August couldn’t let that comment pass. “Just when are you planning on getting married?” He jabbed Gustaf in the ribs, laughing.
Gustaf ignored the teasing. “I don’t know when God will have me marry, but I know He doesn’t want me to be a solitary man all my life.”
He looked at Olina when he made that solemn declaration. Her heart began to beat double time at the sound of his voice and the words he said.
“What will you do with the house right now?” Mr. Nilsson took the conversation back to the heart of the matter. “It isn’t good for a house to sit empty for long.”
“I know that.” With a smile, Gustaf glanced at Gerda and then Olina. “Since the girls have several clients in town, they could live in the house.”
Olina expected a negative exclamation from Mr. Nilsson about that statement. Her father would have vehemently denied the request. But the room was silent except for August’s fork scraping on his plate. Everyone else in the room had stopped eating. The silence lengthened, while Olina held her breath.
Finally Mr. Nilsson answered Gustaf. “I’m not sure I like that idea. The girls are under my protection, and I don’t want anything happening to them.”
“Father, I know that.” Gustaf once more leaned his forearms on the table with his fingers tented over his plate. “Look at Gerda and Olina. They aren’t girls. They are women.”
Mr. Nilsson looked at Olina first, then turned his attention toward his daughter. Olina could tell that he was seeing them differently than he ever had before.
“You’re right, my son, but they still need protection.”
Gustaf nodded. “That can be arranged. Several men in the church have been looking after the property since the Winslows left. I’m sure they would help look after the young women.”
It sounded to Olina as if Gustaf emphasized the words young women.
August put his fork down. “I could check on them every day, too, Father. It would be nice to have part of the family living closer to me.”
“I know we don’t have locks on this house,” Gustaf continued, “but I had locks installed on that one. It would make Gerda and Olina feel safer at night.”
August looked at Gerda with a smile. “I could make a big dinner bell for the girls to hang outside. Then if they need help, they can ring it. I could hear it from where I work and where I live.”
Mr. Nilsson looked around the table at each of his children. “You have all given convincing arguments.” Then he looked at Olina. “Is this what you would like to do, Olina?”
A large lump had grown in her throat, and she couldn’t get any words around it, so she nodded. Mr. Nilsson studied her face as if he were trying to read her thoughts. Then he picked up his fork. “Let’s finish this wonderful meal, so we can have a piece of that apple pie I smelled as I came into the house. I’ll think on this discussion and give you my decision in the morning.”
Fifteen
Gustaf knew that his father was a fair man with a strong sense of responsibility for his family. He would pray about the decision he had to make before morning.
Gustaf had prayed before he bought the house. God hadn’t given him that check in his spirit that helped keep him from making wrong decisions. He felt complete peace about buying the property and couldn’t help thinking about the possibility that he would one day live there with Olina as his wife. The house was perfect for a newlywed couple. Olina could continue to be a dressmaker, if she wanted to. When God blessed their marriage with children, he would build onto the house to accommodate however many children God blessed them with. There was plenty of room for expansion.
He imagined little girls with blond curls blowing in the wind as they played in the yard or even swung from limbs of trees. When they were younger, Gerda and Olina had climbed trees right along with their brothers. His sons would accompany him to the farm to help their grandfather.
What was he thinking? In his mind, he had children when he didn’t even know whether Olina would ever forgive him. If she did, she might never come to love him as he already loved her. He needed to turn his thoughts to more profitable pursuits.
Gustaf got on his knees with his Bible open on the bed beside him. He prayed for a few minutes. Then he read a passage of Scripture about God hearing and answering prayers before he returned to his supplications. After over an hour spent in the presence of his heavenly Father, peace descended over Gustaf’s soul. He knew that no matter what his earthly father decided, it would be the will of the heavenly Father. Clothed in that peace, Gustaf climbed into his bed and fell into a deep, restful sleep.
❧
Olina paced the floor of her room, thinking about the discussion at dinner. Could it be possible that Mr. Nilsson would let them move to the house?
