Chapter 22
A sense of excitement came over Evie as she finished dressing for her evening out.
Max had invited her to a musical concert followed by dinner at one of the finer restaurants in town.
Although they’d spent all that time at the farm and then the family’s Friday night gatherings, this was the first time Max had formally invited her out.
“You look quite lovely, my dear,” Mother said from the open doorway.
Evie looked up as Beth finished with her back buttons. “I hope Max thinks so too. I’m more than a little anxious to please him.”
Mother smiled. “I think you’ve already captured his devotion, my dear. He’s completely besotted.” She went to Evie and handed her a jewelry case. “I want you to have this.”
Evie opened the small box. “Mother! This is your grandmother’s sapphire and diamond bracelet.”
“Yes. I always thought I would pass it to my first daughter upon her wedding day, but for some reason, it just felt right to offer it to you tonight. And look”—she waved her hand toward Evie’s pale blue silk gown—“it matches perfectly.”
The bracelet begged her touch. Evie was momentarily overcome. “Mama, it’s so pretty, and every time I wear it, I will think of you.” She took the bracelet out of the box and put it over her gloved wrist.
Beth quickly secured it. “Oh, Miss Evie, it’s perfect.”
Evie hugged her mother close. “Thank you so much. I’m hopeful that tonight Max will formally ask for my hand. I’ve already told him that I want a December wedding.”
Mother nodded. “Then I would imagine he will move heaven and earth to make certain you have one.”
“He does love me,” Evie said, touching the finger of her glove to the edge of her eye. Tears had formed, and she didn’t want to give herself over to crying.
“I know he does. I wouldn’t allow him to share our family nights if I didn’t. I’m quite selfish when it comes to our time together. Max has seemed like family from the beginning. Evan told us after his first visit that he felt Max would play an important role in our family.”
“And he will. I know he will. He’s a good man, and he will fight for this family because it’s really the only one he’s ever felt a part of.”
“Well, it would probably be a good idea for you to dry your eyes and make your way downstairs. I believe Max and your father have had more than enough time to discuss the future.”
“Max is already here?”
Mother nodded. “He has been for nearly an hour. He wanted time to speak to your father about teaching and other things.” She moved toward the door and then paused to look back.
“It seems like just yesterday you were a babe in my arms. I remember how hard it was to send you off to nursing school. I hope we won’t be much separated in the years to come. ”
“We won’t be,” Evie promised. “God willing, we will always live close and continue to share our Friday evenings together.”
“I pray it will be true. Now, Beth, I have something I need your help with,” Mother said, motioning the girl to follow.
Evie collected her purse and checked inside to make certain she had a handkerchief. Oftentimes music brought a tear to her eyes, and of course there was the probability of Max proposing, and she might cry over that as well.
“Don’t you look beautiful,” Evan declared from the doorway.
“If I am, it’s because I’m so happy.” Evie closed her bag and smiled. “You look rather dashing yourself. Are you escorting Christina tonight?”
“I am. We’re bound for the same concert as you and Max, although I promise not to sit anywhere nearby so that you may enjoy your privacy.”
“Privacy amidst a crowd of several hundred people.” She chuckled. “I never feel intruded upon by you, my dear brother. We are too close for such concerns.”
Evan’s expression assured her he felt the same.
“I am glad you’re happy. I was quite concerned there for a while before knowing about your abhorrence to nursing.
I knew something was wrong, just as I know now things are very right.
I suppose it’s that bond of twins that Mother is always talking about. I hope we always have it.”
Evie came to where he was standing. “Not doubt we will.” She stretched up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for always being there for me. You are an amazing brother and friend.”
“I appreciate the help you’re giving me in finding a position teaching,” Max said, standing as the clock chimed. “And I’m more than appreciative of the permission you’ve given me to marry your daughter.”
Dr. Turner laughed. “I would be in a lot of trouble if I refused. When Evie makes up her mind to do something, it’s already half done. You might as well learn that about her.”
“I know it well. She’s a woman of her word. Not only that, but I’ve never seen anyone like her when organizing and making things happen.”
“She gets that from her mother. I can tell you without a doubt that if they were in charge of the country, we never would have had an economic crisis.”
“I am sure you’re right.”
