Mother had outdone herself with the meal, and August ate more than he usually did. That was saying a lot, because he never pushed back from the table very soon. All through the jovial meal, he wondered why Gerda had insisted that they all come home, but she didn’t mention anything special. After everyone was through eating, she asked Gustaf and August to help her clean up the dishes while Olina and Olga entertained their parents. When they finished putting everything away, Gerda urged them into the parlor.
“Okay, Gerda.” Bennel Nilsson looked at his daughter. “What is the big secret? We’re all anxious to hear it.”
Gerda glanced around the room while Gustaf scooped up his tiny daughter and sat on the velvet sofa beside his wife. “I wanted all of you here, so we could make a good decision.”
“About what?” August wanted her to hurry and get it over with so he could return to town.
“Well. . .” Gerda rubbed her hands down the sides of her skirt as if her palms were sweating. It must be something really important to her. “Marja made an offer to Anna and me today. She and Johan are going to build a house to live in.” She glanced around the quiet room, as if trying to see if there was a reaction to what she said. “They don’t want the apartment above the store to be empty when they move, so she asked if Anna and I would like to live there.”
The silence was deafening before pandemonium broke out with everyone speaking.
Bennel held up his hand. “Let’s not all talk at once.” They all quieted down. “Let’s look at this rationally.”
“There are some good reasons to do it.” Gerda sounded breathless, but eager.
“And there are equally as many reasons not to do it,” her father added. “I’m not sure I would be comfortable with you living in town. It could be dangerous.”
August had been watching Gerda’s hopeful face. When Father said that, her hopes seemed to melt away.
“It might be a good idea.” August winked at his sister. “And since I live in town, I could keep an eye on Gerda and Anna.” Especially Anna. It would be good to have her so close. He could go by the store or the apartment to check on his sister, and Anna would be there, too. The thought made his heart beat a little faster. Maybe with Anna close by, he could break through the facade she had built around herself and reach the woman he knew was deep inside. Maybe Anna would wear that wedding dress for him. He was tempted to buy it the next time he went to the store.
Seven
Anna had a headache. This discussion was making her tired and cranky. All she wanted was for it to be over so she could go to bed. Why had she thought it would be a good idea to wait until after dinner to ask her parents about moving to town when the Braxtons finished building their new house? If she had asked earlier, maybe the decision would be made by now. She rubbed her temples in a circular motion, trying to relieve the stress and pain.
“Anna, Dear, are you all right?” Margreta Jenson leaned toward her daughter.
Anna looked up and nodded. She didn’t want them to stop talking before a decision was made. The right decision, that she and Gerda could move into the apartment.
Ollie had always been closer to Anna than Lowell, even though Lowell was only one year older and Ollie one year younger than she was. His sympathetic perusal soothed her.
“I’ve listened to all the concerns you’ve brought up, Fader.” This was the first addition Ollie made to the conversation. “I agree that we need to be careful of our Anna.”
Soren Jenson gave a tight smile and nodded. He seemed to be glad that his son agreed with him.
“But,” Ollie continued, “Anna is a grown woman. I feel that she and Gerda would be as safe in town as they are riding alone from the farms to the store each day. Maybe even safer. Besides, one or the other of us usually goes into town at least every other day. Sometimes more often. We could always check on them.”
Soren tented his fingers and leaned his chin against them. Sitting with his eyes closed, he often used this position when he was thinking.
“You know that August Nilsson lives in town.” Finally, Lowell sounded as if he were on Anna’s side in this. “He’ll go by to see Gerda when he can, and the Braxtons have treated the girls almost as if they were family. This might be a good thing for Anna. I, for one, am glad to see her so interested in something after all she’s been through.”
Lowell looked at Anna as if he were sorry to bring it up and cause her further pain. But she knew what he was doing, and she appreciated it.
Soren leaned forward with his forearms on his legs, hands dangling between his knees. “Okay, boys. You’ve convinced me.”
Anna smiled.
“But,” he continued as he sat up and looked at her with a stern expression, “at the first sign of trouble, Anna’s coming home. That’s my final word on it.”
❧
The next morning, Anna strode into the Dress Emporium late. After her bout with the headache, she had overslept. At least this morning, she felt good. As she walked into the workroom, she took off her coat, riding hat, and gloves.
Gerda sat in a straight chair by a window as she sewed buttons on a shirt for August. Anna was glad he had picked out that particular plaid. A thin line of bright yellow set off the interwoven blues and grays—hues that complemented his coloring.
Gerda let the shirt drop into her lap as she looked at Anna. “Well, how did it go at your house last night?” When Anna grimaced, Gerda continued, “Was it that bad?”
After placing her gloves in the pocket, Anna hung her coat and hat on a large hook on the back wall. “It went on a long time. I don’t think Far would have agreed if it hadn’t been for Lowell and Ollie.”
Gerda smiled. “I know what you mean. Our discussion wasn’t that long, but I’m thankful that August said he would check on me often. I think that made the difference.”
Anna turned and laughed. “Your parents said it was okay, too?”
