Shining Water 01 - The Icecutter's Daughter Read online

  She nodded, and her eyes filled with tears. She shook her head. “There’s a purpose, even in this. I won’t continue to question God about it.” She smiled as Rurik kissed her fingers. “I’ve been questioning Him far too much. I know He doesn’t mind those questions, but now comes the time to have faith and trust, something I can’t do on my own. But I know He will help me even with that.”

  Rurik stepped closer to the bars. “I’ve been praying for just such faith.”

  “As have I,” she whispered, pressing her face toward his. Through the bars, their lips met in a kiss.

  When they finally drew apart, Rurik’s gaze bore into hers. “No matter what happens . . . no matter what they do to me, always remember that I love you, and I always will.”

  Merrill discovered the police chief had left by the time she made her way back to the doctor’s office. Carl was still resting and seemed to be comfortable. This left Merrill free to seek out the doctor. “Dr. Hickum?” she called. She looked into Svea’s room.

  The young woman was curled up on her side and seemed to be crying. Merrill’s first thought was to leave her alone, but she didn’t want to turn her back on Svea’s suffering.

  “Are you all right? Are you in pain? Should I fetch the doctor?”

  Svea looked up and shook her head briefly. “I’m all right,” she said over a hiccough.

  “You don’t sound fine, Svea. Can I do—?”

  “I don’t want you here,” Svea said, cutting her off. She rolled to face the wall. “Go away.”

  Merrill shrugged helplessly and left. She found Dr. Hickum down the hall in the examination room. “I wanted you to know that I’ve returned. How was your talk with the police chief?”

  The doctor looked at her and shook his head. “Miss Olsson insists that she’s with child and refuses to clear Rurik of pushing her down the stairs. She says she’ll forgive him and press no charges if he will marry her.”

  Merrill couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What woman would marry a man who threw her down a flight of stairs? Especially if he believed her to be in such a delicate condition? With his own child?”

  “I know, I know. The chief and I have the same questions. Miss Olsson says she loves him and knows it’s just a misunderstanding. When we pointed out that she was accusing him of attempted murder in one breath, and telling us it was nothing more than a misunderstanding in the next, she clammed up and refused to say anything more.”

  Merrill felt a new sense of frustration creep over her. “So Rurik has to sit in jail while Svea Olsson continues to tell her lies. It hardly seems fair, does it?”

  The doctor nodded. “I agree, but there’s nothing more I can do at this time. However, I am going to allow Carl to return to his home. I wonder if you would be able to stay with him. He shouldn’t be alone, and he must remain in bed, no exceptions. He’ll need around-the-clock care.”

  “I can do that,” Merrill agreed, thinking quickly. “I’ll get word to Mrs. Niedermeyer. She can go take care of my father and brothers and let them know I’m staying on in town.”

  “I’ll get some men to move Carl back to his house later today. Will you be there?”

  “I will. It’ll only take a few minutes to get a message to Margaret. Then I’ll go right over to Uncle Carl’s house and make certain everything is ready for him.”

  “Thank you, Miss Krause. You’ve a good heart.”

  Merrill said nothing more, but went quickly to work on the arrangements. She reported briefly to Granny Lassiter and Corabeth and arranged for them to get word to Margaret Niedermeyer. With a million plans racing through her mind, Merrill then made a quick stop by the livery to let them know she wouldn’t be coming back for her team that day. She considered having the man take the animals home to the farm, then changed her mind. If her father wanted the team, he would understand the situation and would come and fetch them.

  Merrill made her way back to the Jorgenson house, trying to decide what she should do first. The house probably needed to be warmed up, and she’d need to put together a little supper for her patient. She wasn’t there but ten minutes, however, when a knock sounded on the front door.

  She hadn’t expected Carl to arrive so soon, but she hurried to pull down the bedcovers before opening the door. To her surprise, however, two men she’d never seen before stared back at her.

  “We’re looking for Carl and Rurik Jorgenson,” the younger of the two men stated.

