The Unlikely Allies (8 page)

Lorge nodded. “Pray for me, sister,” he whispered.

“I will, and you pray for me. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

****

Orva said almost nothing on their return trek to Narvik. The sled was much lighter now, so the reindeer was able to pull it easily over the patchy snow that was left on the tundra. When they arrived at the Bjellands’ house, it didn’t take long to unload Mallory’s things.

As they finished unloading, Mallory said cheerfully, “Thank you so much for bringing me, Orva.”

“You will come back, as you have said?”

“Oh yes, I’ll be back next fall. Before you go, I have a gift for you.”

“For me? What gift?”

Mallory straightened her fingers and removed the opal ring that her parents had given her when she was fifteen. “I want you to have this. When you look at it, think of me.” She had seen Orva looking longingly at the ring many times, and when she handed it to the woman, Orva made no move to take it.

“I can’t take your ring.”

“Of course you can. Here. Let’s see if it will go on your
finger.” She took Orva’s hand and found that the ring fit on her little finger. Orva’s hands were thicker than her own, but the little finger was just right. “There. That ring will remind you of me until I get back.”

Orva dropped her head and could not speak. She looked at the ring and said huskily, “I thank you. I must go now.”

Mallory reached out and hugged the woman, but it was like hugging a post. Mallory kissed her on the cheek and said, “Good-bye, my sister. I’ll see you soon.”

Orva turned away without a word, but not before Mallory saw tears in her eyes. She watched the young Lapp woman walk away, leading the reindeer as she had done throughout their travels together.

With a prayer to God to watch over her and bring Orva safely to Him, Mallory noticed Rolf coming out of the house, followed by his parents.

****

“I’m worried about the Germans,” Rolf said as he and Mallory were taking a walk along the water’s edge at Narvik, watching the fishing boats coming and going. “You’ve been away from civilization and probably don’t have any idea of what’s been going on, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Tell me, Rolf.”

“Hitler’s a crazy man, and nobody seems to be able to stop him. He’s taken Czechoslovakia now, and who knows what’s next.”

Rolf filled her in on the details of all that had happened over the winter, both politically and back at the university. They stood and watched two men unload supplies from their boat.

“Before we go back, I’ve got to talk to you, Mallory.”

“About what?”

“About us.” Reaching out, Rolf took her hand and held it so firmly she could not pull it away. “I know you think I’m just a foolish fellow, but I haven’t been able to think about anything but you.”

“You’re just infatuated, Rolf,” she said quickly. She had a great affection for Rolf, but that was all it was. Now she saw that he was deadly serious about her and wondered almost frantically how she could tell him exactly how she felt without hurting his feelings.

“I want you to marry me,” he said quietly. “I mean it, Mallory. I love you more than I ever thought I’d love a woman.”

Mallory was aware that this was a critical moment, that if she wasn’t careful she could destroy this good friend. She prayed quickly for guidance and then said softly, “Rolf, I’ve never met anyone I’ve felt more comfortable with, but I’m not thinking of marriage. God’s called me to do a work. I’ll be going back to the Lapps next fall, and you wouldn’t be able to go there. You have your work at the university.”

Rolf suddenly pulled her forward and kissed her on the lips. He did it so quickly she could not resist. “I know all about that, but we can make it work.”

Mallory tried to gently extricate herself from his embrace. “But, Rolf, we’ve been talking about how uncertain the world is. With Hitler on the march, who knows what will happen? Why, he could even invade this country.”

“He’d never do that.” Rolf shook his head. “Norway’s neutral like Sweden.”

“I hope you’re right. But the biggest priority in my life is serving Jesus. Is that the biggest thing in your life?”

He blinked with surprise. “Well . . . no.
You’re
the biggest thing in my life.”

“But God should be. Not any individual.”

“I know I’m not a saint like you—”

“I’m not all that saintly,” she interrupted. “I have problems just like you do, and I do care for you. But it’s like a sister feels for her brother.”

“I’m not your brother!” he exclaimed loudly.

They continued to argue the point, and finally Rolf said, “I’ll accept what you are telling me for now, but I’m not giving up.”

