She kept leaning over to Brekka and whispering and although Lije couldn’t hear just what she was saying, he was hoping she was just translating. But from their grins he could imagine that Heidi was embellishing a bit. He knew both Brekka and Heidi well enough to know that they were both going to get the giggles right in the meeting if he didn’t sit directly between them. Alas, even sitting right between them didn’t stop the whispering and it wasn’t until their father gave Heidi a glower from where he was sitting up at the front that she giggled one last time and then sighed and straightened up.
She was perfectly respectable for the rest of the meeting, but then on the way home in the buggy she kept up a hysterically funny dramatic rendition of just how some of the women who had always dreamed of having Lije for either a son-in-law or a husband had reacted to Brekka winning him. Heidi was being completely incorrigible and incredibly adorable and Gerhardt only made a small disapproving sound with his lips as he struggled not to smile too broadly. Lije shook his head and chuckled. Heidi wasn’t being entirely complimentary, but she wasn’t being mean either and at least Brekka had been comfortable in church on her first visit.
That night in bed she asked question after question about the organization and the doctrine and when she snuggled over against him and sighed and sleepily said, “You have a very nice church. It has a good Christian spirit about it,” Lije was thrilled. He hugged her and smiled in the dark and then said a short silent prayer of thanks. The gospel was deeply important to him, and while he loved Brekka unconditionally, he fervently hoped that in time it would come to be important to her as well.
Eventually, Lije gifted Brekka a sweet, gentle mare of her own and she began riding when she would go out with him. She was a crack rider, although she used to ride side saddle back in Europe. He’d asked at the mercantile to have a side saddle shipped out for her, but it was likely to be months before it got there. In the meantime, she’d learned to sit astride beautifully. She always stayed close beside him in the striking Indian summer weather, and he was glad she did so without him having to say anything about it.
One night after working cows all afternoon, as they were returning home, he turned to look at her, marveling at how beautiful she was, even when all she was doing was sitting her horse with her face into the cool of the evening wind. There were times when she seemed as untamed as that very wind and he’d come to understand there was something in her that drove her to climb the ridges just to see what was on the other side. He loved that about her, but just now, it worried him. He wished he could turn her loose to revel in that freedom of spirit, but it wasn’t safe. He watched her for a moment and then looked out around the valley.
That fool Indian was still out there somewhere. Watching, waiting, hoping for another chance to steal the woman who had become Lije’s very life. If he didn’t know that going after the Ute would be tantamount to the Nephites going to war to conquer instead of to defend their homes, he’d have hunted the man down. As it was, Lije became incredibly alert.
August Toft reread the letter in his left hand and then reread the letter in his right. He was glad he’d opened the right one first. It was a letter from both Brekka and her new husband. August had been surprised that she had married so quickly, but then again, in a way he was not. The tone of the first letter he’d received from her after her troubles with Luther’s guides and then the Indians had been intriguing. Even though she had obviously been harmed and traumatized by her experiences, there had been a note of almost tenderness as she had described her rescuer and the care he had watched over her with.
Even then, August had wondered if her reaction to this Lije was just because of what they’d been through together or if her feelings would grow deeper. Apparently, they had grown a great deal deeper. She sounded like a girl truly in love and the letter from her husband was admirable in its tone of respect and apology for all that had happened to Brekka, and his regret that they’d married without her family involved. Brekka had impeccable judgment and August was grateful for it just now, although he’d miss her desperately.
He glanced back at the letter in his other hand in disgust. Luther’s letter, on the other hand, sounded whiny and petulant in light of the two correspondences of Brekka’s. Luther’s letter was a spoiled tale of tattling, and even thousands of miles away, August could tell that he was far more worried about losing the capital that would come with Brekka, than worried about how Brekka was honestly faring.
How had he ever felt that Luther Olafson was an adequate companion for her? In retrospect, he felt like he was ultimately responsible for all that had happened to Brekka, because in the beginning, he had approved of Luther’s companionship for her. His judgment had been sadly lacking then and it had severely impacted his daughter.
Going to stand on the landing above the entry to his home below, he looked down at Kristina where she greeted a young man who had come to see her. August didn’t approve of the young man, but then, he didn’t truly care for any of the polished, but fairly worthless young men who moved in their social circles.
He folded the letters and put them back into the envelopes they’d been posted in and turned the idea of going to America over in his mind again. Brekka had been dreadfully ill. His younger brothers would step in and handle the estates for a time if he asked them to.
He sighed and glanced down at Kristina again. There was bound to be a truly impressive young man show up here eventually, wasn’t there? There had to be. Kristina was far too fine a girl to settle for less than the best.
Lije and Brekka hadn’t seen or heard from Luther since the day Lije had thrown him out of their home clear back in September right after they’d gotten married, so they were both surprised when one afternoon in mid-November the sheriff showed up with an apologetic face and a summons to see a judge up in Fillmore. He stepped into their parlor, took his hat off and said, “I’m so sorry, folks, but seems that fool Luther is still accusing you of keeping her prisoner, Lije. He finally got some official to believe his load of hogwash and I’m afraid you’re going to have to go on up there to settle this thing.”
