To Everything a Season (16 page)

I
think those south fields are ready to be cut.” Lars tipped his hat back on his head and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

Haakan grunted his assent. “Both mowers are ready?”

He nodded. “I finished sharpening teeth today. Talk about cutting it short.”

“Andrew's pretty good with a stone and file.”

Lars smiled up at Freda when she handed each of them a glass of strawberry swizzle. “Takk.”

The two men lifted their glasses in salute, and Lars drank half of his, Haakan only sipping.

“Sure turned hot this week.” Lars mopped the back of his neck too. “Good sitting here in the shade, though.”

Haakan grunted again, and it was not assent. “I'd rather be out replacing mower teeth.”

“I know. I set George to cleaning out the haymows on both places. Weather holds like this, and we'll be hauling by Friday.”

“I had the rakes all greased before I went down, so those are ready.”

“Did you ever get the lift ropes replaced in your haymow?”

“Andrew and I did it last winter.” Haakan took another drink.

“Where's Ingeborg?”

“Working with that boy at the hospital. She and Astrid decided to bring him out here soon as he can manage crutches. He can't even read.”

“Didn't seem reading was high in the minds of those wasters. All that and they only got fifty-five dollars.” Lars drained his glass. “You sure you want that boy out here? Might steal you blind.”

“How could he when he can't even walk?” Haakan glanced up in the tree, where a couple of birds got into an argument. “Poor, dumb kid, growing up in a family like that.”

“Might be we can turn him into a farmer.”

“We can try. I'm thinking I might be able to drive one of the hay wagons.”

“We'll see.” Lars got to his feet with a low groan. “Better get to milking. Tell Ingeborg we've got plenty of cream ready for the cheese house.”

“I will. Guess she should be home anytime now.” Haakan sipped. “Freda pretty much runs that now, you know. We should be hearing one of these days if any of her relatives from Norway want to come over and help.”

“Forgot about that. Ja, that's true. Both Kaaren and Ingeborg sent letters.” Lars settled his hat back square on his head. “Later.” And he headed for the barn and the milking stanchions.

When Ingeborg drove her buggy into the yard, Haakan was rocking on the front porch. Good. She had noticed coming in that the hay was ready to cut. Haakan, the farmer, seemed content to sit and watch others farm, though. She knew it had to be difficult for him.

But when she joined him on the porch, Haakan casually mentioned his idea that he'd suggested to Lars—driving the hay wagon.

She turned real quiet, then said gently, “I wish you wouldn't. That's taking a big chance.”

“No it's not. We can tie me to the hayrick if need be.”

Ingeborg's eyebrows arched a bit. Then she closed her eyes.
Please, Lord, show
him how dangerous an idea that is.

Friday night Thorliff had supper with his parents. After they were done and Ingeborg was cleaning up, Andrew joined them, and then before long Trygve and Lars arrived too.

“Why, what a surprise.” Ingeborg welcomed them, slid the coffeepot back to the front hot part of the stove, and fed the fire. “I'd have baked a cake had I known you were coming.” She looked from face to face, catching the idea they weren't there on a social call.
O
Lord, now what?
While she dished the cookies onto a plate, she watched as one by one they pulled out a chair at the table.

Haakan made his way in from the back porch. “Well, how good to see all of you.”

“Far, we need to talk.” Thorliff pulled out his father's chair.

“About what?” Haakan sat down and leaned against the chair back.

With everyone seated, Thorliff started the meeting. “We heard that you are planning on driving one of the hay wagons.”

“Ja, I think I can do that. Once I get up there, I should be fine. Can tie myself to the hayrick if need be.” He smiled like that was a joke. Andrew shook his head.

“What if you collapse and fall off?”

“I said we can tie me up.” His voice took on an edge.

Thorliff leaned forward. “What's your rush? All that heat out there. Could get sunstroke mighty easy.”

“We don't want you to try it yet, Far.”

Haakan sat up straighter and leaned forward. “Are you trying to tell me I can't go out and work my own land?”

“No, we're telling you that you need to take more time off until you are stronger.”

“I'm not an invalid.”

Thorliff was keeping his voice quiet. “No one said you are. But you've been very ill, and it wasn't long ago we weren't sure if you were going to live or die. Have you talked with Mor about it? Astrid or Elizabeth?”

“I mentioned it to Ingeborg the other night.”

She brought the cups to the table and returned for the coffeepot, all without a word. Going around the table, she filled Haakan's cup last, squeezing his shoulder gently as she poured. “Cream and sugar anyone?”

All of the men studied their coffee as if seeking wisdom in the darkness.

Thorliff dunked his cookie and, after taking a bite, followed with a swallow of coffee. “What if you went down out in the field and were to slide off the rack and under the wagon?”

“Or the wheels? Or the team panicked and took off?”

“Or this sets you back and you never fully recover?”

“Onkel Haakan, we want you to be around for a long time. Please, can't you see the wisdom in this?” This last was from Trygve.

“You gave up a good job with the well drilling to stay home and help, all because of me?”

“No, there were many reasons. I know I made the right decision.”