Trust Me, Olina. The voice sounded in her mind. A voice that was getting harder to ignore since the first night at the brush arbor meeting. Did God have a plan for her? Did it include living in the house? Olina never imagined that it would be so simple to establish herself as a dressmaker. Had God been a part of that?
She wanted to pray for Mr. Nilsson as he made the decision, but it had been a long time since she trusted God enough to ask Him for anything. She knew that Gerda was probably praying right now, if she hadn’t already gone to sleep. Maybe even Gustaf was talking to God about his father’s decision. Olina hoped so. Gerda and Gustaf still trusted God. He would listen to them.
I will listen to you, too, Olina.
Olina wished that were true, but she had ignored God for so long, how could He want to hear what she said?
When Olina awoke, she could tell that she had overslept. The sun, streaming through her window, was too high in the sky for it to be early morning. She quickly dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen, where she was met by the smells of bacon and biscuits.
“I’m so sorry I overslept.”
Mrs. Nilsson turned at the sound of Olina’s voice. “That’s all right, Olina. We decided to let you sleep until you awoke. Gerda heard you moving around in your room late into the night.”
Olina frowned. “I didn’t want to disturb anyone.”
Mrs. Nilsson put her arms around Olina and pulled her into a maternal hug. “Olina, Dear, you didn’t disturb anyone. I think Gerda was awake a long time, too. She was probably praying about her father’s decision.” She patted Olina’s arm before turning back to the skillet on the wood stove. “I’ve kept the bacon and biscuits warm. Would you like one egg or two?”
“Only one, but let me cook it.” Olina started toward the extra apron hanging on the hook beside the back door.
“No, please let me do this for you.” Mrs. Nilsson broke an egg into the skillet. She started basting the egg with the warm bacon grease as she continued. “After all, I won’t be cooking for you much longer.”
Olina sat down hard in the chair she had pulled out from the table. “Do you mean what I think you mean?” She was afraid to believe what she had heard.
“Yes, Dear. Bennel said that you and Gerda could move into Gustaf’s house.”
Olina was speechless. It was too wonderful to imagine. Was this part of God’s plans for her? Whether it was or not, Olina was ecstatic. She couldn’t hold back a giggle that bubbled from deep within.
“I’m glad that makes you happy.” Mrs. Nilsson set the plate of food in front of Olina. “Now eat up. Gustaf and Gerda are finishing the chores, so the three of you can look at the house. They want to see what needs to be done to get it ready for you to move in.”
Olina was so excited that she thought she couldn’t eat, but when she took the first bite of the light fluffy bread, it whetted her appetite. By the time Gerda and Gustaf came in from outdoors, she had cleaned up everything on her plate.
Gerda burst through the back door like a whirlwind. “Olina, has Mother told you?” When Olina nodded, she continued. “Isn’t it wonderful?” She ran around the table and pulled Olina up into a hug. Olina felt as if Gerda were cutting her in two with her strong arms, b
ut she hugged Gerda back just as hard.
Gustaf soon followed Gerda into the kitchen. “If you girls. . . young women. . .would get ready, we’ll be off to town.”
Gerda and Olina turned to look at him. His smile was as big as theirs.
“We’ll be ready in ten minutes. Right, Olina?” Gerda hurried out into the hall.
Olina couldn’t tear her gaze from Gustaf. He looked so strong and masculine. The freshness of the warm summer morning surrounded him, and his eyes communicated something to her soul. She didn’t know, or recognize, what it was, but she liked it. It made her feel fresh and warm as the morning.
❧
While Gustaf unlocked the front door of his house, Olina stood on the porch, looking out toward the road. Everything around them was in the full bloom of summer. Trees were clothed in various shades of green above their brown or gray trunks. Birds were singing in some of the trees. Prairie grasses, blowing in the wind, were dotted with white, pink, and yellow wild flowers. When she looked down the road to her right, Litchfield looked rooted in the prairie as much as the trees were. It felt as if it were part of the landscape, a close neighbor to keep the house from being lonely. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, Olina let out a sigh of contentment. This would soon be her home. But she had to ask Gustaf one question.
