Chapter 9 #3
He climbed the stairs, listening for any creak or moan from the steps.
None came. The place was solidly built and not very old, but it needed a family like Evie’s to make it a true home.
For now, it suited his purposes. It offered him a place away from the Duchess and his father, and it also made a good investment.
Property generally made for smart transactions.
This was why Max had already purchased several pieces of land around town.
He had heard of several planned projects for the city.
His properties would be nearby and were bound to increase in value.
Of course, no one was moving ahead on expansions until the economy settled and the banking crisis ended, but there was hope.
Already issues with bankrupt railroads seemed to be fading away.
Hopefully, the country would rebound and move forward soon.
His father’s thoughts of burning down the mills came to mind.
It was certainly a mystery as to how he and his friends had come to such conclusions.
Max had always considered his father to have trustworthy standards.
He’d never witnessed his father cheat anyone or try to hide the facts when they didn’t go his way.
So why would his father consider breaking the law now?
Max pulled off his suit coat and draped it over the valet stand, then undid the buttons on his vest and removed it as well. The heat of the day had left him damp and uncomfortable. A bath might suit him well.
He thought of what Evan had said about believing Max was going to be important to their family. He didn’t try to shy away from Max’s interests in Evie. Rather Evan simply told him to seek God first.
What exactly should he do? Evan had suggested more Bible reading and prayer.
Max had purchased a Bible, and it now lay on the table downstairs.
He had glanced at it and even opened it to peruse the various books.
He was familiar enough to know there was an Old Testament and a New, and he understood that the teachings of the Christian church were mainly spelled out in the New Testament, where Jesus’s arrival on earth, death, and resurrection were explained and shared for all to understand.
Other than that, however, he was a little lost as to what to read. Where did one start with such a book?
That day at the lake, Evan had mentioned how much good he had taken away from their Sunday sermons.
He told of his admiration of their current pastor.
Apparently there had been another man prior to this minister who went east to take up new work.
Everyone spoke of loving the man’s ability to make God’s Word understandable but agreed the new reverend was equally gifted.
Perhaps going to church would resolve all his problems. He could listen to the sermon and learn what he needed to know. Maybe he could also ask Evan questions.
The more he considered the possibilities, the more he seemed to long for something that he couldn’t even explain. It was as if something were missing. Something that Evan and Evie had. Something he wanted very much for himself.
“I invited Max to join us tonight,” Evan told Evie as she descended the stairs. “He doesn’t have many friends, and I thought he could use an evening of plain and simple fun.”
“That was kind of you.” Evie glanced down at the pink gown she’d chosen, wondering if she looked all right. Usually, family night did not inspire fine fashions, but with Max coming she was suddenly concerned about her appearance.
“You look beautiful. Max will definitely lose his heart.” She couldn’t mistake the amusement in his tone.
“How you do go on.” She smiled. Evan knew her too well for her to lie to him and say that wasn’t what she was thinking.
“I think he’s good man, Evie.”
“I’m sure he is. Now, let’s change the subject. How’s your work coming along?”
He grinned but went along with her. “It’s going well. We’re taking on a case between a farmer and the railroad. Should prove interesting, since the railroads have all the money in the world to pay lawyers, as well as judges, unfortunately.”
“Can the poor farmer possibly win?”
“If my prayers have any influence, he will.” Evan put his arm around Evie’s shoulders. “I’ve been praying for you as well. I know you’re deeply troubled about something. You know it doesn’t do any good to hide it from me. We read each other like books.”
Evie didn’t want to hurt him. “I know.” She turned to look him in the eye. “I promise when I sort through this myself, I’ll come have a long talk with you. But for now, I need some time.”
“Just don’t take too long. Problems have a way of multiplying the longer we wait to deal with them.”
“I didn’t say it was a problem.”
He chuckled. “You didn’t have to. It’s written all over your face.”
She frowned. “You don’t think Mother and Father know, do you?”
“They both suspect something is going on with you, so don’t keep us waiting too long. That’s all I’ll say for now. We love you and want to help you no matter the trouble.”
Evie looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. Why did this have to be so hard?