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  Emily hugged both girls tightly. “I thought we’d start by fixing lunch,” she told them. Then she lowered her voice as if imparting a big secret. “We’ll bake some cookies and take them to your Papa at work.” She raised her voice again. “We’ll need to fix supper as well, of course, and someone needs to clean Georgie’s room.” Emily looked straight at Georgie as she mentioned her room, watching the little girl’s face turn pink. “And we’ll just spend time getting to know each other.”

  Abbie wrapped her arm around Emily clinging to her. “That’s the part I’m looking forward to.” Her eyes were full of excitement at the prospect of spending time with her new step-mother.

  Benjamin watched his three girls talking together and sharing secrets. He turned to his mother. “I’m going to go out and talk to Far. Is he in the barn?” He knew harvest time was over, but his father would still never spend a lot of time in the house. His wife would drive him crazy if he did that, so he could usually be found puttering in the barn or spreading manure over the fields for extra fertilization this time of year.

  “Yah. Go to the barn with him. Be off with you.” His mother shooed him toward the door, making it clear that men didn’t belong in her house during the day. After she’d shut the door behind her son, Ingrid turned to the girls. “Run along and make the beds you slept in last night girls. I want to have a little chat with your new mor.”

  Emily watched as the girls ran to the back of the big farmhouse and turned to her mother-in-law with a smile. She hoped the woman was going to offer to teach her to cook Norwegian foods for her new family. It would be nice if she could cook them the foods they were used to eating.

  “The first thing I want you to know is I do not believe my son should have married some woman he found through an agency. I had a delightful Norwegian girl all picked out for him who would have made him a good wife and who would have been a good mother to my grandbabies.” Ingrid’s accent was slight and musical to Emily’s ears, whereas her new husband didn’t have an accent at all.

  Emily felt her face turn red and was unsure how to respond to her mother-in-law. She’d done nothing wrong, but the woman obviously hated her on sight for being someone who she didn’t want her to be. “I’m willing to learn to cook Norwegian foods.” She mumbled the words, knowing they’d never be enough for the tall white haired woman in front of her.

  Ingrid shook her head angrily. “You can learn to cook the foods, but can you grow taller and look like a Norwegian woman? Can you change your family history so you will know our customs and our ways? Can you become Norwegian?”

  “Of course, I can’t, but I will do my very best to make your son and your granddaughters happy.” Emily forced herself to keep her voice calm. She’d never in her life wanted to hit someone so much. How could her new mother-in-law be so ugly to someone she barely knew?

  Ingrid clicked her tongue. “Oh, I saw how happy my son was this morning. Obviously you know some bed tricks to keep him satisfied, but he needs more than a woman to warm his body at night. He needs someone who will help raise his daughters correctly and who will help them turn into strong Norwegian women proud of their heritage. How can a tiny little woman without a drop of Norwegian blood do that?” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the girls weren’t coming their way to overhear. “It would be best for everyone if you got back on that train and went right back to the East where you belong before my granddaughters start to love you. Already little Abbie is calling you mama. You are not their mor! Their mor was a wonderful Norwegian woman who loved them. She does not deserve to be replaced with you!”

  Her mother-in-law’s words shocked Emily to the very core of her being. She’d been spoken to condescendingly, but had never lost her temper. This woman made her want to throw rocks. She’d come here planning to be the best mother and wife she could possibly be, and this bitter old woman had the audacity to tell her she wasn’t good enough to be a part of her family? She struggled to keep her voice calm and low. “I’m sorry you don’t like or approve of me, Mrs. Johnson, but I’m not going anywhere. I came here to be a mother and a wife, and that’s what I’ll do. I’m not going to turn tail and run back East simply because you don’t think I’m good enough for your family.” She walked toward the door, deciding to wait near the buggy. “Please send the girls out when they’re ready. Thank you for watching them last night.”

