The Forgiving Heart (The Heart of Minnesota Book 1) (7 page)

Stopping by the neighbor’s house to inquire whether Julius was home, Karlijna was pleased to discover that man was expected to be gone for the rest of the week.

She knocked on the door of the Goldbloom house. Regina answered it and, smiling, hurried her young friend inside.

“You are looking well,” the woman offered her a chair before calling up the stairs to Rachel.

“Thank you, Regina.  I am feeling well.”

“I see your hair is growing back.”

Karlijna reached up and ran a light hand over her scarfless head, “Not as fast as I would like, but I’m not bald anymore.”

Rachel came into the kitchen, “What is it?” she began, but stopped talking when she saw the visitor, “Karlijna,” she smiled and stretched out her hands to take the girl’s in her own, “How good it is to see you.”

“Thank you.  How are you doing?  How is your family?”

The women looked at each other and Regina g
ave a small shake of her head. Karlijna almost missed it. She frowned at the pair.

“You will not tell me what is wrong?”

Rachel turned to her with a smile too bright, “It is nothing. Nothing is wrong.”

Karlijna shook her head, “I am to believe that?”

Regina sighed, “Our troubles are not yours, Karlijna.”

Karlijna shook her head, “My troubles became your
s when you took me in. Now, your troubles are mine as well.”

Rachel looked down at
her hands and shook her head. Regina watched her sister-in-law, but did not answer for her.

Frustration grew in Karlijna’s heart, but she did not voice it.

“The children are well?” she questioned.

Regina nodded, “They are.
The baby is napping now, and the older two are playing with some neighbor children,” she leaned in and whispered with a laugh, “Gentile children.”

“How are the men?
Has Erich found work yet?”

Regina twisted her pretty face into a scowl, “No.  Not yet.”

Karlijna wondered if the problems stemmed from that but knew better than to ask. She visited with them for a short time about common things. They were pleased to hear of her new job. She rejoiced with them when they told her they had received news that Rachel’s sister was still alive and well in Germany. After too brief a time, Karlijna realized she should be getting home. It would not do to have Leif and Ingrid worrying on her account.

“Goodbye, my friends,” she bade them at the door, “I hope to see you again soon.”

“Do stop by,” they urged as she left.

When she arrived back at the store she was pleasantly surprised to see T
orkel had stopped for a visit. Leif had been called back into the store, so it was just Torkel and Ingrid when Karlijna came into the room.

“I heard you found a new job, Karlijna,” he spoke from his spot in the kitchen.

“I did,” she hung up her sweater and moved to wash her hands in the basin, “Leif helped me.”

“And are you enjoying it?”

“Very much,” she dried her hands on the rough towel and turned back to him, “but there is not always enough work to keep me busy.”

“What do you do then?”

Karlijna began peeling the pile of potatoes Ingrid had washed and left on the table, “Today, I went to visit my friends, the Goldblooms.”

There was no missing the shadow that crossed Torkel’s face at this.  Karlijna immediately asked him about it.

He waved his hands, “It is nothing,” a forced smile replaced the frown, “I have heard gossip, but I know nothing firsthand. I am not one to spread tales.”

Karlijna stopped peeling, “Torkel, I don’t want to encourage gossip, but if they are in troub
le, I would like to help them. At least to pray for them.”

“I don’t know that there is anything you can do to help them, Miss, and God knows their needs so you can pray for them.”

Annoyance welled up within her, but she tamped it down. Her mother had many times chastised her for her curious nature, and she knew Torkel was right.

Karlijna went back to peeling, praying
for her friends as she did so. She was so engrossed in her petitions that Ingrid had to call her name twice to get her attention.

“I’m sorry,” the girl flushed as she looked at the lady, “what did you say?”

“I asked you if you wanted Leif to order a winter coat for you. The cold weather will be upon us before you know it.

Karlijna shrugged, “I suppose I will need one, but does he not just carry them in the winter?”

Ingrid nodded, “He does, but not until we have already had some cold days.”

Though still September and quite warm, Karlijna shivered at th
e thought of the cold to come. She had not been adequately clothed in the spring for the weather in Poland. The feeling was one she did not wish to revisit.

“I will order a coat,” she said decisively.

“Another thing you could do,” Torkel spoke over the top of his cup of coffee, “Is get the fabric and make one.”

Ingrid nodded,
“That’s not a bad idea either. It would cost less.”

