To Everything a Season (31 page)
Read To Everything a Season Online
Authors: Lauraine Snelling
Tags: #FIC042040, #FIC027050, #FIC042030, #Christian fiction, #Love stories
Miriam closed her eyes in fear that he could see into her heart. Did she? Did she really? Could sheâso soon?
Yes
. Maybeâin spite of being furious? Her heart swelled with love for this man.
But
. That love would have to be stomped on like burning coals until it died. There were no answers to this but for her to leave and for him to stay here. She'd heard broken hearts took a long time to heal. Be that as it may, hers would just have to heal, time or no.
“Trygve, I cannot change my mind.”
“Cannot or will not? And besides, you did not answer my question.” He took her hands in his. She could hear the train far down the track, the train that would carry her away. He squeezed gently. “Please answer me.”
I cannot lie
.
You must.
She looked down at their hands, unable to let him see. Slowly she shook her head. “I think I am coming to care for you, Trygve, but I do not think it is the kind of love to bring to a marriage.” There. She'd said it.
The train whistle blew, too much closer, too quickly.
“Look at me.” Had he shouted, the words could not have penetrated her heart any deeper. The heat from his hands burned into her skin, muscle, and bone, then flew like an arrow straight into her heart.
She raised her gaze, fighting to keep the tears from overflowing.
“Your eyes say one thing and your mouth another. No matter what is going on in this town, this is not the end for us. I will find a way.”
The screeching train wheels echoed her heart's cry. Sparks
flew from the iron wheels on the iron track, like the sparks that leaped between them whenever they met.
She tugged her hands loose and stepped back. “Good-bye, Trygve. And thank you for bringing me to the station.”
“This is not the end. On my life, I promise you, this is not the end.” He picked up her valise and handed it off to the conductor.
“Good-bye.” What a dreadful word! And she would have to say it again far too soon, to her dear mother.
Would all of life be nothing but good-byes?
“Remember.” He gripped her hands. “I want you to know, and to understand, that if you do not come back, I will come for you.”
“I . . . uh . . .” She stuttered to a stop at the look in his eyes. A thousand honeybees buzzed in her mind. Unable to break the lock of his gaze, she swallowed.
Think of
something!
“Uh . . .” She started to argue, but that faded away.
“I will.” He nodded and glanced toward the steaming behemoth screeching down at them.
She ordered her backbone to do its job, pushed her shoulders back, and retrieved her hand. “Thank you for escorting me, Mr. Knutson.”
“My name is Trygve.” One eyebrow raised slightly. He leaned forward, a barely visible motion.
He's going to kiss me.
She took a step backward and almost stumbled on the stool the conductor banged against the wooden platform.
He passed her suitcase to the conductor, took her hand to assist her onto the stool, and stepped back. He touched a finger to the brim of his hat. “Blessing and I will be waiting.” The door sighed closed.
She found a seat at the window.
He was watching. She must wave. It was the least she could do. She raised a hand to the window.
He smiled brightly. Glowed. Waved back.
Her new family? No, Dr. Bjorklund, her family waited in Chicago. By some miracle her mother was still alive and waiting for her.
One of the passengers called to someone through an open window. “We will be back.”
No, I will
not be back. My place is in Chicago.
Mama,
please wait for me.
She straightened her spine, planted her feet flat on the floor, and stared toward the front of the car, where the conductor was coming through picking up tickets.
Against her determination, she looked out the window again. Sure enough, Trygve waited, waved again, and touched the brim of his hat. She heard him in her mind.
My name is Trygve, and I will come for you
.
He was a determined man, but her family needed her in Chicago. No matter what her heart wanted to do.
If only she knew for certain what her heart wanted: A life in Blessing or a life in Chicago. Was there any possibility of a compromise? Her mother would say that God has a plan. Could she trust that?
Lauraine Snelling
is the award-winning author of over 70 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over 2 million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.
S
ONG
OF
B
LESSING
To Everything a Season
An Untamed Heart
R
ED
R
IVER
OF
THE
N
ORTH
An Untamed Land
A New Day Rising
A Land to Call Home
The Reapers' Song
Tender Mercies
Blessing in Disguise
R
ETURN
TO
R
ED
R
IVER
A Dream to Follow
Believing the Dream
More Than a Dream
D
AUGHTERS
OF
B
LESSING
A Promise for Ellie
Sophie's Dilemma
A Touch of Grace
Rebecca's Reward
H
OME
TO
B
LESSING
A Measure of Mercy
No Distance Too Far
A Heart for Home
W
ILD
W
EST
W
IND
Valley of Dreams
Whispers in the Wind
A Place to Belong
D
AKOTAH
T
REASURES
Ruby
Pearl
Opal
Amethyst
S
ECRET
R
EFUGE
Daughter of Twin Oaks
Sisters of the Confederacy
The Long Way Home
A Secret Refuge 3-in-1
