The Forgiving Heart (The Heart of Minnesota Book 1)

by Riker, Becky

  Captain Dixon attempted to locate Captain Gunderson's plane. Dixon believes he found the plane crashed at latitude XXXXX , longitude XXXXX. No attempt at recovery has been made.

  This is the information we have at present on your husband's situation. We will keep you informed of any further developments.

  Karlijna set down the letter in frustration. It didn't tell her much. She unpacked her bags and pulled out the sweater she was knitting for Ellie. She had not had much time for working on Christmas presents, so she was going to have to hurry to get everything done on time.

  She was just ripping out a bad stitch when she heard the door open.

  “Hello?” Ellie's voice called up the stairs, “Anybody home?”

  Karlijna ran as fast as she could down the stairs, nearly missing the last two in her haste. The girls threw themselves at each other.

  “How did you get here? Your father was going to go tomorrow to get you.”

  “I know,” Ellie laughed, “but I wanted to surprise him. My friend Georgia was coming down from school too. She lives in Rochester.”

  Karlijna hugged her again, “He will be surprised for sure, but he will still have to go up to get Sara.”

  Ellie laughed again, “Sara is outside. We picked her up on the way.”

  Karlijna slipped on a coat and went outside.

  “I see Ellie left you with the bags,” she called to the older girl.

  Sara was trying to heft two suitcases and a couple other items up the steps of the porch.

  “I didn't bother with hers, “Sara panted. “I have enough of my own.”

  Karlijna stepped down and took something from Sara as Ellie came out.

  “I didn't leave all my things out here,” she defended herself. “I brought in my pillow and my handbag.”

  The girls managed to get everything inside and up to Sara and Ellie's room. While Sara and Ellie unpacked, Karlijna offered to make lunch.

  Soon the three girls were sitting at the table.

  “How were the roads?” Karlijna asked.

  “I think they were okay today,” Sara placed her napkin in her lap, “but they are supposed to be worse tomorrow.”

  “I'm glad Will doesn't have to come get you tomorrow then.”

  Sara and Ellie laughed.

  The phone rang as they were finishing their meal.

  “Karlijna better get it,” Sara told Ellie who was rising, “it might be Mom or Dad.”

  “Hello?”

  “Oh, good,” Will greeted her, “you're there already. I just heard the roads are supposed to get worse tomorrow, so I'm going to leave my office now to go get the girls. I can't get in touch with them, though.”

  Karlijna made a face at the girls, “Okay. Will you be stopping here before you go up to the cities?”

  Ellie and Sara stood up and began making motions to her.

  “I don't think so, but I need you to keep trying to call them to tell them that I'm coming today.”

  “Um. . .well, I can do that, but don't you think you should. . .um. . .get a blanket from home before you go – or maybe two? The back seat gets really cold.” Karlijna was pleased with herself for thinking of such a thing, and the girls gave her big smiles.

  “I have one in the car already, and I'm sure they will bring some home anyway.”

  She shook her head and frowned at them. The girls began pantomiming to her.

  “Sig doesn't know that you're going,” Karlijna said quickly. “I'm sure you should go tell her.”

  “I'll call my mother's house and talk to her before I leave,” Will sounded exasperated. “Can you call them?”

  “I'm sorry, of course I could, but, well. . .” Karlijna couldn't think of a single reason he should come home, “the truth is, you have a visitor here.”

  Ellie and Sara covered their mouths with their hands, forcing back the laughter.

  “A visitor?” Will sounded as though he didn't believe her.

  “Yes, um, a visitor. Well, it really isn't, but I do think you need to come home, Will.”

  He sighed, “I'll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Okay,” Karlijna replied, shrugging at the girls.

  “But I would like to leave very quickly after that, so please try to call the girls right away.”

  “I'll speak to them as quickly as possible,” she agreed before hanging up the phone.

  Sara was the first to laugh, “I don't think he's fooled. He has to know we're here.”

  Ellie waved it off, “You just think it is obvious because we know we're here. It isn't obvious to someone else.”

  Will came in the door a few minutes later, calling for Karlijna.

  Ellie came downstairs instead, “Hi, Dad.”

  He laughed as he gave her a hug, “I wondered what had gotten into Karlijna. Is your sister here too?”

  Sara followed quickly, “We wanted to surprise you, but it almost turned out very badly.”

  “Where's Karlijna?” he hugged Sara then looked upstairs.

  “I think she's writing a letter to Michael,” Ellie offered.

  “Oh,” he walked into the kitchen to get a sandwich, “How did you get down here?”

  “A friend from Rochester brought us,” Ellie offered as she helped him put his meal together. “Her dad was coming anyway, so we hitched a ride with them. We told her we could take her when we go up. Then Mr. Swanson can save his gas vouchers.”

  “Sounds good,” Will agreed.

  The back door opened.

  Will shooed his daughters out of the room, “That's your mother,” he whispered.

  Sig leaned over and planted a kiss on Will's cheek, “You're home early.”

  “I was thinking of getting the girls today since the weather is supposed to turn bad.”

