All Things New

by Felicia Mires

  On their last night on the farm, Antoinette used her precious store of sugar to make a cake. Everyone was in high spirits. They laughed about some of their more riotous failures and bragged about their successes. When Jacob went up to bed, he was in a happy frame of mind. He found Chloe seated in the chair by the window, staring out at the darkness.

  "Chloe?"

  "Who are you, Jacob?" Her voice, puzzled and bewildered, came to him through the darkness.

  He'd dreaded this day, though he'd prayed about it many times. Chloe was asking for him to trust her with his past. If he did, he could lose the easy relationship they'd developed, or worse, she could refuse to come with him.

  "I don't know what you mean. I'm all that you see…your husband."

  "What brought you to France? What happened to your wife? Why have you never told me you have a child?"

  A long, drawn out sigh came out of Jacob as he sat on the end of the bed. "Who told you?"

  "Joshua. But you should have told me. He was annoyed with me after you got shot. He said I wasn't the only person to suffer. Then he mentioned your separation from your son. You should have known that would matter to me."

  Jacob reached for her hand in the darkness. "I didn't want to hurt you. My son has brought me the greatest joy, but I was afraid his existence might hurt you. I thought if I could keep the two things that matter most to me separate long enough, you might love me and it wouldn't matter." Her hand felt limp in his grasp. "I see that it does."

  Jacob began to tell his story. He left nothing out this time. She learned everything about him, about his son, about Hitler. If she rejected him now, he would leave behind a person that could destroy him with her knowledge. He waited for Chloe to react, but she didn't say a word. Maybe she needed time alone to consider it. He swallowed the disappointment and stood.

  "I'm going to wash up. I'll be right back."

  When Jacob returned, Chloe was already in bed so Jacob clicked out the lamp. "You better enjoy your last night in a bed. There's no telling when the next opportunity might come."

  If she was going to tell him she wasn't coming, this was the perfect opportunity.

  "I intend to enjoy it."

  Jacob climbed into the bed and reached for Chloe. For months, she had fallen asleep every night in his arms. He hoped his revelations hadn't changed that.

  She rolled over toward him, and Jacob froze when he felt her soft, warm body against his bare chest. "Chloe?"

  If only her bare skin meant more than her being too hot to wear clothes.

  "Jacob?" She kissed his neck, the hollow at the base of his neck. When he shivered, she paused. "Cold?"

  "Quite the contrary. Are you sure this is what you want?"

  She had to say the words. There would be no going back later and accusing him of misunderstanding her.

  "Yes. Don't you?" she whispered against his ear.

  "Do you love me?"

  His hand traced the curve of her back. He wanted so much to hear those words from her mouth.

  "I love you, Jacob." She dropped her head to kiss him on the mouth.

  "Oh, Chloe, I love you so."

  Jacob made love to his wife.

  The next morning as Chloe lay sleeping beside him, Jacob praised God. It occurred to him that God had brought restoration in his life. All that Hitler had taken from him was being restored, and it would be that way for Chloe as well.

  Someday they would have a home, a place where his son could grow up free. He realized something else, too. He no longer felt that burning desire to punish Adolph Hitler. God was helping him gain victory over the hatred he'd felt.

  Father, I have found you to be more than just a father that administers discipline. Growing up and hearing the stories in the Old Testament that's all I saw, or all that I understood. But I see you as so much more now. You've become my personal friend. I enjoy the time we spend together. I love to hear your voice throughout the day, leading me, guiding me. Even more than that, I've learned to hear your sense of humor when you speak into my spirit. You enjoy the things I enjoy. Thank you for bringing Chloe into my life. Help me to show her how to love You even more than she loves me. You are our source, our guiding light. Show us both the way.

  Riding by rail could still be the easiest way to get somewhere in France, so Jacob and Chloe joined the queue of those traveling south. To all appearances they were a newlywed couple. Jacob was attentive to every detail of Chloe's comfort. Her eyes followed him everywhere he went. They drew the attention of many French citizens as they traveled, representing as they did, that there was still hope, still love to be found in a war-torn nation.