  As soon as she’d stepped outside and closed the door behind her, Emily made a fist and slowly released it. How could someone be so close minded? If her mother-in-law thought Norwegians were so superior, she should have stayed in Norway! How could she move to another country, and not expect even one of her children to marry someone from that country? How could she condemn her without ever getting to know her simply because she was not exactly like her? Did she need to be a cookie cutter of every other person around her?

  Emily desperately wanted to cry, but there was no time for that. Her girls didn’t need to see her cry, and Benjamin already thought she was weak. There was no way she was going to add to that thinking. She stood next to the buggy waiting for the girls to come out and join her. She had no idea how long Benjamin would be, but it had been eight when they’d left the house, and with an hour round trip, he wouldn’t take more than forty-five minutes if he wanted to get back to town in time to open his store. She could stand there waiting all day by herself if she needed to.

  *****

  Benjamin wandered into the barn and found his father squatting down trying to hold a board in place while he hammered a nail into it. “Let me help, Far.” He took the board and held it while his father swung the hammer as he’d done many times in his life.

  “Enjoyed having the girls. You need privacy with your new wife you bring them on out anytime.”

  “Thanks, Far.” His father, Sven, was a man of few words and always had been. Still, when something bothered him, his father was the first person he went to for advice. “It’s odd being married to someone other than Anna.”

  Sven nodded. “I can’t imagine being married to anyone but your mor. Especially someone so different from her. You went from a tall blond Norwegian woman to a tiny little thing with brown hair. Physically, they’re as different as night and day.”

  “They’re different in every way.” Benjamin shook his head. “Emily is afraid of her own shadow. She’s not much of a talker either. Anna never knew how to stop. If she wasn’t talking, there was something seriously wrong with her.” He paused searching for the right words. “I’m afraid I’m going to break my new wife in half every time I touch her.” Not that it had stopped him, of course.

  “You’re going to have to be a lot more careful when you’re with this one.” Sven finished hammering in the nail and got to his feet. “Anna was a good wife to you, and I’m sorry she’s gone, but you don’t need your new wife to be just like her to have a good woman.”

  Benjamin considered that and nodded after a moment. “I know that, Far. She’s just so…well…shy is the right word I guess.” He chuckled for a moment. “My poor wife hasn’t had the courage to look at me all day.”

  Sven gave a half smile. “Well, that’ll work itself out eventually, I’m sure.”

  “She loves the girls already, though. I’ve never seen Abbie take to anyone the way she’s taken to Emily. She’s usually so withdrawn, especially since Anna died. I’ve been worried about her.”

  “Maybe it’s good your new wife is a shy one as well. The two of them should do well together.”

  “If either of them can get a word in with Georgie talking nonstop all the time!”

  Sven chuckled softly. “That girl sure is like her Mor and Farmor. She still talking herself to sleep at night?”

  Benjamin laughed. “She does. I sometimes hear banging on the walls, because Abbie wants nothing more than to be left in peace and Georgie just can’t seem to be content unless she hears the sound of her own voice.”

  Sven slung an arm around Benjamin’s shoulders as they left the barn
together. “You’ve got good kids there. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different.”

  Benjamin spotted Emily and the girls standing next to the buggy as soon as he got outside. Now why isn’t Emily inside getting to know, Mor? He walked over to the buggy and gave Emily a questioning look. Why does she look so sad all of a sudden? Is she missing home?

  “Everyone ready to go?” Benjamin asked, not asking the question that was foremost on his mind.

  Emily turned to him and smiled brightly. “The girls and I are ready for our first day of getting to know each other. We can’t wait, can we girls?” She smiled hesitantly at Sven. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Johnson.”

  “Oh, we’re not so formal. Call me Far. Everyone else does.” Sven patted her back. “We’ll see you at church on Sunday. You take good care of my granddaughters.”

  “I will. I promise.” Emily bit her lip to keep the tears in. He obviously didn’t feel the same way his wife did about her joining the family. His kindness made it all the harder to hold back the tears.

