Free The Forgiving Heart (The Heart of Minnesota Book 1) by Becky Riker Page A

“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