Blessings Read Online Free PDF Page B

drag on forever. Graham enjoyed every bite of the baked ham, scalloped potatoes, last year’s canned beans, and gooey chocolate cake, but when the meal was over, he and Trina would be able to sit on the front porch and talk. The handmade swing was visible to his family through the large picture window in the living room, so they would be properly chaperoned without having to be around the others. Graham relished his moments alone with Trina. Those scarce snatches of time made him eager for the day when she would be his wife, when they would share their own little house and he would have hours of time every day with her.
    When the meal was finished, Trina rose and began clearing dishes.
    “Now you stop that,” Graham’s mother scolded. “You’re a guest.”
    “Nonsense.” Trina sent a smile across the table that softened the word. “If I were home, I’d be helping with cleanup. I want to help.”
    “No, no. You do enough cleaning up at your mother’s café.” To Graham’s relief, his mother shooed Trina away from the table. “I’m accustomed to doing my dishes. You young people go enjoy your time.”
    Before Trina could launch another argument, Graham caught her elbow and ushered her through the living room and out the front door. The early June sunshine raised the temperature, but the porch was shaded by thick spirea bushes, and a slight breeze pushed from the west, making it bearable. He pointed to the swing, and they seated themselves on opposite sides of the wood-slatted hanging bench. At least a foot and a half of distance separated them. That would be considered acceptable.
    All through lunch, Graham had held his curiosity about Trina and Andrew’s brief conversation in the churchyard, but now that he had her alone, he let the question come out. “So what’s this important topic your parents are covering while you’re over here sitting on my porch swing?”
    Trina’s eyes danced, and she pushed her feet against the porch floor, setting the swing in motion. The white ribbons of her cap swayed beneath her chin. A silken strand of deep brown hair slipped along her cheek. Graham wondered what she’d look like with her hair down. He focused on her sweet face as she finally answered his question.
    “They’re considering allowing me to work for Dr. Groening.”
    Ah, he should have known. The look on her face Friday night had clearly indicated her interest. “I’m surprised your mom is even thinking about it.”
    For a moment, Trina’s expression dimmed. But then her smile returned. “I know, but Dad can be persuasive. Of course”—she shrugged, bunching the ribbon on her left shoulder—“he said there would be a lot to work out for it to happen, but. . .”
    “But you’re still hopeful,” he completed.
    She nodded. “Oh yes. Working with Dr. Groening, learning how to doctor animals, would be so wonderful!”
    He smiled, enjoying her animated voice and face.
    “Spending the night out at Andrew’s with Regen, I had such a feeling of contentment when the swelling in the horse’s leg went down. I love animals, and I want so much to help them.” She closed her eyes, tipping her head back and drawing in a deep breath. “There’s so much I don’t know, Graham, and I want to learn it. I want to learn everything .” She threw her arms wide and giggled, peeking at him.
    Graham resisted taking her hand. Her enthusiasm toward life always lifted his spirits. He could imagine coming home to her after a long day at the lumberyard, letting her smile and cheerful chatter lift him from tiredness. His chest tightened with desire to make her his as soon as possible.
    Suddenly an impish grin creased her cheeks. “I told them you offered to teach me to drive.”
    Graham chuckled to cover his embarrassment. He fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. “Oh? And what did they say?”
    Trina sighed. “Dad said it wasn’t your responsibility.”
    Graham nodded. “No, probably not. But in a few