Thrown to the Wolves (The Faith in Peril Trilogy) (17 page)

“Just rest until tomorrow morning. Then we’ll be home.” The afternoon had drifted away, as a misty dimness encroached, bit-by-bit.

“I found berries,” said Daniel, who had returned. “I know we can’t make a fire, but at least these will do.” He gave them to me. “I’m getting more.” Pointing at Anna, he said, “Please be careful. Don’t put your full weight on that foot.”

“I won’t.” She hopped towards me, keeping her left leg up. “I want some.”

“Here, you are. I’m going to help pick berries.”

“All right.”

I joined Daniel and Jacob in the search for food, finding more berries, which I held in my apron, while wandering around and gathering more. I had amassed an impressive collection, as had Daniel and Jacob. The berries were on the tart side, but edible all the same. It was enough to keep us alive. The fruit coupled with the water from the leaves, helped to satisfy my belly, although I yearned for meat and bread, my mouth watering at the thought of mashed potatoes smothered in a hearty sauce … but it was not meant to be, at least not tonight.

When we had finished foraging, we settled into the shelter, finding it slightly warmer than the elements, but still damp and rank, as the earth smelled pungently from wetness. Anna and Jacob had taken the rock wall again, leaving Daniel and I near the leafy branches. I sat with my arms over my knees, staring at nothing in particular, while Daniel picked at the dirt with his knife in an aimless fashion. There was no cure for the utter boredom—the tedium of having to wait for nightfall and evening prayers.

I felt his eyes on me, casting him a sideways glance. He grinned, his gaze lowering to my mouth. My sister and brother had their eyes closed, while resting against the rock. They leaned together, their shoulders touching. When I stared at my feet again, Daniel had carved a picture into the dirt. Something flipped over in my chest; the shock of seeing his drawing and its impact were immediate. He had made a large heart, and within the outline were our initials.

I gathered the courage to look at him again, finding his smile mischievous. I reached for his hand, taking the knife, which he gave over freely. An eyebrow shot up, as if asking silently if I intended to harm him. Knowing what I planned to do set my heart racing, and a playful grin tugged at the edges of my mouth. I dragged the shiny blade on either side of the heart, making what looked like an arrow. Satisfied with my handiwork, I gave him the knife, placing it in his hand.

He stared at the addition, saying nothing, but the message had been clear. I would seriously consider courting him. Shifting, he gently knocked my knee with his own, while smiling infectiously. Not being able to resist, I returned the favor. We continued this playful behavior for quite some time, staring at each other, yet not saying a thing, while my brother and sister rested. This exchange had lightened my mood, lifting my spirits higher than I ever thought possible, leaving me with the feeling of walking upon clouds. Despite the cold and dreary day, the rain pouring down around us, I had found an unexpected heaven, and I never wanted it to end.

Chapter Thirteen

We slept that night in the tiny shelter, with Anna and Jacob on either side of me, while Daniel sat near the rock, his long legs stretched out nearly to the other end of the enclosure. Because of the packed dirt floor, there wasn’t a part of me that did not feel filthy. My skin itched up and down my back and legs, and I longed to change clothes and have a bath. It felt as if grime was trapped beneath my stockings, and I was certain I would find it there once I was home.

Despite being damp and uncomfortable, I did manage to sleep, although I woke on and off, listening to the sounds of animals howling in the distance, knowing the wolves made the noise. An owl was nearby too, hooting repetitively for hours.

In the morning, Anna and I found a source of water, although it was hardly a creek, more like a puddle. “I’m so filthy,” she muttered. “I’ve never been this dirty in my life.”

She had walked freely today, which added to my feeling of gladness. We would be home in a few hours. “This shall all pass soon enough. Your foot seems better.”

“It is, but it’s sore. I don’t care. I’m walking today, and no one can stop me. I feel awful enough we had to spend another night here.” She tossed water on her face. “I’m starving.”

“Me too.”

“Why are you smiling? What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing.” I rinsed my hands, trying to clean the fingernails.

“You like him a great deal, don’t you?”

I knew whom she referred to, but I remained coy. “Pardon?”

“Daniel. You’ve grown closer. I suppose one good thing came out of the rain. It forced us together.”