Gerda put the shirt on a table and came to give Anna a hug. “Yes. Can you believe it? It’s really going to happen.”
“Have you told Johan and Marja yet?”
“No, I was waiting to see if everything went okay at your house. My parents wouldn’t let me live here alone.”
When Gerda and Anna went to talk to Marja, they found her at the back counter, poring over several books. She looked up as they approached. “You both look happy. Do you have good news for me?”
After the young women finished explaining that they were going to move into the apartment, Marja told them to come behind the counter with her. She wanted them to see the books of house plans that she was studying. Johan had ordered three from different architectural firms so Marja could pick out the house she wanted.
“How long will it take for the plans to get here?” Anna wanted to know.
“Oh, we already have them.” Marja smiled. “We’ve even ordered the lumber and supplies required by the plans. They are coming on a railcar today. I’m looking at the books again because they’re interesting.”
Gerda opened the one from Palliser & Palliser Company in Connecticut. Anna picked up the Specimen Book from Bicknells & Company in New York.
“Which house plan did you choose?” Anna glanced from the book she held to Marja.
Marja picked up American Domestic Architecture from John Calvin Stevens and Albert Winslow Cobb in New York. “I liked the houses in this one best.” After she flipped through the pages, she placed the open book on the counter so all three of them could look at it. “I chose this one.”
Spread out before them was a house like no other in Litchfield. It had two stories and an attic with a triple window in the gable that faced the front. Windows at ground level indicated a basement, too.
“They have plans for a house with a basement or without. I think we’ll do the one without. It won’t take as long to build. I’m anxious to have the house finished.”
“It’s a big house for only two people.” The minute the words left her mouth, Anna was sorry for what she sai
d. She put the fingers of her right hand over her mouth as if to catch the words, but it was too late. She knew that although they had wanted children, Johan and Marja had never had any.
“That’s all right, Anna.” Marja gave her a quick hug. “We have a large family. When they come to visit, we don’t have room for many of them. Most of them have to stay at the hotel. With this house, we can invite all of them for Christmas, and they can stay with us. That’s what we are planning to do this year.”
Anna was grateful for the way Marja thought about everyone else’s feelings. It helped her, but she decided to be more careful with her words in the future.
“Actually, I’m through with these books right now.” Marja closed them one at a time and stacked them on top of each other. “If you girls would like to take them to look at, you can.”
The idea brought a pang to Anna’s heart. She hadn’t been able to completely get rid of the desire to have a home and a family to go with it. Looking at house plans would be too much, but Gerda didn’t share her aversion.
“Thank you, Marja,” she said, as she gathered them into her arms. “We’ll return them when we’ve looked at them all.”
“I have an idea.” Marja seemed always to be full of new ideas. “Why don’t I take you up to the apartment? I don’t think you’ve been there since we enlarged it.”
When they arrived at the top of the stairs that went up the outside of the building, Marja pulled a skeleton key from her pocket. After swinging the door open, she gestured for Gerda and Anna to go in before her.
Anna had always loved the look of the parlor. Marja had a good eye for decorating. The furniture contained decorative pillows and doilies, as well as many knickknacks. Pleasing prints of floral paintings adorned the walls, along with family portraits.
Anna and Gerda had been in the dining room and kitchen of the apartment, but never in the bedroom. They were amazed to find that there were two separate bedrooms. When they moved in, they would have plenty of privacy. Anna was even more glad that they would be living there soon.
❧
The large Scandinavian community at Litchfield was a close one. They helped each other whenever needed. Everyone at the church knew Johan and Marja. When Johan announced that they were going to build a house, the men started planning how they could help. Many of the families had built their own homes when they came to Minnesota. And there had been several times when there had been a community-wide barn raising when a neighbor needed a place for his animals.
Johan hired a carpenter to oversee the work, and most of the men in the church planned to give one week to help with the building. This was a major social event, too. The women would cook plenty of food for everyone.
On Monday, August didn’t open the blacksmith shop. He had worked especially hard to finish all the projects on Saturday. He planned to help Johan all week, if there were no emergencies that needed his attention. Everyone was going to be there the first day they started the house, but the rest of the men would divide into two work teams that would alternate days. That way they could keep up with what needed to be done at home, too.
When August arrived at the lot where the house was going to be built, only a few others were there. They had much farther to come than those who lived in town.
“August, my friend,” Johan hailed from the vacant lot next door, where he stood beside stacks and stacks of lumber and other building supplies. “Welcome.” Johan strode over to where August stood. “I’m thankful for your help with our project.” He clapped August on the back.
August laughed. “You never know when you can return the favor for me.”
“I would like that.”
I would, too. August looked forward to building a house for himself and his family, when God saw fit to give him a wife. Although he had helped with other houses and barns, he had never worked on anything as elaborate as what Johan had planned. There was even a stack of red bricks with boards holding them up out of the snow. August had never used house plans drawn by an architect before.
