“I’m glad we ran into each other,” Max said as he took a seat at the table of one of Minneapolis’s newer restaurants.
Evan Turner’s smile widened. “Me too. I had a lot of fun on Saturday.”
“Yes, but I think very little of it had anything to do with me.”
A waiter appeared at the table and offered them each a menu. “Would either of you gentlemen care for something to drink? I have iced tea and lemonade as well as hot tea and coffee.”
“I think the iced tea sounds good,” Max replied, studying what the menu had to offer.
“Yes, definitely something cold. The heat has me longing for the lake once again,” Evan said, running a finger under his collar. “I am looking forward to twenty below.”
Max chuckled and put the menu aside. “I don’t know that I would go that far.”
“What looks good?” Evan glanced down at the choices. “Oh, they have a steak. That’s good enough for me. I need look no farther.”
“I was thinking much the same.” Max found it easy to be in Evan’s company. The young man was intelligent yet not at all pretentious.
They placed their orders when the waiter returned, then sat back to enjoy the iced tea and discuss their day. Evan shared that his firm was involved in some conflict resolution between two rival flour companies but didn’t get into the details. “Confidentiality is critical in any business, but in this situation it’s an absolute necessity.”
“I understand. I spent the morning speaking with my father on several private business matters. Some involve more than just him, so I feel less at liberty to speak than on most occasions.”
“It’s a difficult time. One of our clients told us not to lookfor things to improve any time soon. That was rather disheartening.”
“Yes,” Max said with a sigh. “I’m sure it was. I’m afraid we’re going to have to halt much of our lumber and logging work.”
Evan nodded. “You won’t be the only ones. Frankly, this economy begs all of us to move ahead with cautious prudence. Future plans will have to be given great consideration.”
“I remember hearing Carl Knutsson say that he and Amelia Bronson were considering a delay of their wedding date.” It seemed the perfect way to move the conversation back to their time together on Saturday. This way, Max hoped that Evie might come up in conversation.
“I wouldn’t count on that one. Evie says they’re quite committed to marriage in December, and Carl told me he’s already looking to purchase a home for them.”
“There are many good deals to be had. I just picked up a place myself, though I don’t like the idea of benefitting from someone else’s loss. I checked on the value of the house and made certain to pay the owner its full worth.”
“I admire that about you, Max. You definitely seem to be a man of scruples. I have no idea if Carl has the kind of cash he’d need to secure a similar deal. We seldom talk money.”
“Evie told me she’s been friends with Amelia all of her life.”
“Yes, our families came together through church. Carl and I were friends first. We were inseparable. We went our separate ways in college but we were both drawn to the idea of practicing law, so we kept in close contact even while away. Soon enough we came back together. It’s good to have a friend like Carl.”
“I would agree, but I’ve never had one,” Max said without thinking. He hurried to move the conversation along. “Still, I find myself most impressed with your sister Evie.”
“I thought you might say as much,” Evan replied as thewaiter brought their food. He waited to continue until the man had gone. “I think Evie was most impressed with you as well.”
Max did his best to hide his expression of relief. Clearing his throat, he placed his napkin on his lap. He wanted to ask Evan what she said to give him this indication, but they really didn’t know each other well enough to count on that kind of intimacy.
“Would you mind if I prayed and offered thanks?” Evan asked.
“Not at all.” Max bowed his head.
“Father, we thank You for Your loving kindness and the provision of this meal. Bless the hands that prepared it and the food as we partake of it. Amen.”
“Amen.” Max looked up and smiled. The aroma of the steak was all he needed to dig in without hesitation.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Evan picked up a piece of bread and buttered it. What he said next surprised Max.
“I’ve always been a good judge of character. Mother calls it a gift of God, a discerning spirit. I know that you’re a good man, Max. Furthermore, I feel confident, in a way that I can’t hope for you to understand, that you are going to be important to our family.”
Max was intrigued. “How would this come about?”
