Chapter 6 #2
“Meaning you won’t be alone. I invited Maxwell Garrison to join us tomorrow.”
Evie’s stomach gave a flip. Max? “Why did you do that? We hardly know him.”
“I felt an immediate kinship with him. If you feel otherwise, I’ll send some excuse as to why he cannot join us.”
“No, no. I don’t want you to make the situation even stranger than it is.
” Evie put the checks and cards to one side.
“I’m just surprised that he would agree to an outing of this type.
He’s considerably older than we are, and no doubt will find our company lacking.
Not only that, but it does put him, and me, in a rather awkward position. ”
“What do you mean?”
“You and Christina are obviously interested in each other, and Amelia and Carl are engaged. Max and I are neither interested in each other nor engaged.”
“I think you’re more interested in each other than you’re willing to admit. I know Max seemed quite captivated with you. And your eyes positively lit up while conversing with him.”
Her cheeks warmed. She was interested in Mr. Garrison but hadn’t intended to speak of the matter just yet.
“I’m sure there’s no harm done,” Evie said, trying to make light of the matter. “We’ll have a wonderful time together, to be certain.”
“It’s going to be an incredible day, Evie. You’re going to be amazed at how much you enjoy yourself.” He headed for the door. “Be ready at ten. I’ll drive us. Oh, and we’ll be picking up Max. Carl will bring Amelia and Christina.”
Evie nodded and watched her brother leave.
For a moment she just sat there, staring at the door.
It felt strange to imagine herself spending the day at the side of a man she hardly knew.
She had avoided relationships when she was younger, knowing that she would train as a nurse and take up duties with her father.
There had been plenty of would-be suitors, but always she put them off, explaining her higher calling.
Now that calling had failed her, and the idea of getting married would resolve the matter nicely.
Married women simply did not work outside of their home.
But getting married in order to avoid working with her father was hardly the answer.
Evie sighed and turned off the lamp. She exited her father’s office and made her way upstairs to her room. The younger children had all gone to bed long before now, and the house was strangely quiet.
She slipped into her bedroom and rang for Beth, who arrived within moments to help her undress.
“Did you have a lovely time this evening, miss?” Beth asked.
“I did. The people were very generous, and hopefully, our charities will be blessed for a long time to come.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I know you held some concerns.” Beth finished with the back buttons on the gown and then went to work unhooking the bodice from the skirt.
“Tomorrow I’m going on an outing to the lake. Evan arranged it. We’ll leave here about ten. I think I’ll wear the navy-blue suit with the white-and-black trim.” Evie started pulling pins from her hair.
“Oh, that sounds like such fun. Will you be going out to Lake Minnetonka to ride your mother’s paddle-wheeler?”
“I don’t believe we’re planning to go quite that far. I’m sure Lake Calhoun will suffice, but in truth Evan didn’t say which lake he had in mind.”
Beth released the laces on her corset, giving Evie more ease to breathe.
“I can manage the rest, Beth. You go ahead to bed. I’ve kept you up far too long.”
“I don’t mind, miss. You’re easy to care for. Always were. Even when you were a baby.”
Evie had heard stories about her contentment as an infant.
Evan was the one who demanded attention, but Evie had been perfectly happy to wait her turn.
When the other children came along in rapid succession, Evie remained content to wait until their needs were taken care of before asking anything of her nanny or parents.
“Well, just the same, good night and rest well.” Evie looked up and smiled. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me.”
Mother had always instilled the importance of letting people know how you valued their work. “It doesn’t matter if a man or woman is the lowest of servants or the Queen of England,” she’d say. “People are important to the Lord and therefore should be important to us.”
“Good night, miss.” Beth paused at the door. “Just ring if you need me before morning.”
Evie nodded and then turned her attention back to her abundant curls. She shared her thick, wavy brown hair with her mother and father. Feeling for additional pins and finding none, she took up her brush. She gazed into her mirror and thought of the party. Instantly her mind went to Max Garrison.
He was a very handsome man, she had to admit.
And he seemed comfortable speaking to her about his beliefs and thoughts.
She didn’t think that being paired up with him would be difficult.
He was intelligent and seemed unintimidated by her being the same.
Perhaps it would be the start of a great friendship.
Perhaps something more.
Evie thought again about her nursing dilemma.
Mother had suggested giving her the summer off, since she’d been studying so hard for the last few years.
It had come as a pleasant surprise, but it had also given Evie all the more reason to avoid telling them the truth.
Now it was August, and the summer was nearly finished.
Her father had already mentioned her starting to make rounds with him.
She would be expected to take her place as a nurse, and there would be no avoiding the matter.
She finished with the brush and plaited her hair for bed.
She wanted to be what her parents needed her to be.
She wanted to delight her father. All her life, she had been particularly close to him and loved pleasing him.
She loved her mother as well, but Mother seemed content with her children no matter what they did.
She liked that about her. Evie had always felt accepted and encouraged to do whatever she wanted, so long as it was useful in helping others and honoring God.
Evie sighed and glanced again in the mirror as she tied off her braid. She’d be twenty-two next month. Twenty-two and working at her father’s charity hospital. Taking charge of the nursing care in time. A job she was not at all looking forward to.
She buried her face in her hands. Lord, help me.
I don’t know what to do. I know I need to tell them the truth, but I hate letting everyone down.
The town is counting on me. My family is counting on me.
Why did You allow me to be like this? Why must I get sick to my stomach every time I encounter injuries and blood?
It’s just not fair. I wanted so much to be a nurse and ease the suffering of people.
I wanted to help my father and earn his admiration.
The clock chimed midnight, drawing Evie out of her piteous prayers. She rose and went to her bed. “Just give me insight, Lord. Please.”