Olina turned to look toward him, only to find him smiling at her. Gerda had already entered the house.
“So, how much rent are you going to charge us?”
The look that passed over his face was one of hurt, then understanding. “I won’t charge rent to anyone in the family.”
“Oh, but I’m not—”
Before Olina could finish, Gustaf interrupted with a teasing comment as he walked over to stand in front of her. “But you can cook me a hot meal every once in awhile. That would be a fair rent.”
Olina had to look up to meet the challenge in his face. “Why would you need a hot meal when your mother cooks so well?”
Her question, which had started on a strong note, ended with a soft breathy word. Gustaf leaned closer as if he were having a hard time hearing her. Olina didn’t know whether to step back or stay where she was. He was entirely too close for comfort. But she would not allow him to cause her to move.
“Does that mean I can’t enjoy another woman’s cooking?”
There he was emphasizing the word woman again. Olina liked the fact that he knew she was a woman, but that knowledge caused unfamiliar feelings within her. She couldn’t decide whether they were comfortable feelings or not.
His gaze held hers, and time stood still. The fragrance of soap and something else that Olina couldn’t define enveloped her in a world inhabited by the two of them. Olina couldn’t ever remember any man she had known smelling quite like that. Sweat, she had smelled, and soap, but not this masculine aroma. It was heady and scary at the same time.
Gustaf reached toward her when the sound of Gerda’s voice came from inside the house. “Olina, look. The house has furniture in almost every room.”
Gustaf pulled back as Olina turned toward the door.
“Yes, there was too much furniture to take to California, so they left most of it. If the person who bought the house didn’t want the furnishings, they would have been sold at an auction for the Winslows. I thought we could use most of it.”
Olina was still dazed by what had happened on the porch, but she looked around her, trying to get her bearings back. The Chesterfield in the parlor looked to be in good condition. She decided to try it out. It might help to sit for a minute. While she walked to the sofa, she looked at the chairs and tables arranged around the room. A large rug covered the floor. The room had a homey feel.
Olina dropped onto the comfortable sofa. She ran her finger across the table that sat beside it.
“Merta swept and dusted the house for me yesterday while I was in town.” Olina raised her head at the sound of Gustaf’s voice from the doorway. Now that she was across the room from him, she had her equilibrium back.
“That was nice.” Olina didn’t look into Gustaf’s eyes. She focused on the wall beside the door.
“I told her someone might be moving in pretty soon.” Gustaf looked at the wall, too. “Do you think we should put up new wallpaper?”
Gerda walked up behind him. “This wallpaper is lovely. Isn’t it, Olina?”
Olina nodded, for the first time noticing the ivy pattern. “Everything is wonderful.”
Gustaf stepped into the room. “Do you think the curtains need washing?”
Gerda walked over and lifted the edge of one. “Of course they do. They’ll be filled with dust. Come, Olina. Let me show you the rest of the house.”
After the tour, the trio decided to have a workday the next day. They would bring all the things needed to wash the curtains in the house. Their search of the cupboards revealed that there were enough dishes, pots and pans, and utensils for the young women to set up housekeeping. They could add to them as needed. One of the closets even held bed linens. They would want to wash them when they washed the curtains.
The room that Mrs. Winslow used as a library had shelves on two walls and windows on the other two. It would be ideal for the sewing room. They could utilize the shelves to showcase fabrics and notions, and the windows gave it a light, airy feeling. Since the room contained no furniture, there was plenty of space for a cutting table, the sewing machine, and whatever chairs Gerda and Olina needed in their business. It might take them a little time to completely furnish it as they would like, but the possibilities made both girls excited.
“It won’t take long to get the house ready to move in,” Gerda gushed. “One or two workdays, and we’ll be living here.”
