Fields of Grace Read Online Free PDF

scanned the teeming wooden pier. Somewhere Reinhardt and Eli searched for Henrik. Of all the boys, Henrik should be the least likely to wander off. Yet just moments ago Joseph had asked the question, “Where is Henrik?” And they’d realized he was no longer with them. A prayer winged from her soul: God, protect him and bring him back to us!
    Jakob yanked on her skirt. “Mama, people are getting on the ship! Are we getting on the ship?”
    Lillian’s mouth went dry at the sight of the throng moving one by one up the narrow gangplank. Should she, Joseph, and Jakob get in line? She had their tickets—they could board and wait for Reinhardt and the others on the ship.
    Joseph scowled at Jakob. “We cannot board until Father comes. What if they close the gate and we are on the ship without Father and Henrik? Do we want to sail away without them?”
    Lillian murmured her thanks for Joseph’s sensible reply. Of course they must wait. But Jakob continued to tug at her, eager to cross the gangplank and get on the ship. She gave his shoulder a firm jerk. “Stand still, Jakob! We will not board until our family is all together.”
    Jakob stuck out his lower lip and folded his arms across his chest, but he stopped fidgeting. Bobbing heads of passersby blocked her view, but Lillian continued to scan the crowd for Reinhardt or Eli. Just when panic had nearly sent her stomach into spasms, she spotted Reinhardt’s familiar black hat. She rose on tiptoe, and relief flooded her when she realized he had Henrik by the collar of his jacket, propelling him along. Eli followed on their heels.
    She pressed Jakob into his brother’s hands. “Joseph, keep Jakob with you and stay right here. Do not move!” She worked her way through the crowd to meet her husband and oldest son in the center of the pier. “Oh, Henrik!” Although he remained caught in Reinhardt’s grasp, Lillian embraced him. “What a fright you gave me! How did you get separated from us?”
    Reinhardt gave Henrik’s jacket a yank that pulled him free of Lillian’s arms. “Tell your mother how you came to be separated from us.”
    Despite his father’s demand, Henrik clamped his jaw and looked to the side in silence.
    Color rose in Reinhardt’s face. “He did it on purpose. He wanted to go back to Gnadenfeld.” He released Henrik with a sharp jerk that pulled his jacket askew. “Onndankboa benjel dü.”
    Henrik’s cheeks streaked red as he spun to face his father. “You call me an ungrateful boy? I am neither a boy nor ungrateful. I am a man with my own ideas!”
    “Bah!” Reinhardt slashed his hand as if erasing his son’s words. “A man thinks of others before himself. But you think only of yourself.” He pointed at Lillian. “How dare you frighten your mother this way!”
    For a moment, remorse flashed in Henrik’s eyes, but it disappeared when Reinhardt continued.
    “You would sneak back to Gnadenfeld after all we have done for you? Everything we left behind, we left because of you!”
    “Did I ask you to leave things behind for me? I wanted to stay! I would perform my duty and then come home again, but you said we had to leave!” Henrik’s voice, normally low-toned, came out as a screech. “It was not my choice!”
    “I gave you no choice because you are still a foolish boy and I am your father.” Reinhardt banged his thumb against his chest. “I know what is best. You will honor me and do as I say.” He leaned forward, his nose inches from Henrik’s.
    The two, nearly identical in height and build, squared off with matching brown eyes flashing. Each clenched his fists.
    Lillian clapped her hands over her mouth. Might Reinhardt strike his son . . . or vice versa? She started to step forward and intervene, but a small body shot past her. Jakob wrapped his arms around Henrik’s waist.
    “ Brooda , my brother, do not be angry. Come with me on the ship.” The little boy lifted his face to Henrik, his expression pleading. “I want you to