The Forgiving Heart (The Heart of Minnesota Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

don’t know. The Nazis didn’t kill them like I thought they might. They probably went off to one of those camps.”
    Karlijna pres sed her lips tightly together. The other passengers might have preferred death once they experienced the camp.
    “How is it that the Nazi s didn’t capture you and your boat?” the husband balanced a child on each hip as the captain secured the boat to the dock.
    “They got my boat, alright,” the captain hopped to the dock and held out a hand to assist the ladies from the craft, “I got away from them because they didn’t think I was foolish enough to jump so they left me alone on my boat,”  
    He winked at Karlijna, who turned her face into the hair of the child she still held, “Too bad for them, I’m foolish enough to do just that.”
    “And the boat?” the wife asked.
    “I had to buy a new one,” he shrugged, “I like this one better anyway. She’s got more speed.”
    As they stood on the dock, Karlijna wondering where she should go next, a man resembling the captain approached them.
    “Torkel,” the new arrival clapped the captain on the back before saying something in a language Karlijna could only assume was Swedish.
                  “I told you I would,” the captain turned to the small group of refugees, “This is my brother, Leif .  He was doubting my abilities.”
    Leif shook his head, “Not your abilities,” he spoke now in German, “just your luck.  Kaaren is pacing the floor for you, so you’d better get home before she wears a hole in it.”
    “Ah,” the captain nodded, “I must go to my wife.  God bless you.”
    He would have hurried away, but the husband stopped him, “We can’t thank you enough, but we’d like to give you something for your trouble.”
    To Karlijna’s amazement, the man pulled out a wad of bills and handed a large portion of them to the captain.
    The captain waved off the money, “I’m not doing this for the money.”
    “I know,” the younger man replied, “and I thank you, but if the time comes and you need to buy a third boat, this will help.”
    The captain grinned and took the offering, “Thank you.”
    Karlijna wished sh e had something to offer the man but realized there was nothing she could give.  Her bundle contained only food and some personal items.  A look of horror crossed her face as she realized what she had done.
    “What is wrong, dear?” the woman asked her.
    “My things,” she cried out, “I left my things on the other boat.”
    “Are you sure?” the husband asked . “Maybe they are on this boat.”  He moved to board again.
    “No,” she shook her head and looked down at the child who was now awake and staring at the scene unconcerned, “I put them down to pick him up. I never got them again.”
                  I’m sorry, Miss,” the captain frowned at her dilemma, “there’s no way to get it back now. You should be thankful you’re here safe with your family.”
                  “This is true,” Leif inserted, “Another boat got caught tonight. Their ending won’t be so happy.”
    Karlijna was about to correct the captain’s mistake about her family, but the husband spoke first, “Was the boat coming from Poland?”
    “Yes,” the captain’s brother nodded, “It picked up a couple of people from Leba.  A husband and wife, I understand.”
                 

CHAPTER THREE
    Karlijna put the boy down on the dock next to his mother and started into the streets. She didn’t know where she was heading, but thought that some motion would be better than standing all morning rooted to the spot. It occurred to her that a church would be the best place to start.
    The girl had not eaten a decent meal since she left Mrs. Polaski’s , and the effects were beginning to show. Her stomach had ceased to growl and was now beginning painful contractions. Knowing her legs would not carry her far if she didn’t get something to drink, at