"Yes? And things got worse!" Anna reminded her cousin with a laugh. They talked on until Anna asked out of the blue, "So Tina what about Zeff?"

Tina reached for the last coffee mug to dry and hang on a hook with the rest. Her white teeth, smiling at Anna and she started to say mockingly, Answered prayer! But behind the women there was a gritty shoe-on-sand sound. "Si, senorita Tina. What to do about Zeff! Eh?"

The women turned red faced at the voice of Zeff. He was grinning at Tina. Anna made an excuse and she left the kitchen with her ap.r.o.n on. Retreating down the hallway, Anna heard Tina laughing nervously.

Christina rushed through the front door. The children at the short table had eaten already and were scampering about the yard with Junior and Nerah as playground guards. The adults were finishing a late lunch. The men were making plans for the evening expedition in hopes of meeting up with the Serendipity.

Dale understood little of Christina's alarming news but he understood the reactions of his wife, Bethania, Sam and Tina. Sam kicked his chair behind him when he leaped up at her announcement. It fell over with a clang. Bethania began wailing and tightening her scarf. Tina laughed anxiously. Her face faded to opaque rather than ivory; her dark eyes wide with fear.

Anna looked to Dale. "Karlo and his men are coming back!" she said above Bethania's prayerful cries.

"What? Impossible! I fixed those brakes myself... Don't you youngsters ever apply your brakes? Youth is truly wasted on you people!" said Bernie who showed comical hostility at the dearth of responsible young drivers.

"Now honey..." began Bean trying to calm Mr Adams.

Bernie diverted from the momentous dilemma before them, turned to Bean. "Did you call me honey? Why dear, that is the second time in so many days!"

"Honey? Did I?" Jellybean responded. The elderly couple tuned out the rest of the clamor to discuss whether or not Bean had called Bernie "honey" once, twice or not at all in the last few days. She hadn't kept count but Bernie a.s.sured her he had!

At the front door which stood open, a group of children gathered.

Christina reported what she had heard from her nephew who had heard it from his best friend's father who worked at the sleazy bar behind Georgios taverna. "Apparently, Karlo and the others came through town this morning. They went up to the coast on some emergency errand but they returned a few hours ago very tired and very mad," interpreted Tina.

"My nephew is a good boy. He tells me that they ate a huge amount of food and then went to sleep! Yes, but they told his friend... his friends are bad and we've told him not to pal around with them but my nephew, he doesn't listen to common sense," Christina shrugged as Tina related the tale in English.

"And then what? What did Karlo say he was going to do?" Tina asked as Christina took a break to eat a piece of bread left at the center of the table.

"Heh? He said he was coming back to Evangelos to finish what he started. And you told me that Karlo said..." Christina didn't finish because Tina put up her palm.

"Stop! Don't repeat what I said. I was a wreck... Out of my head," Tina said with vigor and in Greek. She laughed her unique laugh sounding like wind chimes in a contrary wind.

Dale said, "Its time to pack up. Tina, I think you must be coming along with us."

"Yes and these nios must come too. Our little boat can handle quite a crowd and we have not far to go... D'Almata," said Zeff.

Bethania had settled down to hear Christina's report. At Tina's concluding laugh, the old woman turned to Sam and they began a pow-wow. Dale and Anna began discussing a plan, as well as Tina and Zeff. Bernie and Bean had decided that she had said "honey" only twice and it was of no consequence.

Junior and Nerah and the older children gathered at the door we're talking about what they had heard and what it could mean.

Jellybean let out her signature whistle and the entire crowd turned toward her, silenced. "Thank you," she said with a grim smile. "Now Dale has something to say... So everyone listen please." Some children at the door giggled at the foreigner's siren-like whistle and strange words but Nerah hushed them.

Startled, Dale cleared his throat as eyes and heads turned to him. "Yes. I think it best to be far from here when this guy, Karlo returns to town. Zeff, you need to head this up. I suppose we can divide up to ride in Tina's van and Sam...? You'll take the rest in the truck. Each person can take a small suitcase or bag with their personal items. Anna, you help Tina get the children ready. Grandpa, you and Bean need to consolidate your things," Dale said. The room was deserted in a matter of seconds as each went to complete a task.

