When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

answered all of them, his tone respectful. When Mom requested a description of the property in Arborville, Steven provided an overview of the acreage and all it contained. “The buildings, including the house, are pretty run-down and will take some work. But it’s a good piece of land.” He offered aslight shrug as he finished his explanation and shifted his gaze from Mom and Dad to Anna—Grace. “I should be able to make a decent living, and we should be … happy there.”
    Anna—Grace had a hard time remaining on the sofa. Listening to Steven tell about what would be
their
land, house, and outbuildings—even though, in his typical understated manner, his descriptions were short on details—built a nearly uncontrollable eagerness to see it for herself. She gave his hand a squeeze in lieu of jumping up and whirling in excitement.
    Dad leaned forward slightly, his brow puckered into a mild scowl. “So it’s settled then? You’re going to take over the farm and make your home in Arborville?”
    Steven’s fingers twitched. “That’s right.” He drew in a breath and squared his shoulders. “I’ll probably move by the end of the month.”
    Anna—Grace dropped her jaw. “So soon?”
    He grimaced. “As I said, there’s a lot of work to be done.”
    The thought of Steven moving away, of not seeing him every week, was a knife in her heart. She missed him already and he hadn’t even left. “Why can’t we work on it together?”
    “My dad says I need to have it finished before I take you to live there. Dad talked to the carpenter who did the work on your great-aunt’s house, and—”
    “Paul Aldrich?” Mother’s query blasted out on a shrill note of panic.
    Anna—Grace looked up in surprise.
    Steven nodded. “That’s right.”
    Mom and Dad exchanged a grim look, and Mom’s face paled.
    Apprehension teased Anna—Grace, raising the fine hairs on her neck. “What’s wrong with Paul Aldrich?”
    “Nothing.” Dad sat back in his chair, as if forcing himself to relax. “He and my cousin Suzy were good friends when they were growing up. We even thought they might choose to marry. But they didn’t.”
    Steven went on, speaking to Anna—Grace but sending occasional sidelong glances across the room to Mom and Dad. “Mr. Aldrich said he could spendearly November at the house, updating the kitchen and bathroom, and he would ask the fellowship about arranging a working at the property. The men would help paint the house, reshingle the roof, and repair the barn. The other things that need doing inside—painting, wallpapering, lots of cleanup—I can handle on my own. Then the house will be ready for us when we get married.”
    Married
 … What wonderful notions the word inspired. The books her friends checked out from the library in McPherson often featured women with careers. Even a few women in Sommerfeld had businesses. But all Anna—Grace wanted was to manage her own household, the same way Mom had. Anna—Grace released an airy sigh. “I wish I could go with you and help, too.”
    Mom shook her head firmly. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t stay at the house.” Mom should know that she wouldn’t behave inappropriately. She’d been taught right from wrong. “But I could stay with Great-Aunt Abigail. Or maybe with one of your cousins, Dad. When we were there for Great-Aunt Abigail’s birthday, they said we were welcome anytime.” The idea grew, gaining merit. “Since Sandra has the new baby, I could be a help to her if I stayed with her and Derek.”
    Dad frowned. “Well …”
    Mom turned to Dad. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    Anna—Grace observed her parents, apprehension building. Both Dad and Mom had assured her they were pleased about her commitment to Steven. Why did they now seem so forbidding? She supposed they hadn’t realized he would take their daughter several hours away from them. She hadn’t realized it, either, when she accepted his