His Brother's Castoff

by Lena Nelson Dooley

  Copyright

  ISBN 1-59310-078-7

  Copyright © 2004 by Lena Nelson Dooley. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

  Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

  All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  One

  Minnesota—September 1894

  Fingers of early morning sunlight slipped between the panels of heavy draperies and bathed Anna Jenson’s face with warmth. She slowly opened her eyes, then squeezed them tight against the brightness. Sitting up against her pillows, she stretched her arms above her head and smiled. She pulled her heavy dark braid across her shoulder and began at the bottom to carefully work the hair loose from its confinement. Then she ran her fingers through the soft length to be sure there were no tangles.

  Today was a special day. Gerda Nilsson and Merta Petersson were coming to help Anna work on her wedding dress. Gerda and her sister-in-law Olina had helped design the gorgeous gown. They also ordered the fabric from Paris. For the first time in her life, Anna would wear silk. She felt beautiful just thinking about walking down the aisle with the material swishing around her.

  Finally, she would be married. One month from today. She pictured her fiancé, Olaf Johanson, with the unruly black curls that danced across his forehead. Kind, steady Olaf, whose blue eyes twinkled when he smiled at her. They would have a good life together. His farm wasn’t as large as her father’s, but it would be able to support them and the family they would have.

  Anna wondered how many children God would bless them with. Maybe she would have a baby by this time next year. She hoped it wouldn’t take too long. She wanted a boy first. A boy with his father’s dark curls and twinkling eyes. Maybe a girl would be next. Of course, it didn’t matter which came first, but she hoped she would have both sons and daughters. Olaf would have to build on to the tiny farmhouse to make room for their children. She looked forward to their planning together the addition to their home.

  Shaking her head, Anna got up and started dressing. She couldn’t stay in bed daydreaming about her wonderful life with Olaf. If she did, she wouldn’t be ready when her dress arrived. Gerda and Olina had made it using their sewing machine. This would be the first time Anna would try it on since they stitched it together. Today she would get to see what she looked like in the beautiful gown.

  Of course there was still a lot of handwork to be done on the dress. That was why Gerda and Merta were coming. The three friends would sew yards and yards of lace on the skirt. Anna looked forward to finishing the special garment, but she also anticipated spending time with her two best friends. The three young women always had a lot of things to talk about. Since both Gerda and Merta lived in Litchfield, they could catch her up on all the new happenings in town.

  Anna hurried down the stairs, almost skipping because she was so happy. When she entered the kitchen, she was surprised. No one was there except her mother.

  “Where is everyone?”

  Margreta Jenson looked up from the piecrust she was rolling out. A smudge of flour decorated one of her cheeks. “They’ve all eaten and gone out to see about the horses.”

  “So early?” Anna picked up a slice of apple her mother had prepared to put in the crust and sucked the cinnamon and sugar from it before popping it into her mouth.

  “It’s not so early, for sure. You slept a little late today, Anna.” Margreta smiled at her only daughter. “There is some food for you in the warming oven.”

  Anna hugged her mother. “Tack så mycket, I mean, thank you very much. Sometimes I forget to speak English, even after all these years.”

  “I do, too.” Her mother nodded. “But Soren wants us to use English. It helps us when we are around other people. America is our home now, not Sweden.”

  “Father is right.” Anna folded up a large dish towel and used it to protect her hand from the heat while she lifted the warm plate from the oven. “It smells good, and I’m hungry.”

  “When do you think Gerda and Merta will arrive?”

  Anna poured herself a glass of milk and brought it to the table. “I’m not sure. Probably as soon as they are finished with cleaning up after breakfast, so I need to eat quickly.” After bowing her head for a brief prayer, she took a bite of the still-warm biscuit that dripped with melted butter. She couldn’t keep from licking a wayward drop from her thumb, even though her mother would say it wasn’t polite if she had seen her do it. Thankfully, Mother was fitting the crust into the pie tin.

  The sound of a carriage coming down the drive interrupted Anna before she took her last drink of milk. “It sounds as though they are here.” She gathered her dishes and took them over to the sink.

  Before she started running water in the dishpan, her mother said, “Don’t bother with that, Anna.” Margreta placed the apple pie into the oven. “I’ll wash your dishes while I’m cleaning up from this pie.”

  Anna glanced at her. “Are you sure?”

  “Ja, for sure. You go be with your friends.” Margreta used both hands to shoo her daughter from the kitchen.

  Anna was thankful to have such a wonderful mother. She hoped that when she had children she would do as good a job.

  ❧

  “So, what do you think?” Gerda looked up and down Anna’s body, checking how the dress fit.

  Anna turned slowly and looked over her shoulder. She could only see part of the dress in the mirror at one time, so she moved around to get the whole picture. She liked what she saw. The full skirt rippled with every move she made. Because she was taller and had a larger frame than most of the girls she knew, she always felt awkward and less feminine. This dress did something to her figure that made it look graceful.

  She smiled at Gerda. “It’s more beautiful than I imagined it would be.” Anna grabbed her friend and gave her a big hug.

