“You are big strong men but you cannot stop bullets.”
“We have a few bullets of our own, ma’am,” said Bodhi. She stared up at Bodhi’s face, looking up and up.
“You four will be difficult to hide from view. I will do my best to keep the neighbors away.”
“Perhaps you could tell them you’re sick with a cold or the flu,” said Frank. She frowned at the man, shaking her head.
“Young man, I haven’t been sick since I was twelve. The beauty of an island like this is that we keep all the sickness away from us. No one would believe I was sick with anything. Just stay hidden if possible.”
She left them alone, making the treacherous climb back down the rickety steps. Frank closed the door, making it flush with the floor and they found a spot to stretch out and relax, hopefully getting some sleep.
“We can try to see what’s happening over there in daylight tomorrow. For now, get some sleep.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
The smell of strong hot coffee woke the men in the attic. They would leave Marguerite with money to buy additional supplies if she needed them but they also had their own.
“Good morning,” she said softly waving a hand at the table. “A traditional Greek breakfast. I’m sure you’re used to something much heavier but our food is simple, focusing on local, fresh ingredients. There is Greek yogurt with honey, fresh bread that I made yesterday, several local cheeses and olives. I wasn’t sure if you would eat it, but I made spanakopita. The coffee is strong, very strong, but I suspect you’re used to that. There are eggs if you want those.”
“Marguerite, you went to too much trouble,” said Frank. “We would have been happy with just bread and olives.”
“Nonsense. That’s not enough to sustain a man on a mission,” she said. “Eat. I’m going to head to the market just like I do every morning. No one will suspect a thing.”
“Be careful Marguerite,” said Ian.
She nodded, smiling at the young men. Although, she suspected they were not as young as they appeared. There was something about them that told her they were men of the world. Experienced. And their experiences were what made them special.
Outside the small market, the village men were sitting have their coffee in silence. Normally, there would be laughter and conversation. Lately, it was nothing except polite nods.
“Good morning,” she said nodding at the men.
“Good morning, Marguerite. Are you well?” asked one of them.
“I am. Thank you. Just getting some extra supplies. Who knows when they’ll allow another ferry of goods to arrive.”
The men all raised their brows, realizing that she was right. It might be weeks, maybe months before they allowed another supply vessel to come.
“I didn’t think of that,” said one of them. “I suppose I’ll take some things back to the wife this morning as well. Good idea, Marguerite. I wish we knew where Nicolai was.”
“We can only pray he is safe,” she said with a sad expression. “Have the guards come yet this morning?”
“They came earlier but they seem on edge. Be careful Marguerite. We can’t lose you also.”
She nodded as she entered the small grocery, filling her basket with coffee, cheese, flour, eggs, pistachios, and baskets of olives fresh from the trees on the island. Grabbing the last of the fresh orange juice, she took the basket to the counter and left a few bills for the young woman behind the counter.
Her belly was swollen with her third child. She looked tired and ready to pop at any moment.
“How much longer, Diana?” smiled Marguerite.
“The midwife says maybe a week,” she said shaking her head. “I’m tired. I’m tired and I’m frightened. What sort of world am I bringing this baby into?”
“It will be alright,” she said patting her hands. “We’ll find a way to let the world know what’s happening here.”
“Do you think the world doesn’t know? I mean, is no one concerned about what happened to Nicolai or Marie Nicole? No one has come here. Not the army. Not the government. No one.”
“It’s alright, Diana,” she said calmly. “Don’t get yourself upset over this. I promise it will be okay. Let me know when the baby arrives and I’ll come and help.”
The young woman nodded at her, wiping her tears as she left the store.