Karlijna sho
ok her head, “That won’t work. I’m so slow and I might not have time to finish before the weather turns.”

“You didn’t make your clothes?” Torkel stared into the dark liquid while he spoke.

“No,” ´the girl studied him as she spoke, “Rachel and Regina made them.”

“I suppose they could take in a little sewing again,” Torkel commented, still not looking at the girl.

Karlijna narrowed her eyes at him, wondering if she was hearing him correctly.

“Now that’s just silly, Torkel,” Ingrid spok
e from her place at the stove. “By the time she paid for the fabric and them for their work, she wouldn’t save any money.”

Torkel looked up and m
ade eye contact with Karlijna. He gave a slight nod before rising. He set his cup on the table.

“
Thanks for the coffee, Ingrid. Tell Leif I’ll be over tomorrow morning around ten to help with that shipment.”

“Good,” the woman replied without turning from her work.  “We’ll see you then.”

Karlijna hurried to finish peeling, chopped the vegetable into cubes and then washed her hands.

“Ingrid,” she said as she rubbed her hands dry, “I’m going to go see
Leif about that coat right now before I forget.”

Ingrid l
aughed, “Girls and new clothes. It is always the same.”

Karlijna laughed with her as she left
the living quarters to seek out Leif.

“I need some material for a coat,” she told the man when she found him.

“You could just order a coat,” he offered as he handed a catalog to her.

“Thank you, but I’d rather get the fabric.”

Leif raised his eyebrows, “I could give it to you at cost if money is a problem.”

She shook h
er head, “No, thank you, Leif. I would rather do it this way.”

In short order,
Leif had helped the young woman pick out a heavy blue wool, along with buttons, thread, and the lining she would need.

“How much of the cloth and lining will you need?”

The answer made his jaw drop. She just smiled sweetly and waited for him to comply.

“Thank you,” she ran back to her room for her money while he totaled her bill.

“I’ll pay the full price, Leif,” she shook her head at the figure he had written down.

He smiled and shook his head, “This is the price for family, little girl.”

Karlijna sighed and gave in. She knew arguing was useless.

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next morning, Karlijna left early for work. She had a stop to make on the way.

“Karlijna,” Rachel greeted her at the door, “what a surprise to see you out so early.”

“Good morning, Rachel. . . Regina,” she hugged her bundle to herself, “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“We’ll help you in any way we can,” Regina replied.  “What is it?”

“I need a winter coat.”

Regina frowned a little, “I wish I could help you, but I don’t have. . .”

“I’m not asking you if you have an extra one,” Karlijna interrupted, “I need help making one. Do you know of anyone I can hire to do it for me?”

The women looked at each other, but gave no answer.

“I was going to ask you to do it for me,” Karlijna pushed a little, “but I didn’t know if you would have the time.”

“Of course we will help,” Rachel smiled and took the bundle, “then you will not have to pay for it.”

Karlijna began to take the fabric back, “I could not ask that of you. I got this from Leif yesterday.”

S
he hoped it was not lying to omit that she had paid for it.

Rachel held fast to the package, “We will do this for you and charge only a small amount.  It will be good to do this.”

Karlijna smiled. She knew it was a small victory. Getting the women to allow her to pay what their services were worth would be another battle, but she had gained some ground.

“I will
pay the normal wage for this. It is a hard job to make a coat.”

Regina whispered something that Karlijna d
idn’t understand. Karlijna looked to her. There were tears in the woman’s eyes.

“I’d better get to work,” she decided to make a hasty exit.

“We will do this,” Rachel spoke up, “It will be done next week. Come to see us next week and to get your coat.”

Karlijna waved and hurried off to work.

One week later, Karlijna hurried to the Goldbloom house again early in the morning. Not thinking of anything but receiving and paying for her coat, she knocked on the door. Julius answered.

Karlijna was angry with herself for not checking his w
hereabouts before approaching. There was no turning back now, though.

“Hello,” she greeted him as a stranger, knowing he would not appreciate familiarity from a Gentile.

“Can I help you?” his tone was almost civil. Could it be he did not recognize her?

“I am here to pick up my coat.
Regina was making me a coat.”

“Ah,” he opene
d the door wide to let her in. He turned and called for his sister-in-law, “There is a girl here to pick up a coat.”

Karlijna let out the breath she had
n’t realized she was holding. Turning slightly away from him so he wouldn’t have the chance to identify her, she waited for Rachel to enter.

