When the men returned and unloaded the wagon the second time, Merta arrived. She said that some of the women had prepared lunch for them. They had the table set at Merta’s house waiting for them to come.
“We can’t possibly go looking like this.” Olina pushed a stray curl back under the scarf she had tied around her head.
“Yes, you can.” Gustaf touched her cheek with one finger, rubbing at a spot. “You have some dust on your face, but it won’t take you long to clean up.”
Olina turned away to hide the blush she could feel staining her cheeks. More than her cheek was affected by the touch of his finger.
“Of course not,” Gerda agreed. After filling a white pitcher with a rose pattern on the side, she picked up the matching bowl and invited her mother to accompany her to her bedroom to freshen up.
Olina soon followed with a pure white bowl and pitcher of fresh water for her own bedroom. Setting it on the washstand, she peered into the looking glass on the wall above it. After removing the scarf, she fluffed her hair with her brush and pulled it back, tying it at the nape of her neck with the scarf. That would have to do. She didn’t have time to put it up properly.
Olina was descending the stairs when Gustaf returned from washing at the pump in the kitchen. He caught his breath when he looked up at her. He hadn’t seen her like that since she arrived in America. Even though her hair was tied back, curls cascaded past her waist. It reminded him of the bubbling waterfall on the farm in Sweden, as it sparkled in the sun. He had seen her many times back in Sweden. When she hadn’t had her hair in braids as a young girl, she wore it tied back, but he didn’t remember it like this. Gustaf wished he had the right to run his fingers through the silky-looking strands. He had to just imagine what they would feel like curled around his fingers.
“Is everyone ready?” His father’s voice sounded from behind him.
Gustaf was glad that his father hadn’t been watching his face. He knew Gustaf too well, and he might realize what Gustaf was thinking. Gustaf wasn’t ready to discuss his feelings for Olina with anyone, especially not his father.
While they were eating, the women from church asked if there was anything else they could do to help Gerda and Olina get settled in the Winslow house.
“I guess it’s no longer the Winslow house.” Gustaf couldn’t keep the pride out of his voice. “From now on, it will be the Nilsson house.”
Olina knew what he was saying, but she was not a Nilsson. It felt different to be living in a Nilsson house when Gustaf owned it instead of his father, but she wasn’t yet ready to explore the reason.
Two of the women had talked to Gerda and Olina about sewing for them. They made arrangements to bring fabric to the cottage on Monday, so that Gerda and Olina could get started making their dresses. Olina felt so professional. She thought Gerda felt the same, because they shared a secret smile across the table.
It didn’t take long for Gerda and Olina to settle into a routine. In the mornings, after doing whatever cleaning the house needed, they started sewing on dresses for customers. Working together, they had no trouble finishing a dress, sometimes more, in a day. As women began wearing their new frocks, more were ordered, both by the same women and others. By the end of the first month they lived in the house, their business was thriving.
August quickly formed the habit of eating breakfast with the young women. Sometimes when they were busy, he would invite them to join him for lunch at his boardinghouse. The food there was good, and it kept Gerda and Olina from having to take time to cook. They took turns fixing dinner.
It soon became apparent that Gustaf meant what he said about the rent being a hot meal. It wasn’t at all unusual for him to arrive in town to share lunch or dinner with them four or more times a week. Not that Olina minded. It was pleasant to have him around. When he was there, he checked to see if there were any repairs that needed to be done at the house.
❧
Two months had passed when Gustaf arrived carrying a package. “Olina, I have something for you.” He strode into the sewing room and stopped short. She was standing on a straight chair, trying to reach something on a high shelf. “What do you think you are doing?” His voice exploded.
The loudness and harshness must have startled Olina because she lost her balance, teetering on the chair before her feet flew out from under her. Gustaf hurled the package to the floor and lunged toward her, barely catching her. He pulled her hard against his heaving chest. What a scare she had given him. He didn’t realize how hard he was clutching her to himself until he heard her soft sob. That sound cut right to his heart.
Gustaf loosened his hold, cradling her gently against his still pounding heart. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Olina hiccoughed. “You scared me,” she whispered against his chest.
Gustaf set her on her feet, but he didn’t let her go. She felt so right in his arms. He tried not to sound harsh. “What you were doing was dangerous. I was afraid you would fall.”
She pushed against his chest until there was room between them. “Actually, you caused me to fall. Your shout startled me.” At least she didn’t sound as though she were accusing him of anything bad.
“Do you often climb like that?” Gustaf stepped away from Olina, giving himself room to breathe.
“Only when I need something from a top shelf.” She looked defiantly up at him.
“I can get you anything you want.”
“What about when you are not here?” The question came out in a whisper.
“I will bring you a step stool the next time I come.” Gustaf looked at the package lying on the floor near the wall. “I brought you something. It’s from Sweden.”
Olina looked from his face to the box.
“My Bible. Tant Olga has sent my Bible.” Olina grabbed the box and clutched it to her heart. “Thank you for bringing it to me.”
