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“I failed in my marriage to your mother.”

Erik didn’t even want to think on such matters. “No, she failed you. She was the one to leave us. Abandon us to suffer the loss.”

“But God calls us to forgive her.”

Erik frowned and refocused on the stew. He didn’t believe he could ever forgive her. Erik had only been fourteen when his mother had announced to the family that she was leaving them. She had packed her bags and had a Texas cattleman waiting to take her to his ranch near Austin. She told them of her misery, of being forced into a marriage by her parents, a marriage without love. She had done her duty and given her husband a son and a daughter, but she wanted nothing to do with any of them. They were reminders of the lie she had endured for fifteen years.

She had never been overly affectionate, but Erik had never guessed that she held them no love whatsoever. Dad had begged her to reconsider, even offering her forgiveness for the affair she’d been having right under their noses. Instead of accepting his generosity, Mom laughed at him. That sound was forever burned into Erik’s memory. The woman had been heartless and cruel. Here Dad’s entire world was collapsing, and she had the nerve to laugh at him and the love he offered. It was then and there that Erik determined he would never allow himself to fall in love.

“When I think back on all of it,” Dad said, leaning back in his chair, “we have to remember your mother was forced into the marriage. We both were. Our parents arranged the matter as one might a business deal, and we obeyed. It was the way our people did things. I can’t hold her in contempt for my own sake, but I don’t understand how she could so despise our children as to want nothing to do with you. How can a mother be so cold and unfeeling?”

“She seemed to manage it with little difficulty,” Erik said, trying to put it all from his mind. “Have you heard anything about the weather?” He met his father’s gaze, hoping he’d understand that Erik didn’t want to discuss the matter further.

After a few long moments, the older man spoke. “The newspaper says the temperatures are going to drop even more.” Dad continued as if he hadn’t mentioned the most painful moment of his life. “Subzero temperatures and more snow. It’s worse here than it was in Illinois. We should probably order more coal.”

“It certainly wasn’t this bad last year.”

“No, to be sure.” Dad helped himself to more stew. “Not to mention it looks more and more likely that we’ll be going to war. I wasn’t overly concerned about that Pancho Villa nonsense at the southern border—I figured the army would be able to manage that without any difficulty—but Europe is an entirely different thing. Have you considered what you will do?”

“I don’t know. Dr. Turner is talking about turning over his entire business to me very shortly. Perhaps as early as the first of the year. If I’m responsible for all those patients, I’m not sure what I’ll do.”

“Well, perhaps there won’t be a draft, and they’ll just rely on volunteers.”

Erik doubted that would be the case. “That seems unlikely. We haven’t got much in the way of an army at this point. Although, this year’s National Defense Act has allowed for enlarging the army and National Guard, and I heard that many signed up.”

“And there’s the Naval Act passed earlier this year. It’s said that with this act we will have the largest and best navy in the world within three years. But I’m not sure we have three years. For all the demand for neutrality by their elders, young men still seem motivated to take up arms and fight.”

“Well, I have no desire to cause more damage. As a doctor, I am bound to my oath and want only to heal. It presents a real problem to me to think of going to war.”

Dad shrugged. “Of course doctors will be needed as well. I’ve given it some thought myself. I’m only fifty years old. Certainly healthy and capable.”

Erik hadn’t considered that his father might want to volunteer to go overseas. “I hope you’ll give it a lot of prayer before signing up. I’m doing the same. I know doctors will be needed. The news on the war front has been especially grievous. The injuries and problems caused by this war are too numerous to count.”

“I agree and have been committing it to prayer. Sadly, I had thought perhaps this war would end before a decision needed to be made.”

“Now that Emperor Franz Joseph has died, perhaps cooler heads will prevail and influence the Central powers in Europe. Although I dare say, the Germans hold the power, and this death will probably just reinforce that situation.” Erik shook his head. “War is an abominable thing, but given the horrors being told about this war, I think we may be obliged to do our part.”

5

“Leah, how good to see you again,” Randolph Vanhoutte announced as Jared Turner, Leah’s uncle, brought them together.

“Randolph, I didn’t know you were coming today.” Leah smiled and turned to her uncle, hoping she could just ignore the other man. “Happy Thanksgiving. It’s good to see you again. How go your endeavors with the horse farm?” She embraced him momentarily, then stepped back.

“Quite good,” Jared replied. “In fact, it’s been wildly successful, especially of late. The army wants to buy several hundred horses, both draft and riding.”

“Wonderful. I’m sure that will benefit your family greatly. Speaking of which, how are your wife and boys?” She could feel Randolph’s gaze on her and wished she could be somewhere else.

“Quite well. They’re in the other room explaining their latest adventures to their grandfather.”

“I’m sure he’ll enjoy that,” Leah said.

“Nevertheless, I should probably go rescue him. I’m sure a great many grandchildren are vying for his attention. I’ll see you later, Leah. Randolph.” He gave each a nod and headed down the crowded hallway where other relatives were wishing each other well.

Leah turned toward Randolph. “He always seems quite busy. Mother says when he was very little, he was always in motion.” Randolph already appeared bored with the topic, and she took pity on him. “So, tell me of your endeavors for Belgian relief?”

Randolph smoothed his mustache with his index finger. It was a habit that Leah didn’t find at all endearing.

“Thanks to your parents’ and grandparents’ involvement, we have raised a great deal of money.”