Free Blessing in Disguise by Lauraine Snelling

shape.
    The bell tinkled, and Solberg turned to see who had arrived.
    Penny breathed a sigh of relief and sent her thanks heavenward.
    “Ah, there you are, Pastor. I went by your house first, and Mrs. Solberg said you were here.” Mrs. Valders wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “Sure is warm for September, don’t you think?”
    “That it is. Is there something I can do for you?” Pastor Solberg picked up his brown-wrapped packet of cheese.
    “Yes. It’s about the letter you sent home with the boys.” She shook her head. “Those two.” But her smile had the hesitancy one wore at the prospect of bad news.
    But at the same time Penny could see a slight glint of pride in the woman’s eyes. She and her husband, Anner Valders, who helped Hjelmer with the banking, had adopted two boys who had hitched rides on trains clear from New York City. They had slipped off the train in Blessing to steal something to eat and got caught in the store. Toby and Jerry White Valders had a well-earned reputation for causing trouble.
    “Well, I warned them about chasing the little girls with a garter snake, and instead of administering the paddle, I said I would write you a letter.”
    “I know what the letter said. Did anyone get hurt?” Hildegunn Valders rolled her eyes and straightened her shoulders.
    “No, but the boys need to learn more kindness for others, so I wanted to talk with you and Mr. Valders about what we could do to help them learn that.” When she started to say something, he raised a hand. “I know they have had a hard life until now, and that is why I believe we both need to pray for them and think of ways to help them become the fine young men God meant for them to be.”
    Penny wanted to ask how the snake had fared, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She remembered the times she’d been the one chased and had her pigtails pulled by an older boy.
    “So if you and Mr. Valders would bring the boys by my home one of these evenings, I think we should all sit down and have a talk. Don’t you agree?”
    “I . . . I guess.” Mrs. Valders turned to Penny. “Could I please have our mail?”
    “Here you go.” Penny fetched the envelope and handed it across the counter. “Sure seems strange without Anner here.”
    “I know. At home too, but he should be back tomorrow or the next day. That meeting had better have been a good one. Land sakes, going clear to Bismarck to help with the banking laws.” She nodded to both Penny and the pastor, then sailed out the door.
    “So where was Andrew during all this?” Penny asked Pastor Solberg as soon as Hildegunn was out the door.
    “Locked in Thorliff ’s arms. He was going to take a stick, a big stick, to both of those boys for scaring Ellie and Deborah.”
    “I can just imagine.” Penny had no trouble picturing Andrew on the warpath. “What did you do?”
    “Toby and Jerry spent the afternoon splitting and stacking wood. And I sent the letter home. I almost took out the paddle, but I’ve never believed that is necessary for a good education. Might have to change my opinion, though, with those two.” He sighed and shook his head. “I’ll be back to fill out the paper work on that sewing machine.”
    “Good. We’ll be ready.”
    Solberg turned back. “Any word on Miss Bjorklund?”
    Penny shook her head. “But her trunk is here.”
    “Oh dear. How is Bridget?”
    “We’re going to talk with her again after supper.”
    “If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. I’ll be praying for that young woman’s safety.”
    Penny walked with him to the door and turned the sign to “Closed” as he left. Now to get some supper on the table.
    Lamps were lit by the time she and Hjelmer had made their way to the boardinghouse. They found Bridget sitting in her rocking chair on the back porch while the others were finishing the cleanup in the kitchen.
    “Are you all right, Mor?” Hjelmer asked after closing the screen door behind him.
    “Ja, just