Something had shifted, that much was true. “I’ve forgiven him for what he did, not just in words, but I can feel it.” This revelation did not displease me.

“It’s not up to you to forgive, but I’m glad you moved past it.”

“He’s going to write Oliver and apologize. It’s all that can be done now. It may never reach him.”

“If Oliver is alive even. We don’t know what happened to the family.”

“Yes, that's what I mean.”

“But what about Daniel? Will you court him now?”

I tried to suppress a grin, but it emerged anyhow. “I believe so.”

She sighed dramatically. “Well, thank the Lord. This shall finally put everyone out of their misery.” She beamed. “You’re well-suited.”

I found it impossible to argue with that statement. “It seems that way.” Something snapped behind us, prompting me to look over my shoulder. “Good morning.”

Daniel smiled broadly, looking handsome despite his messy hair and bleary eyes. “It is a great morning, isn’t it?”

Anna sighed dramatically. “Oh, gracious. I hope the walk’s not long today. I don’t know how much more of this I can stand.”

“Stop it,” I chastised, although I wasn’t offended in the least.

“That water’s hardly drinkable,” said Daniel, kneeling to wash his face.

“No, it isn’t,” I agreed. “I’ve been using the leaves on the trees. Rainwater’s better than a stagnant puddle.”

“That’s what I’ll do.” He washed quickly, wetting his arms and neck, while Anna got to her feet, limping away. “How’s the foot?”

“It’s sore, but this shall not stop me. We’re walking as soon as we can. I’m nearly dizzy with hunger.”

“Drink more water,” I advised. “The leaves will provide.”

“I will.”

Jacob stood in the distance, examining a bush, looking for berries. “Will it be many hours, do you think?”

“Yes, I’m afraid.” He sat next to me, with his knees upward. “Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough.”

“We might not have another chance to talk like this. I wanted to ask you something.”

“What?”

“Will you let me court you?”

I had been expecting the question, yet I could not stop the way my heart raced hearing it again. “Yes, Daniel.”

“Even though I did something that upset you terribly all those years ago?”

“I’ve forgiven you, but it wasn’t really my place. I’m sorry I judged you so harshly.”

“I deserved it. My behavior was appalling.”

“But no one’s perfect. We all make mistakes. I’m willful and prideful, and I’ve no right to pass judgment.”

“But you saw something you disliked, and that’s a legitimate feeling. You shouldn’t have to deal with people you despise.”

“I don’t feel that way anymore,” I murmured.

“How do you feel?”

Oh, my goodness. That was a rather blunt question. These emotions were so new, so foreign; I had barely had the time to assess them properly. “I’m … I … I’ve never felt this way. I don’t know how to classify it.”

“Is it a good feeling?”

I glanced at him, noting he looked worried, hanging on my every word, and terrified I might reject him. “It’s good.”

“Could you see yourself married to me?”

“Daniel! We’ve not even courted yet.”

“If I have to wait a year and a half to be with you, I’ll go mad.”

“But patience is a virtue,” I countered, teasing him.

He grimaced. “Not in this instance.”

“They’ll want us to court to be sure our feelings aren’t fleeting and superficial. You know as well as I do that marriage is forever.”

“It would be unfortunate to be trapped with someone incompatible.”

“That’s why we must wait. Mam told me sometimes it takes years to truly get to know someone.”

“I’ll only be able to see you every other week.” He sighed. “It’s not fair.”

“We’re neighbors. I’m sure we’ll meet on the road a time or two.”

He groaned, lowering his head. “I wish they’d make an exception.”

I touched his hand. “It’s for the best. If it’s God’s will that we’re joined, then we will be. We’ll have the rest of our lives together.”

His fingers closed around mine, and he brought my hand to his mouth, kissing it. “I adore you, Rebekah.”

“Oh, Daniel.”

“It’ll be agony having to wait, but I’m willing to do it. I’ve been trying to court you for two years. What’s another year?”

“I’ve wasted so much time.” If I had only known how I would feel now, we could have already been married.

“No. You needed to know your own mind. We needed this time to talk, so we could clear the air and the bad feelings. I’m grateful you were lost in the woods, because I was able to find you. We might’ve missed something very special otherwise.”

