“Okay,” Anna said. “But—”
“But what?” he asked, his voice impatient.
Anna swallowed.Harbor your heart, Norbie’s voice echoed in her mind. “If you want to ensure her recovery, she should continue under my care, day and night.”
He flicked ash from his cigarette.
“With all due respect, Herr Fleck,” Emmi said, “sleeping on the cold ground might cause a setback with her paws.”
“Very well.” Fleck looked at Anna. “Since you insist on saving this dog, I expect you to feed her with your own food.”
I’m already feeding her our rations, Anna thought, but held her tongue. “Ja, sir.”
Fleck turned and left the building.
“Danke,” Anna said.
“You did most of the persuading,” Emmi said.
Anna hugged her. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Of course you could.” Emmi released Anna and smiled. “But it’s nice to feel needed.”
The clopping of hooves compelled them to step to the doorway. In the courtyard, a horse-drawn wagon slowed to a stop. The driver helped a man, holding a cane and wearing a gray uniform bare of military insignias, out of the wagon. His eyes were dark and motionless, and scars covered his brows and cheekbones.
“That must be Paul Feyen,” Anna said.
“Ja,” Emmi said. “They always look so young.”
Anna nodded.
Nia hobbled to Anna and nudged her hand with her nose.
Anna stroked Nia’s head. Her tension eased.
Fleck greeted Paul with a handshake, and then introduced him to the trainers and several guide dogs. A smile spread over Paul’s face as he patted a dog.
“You think Fleck will introduce us?” Anna asked.
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on it.” Emmi retrieved a shovel and began cleaning a stall.
Nia stared at the group in the yard.
Anna kneeled to Nia and whispered, “Someday, you’ll be helping a veteran like him.”
Nia wagged her tail.
She ran her fingers through the dog’s fur. “We’re going to practice every night. You will learn everything the other dogs are doing. And when you’re well, there will be no chance of Fleck expelling you from school.”
CHAPTER11
OLDENBURG, GERMANY—OCTOBER1, 1916
Anna retrieved a harness from a hook on the barn wall and approached Nia, standing on all four paws.
“You’ve made good progress over the past two months,” Anna said, patting the dog on the head. “But you have much to accomplish to become a guide dog.”
Nia wagged her tail.