“Come on, let’s see if our ladies are awaiting us in the sitting room. I would imagine they’re anxious to know all about our discussion.”
“Well, I intend to formally ask Evie to marry me on our carriage ride to the theatre, so I would rather we say nothing about it for now.”
“You have my word. Why don’t you plan to come in when you bring Evie home this evening? We’ll have a little celebration with the family.”
“It will be very late. Perhaps we could do it Friday night, since tonight is a school night, and I want the children to be there to celebrate. I can’t imagine a better time than family night to announce that I’m joining the family.
” Max hoped he hadn’t overstepped his bounds by making the suggestion.
“That would be perfect. You’ll fit very well into this family.” The look on Dr. Turner’s face warmed Max. His approval meant the world. Funny how he’d never felt that way about his own father.
“Friday night will be quite the celebration. I’ll let Mrs. Niedermeier know that we’ll need a very special banquet. And without Andrew and Jacob home, we might all get a chance to sample each dish. I’ve never seen two boys eat more food than they can.”
Max let go his breath and smiled. “Thank you. That will be wonderful.”
They walked together into the private sitting room and found Evie and her mother waiting. Max’s breath caught in the back of his throat at the sight of his future wife.
Evie was gowned in pale blue with a modest neckline of lace and ruching, sleeves that were puffed to just below the elbow, and a banded waistline that showed off her figure to perfection.
Her dark brown hair had been arranged in a pile of curls atop her head with dark blue feathers and netting to add a sense of the elaborate.
She smiled at him just then, and everything else failed to impress.
Max forced himself to look at Mrs. Turner. He bowed his head slightly and smiled. “Mrs. Turner, it’s good to see you this evening.”
“Max, you look quite dashing.” She stepped forward and gave him a hug. “I hope you both enjoy the concert tonight. It’s Beethoven, is it not?”
“Yes,” Max replied. “His Concerto in C major to begin with. I’m not certain what else the orchestra has planned.”
“I’m a great fan of Beethoven,” Mrs. Turner said, glancing at her husband, “but much prefer Chopin.”
“I’m sure they’ll enjoy their evening. They might even hear the music,” Dr. Turner said in teasing manner. He put his arm around his wife. “But we really should allow them to be on their way.”
“Yes, of course,” Mrs. Turner said, smiling.
Max could tell that she had a good idea of what his conversation with the doctor had entailed.
He probably should just come out and ask Evie for her hand in front of them, but he very much wanted the moment to be private—just them together in the carriage with the evening lights shining around.
Evie loved the city, and it seemed only right to include it in his proposal.
“I love you both. Don’t wait up for me,” Evie said, moving toward Max. She smiled at him as she took up her wrap.
His breath caught again. She was stunning and all his. He whispered a prayer of thanks before taking her arm. “Good evening.”
He escorted Evie to the carriage. The sun had already set, and the driver had lit the carriage lamps. Since the night was fair, they would ride in the open barouche.
Max handed Evie up into the carriage and waited for her to be seated before joining her. In a daring and unexpected move, he sat beside her. Evie raised a brow at him, then allowed a smile to form on her lips.
The driver closed the door and mounted quickly to put the carriage in motion.
Meanwhile, Max felt his pocket for the ring he’d purchased.
He had no family heirloom to pass along to her, not that he would have even if one existed.
His family life had been miserable, and with Evie he wanted to start fresh.
They turned onto the street and headed toward the heart of the city. Max lost no time. He turned to Evie and smiled. “I spoke to your father about my intentions of teaching, and he’s going to help me find a position.”
“I knew he would,” Evie replied, pulling her wrap around her to ward off the chilled night air.
“I have a better way to keep you warm,” Max said, grinning.
“You’re already testing society’s tolerance in sitting beside me.”
“It was the only place in the carriage that looked comfortable.” He shrugged. “And I find that it truly is the very best place to be . . . next to you. You’re quite beautiful, you know. I can’t keep my gaze from you. I shall be hard pressed to even listen to the concert tonight.”
She giggled and shook her head. “Max, I certainly hope you aren’t planning to sweet talk me all the way to the concert hall. I am hoping for something infinitely more substantial than mere compliments.”
He pulled out the ring and held it up. “Since you’re so impatient, perhaps I should get right to the point.”
“Oh, Max.” She was stunned by the appearance of the ring.