She looked at him. “It feels strange not having the opportunity to meet them.”
“It’s temporary,” he said. “After the war—when we’re living in Frankfurt—you’ll see them often, perhaps more frequently than you would like.”
How can I leave the school when there are so many veterans who will be in need of a guide dog?She buried her thought and said, “I assume Vater has already invited you to stay here with us.”
“He did, and I accepted. But perhaps in a few days, I could get a room at the boardinghouse, like my last visit. It will give us time to be alone.”
Anna wiggled her toes inside her boots, attempting to dispel divergent feelings rising in her chest.
“I’ve missed you,” he said.
“I’ve missed you, too, and I want us to have time together.” Her heart rate accelerated. “But I’m unable to take time away from work, and I should be here for Max and Nia. I’ve made a commitment to them, and the guide dog school.”
Bruno rubbed stubble on his jowls.
“Are you upset with me?”
“Nein.” He held her hand and looked into her eyes. “I want things to be the way they were.”
“Me too.”But what if it’s not the same?
Bruno caressed her hand and paused, touching her bare ring finger.
“If I had known when you were arriving,” she said, “I would have worn my engagement ring. I usually store it in a keepsake box while I’m working, but I’ll wear it while you’re here.”
He nodded, and then glanced toward the sound of chatter in the kitchen. “We have much catching up to do, and it would be nice for us to have privacy.”
“We can create a bit of privacy here,” she said.
“We will,” he said. “But in the event that we can get away, even for a few hours, I’ll have a room available for us.”
Anna picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, then nodded.
Norbie and Max—guided by Nia—entered the room but didn’t sit.
“We thought that we’d say good night before we head off to bed,” Norbie said.
Anna straightened her back. “But it’s early.”
“The rich food has made us sleepy,” Norbie said, rubbing his belly. “Right, Max?”
“Ja,” Max said.
“But you haven’t played the piano,” Anna said. “And we need to work on finishing your composition.”
“Tomorrow,” Max said. “Tonight, you and Bruno will catch up on lost time.”
“Danke,” Bruno said.
“You’re welcome,” Max said. “But could you do me a favor?”
“Of course,” Bruno said.
“I want you to take my room instead of Norbie’s.”
Norbie turned to Max. “But I’ve already made plans to sleep on the cot in my workshop.”
“I insist.” Max patted Nia, standing next to him. “Besides, it’ll make it easier for me to take Nia out to the garden to do her business.”
