Melanie was still writing information down, and Rick didn’t see anyone nefarious around. But it was dark. Someone could be in the shadows.
Chaisley leaned forward and whispered something.
Her strength of late amazed him. Over the brief time he’d known her, he’d watched her bloom. Even under the pressure of all she poured into each performance. She indeed gave people hope and inspired them.
And then there was Section D. The order was simple: “to plan, prepare, and when necessary carry out sabotage and other clandestine operations, as opposed to the gathering of intelligence.”
This addition to his job while he was Chaisley’s driver complicated matters. When they were in Germany, he was to gather as much information as he could on how the Nazis were using the railways. And if he had a chance to plan sabotage of communications or electricity, he was to put things in place for that. Another agent was tasked with Germany’s agriculture and food supplies.
The SIS scrambled to replace agents, contacts, and informants. But they needed more people on the front lines and fast. During the cease in communications—he’d felt completely in the dark. Now that information was flowing again, he prayed each day for the recent dwindling numbers to turn around and surge upward.
Hitler and his Nazi regime were growing exponentially. Any day could be the start of a new war.
His heart sank a little as he watched Chaisley. How could he leave her? In the months he’d spent with her and Melanie, their kindness and compassion had captivated him. Challenged his own faith. And only strengthened his resolve to help their cause. To do whatever he could to help the innocents she was quietly helping to escape. But he was still a spy. And he had an obligation to his country.
Was there a possibility he could help them through his job? Hescratched the side of his jaw.What is Your will here, Lord? I don’t know what to do.
When the women reached the last person waiting to speak with them, he moved closer and then escorted them back to the auto. The car was quiet as he drove them back to the hotel. It had been a full night. They had to be exhausted.
Once they were in their suite of rooms, which Chaisley insisted upon now to help Melanie feel safe and protected, Melanie excused herself for the night. Chaisley ensconced herself on the couch, her feet tucked up under her and a blanket over her lap.
He eyed her from his stance near the front door. “You should get some rest.”
“You shouldn’t worry overmuch. You know it takes me a bit to unwind after a concert.” The soft smile on her face was relaxed. Comfortable. “If you’ve got some time to sit and chat, I’d like the company.”
An invitation too tempting to refuse.
He took a seat across from her and propped his feet up on the coffee table.
“Please remove your shoes, Mr. Zimmerman. We don’t want to scratch the fine wood.”
He winced. Caught again. “Sorry.”
“It’s quite all right.” Her smile broadened. “I have to give you a hard time. Everyone mother-hens me, it’s about time I do the same.”
After he removed his shoes and wiggled his toes around, it was amazing how much his body relaxed. He let out a sigh.
“See? Much better, isn’t it?” Her voice was lighter than he’d heard it in days.
“Much.” And it was. But his relief had everything to do with the beautiful woman opposite him.
Chaisley’s smile was wide. “We haven’t had a chance to talk lately, and I’m sorry for that. I didn’t want you to think I was still upset with you.”
The admission did his heart a world of good. “I’ve been worried that I’d ruined things between us.”
“No. You didn’t.” Her face softened as she dipped her chin. “I don’t want to lose your friendship.”
That perked him up. And the pink that entered her cheeks made him smile. “Your friendship means a great deal to me as well.”
She was silent for several moments. He loved the way her fingers delicately played on her lap whatever melody was in her mind. The way her long eyelashes brushed the top of her cheeks when she blinked. Did she have any idea what a stunning woman she was?
“So tell me, Rick... do you have dreams for your future?”
His eyebrows quirked upward. She wanted to know abouthisdreams? He plucked a thread off his pants. How could he express what he wasn’t even sure about himself? “Well ... at this point, my dreams are to survive whatever is coming. When I think of what we all went through during the Great War, the thought of another is awful. But I fear it will be much worse and that has squashed any thoughts of my own dreams.”
She tipped her head to the side, a soft smile lifting one corner of her mouth. “Surely you must still have hopes for the future.”
He did. What would her reaction be if he told her he wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything. That he didn’t care what the future held as long as she was in it in some way. But he couldn’t dare admit that out loud. Best to turn the question back to her. “What about you and your dreams?”
