“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Susan said, her heartbeat accelerating. “I dated a little at the university, but nothing serious. And with the war, I’ve been focused on work for the National Pigeon Service.” She wiggled her toes inside her slippers, trying to dispel the butterflies in her tummy. “And do you have a darling back home?”

“No. I had a girlfriend in high school, but it didn’t work out.”

“Sad ending?”

Ollie shook his head. “A good thing. We were different people.”

“In what way?”

He turned to her. “Before my parents died, my dad injured his leg in a tractor accident, and I postponed college to run the family farm. Let’s just say that she didn’t seem to like that I was staying home to care for a parent, and she wasn’t keen on being stuck with someone on a potato farm.”

“It was a good thing that it ended.” She crossed her feet and noticed that her knee was almost touching his leg.

Ollie leaned back. “Did you see the stars?”

Susan looked up. “Oh my.” Distracted, she had failed to notice that the clouds had disappeared, revealing hundreds of twinkling stars. “It’s beautiful.”

“You can see constellations.” Ollie traced the sky with his hand. “I think that one—”

“Look!” Susan pointed to a brief streak of light across the sky.

“Quick. Make a wish.”

She closed her eyes and paused.

“What did you wish for?”

“I’d rather not say,” Susan said, opening her eyes. “If I tell you, it won’t come true.”

“In Maine, we believe in sharing wishes on shooting stars,” Ollie said. “We also disclose wishes involving birthday candles, dandelions, and ladybugs. And considering you’re in the company of an American for this celestial event, I think you need to tell me.”

Susan felt a smile tugging at her lips.

He moved closer. “Do you want it to come true?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll want to tell me.”

“Very well,” she said. “I wished for the war to end.”

“A perfect wish.”

She paused. “Some days, I wonder if the bombs will ever stop.”

“They will.” Ollie looked into her eyes. “I believe in you, Susan. I have confidence in your pigeons and Source Columba. This war will end. And I promise to do everything I can to help make it happen.”

His words comforted Susan like a blanket warmed by the sun. On an impulse, she leaned her head on his shoulder.

He placed his arm around her, pulling her close.

They sat in silence as a cold breeze rustled the birches. For the first time in weeks, Susan felt safe. His affirmations had filled her with hope. She savored the passing minutes, knowing that at any moment a blaring siren could purloin their time together.

“You should get some rest,” Ollie whispered.