“This is Wolf,” he told her. “He works with Ans’s network.” Wolf was in his midtwenties, dark-haired and thin. He looked more suited to sitting in a student café and discussing philosophy than to being a soldier with the Dutch Resistance.

“We need hiding places for Jews and onderduikers,” he said simply. “I understand you’re willing to help.”

“We’re willing,” Pieter said.

“Do you know the risks?” He looked at Lena when he asked the question. “To you and your family?”

Lena’s heart sped up. She wanted to protect her family and keep them safe, not put them in danger. Once again, fear and faith waged war in her heart. Fear warned her not to defy the Nazis and risk imprisonment or death, while faith encouraged her to stand against evil and hide these people. It had been faith that gave her the courage to shelter Bep, and if Lena’s faith was real, then it must win this struggle. Yet she couldn’t deny the sickening dread that lay coiled in her heart at the thought of her loved ones in Nazi hands.

Then she thought of Bep’s mother. Miriam Leopold had placed her daughter in Lena’s hands, releasing her and trusting Lena to care for her child. Lena must do the same with her children. She must place them in God’s hands, trusting Him to protect them.

“Yes, we understand the risks,” Lena said. “We believe this is what God is asking us to do.”

“I’ll start sending them to you in a few days. And if anyone sees me coming and going to your farm, tell them I’m Elisabeth’s father. I work for the railroad.”

“My father is willing to help too,” Lena said. “Did you talk to him? He’s the village dominie.”

“I will. But it’s safer not to reveal any details about the workings of the underground. The Gestapo is ruthless in their use of torture to learn our secrets. That’s why we never use real names or reveal the scope of our network. Your father will know nothing about what you’re doing. And we’ll advise him not to tell you about his involvement.”

After Wolf left, Lena needed the reassurance of Pieter’s arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest, comforted by the steady thumping of his heart.

“I won’t say that I’m not afraid,” she told him, “because I am.”

“Remember why we’re doing this, Lena, why we’re taking risks and putting ourselves and our family in danger. Know in your heart that this is what God is asking us to do.”