  “And who might you be?” she asked matter-of-factly.

  “I’m Aron Jorgenson, his older brother.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad to see you, Mr. Jorgenson. There’s been a great deal of trouble.”

  “What kind of trouble?” Aron asked, casting a quick glance at his companion.

  “I hardly know where to start.” She motioned the two men into the house while she continued. “The worst of it is probably the most pressing. You are familiar with Svea Olsson?” Rurik’s brother nodded, and the man beside him opened his mouth, but closed it without saying anything. “Well, she’s had a fall down the hotel stairs—only she’s telling everyone that Rurik pushed her.”

  “My Svea? Is she hurt?”

  Merrill looked at the other man. Only then did she see the distinct features that clearly confirmed his relationship. “You must be Svea’s father.”

  “I am. Where is she? Is she going to be all right?”

  Merrill drew a long breath. “Let me get my wrap. I’ll take you both to . . . to her.”

  Explaining the situation in as much detail as she felt she could, Merrill walked with them to the doctor’s office. Mr. Olsson went immediately to his daughter’s side while Aron was taken to see his uncle. Within a few minutes, he reemerged. “Take me to see Rurik. Please.”

  She nodded, and asked him to wait a moment. She told the doctor to delay a bit before moving Carl home.

  The two made the short walk to the jail. “I’ll wait for you if you’d like me to,” Merrill said, stopping in the entryway.

  “I’d appreciate that. I shouldn’t be too long. I want to assure Rurik that I’ll secure a lawyer and get him out of here as soon as possible.” He checked in with the officer and was led toward the cells without another word.

  Merrill took a seat on a bench and silently thanked God for what seemed to be an answer to prayer. She didn’t know Rurik’s brother or Mr. Olsson, but both seemed like upstanding men.

  “Please, God,” she murmured, “show Rurik’s brother the truth. Show him how to help Rurik and see this matter put to rest. Let the truth be known. Help Svea to be honest with her father. . . .”

  No more than fifteen minutes had passed when Aron reappeared. Merrill gave him a hopeful look and watched his face for any sign that he had been successful in changing his brother’s situation.

  Aron only smiled and said, “Thank you for waiting.”

  Merrill got to her feet. “I’m happy to help Rurik in any way.”

  “I can see that.” He held out his arm for her as they walked out of the jail. “I wonder something, however.”

  “What? I’ll tell you anything I know.”

  He laughed. “Do you love my brother as much as he clearly loves you?”

  Merrill couldn’t help but chuckle. All at once she felt like a giggly little girl again. “I don’t know for sure how much he loves me, but if it’s even a tenth of what I feel for him, then I am greatly loved.”

  Aron nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. You seem a perfect fit for each other, and I don’t even know you.”

  “Can you help us?”

  “I can and am. I’ve asked the police chief to get word to the best lawyer in town. He’ll come to see me at Uncle Carl’s place. But maybe you could explain a bit more about what all led up to this, what’s happened.”

  “I really don’t know what to say. A few weeks ago, Svea and Nils Olsson showed up here acting as though Rurik and Svea were still engaged, and the next thing I knew she was telling Rurik that she was carrying his chi
ld.”

  Aron didn’t seem surprised by this, and Merrill figured Rurik had already explained. “Rurik insisted to me that he had never . . . well, had never been intimate with her.” Merrill paused. “Excuse me if I seem too forward and bold. I’m given to speaking my mind—especially when I believe the truth can help.”

  “I agree, and you have nothing to apologize for. In fact, you remind me of my mother. She was also given to speaking her mind.”

  Merrill smiled at that. “Well, then you might as well know everything. The doctor says that Miss Olson is not expecting. Could not have been. Apparently she made up the entire thing.”

  “That’s what my brother told me.”

