Christmas Diamond, a Novella: Inspired by The Jewel series and the Virtues and Valor series (11 page)

Marie swallowed. Hard. How was she supposed to handle this situation? Never, in all of her training, was this brought up. "Of course I have heard of her," and laughed with her and prayed with her, though she kept that part to herself.

"She is from America, like me," he proclaimed, almost proudly.

She knew his accent had sounded wrong somehow. "American? Why are you here in France, then?"

He gestured in the air. "The call of the Fatherland I'm afraid. My father insisted I return a few years ago."

With wide eyes, she let that digest. "Do you know Virginia Benoit?"

"No." He chuckled, perhaps at her
naïveté
. "America is enormous. She's from a state called Louisiana in the deep south near the Gulf coast. I'm from Oregon a few thousand kilometers away on the north of the Pacific coast. Also, I understand the lady is a Negro. Perhaps you've heard that Negros and Arians hardly ever socialize in America. Still, it will be nice to hear an American accent again, I think."

His casual remark establishing his racial beliefs disgusted Marie and she tried very hard to conceal her loathing. She knew with an unshakable faith that God made all men and all nations of just one blood. Everyone on earth was a son or daughter of Adam and Eve. The bloody Nazi campaign of terror relied on faith in a lie — a form of Darwinian evolution establishing separate races coupled with the notion Friedrich Nietzsche proposed, that some races were inferior while other races were superior. Hitler aimed to create a "master race," a race of supermen, by practicing enforced eugenics that either sterlized or eliminated the races Hitler deemed inferior.

In practically the same breath, Schäfer had mentioned his father. Thoughts of her own father rushed through her mind, and she once more remembered that First Lieutenant Schäfer was her sworn enemy. How had she forgotten that for even half a second? She could not let her thoughts travel too far down that road or else her expression would betray her. She had to lighten the conversation somehow."I imagine you must feel very homesick at times,
Oberleutnant
."

"I am homesick." He put a hand to his heart. "It would do me a great deal of good to attend the performance with the most beautiful woman in the village on my arm."

"
Oberleutnant
Schäfer, I don't think —"

He held up a hand to halt her speech. "Please, don't say no,
Fräulein
. At least let me have a little hope by telling me you'll consider the offer. Besides, I still owe you for sewing on my button."

She would have to clear any action with headquarters. It was possible that she could collect valuable intelligence by accompanying the junior German officer. It was even possible that Marie, code named Temperance, could pass intelligence to Virginia Benoit, code named Hope, in person. Pressing her lips together, desperate to find a way to end this conversation, she nodded. "Very well,
Oberleutnant
. As you say, I will think about it."

His eyebrow cocked, "You give me your word?"

After perhaps a half second of hesitation, she nodded. "You have my word."

He clicked his heels again. "
Wunderbar
! I will seek you out in two days time to learn your final decision." He leaned closer and whispered as if conspiring with her. She could smell his musky aftershave. "I hope you say yes."

Then he took her hand again and kissed the backs of her fingers. She struggled not to snatch her hand back from his grasp before his lips touched her skin. He smiled and said, "I look forward to speaking with you again,
Fräulein
Perrin."

"Good day,
Oberleutnant
Schäfer." She stayed put while he got back into his Kübelwagen and drove away. As soon as he was out of sight, Marie let the shaking overwhelm her. Carefully lying her bike on its side, she sat down on the side of the road and wrapped her arms around her knees while tremors shook her entire body. Out of nowhere, she felt very sick and crawled into the grass.

While heaves clutched her body, tears raced down her face. Spent and terrified, she lay back and covered her eyes with her hands. She felt so afraid all the time. What did she think she was doing here?

She silently prayed, desperate for God to reach out to her and physically reassure her that He hadn't abandoned her. But, of course, He did not and she eventually remembered not to test her Creator.

Rolling to her feet, she stumbled to her bike and climbed back on. Her legs felt so weak that she wobbled a bit while she pedaled back to town, but eventually her strength returned.

&&&&

More Great Christian Fiction…

The Jewel Anthology
by Hallee Bridgeman

Hallee Bridgeman's critically acclaimed best selling award winning Christian anthology, together in one book for the first time. The complete novel
Sapphire Ice
. Inspired by
The Jewel Series
, the all new novella
Greater Than Rubies
. The second full length novel
Emerald Fire
, and the final novel
Topaz Heat
. All works complete, uncut, and unabridged.

Sapphire Ice

The Book Club Network's
July 2013
Book of the Month
: Robin's heart is as cold as her deep blue eyes. After a terrifying childhood, she trusts neither God nor men. With kindness and faith, Tony prays for the opportunity to shatter the wall of ice around her heart.

Greater Than Rubies

2014 EPIC eBook Awards™
Finalist
,
Spiritual
category: In this novella, Robin plans a dream-come-true wedding. Anxiety arises when she starts to realize the magnitude of change marriage will involve. Forgotten nightmares resurface reminding Robin of the horrors of her past. She gives in to her insecurities and cancels Boston's "Royal Wedding." With God's guidance, will her bridegroom convince her of her true worth?

Emerald Fire

Inspirational Novel of the Year
RONE Award
Finalist
: Green eyed Maxine fights daily to extinguish the embers of her fiery youth. Barry's faith in God is deeply shaken when he is suddenly widowed. Just as they begin to live the "happily ever after" love story that neither of them ever dreamed could come true, a sudden and nightmarish catastrophe strikes that could wreck everything. Will her husband find peace and strength enough to carry them through the flames?