A Breath of Hope (Under Northern Skies Book #2) by Lauraine Snelling

Author:Lauraine Snelling [Snelling, Lauraine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction, FIC042030, FIC014000
ISBN: 9781493413577
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-04-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter

18

The house looked smaller than what Nilda had pictured in her mind. It looked teeny compared to the Schoenleber home. But the Schoenleber mansion had felt like a museum, not a home, empty of family. And that made all the difference.

She glanced at Ivar to see if he was surprised too. Nothing showed on his face; usually she could figure out what he was thinking, but not now. The barn sat some ways back from the house with a windmill and well house in between. A man was disking with a team in a field off to the west. The field looked to be several acres in size.

An explosion from near the wood line sent debris into the air and shocked their ears.

Signe explained, “Rune and Bjorn are dynamiting stumps, the quickest way to get them out.”

“That’s Onkel Einar out with the team then?” Nilda asked.

“Ja, he’s getting the field ready to plant corn. Rune plowed and disked the garden the other day. We’re making it bigger this year—more potatoes and sweet corn, especially.”

“Where are Knute and Leif?”

“School won’t be out for another week. They get home around four and usually start chores. They take care of the livestock and the chickens.”

Ivar pointed ahead. “Look at the size of those pines. Was it still solid woods when Onkel Einar bought this land?”

“No, the family that homesteaded it had already cleared these front acres. He built the buildings and almost doubled the pasture land. We hay a good part of that too.”

“Two cows out there?” Ivar asked, squinting toward the pasture.

Signe nodded. “Ja, and a steer from last year. The heifer had her calf about a month ago, so it is still in the barn. The yearling must be lying down. Leif takes care of the chickens, and Knute the pigs. Two sows and two gilts will be farrowing. We hope to trade a couple of weaner pigs for a young boar.” She pointed to the front door of the house with its stoop entry. “We’ll bring your trunks in there to the parlor. Probably the crate will have to be stored in the shop for now.”

“So what first?” Nilda asked.

“We’ll tie Rosie up by the back door until someone comes to help unload. Come and meet Tante Gerd.”

“And Kirstin.” Nilda nudged Signe. “She’s the important one.” She grinned at Ivar. “Here we go,” she whispered. Here we go.

The kitchen door stood open, and through the screen door they could hear a baby giggling and a woman talking with her.

Nilda asked, “Is she always that happy?”

“Pretty much. Unless she’s hungry, and then cover your ears.” Signe held open the screen door. “We’re here,” she announced.

Gerd, with Kirstin on her hip, greeted them. “Welcome. Come in, come in. I saved dinner for you.”

Signe made the introductions. “Nilda and Ivar, meet Tante Gerd and, of course, our Kirstin.”

Gerd nodded. “Glad you are here safely. Welcome to Minnesota. Do you want to speak Norwegian or English?”

Nilda exchanged a look with Ivar. He nodded. “Norwegian is far easier yet.

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