A Noble Groom (Michigan Brides #2)(97)

“I hope so. He deserved to die.” Uri stepped out from the shadows. “The same way Hans did.”

Annalisa glanced from Ward’s wound to the hoe and then back again. She swallowed a lump of horror that rose swiftly and threatened to choke her. She didn’t want to meet Uri’s gaze, but her eyes were drawn to his.

“Did you kill Hans?” Carl spoke the words she couldn’t.

“Yes. I killed him.” Uri jutted his chin. But at the kindness in Carl’s eyes, the hardness in the boy’s stance faltered. “But I only meant to teach him not to be so cruel. I didn’t mean to kill him.”

The confession struck Annalisa with a power that left her breathless. She closed her eyes, wanting to pretend that none of it had happened, that her baby brother was still a sweet, innocent boy.

But she’d known how much he’d hated Hans, especially near the end.

Uri lifted his chin. “But now I’m glad he’s dead.”

Sorrow welled within her, making her want to weep. “Oh, Uri . . .” she said.

He looked her in the eyes, letting her get a glimpse of the guilt that had haunted him these many months. Then anger quickly replaced any remorse there. “Hans wasn’t worthy of you, Annalisa. Not like Carl.”

“But you shouldn’t have attacked him,” she said softly.

“I suppose you think I shouldn’t have hit Ward either?”

She started to shake her head.

Uri tossed down his hoe and strode to the back door that was slightly ajar.

“Wait!” She started after him.

But he didn’t stop. He slipped outside, his shoulders stiff and his back rigid.

She chased after him, pushing at the door. “Uri!” she called.

She pulled back at the sight that met her. The billowing black clouds had descended with a fury. In the distance above the trees, the darkness was broken by a red glow.

The fire.

How long did they have before the inferno descended upon them?

“Uri!” she screamed after the outline of his body disappearing into the woods. “Uri! Come back! It’s too dangerous!”

He plunged forward into the foliage without a backward glance.

She wanted to race after him and reassure him that she still loved him, that she always would. But she knew she couldn’t, not without risking Sophie’s life.



She had to remember he was a smart boy, and he knew the woods better than anyone else. He would find a way to survive the fire. Right now she needed to worry about saving her daughters.

She went back into the barn.

“Ward’s still alive!” Carl called from his position next to the man.

“Danke, Gott,” she whispered, starting toward them.

Already Ward was rubbing his eyes.

Maybe they wouldn’t need to tell anyone about Uri’s attempt to murder Ward. And they would pray Ward wouldn’t bring charges against the boy. Uri had attacked from behind, and she doubted Ward had seen him. And even if he had, how could he level accusations against Uri without casting guilt on himself in the process?

Even as she tried to justify what he’d done, deep inside she knew life would never be the same again. Uri was a murderer. He’d killed Hans. How could either one of them ever forget that?

Carl glanced out the barn door and then rose to his feet, his face a mask of urgency. “Let’s go.” He scooped Gretchen into his arms, grabbed the lantern, and started toward the door.

Annalisa scurried after him.

The day had turned as black as night. In the distance a wall of flames shot high into the air.

“Hurry!” Carl shouted.

She wasn’t sure where Carl was taking them until she stood before the well. He held the lantern up, illuminating its murky depths. “I’ll lower you first.”

She hesitated. Hans had dug the well when he’d first settled the land, and it wasn’t deep—probably no more than three lengths of a tall man. Even so, she wasn’t sure she wanted to climb down there.

“Now, Annalisa. Please.” His voice was laced with desperation, and his gaze darted to the oncoming fire.



The flames seemed to be roaring toward them with the strength of a tornado, swirling and twisting and tossing sparks. Burning embers carried by the wind began to fall on the western edge of the cleared land.

They had no choice. There wasn’t time to go anywhere else.

With the help of Carl’s steady strength she half climbed, half fell into the cold water at the bottom. Thankfully with the drought, the water only reached her waist. The splashing, however, had soaked Sophie and she began wailing.

In a matter of seconds, Carl had lowered Gretchen into her arms. She situated the girl on her hip.

Above, Carl held up the lantern. “I’m going back for Ward,” he called above Sophie’s crying, which echoed off the walls of their refuge.

“Nein!” She shook her head. “There’s no time.”

Ward didn’t deserve any of their kindness. And she certainly didn’t want Carl risking his life for the scoundrel.

“I cannot leave him there,” Carl yelled.

“Nein!”

But he’d already moved away, taking the lantern and leaving her and the girls in complete darkness.

The coolness of the water and the dampness of the fieldstones that lined the well soothed her hot skin. Still, anxiety left her breathless and shaking. “Carl!” she screamed. “Come back.”