Zeff, Sam and Dale went out back to examine the vehicles. The airport rental car had been dropped at the designated petrol station in Avliotes some days before. Junior was a.s.signed to do a count.

"There are twenty-one children, including Nerah. Plus, the rest of us. That's 28 all together and I suppose Sam here will be driving so that's 29 people," he said in his typical round-about way.

It was doable. Zeff said, "There is a road along the northern coast but where we plan to meet Mac is isolated. There is no drivable track for a mile or more. We didn't see one although there were roads zigzagging the groves but we climbed fences and gates to use them," he explained.

It was getting dark when Anna, Tina and Nerah began scuttling the children from the front of the house to the vehicles parked in the back. Bethania returned to Tina's cousin Christina's home to tell Jellybean that it was time to load up. Some fifteen minutes before, Bernie had brought their down-sized luggage from Christina's house where he had been staying along with Dale, Anna and Gwyneth.

It was a tearful goodbye for Bethania. Sam would return for her in the morning but Dale... "Will I see you again on this side?" she asked.

Dale hugged her tenderly. "I want to help you and Sam with your underground railroad. Anna and I have decided to get involved. We're going to be praying about what G.o.d would have us to do... So yes, I think we'll be seeing you again soon!" Their eyes were wet as Dale turned to climb in the truck cab.

Zeff with Tina, and Junior sitting shot-gun at the pa.s.senger window drove the van. Anna, Bean and Gwennie rode with several younger children in the enclosed back. Dale drove the truck with Bernie and Sam riding on the front bench seat and the rest of the children sat in the rear under the tarp.

Tina had confided in Bethania and Bean that she wasn't at all sure she wouldn't be back and soon.

"There will always be a need for an orphanage especially in these dangerous times," Tina had said. Her words were buoyed by conviction.

Bean understood. She suggested leaving a note on the front door that the children had been taken on holiday to the south of the island. Also, the note should say something diverting like if anyone needed to get a hold of the director that they should call the mayor's office in the city. "That will throw them off! Bernie and I used to say 'confuse the enemy to buy time,'" she told Tina.

Laughing in her soft way, Bethania said, "I'll keep that strategy in mind for any undertakings Sam and I attempt! But for now, I'll help with the ruse too. If the New Dawn agents show up... when they show up, I'll throw open the window at Christina's house and shout that you have gone to Kavos on a much needed holiday." She showed her gold teeth with a wide smile. "It will take them three or four days to check out that story!"

Tina thought these splendid ideas. The last thing she did before settling down next to Zeff in the front seat of the van, was to tack a note of diversion to her front door after locking it.

The lock didn't hold. Six motorcycles sat in front of the orphanage as Karlo kicked the door in. He was through the houses and back at the front room before his cohort pointed to the paper fluttering at the door.

Bethania shouted her red-herring before slamming the window shut from Christina's across the way. Twisting his head about Karlo wondered which home the voice hailed from... Never mind! He held Tina's note in front of his headlight.

Call the mayor?

Karlo cursed and crumpling the paper, he threw it to the ground. He had not planned on a beautiful young woman running the orphanage. Such a distraction! His jaw still ached and his lip was split from running into an unforeseen object in the early morning gloom at the side of the house. He didn't actually remember the incident as he had drunk too much before and during their nighttime antics. Running his tongue across his front teeth, Karlo was sure at least one was loose.

If only he had gotten the name of the old Frenchman who had p.a.w.ned the jewelry for the orphanage. Instead, he had dallied after the gorgeous, Tina... The p.a.w.nbroker! Karlo had forgotten about him. Perhaps, he hadn't left for the mainland yet. He motioned to his men and they mounted their bikes once again. The p.a.w.nbroker would pay for all the problems and setbacks he had endured since the American had arrived with false hope carried in a pink backpack... Or so Karlo a.s.sumed.