  “Furthermore, I believe Rurik when he says he did nothing to harm her. I wasn’t there, of course, but I don’t believe he pushed her down the stairs. That isn’t in his nature.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Aron agreed. “It might have been in mine at one time. And I sure might have wanted to, given what she was saying and doing to Rurik.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “So it seems we must figure out how to get Miss Olsson to recant her story. Makes me glad I brought her father along. I doubt she’ll be able to continue the lie with him.”

  “I pray not.” They stopped outside the doctor’s place, and Merrill realized she needed to tell Aron about his uncle. “The doctor wants to bring Uncle Carl home today. There’s really little he can do for him.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ve offered to stay and attend to him, but since you’ll be there, I wonder how I might best assist you?”

  “I’d like very much if you could remain to oversee his care. That will free me to work on Rurik’s behalf.”

  “I would be happy to,” Merrill replied. “I want to do whatever I can to help Rurik and Uncle Carl. As you know, they’re both quite precious to me. I can stay with friends nearby at night, but I will see to the meals and housekeeping as well as Uncle Carl’s care.”

  Aron smiled. “And I have a feeling that you are going to be quite precious to all of us.”

  Chapter 24

  “Uncle Carl, the doctor tells me you can return to the house, but on one condition. You must stay in bed for at least two weeks,” Aron told the older man. “Miss Krause has agreed to be your nurse.” He winked at his uncle. “Kind of makes me want to be sick.”

  Carl smiled weakly. “Oh sure. I betcha heard about her great cooking.”

  “I hadn’t, but that, added to the fact she’s pretty, makes me jealous that you’ll be getting all her attention.”

  “And what would your lovely wife say if she heard you talking like that?” Carl shook his finger at his nephew.

  Aron laughed. “She’d elbow me in the ribs and tell me to mind my manners, so let’s not tell her anything about this.”

  Merrill was amazed Aron could be so lighthearted at the same time his brother was in jail. She wanted to trust that God was in control of the whole situation, but her nature was to fret over the details.

  “Miss Krause tells me she can stay with you during the day and care for you. She’s also agreed to clean and cook for us while I help to get Rurik cleared of these charges.”

  “Merrill Jean,” Carl said, “that’s asking too much of you—unless of course you let me pay you.”

  She shook her head. “Uncle Carl, you’re like family to me now. I won’t hear of it.”

  Carl gave a weak grin. “She will be family if Rurik has anything to say about it.”

  “Of that I’m certain,” Aron agreed. “If it meets with your approval, I’d like to stay at the house with you. I can sleep in Rurik’s room. Miss Krause has friends in town and told me she would arrange to stay with them at night. That way you’ll have someone close by at all times.”

  “Of course it meets with my approval.” Carl closed his eyes. “I’m learning that the Good Lord sometimes works through our weakness.” His accent thickened in his obvious exhaustion.

  “Yes, He does,” Merrill admitted. “You rest now, Uncle Carl, and we’ll get things ready for you at home. The doctor said he’ll have some men come to carry you to the house.”

  “I can walk,” he protested, but his voice was weak.

  Merrill said gently, “You’ll do what the doctor says or like a strict mother, I shall discipline you. You’ll get none of my strudel.”

  Carl opened his eyes wide. “I promise I’ll be good.” Aron and Merrill laughed.

  “I will take my leave then and begin to work on your supper.”

  “I’ll escort you,” Aron told her. He looked back to his uncle. “Then I’ll return to help bring you home.”

  They’d no sooner stepped into the hall, however, than Svea’s wailing cries caught their attention. Merrill slipped into the girl’s room. Her father and the doctor were there with her.

  “Miss Olsson,” the doctor was saying, “it is my professional opinion that you are not now, nor ever have been, with child. Why do you insist on this lie?”

  “But I am. I’m going to have a baby. Rurik’s baby!” She wiped tears away with the edge of the white sheet. “We must marry.” Her voice trembled.

  “Svea, what you must do is stop this lying,” her father said, shaking his head. “I know that you aren’t speaking the truth. I don’t understand why you think you must say these things, but I won’t let this continue.”