“Hjelmer is still pretty upset.” Haakan still had an edge in his voice.

“I know and I'm sorry, but he'll get over it when he sees the other men doing as good a job or even better.”

“That's beside the point.” Thorliff passed the cookie plate on around the table. “We are asking you to please give up this idea for now.”

“I can't.”

“Can't or won't?”

“How are you going to get up on the rack?”

“I'll get a ladder!” Haakan pushed back from the table. “I will see you at the barn in the morning.” He walked straight to his bedroom and closed the door.

“So now what?” Andrew asked, looking at his mother. “He's too weak to even drag a ladder. Look at him walk.”

“I swear, I . . .” Thorliff slammed the palm of his hand on the table. “Stubborn! What else can you say? Stubborn, bullheaded, pigheaded. Mor, he cannot handle this. Look at him. He's not even walking like he used to yet.”

“Then you all better spend time praying that God will make it clear to him tonight.”

“You talk to him.”

“I'll give him my opinion if he asks. But otherwise it won't work.” She gave a tiny smile. “It took me a while to learn, but . . .” She paused and looked around the room. “I have a feeling we have a whole room of really stubborn Norwegian men. So, someday I'll tell your wives how to handle you.”

They all rolled their eyes as if choreographed.

“I have plenty more cookies. God is going to work this out. Why would He fail us now?”

“But what if He lets Haakan go out there and collapse?”

Ingeborg rolled her lips together. “If that's what needs to
be, then that's what will happen.”
But please, Lord God, keep that from happening
.

That night she found herself repeatedly waking up to make sure he was all right, but Haakan slept through the night as if the meeting had never occurred. Every time she woke, she prayed for him to be wise in the morning.

He awoke early, at first light. “Pretty soon I am going back to the barn in the mornings to milk cows again.” He said his piece firmly, letting her know his mind was made up. Was there anything more stubborn than a Norwegian whose mind was made up?

Ingeborg clenched her teeth, got up, and dressed without a word and without looking him in the eye. She did not offer to help him in any way and even her stride said what she thought. She rattled the grate with extra gusto, started the fire, and took the empty coffeepot to the sink to fill. Pumping water with a vengeance, she caught a reflection of herself in the window. She filled the pot with water and set it on the quickly heating stove. That too got an extra clang. All the while her mind kept pace.
Stubborn. Stubborn. Stubborn
.
Now she understood it was a pride issue also. He would show those young sprouts!

She added the coffee grounds to the water and shoved more wood in the firebox. The frying pan clanged. The floor shook under her feet, and even the cat stayed away, watching her from behind the stove. Saved fat sizzled in the pan waiting for the slices of cornmeal mush she had cooked and left to set up overnight.

When Haakan sat down at the table, he was dressed for work, including his boots, the first time he'd worn them since the collapse. The coffee nearly sloshed over the rim of the cup when she set it down before him.

Ingeborg Bjorklund, talk
about him being stubborn. Look at the way you're
acting.
Ignoring the voice was difficult, but
she managed. Breakfast was a strangely silent affair, since Freda had spent the night at Kaaren's so they could continue to scrub down all the dorm rooms. In fact, the entire school building. Kaaren always had the building all fresh and clean for the new and returning students.

She bowed her head, Haakan said grace, and they ate. Without talking.

Finally Haakan said, “Are you so angry you cannot even speak?”

She nodded.

“But you never get angry like this, not for years and years. Is my wanting to help with the haying such a terrible thing? Ingeborg, I have to be able to work again, or what is the sense of living?”

Her eyes welled up and one overflowed. “Haakan, I do not believe you are strong enough for this—not yet. I fear you are taking your life in your hands and all because you are too proud to admit you just might possibly have made a mistake last night. All those men were here because they love you and respect you and want you here with all of us for a long time yet.”

“You know I have said that if it is my time to go home to heaven, I am ready.”

“I understand that and I am too, but that does not give one permission to take foolish chances.”

“So now I am a fool too?”

“No! But you are doing a foolish thing. And I don't want you to have a setback, serious or otherwise.” She laid her hand over his. “Please, Haakan, please.”

He stared down at their hands. “I have to try, my Inge. I have to try. If I feel weak or dizzy, I will return to the house. All right?”

“What can I say? You know my mind. All right.” She went to the door with him and watched as he walked to the barn. The milkers were finished, so the cows were gathered around
the water tank, drinking their fill. Then they followed the lead bossy, single file, out to the far pasture. Coffee cup in hand, she leaned against the porch post, letting God's creation soothe her angry spirit.

“Now I have to confess that anger, don't I?” A twittering bird seemed to look right at her and give instructions. “And, Lord, this shows that I am not trusting you in all things.”
Be not afraid
tiptoed through her mind. “Fear not. That's what this is, isn't it? Lord, I do want to trust you, but sometimes it is so hard. I know you are bigger than a man's pride, and you can be more stubborn than anyone. I give him back to you. My anger only made noise, and it gave me an upset stomach. I am sorry. Thank you for the way you send peace. I can feel it seeping into my skin and surrounding my heart. Your peace and joy, O Lord. I will sing praises to your holy name.”