The man lowered his rifle and softened his stance.
“It is all right. He knows the truth.”
The farmer held out his hand to Elisa and helped her to her feet. He said something, his tone pleasant. Adam stood.
“M. Arnaude Cervier wants to know if we would like some breakfast.” Elisa smiled.
“Breakfast?” Adam asked in disbelief, his stomach gnawing on its own emptiness. “I can't think of anything better.” He leveled a serious gaze on Elisa. “Did you tell him you're Jewish?”
“No. But he knows.” She looked down at her son who clung to her legs and spoke to him.
The man smiled and leaned over to tousle Adin's hair. The boy huddled close to his mother. The farmer leveled serious eyes on Elisa and spoke in a somber tone.
“What did he say?” Adam asked.
“Monsieur Cervier wants to help. He and his wife have assisted others like us.”
Silently Adam thanked God. It had felt as if they'd been abandoned, but the Lord had been watching over them.
For two weeks Adam and Elisa worked for the farmer and waited for the help he'd promised. Arnaude Cervier and his wife, Nadine, had hidden many Jews and managed to smuggle them out of the country with the help of others in the resistance. However, German security along the coastline had been tightened. They would have to wait.
Adam and Elisa waited uneasily…always watching for Germans. None came. The waiting was good for Adin. Having more food and a warm bed had brought the color back into his face. He was stronger and even smiled on occasion. Sometimes he chased after chickens or marveled at the eggs they laid. One morning while Adam was milking, Adin watched. Seizing the moment, Adam turned the teat and splashed milk on the youngster's face. Giggling, Adin tumbled backward.
Adam gathered him up in a hug. Remembering his own son, he felt an ache for his home and family. He had to find a way to get back home—soon.
Adam straightened and discovered Elisa watching them. Her arms folded over her chest, she wore a smile that touched her eyes. “You are good for him.” The smile faded. “I have not seen him play like that since his father was arrested.”
Adam set Adin on his feet. “When was that?”
“Eleven months ago.”
“Eleven months? How have you made it?”
“I do what I must. We stay here and there, eat from the garbage pails and pig troughs. We sleep where it is dry.” She studied her hands. “And now, God has smiled on us. We will have our freedom and maybe even go to America.”
“I hope so, Elisa,” Adam said, tenderness for the woman welling up. He felt a compulsion to hold her and tell her the world could be beautiful and that everything would turn out fine. He wanted to make things right for her and for Adin.
His eyes slid from her face to the subtle curves beneath her simple cotton dress. They lingered a moment, then returned to her face. Her freshly washed hair hung in thick waves over her shoulders, framing unblemished pale skin and deep brown eyes. There was something hauntingly beautiful about her. He knew he should look away, but she drew him.
All of a sudden his mind returned to Laurel. He could see her and the hurt she'd feel if she knew his thoughts. This was a betrayal.
“I better get this milk into the house,” he said. “They'll be wondering if I'm making butter.” He hefted the pail and walked to the door. Elisa remained in the doorway. Adam stopped. “I have to get the milk in,” he said and brushed past her.
Chapter 14
“IT IS TIME TO EAT,” CALLED NADINE. “COME IN.”
Adam understood enough to know the gist of what she'd said. He finished sorting through the dirt and roots in his hands and dropped hard round potatoes into a bucket, then shoved a pitchfork into the earth. He left it standing like a sentry. “I'm starved.”
“Me too,” said Elisa, dusting off her hands.
Arnaude pushed a wheelbarrow piled with potatoes toward the root cellar and parked it beside the stairway.
Adam and Elisa headed for the house. Adin slipped around Nadine and ran to his mother. “Maman,” he cried, his arms uplifted.
“Bonjour,” Elisa said tenderly and scooped up the boy, speaking lovingly to him in French.
Adam followed Elisa and Adin into the house, wishing they were Laurel and William and that they were gathering together at home in Palmer. Standing alongside Elisa, he washed at the kitchen sink.
The children had found seats at the table, and the cottage smelled of freshly baked bread and cooking vegetables. It conjured up images of home.
“Asseyez vous,” Nadine said, nodding toward a chair.
Adam now understood some of the language and gladly obeyed, sitting across from the Cervier girls. Their blue eyes smiling, they studied him, still curious about the American in their midst. “Smells good,” Adam said.
Elisa sat beside Adam, and Arnaude settled his thickset body at the head of the table. He'd rolled his shirtsleeves up to the elbows and had scrubbed his arms. Taking his wife's hand, he bowed his head and prayed.
After the soup had been ladled out and bread passed around, Arnaude settled a serious gaze on Elisa and spoke soberly.
“What did he say?” Adam asked.
Elisa's dark eyes had turned hopeful. “He said some people will help us escape...next week.”
“Where are we going?”
Elisa turned to Arnaude and repeated Adam's question.