They walked back to the Bjellands’ in silence, and Mallory went right to her room and flopped on the bed. Their conversation had exhausted her emotionally. She thought back to the time she had said good-bye to Paul Joubert at the mission compound in Africa. That had been difficult, but not like this.

I’ve got to find some way to make him see that we’re not meant for each other,
she thought.
He needs to find someone his own age and with similar goals in life.

****

Rolf and Mallory made the long drive back to Oslo together, where Eva welcomed her joyously as her roommate for the summer. Rolf was busy with some summer classes at the university but came to see Mallory nearly every day. Once when Mallory and Eva were alone, Mallory had told Eva about her problem with Rolf, and Eva had said, “He’s never been serious about any girl before. Do you think you could ever care for him in that way?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Well, people can change. No one ever really knows about things like that.” Changing the subject, Eva asked, “What will you do now?”

“I’ll get ready to go back to be with the Lapps in the fall. I’ve got big plans. I’m taking some of my shortwave radio equipment back and lots of books for Lorge. I can see God is going to make him a missionary to his own people. He’ll be their first pastor. Then I’ll come back next April in time for your wedding.”

“That seems like such a long time away,” Eva said, giving Mallory a warm embrace. “I can hardly wait for that day.”

****

Mallory discovered that she had lost weight and had worn herself out during her months with the Lapps. As the more temperate summer weeks passed, she spent a lot of time with
her radio. She had brought all of her radio equipment with her from Africa, and she enjoyed tinkering with it and seeing what she could find on the airwaves. She talked with her parents and brothers in Kenya, and she began to collect news from all over the world. The more she listened, the more she learned it was, indeed, a dark hour for most of the world. Hitler’s men were swarming over Europe, and nobody knew where he would stop.

She also spent much time with Sigrid, who was fearful of an invasion. “I’ve got to get away, Mallory. They will execute me for my writings if they invade.”

“If it comes to that, I’ll help you,” Mallory promised. But in her heart she was convinced that Hitler would not invade a neutral country.

Each night she knelt down beside her bed and prayed for the Lapps. She knew that God had sent her there, and she ended every prayer by saying, “God, be with Lorge and with the little church there. They are your people, Lord. Don’t let the wolves come in and destroy them!”

CHAPTER SIX

Invasion

The radio in front of Mallory crackled with a fierce intensity before a voice with a British accent cut through clearly. “The skies over Finland cleared in the past week, and Russian bombers punished civilian populations in Helsinki and elsewhere. Hundreds of Russians were killed in fierce fighting, and Soviet tanks were trapped in the snow and captured. Large numbers of prisoners were taken, and it is reported that Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish volunteers have been fighting with the Finns. The Russians, it is reported, are angry and frustrated, but there is no sign of a letup on the war of Russia against tiny Finland.”

Mallory slowly turned the dial in front of her until she found a dance band playing in Cincinnati, Ohio. She stopped to listen to “You Are My Sunshine,” which, the announcer informed the audience, was sung by Jimmie Davis. Mallory turned the dial again but could get nothing but war news, and all of it was bad. Since the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, which had plunged Europe into war, Russia had thrown its might against Finland, and now the whole world was anxious over the newest atrocities of both Russia and Germany.

Snapping the radio off, Mallory sat back in her chair and absentmindedly took hold of her right hand to turn her ring, a nervous habit she had. She realized the finger was bare and suddenly remembered that the ring was now on Orva’s finger. The thought of the hard young woman grieved her. As
she had promised, Mallory had returned for another winter with the Lapps, where Lorge was doing a fine job as pastor of the fledgling congregation. With Orva’s help, Mallory had taken all of the books she could gather, plus gifts for all of the members of the new congregation. She had tried to convince Orva that Jesus could help her, but Orva had brusquely rejected her, saying, “I don’t need Jesus. I can’t live like your Bible says.”

Mallory had returned to Oslo in time to help Eva with her April ninth wedding. Now the day had come, and as Mallory clipped on her earrings, she could hear the church bells ringing in the distance. She was putting on her lipstick when Eva rushed in, crying frantically, “I can’t find my shoes! Where are they? What could have happened to them?”

