Kirsten could not stop smiling; Svein made her fell like it was her birthday every day. He would come to the school and build a fire in the stove before she arrived, walk her home on evening when she was at the school until late, and he would come for Sunday dinner and joke with her brothers and talk farming with her father. Everything seemed perfect.
"I expect everyone to continue working on their lessons over the break," Kirsten called over the noise of the students gathering their possessions to leave, "And I will see you all in two months!" Kirsten felt her face get warm as she smiled when she saw Svein arrive in the doorway. The children giggled as they made their way past him calling out their goodbyes and giddy with the fact they did not have school for the next few weeks.
"Shall we wait for you?" Peter called over his shoulder as Hans tugged his way to the door. Svein scooped down to say 'hello' to Hans and assured Peter that he would have Kirsten safely home before sunset.
As her siblings were walking out, Kirsten heard Britta explain to Hans that there will be no school for a while and Peter interjecting that they would still have school, they lived with the teacher! Kirsten had to giggle as she gathered her books.
"No more school?" Svein looked puzzled.
"There is no school during the harsh winter months. We do not want to risk the children getting lost in the dark or a storm. Classes will resume when the weather gets better—until planting season begins." She explained.
"So I will not be seeing you every day?" Kirsten detected a hint of worry and loneliness in his voice.
"I . . . I had not thought of that . . . she looked down at her feet." Svein put his hand under her chin, "I guess I will just have to come and call on you. And maybe you can come visit me at my house."
Kirsten smiled warmly at his proposal, before picking up on his second comment and then she took a turn for some wickedness, "Me? A young girl in an unmarried man's house? What do you take me for?" she laughed and swatted his nose.
Svein laughed and pulled her in for a bear hug, "Kirsten Larson you remind me of a shiny coin!"
"A coin!" Kirsten pulled back from his embraces, "A coin!"
Svein had a twinkle in his eye as he pulled her back to him, "On one side you are shy and quiet and turn red as rose when I smile at you, and on the other side you become giggly and bold as brass! And," kissing the top of her head, he said quietly, "both sides make me very happy to have come to America."
"I do?" she could feel her heart start to race.
"I do," Svein said softly and his lips brushed lightly over hers.
Kirsten treasured every second of the walk home, she knew that it was to be the last time the two of them would be alone together until school started up again. Svein talk about his childhood winters in Sweden and of snowball fights, ice skating and tobogganing. Kirsten told him of her first St. Lucia's day in America. Approaching the house Svein noticed a red-dyed rope hung between the house and the barn.
"That is for the snow storms," Kirsten explained, "When we have to go between the house and the barn in the snow we keep one hand on the rope at all times so if we lose sight in the falling snow we will not lose our way to shelter."
Svein looked in consideration at the rope for a moment before leading Kirsten inside.