After all she had suffered today, she was crying about a thorn in her finger?
He went and sat down beside her. It was an impulsive thing to do, since he’d promised himself he’d stay away from her, especially after dark.
“Let me see it.” Colin took her hand and plucked the thorn out of her finger. “It isn’t so bad. No bleeding.”
She slowly collapsed into him, pressing her forehead against his chest, and started to sob. “I miss my mother.”
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He had to listen carefully to understand her words through the crying.
“What if they are all afraid? What if they are wondering about me, whether I am safe, or whether I was able to get help for them? I know my mother must be worried. What if my father and Valten walked into Claybrook’s trap and he . . . he . . . he killed them?” She was sobbing too hard to speak anymore.
He pulled her closer, cradling her in his arms and rubbing her shoulder.
“I’m dirty and tired and hungry, but we have to keep walking. And I’m so sorry those men hurt you. Twice in one day I thought you might be dead.” She clung to his shoulder with one hand, her face still buried in his tunic. “It was horrible.”
“Don’t worry about me.” He brushed her hair back away from her face. “I have had much worse beatings.” Well, only one.
“I’m so foolish to be crying. You must think me a lack-wit.”
“No, of course not. I think you are brave and sweet and . . .” His heart contracted painfully in his chest. “If you want to cry, it’s all right. I don’t mind.” He leaned his cheek against her hair.
“I just miss my mother and my family. I love them, and it hurts so much to know they’re in danger.”
“I know,” he said, wanting to soothe her. “I understand.” He didn’t like hearing and seeing her cry, but she was so warm in his arms. She was pouring her heart out to him, and it felt good to know she trusted him enough to tell him exactly what she was thinking. Although her words confirmed she could never marry him. She obviously would miss her mother and father, sisters and brothers too much.
His heart sank, but he tightened his arms around her, raising her head up to his shoulder. He couldn’t marry her, but if he could keep her safe until they reached Marienberg, and if he could save her family from Claybrook, he could go home knowing he had done something good, that he had made a difference in the life of the most beautiful, worthy, gentle creature in the world.
“What if we don’t make it to Marienberg in time? What if we can’t get back to Hagenheim in time to save everyone?”
“We will make it. With God’s strength, we will get there in time.”
“But you are not well. You should be resting, not walking for miles and miles in the hot sun.”
“God can do anything.” The words were like a revelation, and he drew strength from them. “God likes using the weak to defeat the strong.”
“Yes, that is true.”
“And God will use us to defeat Claybrook. Besides, my memory has returned, and I am well enough to walk. I think you need to sleep now. You will feel better about everything in the morning.”
She sniffed, then took a deep breath and let it out, but she did not make any effort to pull away from him. “No doubt that is also true.” She relaxed against him, her head tucked against his neck. He closed his eyes to better memorize the way she felt in his arms, since he must never hold her like this again.
“Will you say a prayer for us before we go to sleep?” She sat up straight and looked at him, her eyes wet and luminous in the starlight.
“Of course.” He closed his eyes again and felt her slip her hand inside his.
“Father God, You have graciously kept us alive, and we believe that You have a purpose for us.” He had to make this sound confident and positive, for Margaretha’s sake. “You will not let us die, and You will be with us on this journey to Marienberg. You will send Your mighty angels with their flaming swords to protect not only us, but also Margaretha’s family in Hagenheim, and all the Hagenheim people. We beseech You to not let the wicked prosper, but to uphold the cause of the righteous, as You have promised. Bless us with safety and peace tonight, in the name of Jesus the Savior.” And he did feel peace, after that prayer.
She squeezed his hand. “That was beautiful. I feel better already, like we cannot possibly fail.” She flashed a bright smile at him.
“Good. Now go to sleep. And stay away from thorns.”
“I will.”
He put a few more sticks on the fire while she lay back down. He went back to his place but immediately felt cold and far away from her.
As he lay listening to the fire crackle and hiss, she said, “Colin?”
“Yes?”
“Do you wish I had stayed behind with Anne?”