Capturing Hope by Angela K Couch

Author:Angela K Couch [Couch, Angela K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636096926
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-10-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Stepping into an embrace.

The thought would not leave Nadia as she tipped the bottle so Arek could drink the last of the milk David had brought. Uncertainty of where and when they would find more milk for the baby gnawed at her. She had never wanted for anything in her life, had never experienced this fear, especially on someone else’s behalf. A baby could not subsist long without milk.

Stepping into an embrace.

Nadia shoved the thought away. She had more pressing matters than comprehending the afterlife. Life itself stacked a list of demands she needed to focus on solving. Diapers were also in short supply since their incident at the river. The baby wore a makeshift one now that had been saturated during the night, and the spare desperately needed a wash. She cringed at the thought but would make it a priority as soon as the child was fed.

A bedroom door creaked open, and the woman of the house swept through to the kitchen, dark hair twisted into a tight bun on the back of her head, a kind smile on her round face. “Dzien dobry,” she whispered, casting a glance at the sleeping children. David had stepped outside, and Zoita lay awake beside her son, probably questioning if it would have been better to remain in Warsaw.

“Dzien dobry,” Nadia returned the greeting. She set the empty bottle aside and shifted Arek away from her just enough to keep his moist pants from soaking her as well. “Thank you for allowing us to stay the night. I do not know how we would have kept going.”

“Of course, of course. You are very welcome.” Though the beginning of wrinkles showed when she smiled, in the morning light she appeared a little younger than Zoita, perhaps in her late thirties. I hope you will break your fast with us before you continue your journey. And your baby.” She looked from the empty bottle to Nadia. “You were not able to feed him?”

“He had some milk this morning, but …” Nadia’s explanation died as understanding struck. “Oh, you mean … Nie. He is not mine. He was not mine. His parents are dead.”

Compassion touched the woman’s light brown eyes, and she stepped near. “Oh, poor child. You are good to care for him.”

“I do my best.” Nadia shifted him in her arms as he grew heavier with each minute. “I do not know much about babies.”

Dark eyebrows rose, and she opened her arms. “May I?”

“Of course.” Nadia released Arek to her, immediately feeling both relief and apprehension.

“Oh, what a fine boy. With such a wet bottom. Have you no clean diapers?”

“We lost what we had.”

“Not to worry,” she crooned to the baby. “I have plenty to spare.” She slipped from the room, Arek in arms. Nadia moved to follow, then thought better of it and forced herself to sit. The woman seemed to have a kind heart, and she would not be gone far. Nadia looked around as the morning sun spread through the room, chasing shadows.

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