  Jacob's supplies were carried in a worn European suitcase acquired from a refugee in London. Fitted with a false bottom, it concealed the documents Jacob prepared on their journey. Wherever they went, he took careful notes of all troops, their strengths and apparent movements.

  Every morning he radioed in with the facts and figures. This type of news gave the Allies a clear picture of France. It helped them target bombing raids, crystallized their plans for D-Day, and showed them where they needed to be to gain the most impact against the Nazis.

  Chloe tried to follow what Jacob did, but he'd been at it too long, and there was a certain rhythm to sending out messages. He was getting a reputation in London as a very regular operator. Not all radio operators sent a message every day. Sometimes Jacob sent several.

  His mind was full of strange tidbits of information and ways to use his codes that protected the information even more. He also requested additional help.

  "Lion to Stronghold: new situation due to intense radio detection campaign stop. Send metal parachute transmitters with special transformers, buzzers, and complete set of crystals stop. Tours airfield camp strength since November 23 is 139 aircraft AA 35 fighters ex Liotard factories BB 10 two-seater training fighters CC 33 Junkers DD 49 Heinkels EE 9 Stukas FF 3 Condors GG 10 miscellaneous types stop. Patrol boat 717 ex Alfred 3 leaves Nantes this day at 1400 hours stop. Believed heading for North Sea stop. Sign on middle roof red and black Penguin."

  Chloe didn't try to understand those messages, but she did try to help Jacob spot any signs of Nazi occupation. She felt useful once again, valuable in the war against the Nazis. And after each Allied raid, Jacob sent reports on their successes and failures.

  "Lion to Stronghold: Toulon bombing today success stop. 1500 Nazis killed electricity station paralyzed 48 hours stop. Aude and Impetuex sunk stop. Chamois and Captain le Prieur hit stop. Jeanne de Vienne on fire stop. Port AA pulverized."

  This was one of the more dangerous things they did. Being in the same vicinity as an air raid would mean disaster if the Allies missed, as they sometimes did. Chloe noted that Jacob never did anything without praying first. He relied on God for everything, their food, their safety, his ability to expose the Nazis. And Jacob had a miraculous success rate.

  "Lion to Stronghold: New infantry division stationed three days now mouth of Rhone stop. Coming from Italy delayed by destruction of lines Genoa Marseilles stop. Explosions grouped 600 yards east Agay viaduct stop. Searchlight and AA battery destroyed Agay village damaged."

  They were constantly moving as evidenced from the number of towns they called from.

  "Lion to Stronghold: Submarine base Janet now worthy urgent bombing as covering shelters beginning stop. Lons bombing 12 aircraft hit stop. AA battery destroyed 100 soldiers killed."

  Through all the running and hiding, Jacob was blissfully happy with Chloe. From time to time, he received letters from home and shared them with her. His son missed him and was anxious to meet his new mother. Chloe developed a glow about her that Jacob knew was a result of her love for him. If only she could embrace God's love. It was difficult to speak of it when everywhere around them the Allies and the Nazis destroyed everything in sight. But Jacob kept at it.

  One night he pulled her into his arms as they rested against a tree. "Chloe?"

  "Hmm?" She smiled up at him.
r />   "I want to tell you about Geli, I mean, about how it affected me when she died."

  "You don't have to, Jacob."

  "It's all right now. That's really what I wanted you to know. When she died, I hated Hitler so much. All I thought about was how I could kill Hitler, how I could get revenge. That's why I trained in London to join the Resistance. But something happened before I came to France."

  "What?"

  "I listened to a man who told me about God's forgiveness. It changed everything. Then I met Marie-Madeleine and joined the Alliance. The Alliance gave me a way to focus the fight more efficiently. And it brought me to you." He bent his head to kiss her forehead. "God has brought me full circle. I love someone who loves me, and I have…release from all the hatred."

  He watched her face for some sign that she understood. She merely nodded then closed her eyes.

  Though Chloe listened, what she really heard was that Marie- Madeleine had been the answer to Jacob's prayers. And, when she'd been removed from his life, he'd settled for Chloe.

