A Heart for Home (38 page)

“Antiquated or not, you have saved lives with what you have, and that is all that counts. I think I will wait to see the inside until tomorrow, if that is all right with you.”

“Of course. Whatever you need, please tell us so we can provide it.”

“Right now I need a washup and a rest. This body gets tired, and it tells me so in no uncertain terms. So irritating.”

Ingeborg patted the doctor’s arm. “I will bring you some tea, if you’d like. That is a bit of a restorative. I often drink it in the afternoon now.”

Astrid stared at her mother. She did? And never mentioned it?
Hmm
. Maybe there was something there that needed looking into. Ingeborg caught her look and raised her eyebrows, not so easy to see behind the slip of veiling that brushed across her forehead. Back at the boardinghouse the women walked Dr. Morganstein to her room, where her middle-aged nurse was waiting. She greeted both of the younger doctors and smiled when introduced to Ingeborg.

“Thank you for your care and the view of the hospital. I’ll see you at supper.” Dr. Morganstein turned and slowly sat down in the chair by the window.

“Please let us know if there is anything else that we can provide,”

Elizabeth said.

“I will.”

The three from Blessing left their guest and stepped into the parlor that was once a bedroom and selected one of the gathered chairs. Sophie had it all set up for the evening social, with chairs grouped around the room and a table for the coffee and tea service.

“Do you think she is all right?” Elizabeth asked.

“A bit of rest will do wonders, and when she wakes, the tea will be there for her. Riding the train like that is wearing to a younger person, let alone one who is aging.” Ingeborg spoke with the authority of experience.

“I always felt like she would never get old,” Astrid added. “When I was in Chicago, she could still stride those halls quickly. Keeping up with her was not easy. I think something has happened in these last months that she is not telling us.”

“Do you know how old she is?” Ingeborg asked.

Both doctors shook their heads. “It’s not polite to ask, you know.”

That night at the social after supper, Astrid made her way to Dr. Morganstein’s side, where she sat in a wing chair. “Thank you for coming.”

“I couldn’t miss this part of the celebration. The people of this town have worked so hard, I wanted to be able to thank them.” She turned to Astrid. “Now, who is that young man over there who never takes his eyes off you?”

Astrid looked in the direction indicated. “That’s Daniel Jeffers. You met his mother at supper, the teacher of English.” She could feel the heat climbing her throat. Surely he didn’t watch her like that. “He is partners with my brother and has become a good friend.”

“I should say so, and if one were to ask, I am sure he would like to be more than a friend.”

“Dr. Morganstein!”

“Oh, don’t be silly. He’s a handsome young man, and you are a beautiful young woman. He is the mind behind the seeder company?”

“It was his father’s dream. A long story there, but he and Thorliff run the construction company that is doing all the building around here. They have been stretched nearly to the breaking point.”

“Well, you make sure to continue that friendship. I have a feeling . . .” She turned to greet Dr. Red Hawk. “So you have toured the hospital?”

“Inside and out. Knowing what I do about the plans and financing, I think they have done well.” He looked to Astrid. “I see where you come from. No wonder you are who you are.” He nodded. “This is all good. And my nurses speak highly of you and all the training they have received. Also, how they were received.”

His look reminded her of some of their discussions while in Chicago. “You are ready now to return to Rosebud?”

“I am. And they with me.”

“They can stay longer if you’d like.”

“No. They are ready to go home. You have given them a good basis. I hope to send others here for training.”

Dr. Morganstein smiled at Astrid. “This is just the beginning, you know.”

“I know. And thanks to you and my mor, I know how to dream big too.”

“You and Elizabeth are a good team. She is still recovering?”

“Yes.” Astrid nodded to Miss Christopherson. “I need to see to something.” She rose, and as she left, Dr. Red Hawk took her chair. Were they all protecting their protector?

It looked as if the entire town and half the surrounding countryside were gathered in front of the hospital, where a stand had been erected for the dignitaries so they could be seen and heard. By nine thirty the light frost had burned off, and the sun shone a benediction down on the crowd. Right at ten, the dignitaries filed onto the stage and sat in chairs on both sides of the lectern. Thorliff thanked the people for coming and motioned for Pastor Solberg to give the opening prayer.

When everyone joined in the amen, Thorliff motioned to his mother.

Ingeborg rose and stepped behind the lectern. “Today, God is answering prayers that started many years ago when we prayed for healing for the sick, health for mothers and babies, and for God to use His powers of healing far beyond what we could assist Him with. He taught us all and helped us turn these prairies into the rich farmland we have today. We are indeed blessed, and as always, it is ‘blessed to be a blessing.’ ” She smiled and sat down. The applause crescendoed and fell away as she nodded and smiled at all the people gathered.

From her seat by her mother, Astrid gazed over the crowd. She saw Joshua standing beside Maisie Christopherson. Closer than he needed to, and when Maisie turned to say something to him, she leaned even closer to him. It was all Astrid could do to keep from smiling. Those two would be perfect for each other.
Thank you, God,
for working that out.

Thorliff said a few words before introducing Elizabeth, who then stood and moved to the front. She looked across the crowd.