Gustaf was confused for a moment, then he nodded. He was surprised, but encouraged by Olina’s actions. He had been praying for her so long, worrying about her relationship with the Lord. The fact that she had asked her aunt to send her Bible must be a good sign. He decided it would be best to let her open the package alone, so he said a quick good-bye and went to look for Gerda.
❧
Olina knew that Gerda would come back into the house at any moment. She had been out checking the small garden they planted. Olina wanted privacy when she opened the box, so she took it up to her bedroom and closed the door.
Dropping into the rocking chair by the window, she continued to hold the package close as tears streamed down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure she was ready to read the words for herself, but she knew she must.
Olina took the package and laid it on the bed. She wondered why Tant Olga had used such a large box to send the Bible. When she opened it, she found out. Letters and two smaller parcels accompanied the book. One letter was in Tant Olga’s handwriting, but the writing on the other cried out to her heart. It had been so long since she had seen anything her mother had written.
Grabbing that letter, Olina returned to the rocking chair. Very slowly, she read her mother’s words, savoring every one of them.
Olina,
I miss you very much. Olga has let me read your letters. I am so sorry about Lars, but Olina, you are better off without him. If you had married, he might have hurt you later. I am praying for God to heal that pain in your heart.
Olina paused and gazed at the fluffy clouds floating in the azure sky. She felt disappointment from what had happened with Lars, but the deep hurt was no longer there. When had that happened?
Peter has gotten married. I don’t think you know the girl. Mary’s family had moved here not long before you left for America. They are living with us on the farm. Of course, he is working the farm with your father and John.
Speaking of your father, I pray daily that he will change his mind about you, but he hasn’t yet. Olga said she will pass on my letters to you. And you may write me at O
lga’s. I visit her as often as I can.
It was as if Olina could hear her mother’s voice as she read. When she finished the rest of the letter, she placed it lovingly among her handkerchiefs. She knew that she would take it out and read it many times. Tonight, she would write a long letter in return. Hope about her family crept back into Olina’s heart.
She went over to the bed and picked up one of the small packages. Turning it over, she saw her mother’s handwriting on it. This belonged to your grandmother. I want you to have it.
Olina quickly tore the paper from the box. It contained a cameo brooch set in gold. Olina held it in her hand, carefully studying the dainty carved features of a young woman. Her mother’s thoughtfulness touched her heart. She would treasure this link with her past.
The other small package was from Tant Olga. The cameo earrings it contained had to be carved by the same craftsman. Olina quickly opened Tant Olga’s letter. In it she told that the brooch and earrings had been a set when they were first purchased.
After reading Tant Olga’s letter, Olina opened her Bible. The pages fell open to the words she was looking for. She read the verses again and again. The evangelist was right. God did care about what was going on in her life. Olina had never heard anyone explain those particular verses in quite that way, but there was no doubt in her mind what the words were saying.
Father God, forgive me for doubting You. I have been so hurt. Please help me get past that hurt to what You have for me.
It was a simple prayer, but a peace Olina hadn’t felt for a long time invaded her heart, returning it to familiar territory. Olina still didn’t know what would happen about her father, but her heavenly Father was once again in her life. However, she wondered if He had ever left. Maybe, she had just shut herself off from His presence.
Seventeen
Life in the little house bustled. Besides the thriving dressmaking business, Gerda and Olina often had women from town call on them. Sometimes women from the surrounding farms also stopped by on their way to or from town. When that happened, the two young women took time from their busy schedules to share conversations accompanied by refreshments. Olina liked using her grandmother’s china teapot to brew the invigorating tea they all enjoyed. Gerda was the one who liked to bake, and she kept a pie, a cake, or dainty pastries on hand for those times of fellowship.
Soon after her Bible had come from Sweden, Gustaf arrived at the house just as Olina was making herself a light lunch. That day, Gerda had gone into town to help Merta make new curtains for her kitchen.
“Are you hungry?” Olina asked when she answered Gustaf’s knock. After he nodded, she continued, “I can make us a picnic, and we can eat down by the stream.”
Gustaf helped Olina gather together the cold chicken, applesauce, and bread. They put them in a basket, along with a tablecloth to spread on the ground.
After they had finished eating, Olina asked Gustaf, “Do you think that God has specific plans for each person?”
Gustaf took a moment to think about her question. Olina was glad. She wasn’t looking for the easy, quick answer.
First, Gustaf asked her a question. “Why are you asking me this?”
Olina watched a cloud that resembled a calf drift across the sky above them. It was hard to put her thoughts into words. “A lot has happened in my life that didn’t seem to be good at the time.”
Gustaf nodded as if he agreed.
“When we went to the brush arbor meeting, the preacher said that God has plans for us. He read a Scripture that I had never heard before, and he said that it was about the plans God has for us. Do you remember?”
“Vaguely.” Gustaf looked as if he were trying to remember.
“That is one reason I asked Tant Olga to send me my Bible. I wanted to read those verses for myself.” Olina wasn’t sure she should have started this conversation. It was hard to put into words. “I have memorized the words now.”
