Page 180 of Valor

“There isn’t,” he said and motioned for her to enter. “Now that you know, you simply have to have a coffee with me.”

“Sure,” she strode past him into the store, a cute smile on her face.

Robert better keep his distance. This woman packs enough charm to light my world on fire.

CHAPTERSIX

Northern Moravia, 1942

“Morning,”Fred walked into the barn, clutching the bag with bread against his chest. There was a small milk can with chicory coffee in his other hand. Mom snuck it to him when Father wasn’t looking. The mare was back in her stall. Fred looked around the barn, searching for the family.

“Tss.”

He looked up. Hedvika waved at him from the hayloft. Her hair tumbled down her shoulders. A piece of dry grass stuck to her left temple.

“Catch,” he whispered.

She stretched out her arms, and Fred tossed her the flour bag. Then he climbed up the ladder to the loft, careful not to spill any of the hot liquid. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he made out the family huddled in the far corner.

“Thank you,” Hedvika said and took the offered can. Their hands touched, and Fred wished he could offer her a feast instead of this meager breakfast.

“Sorry, that is all I got.”

The hay rustled softly as Dr. Weiss crouched under the rafters and made his way to them.

“I can give you some money to buy food.” He pulled a clip holding neatly folded bills out of his pocket.

Fred shook his head. “I don’t go to town till Monday. If Father finds out that I have your money on me, he will take it.”

Dr. Weiss gently took Fred’s chin into his hand and turned it toward the light.

“I’m sorry,” he said under his breath.

“What happened?” Hedvika whispered. She almost touched the welts, but stopped herself just in time, most likely remembering that her father stood right next to her.

“Nothing.” Fred’s eyes locked with Dr. Weiss’s. “Can we talk?”

The dentist nodded. “Hedvika, why don’t you give the bread to Mama,” he said gently.

She silently nodded. Fred tried to smile at her, then turned and climbed down the ladder. Dr. Weiss followed him.

“Let’s go outside,” Fred said under his breath. He led the dentist toward the forest, and when he was convinced, they were out of earshot, he stopped. “Dr. Weiss, I don’t think your family is safe here.”

The dentist reached for Fred’s arm. He frowned at the angry welt. “You need to clean this. Do you have any alcohol in your house?”

“Don’t worry about me.” Fred pulled his arm back. “Father?—”

“I understand,” the dentist said quietly.

“He is asking me how much you have.”

Dr. Weiss reached into his pocket once more.

“He doesn’t want money. He is asking for gold.”

“We can pay him with Mrs. Weiss’s jewelry.”

“I need to know what your plan is because even if you pay him, I don’t think it’s wise to stay here for very long. You may need to hide in the forest. I can supply you with food, but once the summer ends?—”

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