He handed them the paper. “How old are you, anyway, Mrs. Lauritzen?”
Brekka was quickly learning English, but the sheriff obviously made her nervous and she looked at Lije in confusion. He had to repeat what the sheriff had asked in Danish before she answered, “Nineteen, almost twenty, why?”
“Well, I thought you seemed older than seventeen. He’s claiming you’re only seventeen again. You got any documentation that proves your age, or that he isn’t your guardian as he claims?”
She shook her head as Lije said, “She had only the dress she was wearing when I found her and even that was pretty tattered. What? Does he think she had her papers tucked in her pocket? And seventeen year olds get married every week of the year. What’s his problem?”
The sheriff turned back for the door. “Apparently not in Denmark, they don’t. At least not well-to-do seventeen year olds. I’m pretty sure he knows she hasn’t got any papers. That’s probably just what he’s gambling on. You’ll have to go, but I’d recommend you take a handful of signed affidavits from people around here to defend your character and your story. Fillmore’s pert near full of official officials who dislike Mormons.”
He put his hat back on his head and grumbled, “This is the dangdest thing I’ve ever heard of in mah life. How these people think they have the right to come a meddling clean into a man’s marriage is beyond me, but you’ll have to go. At least if they try to throw you in jail, I can ask that you’re shipped here and let you out.” He gave them another apologetic smile and stepped back to the door, but said, “Lije, can I have a word with you in private?”
They stepped outside and Lije pulled the door shut behind them then turned back to the sheriff and asked, “What else is the trouble?”
Slapping his riding gloves against his palm, the sheriff said, “No trouble. At least I think this is good news for you, even if it’s not
for him. I thought you ought to know that Clive Percival finally died. I just didn’t want to distress your wife, so you can decide what to tell her.”
He stuck out his hand. “Sorry again about that dadgum judge. We’ll see you soon, Lije.”
Nodding thoughtfully, Lije shook his hand. “Thank you, Sheriff. We appreciate your help. Take care.”
The sheriff rode away, but Lije hesitated a moment to go back inside. What should he tell Brekka? It might help Brekka to know that she’d never have to worry about Clive Percival again. But then it might crush her to know that he’d died because of her shooting him, so he had no idea what to tell her.
Shaking his head once again, he went inside. Maybe just the truth was best.
Brekka turned to Lije with big eyes as they heard the sheriff’s horse trot off down the road and asked, “What else did he want?”
Watching Brekka’s eyes, he said quietly, “He felt we should know that Clive Percival died.”
Brekka looked at him steadily for a long moment, and then finally nodded with a sigh. “Yes. It’s better to know.” Clasping her hands together, she let out a big breath and turned away.
Lije wondered whether to give her some time or try to talk to her or hug her. He was still so new to this husband role. After a few moments, she turned back and asked, “Can they really throw you in jail on Luther’s word, Lije?”
He went to her and wrapped an arm around her, now wondering how to calm her fears and still admit to her that the government had been harassing the marriages of Mormons for years because of their involvement with polygamy, and because the non-member officials feared the Mormons’ power. “We’ll figure it out, Brek. How long does it take to get a letter to Denmark and back? How soon could you get some proof of how old you are?”
“Oh, my paperwork is with my other things in Salt Lake City. I don’t have to send clear to Denmark.”
“Good. We’ll have to send for them, but they’ll never get here in time. We’ll just have to get our things and some of the boys together and go. We need to be in Fillmore by Tuesday, the twenty fifth of November.”
From that first morning the sheriff brought the summons, the whole idea of going before the judge had been intimidating to Brekka, but now that they were actually there in front of him, he didn’t seem that bad. Brekka wore a new royal blue moiré taffeta dress that she knew made her look definitely all grown up and she’d bought new high button boots. They were higher heeled and she was now taller than Luther and easily stood several inches over the slightly rotund and balding judge. Lije was dressed up in his Sunday clothing as well and he looked absolutely handsome and respectable beside her. His quiet confidence made Luther look slick and superficial standing there in his brocade suit.
The judge spoke no Danish, so Lije was translating to Brekka, although Luther kept insisting on interrupting. Brekka studiously ignored Luther, but that didn’t stop him from making a nuisance of himself. At first, it was apparent that the judge considered Lije the criminal in the proceedings, but between Luther’s pushy whining and Lije’s smooth attention to the judge and obvious consideration to Brekka, it wasn’t long before the judge’s slightly bristly attitude softened. And then, when Brekka took Lije’s hand and gave both him and the judge a smile, the atmosphere warmed even further.
They began with basic introductions and then Lije gave a short explanation of what had occurred with the Indians and fleeing and the bullet wound and resulting fever. He kept stopping to explain to Brekka what he was saying and Brekka dug in her handbag for the documents they’d brought from Rock Creek.
The judge was patiently trying to determine whether Brekka was being forced to stay with Lije and it should have been obvious that Brekka was quite happy with Lije. Still, Luther kept insisting he was supposed to be Brekka’s guardian and that she was under age. When Luther accused her of being only seventeen, she turned on him and literally tongue lashed him, but he only turned back to the judge and said something else in English to which there was another spate of conversation.
