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“Okay, see ya,” Eva said, setting the items back into the trunk they came from.
Krieger got to his feet and picked up the last two weapons before approaching her. Gently he placed them in the trunk—his hand brushed against hers. “Anything you want to talk about?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He couldn’t help the grin on his face. “Still not gonna make this easy, are you?”
Her mouth cracked, a corner of her lip turning up. “Never.” She closed the trunk and took another swig of her water, her gaze traveling to the tree canopy.
Birds above them sang their songs as squirrels chased one another across a branch, acorns and dried leaves falling before them from the squabble. Eva’s smile widened as she watched in awe. She really did love it here. In this tree-topia, as Luke’s father had called it. But then her smile faded and her stare became hard. She was clearly deep in thought. What bothered her so? Didn’t she know she could tell him anything? That he would gladly share her burden?
“Are you sure your arm is all right?”
She nodded. “I’ve had worse.”
Not thinking, he reached out and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “Eva, is there something bothering you?”
Excitement lit her eyes as she said, “There is something I would like to show you.”
“Okay, show me.”
Eva shook her head. “I can’t for a few days, you’ll see why. But you’ll go with me?”
A cool, gentle breeze nipped at their skin. That stray hair she had tucked behind her ear had come free again and was whipping at her nose.
Tenderly, he took hold of it and swiped it back into the rest of her hair. His hand lingered, cupping the side of her head. Her eyes never left his, and her features grew soft as her mouth parted and she inhaled sharply.
“Angel, I’d follow you anywhere. You just say when.”
She pressed her hand over his, and she gave him a soft smile—
“Eva!” She jerked back as her father’s voice reverberated over the arena, her attention centered on Samuel.
“You better go, Krieger. See if Luke and John need your help at Tucker’s place.” He was about to turn and go, but her hand on his stopped him. “I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast. Okay?”
Warmth bloomed within his chest as he smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”
He walked to the stairwell Samuel occupied. His features were flat and unreadable as he moved past him. “How are you today, Mr. Wolf?”
“I’m well, Krieger. You fitting in all right?”
“Most days, sir.”
Samuel nodded. “You have a good one, Krieger.”
Tension rolled off Eva’s shoulders in waves as she approached. Did her father hear of the fight, is that why he came to the arena today? Or was it something else?
Krieger smiled at her over his shoulder, then bounded down the stairs, but he stopped on the platform below. Eva and her father’s voices carried down the steps. German, they were speaking in German. She had told him of her skill, but he hadn’t heard her speak much of it. Why did they speak in German? And why was the term ausländer being used so much?
Samuel bellowed, annoyance and anger lacing his tone, and Krieger suppressed the urge to go back to her. This was her father, he wouldn’t hurt her. Would he?
Her voice remained strong as she spoke firmly to him. The intensity seemed to taper off as they communicated back and forth. What secrets were they keeping? And why did his stomach squeeze with unease at the thought? Something wasn’t right...
Chapter 11
“Thanks, Sarah. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Eva said as she moved to the door to the storage room. They had been restocking the canned jars of fruits and vegetables for the coming winter.
Sarah placed the last jar on the shelf, then turned toward her. “Eva, before you go, I-I just wanted to say how nice it’s been talking with you lately. You seem... different. More social than I’ve ever known you to be.”
