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“Seems strange to lump us together.” Leah remembered Randolph’s conversation with Mr. Aubert. “Something happened last night that I can’t quite stop thinking about.”

“Do tell.”

Leah leaned her elbows on the desk and steepled her fingers. “A friend of Randolph’s made an appearance at the restaurant just as we were finishing. He came to speak to Randolph, and they conversed in French. Apparently, Randolph doesn’t realize I speak French. They spoke of sneaking some ship into a port, but didn’t say where or what it would contain. I presume they are trying to get supplies and food into Belgium. It was all very secretive, and they seemed to completely forget where they were.”

“Goodness, what intrigue.”

“Yes. Other things were discussed, but I couldn’t hear most of it. Later when Randolph talked about their conversation, he lied to me about it. He said they’d discussed family and a gas attack that killed a lot of people. I knew, however, they had discussed an assault on some place they didn’t name and something about the need of money for a projected attack. I fear for him, Mother. It all sounded quite dangerous.”

“He is known to be working very hard to see Belgium receive aid and even freedom from occupation. Perhaps he’s involved in some of the secret work going on to help the people and the military.”

“That’s what I figure.” Leah shook her head, thinking of all that was happening. “I know he’s worried about his family. He’s had no word in months.”

“War is a terrible thing. Randolph is heralded as a hero for the Belgian people. But I suppose he must have his secrets. I wouldn’t trouble him for answers if I were you. Just accept that there will be things he doesn’t wish to share.”

“I do. I honestly have no problem with it, but I do have a problem being lied to.”

“Perhaps those lies are imperative to the safety of innocent lives. Remember how Rahab lied to keep the Hebrew spies safe? God does hate lies, but in that case and I’m sure in other cases connected with this war, He makes provision. It’s all a matter of one’s heart. Remember your trust needs to be in God, Leah, not in man.”

“I know. I am trying to let go of my anger toward God. I know that He loved Susanna even more than me. Still, I can’t help but fear she felt so very alone, maybe even thought that God had deserted her.”

“You don’t know that, Leah. She may have grown quite close to her Heavenly Father. In times when God is all we have, we quickly learn that He is all we need. He is sufficient even at the worst of times, like war. Either you trust Him, or you don’t. There is no middle road.”

Leah hadn’t considered it that way before. Of course, given only those two choices, she would have to say that she trusted Him. However, she’d allowed her anger and hurt to discredit His faithfulness. She was the one who turned her back. Not God.

She sighed. “I’ve been yielding my heart on many matters of late. It would seem this is just one more I must deal with. Perhaps letting go of everything is in my own best interest.”

“Hold on to the good things, Leah. The things you know are true and good. Cast aside the bad or questionable and let God show you exactly what those things are.” She smiled, and Leah recognized her expression as one of great patience. “We are always in a state of learning, and God is good to teach us. You’ve gone through a difficult time with Susanna’s loss, but there comes a time when you must set aside the past and move forward. I believe with this new ministry, that time has come.”

“I’m glad you could make it all the way out here, Erik,” Dr. Turner said, showing him to a small office. “Come sit and enjoy the fire. We have the best of heating here, but I love a good fire when it’s snowing outside.”

“I do too. It makes me sad to see more and more homes lacking fireplaces.” Erik took one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Dr. Turner took the other.

The older man gave a hard, hacking cough into his handkerchief. Erik frowned. “That cough sounds worse than it did. You need to let me listen to your lungs before I leave.”

“Plenty of time for that.” Dr. Turner leaned back, and the cough abated. “Tell me about last night. I understand my patient Brigette had some difficulty.”

“Yes. She overdid a bit. Nothing more. I told her to refrain from carrying anything weighing more than five pounds and to stay off chairs. Apparently, she was hanging draperies. She promised to take it easier.”

“I’ll check in on her after church tomorrow.” He stifled another round of coughing.

“As a physician, I’m advising you to stay home tomorrow. Temperatures are supposed to be quite low, and who knows when the snow will stop falling? You don’t need to be outside in the weather.”

“I told him the same thing,” Mrs. Turner announced, coming into the room with the tea cart. Erik could see it was loaded with all sorts of goodies as well as two pots. She smiled at Erik. “I have coffee and tea.”

“Coffee sounds wonderful.”

“Just leave it, love. We can tend to ourselves.”

“Only if you drink this cup of special tea I’ve brought you.” She handed Dr. Turner a cup and saucer. “It should help with your cough. There’s a teaspoon of your favorite cough syrup added, so drink it all.”

“I promise I will,” Dr. Turner said, waving at her as if shooing a pet out of the room. “Go now. Let me talk to my colleague.”

“Very well. Erik, I do hope you’ll give him a good examination before you leave. He’s been wheezing. I fear his lungs are taking on fluids.”

“I’ll check it out before I go.”

Mrs. Turner gave a brief nod, then headed out. Dr. Turner waved toward the cart. “Help yourself. She’s put enough food out for an army.”