  Gerda pulled back. “I don’t want to crush it. Now take it off, and we’ll start sewing on the lace.”

  Anna went behind the screen her mother had moved into the parlor for her to use while they worked on the dress. As she changed into her regular clothes, she thought about the reflection of herself in the wedding gown. Everyone would be surprised when she walked down the aisle. She could imagine Olaf’s stunned expression when he first saw her coming toward him. A special spark—of passion perhaps—would light his beautiful eyes. It would be wonderful—a moment Anna would cherish all her life.

  “Anna,” Gerda called to her. “I brought several pieces of lace for you to choose from. I thought we might put some around the neckline and even on the sleeves.”

  Anna stepped around the screen. “Let me see what you have.”

  Gerda was sitting on the settee with several pieces of the lace in her lap. Some were round medallions, some diamond shaped or irregular. Merta had lifted one and held it up to the light from the window. It was curved at the top and fell into a V-shape.

  “This would be beautiful on the bodice, at the neckline.”

  The three friends chose what lace to use and pinned it to the dress. Then they started sewing it on, using tiny, almost invisible stitches. Gerda worked on the bodice while Merta and Anna added lacy ruffles to the skirt.

  Gerda glanced up from her wor
k. “Anna, it’s so good to see you happy.”

  Anna looked up and smiled. “I am happy, and it’s wonderful.”

  Gerda hesitated, as if she were afraid to go on. Anna could tell that something was on her friend’s mind.

  “What did you want to say to me? We’ve been friends long enough to be honest with each other, haven’t we?”

  Gerda nodded and bent over her sewing. “I’m glad you were able to get over the hurt my brother caused.”

  “That’s ancient history, Gerda.” Anna knew that deep inside there was a painful place that wouldn’t go away, but she didn’t want to think about it right now. “Gustaf and Olina are so right for each other. I know that.”

  Merta tied off her thread. She snipped it close to the fabric, then started threading her needle again. “You know, I was surprised when you and Gustaf started keeping time together.”

  Anna looked at her with a questioning expression. “Why do you say that?”

  “You remember that my family came to America right before the Nilssons did. When they first arrived, I thought August was the one who was interested in you.”

  “August?” Anna and Gerda said in unison. Both of the young women laughed.

  “Yes.” Merta sounded positive.

  Gerda shook her head. “August has always been so shy. Why would you think he was interested in Anna?”

  “He was always looking at her, especially if he thought no one would notice. His eyes had a longing expression in them.” Merta started sewing again. “I saw it several times. I kept waiting for him to say something to you.”

  Gerda laughed. “August wasn’t like that. I think you’re imagining things.”

  “Maybe so.” Merta sounded doubtful.

  And maybe not. Anna remembered many times when she had caught August looking at her. Even on the night when Gustaf had broken off their relationship. There was a party at the community center. Many times that night Anna had felt as though someone was staring at her, and when she looked up, it was August. She had passed it off at the time, but could he have been interested in her? If he was, why hadn’t he said something after Gustaf stopped coming over? That would have been a good time to start a relationship, but he had done nothing to indicate that he was interested in her. Well, it was too late now. One month from today, she would become Mrs. Olaf Johanson.

  The young women worked together most of the day so they could finish the dress. At noon, Mrs. Jenson brought tea and delicate sandwiches into the parlor. She ate with them and caught up with what was going on in town. Anna was glad that her mother had a good relationship with her friends. The four of them enjoyed visiting and sharing. This had been true as long as Anna could remember.

  When everyone was through eating the sandwiches, Margreta brought pound cake for dessert. After lunch, she went to town to do some shopping.

  Around midafternoon, the last stitch was made in the beautiful gown. Anna tried it on again. With the addition of the various pieces of lace, Anna was awestruck by her reflection in the mirror. The time before her wedding couldn’t go by fast enough for her.

  After thanking her friends once again for their diligent work, she stood on the porch and watched them drive down toward the road. She carefully took her wedding gown upstairs to her bedroom and hung it in the wardrobe.

  Anna returned to the parlor. She had just finished putting her needles, thread, and scissors into the sewing basket when she heard someone ride up on a horse. Someone who was in a big hurry. Anna felt sorry for the horse’s having to run so fast, even if summer’s heat had given way to the milder weather in September. After going to the window, she peeked out through the lace curtains.

  Olaf was stepping onto the porch. Anna went into the foyer and opened the front door.

  “Come in.” Anna smiled up at him. Although she was tall, he towered above her. His twinkling eyes smiled down at hers.

  Olaf carelessly put one arm across her shoulders and dropped a casual kiss on her cheek. Anna wished he would kiss her more romantically. It was only a month until they would be married. Surely a different kiss would be in order. But Olaf was a perfect gentleman when he was with her. Maybe too much of a gentleman. Anna wanted him to exhibit some passion about her and their approaching marriage. It had taken him a year to ask her to marry him, and then he wanted to wait over nine months for the wedding. Somehow his affection for her felt lukewarm, not passionate. She wondered what it would be like to have Olaf sweep her into his arms and kiss her the way she had seen her father kiss her mother when they didn’t know anyone was watching.