  "Do you miss speaking German, Jacob? Do you miss your life in Germany?"

  "I felt lost when we first left Germany, but I could still speak German to my family. I'd always been a farmer, and suddenly, I wasn't." He sighed then trailed a finger through the strands of her hair. "The war has given me a purpose. It may not be what I wanted for my life, but I believe in what we're doing. As far as after the war...I don't know what I want anymore. I certainly don't want to return to Germany. How about you? What do you want, Chloe?"

  Did she know what she wanted? From Antoinette, Chloe had learned that Marie-Madeleine had two children of her own. If Jacob could have Marie, his life would be perfect. And Chloe wanted very much for Jacob's life to be perfect again.

  "I think I feel as you. I don't know what I want. The war changed everything."

  Jacob leaned close to kiss her. "We'll figure it out together."

  Later, when Chloe read the decoded messages in his suitcase, it became a certainty for her. Marie signed off every radio message, much love. Chloe knew what she had to do. The day would come when Jacob would want to return to Marie-Madeleine, and Chloe would let him.

  Jacob noticed a gradual change in Chloe. At first, he attributed it to their frenzied lifestyle. She was tired and needed rest. But he would catch her gazing into space as if he wasn't there, and that worried him. Was he losing her?

  The only reassurance he had was their lovemaking. She was responsive, she was free, and she poured out her love for him. What was bothering her? The more he prayed about it, the more convinced he became that Chloe's problem was a spiritual one and something only she could solve. She had to learn to trust God like she'd learned to trust Jacob. She had to learn to love God more than she loved Jacob or anyone else.

  Perhaps time spent with her parents might help. They'd received occasional reports of the situation in Cachet. After the Chateau burned down, the Nazis had investigated and found the fire a result of an explosion in the munitions dump.

  It was a miracle, but they believed some fool had smoked a cigarette and ignited a super fire in the wine cellar, blowing the entire store of munitions. By now, it should be safe for Chloe to visit home.

  Then the Allies invaded Normandy. It was a success, but the Nazis retaliated with a vengeance against the Alliance. Many Resistance fighters were located and shot as a result of D-Day. Jacob wanted Chloe in a safe environment away from the Resistance. It was time to return her to her parents.

  "Chloe, I have to go to Lyon. We're expecting Marie-Madeleine back soon. Would you like to go to Cachet? You could see your parents. I think it would be safe now. Besides, you're a married woman. The townspeople probably won't treat you badly. If they do, you can lock yourself in your parents' house until I come for you."

  Jacob delivered his news while cleaning his gun. If he appeared unconcerned, perhaps Chloe wouldn't see how much he'd hate sending her away from him. If she thought he needed her, she would refuse to go. He was more concerned with her safety.

  Chloe turned her face as a wave of nausea hit her stomach. Here it was. Marie-Madeleine was returning, and he was sending her away. She wanted him to be happy, to have the family she couldn't give him so she swallowed hard and turned to face him with a smile.

  "It would be nice to see my parents."

  "It would. I know they miss you. I'll try to get you to Cachet soon."

  But over the next few days, Chloe didn't seem happy. She became more and more withdrawn. Jacob decided to take the quickest route to Cachet. The repeated bombings made train service extremely unreliable, but that was still the best bet. They got to within twenty miles of Cachet when the train was forced to a stop. The rail had been removed during the night. It could be hours, it could be days, before it was fixed. They decided to walk.

  In Tournus, Jacob obtained a taxi bicycle. He set Chloe securely on the back, holding their case, and climbed in front of her.

  After he'd been pedaling hard for about an hour, he glanced at her over his shoulder. "Perhaps I should leave this for you in Cachet."

  "It's more practical for you to have it. You wouldn't have to walk so much."

  "True. How about a picnic by the water?" He wanted to leave her with a peaceful memory of their time together.

  "I'd like that."

  They found an ideal spot along the left bank of the Saone River and afterward wandered the traboules hand-in-hand.

