Nilda Carlson has been trying to save enough money to go to America for months, so when a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand arrives, offering to pay her ticket, she jumps at the chance. Her younger brother Ivar accompanies her, and they can't wait to join their brother Rune and his family in the northern forests of Minnesota. Signe and Rune Carlson are thrilled to welcome Nilda and Ivar to America, but life on the farm remains a struggle. Though Gerd has softened and grown to love the Carlson family, Einar is still harsh and unforgiving, obsessed solely with felling as many trees as possible. Rune is trying to build a new home for his wife and children, but Einar refuses to help and forbids anyone from the nearby community from stepping foot on his land. What dark secret must lie in his past to have caused him to isolate himself--and anyone living under his roof--in this way? When a tragedy lays the truth bare, the Carlsons and Strands will have to come together like never before and become a true family. One man's past could affect all of their futures. With her younger brother Ivar in tow, Nilda Carlson is on her way to America to join her older brother Rune and his family in the northern forests of Minnesota. While she sees this as a golden opportunity, she has enough experience in life to know it won't be easy. The transatlantic voyage itself proves to be an adventure, and she hopes she will feel safe in her new home. Rune and Signe Carlson are thrilled that Nilda and Ivar are coming to Minnesota, but life on the Strand farm remains a struggle. Rune is trying to build a house for his wife and children, but Uncle Einar Strand, obsessed with his own ambitions, refuses to help. What's more, he forbids anyone from the community to step foot on his land, leaving Rune to toil on his own. When a tragedy lays bare the truth behind Einar's anger and isolation, the Carlsons and Strands will have to come together like never before to become a true family. "Readers are treated to an immersive immigrant experience from homeland to homesickness and every step along the way in this second installment of the Under Northern Skies series. . . . Snelling's skillful storytelling and attention to detail showcase her affection for her characters' personalities and Norwegian heritage. With increasing involvement in the community and hints of future romance, a true sense of new beginnings and renewed hope compels readers forward in this traditional historical saga."-- RT Book Reviews Lauraine Snelling (www.laurainesnelling.com) is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. A Breath of Hope By Lauraine Snelling Baker Publishing Group Copyright © 2018 Lauraine Snelling All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7642-3062-2 CHAPTER 1 Nilda Carlson stared at the money in her hand. This was a week's pay. Her last week's pay. "I will never, ever be able to save enough money to buy a ticket to Amerika." "Ah, Nilda," her mor, Gunlaug, said softly. "Never is a long time. Somehow we will find a way." Nilda stared out the window at the snow drifting down, the flakes float-dancing, since the wind had given up. Would spring ever come? Each year, winter seemed to take up residence for longer spells. She knew she was being unreasonable. She'd been admonished for that before. "Spring always comes. Our Lord ordained it so. And He has heard your cries. He promised He would always listen and answer." How many times had she heard that? But hearing and deep-down believing were two entirely different things. As were hearing and answering. Did she believe God heard? Ja, she had to answer ja. But she had already learned that sometimes the answer was yes, sometimes no, and sometimes the hardest to deal with, wait. "I know how hard you worked." "But, Mor," Nilda insisted, "the shop is closed. True, Mrs. Rott is too sick and feeble now to keep the store open, and that is a shame, but still, I have no more work." She thought a moment. "Perhaps the Nygaards are hiring. I'm sure I would dislike working for them. No one likes working for them. But the money ..." Two of her older brothers had stuck it out until something better came along, and now it seemed to be her turn. "Ja, I know." Gunlaug threw the shuttle on the loom, where she was weaving another rug. When finished with one, she always restrung for the next. Slamming the batten vigorously, she forced each strand tightly into place to make the rugs last longer. "This one is for you, you know." "You will have that done long before I can buy a ticket, that is for certain." "Then you will have the first layer in the bottom of the trunk Far and Johann are making for you." Nilda tightened her fists in the folds of her wool skirt, fabric her mor had woven in years past. Mor eyed her. "I have learned that weaving is a