Chapter 10 #2
Max tried to relax and focus on the food. He picked up one of the sandwiches. “This calling has been most important to her. Most likely she wouldn’t want anything to compete for her attention.”
“Evie’s a funny sort. She’s always been very determined once she sets her mind to a thing. However, something is different this time around. I really can’t say what it is, which for us as twins is most unusual. Evie and I can usually tell exactly what the other is thinking.”
Just then Evie started back to the table with two lemonades in hand. Max and Evan stood in respect as she placed the glasses on the table. “I’m sorry, Evan. Did you want one of these?”
“I’ll fetch my own,” he declared and sprinted off.
Max assisted Evie with her chair and then took his place once again. “This is such a festive gathering. Almost like a party. And you do this every Friday night?”
“We do. Mother and Father always wanted us to enjoy family life. Mother wanted all of us to be very close, and we are.”
“I can see that. I can’t even imagine having that kind of camaraderie with family. Mine barely speak except to criticize.”
Evie frowned as she picked up a sandwich. “I’m truly sorry. My heart breaks for Max Garrison the boy. How lonely you must have been.”
Max heard the tenderness in her voice and felt a tightness in his throat he couldn’t explain.
She seemed to so genuinely care that he was momentarily overwhelmed.
In the past there had been women who’d thrown themselves in his path, but most did so out of interest in his bank account and family’s social standing.
Evie straightened and smiled. “Well, we’re going to change all of that. You won’t be lonely anymore. Not in this family.”
They ate in silence for a moment. Max noticed that Evan was standing talking to his brothers and thought he might use the moment to talk to Evie about going out with him the next evening. Instead, she spoke up.
“I want to thank you for the flowers. My, but they were a surprise and so beautiful. That was very thoughtful of you.”
“You’re welcome.” He hadn’t expected this and felt rather awkward. He hadn’t given a woman flowers in some time. “I very much enjoyed our outing and your company.” He drew a deep breath. This could be a good way to work up to asking her to dinner.
“I enjoyed it too. I’ve thought quite a bit about our time at the lake.
Even as I worked with my mother today to make calls on the poor, I couldn’t help remembering it fondly.
Those memories actually got me through as I tended to a little girl’s injuries.
Rat bites.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry.
That’s hardly polite dinner conversation. ”
“No, I want to hear about it. Your call to nursing is fascinating.”
“It’s not my calling.” She put her hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp, then glanced around her as if to make sure no one else had overheard.
Max waited for her to explain. Evie slowly lowered her hand. “It was my calling. Oh, Max, you must promise to say nothing. I haven’t even discussed this with Evan, and we tell each other everything.”
“I promise. I’m happy to be your confidante.”
“Perhaps we can take a walk later, and I’ll explain.” She began to nibble on her egg salad sandwich.
Just then Evan returned and joined them. “The boys were bemoaning the idea of leaving for school and missing out on their lady friends and all the fun of home.” Evan paused and looked at Evie for a long moment, then Max. “Have I interrupted something important? I can go sit elsewhere.”
“Nonsense,” Evie said, reaching out to touch his arm. “I was telling Max about my day helping Mother. It was quite sad and some of the situations most alarming, but now we will put that aside and speak of happier things.”
“It is hard to ignore,” Evan said, still holding his lemonade. “I suppose over the years some people might learn to harden themselves against those things, but not this family.”
“No, that is for certain. Mother and Father have done their best to teach us to always feel compassion and even sadness for their plight.”
Evan took a drink before depositing the glass on the table.
“However, they are also first to remind us that feelings don’t resolve problems. We must be people of action, and it sounds like you managed a great deal today.
I spoke to Mother earlier, and she lauded your work.
It would seem you are an amazing nurse.”
Evie said nothing but hurriedly put the sandwich to her lips.
No doubt this was her way of avoiding discussion.
Max decided to save her from further concern.
“I wanted to thank you again for inviting me to join you last Saturday, Evan. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed myself so much.
It’s been years since I took time off to just enjoy my day. ”
“Then we should plan to do it again. The summer is nearly over, and before long the autumn chill will make days at the lake less appealing. Of course, we could have a bonfire.” He chuckled.
“I can always find something fun to do. In the winter we often have sledding parties and sleigh rides. Oh, and we could go ice fishing.”
“I would find all of those things enjoyable, although I’ve never ice fished.”
Evan laughed. “Then we shall teach you. Mother has already insisted that you join us on Friday evenings if you’re of a mind to. Once we finish eating, we’ll start up the games and you might well change your mind. This family can be rather brutal when competitions are to be had.”
Max laughed. “I look forward to the challenge.”