  "I should probably radio in. There's no one from the Resistance here, and the covered walkways of the tunnels give protection from prying eyes."

  He made a radio transmission about the lack of troops, and they wandered out of the traboules and retrieved their bicycle.

  As they were leaving town, a French policeman stopped them. "Have you traveling papers?"

  "Oui, Monsieur. Here you are." Jacob handed over their papers and waited.

  "Why are you here?"

  "We were on our way to Cachet. The train was derailed, so we're walking the rest of the way. My wife's parents live in Cachet."

  For once, they truly had no underhanded agenda. The policeman let them go, and Jacob shifted Chloe to a comfortable position on the bike and began pedaling again. His heart pounded as much from the physical exertion as his reaction to the feel of Chloe's warm breath on the back of his neck.

  When they neared Cachet, she jumped off the bicycle and ran down the road to the village. Jacob rounded the corner and pedaled to a stop to stare at the damage to the chateau. The little bridge was gone. There was no longer any path that would reach the ruins of the chateau. Yet he saw one magnificent corner of the castle standing tall. It had to be Chloe's treasure room.

  "Chloe!" He pedaled faster until he came up beside her.

  "What is it, Jacob?" She was panting slightly but smiled up at him.

  "Is that the tower that stored your treasure? It's the only part of the chateau still standing."

  Chloe had been so preoccupied with thoughts of her parents that she had forgotten the treasures. She gaped in wonder at the remains of the castle. She nodded, tears in her eyes.

  "You did it. Oh, thank you, Jacob!" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him repeatedly.

  "Mmm, I'll have to give you surprises more often. But I didn't save your treasure. I wasn't sure whether it could be saved. I prayed and asked God to shield it just like he protected Rahab and all her possessions."

  "I don't understand your God. Why would he do such a thing for me?"

  "Because He loves you even more than I do." He gazed into her eyes as if she were the most precious thing on earth.

  Tears flowed down her face. She gave him one more kiss, and as she drew back, she heard her name called.

  Remy and Rachelle were hurrying toward Chloe with outstretched arms.

  Rachelle held her daughter to her side. "I see we were right to send you with Jacob. You both look very happy."

  "We are," said Jacob. "Thank you for trusting me."

  Once in
side the house, Chloe's parents asked a multitude of questions, most of which Chloe would only partially answer. "There's so much I can't talk about, but the war is going well. How about you? Did the Nazis come back?"

  Remy answered. "They never left a force here again, if that's what you mean. They go through occasionally, but the town has never recovered. Those that left…well, they just disappeared. Maybe after the war they will return. How long can you stay?"

  Jacob straightened. "I wanted to speak to you about that. Do you think it would be safe for Chloe to remain here awhile? I have some dangerous things to do, involving the Allied advance, and the Nazis are intensifying their efforts to clear out the south of France. What do you think?"

  "She would be perfectly safe here." Rachelle slipped her arm around Chloe.

  "We'd love to have her, as long as she's willing to stay away from you," said Remy.

  "Merci. If you'll excuse me, I need to do a little reconnaissance outside."

  Jacob made his way to the home of the priest. He hoped to find the man there but would visit the church if needed.

  A stooped, bespectacled man answered the door. "May I help you?"

  "I hope so. I wanted to speak to the local priest about something I read in the Holy Scriptures."

  He stared at Jacob for a second then nodded his head. "Of course. Come in."

  He led Jacob inside to a comfortable seat in a book-filled library. "What can I do for you?"

  "My name is Jacques Conran."

  "Father Mercier."

  "Father, I've been reading the Gospels, and I don't understand how Jesus could have had Rahab, a prostitute, in his ancestral lineage."

  Father Mercier's jaw dropped. "Well, young man, I believe that's another way God had in the Old Testament to show us His love encompassed all."

  "So, he doesn't love prostitutes anymore? I've been wondering about that, too." He leaned forward. "Why did Jesus go to a Samaritan town so he could talk to a fallen woman and then save her entire town through her? What about that woman found in the act of adultery? Why did Jesus write in the sand and tell her that her sins were forgiven?"