“I didn’t start life in Blessing like some others, but once I married Thorliff and came here, Blessing became my home. I thank you for the privilege of becoming your physician. I know that a woman doctor was hard for some of you to accept, but I thank you for allowing me to be the doctor I dreamed of. And I, like Ingeborg, dreamed of more ways to provide medical services for all of you. When we built our home with the surgery as part of it, you came. When Astrid grew up wanting to know more about medical things, she continued this family tradition of caring for those around us. We dreamed of more. More rooms, more equipment, and more knowledge. Thank you for making those dreams possible.”

Thorliff rose again as Elizabeth sat down, and then nodded to Astrid. “If it seems like I am introducing all my family, that’s not quite true. My baby sister, Dr. Astrid Bjorklund.”

Astrid strode to the podium, her heart threatening to leap out of her chest. Never had she spoken to so many people at once. She saw Red Hawk off to the side, his face sober, his eyes daring her. Daniel sat beside his mother, his smile and slight nod encouraging her.

“When we dreamed of a hospital for Blessing and distance clinics for outlying communities, we hoped it would happen in our lifetime.

So I stand before you, young in years but older in medical knowledge. Knowledge that began when I trailed behind my mother as she roamed the prairies collecting her
simples
, as she called them, medicines that have benefited us all at various times. I trained with Dr. Bjorklund here and with Dr. Morganstein at her hospital in Chicago. We talked of a hospital, the need for one in this area, yet how expensive such a property would be. We talked here in Blessing, and some discussions got a bit heated, but God sent us other dreamers who wanted to invest in our small town in North Dakota. A small town with big dreams. A town that is growing for all of us.”

When she sat down, Thorliff waited for the applause to fade off, and then he began. “It is my privilege to introduce the doctor who trained both of the Bjorklund doctors. Dr. Morganstein fulfilled her own dream of having a hospital for women and children in Chicago, the Alfred Morganstein Hospital for Women and Children. Today, I present Dr. Althea Morganstein.” He stepped to the side and offered her his arm. She rose and stood behind the lectern, but he stayed with her, offering her support.

“I am here because of dreams. I cannot begin to tell you the thrill this is for me. I love my Chicago hospital, but there was nowhere else for it to grow, unless we moved it out of the center of Chicago, where it is most needed. So when I met the doctors Bjorklund and listened to their dreams, an idea hatched that could assist us all. I talked with the people on my board of directors, and one woman in particular, Mrs. Issy Josephson, got excited about the prospects. While she has gone on to her heavenly home, her nephew, Jason Josephson, is here in her stead, ready to administer the estate she bequeathed to our two hospitals. It is thanks to her that we had the finances to assist with constructing this hospital in Blessing, North Dakota. I thank you for your dreams, and I thank God for my friend for giving her wealth to bless us all.” She clung to Thorliff’s arm as he helped her sit back down.

“And now Mr. Josephson will say a few words.”

Mr. Josephson stood before the crowd, every inch the wealthy businessman. “Thank you, people of Blessing, for being the kind of town that my aunt wanted to help. She saw your caring, your generosity, your faith, and your need. All the pieces of the puzzle came together here in Blessing, North Dakota. May this hospital always be known not only for its excellent medical care but also for the depth of caring given to those who need more than medical attention. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your dream.” He sat down to ongoing applause.

Astrid could not look at her mother, for she knew if she did, they would both be crying. When she glanced to the side, she saw Mrs. Jeffers nodding and smiling and beside her, Daniel, who caught her eye whenever she allowed her gaze to rove the gathering. Did he watch her all the time, as Dr. Morganstein said? The thought made her want to smile back. Maybe there was indeed something good happening between them. Was that possible? Did she dare look into her heart and see how she was feeling?

When the clapping stopped, Thorliff stood again. “Pastor Solberg, will you do the honor of blessing our hospital?”

John Solberg stood at the edge of the platform facing the audience. “Let us pray. Heavenly Father, you have given us great gifts all these years, blessings beyond what we deserve but always through your grace and mercy. Let this hospital be known for grace and mercy, for the love you have so poured out upon us. We will have a chapel for those in need to worship you, but more than that, we ask that you permeate this building with your presence, that all who enter here will feel your love, your mercy, your grace. Thank you for giving us big dreams so that we can work with you, but more so, watch you in action. Lord God, we praise your mighty name. Amen.”

A mighty amen rolled back to him.

“And now we will cut the ribbon and declare the Blessing Hospital open for visitors.” He turned and, along with Thorliff, helped Dr. Morganstein down the stairs and over to the entrance. The others followed and moved around the podium to stand behind them.

Dr. Morganstein took the scissors, large ones made by Mr. Sam for this very event, and, using a hand on each loop, cut the ribbon through on the first slice. A great cheer went up, and those closest to the front were not the only ones wiping their eyes.

Astrid realized Daniel was right beside her when he handed her his handkerchief. “Thank you.”

“Congratulations, Dr. Bjorklund.”

“Thank you for helping build this whole thing.”

“Thorliff ran this one. I ran the seeder plant.”

“Right.” She knew it had all been a team effort. So many people were part of the team. The entire town had a part.

“Hey, My Doc. Dr. B.”

Astrid turned to see Benny on his father’s shoulders. “Hi there, Benny. Did we do all right?”

“You did real good.” He leaned forward. “That old lady doctor.

I remember her.”

“Dr. Morganstein gave us permission for you to come here.”