked his chin. “’Twarn’t nothin’.” He frowned and his head kept on wagging. “We gotta help that boy.”
    Trygve gave Ingeborg a raised-eyebrow look.
    Ingeborg asked, “Do you want a lantern?”
    â€œNo. There’s plenty of moonlight.” He stood up.
    â€œI’d almost forgotten what the moon looked like when I was back in Chicago. You just never notice it much. Or maybe I’m just not usually outside after dark.” Miriam accepted the shawl Ingeborg handed to her. “It’s that cold out?”
    â€œThe sun goes down and it cools off fast. I’ll see you tomorrow. I have errands in town.” Ingeborg paused. “You do a lot of sewing, Miriam. Right?”
    â€œI have, but not lately. At least not since I started nursing school, other than the dress I sewed for myself when I was here. Mrs. Jeffers has a very nice sewing machine.”
    â€œI thought so. Would you like to help me pick out some fabric for Emmy? All her clothes are way too small.”
    â€œI want to go over to the hospital for a while but I would be pleased to help you. I’ve done a lot of sewing for my sisters.” She paused. “That’s what I could do for Christmas—sew a dress for each of