  “But . . . you don’t realize that . . .” Her voice started to sound more desperate. “I have to marry Rurik.”

  “What you have to do is tell the truth,” her father insisted. “If you don’t stop lying to me right this minute, I will disown you.”

  Svea’s reddened eyes grew wide. “Papa, you don’t mean that.” She choked on a sob. “You can’t mean that.”

  Mr. Olsson straightened and gave her a most severe look. “I do mean that, Svea. I will turn my back on you if you continue to lie. You know the Lord hates lies, and so do I.”

  “But I promised. I promised Nils that I would marry Rurik. I promised.” She began to cry fresh tears.

  Merrill exchanged a look with Aron Jorgenson. What in the world was this all about?

  “Why did you promise your brother?” Mr. Olsson asked. “Why would Nils care who you married as long as you were happy?”

  Svea seemed to think she’d said too much and shook her head, saying nothing more. Her father took a seat in the chair beside her bed while the doctor remained by the window. Merrill knew she should give them all privacy and leave, but she couldn’t. She had to hear the truth.

  When Mr. Olsson spoke again, his voice was that of a broken man. “I’ve tried to teach you right from wrong. I’ve raised you in the way of the Lord, but apparently I have failed in that upbringing.”

  Svea looked at her father, and something in her expression suggested her father’s words had touched her deeply. Still, she didn’t speak.

  “Your mother and I have loved each of you children more than life itself. It was our heart’s desire to see all of you grow to adulthood, find love, and have families of your own. But, even more than that, we prayed you would walk with the Lord God all of your days. Now this . . .” He fell silent and sat shaking his head.

  “Please, Papa, don’t be angry with me.” Svea sounded very sober, almost contrite.

  He looked at her in disbelief. “I’m not angry, daughter. I’m filled with sorrow.”

  For several minutes neither said anything. Merrill was just about to turn away when Svea murmured, “The doctor is right. I’ve never been with a man. I’ve not dishonored you and Mama that way.”

  “Then why did you say otherwise? Why dishonor us with lies of this kind?”

  “I promised Nils that I would help him. He’s in trouble, Papa. He owes money to some very bad men. They have threatened his life. He told me that if I would marry Rurik, I could get the money he needed.”

  “How is that?”

  “Rurik gets an inheritance when he marries. Nils was certain I could convince Rurik to loan him part of it in order to pay b
ack his debts.”

  Mr. Olsson shook his head again. “He’s been gambling again . . . hasn’t he?”

  Svea nodded. “He didn’t want you to know. He didn’t want there to be more trouble between you. He really does love you, Papa. He hates that he’s disappointed you, but it’s like a sickness with him. He tries . . . really he does.”

  Her father looked straight into her face. “I want the truth, daughter. Did Rurik Jorgenson push you down the stairs?”

  Svea looked away and shook her head. “No.” Her voice was barely audible. “I lost my balance. I was so upset, and I felt like Rurik wasn’t listening to me. I . . . well . . . I turned to confront him and lost my balance. When Rurik realized what was happening, he tried to grab me. That’s what the hotel clerk saw. When I landed I realized I wasn’t that hurt. Then the clerk started saying how Rurik pushed me down the stairs and . . . well . . . I thought I could use the situation to get Rurik to marry me.”

  “Did you not think of the consequences to Rurik, daughter? He sits in a jail cell even now. How could you be so heartless toward him?”

  It was only then Svea seemed to notice Merrill and Aron standing at the door. She looked at Merrill for a moment, then turned back to her father. “I love my brother. I wanted to help him. I knew Rurik would understand in time and . . . forgive me.”

  Her father let go a heavy sigh. “You and your brother have caused a great deal of trouble. Where is he?”

  “I don’t know, Papa. Truly. He told me he had to go out of town, but I don’t know where he went. I think he meant to take the train. He told me to get Rurik to marry me immediately or those men would . . . hurt him. I did what I thought I had to do. I’m so sorry.” The tears came again, but this time Merrill could see they were from regret, not fear.