Neither her mother nor Dr. Grafton could have foreseen where those gifts would take Chaisley, but her friend had faced life with a smile.And her music.
That amazing music.
“When I hired your mother to come teach Chais twenty years ago, I had no idea she would become my best friend and how I would adore you as my own daughter—just like Chaisley.” His voice caught as he gazed down at her.
Why was his smile so sad?
“Melanie, I know you’re scared. Especially since you know who your father was—and because you have family in Germany.”
At the mention of her father, her stomach lurched, and she placed a hand over her mouth. She didn’t have any good memories of the man, and the few stories her mother shared when she was older were enough to reinforce in Melanie’s mind that he’d been an evil man.
“Frankly, after reading that little girl’s letter and hearing about what the Nazis are doing, I would be terrified to go back myself. But I know Almighty God. No matter the evil those sinful people are perpetrating, He is still a loving God—waiting for hearts to turn to Him. For five years we’ve watched the Nazis escalate Hitler’s plan. He might have fooled a great deal of the world during the Olympics, but his actions ever since have only convinced me that we are headed toward another world war. And many more lives are at stake. I fear the more power he attains, the more people he will eliminate. Especially the Jews.”
He shook his head and looked back at her with a sad smile. “My apologies, Mel.” He covered her shaking hands with one of his. “I tend to get worked up as I understand more about what is happening. I don’t want you or Chaisley to worry, but that’s why I’ve done a great deal of traveling the past couple years and will be doing much more. My practice here will be run by others while I continue my work abroad. I need to help.”
“Help?” She swallowed hard. “With what?” It was awful enough to know she’d have to go back to Germany, but why did dear Dr. Grafton have to go? He was supposed to stay back in England where it was safe.
He patted her hands and looked straight ahead. “It is our duty as believers to do everything we can to stand against evil and speak truth. Share the gospel. For me, that means helping the hurting. Just like God has given Chais the gift of music, He gave me the gift of healing others. In that, I’ve made connections all over Europe. Many of us have been meeting in secret for some time now to help—and not just the sick and dying.” He waveda hand. “The details right now don’t matter. In due time, you’ll understand. But I do have something very important to give you. Well, two very important somethings.” He grinned and pulled out a well-worn envelope and a clean and crisp one. “The older one is from your mother. She asked me to give it to you after your twenty-fifth birthday, whenever you needed it most. Since I don’t know what it says, that made it difficult for me to decide on the when part, but this is the first time I’ve seen you need it. That must mean it is time.
“If you’d like to read it in private, that’s fine, I simply wanted you to have it. Things haven’t been the same since we lost your mother, but I’m here for you.” He released the envelope into her grasp.
“Thank you.” Her mother’s loopy script spelled out her name. Melanie ran her hand over it and let out a shaky breath. She gazed up at him, willing the tears to melt away. “And the other?”
Dr. Grafton sat up a little straighter. “This next one must be kept secret. Only you, Chaisley, Celestia, and I can know about the contents.”
Her eyes widened. What could it be?
He held out the envelope but kept a grip on it. “In this envelope is a list of contacts. An established network across Europe that I have been building for years. These people are willing to lay down their lives to help others. I ask you to guard this with your life. Memorize it if you can.”
“But ...” She laid the envelope in her lap and stared at it.
“Melanie...”
She met his gaze. What she saw there haunted her. Then like the weight of a heavy blanket, the gravity of the situation settled on her shoulders.
“Let me be blunt. Hitler and the Nazis took control of Austria a few days ago. I know that information hasn’t been widespread here yet, and you have probably been too busy preparing for the trip tokeep up with the news. While Hitler has not kept it secret that he wants to rule the world, his propaganda has kept secret what hereallywants to do. He’s trying to convince people that what the Nazis are doing is good—that they have no ill intentions. That he can turn the economy around and make life abundant again. But things are happening across Europe that are pure evil. Most people don’t want to acknowledge that they are true because we’re all still recovering from the Great War and this awful financial depression.”
Melanie pressed a hand to her chest. The last time Dr. G’s face was this grim was when her mother passed away. The heaviness pressed harder on her, making it difficult to breathe.
“There are those who see the truth of what is going on. If the world stands up to Hitler and his Nazis, then war will be upon us. I believe we are a long way off from that—most likely years away—but I simply want you to be prepared. Your safety, and Chaisley’s, is of utmost importance.” He tapped the envelope. “Fear will want to be our constant companion in the coming days, but we have the Lord. Remind yourself that fear is not from Him. Trust in that and in God. You contact whoever is closest to you in time of need, understood?”
She studied him. Could things really be as dire as he made it sound? She hoped and prayed it wasn’t. Not just for their safety, but for her own sanity. Then it hit her. “When you said help the hurting, you said more than just the sick and dying. You’re not just going to check on clinics and work with colleagues, are you?”
A slow shake of his head accompanied the softening of his eyes. “I’ve got to help.”
Help whom? Why was he being vague? Was he putting himself in danger?
“If you see anything that can be done to help, you let me know.”
There it was again. “Help? Help whom?” Her mind swirled. What was Dr. Grafton expecting of them while on a continental tour?
He held up a hand. “You and Chaisley can have that conversation if the need arises. Right now, it’s best if you two don’t know everything.”
“Is she aware of any of this?” She waved the envelope around.
He shook his head. “No. There was much I didn’t even understand until her grandmother opened my eyes the past year or so. It was then that I solidified this”—he tapped the envelope again—“and we—fellow medical workers and I—agreed to do what we can. We all took an oath as doctors to the sanctity of life, and as believers in Almighty God, we have a calling. I don’t know what God might ask us to do, but we can’t pretend we don’t know what we know. You two have an opportunity to minister to people and see and hear what is really going on across Europe. I’m sure if the need becomes more urgent, Celestia will keep you informed. She will probably share more when you see her anyway.”
Her stomach flipped over itself and she stared out at the garden.
