“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 youmight well change your mind. This family can be rather brutal when competitions are to be had.”
Max laughed. “I look forward to the challenge.”
The evening was more than a little enjoyable. For Max it was a complete contrast to the family life he’d known growing up. Now with the games over and the younger children bound for baths and bed, Max took the opportunity to stroll the gardens with Evie. He hoped she would continue their conversation from earlier and explain what was troubling her so much.
Evie gave a heavy sigh, and Max could see the worry in her expression. He found himself wishing he could take her in his arms to offer comfort. He longed to assure her that he was worthy of her trust.
“I really can be trusted to keep my mouth shut,” he said, smiling. “It seems a terrible burden you’re carrying alone.”
“It’s just that everyone has long expected me to be a nurse. It’s my father’s dearest wish that I work at his side, and for most of my life it was my wish too.”
“What happened to change that?”
She glanced around, and this time Max did as well. When he looked back to her, she was shaking her head. “I’m not suited to it at all.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “In fact, I get quite ill in certain situations.” She stopped walking and seemed to collect herself. “I hate nursing. I forced myself to endure thinking surely God would take away my discomfort. Instead, I continue to get sick when performing surgeries and sometimes faint at the sight of too much blood. It’s horrible. My dear supervisor did what she could to get me through, but I can’t spend the rest of my life this way.”
“Why not just tell everyone the truth?”
“I want to, but I know it’s going to hurt them. Everyone, even complete strangers in town, have expected me to come hometo help my father. Goodness, but a throng of them greeted me at the train station when I returned. They’ve been so supportive, even giving money to help father build the new hospital. I keep telling myself I can do this at least for a time. It’s just a small eight-bed hospital, although Father intends to double it in size within two years.”
She met Max’s gaze, and he saw that her dark eyes had dampened. “I just don’t think I can do it.”
“I’m so sorry. I can see this is a terrible burden for you.”
“I can’t believe I just told you any of this. I’ve kept it to myself knowing that I would eventually speak to Evan about it, but I felt I wasn’t ready. Now here I am rambling on about it with you. I suppose that’s due to how easy it is to talk to you.” She smiled. “I’ve felt that way since we first met.”
“I’ve felt it as well.” He smiled. “You really can trust me to say nothing.”
Family night had gone quite well with everyone having a grand time. It would be one of the very last with everyone present, since Evie knew Andrew and Jacob would soon leave. She had overheard her mother telling Father that it was so hard to see her children leave home, but at the same time she was so proud of their accomplishments.
“She won’t be so proud of me when I finally tell the truth.”