She hugged Olina hard again. Olina felt like dancing as she had when she was an excited little girl. But today she was no longer a girl. She must act as a woman would. She never wanted Gustaf to think of her as a little girl again.
❧
The whole family decided to participate in the workday at Gustaf’s house. Even August took the day off from the blacksmith’s. Mrs. Nilsson decided to cook dinner at the house, and Mr. Nilsson wanted to check everything out before Gerda and Olina moved in.
After chores were finished, they piled into the wagon. Mrs. Nilsson sat on the seat between Mr. Nilsson and Gustaf. Gerda and Olina sat in the back of the wagon, surrounded by cleaning supplies and various items they were taking to the house.
When they stopped the wagon, they sat for a minute while Mr. and Mrs. Nilsson looked at the cottage and its surroundings.
Mrs. Nilsson was the first to break the silence. “Oh, Gustaf, I like it. It’s so pretty from the outside.”
Mr. Nilsson nodded his agreement before he stepped to the ground. While he was helping his wife out of the wagon, August called to them from down the road toward town.
They all pitched in and soon the windows were open wide, letting in the summer breeze to air out all the rooms. While the women put water on to boil, the men took down the curtains. August tested the clothesline to make sure it was stable. Then he used a wet rag to wipe the dust off the wire before the women hung clean items over it.
When the first load of water was hot, Mrs. Nilsson put another pot on the back of the stove to heat. She placed the pot of beef stew that she had brought from home on the front of the stove to heat for lunch.
About the time they were going to stop to eat, Merta pulled up in her buggy. Two other women from the church were with her. They brought hot corn bread and butter, lemonade, and a pound cake. The women insisted on taking over the work in the kitchen, making Ingrid sit down and rest while they served everyone.
Lunch was like a party to Olina. She enjoyed having Merta there, but she also got to know the other two women better.
“Are you a good cook?” August asked Olina. “I’ve eaten some things that Gerda made that weren’t so good.”
Gerda, who was sitting beside him, hit him playfully on the arm. “That was a long time ago.”
> “Yes, both Mother and Tant Olga insisted that I learn to cook.” Olina smiled at August. “Maybe you could eat with us sometime, since we’re so close now.”
“That would be wonderful,” Gerda exclaimed. “I would love to fix you breakfast and dinner every day. I’m not sure about lunch every day, though. We’ll be busy in the daytime. We have a lot of orders to fill.”
“I might take you up on that.” August smiled as if he had been given a special present.
And I might take you up on it sometime, too. For the first time in his life, Gustaf envied his brother.
Sixteen
It took only one day to finish getting the cottage ready, so Gerda and Olina planned to move on Friday. Mrs. Nilsson gathered some of her kitchen items to add to the things left in the house. She also packed a few towels, more sheets, and two good goose-down pillows.
With Gerda and Olina in her bedroom, she opened the large cedar chest. Inside were a number of handmade quilts. She let each of the young women pick two for their own beds. While adding some cutwork kitchen towels and crocheted doilies to the growing stack, she furtively wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, but Olina noticed the movement.
Perhaps her own mother had shed tears about her daughter leaving home. For a moment, Olina’s heart yearned to see her mother’s dear face. Please, Gud, let me see Mor again, at least once. After she had that thought, Olina realized that it was a prayer.
When they had unloaded the first wagon full of things at the house, Gustaf and his father returned to the farm to bring another load. Olina was surprised that there was more than would fill one wagon. In addition to her hand luggage, she had brought two trunks full of things with her when she moved from Sweden. Gerda had a lifetime of possessions to move. She didn’t seem to be leaving anything at her parents’ home.
Mrs. Nilsson insisted on giving a large table to Gerda and Olina for them to use in the sewing room. Besides that, she gave them two rocking chairs that were in the attic of the farmhouse, along with two straight chairs. Olina couldn’t imagine that they would need anything else at their new home. Her small hoard of money wouldn’t have to be used for furnishings. That was a blessing.
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