  Benjamin helped her into the buggy while the girls scrambled into the back. “See you Sunday!” he called to Far.

  Once they were on their way back to town, he took Emily’s hand in his. He wasn’t sure what was wrong, but something had obviously upset her. When she was ready to talk about it, he’d be there for her.

  Georgie chattered about how fun the wedding supper had been and what a good time she’d had at Farmor’s. “Farmor let us help bake bread and I got to make mine into a face and put raisins in for hair.”

  Abbie made a face. “She put salt and pepper and sugar on it, too. It was disgusting.” She leaned forward on the seat so she could talk to her new mama easier. “I put sugar and cinnamon on mine, and when it came out of the oven I put on just a little bit of butter. It was delicious.”

  “Mine looked better!” Georgie protested.

  “But you had to throw it away. You couldn’t even eat it!”

  “I didn’t want to eat it.”

  “Then why did you take a bite of it before you put it in the slop pail for the hogs?”

  Georgie humphed. “I was curious, that’s all.” She suddenly spotted her favorite picnic spot. “That’s where I like to go on picnics, Mama! Right over there by the pond.”

  Emily looked at the pond. “That does look like a nice place for a picnic. We need to make sure we take one soon before it’s too cold.” She’d only been on a couple of picnics. Her mother had always worked six days per week and did household chores on the seventh, so she only got to go when a friend invited her.

  “Tomorrow?” Georgie asked.

  “How about Sunday after church?” Emily suggested. She’d never driven a buggy before, and she didn’t want to try without Benjamin there to help her the first few times. Besides, she liked the idea of having the whole family there when they went on their first picnic together.

  “Oh, could we, Papa?” Georgie pleaded.

  Benjamin smiled over at Emily, pleased she’d made the suggestion. “Well, if your mama wants to fix us a picnic lunch, then I’ll be happy to eat it.”

  Georgie clapped her hands happily. “I can’t wait. What will you fix for the picnic, Mama?”

  “Hmm…” Emily acted as if she were considering the most important question she’d ever been asked. “I think I’ll make some bacon sandwiches.”

  “But…you said you wouldn’t do that when you wrote to us. You promised.” Georgie sounded close to tears.

  Emily laughed softly as she turned and smiled at her younger daughter. “I did promise. I was only joking. What do you girls like to eat on picnics?” She wanted to cook things they were familiar with eating, of course, and introduce new things as well.

  “Mama…I mean our first mama used to just take bread and some cheese and cookies and lemonade. Could we do that for our picnic, Mama?” Abbie asked.

  “Of course, we can. We can take anything you girls want to take.” She thought about it for a moment. “We can do some potato salad as well. Do you girls like potato salad?”

  When there was no immediate response, Benjamin said, “I don’t think they’ve ever had it. I know I haven’t.”

  “Really? I’ll make some. We’ll see if you like some of the dishes I’m used to making.” She looked at Benjamin. “Do you think Birgitta will teach me how to cook Norwegian foods? I really would like to learn so I can make you the things you enjoy.”

  He shrugged, wondering why she hadn’t asked his mor. “I’m sure she won’t mind. She’s a good cook. Not as good as Mor, but she’s good. It might be easier for her to teach you with how much closer she is, though.” He eyed her speculatively. He really didn’t care if he ate Norwegian foods or not. He was just happy to not be eating his own cooking anymore.

  “Well, once I’ve settled in, I’ll ask her to teach me. I do know how to cook a great number of things, so hopefully I can keep everyone happy until I’ve had a chance for lessons.” She was suddenly worried about her cooking, which was odd. It was the one area in her life where she felt like she was truly accomplished.

  Abbie leaned forward again. “I don’t care what you cook, Mama. I’m just glad you’re here with us.”

  “I am, too, Abbie.” She squeezed the little girl’s hand which was resting on the back of her seat.

  Benjamin stopped the buggy in front of the house before helping Emily down. “I’m going to put the horses in their stalls and go straight to the store. Will you bring me lunch today?”