  “Is Karlijna back yet? Maybe she would like to go with you.”

  “I haven't seen her,” Will spoke the truth.

  Sig left the kitchen and walked to the bottom of the stairs, “Karlijna?”

  Down the stairs came Karlijna and the two sisters.

  “Well look who is here,” she said as she embraced the three of them in turn, then called into the kitchen, “Will, it isn't just Karlijna here.”

  Will joined them, hugging Karlijna as well, “I know. They surprised me a few minutes ago.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Later that night Ellie and Sara were sitting on Karlijna's bed with her.

  “So,” Sara held the envelope, “this is all you have?”

  Karlijna nodded, “I think he was in Sweden, but that's all I know from his letters.”

  Sara turned to Ellie, “What does Sam say about it?”

  Ellie scowled, “I got a letter from Sam in July saying he and Michael were going somewhere together, then nothing for a while, so I wrote to him and said I was getting worried – would he please let me know he was not missing with Michael.”

  “What did he say?” Karlijna leaned forward.

  “He said he didn't see why I would want to write to him since my brother was gone and the only reason I was writing in the first place was because I wanted to please Michael.”

  “Ouch,” Sara winced, “did you write back?”

  “Not until last week,” Ellie admitted. “I was angry, but then I thought about how he was probably really upset about Michael.”

  Karlijna sighed, “I sure would like to know if Michael got my letter.”

  Ellie chewed her lip a moment before admitting, “I did ask Sam if he knew.”

  Karlijna reached forward and took Ellie's hands, “Thank you.”

  Sara stood up, “I'm heading to bed. Goodnight.”

  Ellie didn't stay up much later.

  Karlijna turned to finish the letter she had started earlier

  Every time the mail comes, I hope it will bring news of you. Even if I cannot hear from you, I hope for a word from Sam or the Air Force, telling me you've been found.

  I didn't remember to tell you in my last letter that Louisa and Jo
hn are having a baby. Louisa was going to tell him tonight when they went out to celebrate their anniversary. I am so pleased for them as will be everyone else once they know.

  I am praying for you to be able to see God's hand even in this.

  Karlijna

  Christmas morning brought John and Louisa over to the house. The gifts were exchanged and the plain colored paper, picked up and folded for future use.

  Louisa turned to Karlijna, “Did you tell them?”

  “Of course not!” Karlijna was appalled at the idea.

  “Tell us what?” Sig looked from one to the other.

  Louisa shook her head, “I don't think I shall. Not until my brother admits I can keep a secret.”

  Karlijna and John laughed at that.

  “You can keep any secret,” Will conceded, “for about five minutes.”

  “Or,” Louisa teased back, “for five months.”

  Will was still in the dark, but Sig's eyes popped wide open. She looked at Louisa, then at John who was beaming, then back at Louisa.

  Sara and Ellie caught on before their father, “Congratulations!” they cried as they threw themselves at her.

  Sig had tears running down her face, “Praise the Lord,” she whispered as she went to join the fray.

  Will looked at the activity and then at Karlijna, “I think I missed something,” he admitted.

  “I think you did,” she raised her eyebrows.

  That was the moment it dawned, “Louisa and John are expecting?”

  “Yes,” she nodded.

  Will stood up and whooped, “It is about time!”

  Dear Michael, December 25, 1944

  Our family is so happy about the new little one who will join us. Your dad couldn't stop hugging Louisa and congratulating John. Louisa is now teasing your dad because she didn't tell anyone and she has known for a couple months. The baby is to come in April.

  I managed to finish my presents for everyone, though I did not end up making a hat for your dad – just the scarf and mittens. He seemed pleased anyway.

  Ellie made a beautiful white blouse for me, and Sara made a gray skirt with pink embroidery at the bottom. They are such talented seamstresses, and I can barely sew on a button. Your mother has offered again to help me learn, but I love her too much for that.

  I am praying that you are aware of the day and able to celebrate the birth of The Savior.

  Karlijna

  The beginning of the year brought no news about Michael. Karlijna returned to the farm with John and Louisa and continued writing to Michael. If John and Louisa thought it strange they never said so anymore.

  Karlijna had taken over most of Louisa's outside duties because John thought they were too much for his wife. She didn't mind as it put her with the animals frequently. She loved the chickens – even the testy ones – the gentle cows, the dogs, the pigs, and the cats.

  John had shown her the place Michael had hoped to build a house in the future. Karlijna found herself looking toward that spot more and more often.

  “Karlijna,” Louisa called from the house, “the mail is here. You got something from Ellie.”

  Karlijna wiped her hands on her coveralls and shot into the house.

  Louisa was standing at the door, “You should see what you look like, trying to run with those big boots and all those heavy clothes.”

  Karlijna laughed as she surveyed herself, “I am grateful for the clothing, and I don't care what I look like.”

  Louisa handed Karlijna the letter, “Why don't you come in and read it?”

  Karlijna sat on the bench in the mud room, “No thank you. I need to get back to the barn before John realizes I've left. He's going to think I don't want to clean the manure out of the barn.”

