Heritage of Darkness (40 page)
When dawn came Roelke had yet to figure that out. Chloe stirred,
touched his cheek. “Have you slept at all?” she whispered.
“I can’t.”
“Roelke.” She raised herself on one elbow. “You’ll have lots of
time to figure out how to carry all this. But now, it’s time for you to rest. I’ll keep watch for a while.”
“It’s not your job to—”
“Sometimes, it is.” Her voice was low but firm. She kissed him
gently before easing back down.
Soft morning light spilled through the curtains. Roelke tight-
ened one arm around his girlfriend, and let himself drift off to
sleep.
340
Rosemaled Bowl, Telemark Style
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
Goat Head (Julebukk)
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
341
Chip Carved Mangle (Mangletre)
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
Mangle Carving Detail
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
342
Message Tube (Budstikke)
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
Message Tube Open
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
343
Calendar Stick (Primstav)
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
Calendar Stick Detail
(Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa)
344
acknowledgments
Heartfelt thanks to Alison Dwyer, Collections Manager at Vester-
heim Norwegian-American Museum, for assistance with artifacts,
photographs, and a myriad of other details. Thanks also to Ken
Koop and Martha Griesheimer for welcoming me at special events.
I am enormously indebted to
all
Vesterheim staff and volunteers for their assistance and support as this book developed.
I’m grateful to my patient and inspiring rosemaling instruc-
tors, Gold Medalists Joanne MacVey and Patti Goke; and Educa-
tion Specialists Diane Weston and Darlene Fossum-Martin, whose
work does so much to preserve traditions and enrich the lives of
students. Huge thanks also to Ellen Macdonald, chip carver
extraordinaire, for sharing her love of the art.
Chief Bill Nixon of the Decorah Police Department and Jerry
Thompson, formerly of the Decorah Fire Department, were kind
enough to answer questions. I appreciate their help.
Huge thanks to Andrea Cascardi, and to everyone at Transat-
lantic Literary; and to Terri Bischoff and the Midnight Ink team.
I’m lucky to have many friends involved with Project Chloe,
and I thank you all: Laurie Rosengren, editorial assistance; Kay
Klubertanz, photography; Bruce Wachholtz and the Cedar Creek
team, website development; Tom Micksch, video editing; Alisha
Rapp and the Prairie Café crew, cakes and mochas; and Katie
Mead and Robert Alexander, who made provided the perfect
retreat. Special thanks to my extended family, and to Scott
Meeker—partner in all things.
345
If any readers are interested in learning more about the historic
roots of Norwegian Christmas customs, I highly recommend
Keeping Christmas: Yuletide Traditions in Norway and the New
Land
, by Kathleen Stokker ( Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001).
346
rnst
athleen E
erold © K
Geri G
about the author
Kathleen Ernst is a novelist, social historian, and educator. She
moved to Wisconsin in 1982 to take an interpreter job at Old
World Wisconsin, and later served as a Curator of Interpretation
and Collections at the historic site.
Heritage of Darkness
is Kathleen’s fourth Chloe Ellefson mystery. Her historical fiction for children and young adults includes eight historical mysteries. Honors for her fiction include Edgar
and Agatha nominations.
Kathleen lives and writes in Middleton, Wisconsin, and still
visits historic sites every chance she gets! She also blogs about the relationship between fiction and museums at www.sitesandstories
.wordpress.com. Learn more about Kathleen and her work at
www.kathleenernst.com.
