Evan quickly joined them. “You must take off your coat and vest and tie. We are in our shirt sleeves, as you can see. It’s much too casual an occasion and far too warm for such attire.”
Max began to unbutton his coat. “That sounds perfectly fine by me.”
“Good evening, Mr. Garrison,” another of the Turner girls said in greeting.
“Please, everyone call me Max.”
“With anx,” Jared added.
Winifred frowned. “I told him that.”
Everyone laughed, but Dr. Turner was the one to take charge. “We are very glad to have you Max. Cook has outdone herself with the feast, and Meri and Andrew have planned several games for our entertainment.”
Max shrugged out of the coat, then rid himself of the vest and tie, and Evan quickly took them from him. He had to admit it felt much better to be without them.
Mrs. Turner came forward. She was dressed in a gown ofsome lightweight fabric that gently waved in the breeze. Her hair was braided and pinned in a casual fashion. Max found that he very much liked this unassuming home life.
“I agree with my husband, the food is one of our finer arrangements. However, I don’t think it will be anything like you’re used to. Friday family nights are done with the youngest in mind as well as the oldest. We make everything simple and easy to serve. You will find most of it is finger food.”
“I brought a box of macarons. I didn’t wish to come empty-handed.”
Another of the house maids came from behind him with a tray of the cookies. They were a colorful arrangement, and Dr. Turner reached over to take one in a mischievous fashion. “My favorite. You are fast becoming a most welcomed guest, Max.”
Everyone laughed, and Jared pulled on Max’s shirt sleeve. “Papa really does love macarons. I do too.”
Max tousled the boy’s curly brown hair. “I am partial to them myself.”
Mrs. Turner insisted on going around the circle to introduce her brood. “It will take you a while to learn everyone’s name, but you’ll find us all very patient.”
“I appreciate that. At least I already know a few of you, and Jared and Winifred were quite cordial when they met me at the door.”
“Well, you’ll know us all quite well in a short time. Although Andrew and Jacob are soon leaving for their college classes once again.” Mrs. Turner laughed and pointed everyone to the table. “Let us get our food, and then we can come back and sit together, and Andrew and Meri can tell us about the games they’ve chosen for tonight.”
“I will bless the meal,” Dr. Turner offered, then bowed his head. Everyone did likewise, and silence immediately surrounded them. “Father, we thank You for family and for ourtime of celebration. I’m so proud of these children You’ve given me. I glorify You for all that You have done and for all that You will do. Please bless the food and our evening, Lord. We thank You for Your many blessings and for the company of our newest member, Max. Amen.” Everyone murmuredamen, then began to chatter once again.
“I’ll help you figure out our feast.”
Max turned to find Evie standing behind him. She was gowned in pale pink muslin which seemed to flow around her like a cloud. The neckline was rounded and lower than usual, but not immodestly so. Her waist was trimmed in a darker pink ribbon which accented her hourglass figure. Her hair was done in a casual braid that hung down her back, as if she hadn’t had time to worry about it. She was simplicity and beauty, and Max couldn’t take his gaze off her.
“Come along. I’ll show you what everything is.” She took him by the hand.
Max tried not to show his surprise at her touch. Her hand was so small in his, and standing this close he could now smell her perfume. The blend of flowery scents suited her well.
At the table, the family was already busy choosing their treats. There were little sandwiches with numerous fillings. Evie handed him a large plate and pointed out the various kinds. Max took three different flavors before moving on. Next, they considered cut vegetables and fruits, cheeses and crackers, and tiny bowls of iced shrimp with cocktail sauce.
“It’s easy to just get a few things and come back several times,” Evie said, putting several slices of pear on her plate next to the grapes she’d already chosen. She took one of the bowls of shrimp. “This is always a favorite with the family, so you might want to grab one now if you happen to like shrimp.”
“I do.” Max followed her example and put the bowl on his plate alongside the sandwiches. He momentarily consideredtaking another but didn’t want to appear greedy. Evie seemed to understand and and placed another on his plate.
She smiled. “It might behoove you to take two now. Once my brothers make their way through, there’s no telling what will remain. They’re like a swarm of locusts. They come in and settle upon the place and devour everything in their reach.”
Max laughed at the way Evie rolled her eyes. There was no doubting the love she held for her siblings, even while speaking against their behavior.
“You can laugh, but you’ll see soon enough. They’re just now arriving.”
The boys swept in, talking in rapid-fire comments regarding all that they saw on the table. Max was rather amazed at the way they grabbed five and six tiny sandwiches for their plates. He had felt greedy for taking three.
“We should probably keep moving. They’ll soon overtake us, and then we might not make it out unscathed.”