  “Of course, I will. I may come down to do some shopping as well. I’d like to see the store.” She took the girls by the hand and led them to the house not nearly as upset as she’d been. The girls did wonders for her mood, and she was looking forward to her first full day with them.

  Benjamin watched them go wondering again what had bothered her. He was glad she was happy again, though. It meant a lot to him that she wanted to see the store. He’d worked hard to make it what it was, and he wanted to be able to show it off to his wife. It was part of her life too, now.

  Chapter Six

  Once she and the girls were inside, Emily led them to the kitchen. “I know you girls want to do some fun things today, and we will, but first I need to get an inventory of exactly what we have in the kitchen so I can see what I need to get from the store. I want to be able to cook more than bacon sandwiches.” She smiled at Abbie. “Do you know how to write?”

  Abbie shook her head. “Mama was just starting to teach me when she got the fever.”

  “I’m sorry she died.” Emily hated the sadness she heard in the girls’ voices every time they mentioned their mother. She knew the sadness would eventually fade as they grew older, but for now, their mother’s death was still fresh on their minds.

  “We loved her a lot, but we’re really glad you came to live with us,” Abbie said.

  The look on Abbie’s face was sad, but hopeful as well. Georgie was off in her room re-making her bed and tidying up.

  “I’m glad I came here too. I get two little girls and a wonderful new husband.” Emily thought about the best way to do things. “Would you run and get me a piece of paper and a pencil please? I need to make a list of what we’ll need.”

  She opened the pantry door to see what she had to work with. There was a bin of rice, another of beans, a tiny amount of flour, and a bit of sugar. She sighed. She couldn’t do anything at all with this. She was so glad the store was right downstairs. Abbie brought her the pencil and paper and she quickly started noting what she’d need. She couldn’t make anything without more supplies. Even the beans would need some salt to make them taste decent and there was no salt to be found. She’d need to bake bread, and figure out what to make for a meal. She’d used the last of the bacon and eggs for breakfast.

  By the time Georgie came down from cleaning her room, Emily had a list she could work with. She turned to the girls. “Do you want to go to the store with me? Or do you want to wait here?” She had to go immediately if she was
going to be able to cook something for lunch.

  Abbie stood up. “I want to go.”

  “Good.” Emily smiled at her. “Come on, Georgie.” If Abbie went, then Georgie had to go. Abbie was only six, but she could watch after her sister. Georgie was just too boisterous to be left on her own for even a few minutes.

  Georgie followed along behind, chattering away about the fun things she wanted to do.

  Abbie led the way through the house and down into the backroom of the store. “Papa likes for us to come in the back way and not use the street,” Abbie explained as they walked.

  Emily wasn’t sure that would hold true now the girls wouldn’t be going there on their own, but she followed along. As they rounded the corner from the back, she saw Benjamin carefully counting out change. “Come again, Mrs. Miller.”

  Emily waited until Mrs. Miller turned to leave the store before saying, “We didn’t have enough food to do the cooking with, so I came to get some. I hope that’s okay.” She looked around the store in awe. She’d expected a small country store, but this was big enough to rival any she’d seen back home.

  The shelves were lined with canned goods. Barrels stood in the middle of the store with beans, rice, flour, sugar, salt and many other staples. There were several different fabrics to choose from. Some had pretty patterns and some were simple, serviceable fabrics. Everything about the store impressed Emily. She was proud of what her husband had accomplished here.

  “Of course. What do you need?”

  She handed him her list which included a lot of staples as well as some meats. “I’m not sure exactly what you have here, so I just made a list of the things we need most.”

  Mrs. Miller turned around and looked. “Oh, is this your new bride, Mr. Johnson? I’d heard she finally arrived.” Mrs. Miller looked to be in her late thirties. She was short and plump with laughing green eyes and brown hair.

  Emily smiled at her and took her offered hand. “You must not be related to Benjamin.”