Chapter Thirty-four Ava

THIRTY-FOUR : AVA

CAMP FORREST, TENNESSEE

AUGUST 1945

Loud, raucous celebrating continued for days after Japan surrendered.

The Camp Forrest band marched down streets while military personnel and civilians alike waved American flags and cheered. Guns and even cannons went off, the sound of freedom rather than war. Only the German POWs who remained in camp wore solemn expressions, their fate, and the fate of their country, unknown.

I could hardly believe the war was over. While I cheered along with everyone else, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to Gunther now. Would he finally be released and finish his studies? Or would he be sent back to Germany?

I hadn't heard from him in over a year. When I didn't receive a response to my last two letters, I stopped writing to him. I had no way to know if he was still interned at Fort Lincoln or if he'd been transferred to a different camp. When the war in Europe ended, ships once again were free to sail the Atlantic without fear of attack from enemy U-boats. Almost immediately, the government began deporting German POWs and enemy aliens by the thousands, including some from Camp Forrest, shipping the men back to their war-torn fatherland.

I heaved a sigh.

I needed to forget Gunther Schneider. We didn't have a future together. There was no point dwelling on it.

On Saturday afternoon, Gertrude found me in the kitchen brewing a pitcher of iced tea. Her eyes took in my dress and styled hair. "You going out with Colonel Foster?"

"He's coming here," I said.

Hew and I had begun seeing each other socially after the night I accompanied him to the dinner party. I'd wanted to take things slow, and he'd complied. I'd never invited him to the farm before, mainly because there wasn't much privacy with three women living in one house.

But Ivy Lee moved out two days ago. Her colonel was transferred as soon as the war ended, bidding her a hasty farewell. He long ago revealed he was married, but he refused to leave his wife, as he'd promised, which left Ivy Lee in a rage. She'd stormed into the house, packed her belongings, and torn out of the yard a half hour later, bound for California. Gertrude wasn't as upset as I thought she would be, considering how close the two women had become.

"Even though the war is over, I'm surprised she's leaving her top secret job before Camp Forrest is decommissioned," I said as we watched Ivy Lee's car disappear in a cloud of dust.

A sheepish look crossed Gertrude's face. "I guess I can tell you now."

"Tell me what?"

"Ivy Lee didn't have an important job. Not like yours. She worked in the laundry facility."

My mouth gaped. "The laundry?"

We'd both burst into laughter.

Gertrude made herself scarce when Hew arrived. We sat on the porch swing and sipped tea, talking about the atomic bomb, the devastation to countries around the world, the sadness over the millions of lost lives.

Hew set his glass on the small table beside the swing and reached for my hand.

"Ava, it's no secret how I feel about you," he said, his gaze fixed on me. "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We survived a war together. Now it's time to live happily ever after."

When I started to speak, he put his finger to my lips. "Let me finish before you give an answer. I know you don't love me the way I love you. But I also believe if you'll give me a chance, I can make you happy." He took a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a real estate brochure for a house in Richmond, Virginia. "My sister and her family live in Richmond. They tell me it's a great place to raise a family. I've decided to open my private practice there."

I stared at the black-and-white drawing of a lovely, two-story brick house. Trees, flowers, and a sidewalk completed the idyllic scene. I envisioned Hew and myself there, with two children running around the yard. Maybe a dog. His sister would become my best friend, and we'd host bridge parties for Hew's doctor friends. It sounded perfect, and I knew instinctively it would be a good life.

My heart thrummed.

I should say yes. I should jump into his arms and ride off into the sunset to live the comfortable, happy life I knew Hew would give me. I'd done that before. Richard had promised me the world, too.

But I couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to me or to Hew.

I handed the paper back to him. "I can't," I whispered, regret mingling with relief as I finally said the words out loud. I should have told him the truth months ago.

He accepted the paper. We sat in awkward silence before he stood.

I looked up and met his gaze. "I'm sorry."

He pulled me to my feet, and we embraced. When we parted, he caressed my face for the last time. "I understand, Ava. I really do."

I watched him drive away.

"He's leaving already?" Gertrude asked from the other side of the screen door.

I suspected she'd eavesdropped on our conversation, but it didn't matter. "Yes, he's gone. He won't be back."

After a moment, she gave a single nod and left me alone.

I stayed where I was, staring at nothing.

My future, it seemed, was here with Gertrude. Now that the war was over and Camp Forrest was scheduled to close, I'd throw myself into raising horses and turn Delaney Farm into a thriving business. I didn't know how we'd manage without help or extra income, but somehow we'd make it work.

I sat on the porch the rest of the afternoon. Dust from an approaching vehicle drew my attention. When it came over the hill, I saw it was the mailman.

The older man climbed from the sedan and held up a package. "For you, Mrs. Delaney. Figured I'd bring it up to the house instead of leaving it in the box. You don't get many packages, so I guessed it might be important."

I descended the porch steps and accepted the parcel.

I nearly dropped it when I saw the return address from North Dakota.

"You all right?" he asked. "I hope it's not bad news."

I shook my head, unable to speak.

I stood in the yard after he drove away, staring at the brown paper-wrapped package with Gunther's name scrawled in the left corner.

So many questions poured into my mind.

Why hadn't he responded to my letters? Had he been released? I prayed the answers were hidden in the parcel.

I tore off the paper to reveal an old book. Die Bibel. An envelope poked out between the pages, and I ripped it open.

My Dearest Ava...

Tears poured down my cheeks and dropped onto the paper as I read the tender, brief message.

I love you. I have from the moment we first met. When I am once again a free man, will you marry me?

I clutched the book and the letter to my heart and wept.

Gunther was safe. He loved me. He wanted to marry me. His future was still uncertain, but I knew I would wait for him.

No matter how long it took for him to once again be free, I would wait.