At one point, Lije’s face flushed and Luther gave a gloating look. Brekka reached for Lije’s hand and gave him an encouraging smile, knowing that he wanted to punch Luther again like back at their home. Lije shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Finally, Lije turned back to Brekka and explained, “The judge says he has to see your papers from Denmark before he can allow you to stay with me.”
Brekka glanced at the judge and then back at Lije and said, “But the papers may take another few days to reach here from Salt Lake. We need to go home.”
Lije shook his head. “We can’t go home, and, in fact, the judge says we can’t even stay together here in Fillmore.” He added in disgust, “He said we can’t be in any situation where a child might possibly be conceived until we’ve proven that you’re not seventeen.”
Brekka could feel her eyes widen and she said, “You’re jesting! He truly said that?” Lije nodded in disgust and Brekka hesitated and then cleared her throat and said, “Uhm, Lije, could I speak with you a moment? In private?”
She could feel the anger rolling off him as they walked to the side for a moment and he turned to her and said, “I’m so sorry, Brekka. I don’t know what they think they’re doing playing with people’s lives and dignity like this. I’m sorry. What did you need?”
Swallowing, she paused for a second while he watched her and then she said, “Well . . . Uhm . . . I . . . Lije, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. Uhm. I just needed to . . . I’m sorry to have to tell you like this. I hadn’t planned on it, but . . . I need to tell you first. Lije, we’re expecting a baby. Early next August. Or late July.”
This time it was Lije’s eyes that got huge and then they got this most amazing light in them. He looked at her intently for a couple of seconds and then gently took her by both shoulders. “What? We’re . . . Are you serious?” She nodded and he almost swallowed her in a hug. “We are? We really are?” She nodded again and he literally picked her up and swung her around with a laugh. “Oh, Brek! That’s wonderful! Aw, honey! A baby! Why didn’t you tell me?”
She smiled shyly. “I’ve kind of been worried about telling you, actually. I was worried you’d think this was too soon and . . . Well, when I . . .” She suddenly remembered where they were and whispered, “I know you wanted to take some time first.”
“Oh, Brek, only because I was worried about you. A baby will be . . . This is wonderful! Are you okay? Are you feeling all right? You should be taking it easier.” He laughed again and pulled her close one more time. “Oh, Brekka . . .”
Luther made a noise of complete disgust and cleared his throat loudly. They glanced back over at him and then Lije laughed again and leaned down to kiss her right in the judge’s office, then, smiling a huge, happy smile, he walked back over to the judge and began to speak with overflowing energy. Luther broke in and said something angrily and the judge asked Lije a question. Still grinning hugely, he turned back to Brekka and asked, “Uh, honey, is there anyway to prove that we’re expecting?”
“It’s on the paper from Dr. Newell somewhere.” She went over and paged through the papers until she found the one from the physician and handed it to Lije. “I don’t read English well, but it’s on here somewhere. So, does that mean we can go? Or do we still have to play this little charade until my things get here?”
Lije continued to smile as he shook his head. “I’ll ask.” He leaned and hugged her again and then, still wreathed in smiles, turned back to the judge and handed him the paper. They spoke for another moment and then the judge waived a hand and Luther began to sputter in outrage.
Brekka was so grateful that she went up to the judge and took his hand and thanked him, even though she knew he couldn’t understand her. Then, she turned and smiled at her obviously overjoyed husband. He put an arm around her shoulders and laughed yet again as they turned for the door. On the way out, she glanced over at Luther. He was glaring at Lije with a loo
k of hate that made her catch her breath. They may have won this round, but she doubted it would be the last they’d hear from Luther.
All the way home on the long two day trip with their cavalcade of outriders around them, between smiling and putting a hand to her tummy with an almost reverent gentleness, Lije kept checking with her to make sure she was comfortable and warm enough to the point that Brekka began to wonder how he was going to be when they got home.
He was always deferential and strictly careful with her, no matter what they were working at, which was incredibly sweet to her when she had been so ill and fragile. And in truth, she was still not completely recovered, but she hoped he didn’t plan to protect her and her baby so much that he stifled her. It would be like Lije to take such good care of her that she would have to argue with him to still be able to go with him.
When they finally made it home, driving the last hour and a half in the first snow of the year, she was so tired that she wouldn’t have minded if Lije had been overprotective. They collapsed into bed and she slept late the next day. Lije stayed in the house working on his books as more snow fell and Brekka rested from the arduous journey. Even though she’d been able to be with Lije the whole time and loved that, she was still more than a little disgusted with Luther for forcing them to take such a journey in the first place. He was a fool to believe he could bully her into leaving Lije and dealing with him at all.
The next morning when she woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy head, she was even more disgusted with Luther. The look on Lije’s face as she sneezed and her eyes began to water made her feel horribly guilty for frightening him.
He brought his ledger right into the bedroom to stay beside her as he worked like he had when she’d first come and she knew he was now doubly worried because of the baby. When he came down with the same symptoms the next morning it was actually a good thing. They could snuggle beside each other and be miserable together and with some gentle encouragement from Brekka, he could begin to hope that it was simply a normal cold and not a life threatening fever again.
Into the Wind_A Love Story Page 14