Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (93 page)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Evan sucked in his breath. He knew it was no accident that he had turned to this page. His hands began to tremble as the words leaped out.
Even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The warmth of God’s love, of grace, covered him like a blanket. He sank to his knees, felt as though he had returned home.

Oh, Father in Heaven, You are so merciful, so merciful.

And in the light of that mercy, Evan knew what he must do. It was what Mary had told him from the beginning, what Emily had displayed time and again.

Help me to forgive the rebs, Lord, and the people of Baltimore. I cannot do it on my own.

Chapter Fourteen

T
he fire had long since died and the collar of his now-rumpled frock coat was itching his chin. Evan woke with a start, surprised that morning had come. The Bible was still in his lap. How long he had read, he did not know, but his spirit had craved the Word like a starving man craves bread. Although he had spent the night in a chair, he had not slept so well in years. He felt refreshed, renewed.

The scent of bacon and eggs now filled his nose. A plate was on the table beside him, along with a cup of coffee. Mrs. Henry must have set the items there. Stomach rumbling, he reached for them. For the first time since he’d left Pennsylvania, he bowed his head and gave thanks for the food.

When he had finished eating, he stood, straightened his uniform as best as he could and brushed back his hair. The house was quiet. He wondered where Jacob and the reverend were. He found Mrs. Henry in the kitchen. She was up to her elbows in a bowl of bread dough.

“Doctor,” she said with a bright smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did indeed. Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.” He put the plate and cup in the sink.

“It was my pleasure.”

It was then that he noticed the clock on the wall above her head.
Ten-thirty!
When had he ever slept so long? “I apologize for the lateness of the hour,” he said quickly. “I did not mean to inconvenience you.”

She chuckled softly as she wiped the flour from her hands with her apron. “It was no inconvenience. I am pleased that you rested well. However, Dr. Turner and my husband have already gone out. They left early for the prayer meeting.”

Evan’s interest was sparked. “The one on Charles Street?”

“Why, yes. Did you wish to join them? There is fresh water and some clean linens for you in the guest room.”

Evan scratched his scraggly chin. Time was short, but if he hastened he could manage a shave. “Thank you. I believe I will join them. Please excuse me.”

“By all means, Dr. Mackay.”

He hurried upstairs. When he had put himself in order, he started off. Sunlight poured from the sky and the city held a certain charm that morning. Chrysanthemums bloomed in the gardens along Charles Street and the trees were painted in various shades of green, gold and burgundy. Evan viewed the sights as though scales had been removed from his eyes. He felt so alive.

Anticipation coursed through his veins. It had been so long since he had attended a church service. He was eager to worship, eager to do so with Jacob and Reverend Henry. The person he most wanted to see, though, was Emily.

He hoped she would be there. He wanted to thank her for her prayers. She had carried on where Mary had left off. She had displayed Heaven’s grace, gently insisting that God had not given up on him.

Evan knew the days ahead would still be difficult. Upon returning to the hospital, and with each subsequent battle, his attitude of forgiveness would be tested. He wondered just what he would feel the next time he came face to face with a Maryland reb. He wondered what he would think. He knew he would never agree with their politics, their course of action, but he prayed that the peace he felt in his heart this morning would remain.

When he arrived at the church, the congregants were already gathering. After quickly surveying the area, he found Emily near the front steps. She was speaking with a young private. The left side of the boy’s face had been scarred by shrapnel. He was missing an ear. The wound was enough to make most women of her status shrink back. She, however, was encouraging the man.

“Your Kathleen sounds like a wonderful woman,” Evan heard her say. “I would not worry. I am certain she will view those scars as a mark of bravery.”

Well done,
he thought.
That is exactly what he needs to hear.

“Thank you, miss,” the soldier said. “I appreciate that.”

Standing there, Evan realized what a gift she was. Every person Emily Davis came in contact with was blessed in some way.

Including me.

When the soldier tipped his kepi and went into the church, Evan stepped forward.

* * *

“Good morning.”

Were it not for those broad shoulders and neatly trimmed side whiskers, Emily would not have recognized him. He looked that different. Where was the scowl? Where were those piercing eyes?

He removed his kepi. The early October sunlight revealed flecks of copper in his nut-brown hair.

“You have returned” was all she could think to say.

“Yes. I thought I would actually step inside the building this time.”

Emily blinked. Was that a joke or had he actually spent the previous day in the churchyard? Had he found the congregating mixed company so detestable that he felt he must distance himself from any Confederate sympathizers, lest his loyalty be tainted?

She pushed the thought aside. The smile on his face at present made it difficult to believe such a thing. “Is Dr. Turner with you today?” she asked.

“He did not arrive with me. I am meeting him here.”

“Oh.”

“Have you seen him?”

The pleasantness of his voice set her heart to fluttering. She tried to ignore it. “I have not, but then I also have just arrived.”

The look on his face then grew serious. “I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“For praying. What you said...’twas true. My pride and my anger were destroying me and bringing grief to everyone around me.”

A lump the size of a cobblestone filled her throat. She tried hard to swallow it back. Her heart was pounding.

“But God in His mercy has forgiven me,” he said. “And I, by His grace, have forgiven, as well.”

She could not believe her ears. Had he really just spoken of forgiveness or had she imagined it?

“Emily!”

Both of them immediately turned in the direction of the voice. Sam and Julia were approaching. Baby Rachael was in her mother’s arms.

“You are here!” Emily said, hugging her friend.

“Yes,” Julia replied. “Our first outing.”

Sam greeted Evan with a handshake. “Dr. Mackay, how good it is to see you again.”

