Page 59 of The Piper's Pursuit

“Ja, that is me, Frau Gruber.” The closest woman grasped Kat’s hand. “I have longed for a child for five years now, but we are still childless.” The woman’s eyes were swimming in tears, then one dripped from each eye.

Katerina had never been able to see someone cry without crying herself—a silly thing that she had always been able to conceal before, but now, as her own tears fell, she had nowhere to hide her face. But she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I shall go get Albrecht and Verena. They will know.”

She looked for the two older children while the women went back to talking to the children and handing them ladles of water from a few buckets they had brought.

“Albrecht, do you know which of the children are from the orphanage?”

The boy hesitated and drew his brows together.

“It’s all right. There is a woman here who wants to possibly adopt some of them. But we won’t let her take them if they don’t want to go.”

“Very well.” His expression changed.

“Come and you can introduce her to them.”

They went back to where the woman was talking with a little boy. Albrecht said, “This is Berthold. That is Margret. Over there is Hans. This is Christobel and Caspar—they are brother and sister—and that is Dietrich and Helena and Anna. Over there is Fronika.”

“Is that all? Only nine orphans?”

“I am also an orphan.” Albrecht crossed his arms over his thin chest.

Perhaps the fact that he was an orphan and had lived at the orphanage explained why Albrecht was always putting himself in charge of the children and taking the lead. He was used to taking care of other children, and unused to anyone taking care of him.

“And Verena?”

“Her mother lives near the orphanage.”

“I would like to take all the orphans,” Kat heard Frau Gruber say to Steffan.

Steffan looked around until his gaze rested on Kat.

“I have a large house,” the woman said. Her lips were smiling while her eyes pleaded. “And I have servants who can help me with the children.”

Albrecht bent and talked to each of the children, asking them if they wanted to go with the woman, telling them he believed she was safe and that they would be treated well. The children all agreed to go, and Frau Gruber took hold of one of their hands, her face aglow. Albrecht watched them filing out of the stable.

“You are to go with her too, Albrecht,” Steffan said.

Just then the woman turned and looked at Albrecht.

“Go on, Albrecht.” Katerina motioned for him to go.

“No, I should not.”

“Why not?”

His expression was troubled, then hardened. “She doesn’t want me. I’m too old. Mothers and fathers only want young children and babies.”

“Nonsense! You’re not that old. You must go or... you will hurt her feelings. Go on!”

“Come.” Frau Gruber’s expression was gentle as she looked him in the eye. “Albrecht, is it? You can be my helper. Come, Albrecht, and if you do not like our home, you can come back here.”

“Yes, Albrecht, come!” Some of the younger children began to call him, smiling as if it were a game and they wanted their friend to come and play.

The invitation proved too irresistible. He started toward them.

Verena was staring after him now, her lips slightly parted. Albrecht turned and saw her. He ran back to her, and they threw their arms around each other. They said words that were too quiet for Kat to hear, then Albrecht hurried out with the rest of the orphans, following Frau Gruber.