Instead, as the cafe racers roared noisily exiting the village of Evangelos, Karlo noticed his brakes on the descent toward the lower elevation of Avliotes were not responding. Apprehension, gripped his chest. Keeping his eyes on the uneven pavement ahead of him, he zipped past the two leading motorcycles. The three others behind him accelerated to keep close to their daredevil boss. There were several sharp curves between the mountainous village and the valley of Avliotes but the last one was the worse. It was a hairpin turn without a guardrail. The vertical drop ended in several large boulders and a pile of smaller ones, which were cleared to plant grapevines some hundred years before. Karlo didn't care why the rocks were piled beneath the bluff but the boulders were the last thing he saw as his motorbike headlight lit them during his free fall. Bernie's World War II tactic worked after all.

Mac swooped down on the trespa.s.sing urchin; a girl of no more than 3 or 4 years of age. Dusky hair shot out in curls Harpo Marx style, hiding forehead and ears and falling about her shoulders in loopy long curls. She wore a fuzzy beige hand-knitted wool sweater made originally for some child twice her age. The sleeves were rolled up and the hem went almost to her knees.

Merry hadn't been herself in Mac's estimation; she needed the rest. Mac was quick but the child's chilled fingers connected briefly with Merry's warm cheek and instantly, his wife's eyes opened.

Holding the red-cheeked child snugly to his chest with the light cast from the cabin door behind him, Merry thought Mac both strong and nurturing. Forgetting the cold clammy hand that called her up from a deep sleep, Merry wondered with a wistful smile...

Who is this adorable child? And... Who is this man impersonating my husband?

Chapter 32 Fruitful Finale.

"We are staying!"

Mac's eyebrows shot up.

Merry giggled.

Junior looked away from Nerah to eye Zeff.

"We? You surprise me with 20 children all orphans! And now you take your leave? Zeff, I'm sure it is not a difficult choice to make... I never liked children when I was a bachelor either," Mac said dryly, his accent heavy. The toddler who had intruded on Merry's all night nap lay in Mac's arms asleep. Due to her own exhaustion, Merry had slept through the noisy arrival of her family and the orphans.

Mac had said a few more would crowd the sloop!

Merry giggled again.

The salon next to the galley was in shadows. Children were strewn about like colorful leaves lying across the backyard on an autumn day; some on the ground, others on a garden wall and some resting where they had fallen on the patio furniture. After such an adventurous night, all were asleep except Nerah. Even Dale and Anna had succ.u.mbed to weariness, retiring to the captain's berth and taking the slumbering Gwyneth with them. Nerah sat at the galley table drinking hot chocolate with mini marshmallows floating atop. Junior sitting straight and as tall as he could muster, although his belly wounds ached, was next to her.

Zeff reached over, taking Tina's hand. "Que? No, I like children! That is why I am staying. And I love Tina. She said she would be my wife," he said looking at Mac as he lifted Tina's hand dramatically to his lips. Tina watched Zeff and then looking to Merry, she blushed.

Giggles from Merry.

"You're the captain, Mac. Will you officiate, no? Tina and I want to honeymoon on the beautiful vacation isle of Corfu," he said with a grin.

No nonsense Tina said, "I can't leave Kerkyra... And Sam is waiting for us on sh.o.r.e. Dale will update you on Sam and Bethania's plans to channel people, actually Jews through the island to Israel. We're going to work together on this and...And Merry, I am hoping you and Mac will help." Shifting her gaze from her old friend Merry, Tina looked to Mac. She saw that his face revealed boredom. Quickly she said, "Of course, it is very brazen on my part. We don't have anyway to sustain the orphanage. Our capacity to feed, house and educate them topped at 5 children but as you have noticed, in the last few months we acc.u.mulated more than that." Tina held a tight smile, restraining her untimely nervous laughter. She wanted a response from Mac!

Merry had returned from settling the sleeping girl Mac had held, in the salon. She asked, "Do you want supplies? Or what?"

Mac said, "They are going to need supplies, laborers and transportation... and eventually protection. Right?"

"Captain Mac, you know exactly what is needed," Zeff responded. "Will you step up?"

