Wartime Brides Collection

Chapter Two

Chapter TwoNoreen stood and stared out the window. The April rains thrummed against the windowpanes blurring the view to a kaleidoscope of colors. Behind her, Edmund coughed in his fevered sleep. His condition had worsened since arriving at his parent’s home.

She turned toward him and dropped into the chair next to the bed. Pressing her hand to his forehead, she held her breath. His skin was clammy and hot. She stroked his cheek, and he moaned. His hands gripped the covers, and his head jerked away from her touch.

“It’s okay, Edmund. I’m here.” Reaching into the bucket on the floor, she wrung out the small towel soaking in the water. She laid the cool cloth on his brow, and he sighed. His breath rattled in his chest.

Won’t you heal him, Heavenly Father? He served his country, and he served you. Our boys need their father. Are those reasons enough to warrant Your mercy, or is there some promise You are trying to extract from me? I will do anything for You, if You’ll save my husband.

Thunder rumbled. Lightning flashed.

Noreen jumped to her feet and peered outside at the sky. Is that You, Lord? Are You trying to tell me something?

Footsteps pounded on the stairs. The door flew open, and Conrad stood in the entryway. His blond hair spiked around his face. His wide-eyed gaze flew to the motionless form of his father.

“Mutti? Großmutter says Thor is coming for Vati. She says the storm is his way of covering his tracks.”

“That’s nonsense.” Noreen clamped her lips shut and held out her arms. Conrad crossed the room in a flash and grasped her in a stifling hug. Her mother-in-law’s superstitions had given her son many a nightmare over the years, but she shouldn’t denigrate Edmund’s mother.

Noreen stroked Conrad’s back and listened to her son’s broken words. “But Vati is going to die, isn’t he? Maybe not tonight, but soon. He’s not getting any better, and the doctors can’t seem to do anything for him.”

She swallowed past the lump that had formed in her throat. Searching her mind for something to assuage Conrad’s fears, she gripped him tighter. Tears trickled down her cheeks and soaked his flannel shirt.

Conrad’s sobbing abated, and Noreen pulled away. She squared her shoulders then pulled up his chin with her finger and gazed into his red-rimmed eyes. “Your father would not want us to grieve this way. He is going to meet his Savior. He will no longer suffer from the pain in his lungs. Here on earth, he has to fight for every breath he takes. It won’t be like that in heaven.” You are tearing my heart out, Lord. Do You know that? What good could possibly come from this? A boy needs his father. She shuddered. And I need my husband.

Lips trembling, Conrad nodded.

“Conrad, supper is ready. Come, eat.” Edmund’s mother shouted at them from the bottom of the stairs. Her gruff voice grated in Noreen’s ears.

Noreen kissed Conrad’s cheek, then jerked her head toward the door. “Go. She will only get louder if you don’t join her.”

“But I’m not hungry.”

“I know, but you must make an effort for her. She is also grieving. After all, she is going to lose her only son.”

Conrad trudged from the room, his footsteps fading as he descended the stairs.

Noreen spun on her heel and hastened to the bedside. She studied Edmund’s ashen face. It was a wonder he hadn’t awakened at the sound of their voices. Lowering herself to the chair she cradled his hand in hers and laid her head next to his on the pillow.

j

Noreen awoke with a start. She lifted her head and looked around the room. The house was silent, and darkness had fallen outside the window. The rain no longer beat against the window. Next to the bed, the lamp gave off a tentative glow.

“I love you.”

Her gaze shot to Edmund’s face. His sapphire-colored eyes were open and clouded with pain. She released his hand and put her fingers to his mouth. “Don’t try to talk. It will only tire you.”

He shook his head. “I’m running. . .out of time. . .There are things. . .say to you. You must. . .listen.”

She caressed his face, willing her fingers to remember every contour. Her chest ached, and her eyelids prickled with unshed tears. Unable to speak, she nodded.

“I haven’t been much. . .of a husband. . .to you. And I’m. . .sorry for. . .that.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head. “Let me. . .finish. I love you. . . more than life. . .itself. And I know you. . .love me, but you must. . .remarry.”

“No. Never.” Noreen set her mouth in a thin line.

“I know God has plans. . .for you. He will take care. . .of you. Have faith, Schatzi. Watch over. . .our boys.”

Tears tumbled down her cheeks. He was always the strong one, the faithful one. Not her.

Edmund squeezed her hand in a vise-like grip and moaned.

Then his breathing ceased.

He was gone.

Noreen laid her head on his chest and wept.

Berlin, Germany, 1933