  Anna put her arm around Olaf’s waist as they walked to the parlor. “You seem to be in a hurry.”

  “I wanted to tell you my good news.” It was evident that Olaf was excited about something. Maybe something about the wedd— Before she finished that thought, he continued. “Angus McPherson has asked me to guide him on a hunting trip into Montana.”

  “Who is Angus McPherson?” Anna stepped back and folded her arms. Why in the world did that make him so excited? For some reason, she had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach, almost as if something were wrong. Lord, please, not now. The thought came before she could stop it. The dread started to build until it almost consumed her. She could taste it. She tried to push it down, but it continued to grow.

  “He’s a man who has come over from Scotland because he heard about the good elk hunting in Montana.” Olaf reached to push back a tangle of black curls that had fallen across his brow, almost covering his eyes.

  All Anna could think about was that Olaf needed a haircut soon. She hoped he would get one before the wedding. “Just when will this hunting trip take place?” She was thinking of everything that still needed to be done before the wedding. Since she was the only daughter in the family, her mother wanted it to be special. And Anna did, too. She thought Olaf agreed with her, but now she wasn’t so sure.

  He placed both his hands in the back pockets of his waist overalls and rocked on the balls of his feet before he answered. “We leave on Monday.” He looked at the floor instead of at her. It felt as if he didn’t want to see her reaction. He must have known she wouldn’t be happy about it.

  “And how long will you be gone on this trip?” Why was it so hard to get all the details from Olaf? They never communicated the way she and Gustaf had. Why was she thinking about Gustaf at a time like this? She had been over him for a long time. She was glad he and Olina were so happy. Their daughter was a year old, and Olina was expecting their second child. Anna helped with little Olga whenever she could.

  “It will take at least three weeks.” Olaf rubbed the carpet with the toe of his boot, outlining the floral design. Was he trying to wear a hole in the rug?

  “Three weeks!” Anna knew that she sounded like a shrew, but she couldn’t help raising her voice. She placed her fisted hands on her hips the same way her mother did when she was upset. “Our wedding is only a month away.”

  “Aw, Anna.” Olaf took hold of her shoulders with both hands. Finally, he looked at her. “I know when the wedding is, and I’m looking forward to it as much as you are.” He gathered her into his arms and leaned his chin on the top of her head. He held her a moment before he continued. “But this is a chance for me to make a lot of money. It’ll really help us. I can start adding on to the house soon after the wedding.”

  Anna leaned back in his arms and looked up at his face, once again wishing he would pull her into a passionate kiss. “Olaf, please don’t go. I have a bad feeling about it. Please stay here. . .because you love me.”

  Olaf flung himself away from Anna and went out into the foyer, the force of his boot heels making loud drumbeats on the wooden floor. Then he turned to look back at her. “You know that I love you, Anna.” His voice boomed through the nearly empty house, and the words didn’t sound loving. He had never spoken so harshly to her before. “But I am going on this trip.”

  “Do you, Olaf?” Anna shouted, trying not to cry. “Do you really l
ove me?”

  Olaf jerked the door open, banging it so hard against the wall that Anna was afraid the glass would break. Before he exited, he told her in a monotone voice, “I’m not going to be controlled by a woman, not even one I love. I’m not going to live my life that way, so we should start our life together the right way. I love you, Anna, and I promise I’ll be back in plenty of time for the wedding.”

  He slammed the door behind him and stomped across the porch. He didn’t even kiss her good-bye. Anna felt sorry for the horse as Olaf jumped into the saddle and galloped away. She leaned back against the door and covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a sob. One thing gave her a little hope. Olaf had promised to be back for the wedding, and Olaf never broke his promises.

  Two

  October

  August Nilsson bent over the anvil in his blacksmith shop in Litchfield, pounding a horseshoe. Although a cool breeze blew through the large open doorway, the fire in the massive forge and his own hard work caused sweat to run down his forehead. He swiped at it with the back of his hand. Then he reached into the hip pocket of his denim overalls and pulled out a bandanna. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and the back of his neck before hanging the bandanna from his back pocket.

  August liked working with molten iron. His arms had grown powerful as he beat it into shape time after time. No one knew that his aggressive strokes were fueled by more than just the need to create useful things. No one knew that he fought against jealousy every day of his life. Jealousy that burned as hot as the flames in the forge. Jealousy that threatened to destroy him if he didn’t keep it under control.

  For years he had carried on this battle within—losing more often than he cared to admit, even to himself. Everyone thought of August as the quiet Nilsson brother. He never gave anyone any trouble. He was a model of decorum, at least outwardly.

  His younger brother, Lars, had always gotten into one scrape after another. August often wondered if Lars would ever grow up. It had taken him years to settle down. He finally did, but he had left a path strewn with colossal messes, not the least of which was the one when he had sent Olina Sandstrom the money to come to America to marry him. Before she arrived, he had already moved to Denver and married another woman. August had been surprised when Olina forgave Lars. Everything had finally worked out when Olina and Gustaf married.