It didn’t take long for the area to fill with men carrying tools. The carpenter divided them into teams and assigned them specific tasks. August was glad that he and Gustaf were on the same team. They always worked well together. At least since they were adults, they had. Soon the sound of saws and hammers filled the air, interspersed with conversations that often had to be shouted over the other sounds. The crisp air had a festive feeling, even though they were working hard.
August’s stomach had given a rumble loud enough for his teammates to hear when the first wagon containing women pulled into the vacant lot on the opposite side from the materials. The aromas of various foods wafted on the slight breeze, enticing the men’s attention.
When August walked over to the first wagon, another conveyance joined it. He was glad to see Gerda and Anna in the second vehicle.
“Do you ladies need help setting up?” He couldn’t take his eyes off Anna.
Her cheeks were kissed into a becoming pink by the cool air, and strands of hair had worked their way out of her severe bun. He liked to see the thin cloud of dark hair that surrounded her face, giving it a soft frame.
Gerda stretched her leg over the wagon wheel and dropped to the ground. August immediately moved to the other side where Anna was gathering together a couple of bags that were at her feet. He reached up and placed his large hands on her waist. When he lifted her down, it felt as if she weighed no more than a feather.
❧
Anna had been aware of August from the first moment she had seen him while they were driving up. She tried to ignore the feelings that stirred inside her. When his hands touched her waist, the connection was powerful. She was thankful that he let go of her as soon as her feet reached the ground. She looked up to thank him and found him standing much too close for comfort. She took a step backwards and moved around him so she could start unloading the food.
“Let me set up some tables first.” August marched across to the supplies and found a couple of sawhorses that weren’t being used. He brought them back, set them a few feet apart, and started laying lumber on them.
Gustaf came up carrying two more sawhorses. “That table won’t be large enough, if I know our women. Let’s use these, too.”
Anna watched the brothers as they worked together. She was glad that they were her friends. They were two godly men who lived their faith. It was too bad that she and Gustaf weren’t meant to be together. Actually, she wasn’t meant to be married to any man. Or so it seemed. She couldn’t understand why God had created her with this flaw, whatever it was, that kept a man from loving her enough. Maybe He wanted her to love Him more. . .and be an independent businesswoman. Anna shook her head and went to join the other women as they spread sheets on the wood and started placing heaping bowls and platters of hot food on the makeshift tables.
Marja came to where Gerda and Anna worked. “I wanted to talk to the two of you.”
Anna turned toward her, but Gerda continued arranging food while she listened.
“I have ordered some furniture for the parlor in the new house. If you would like, I can leave the parlor furniture in the apartment for you to use. Then all you would need to find would be bedroom furniture for each of you.”
Margreta Jenson walked up while Marja was speaking. “Anna, you may take the furniture from your bedroom at the house. Your father and I talked about it last night. We wanted to help you that way. And we probably have some tables and lamps in the attic that you can use.”
Gerda stopped what she was doing and turned toward them. “Mor and Far told me last night that I can have the furniture from my bedroom, too. They still have quite a few things that Mrs. Johnson left when she sold the farm to them. It’s all stored in our attic. Mor said that we can take our pick of anything we need. Oh, Anna, God is working everything out so well.”
❧
By the end of the first week, all of the internal and external walls of the house were completed. Augus
t planned to give some time each day to help with the finishing. It was a good thing that Johan had hired a woodworker to do the banisters and kitchen cabinets. He had even brought a bricklayer from Minneapolis. August was going to learn as much as he could from each of these men. While he worked on the house, he began to envision a house he would someday build. Maybe he would borrow one of those books from Johan. Those detailed plans made a big difference in how fast they could build. With all the help, the Braxtons could probably move in two or three weeks. A month at the most.
When he finished working on Saturday, he stopped by the Dress Emporium to talk to Gerda. Anna was busy with a customer, but Gerda was in the workroom, ironing a dress. He stood in the doorway, watching Anna as she talked to a young woman and her brother. The brother had helped with building the house this week. They were fairly new to town, but he had been a hard worker.
“August, did you come to see me?” Gerda was finished with the dress.
“Yes.” August watched her place the flatiron back on the stove. “I was wondering how soon after the Braxtons move to their house that you and Anna will want to move into the apartment.”
Gerda glanced toward the showroom. “We’ve been talking about that. Both of us want to move as soon as we can. Tomorrow afternoon Anna is going to come to our house so we can look at the furniture that is stored in the attic. We’ll pick out what we want to use.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I suppose you want all your brothers to help you get your furniture to the apartment.”
Gerda placed her hands against her waist and tried to frown at him. “Of course we do. What are brothers for?”
After they shared a laugh, August started back through the store. He glanced toward Anna and the people she was waiting on. He couldn’t help noticing how the man was trying to flirt with Anna. A sword pierced his heart. A remnant of the jealousy he thought he had conquered spilled inside him, spreading its venom. He clenched his fists and strode out the front door to keep from saying or doing anything that would upset Anna. When he reached the sidewalk, he turned and glanced through the window. Anna was laughing with the man about something. The sword thrust deeper inside him.
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