Page 96 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

She looked up at Alex, biting her lip, and he nodded.

“Consider it a late birthday present.”

She blinked back tears and stared at the box. “I haven’t had a birthday present since before I turned sixteen.” Her voice was so soft Wilhelm wasn’t certain he’d heard her correctly. Had she really said she’d not had birthday presents in that long? How could Devin treat such a sweet girl so terribly? He shook his head. That was something to consider more deeply another time. He didn’t want to ruin the evening by becoming enraged at the San Francisco Elder’s treatment of Anna. Again.

She stared at it a moment more, lips pressed together, and then timidly pulled at the ribbon. It came loose and fell into her lap. She turned it over to slide her finger under the taped paper and pushed it aside to reveal a brown box with a picture of something that looked like Wilhelm’s tablet.

“What’s a... Kindle?” She squinted as she pulled the paper aside and studied the box.

Alex chuckled. “An e-reader.”

“What’s an e-reader?”

“An entire library of electronic books in a single electronic device. Kurt mentioned you liked to read.”

Wilhelm chuckled softly. That was putting it mildly. Kurt had teased Alex mercilessly about Anna admitting she read for fun. Alex was also an avid reader, like himself.

Anna clapped her hands over her mouth, blinking rapidly. “An entire library...”

“Well, any book that’s available electronically.” Alex grinned. “It’s set up with an account, so you just tap on the book you want. It will download onto the tablet, and you can start reading within seconds.” He pulled the device out of the box and turned it on. He tapped on the screen several times and showed her how it worked.

“Oh, Alex!” Anna launched herself into his arms and hugged him hard.

Wilhelm laughed. “Apparently, the way to Anna’s heart is through a good book.”

Alex held her briefly and then took a deep breath and gently sat her back on the couch. Anna’s expression fell as he did so and dropped her gaze into her lap.

Alex gave a tight smile and stood. “Shall we go?”

Anna nodded and stared at the device in her lap for a moment before putting it aside and standing. She clasped her hands in front of her hips and stared at the floor.

Wilhelm frowned at Alex. He was giving her mixed signals and it wasn’t fair to Anna.

Alex raised his eyebrows as if to ask, “What else do you suggest I do?”

Wilhelm sighed. Alex needed to make love to her. It was obvious she was feeling lost, and Alex keeping his distance wasn’t helping.

Chapter 39

Wilhelm smiled as Anna laughed at a silly joke Alex had just told her. He loved how easily she laughed. Her sweetness was such a refreshing change from most of the other women he knew.

Anna sat between Wilhelm and Alex in a booth near a floor-to-ceiling aquarium. Dinner and conversation flowed freely between the three of them. Wilhelm enjoyed Anna’s company tremendously. She asked intelligent questions and delighted in everything. Alex deliberately told jokes just to make her giggle.

Wilhelm was proud to see his son caring for her in the way she needed and deserved. Alex had truly—and finally—matured into a good man. He’d always tried to do good, but the maturing had taken much longer than Wilhelm would have liked.

Toward the end of the main course, Alex’s phone buzzed, and he frowned as he pulled it out of his pocket. He glanced up at his father. “My girlfriend,” he murmured in German.

Wilhelm sighed as Alex excused himself from the table and hurried across the restaurant and through a door that led out to the patio.

Anna watched him for a moment, then looked at Wilhelm. “Is he okay?”

Wilhelm pressed his lips together. Alex had promised him he would break up with Kirsty so he could focus on Anna, but evidently he hadn’t found the time yet. “Yes.” He turned and smiled at her. Her eyes had turned sad again, and he didn’t know what to do for her, aside from assuring her that she belonged with his family, and that they would take care of her and do their best to protect her from Devin.

Speaking of . . . “How was Devin this morning?”

Anna’s face darkened and he regretted bringing up the subject. “He was angry, but not overly so... I think.” She looked thoughtful for a long moment, her expression changing from confusion to happiness. “He said I could do what I wanted, as long as he didn’t need me.” She glanced toward the patio and then gave Wilhelm a sheepish smile. “He doesn’t seem to like Alex very much.”

Wilhelm chuckled. That was to be expected. “I am glad he is giving you some freedom.” Wilhelm tilted his head. “Perhaps you would like to visit me in Germany sometime?” He reached over and put his hand on hers. If Alex was going to keep his distance from Anna, then he would step in and make sure she knew he cared for her.

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