Evan’s office wasn’t far once Max crossed the river. He made his way to the building and found a place to park. Once inside, he whispered another prayer that God would be present at the meeting. Max was more and more aware of wanting to do God’s will, and he always prayed before moving ahead on any project. He had spent countless hours in prayer regarding his decision to buy out his father. It seemed right.
“Good day, Max,” Evan said when he spied Max. “I was just telling my secretary to be on the look for you, but here you are.”
“Is my father here yet?”
“Yes, he arrived just a few minutes ago. Come into my office.” Evan led the way, and Max followed. His father was seated at a small table near the windows.
“Good to see you again, Father.” Max nodded and took the seat beside him. “Thanks for meeting me on such short notice.”
“Not a problem, but we certainly could have managed all of this at my house.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to bore the Duchess with business. The holidays are when she does her most intense entertaining. I could just imagine her having a lady’s group to tea and being put out by our meeting.”
“That is true enough. She’s having the ladies over to play whist later this afternoon.”
“There you have it,” Max said, turning to Evan. “This will serve us best.”
Evan brought a thin stack of papers to the table. “Your father approached me a couple of days ago to make some changes in the agreement, Max.”
Max stiffened. What had his father done? This was supposed to be nothing more than a simple transfer of ownership. Max had a check ready to to buy out his father’s interests. Had hedecided to back out? He looked at his father and then to Evan. “What changes are being made?”
“I’m giving you the logging company and sawmills,” his father replied. “They’re a wedding gift, along with several other investments here in Minneapolis. You see, Duchess and I plan to move to New York City as soon as you’re married.”
For a moment, Max found it impossible to speak. Evan quickly picked up the conversation. “Your father approached me to make everything legal. I have the transfers of deed and contracts that will allow you to take over ownership of the businesses he has given to you. The total value is considerable, as you probably already know from having managed these things for him.”
Evan pushed a piece of paper in front of Max. It was a summary of businesses and property in Minneapolis that his father owned.
“I wanted to gift you with this. I know I haven’t always been ... generous with you. I suppose your brothers and their management ways discouraged the idea of generosity, but I want very much to leave you with pleasant thoughts of me.
“I know you have your doubts about me and what took place during the fire, but as I told Mr. Turner here, I am completely innocent of anything regarding the fires. If I had proof my friends did something illegal, I would have said as much. I want you to know you can trust me, Maxwell. I am an honorable man.”
For the first time since hearing his father discuss the possibility of burning down their mills for money, Max believed him.
“You are an honorable man,” he replied. “I never meant to make you feel less than. I was out of line, and I want to apologize.”
“You were within your rights to question my actions. I gave you reason to doubt, but do not do so any longer.”
Max met his gaze. “I won’t, Father.” A sense of peace washed over him. “I believe what you are saying is true.” And he did. It was exactly what Max had hoped for.
Evan pushed the papers forward. “Good, then let’s sign these papers so you two can go have a celebratory lunch.”
Over lunch, Max knew he needed to apologize once again for his behavior. He had dishonored his father, even shared his concerns with others. It was wrong. He was wrong, and it was important that he set things right. Starting with his father.
“I am sorry for doubting you. There was no reason for me to take up such an offense regarding the fire. My only excuse is that those men sounded so determined to collect on the insurance and then without warning there was a fire in the exact place where they wanted one.”
Father leaned back and nodded. “It didn’t look good. I can admit as much.”
“Well, you never gave me reason to doubt your word, and yet I did. For that I’m sorry and hope you will forgive me.”
His father’s brow furrowed as if not quite certain what to say. He studied Max, then nodded again. “I cannot say that I feel forgiveness is needed, but you of course have it if that is what will make this right.”
“I know that I allowed my anger from the past to interfere with my rational thought. I’m a new creation in Christ. My faith has altered me in a considerable way. I hope that one day you might also come to know the peace I have found.”
His father’s expression relaxed. “As it does seem to have greatly impacted you, perhaps one day you can tell me the particulars.”
“Why not now?” Max asked, hoping his father wouldn’t take offense.
The older man smiled. “Why not?”
