The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Authors: Shari J. Ryan
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 3.7 MB
- Price: Free
EMILIE
FIVE MONTHS AGO, FEBRUARY 1942
Munich, Germany
Crystallized snowflakes cover the red, gray, and white cobblestones
between my house and Otto’s. Soon, we’ll be calling these houses “our
parents’ houses, on the street we lived.”
Avoiding my husband’s concern, made obvious by the lines across his
forehead, I stare down at my damp black oxfords, watching the flecks of
snow melt away. Another sharp gust of wind slices through my stockings,
making me shiver. It’s silly to be standing out in the cold like this.
“Emilie, you’re freezing,” he tells me, rubbing his leather-gloved hands
up and down the length of my cardinal-red wool-covered arms.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to be difficult. I’m struggling
to understand all of this,” I say. “I didn’t think we’d be leaving so soon.”
“But we’re married now—husband and wife,” Otto says. I can hear the
smile in his voice. “It’s time for us to start our married life properly.”
“Of course, and I’m eager for every bit that’s to come, but—”
“Moving out of Munich won’t be so bad, I promise,” Otto says, taking
my hands into his, our fingers intertwining. “No matter where we go or
what challenges come, we’ll always have each other.”
My heart warms at his words and I peer up at him, finding his hazel
eyes full with determination and passion. It’s becoming harder to resist his
plea to join him in the car. He opens the passenger-side door, gesturing
toward the leather interior.
We got married three weeks ago and, until last night, everything was
going smoothly. But as I took my last bite of the pork roast I’d spent all day
preparing, his words spilled out like water from an overflowing bucket.
“They’ve moved up the research job offer—my uncle’s agency. They
want me to start right away, and they’re giving us a newly furnished house.
A house, at no cost. I’ve been bursting at the seams, dying to tell you all
day,” he said, his cheeks flushing pink, eyes open wide, and hands balled
into fists on the tabletop.
I sipped from my glass of water, taking a brief second to process
everything he’d just revealed. “Right away?” I managed to ask through the
tightening nerves in my stomach. I guess I didn’t need to question his
decision. Whatever happens, we rarely have time to think.
“Yes, I can take you to our new house tomorrow morning. They want
me to start later this week if possible,” he continued. A sheen of sweat was
beginning to form along his forehead, as the expression on my face became
sullen. He’s always known I hate surprises.
“But how? This is so sudden…”
“Darling, we’re sitting in your parents’ kitchen, acting as if we live here
alone. They’re in the next room over. We’re married! I wish you’d share my
excitement for this opportunity.”
“What about our classes at the university? Where will we be moving?” I
began to spout off questions, percolating with each second longer we sat
there between his announcement and my response. He has more classes
than I do since the nursing program is slightly shorter than the doctor’s.
Still, neither of us is anywhere close to completion.
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