“Tell them to me.” Gustaf sounded eager.
“ ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ Do you think God was talking about His plans for us like the preacher said?”
Gustaf didn’t answer right away. “It could mean that. I know that when I try to make a decision without asking God about it, I often make the wrong decision.”
“How do you know whether your decision is right or wrong?”
“Olina, when a decision is the one God would have me make, He gives me peace deep in my heart. It is hard to explain, but that’s what it is. Real peace.”
When Gustaf left, Olina didn’t go back to work. Instead, she took out her Bible and read the verses again. Since her Bible had come from Tant Olga, Olina read it every day. Her relationship with God had grown.
It had been so long since she had read the words of God that her thirst was almost unquenchable. She looked forward to Sunday, when the Nilsson family attended services at the Lutheran church in Litchfield. Every Sunday, Olina listened eagerly to the words spoken by the pastor. Her whole outlook on life had changed dramatically.
❧
“Olina.” Gerda came down the stairs wearing her bonnet and carrying a basket on her arm. “I’m going to the mercantile. We have no more eggs, and we’ll soon be out of flour. Do you need anything?”
Olina looked up from the hem she was stitching. “We only have one more needle. It’s surprising how many we break.”
Gerda laughed. “Maybe we work them too hard. They can’t keep up with our speed.”
Olina put the dress down on the table and walked over to the sewing machine. “I’ve been wondering what we would do if the machine needle breaks. Maybe we should have Marja order us a couple of replacement needles, just in case something happens.”
“That’s a good idea.” Gerda took a list from her pocket and wrote on it. “Do you want to come to the store with me?”
Olina picked up the dress again. She sat in the chair by the window and reached into the sewing basket at her feet, taking out the spool of thread. “We promised this dress today, but we don’t know when she’ll come for it. I think I should work on the hem. I want it finished whenever she comes to pick it up.”
After Gerda left, Olina’s fingers flew as they made the dainty stitches for which she and Gerda were so famous. Although her hands were busy, her mind kept wandering. It had been three days since Gustaf had come to eat with them. She wondered where he was and why he had stayed away so long. For a moment, she dropped the dress in her lap and looked out the open window. Gustaf’s face filled her thoughts as if he were standing there. She could even feel the touch of his hand against her waist. He had been walking beside her on Sunday. When they walked up the steps at church, his hand had touched her back as he guided her. Olina wondered if he even noticed. Probably not. She picked up the dress and continued working on the hem. She should keep her mind on what she was doing and not daydream.
❧
Gustaf drove the wagon into town to pick up supplies for his mother. It was the first day that week he could get away from the farm. One of the hired men was sick, and Gustaf had to do this man’s work as well as his own.
He was glad that the horses knew the way to Litchfield. It allowed his thoughts to ramble wherever he wanted. They naturally turned toward Olina. When he was finished in town, he planned to stop by the Nilsson house to check on things, especially Olina. Maybe he would stay for dinner.
Sunday, when they started up the steps at the church, Olina stumbled on the second step, and he touched her to steady her. While it had helped Olina, it did nothing to steady the beat of his heart. Just thinking about it, his hand tingled as it had on Sunday. Whenever there was any kind of physical contact between them, his heart beat double time. Gustaf would hurry gathering the supplies so he could see Oli
na sooner.
The eastbound train was leaving town when Gustaf pulled up in front of the mercantile. Trains fascinated him. He didn’t think he would ever tire of riding them. At the sound of the whistle, Gustaf looked down the street toward the station. A couple standing on the platform beside a pile of luggage looked familiar. At least the man did. If he didn’t know better, Gustaf would have been convinced that the man was Lars. But Lars was in Denver. They had received a letter from Lars two weeks ago, and he had not said anything about coming to Minnesota.
The tall man raised a hand and gave a broad wave to Gustaf. Instead of getting out of the wagon, he clucked to the horses, urging them toward the station. Soon he was convinced that the man was Lars. That must be his wife with him. Gustaf had never seen her. She was almost as tall as Lars.
Gustaf had not stopped the wagon before Lars leapt from the platform into the street and shouted, “I thought that was you, Big Brother.” Lars stood as if waiting for him to jump from the wagon, but Gustaf just sat where he was.
“Lars, what are you doing here?”
Lars laughed. “You sound as if you aren’t glad to see me.”
“Of course, I’m glad to see you. I’m a little. . .surprised.”
“That’s what we wanted to do. Surprise everyone.”
Gustaf frowned. “Surprises aren’t always a good thing. There are some people who might be uncomfortable by your surprise.”
“Who would that be?”
Gustaf jumped down from the wagon seat and spoke quietly to Lars. “Do you know that Olina is still here?”
“Yes.” Lars looked a little uncomfortable. “I need to talk to Olina face-to-face.”
“That might not be a good idea.” Gustaf tried not to sound too angry, but when he thought about what Lars had done to Olina, the anger came anyway.
Lars spoke to Gustaf, man to man. “It’s something I have to do. I’m not proud of what I did to Olina. I need to make amends for it.”
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