“Is this your first time headed out west, sir?” The waiter was back.
A smile lifted Joshua’s lips. “No.” How much should he say? What was the protocol for manners in such a situation?
“Splendid. I must say the mountains are glorious if you are journeying with us to the Rockies.” He poured water into one of Joshua’s glasses. “Would you like to order?”
“Yes, please.” He glanced back down at the menu. “The chef’s steak and potatoes sound perfect.”
“Wonderful choice. I will return shortly.” The waiter walked away and then a familiar face replaced him. She smiled at him from underneath a hat piled high with flowers and ribbons.
Joshua swallowed. When he’d met the young woman soon after his arrival in Chicago, she’d been a listening ear. Every few months, he’d see her at a fundraiser for the university or a social gathering he’d been obligated to attend. He’d even stumbled upon her once in the park, where he’d been stomping out his self-loathing after an unusually trying examination. But something had changed the last couple weeks. She’d become a bit ... persistent. And had come to the university library every day, interrupting his studying. How she knew when and where to find him was a bit unnerving.
She walked toward him, an older gentleman behind her. “Why, Mr. Ziegler. What a surprise to see you here.”
Joshua came to his feet. “Indeed a surprise, Miss Oppenheim.” He pushed his negative thoughts aside and remembered his manners.
The man behind her frowned.
“Father, this is the man I was telling you about.” Her voice was smooth and sweet.
One eyebrow lifted. “The doctor?” He pushed out a hand, a bit of the frown slid away. “Oswald Oppenheim.”
Joshua shook the man’s hand and gave a slight bow. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Oppenheim.”
“My daughter has a fascination with medicine it seems.” But he looked none too pleased. Bored was a better description.
“It is a fascinating subject. But I’m not a doctor quite yet, sir. I’m still studying at the university.” He held the older man’s gaze.
A quick flash of respect flickered in the man’s eyes. “I admire your honesty, Mr. Ziegler. But according to my daughter, you are at the top of your class and should be finishing in the next year?”
“Yes, sir.” Joshua darted a glance at Miss Oppenheim. While his recent wariness of her was at the forefront, he appreciated her praise.
She batted her eyelashes and his uneasiness returned. Why did women do that? He turned back to her father.
“Impressive. And what are your plans after that?”
Was that a glimmer of challenge?
Taking a moment to put his thoughts together, Joshua swallowed. Clarity hit him smack in the face. Rosemary Oppenheim must have hinted to her father that Joshua was interested in courtship or vice versa. Well, a life of opulence and riches wasn’t what he was after. Nor was he interested in the beautiful woman before him although she’d been a good friend. Best to lay it out now. “I hope to serve the Lord with my work, sir. Perhaps in a small town that doesn’t have a doctor already. Or even mission work, if that is where I am needed.”
“Quite noble of you.” The older man’s eyes cleared, and he checked his pocket watch. “I’ll look forward to hearing more about your accomplishments in the future.”
“Thank you, sir.” Obviously, he wasn’t a threat to the plans for the man’s daughter.
“Safe travels, young man.” Mr. Oppenheim dipped his head at him. “Come along, Rosemary.”
“It was nice to meet you, sir.” Joshua sent them both a smile but didn’t miss the downcast expression on Miss Oppenheim’s face.
The father and daughter walked out of the dining car, andit was only after they were gone that Joshua felt comfortable taking his seat again and relaxing his jaw.
Had he been too ... abrupt? His thoughts took him back to his second meeting with the lovely young socialite. She’d found him out on a balcony outside a lavish ballroom brooding.
Back then, Rosemary was reserved. Concerned for him. Nothing more than a friend and sounding board. Perhaps he’d shared too much with her about Anna and how he’d left things. But at the time, he’d appreciated her calm demeanor and willingness to listen. Rosemary’s words that evening had stuck with him.“I know I wouldn’t give up on someoneI really care for.”
In his mind, she’d challenged him to not give up. Not that he wanted to. He cared for Anna. Loved her, in fact. And deep down, he knew that she loved him too. So he couldn’t give up. And had prayed that Anna wouldn’t either. Rosemary’s words of encouragement had given him hope.
But then the weeks melted into months, the months into years. No word from his beloved. He’d continued to write letters but hesitated every time he thought of sending them. Coming up with excuse after excuse.
It had been too long.