Regina came down and smiled at th
e girl, “You have come.  Good. We finished it yesterday.”

Julius sat down in a chair and picked up a newspaper, but clearly his eyes were not
missing the scene before him. Karlijna wondered how she could inform Regina of the situation. She thought fast.

“May I see the coat before I pay you?”

Regina looked surprised that Karlijna would ask such a thing. Not only that the girl would mention the pay as if it were Rachel’s idea, but also that she would question the older woman’s workmanship.

“Certainly,” she led Karlijna to the room where Karlijna had stayed while living in their home.

Karlijna pulled the door shut gently, “Regina, Julius has no idea it is me.”

Regina made a noise of disbelief.

Loudly Karlijna said, “This is beautiful work, Regina,” then back to a whisper, “I’m serious.  You know he would not be happy to know you are helping me again.”

Regina opened the door quietly before turning back to her
guest, “You’re probably right. You do look different now that you’ve put on some weight and your hair has grown a little.”

Karlijna walked into the kitchen, carrying the coat, “Thank you, Regina.  I will pay you what we agreed on.”

Regina’s look was placid as she reached out her hand for the money. Her eyes widened as she saw the amount she held. The older woman began to hand it back, but Karlijna would have nothing to do with it.

“This coat is worth every penny of what you charge.”

Regina had nothing to do but accept it. It was either that or give Karlijna away to Julius. 

“Would you like me to wrap that with the excess fabric?” Regina’s small voice told the young girl her friend was overwhelmed by the circumstances.

“Excess fabric?”  Karlijna was going to get all she could out of the predicament.

“Yes,” Regina was still not sure what had hit her, “There was leftover material after we finished your coat.”

“I’m sure I can’t use it,” she said with a wink in Regina’s direction. She began walking toward the door, carrying her coat over her arm, “If you have no use for it, give it to someone who does.”

Karlijna let herself out and nearly flew to work.

“Karlijna ,” Mr. Sodergaard greeted her at the door some weeks later, “I have received word from Mr. Beauchamp.”

“Yes?”  Karlijna didn’t think this was noteworthy as Mr. Sodergaard expected
weekly reports from the man. By his tone, she knew there must be something different about this missive.

Mr. Sodergaard helped her with her jacket, “He sent his report with a note saying her would be in Sweden this week.”

Karlijna didn’t respond. She still wasn’t sure what this had to do with her.

Mr. Sodergaard saw she didn’t understand, “I’ll need you to inter
pret. Mr. Beauchamp doesn’t speak any Swedish.”

This was an addition to Karlijna’s tasks.  Her employer had warned her it could
happen, but so far it had not. Surprisingly, it did not worry the girl.

“Alright,” she walked into the study and set her lunch bag beside the desk, “when does he arrive?”

Mr. Sodergaard walked to his desk and picked up a letter, “Tomorrow,” he handed the paper to her, “You can read the details yourself.”

He watched her as she skimmed the words, first in French then Swedish.

“I’m sorry to give you such short notice, but, as you can see, I had little myself.”

Karlijna shook h
er head, “There is no problem. Will you need me here earlier in the mornings?”

Mr. Sodergaard looked startled at the question.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she wondered what she had said wrong, “Did I misunderstand something?”

The man breathed an unc
omfortable laugh, “I think so. You see, Mr. Beauchamp doesn’t understand any Swedish at all. He won’t be bringing an interpreter with him, so he will need you available at all times.”

Karlijna’s face paled at this.  She lowered herself slowly to her chair.

“I am to be his interpreter?” she looked at him, her eyes large, “His interpreter, not yours?”

Mr. Sodergaard nodded, “I’m sor
ry for the confusion, Karlijna. If I knew of anyone else who could handle this, I would use them, but you’re my only option.”

Karlijna inhaled and pressed her lips together.  She could not doubt the validity of his words, but it was rather awkward.

A thought entered her mind, “How long will he be staying?”

Mr. Sodergaard looked relieved that she had accepted the inevitable, “He is usually here for only a few days, but it could be a week.”

Karlijna cringed at the thought.  She would probably not be allowed to go to church on Sunday.

“Where will he be staying?”

“Here, at the house,” he spoke quickly, “but I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here too.”

Karlijna had been afraid of that, “Could I stay until he retires in the evening and be back before he rises?”

