Sofi's Bridge by Christine Lindsay

Author:Christine Lindsay [Lindsay, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

11

Sofi couldn’t hold back her smile, in spite of the fact that Neil had kept such a secret from her. Her mind shied away from the reason for that secrecy. But then...she’d run away with Trina, hidden her from their mother. Whatever his reasons, Neil had to be as innocent as she was. Now all was exposed. She’d known Gunnar Bjornson most of her life, as she knew these people congregating on the lawn.

There’d be prayer meetings tonight at the two churches in town for Gunnar’s recovery.

The sense of belonging to something good and old wafted over her with the scent of roses in the doctor’s garden. These Swedish immigrants had brought their Christian devotion from the old country just like her own grandparents. Nothing felt right after Papa drowned, but here in this valley, she felt the rightness of belonging to these people, to her roots in Christ. And a longing to stay here. To have Neil stay here too. She tried a shy smile, but he avoided her gaze. That small shaft of hope—hope for what, she didn’t know—dwindled.

He was still hiding something, but at least he’d confirmed what she’d known for weeks.

Several townsfolk yelled out hello to her in Swedish. Pastor Svendson, Mrs. Larson, and Mrs. Helsing darted up the stairs to hug and greet her. “When did you get to town? Where’s your mama? So sorry to hear about your papa.”

Their warmth and chatter washed over Sofi as Neil sat on the verandah, staring at his clasped hands. In the surgery when he was working on Gunnar’s leg, she’d never seen him so at peace, the strong, sure way his hands went about his work, as if injected by medicine from heaven in the form of God-inspired labor. Yet now Neil acted as if he were ashamed.

Henric pushed open the screen door and drew her away from the townswomen. “Best you and Trina go to your grandparents’ homestead, or come out to my place.” He spoke in an undertone only she and Neil could hear. “Sofi, I’ve arranged for Larson to take you. I don’t imagine you want to answer a load of questions at the moment...or mention how long you’ve been in town...or where.”

Heat flashed up her face. Though they had Matilda and Trina with them at all times, the fact Neil slept only twenty feet away in the barn could stain their reputations. But in truth, her burning face had to do with the way she’d thrown herself at Neil last night. She also felt the weight of whatever shame burdened him.

Henric turned to Neil. “You’re welcome at my place. In fact, I’d like nothing better...Doctor.”

Neil tilted his head toward the surgery. “The patient?”

Henric sent him a wide grin. “You saved Gunnar’s livelihood as well as his leg. If you feel up to it, Doc wants a chat with you.”

“The doctor is pleased with the surgery?”

“Perfectly.”

“Then if it’s all the same to you, Henric, I’ll take you up on that offer to stay at your place a few days, but I’d as soon get out of here now.

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