She paused with each step, turning back to look at Brigit as if afraid she wouldn’t be there anymore if she spent too much time away from her.
“I can see myself out,” Otto said. “Keep her company.”
“Otto, I do not know how to thank you.” She reached for a small jug painted blue and green on a little shelf next to the door. He heard coins jingling as she lifted it and cradled it to her chest.
“We do not have much saved…”
“Frieda—” He covered her hands with his own. “—I do not need payment for this. Please.”
“But—”
“No.” He shook his head. “This is my village. My community. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t help. Keep the money. It will come in handy this winter.”
“You saved her,” she whispered.
He smiled in elation, all of his teeth showing. “And that is payment enough. Though I won’t say no to her strudel once nature allows it again.”
“Otto,” Frieda said seriously, “prepare to be drowned in strudel.”
“Oh, I am more than ready.” He gave her a firm hug. “I need to ask you one more thing.”
“Anything,” she said, and he held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes.
“Stay inside for a few days. Away from Henne.”
“Why?” she asked with a frown, and he sighed.
“I will tell you everything once everyone is well,” he said. “For now, can you please trust me?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you,” he said before walking out.
He rushed toward his house, making sure no one saw him, his heart in his throat. He had done it! He had found the cure and he had everything he needed to make enough for every ill person in the village. He needed Alwin. He needed to tell him.
And then he needed to rush back to the ruins and his workstation to make the cures and heal everyone.
He burst through his front door, making Gisela and Alwin jump in their chairs. Worried eyes found him as he filled the doorway, Farwin once again perched on Gisela’s head.
“We need to go,” he said. “Now.”
“Otto?” Gisela stood up, worry etched on her face.
“How did it go?” Alwin asked. “Is she…?”
He trailed off and Otto rushed toward him, grabbing him around the waist, scooping him up, and spinning him beforeplanting a kiss on his lips that left him lightheaded and Alwin shivering against his chest.
“She’s alive!” he said. “The cure worked. She is recovering as we speak, Alwin. We have to make more. We have to…”
He fell silent when he realized Alwin wasn’t looking at him anymore, but at Gisela. He followed his gaze and found her watching the two of them, Otto’s arms around Alwin, Alwin clutching the sides of his shirt, the kiss they’d shared still echoing around the room.
“Oh…” he said, catching Gisela’s eye and biting his lip. “I…”
“Well…you’d be about as terrible at gambling as our father was,” she said. “You are so easy to read.”
He flushed bright red all the way to the roots of his hair. “What?”
“I saw the way you two looked at each other from the moment Alwin arrived at our home,” she said. “This was just a matter of time.”