  “He won't think that,” Louisa said as she went back to supper preparations. “We all know it’s your favorite thing to do.”

  Dear Karlijna, January 14, 1944

  I got a letter from Sam. He apologized for the rude letter, but says he wasn't sure I would ever want to speak to him again when I found out he was partly to blame. He isn't really, of course, but he feels it should have been him. He was supposed to go up in the first plane, but Michael offered to change positions. Sam lost track of Michael and, when he was told Michael didn't make contact, he went back to look for him. He told me it looked like Michael had been shot at and that the plane was so badly destroyed he didn't believe Michael could have survived.

  I know Sam feels he is telling the truth, but I cannot believe Michael is dead. I wrote back to tell him he is not guilty of anything and that we are still praying for him and for Michael.

  I almost forgot, Sam and the rest of their unit are taking the days they have leave to look for Michael. They are not able yet to search the area where the plane was found, but they have searched POW prisons and hospitals. They will find him.

  Give my love to Louisa and John and pat the baby belly for me.

  Ellie

  Karlijna sighed as she stood up, “Would you like to read what she says?”

  Louisa came to take the letter, “Bad news?”

  Karlijna shook her head, “Just not good news,” she smiled, “except that Michael's friends are looking for him.”

  Louisa watched Karlijna trudge back to the barn, “Please, Lord, let them find him. Dead or alive, let them find him for Karlijna’s sake.”

  The next day brought a letter from Ingrid. It was written in Swedish and Karlijna had to stop and adjust her thinking in order to read it.

  Dear Karlijna, January 2, 1945

  We had a visitor come by here last week. His name was Sam Dixon. He told us he was a friend of Michael's and he was looking for him. I thought, at first, that he thought Michael would be with us. Leif’s English, you know, is very bad and he was trying to explain it to me.

  It seems Sam and his friends are trying to get permission to search for Michael's plane, but cannot make themselves understood. There are interpreters at the government offices but they do not wish to help them.

  Leif has now gone north to try to help get the permission they need. They may be forced to travel into Finland as well. This could be dangerous for American soldiers because Finland considers them enemies.

  It is a long trip – eight hundred miles – from here to the north side of the country. I do not know what Michael was doing up there in the first place, but now that I think of it, he probably was working on that all along. Visiting us was a good cover for any mission he had. I do not fear this getting into enemy hands because whatever he was doing is certainly ended now since Norway has regained its freedom. Perhaps, Michael had a hand in it.

  You will be surprised when you know who is helping me in the store while Leif is away. It is Helga Sodergaard. Her parents left her a house and some income producing property, but with the war, she was no longer bringing in money. She has begun to rent out the two spare rooms in her house, but it is not yet enough. You must know that it was not easy for me to accept her here, but I spoke with Regina who convinced me that being kind to her was the right thing to do. Even if I cannot do it with good motives, I know the Bible says we will heap burning coals on the heads of those who do wrong if we repay them with kindness. I'm afraid that is all the comfort I have in this situation.

  She does her work quietly, and, if she does not respect me, she does not show it. I should be grateful for a competent worker, but I will be more grateful when Leif returns.

  I am sure you are eager for any word on Michael as are we. It must be very difficult having your husband missing. Though your marriage has certainly not been what most girls dream of, he is a godly man, and I hope you can learn to love him.

  When Leif told me Michael was marrying you to help you out of the country my heart ached for you. I feared you would never know he loved you, but would believe he had only done it to save you. I know my husband counseled him to speak of his love as soon as possible. I hope he followed through on that, so you are knowing the truth while you await
news of him.

  I must return to my worker as she there are customers now entering, and she cannot handle customers at all.

  You may pray I am patient with her and do not speak my mind. I shall pray for you and for Michael.

  Ingrid

  Karlijna couldn't have been more surprised. There was plenty to wonder about it in the letter – that Leif was helping to look for Michael, that Miss Sodergaard would stoop to such a job and her brother would deny her support, but most of all, she was surprised by the last thing Ingrid told her.

  Leif and Ingrid knew that Michael loved her. She felt foolish for apparently being unaware of the very thing everyone else knew. Was it often that way, she wondered, that those most involved could not see.

  Though it was the middle of the day, Karlijna sat down to write a quick letter.

  Dear Michael, January 26, 1945

  Your uncle has joined Sam and some of your other friends in looking for you. They must find you soon because Sam knows where you went down. I know you will get these letters after you are found so you will already know these details, but it gives me comfort to write them.

  I am praying for the safety of the men who are looking for me as Ingrid tells me it could be quite dangerous.

  I will pray for your safety until you are found, until you are home, and probably even after that,

  Karlijna

  “John,” Louisa was frying chicken, “could you get the phone? I have a mess on my hands.”

  “Hello?”

  He glanced at Karlijna who returned his look with a questioning one of her own.

  “Okay, I will,” he said to the party on the other end as he reached for the radio dial, “Thanks, Sig.”

  Karlijna came into the kitchen as John fiddled with the dials, “What is it?”

  “Sig said they are talking about the Soviets freeing a prison camp.”