"It would appear, my love, that you have gotten your wish," Georg said as he helped Maria up the final steps of the ladder leading to the barn's loft.
Maria laughed as she surveyed the vast ledge where her family would be staying for at least a couple of days. There were stacks and stacks of –
"Hay!" Gretl shouted, leaping into a large accumulation in the center of the floor. "We're going to sleep in the hay!"
Marta followed suit, and both girls were merrily jumping around, their energy renewed. Georg and Maria laughed before hearing footsteps from below.
"It's not much, but the animals will keep you warm," the farmer's wife, Eva, said as she climbed the ladder, followed by Friedrich and Kurt. Georg quickly walked over to assist them in heaving the assortment of blankets and pillows up to the loft.
"Oh, Eva, you are being more than generous," Maria said, her eyes filling at the sight of the provisions. "What can we possibly do to…"
The woman smiled and took her hands in hers. Maria swallowed, suddenly slightly uncomfortable at the way in which Eva was studying her.
"We are happy to assist you in your journey," Eva said, squeezing her hands tighter. "Now, I will go back to my kitchen to prepare our dinner."
"Oh, really, let me or one of the girls—"
Eva squeezed her hands again. "You," she said, looking directly at Maria, "will rest. But I would be most grateful for some help."
Maria opened her mouth to protest, but Liesl stepped forward and placed her hand on her mother's shoulder.
"We can help, Mother," she said softly, a glimmer of Eva's concern mirrored on her face.
Maria sighed, knowing she was outnumbered. She nodded quickly, and her three eldest daughters followed Eva to the ladder. Marta and Gretl ran up to her side.
"May we help too?" Gretl asked.
Laughing, Maria hugged the girl to her. "Why don't we get this loft ready for us to sleep in?" she suggested, and the two girls brightened at the task.
Georg stepped forward to Eva. "Where is Daniel?" he asked. "I'd like to see how my sons and I can help."
Eva nodded. "He should be in the work-shed. I'll show you."
Maria, Marta, and Gretl watched the family disappear down the ladder. Turning to her youngest daughters, Maria felt rejuvenated at their temporary oasis.
"Are we really going to sleep up here, Mother?" Marta asked.
Nodding, Maria stooped over and dropped a few strands of hay over the girls' heads, causing them to giggle. "It'll be like we're farm animals!" she said, and Gretl laughed aloud and started to bay like a sheep.
The laughter lifted Maria's spirits even more, and she cocked her head to her girls to help them arrange the blankets and pillows around the loft so they'd be ready to easily fall asleep later that evening.
"I hope you'll forgive the lack of anything grand," Eva said, a bit apologetically. "We're not used to visitors."
Georg shook his head, humbled by the simple, but abundant display of stew and boiled vegetables. "It's more than enough. It looks perfect."
Eva smiled and then turned to the three eldest Von Trapp girls. "I had some first-rate help," she said, and the girls beamed.
Daniel laughed as he gestured for the children to sit. "Well, I must say we're also enjoying this. It's not every day we have such nice company."
Georg pulled out a chair for Maria and looked over at his hosts. "I hope we didn't put you out too much."
Daniel shook his head. "Not at all," he insisted. Once everyone was seated, he bowed his head. "Lord, may this humble meal be a pleasant respite for our guests and please watch over our homeland."
Amen was chorused around the table. The farmer looked around at everyone and smiled. "Don't be shy," he said. The children looked over at their parents, who nodded at them. Silently but with obvious eagerness, the family filled their plates.
Georg looked over at Maria and was surprised to see tears staining her cheeks. He took her hand. "What is it?" he asked.
She shook her head. "God has blessed us so," she managed to say from her tight throat.
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Is that all?" he whispered.
She nodded. Too quickly, he thought. He wanted to press the issue, but knew that it wasn't the right moment. Turning to his host, he exhaled and smiled.
"How long have you lived here, Daniel?" he asked.
The other swallowed his mouthful of potatoes. "All my life," he answered. "This farm has been in my family for generations."
"It's lovely," Maria said, looking at her spoonful of beans a bit apprehensively. "Your pride in it shows everywhere."
Daniel beamed at the compliment. "Thank you, my dear."
"Do you still have family in the area?" Georg asked.
"Our eldest son is currently with my brother on the other side of town, helping him with a troublesome horse," Daniel explained before gesturing about him. "This farm will go to him when we can no longer manage it."
"We have two younger children, too," Eva added. "They're both in the village as apprentices."
"I do hope you'll forgive us for the loft," Daniel said quickly. "Our children's rooms are currently being used for temporary storage and couldn't be cleaned out for tonight."
"You mustn't apologize for that," Georg said, exhaling. "The loft is more than we could ask for."
"Yes," Maria added, turning to smile at Marta and Gretl. "It's quite luxurious, isn't it?"
The girls nodded, their mouths too full to speak.
Eva laughed lightly but didn't say anything. Maria shifted in her seat, unsettled by the look on Eva's face. She had on the same expression as when they were in the loft. Maria looked down at her untouched food.
"I hope the meal is to everyone's liking," Eva said slowly, continuing to watch Maria carefully. Amidst the overwhelming praise from the children, Georg glanced down at Maria's plate.
She heard his sharp intake of breath. "Maria, you've hardly eaten," he whispered.
"I just have no appetite," she replied, her throat tightening again.
"You didn't eat yesterday either," he said, and she could hear the concern in his voice.
Forcing a smile, Maria covered his hand in hers. "I'm fine, really. I just can't eat. I'm too anxious."
"Didn't you say earlier that you wouldn't do anything to hurt yourself?" he asked, rubbing her arm.
She exhaled. "I know. I'm sorry," she said, closing her eyes for a moment. "I just can't eat."
"Would you like some tea, Maria?" Eva's voice broke their private conversation, and they looked up to see the entire table watching them. All of their children's plates were cleared, and contented smiles lit their faces.
Maria shook her head. "No, thank you," she said, about to stand up. "But I insist I help you clean."
"And I insist you don't," Eva said, in a tone that reminded Maria very much of Georg.
"Liesl, Louisa," Georg said, looking at his eldest daughters. The girls nodded quickly and started to gather their siblings' plates. As Eva and Daniel opened their mouths to protest, Georg waved his hand. "I insist they do."
Despite the fact that he was a guest in their home, Daniel and Eva had no choice but to nod in acceptance. Cocking her head to the kitchen, Eva laughed. "Come, girls, let's get cleaned up."
Eager to help, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl each took a cup or plate, practically running after the group. Maria smiled. They will treat the chores like a game, she thought.
Georg looked over at Daniel. "Is there anything else we could assist you with? I'd like to help as much as possible."
Nodding, Daniel smiled. "Yes, if you don't mind. A part of the fence where my cows graze needs to be repaired. I'll show you in the morning."
Georg exhaled and turned to Maria. "Let's get the little ones ready for bed," he suggested. She nodded, and Georg glanced quickly at her untouched dinner again and then back to her. He frowned as he helped her to rise from her chair, unable to voice that what he really wanted was for her to actually get some sleep.
To be continued…