“I polished them,” Mallory said quietly. She took Eva by the arm. “You’ve got to calm down. You’ll never make it through your own wedding if you’re this nervous now.”

Eva Jorgensen laughed nervously. “You’re right. I didn’t think it would be like this. I’m scared to death!”

“Now, put all that out of your mind,” Mallory said soothingly. “You’re getting a great husband, and you’re going to have a wonderful honeymoon and raise a sweet family.”

“That’s right,” Eva said, giggling. “I’m acting like a teenager.”

“It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”

“Just you wait. I hope I’m there when you get married. You’ll fall to pieces just like I am.”

“I probably will. I think that’s normal. Come on. I’ll show you where your shoes are, and then we need to leave for the church.”

“Oh, Mallory, I’m so happy!”

“And I’m happy for you, but we’ve got to hurry.”

The two women drove to the church, and it took all of the skill Mallory could muster to keep Eva calm. They entered the church and found the rest of the bridal party waiting for
them. She accompanied Eva to a room set apart for the bride and helped her into her wedding dress.

Mallory stood back while Eva looked at her stunning reflection in the mirror.

“You’re absolutely beautiful!” Mallory said with a sigh. “It’s the most gorgeous wedding dress I’ve ever seen.” The formal white gown had a fitted bodice that was decorated with tiny white pearls and buttoned down the back with two dozen satin-covered buttons. It had a high neckline, and the close-fitting long sleeves ended in a V on top of her hands in a delicately embroidered lace. The full skirt was also decorated with white pearls and flowed into a long train, which was also edged with the embroidered lace. A wreath of fresh flowers held her small veil in place, and it hung down to the middle of her back.

The bridesmaids came in, and there was much giggling and teasing until finally a knock on the door interrupted them, and a voice said, “All right. We’re ready to start.”

Eva looked like a deer caught in the headlights. The bridesmaids filed out, each offering a reassuring comment or a quick kiss on the cheek. Mallory kissed Eva and said, “It’s going to be just beautiful. You’ll see.”

Mallory went through the door, and when her turn came, she walked slowly down the aisle of the old church, which was packed. She took her place in the front, and then when Eva appeared, Mallory breathed a sigh of relief.
She’s going to be all right. She just had the usual bride’s jitters.

She watched as the bride came down the aisle, a smile on her face, and then when Lars Klovstad moved to stand beside her, they made a perfect picture. As the couple exchanged vows, Mallory had to blink the tears away, she was so happy for her friend. Looking out over the congregation, she saw that she was not alone in the happiness she felt for the young couple. Lars and Eva were favorites with everyone, and now as they began their married life, Mallory thought,
May they live happily ever after.

****

The noise of the happy crowd resounded off the wood-paneled walls of the fellowship hall of the church, and the refreshments were disappearing at an alarming rate. The bride and groom stood surrounded by well-wishers, and Mallory turned from a conversation with the bride’s mother to find Rolf at her side.

“Does this give you any ideas, Mallory?”

“What sort of ideas?”

“Well, look how happy they are.” He nodded toward the laughing couple, who were flushed with pleasure. “You and I would be much happier than that.”

Mallory had given up trying to discourage Rolf. She had told him in every way she could think of she was not interested in marriage, but he was persistent. She started to make a joke of it when suddenly a tall man burst into the room, yelling, “Invasion—it’s come!”

The warning brought a stunned silence to the room, and then he cried out, pointing upward, “Parachutists are coming down out of the sky right now!”

Mallory joined the rush to get outside, noting that even Eva in her wedding dress was running toward the door. As soon as she got outside, she looked up, and her heart froze. The roar of planes high overhead sounded like angry bees, and against the blue of the sky, white parachutes were floating down by the thousands.

“German planes,” Rolf said tensely. “They’re coming down at the airport.”

“But Norway’s neutral.”

Rolf shook his head, anger tightening his lips. “Yes, and that’s why they’re able to do this.”