“Indeed,” Julia said. “We were just speaking of you last evening.”

Emily glanced at Evan. He looked like he didn’t know how to respond to that. Surely he was wondering in what manner he had been the subject of conversation.

Sam explained, “We are most appreciative for what you have done for our family. We would be pleased to have you join us for supper one evening.”

“Supper?” he said, obviously surprised.

“We wish to show our gratitude not only for Rachael’s delivery but for your care of my brother, as well,” Julia said.

With the mention of Edward, Emily expected his look to darken. It didn’t.

“Have you heard from the major?” he asked. “Is he well?”

Is he well?

Emily’s jaw dropped, but she closed it before anyone noticed.
It must be true. He has forgiven his enemies.
For a moment she had trouble breathing.

“We have not heard from Edward directly,” Sam said. “But we now know that he has arrived safely at Point Lookout.”

Evan nodded and then said to Julia, “I pray your brother will recover completely from all of his wounds.”

The look in his eyes told Emily his words were genuine. Her emotions further stirred.
Has the Lord answered my prayers?

“Thank you, Dr. Mackay,” Julia said. “Please do come for supper. And, Em, you come, as well.”

What?
Emily desperately tried to rein in her thoughts, quell her excitement. “Oh...well...I would not wish to intrude.”

“Dr. Mackay must have a dining partner,” Julia insisted. “And you are the perfect choice.”

Perfect choice?
When she noticed the agreeable and eager look on
his
face, it took all she had within her to keep her feet on the ground. Was he actually going to accept the invitation? Would this staunch Unionist dine in a Baltimore home? With
her?

Just then, Emily’s mother and father stepped up to join them.

“Well, Doctor,” Mr. Davis said, extending his hand, “I noticed you were here yesterday.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How are things at the hospital?”

Watching, Emily continued to marvel. Evan no longer spoke to her father as though he was a member of the occupying army, reminding a rebel citizen who was in control. He looked at him with the respect a younger man owed an older one.

Her ears were ringing.

“We were just trying to convince the two of them to join us for supper,” Sam said.

“Oh?” her mother replied.

Emily gulped. She noted the smile, that interested tone in her voice. The intrigue on her father’s face was quite evident, as well. Did they think Evan would make a suitable husband despite the color of his uniform?

No,
she wanted to say, for their benefit as well as her own.
He isn’t interested in courtship. He is still in love with Mary.

Her parents continued to smile. Emily’s cheeks burned. All she wanted to do was escape their gaze, flee
his
presence. She couldn’t bear the thought of Evan recognizing what was going on. She would be mortified.

Surely it is time for the service to begin. Why don’t they ring that bell?

“Well, we will leave you to make your arrangements,” her father said. He then looked back at Evan. “When you have finished, Doctor, we would be pleased to have you claim our pew.”

No! I shall never be able to concentrate on prayer if he is with us!

Evan nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

Her parents stepped away. Emily drew in a quick breath, then vaguely heard Sam say something about next week. Evan mentioned a half day off.

“Then it is settled,” Julia said. “Supper, next Friday.”

Before Emily knew it, he turned to her. “T’would be my pleasure to escort you,” Evan said.

The look on his face made her throat go dry. “Thank you,” she somehow managed.

The church bell rang. Sam motioned toward the sanctuary, and he and Julia turned.

“Shall we?” Evan said as he offered his arm.

Thoughts aflutter, Emily slid her gloved hand around his blue wool. She wondered if he could feel her trembling.

* * *

Before this morning Evan would not have believed it possible. Yet here he sat in a Baltimore church, a guest of a Southern lawyer and his family. They were to his left. Jacob Turner and Reverend Henry were to his right. He was enjoying himself, and he sang with fervor. Though old and familiar, the hymns seemed so new, so fitting.

How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.

He had to confess, though, that at times his worship was tainted, especially when he noticed certain persons in the congregation. Among the blue was a sprinkling of local businessmen who were well-known gray, yet Evan forced himself to listen carefully to their spoken prayers. The Maryland men did not ask for victory, but for the safety of loved ones, for an end to the bloodshed. With those things, he could agree.

Seated beside him, Emily appeared to be having difficulties of her own. He watched discreetly as she repeatedly knotted, then unknotted her hands. She had never been one to display nervous tendencies before. He wondered if it had to do with him.

He
had
forgiven Andrew’s murderers. He
had
forgiven Southerners who had taken lives of Northern men, but in her mind, did his past deeds outweigh his words? He hoped she could see the difference in him, but he supposed that was too much to expect. He had seen the look of surprise on her face when he’d wished Mrs. Ward’s brother good health.

Truth be told, he was just as shocked. Where those words had come from he was not certain. He hadn’t actually thought to express the sentiment but upon doing so, he’d discovered he did mean each word. He honestly hoped the major would recover from his wounds, that he would be reunited with his family.

Evan had never imagined that family would extend an invitation to dine in their home. He had been so cold to them. Yet, in spite of his actions, they had modeled Christian kindness.
Just as she has done repeatedly.

He eyed her once more. Emily’s hands were clasped tightly on her lap. When they rose to sing the departing hymn, Evan held the songbook for them to share. She did not lift her voice. He remembered the last time music had been an issue. His heart sank.

I blasted her for that rebel battle song. No wonder she will not sing with me beside her now.
No wonder she trembles so. It is just like that night with the major. She may wish to show kindness, may wish to look brave, but inside she is terrified.
He winced at the thought of causing her to fear.
I must show her that I am not the man I was before.