Mac had cut his second molars on smuggling, spying and guerrilla conflicts. It had been a barbaric upbringing and therefore, for a wealthy D'Almatan wherein his history declared this warfare lifestyle the norm, Mac found it culturally acceptable if not exciting. As a Christian, Mac sensed that he was the correct person to be asked and to accept Tina's request. The bored look he wore was the same facial expression he donned when readying to knock the opponent's teeth in at the onset of a fistfight. Or if playing cards and Mac found he held an exceptional hand, a curtain of ennui fell about his mannerisms. In spite of his appearance, Mac mentally coveted their challenge.

To Zeff, he said simply, "Yes, of course. We'll need to set up a few logistic essentials." Tina nodded in understanding but Zeff wondered at Mac's requirement.

Merry made coffee. Junior and Nerah listened uncomprehendingly as Mac and Tina and intermittently, Zeff discussed prospective midnight meetings in a nearby cove to drop food, clothes and medical supplies.

Dawn was approaching when Zeff said, "People! I think most importantly, people must be considered. Neither of you have said anything about transporting Jews. If Kerykera is going to be a... a depot for Jews making their way to safety... to Israel, we need to talk about it."

Merry poured more coffee.

Mac nodded. "All of this sort of smuggling has specialists. I will transport or arrange for transport but specialists must get involved. They know the ropes but we are solely focusing on rendezvous points and timing and chiefly, our communication. My duty first and foremost is to the royal house of D'Almata. Everything else is secondary," he explained.

Tina sprang up as one of the younger children began to moan. Nerah left the table and took the boy from Tina. Tina stood with Nerah for minute, as they whispered back and forth.

Zeff watched them over his shoulder for a moment and then turned back to Mac. "You know Tina and I are both new Christians... The old woman Bethania Kalamaki, she is a new believer too. As far as I can tell, our work to save children and to help persecuted Jews, G.o.d's children may be short lived." He looked at the others seated around the table. He said, "Mac, everything you've been teaching us from the Bible about Jesus, His return and the signs that were prophesied so long ago... It's happening now!"

Merry had not uttered a word in almost an hour but now she said with the excitement of a child looking to Christmas morning, "He is coming!" Mac looked at her with a nod. She added, "People who want righteousness and who are looking for truth and won't settle for less... They are the people that are being gathered into G.o.d's net of safety. You are seeing a polarization. It's almost like G.o.d is letting humanity decide individually the valley of decision, I suppose."

Zeff stared at her, digesting her conclusions. Mac said, "Work while it is light; night is coming when no man can work. The spiritual night is the tribulation. That time, scripture describes as being the worse era ever to be experienced by mankind."

"S. I have been paying attention to your Bible studies. I want to work while we can. I cannot go off and hide. My family thinks I am dead... Well, so be it. I am dead to them and to this world but of course, I am alive in Christ. Est bien," Zeff said with a shrug and a smile.

Reaching over, Mac gave Zeff a blow to his shoulder as way of approval for Zeff's conscientiousness. He said, "My friend, its time you got married. Come on now, step lively!" Zeff beamed at both the prospect of getting married to Tina and from the manly smack of dignity bestowed by Mac.

Merry gave Tina a linen-white cotton dress with a mult.i.tude of colorful embroidered flowers cascading down the bodice as a bridal gift. Mac had bought it for his own bride, Merry in Mexico. It wasn't that Merry didn't like the dress but it had gotten too snug on her and she didn't foresee wearing it again anytime soon. She thought it appropriate as both gift and wedding dress for Tina, besides the fact that the groom was a Mexican national who would appreciate the familiar design.

Besides the half dozen seagulls and a single albatross gliding high above the Serendipity, there were few spectators at the brief ceremony just before sunrise for Mr and Mrs Joseph Zeferano.

The sunshine highlighted the green tips of the island, as Tino took the bridal couple in the skiff towards sh.o.r.e.

Mac and Merry stood at the rail watching the skiff. Bernie, always an early riser came up behind them and gave out an introductive cough.

The couple turned. Merry said, "Grandpa! What are you doing up so early? You barely fell asleep!" She went to him and took his arm.