Mr. Sodergaard looked pained to refuse her request, “I’m afraid not.  Mr. Beauchamp keeps rather irregular hours while here. You may be here one night until nine and the following until midnight.  His rising is just as erratic. Besides that, walking home in the dark is not safe for a young lady.”

Karlijna didn’t bother to remind him of the life sh
e led before coming to Sweden. Then, every day was lived on the brink of death. There was no danger she feared walking home at night.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sodergaard.  I didn’t understand this.  Will he bring a wife?”

“No.”

Karlijna was afraid not and the discomfort was displayed in her voice,
“I will be here with two men? Sleeping in the same house with no other woman?”

Mr. Sodergaard didn’t think it would be beneficial to point out that since the butler lived there, it would be actually three men with whom she was going to be sharing a house.

Karlijna rose, “I am sorry to do this to you, Mr. Sodergaard, but I am not certain my reputation should have to suffer for my job.”

Mr. Sodergaard was not offended by this com
ment. In fact, he understood it completely. Young ladies’ character had been ruined for far less.

“Is there no other way?” the girl could not help but ask.

Mr. Sodergaard wondered if he could simply tell Mr. Beauchamp what her hours would be and then walk the girl home every night. It was possible, but not likely. Armand Beauchamp did as he pleased and there was little that could sway him. If he weren’t such a large contributor to the partnership, his idiosyncrasies would not be tolerated.

“If only you had a wife or sister living with you,” Karlijna spoke almost to herself as she mumbled the words.

“That’s it,” Mr. Sodergaard jumped up and put a hand on her shoulder,” Don’t worry, Karlijna,” he hurried behind his desk and picked up the phone.

Karlijna didn’t bother
to listen to his conversation. Either it would work out or it wouldn’t. She sat back down and started her work.

“It’s all set,” Mr. Sodergaard spoke up half an hour later, “My sister will come and stay here.”

“Your sister?” Karlijna had never heard him mention her before.

“Yes,” he leaned back in his chair and smiled at her, “I wonder that I didn’t think of it myself.
  Helga is the perfect choice. She even goes to your church.”

“My church?”

“Yes,” the man rose and crossed to the door, “she’s gone there for years,” he leaned out and called to the butler before turning back to his employee, “Take the afternoon off and be here tomorrow by ten o’clock. Actually, I’ll have Olaf pick you up since you will have to bring some personal items.”

Karlijna looked down at the task she had been working on, “But I’m not finished. . .”

“That’s fine,” he turned to Olaf, “My sister is coming to stay for a few days. Miss Bergstrom will be with her. Please prepare both guest rooms. One for them and one for Armand Beauchamp.”

Karlijna did
n’t rush back to Leif’s store. She was feeling overwhelmed by what had just happened. Slowly, she wandered through the village, taking in sights she had not seen or noticed before.

“Miss Bergstrom,” a voice came from behind.
She turned to see Michael Gunderson coming from a shop. Behind him was Torkel Anderson.

“Hello, Mr. Gunderson, Torkel,” she greeted them warmly.

“What are you doing out at this time of the day?” Torkel kept walking as he took her elbow, “Don’t tell me Roald has you out running errands.”

“No,” she laughed a little at the thought of Mr. Sodergaard doing such a thing, “No, he gave me the day off because I will have to work extended hours for the next week.”

“Why is that?” Mr. Gunderson wanted to know.

Karlijna glanced up at that man, “He needs me at the house more because he has a French associate coming in.”

Karlijna was not watching the young man or she would have noticed his look of confusion.  Torkel observed his nephew’s face.

“Karlijna works as an interpreter.”

“Oh?” he turned to the girl, “From French into Swedish?”

“Yes.
And the other way around too,” she laughed, “And for practice I do the English papers as well, but Mr. Sodergaard always checks them. My English is not good.”

Mr
. Gunderson laughed with her, “Your English is the same good as my Swedish.”

They were approaching
the store when Torkel joined in, “I think English is a hard language. So many meanings for each word.”

“It is
easy to me,” Mr. Gunderson laughed at his own joke.

“It is nice to see you again, Mr. Gunderson,” Karlijna turned to him before she entered her small room, “I hope you enjoy your visit.”

“I hope I will see more of you.”

He was very gracious to say so, but Karlijna did not believe it meant he had any particular desire to see her. He had come to see his family.

Karlijna nodded, “I am sure you will, Mr. Gunderson.”