He had assessed the situation in an interesting way. “True.” He had yet to let go of my hand. “If it’s any consolation, the walk home will be rather slow.”

He smiled slightly. “Your sister can’t walk any faster; that’s for certain.”

“Then we have more time.” I felt reluctant to get up, not wanting the moment to end, enjoying every second I spent with Daniel, but I knew we had to leave. He seemed to have more on his mind.

“I knew you were the one, even before I truly knew you. Talking to you like this, it confirms everything.”

“There’s a thin line between love and hate, isn’t there? I always thought I hated you, even though I shouldn’t hate anyone.”

“You kept the flowers.”

“My sister has a very big mouth, but, yes, I did.”

“You didn’t hate me then.”

“Perhaps I just like flowers,” I said, teasingly. His grin made me smile too.

“Then from this day forward we’ll start again. A new beginning.”

“Yes.”

“Are you certain? You’re not just grateful I recued you, are you? You don’t have to be kind to me out of a sense of duty or obligation.”

“I’m very grateful, Daniel. I see now that it was God’s plan. We’re all exactly where we should be. None of this was an accident.” I added meaningfully, “It’s not duty or obligation. That’s not what I’m feeling.”

“There are quite a few people searching for you right now, yet I was the only one who came in this direction. I asked Him for guidance, and He brought me here. I’m certain of it.”

“He’s never wrong then.” I had a thought. “It’s almost like He sent me my husband.”

Daniel squeezed my hand. “He did.” Overcome with emotion, my eyes flooded with tears, which mortified me. “Why the sadness?”

“I’m not sad. I’m just … so happy. I never thought I’d be this happy starving and dirty, but that almost doesn’t matter. This is the most remarkable thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“
Ich liebe dich
.”

It seemed far too early to declare such strong emotions, but I could not deny them. “I love you too.”

He got to his feet, bringing me with him. “Then let’s tell the world.”

I glanced at the trees over my head, glimpsing the blue of the sky between the branches. A new day had dawned, and we had survived our ordeal, although poor Molly was lost forever. We’d had an unexpected adventure, which had opened the door to my future.

Daniel held my hand, leading me back to the shelter, where Anna and Jacob had knelt to pray. They had gathered a small bunch of berries, which filled two broad leaves. We knelt beside them while Daniel led the morning prayer. After we recited the Lord’s Prayer, we shared the simple offering, although it hardly satisfied my hunger. Then we drank what fluid we could from the trees, going from leaf to leaf; the small droplets were enough to alleviate thirst.

After we set out on the day’s journey, Daniel walked before us, while Anna and I followed, with Jacob bringing up the rear. He carried a sharpened stick, while Daniel held the rifle, traversing diligently over plants and grasses. When we came upon another orange ribbon, the gladness I felt brought a smile to my face. Daniel knew exactly where we were and what direction to continue in.

The dew of morning had dampened the bottom of my dress, the strips of material hanging and filthy. My apron was stained in many places, as was Anna’s. Jacob’s pants were dirty, his shirt stained, and his face filthy. We all needed baths. I longed for food, my belly rumbling distractingly. Jacob began to sing, “Jesus Liebt die Kleine Kinder” and we joined along, the harmony helping to pass the time in an enjoyable manner. I wasn’t certain how far we had gone, yet Anna continued to walk, using the sturdy branches for support, but limping noticeably.

Daniel stopped abruptly, his neck stiffening.

“What is it?” I asked. He held up a hand for quiet, and we all halted, standing amongst the trees, listening.

“I thought I heard something.”

I glanced at Jacob; his attention remained on the forest. “Did you hear anything?”

“It’s not what I heard,” he murmured. “I feel like I’m being watched. Got goose bumps on my arms.”

Anna glanced at me. “It’s very quiet now, isn’t it? There were birds before.”

Annoyed that we had been delayed, I said, “Can’t we go on? I don’t want to stand here like this. I’d rather be home.”

Daniel nodded, but his expression remained alert and thoughtful. “We’ll continue, but keep an eye out. I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s out there.”

“Animals,” I said. “Rabbits, squirrels, foxes, and the like. It’s the woods.”

“All right. No singing for a while. Let’s just go as quietly as possible.” He strode forward, gripping the rifle, while we followed.