Free Sophie's Dilemma by Lauraine Snelling

read the note again. Please don’t hate me . Uff da. What was the child thinking? She put the note into the envelope, handed it back to Kaaren, and rose to cut some cheese. ‘‘Here, eat this and a piece of toast. That will taste good. Ilse is taking care of the school?’’
    ‘‘Ja.’’ Kaaren took a sip of her coffee, clenching the cup between her cold shaking hands. ‘‘To think Hamre would . . .’’ Her sentence trailed off as she shook her head slowly, as if even that little motion took what energy she had left.
    Of all the children, Sophie was the most headstrong—had been from the time she was tiny. But she had always watched out for Grace. Or was it during these later years that Grace had watched out for her sister? The twin bond between them was far stronger than between other brothers and sisters. Ingeborg thought back to when the girls were babies and were most content sleeping cuddled together, how Kaaren and Lars had learned Grace could not hear and their resolve to help their baby daughter live in the hearing world around her. As close as their families were, Ingeborg loved the twins like she loved her own children.
    Uff da, Lord. You know all, and you knew Sophie would leave. Nothing surprises you. Comfort Kaaren and Lars—and Grace. She’s been put out with her sister the last week or so—Sophie’s cutting her hair, fussing about school . Ingeborg shook her head and got up to refill their coffee cups. How would I feel if Astrid did something like this?
    ‘‘Mange takk,’’ Kaaren whispered. ‘‘One minute I am so angry, and the next, all I can do is cry and pray.’’ She chewed on her lower lip. ‘‘And Lars. He is so angry.’’

    That afternoon after school was out, Pastor Solberg came to the Bjorklunds’ door.
    ‘‘Come in, come in,’’ Ingeborg said.
    ‘‘No, I’ve come to ask a favor.’’
    ‘‘Of course. How can I help?’’
    ‘‘Would you go with me to talk to Kaaren and Lars?’’
    ‘‘Of course. Let me change my apron and get my shawl. It’s brisk out here; fall has come.’’ Oh, Lord, now what?
    He helped her up into his buggy and climbed in himself. ‘‘This is a sad day.’’
    ‘‘Ja, that it is. A shock. Kaaren came to us this morning with the news.’’ She watched her pastor and longtime friend as he stared straight ahead. Something was bothering him. Lord God, you know what is wrong. John has been with us for all these years and seen it all. Life, death, sickness, health, joy, and sorrow. Help him now with whatever is bothering him. Give him an extra measure of grace to sustain him .
    He stopped the buggy in front of the picket fence that fronted the Knutson house. Hog wire continued on the other three sides, enclosing the yard and garden for protection in case the cows got out, which had happened more than once. He got down and came around to help her out, his shoulders rolled in as if he carried a burden far heavier than he could manage.
    Together they mounted the front stairs to the porch instead of going to the back. This was indeed a formal call.
    ‘‘Oh, I didn’t see you come up,’’ Kaaren said after opening the door to their knock. ‘‘Come in. I’m afraid you won’t find us very happy here today.’’
    ‘‘We need to talk about that.’’ He indicated the parlor. ‘‘Can we sit down? Is Lars near?’’
    ‘‘I’m right here.’’ Lars came in from the kitchen.
    ‘‘Good. I’d just as soon talk to you both at the same time.’’
    When they’d all taken a seat, Solberg sighed and began. ‘‘I have a confession to make.’’
    Kaaren looked to Ingeborg, who shrugged and looked to their pastor to continue.
    ‘‘We were all in bed when someone knocked on the door last night. I got up to answer, and it was Hamre. He asked me if I would marry him and Sophie right then.’’
    ‘‘Was Sophie with him?’’ Lars asked.
    ‘‘She didn’t come to the door with him, but I assume she was. I invited him to come