“It’s not what your family did; it’s what you can do now for them.” He smiled at her as his eyes roamed across her like caressing hands. He stepped closer. She crossed her arms tightly in front of her.
“You could—no—you should be more friendly to someone who holds the fate of this ranch and your family in his hands. He reached out as if to brush some unseen object off her shoulder. His hand lingered on her upper arm, stroking it gently. “We should be more friendly to each other,” he whispered, gazing at her intently. “After all, I’ve lived here with you for quite some time-in your home, just down the hall from your bedroom.”
She looked away, saying, “Please, we’ve done all you’ve asked. I have a husband and my child is sleeping in the—” He cut her off.
“And I have a wife back in Johannesburg, whom I haven’t seen in months. And you, Frau Mathais, Helena,” he emphasized “Helena,” “you haven’t seen your husband in, what, four years? That’s a long time for a married woman to be alone.”
He paused for emphasis and repeated, “A long time to be … well, alone.”
He took a short step closer to her, and his hand went around her arm. He pulled her in closer. She could smell him. “I can help your family in all of this.” His eyes darted away from her as his arm swept the air. “I can save this, but I need you, your cooperation, because … I have needs too.” His face was close to hers. He could smell her hair. It inflamed him.
“Please!” she said. His lips brushed her cheek. His other hand touched her chin and turned her head toward him. He kissed her, first most gently, then with greater passion. She tried to pull back but she was in his grip. His hands slid around her back and pressed her to him. He could feel her body against him. She squirmed loose and turned her back to him.
“No! I have a husband and child,” she repeated. He came up behind her, drawing her to him.
“I have the papers right here,” he groaned in a low voice. “I can sign them right now. I just need you to—” He spun her around and kissed her as his hands pulled her blouse out of her skirt. His hands plunged inside the back of her skirt. He could feel her warm, smooth skin.
She let out a plaintive sound and, breaking away, she hissed, “No!”
He let her go. “All right; have it your way. I’ll just turn your names in to headquarters, but I’ll give you a little while to think about it before I do.”
He walked to the center of the room, straightened his uniform, and ran his hands through his hair. He looked at her as she stared away from him. “I have to put my horse in the stable. I’ll be back. Think about it.” With that, he strolled out, his boots again pounding on the wooden floor.
CHAPTER 7
The Incident
Helena stood there alone, thoughts racing through her mind. I knew he would try something like this, but to threaten the ranch … and our very right to live here. God in heaven! Can he really throw us out, deport us, to Germany or who knows where else? I’ve never even lived in Germany, just one short visit. We’re Africans! Out loud she exclaimed, “Mother of God, what shall I do?”
Pacing back and forth, she clutched the small gold cross on her chest. She stopped and looked in to see young Rupert, sound asleep.
I’ve got to do something. I’ll go talk to that brute; maybe he will be reasonable
I hope you enjoyed these first chapters of ‘The Long Way Home’, the third historic fiction book in the Kalvrianhof series. The fourth book in the series is in process.
Please visit the author on facebook: Walter Soellner and on his Web Site: waltersoellner.com
I invite you to read and enjoy my first book in this series of four entitled: Kalvarianhof, The Perilous Journey.
The Storm That Shook the World Page 33