Mr Adams let his granddaughter lead him to the rail. He said, "Ah? I see the love birds are heading back to Corfu. That fellow Zeff fell hard for Tina. I can't say I blame him. She is quite a gal... a looker too!"

Mac grinned and nodded. He said to Bernie, "Yes, sir. They were married this morning on deck."

"Grandpa, they're going back to Kerkyra not Corfu. Corfu is where they plan to honeymoon or at least, that is what Zeff said. Corfu is beautiful and romantic too from what I've read," She smiled rea.s.suringly and gave his arm a soft squeeze.

Bernie and Mac looked at each other. Mac said, "Dear, Kerkyra is Corfu. It's the Greek name for the island... D'Almata's backdoor."

Merry's mouth fell open and then she said, "Hmm, I learn something new everyday."

With a bushy wink to Merry, Bernie said, "Good for you! Me too. It's an honorable habit even when one is 90 years old - like me!"

Then he said, "Captain Malak you married those two this morning, heh? Well, would you be willing to repeat the ceremony for two old Yanks later today? Say at sunset? I think Jellybean would like a sunset wedding ceremony... If it's not raining, of course."

Merry let out a whoop. "Grandpa! You and Bean are going to get remarried? It's been like 50 years or something... You're going to get remarried?"

Mac shook Bernie's hand firmly. "Yes, I would be honored to officiate."

"Fifty years? Oh no, not that long! Its been only 48 years. So, yes and we're done arguing!" Bernie told them. "We've always been madly in love and we've wasted a lot of time, you know. You take some advice from me; I've lived a few years. Don't spend all your time disagreeing. Love each other! Laugh! Have lots of kids and don't argue over choosing their names at birth and especially, middle names. It just isn't worth it." Bernie took a deep breath. "I'm glad we didn't have any sons! Bean was determined to name our first boy after Benedict Arnold... Can you imagine? She can get the strangest ideas into her noodle!

"By the by, did you see her travel cookbook she is writing? Odd! The world is falling apart and she begins to write a cookbook? I'm hoping she doesn't take out my mother's ginger cookie recipe... She threatened to, you know. Bean wants to make the whole cookbook foreign. I think it's important to keep that cookie recipe in there. But never mind; just don't spend a lot of time arguing, throwing dishes and grumbling. It's not healthy and life is too short!"

Grinning wildly Merry said, "We'll never argue over middle names! I a.s.sure you, Grandpa Bernie." He nodded.

Merry understood her grandfather perfectly but Mac had difficulty following the old man's discourse. Throw dishes? He tried conjuring up a compet.i.tion where a married couple would toss pewter plates, like his own set of dishes across the table. Would one eat the food first or should the plate be tossed and then loaded with the meal? How would the housekeeper react? Mac shook his head trying to understand.

"It will be quite a surprise to your mother Toni when we arrive at D'Almata remarried! Yes sir!" Bernie declared as he rubbed his hands together in antic.i.p.ation. He added, "You know why we call her Toni don't you? Bean named her Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette! I had nightmares about the poor child until she ran off with that hippy, your father. But never mind, at least he wasn't French!"

Mac looked at his wife for a response. Unperturbed, Merry said, "Oh, Grandpa it will be a happy surprise and all of these children too."

Bernie nodded. "Well, if you'll excuse me. I'm going to go propose to Bean and then have some breakfast." He turned and headed down the companionway.

She saw that Mac was alarmed. Merry patted his arm. She giggled, yet again and said, "He isn't senile. Trust me on this. Bernie and Bean have always been a bit eccentric if not adventurous - although they would deny being either, I'm sure." She smiled into Mac's face.

He is exhausted! Exhausted but handsome.

"So what to do with these orphans! I was sorry for poor Nerah to be separated from Tina," Merry said. Mac had watched Bernie disappear below deck but now he turned his eyes toward Tino and the skiff. He took Merry's hand; they both recalled Nerah's tears in the galley when she finally understood her mentor's plans.

"Our people from D'Almata are spread out across the globe... mostly in ports but I think we can find homes for the little people. Our history is rife with orphans," Mac replied.