The Cry of the Wolf Chapter 29

"George! You frightened me!" Gretjen giggled as her husband whirled her high in his arms, twirling her in dizzying circles, "I didn't know you were back!"

George grinned, "That's the point of a surprise, My Love."

Taking advantage of the few moments to themselves he kissed his wife, grazing her champagne-hued curls from her flushed cheeks.

"I've missed you, Darling," he confided before looking over her head, "Where are my boys?"

"With my father," Gretjen indicated with her hand, a shadow briefly crossing her star-blue eyes.

"Ah, I see," George knit his brow, then looked pleased again, "Come, I have so much to tell you!"

Gretjen entwined her arms around her husband's neck, "Why are you home?"

George chuckled, his laughter resounding.

"What? Aren't you glad to see me?"

Gretjen lovingly patted her husband's unshaven cheek.

"Of course! I am delighted you have returned! But I can't help but worry you will leave us again soon..."

"No fear of that, Sweetheart, the war is officially over."

"Who won?"

"Well, that's the strangest thing..." George's voice trailed off, "No one really. I guess everyone just realized too many good men have been lost from fighting over religion. The war has been so long and bloody and people have tired of it. It was decided that freedom of religion is a better option."

Gretjen's hand fluttered to her mouth.

"It's over? Oh, George! You're home to stay?"

"Not exactly..." George kissed her forehead, before leading his wife back to the house.

"Oh, George..."

Gretjen blinked back tears. She'd been so lonely with her husband off in the battle and now that he had given her hope, well, it was a cruel blow.

"I'm leaving again soon...but I'm taking you with me. Come, let's have dinner and then I will explain everything when the boys are here," George looked up as his father-in-law shuffled in the door flanked by his grandsons.

"Hans!" George smiled, shaking the elderly man's hand, "Your timing is perfect."

****

Once the dinner dishes were cleared away, George picked up his youngest son, placing Claus on his lap. The child snuggled against his father's chest.

Claus was a miracle child, born years after his elder brother, Hans. His parents did their best not to show favoritism, but Claus knew he was special. Conceived on his father's last return from the Thirty Years War, Claus was unaware of the details of his birth or how painful the parting had been four years earlier. At the moment, he was content with the knowledge that his father wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

"The Huguenots are still facing persecution even here in Germany. This I cannot condone and want no part of it. I have spent too long fighting for the freedom of Protestants for us to turn on our own. It shouldn't matter if there are slight differences in doctrine...The Huguenots are being killed for their faith in France even as we speak and I believe with all my heart, they should find safety here in Germany. I know of a group that is setting sail for the new world in a few days. I intend to be on that ship."

"I don't understand..." Gretjen held her hand to heart.

George met his wife's eyes.

"In the New World, we will have religious freedom and be able to offer our boys a fresh start." He glanced over at his father-in-law, the pain over his wife's murder still etched on his aged features. "We will no longer have to look over our shoulders fearful of neighbors betraying us. From what I have heard, we will be going to a wilderness with no neighbors for as far as the eye can see. Can you imagine a life where we don't have to live in fear?"

Harm crossed his arms over his chest, jutting out his firm chin in defiance.

"I'm sorry father, but I cannot join you. I have a life here...a girl," a soft blush crept up his neck. "I intend to ask her to marry me. There is no way I'm leaving all this behind to go somewhere that sounds, no insult intended, like God Himself has forsaken."

Hans Sr. ran his hands through his thick white hair.

"You will be going, Harm." He turned to George. "And what of your parents?"

George ignored the daggered stare Harm aimed at him.

"Then I'm staying with my grandparents," Harm didn't wait for his father to reply.

****

Tears mingled with rain as Anna held her only son, afraid to release him.

George stood at her side, draping his arm across her shoulders.

"This is not forever," he soothed, although unsure of his promise.

"Promise you will write," Anna swiped at her tears when she finally released her only child, her eyes seeking her daughter-in-law's face.

"Of course. I will do my utmost to keep in contact although I am not sure how until we arrive."

Anna nodded, not caring that her features were wrenched with sorrow.

"Father, I want to stay with my grandparents," Harm began again, wrapping his arms around his grandmother.

George refused to leave his eldest son behind. At sixteen he still belonged at home. Jangling coins in his hand, George's brow furrowed.

"It is not too late to purchase your fare," he said, looking from his father to his mother. "Join us."

Gretchen was distracted, gazing at her two older sons. The two were inseparable. Gretjen worried that Hans was picking up more than one of Harm's bad habits. Now with George home...well, the timing was perfect. Teenage boys need a father.