Cole knew the trouble with the snow was that it would make it easier for the German Jaeger to follow them. He’d been half-kidding when he mentioned luck to Vaccaro, and now he wasn’t so sure that their luck really hadn’t run out. As for the Americans who were also after them, that was simply a wild card.
Then again, maybe the Germans and Americans in pursuit would run into each other and fight it out while Cole and the rest made their getaway, but that was probably too much to hope for.
Lena said something urgent in French that Cole took to mean “Hurry up,” because Rupert looked back at them and waved them on. He swayed a bit as he walked, thrown off balance by his wounded arm, but to the British lieutenant’s credit, he did not complain. Cole thought that maybe the young officer was made of sterner stuff than he had given him credit for. Then again, maybe Rupert just didn’t want to look bad in front of Lena.
Cole never liked being told what to do, especially by this whippersnapper of a Belgian girl, but in this case he knew she was right. Every minute that passed meant that their pursuers might be getting closer.
“Come on,” he said to Vaccaro, then picked up the pace.
Cole had to admit that Lena really did seem to know her way through the forest, so that much was reassuring. There wasn’t actually a trail to speak of, although every now and then they followed a deer path before veering once more into the woods, but she seemed to be moving with confidence toward some destination she had in mind.
It was likely that she had been exploring these woods since she was a little girl. Also, the way she had handled that shotgun during the attack on the château had convinced him that Lena was an experienced hunter. As far as he could tell, they were in good hands.
Cole was right to worry about the Germans, who at that moment were not more than a couple of miles behind them and moving fast. Dietzel was on their trail, following the tracks easily through the forest.
Dietzel’s finger practically itched on the trigger as he held the rifle at the ready. He still wasn’t happy that the American sniper had managed to pin him down during the fight at the château. It had only been a bit of luck that had enabled Dietzel to escape.
He could sense skill in another, and the man had been a fine shot, which surprised him. In Dietzel’s experience, the Americans all saw themselves as frontier marksmen. He also knew from experience that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most American soldiers he encountered were only mediocre with a rifle, at best.
However, this American with the Confederate flag on his helmet certainly seemed to be an exception. Dietzel kept his eyes peeled as they moved through the woods, not wanting to find himself in the American sniper’s sights.
When Dietzel finally caught up to him, he would prove with finality which man was the better shot.
As Cole’s group moved through the forest, it was hard not to feel another enemy catching up with them — the cold and exhaustion. They had been moving most of the night, and now it was daylight. Tired and cold or not, they walked on because there was little choice but to keep going.
Although the gray morning was not exactly encouraging, Cole thought it was better than being trapped inside the old château. While the place made a good fortress, it was not where he wanted to make his last stand. He always preferred to be free and out in the open.
The Ardennes Forest was not all that different from the mountains he had grown up in back home. In fact, he wouldn’t mind coming back someday to do some hunting here when there wasn’t a risk of being shot at by the Krauts.
Then again, he reminded himself not to think too far ahead. They had to survive the next hour, let alone the rest of the day.
He shook off his exhaustion and forced himself to be completely alert.
Even in the midst of winter, the rolling hills and hidden fields had a kind of rugged beauty that appealed to something deep within him. Maybe it was that rugged spirit or the feeling of individualism that dwelled at his core.
After another half hour went by, Cole was almost surprised when they reached a road through the forest. Lena offered a satisfied smile and nodded. “This was where I was bringing you,” she explained. “This road will take you to your headquarters. Now you must follow it.”
“Aren’t you coming with us?” Vaccaro asked.
The girl shook her head. “No. I must return to my mother and make sure she is all right.”
Cole and Vaccaro looked at one another. This sounded like a terrible idea to Cole, considering that somewhere behind them were murderous German soldiers and angry American ones.
“You had better stick with us,” he said.
The girl shook her head stubbornly, her mind apparently made up.
