A Rose in No-Man's Land Read Online Free PDF

knifed into her heart when she saw Mark and Guy strolling toward the dairy.
    “The men are going to milk for you.” She started sieving the flour.
    “Yes, Guy doesn’t want me overdoing things,” Sophie admitted, flushing prettily. “I…we…we’re going to have a baby.”
    “I’m so pleased for you!” Amy threw her arms around the other girl. No wonder Guy had been grinning like a Cheshire cat when she and Mark came in.
    Amy set to work with a will. A baby in the house at last! She chuckled. Hard to imagine Guy as a father, but Sophie was a born mother.
    One day I’d like to have a husband and children . She kneaded the scone dough energetically. Nursing had always been such a driving, all-consuming force within her, and she wanted to do her part for the war effort after committing herself to it. Could Mark be frightened of love? Afraid to trust women because his mother had deserted him and left him to be raised by a monster?
    Could she make him need her? The timing was all wrong, because the soldiers needed her more at the moment. If they had met at another time, things might have been different, but each of them owed a duty to the Empire until the war was won.
    Mark liked her. Even with her limited experience of men, she sensed this. Perhaps he fought his feelings because of his duty to the war effort. Her reasoning made the pain of his rejection somehow more bearable.
    ****
    Dinner turned into a pleasant, relaxed affair. They didn’t bother lighting the two wall lanterns in the parlor because the light thrown out from the roaring fire gave the room an ambient glow.
    “Anyone fancy a game of cards?” Guy asked, after they had made themselves comfortable in the sitting room.
    “No, thanks, I’m too lazy to move from here. Let’s sit for a while.” Sophie stifled a yawn. “Why don’t you play us something on the violin, Amy? We could have a sing-song.”
    “Smithy can make that fiddle talk,” Guy boasted.
    “Is there anything you can’t do, Sister Amy?” Mark’s last two softly spoken words floated over her like an intimate caress.
    “Not much.” She laughed, feeling happy. This would be their final leave before they sailed for the war. So little time. Why not enjoy it?
    The violin, an old one Uncle Frederick had picked up on his travels, had a sweet sound. She lifted it from its velvet-lined case and caressed the polished wood with her fingertips.
    “Ladies’ choice, Sophie. What would you like?”
    “A polka. Come on, Guy, let’s dance.”
    “Should you, darling?”
    “I’m all right. I told Amy about the baby.”
    “Oh, good. We’re expecting a baby, Mark.”
    Guy appeared young and vulnerable standing there with his arm draped across Sophie’s shoulders. They loved each other so much. Amy feared for them.
    “Congratulations. I suppose you want a son?” Mark clapped him on the back.
    “Of course. Don’t all men?”
    For a fleeting moment, Amy watched desperate despair pass over Mark’s face, and she wanted to weep.
    “Marriage and parenthood are a beautiful combination, mate. You should try it.”
    “It’s not for everyone.”
    The agony in Mark’s voice moved her as nothing ever had before. Her hand trembled as she tucked the violin under her chin. To lighten the atmosphere, she played a polka first, watching with a feeling of genuine pleasure as Guy and Sophie danced. When Sophie got tired, they reclined on the large couch and sang bush ballads. As the fire burned down to a glowing bed of embers, they all moved closer to the warmth.
    “I’ll get some more logs.” Guy stood up.
    “Don’t worry on my behalf,” Mark told him. “I might turn in soon.”
    “Good idea.” Amy stifled a yawn. “If we want an early morning ride, there’s no point in staying up too late. I’m beginning to feel weary.”
    “Come and help me with supper, Guy.”
    Amy’s eyes widened with surprise when he did as Sophie suggested.
    “They’re being discreet and leaving us alone,” Amy