Free Lovers in Enemy Territory by Rebecca Winters

on. Perhaps you can use a bed in the nurses’ quarters. I’ll inquire.”
    “That’s not necessary. I want to be right here with him until he’s on his feet. The cot will be fine. At the convent—“ She stopped talking. She shouldn’t be telling him about her life. It just slipped out. He was easy to talk to. In the future she’d have to be more careful.
    Jeffrey understood her momentary plight. He knew she’d almost said something she shouldn’t. It made her seem more human and he was glad of it. “Very well. Will you join me for dinner?” He wanted to continue their conversation.
    “I think not. I’ll stay with Michael until you return. Then I’ll eat and go to chapel.”
    He nodded and left the room. There was a pub around the corner from the hospital where they served fish and chips. He’d go there. It wouldn’t take long and he could get back quickly. The thought occurred to him that fish might taste good to her too, so he placed two orders and picked up a light wine. While he waited for the order, he phoned Jens and instructed him to bring the car to the hospital later.
    When he slipped back in the room, Catherine was still reading. She looked up to see his arms loaded. The odor of fish permeated the air. She hadn’t eaten flounder in newspaper since she was twelve. It brought back many memories.
    Jeffrey watched her eyes light up. “I’ve brought some wine for you too, Sister. Shall we eat?” he invited her, having distributed everything on the table.. He pulled up a chair, indicating she should sit down.
    He was a very thoughtful man., but when he poured wine into a glass and offered it to her, she hesitated.
    “Aren’t you hungry, Sister?”
    “Sister always blesses the food before she eats, Daddy,” Michael blurted in a raspy voice.
    Jeffrey smiled. What else did his son know about this delightful creature? He put the wine down. “I’m sorry, Sister. I’m afraid I’ve gotten into some bad habits this last year. This is what comes from not having a woman around. Would you say grace?”
    She bowed her head. “Please, Dear Lord. May we be thankful for this food. May it help us to remember Thee and to do good in Thy sight. Amen.”
    “And thank you for letting Sister come,” Michael chimed in. “Amen.”
    Catherine’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
    Amen,” Jeffrey followed in his deep voice. Then he offered the wine once more. “Is it against the rules of your order to have this?”
    “No.” She smiled charmingly and sipped it. “It’s delicious. Just right.”
    “I think it’s a good companion to a salty dish. I, however, prefer ale.” He proceeded to swallow the contents of his glass without stopping for breath.
    “My father loved English ale. He said it was their most outstanding contribution to mankind.”
    Jeffrey broke into quiet laughter. Her eyes told him she found it all very entertaining. There was something so natural and refreshing about her. He was charmed by her.
    “All right,” he said after they’d finished eating, recognizing food had never tasted so good before. “What will it be now?” He looked over at Michael who lay quietly in bed watching them. “Another story, or a game maybe?”
    “A game please, Daddy.” Michael looked at her with an eager expression. “Sister?” Jeffrey didn’t know what was coming next. No doubt she had some new idea up her sleeve that Michael wanted her to share with him. His curiosity was piqued.
    “Charades?”
    He nodded his curly head. “Daddy,” he began, but coughed for a full minute. It was a horrible reminder of his illness. They exchanged worried glances. Finally the spasm subsided. “You and sister have to find out what nursery rhyme I’m doing.” He pretended to bleat like a sheep. He did it with such feeling despite his illness, both of them laughed.
    “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” Jeffrey answered.
    “He guessed it, Sister. It was too easy.” Again they laughed. He was so dear. “Your turn,