Evie smiled. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. Well then, you can teach me. My brothers are insufferable and often play jokes on me, and I would love to play one on them. Perhaps you can teach me to play so well that by the time I reveal my skills, I’ll be able to beat them at a game.”
Max chuckled. “I would be honored to teach you.”
“See there, once again you’ve been thrust into the role for which you were born. Teacher.”
He paused and looked at her oddly. “Do you really think that I was born for teaching?”
“I think it’s quite possible. Just as I feel called to charm people out of their money for charity.” She laughed. “It does seem to be a gift I have. Even Father and Mother were amazed at the money we raised earlier this month.”
“I have no trouble in believing you quite capable of charming people into all sorts of things.”
Evie found herself filled with a sudden desire to tell Max how she felt. They had already told each other of their interest, but she was determined to let him know how much he’d come to mean to her just since the fire. The life and death situation only served to make her realize how much she cared about this man ... loved this man.
“May I speak frankly?” she asked, becoming quite serious.
“Of course. I would hope you’d know that by now.”
“I suppose in my quest to confess utter honesty with my parents, it’s put me in a mind to be completely honest with you.”
“I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to do that.”
“I know we’ve only known each other a short while, just weeks, but there is something about knowing when a thing is right, and I feel that way now. There were boys and then men who sought to court me, but even having known them a lifetime, I never felt this way about any of them. I can honestly say that I cannot see myself with anyone ... but you.”
She held up her hands, almost afraid of what he might say in return. And yet, she needed to know. “I only want the truth, Max. If you can’t see yourself feeling the same way toward me, I need to know now. We can still be friends, but I don’t want to go on nurturing these feelings if they’re for naught.”
He didn’t say a word, but pulled her close with his right arm and kissed her quite soundly on the lips. Evie felt breathless and dazed when he released her.
“I’ve wanted to do that since the first night I quite literally ran into you. I hope that answers your questions, Evelyn Turner. I love you.”
Evie smiled and lost herself in the moment. “I love you, Maxwell Garrison, even though it seems I’ve come to this conclusion terribly fast.”
“Well, if it feels too rushed, I suppose we can slow it a bit and wait a few more weeks, perhaps months, to marry.”
Evie giggled and knew she’d never been happier. “I love that we think so much alike.”
17
Max waited in Dr. Turner’s office the next morning, wondering how he might explain all the matters that were on his heart. Uppermost on his mind was the fact that he and Evie were in love, but when the older man entered the office, the conversation went an entirely different direction.
“Good morning, Maxwell. Did you sleep well?”
“I slept well enough. It’s sometimes difficult to find a comfortable position. I cannot lie on the burned area, nor put pressure on my collarbone. If I roll to the opposite side of the burn and break, then my arm wants to fall forward and pull on the shoulder and it stretches the skin, so I find I’m better off being propped up in a position that almost has me sitting in bed. It’s not easy.”
“I imagine not. Do you have someone to help you?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t. I know it was probably not the best decision to return to that empty house without someone to at least cook meals.”
“How did you get here this morning without a driver?”
“I walked. It’s less than a mile.”
Dr. Turner frowned. “I have more than enough staff. I’ll send a couple people over to help you for a time.” He rang for one of the servants, and the housekeeper appeared.
“Mrs. Arbarca, Mr. Garrison has recently moved from his parents’ house to a home of his own. He has no staff. Would you speak with Mrs. Niedermeier and Mr. Humphry and put together two or three people who would be willing to go to his house to help him until he can interview and hire his own staff? He’ll need someone who can cook and clean and perhaps a strong man who can assist him with dressing and bathing until his collarbone heals. Someone who could drive him around as well. It will be a while before he can ride a horse again.”
“Of course, Dr. Turner. I’ll see to it immediately. Will there be anything else?”
“No. Arranging this will be more than enough. We need there to be a staff in place by this afternoon.” Dr. Turner waited until she departed before continuing. “At least this way you’ll have some temporary help. It’s imperative that you not do anything to slow your healing.”
