فصل 96

joana

Her words replayed in my head.

No August. Russians. Frau Kleist. Take her. She prettier.

My stomach rolled. How I hoped I was wrong. I looked over at Emilia, fast asleep on the cot. She had talked of August and the farm. Her face lit up when she spoke of him. But in the throes of labor she had also screamed liar and pleaded for her mother to help her.

I looked at the little bundle. She was perfect, asleep like her mama.

Three more pregnant women had arrived and were resting comfortably in the makeshift maternity ward.

Dr. Richter entered with another man in tow.

“Joana, this is Dr. Wendt. He just arrived from the Naval Medical Academy in Gda?sk. He’ll be joining us for the voyage.” Dr. Richter gestured to the baby. “Joana handled our first delivery this morning.”

I shook the new doctor’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m more comfortable assisting.”

“Looks like you did a fine job,” said Dr. Wendt.

“Boarding has begun and passengers are filing in as we speak,” said Dr. Richter.

“When are we expected to sail?” I asked.

“Quite soon,” he replied. “We’ll have seven expectant mothers and a hundred and sixty-two wounded men. That could change, of course. If you see anything suspicious, we’ll need to report it.”

Suspicious. A perfect description of handsome Florian Beck. Where was he now, I wondered.