Hope Rising (13 page)

Joel spied Evelyn and Sergeant Dennis off to his left. Evelyn was helping the sergeant out of his wheelchair, a walking stick in her free hand. What should he say when they came alongside them? Before he could think of something, Joel found himself being steered in the opposite direction.

“This is where I walked the other day,” he blurted out, scrambling for any excuse to change course. “I’d like to try the other side.” He twisted around to look up at Nurse Thornton. “If you don’t mind,” he added with a smile.

She stopped pushing the chair, her gaze drifting over her shoulder to where Joel could see Evelyn and the sergeant walking slowly beside the tree line. “There’s more shade this way.”

“A little sun would probably do me good,” he offered.

Did he sound as desperate as he felt? Apparently. Nurse Thornton made no response, other than to continue pushing his chair away from Evelyn.

What else could he say to persuade her to turn around but not raise her suspicion as to the reason why? She’d seemed rather happy with Sergeant Dennis the other day, and yet now, she acted determined to get away from him.

That’s it.

“The sergeant isn’t so bad once you get to know him,” Joel said, glancing up at Nurse Thornton with what he hoped was a casual expression.

Her cheeks turned the same shade as her hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Corporal. I’m in charge of this chair and I say we’re going where you were the other day.”

Joel let her think she’d had the last word until she stopped the chair near the hospital corner he’d whacked with his cane two days earlier. She came around the chair to help him up, but he didn’t offer her his good arm.

“He only wants to talk with you,” he said quietly. “Be your friend. Nothing more. He’s even been reading the Bible.”

Joel nearly wished the words back when a look of hopefulness flitted across Nurse Thornton’s face. Was he orchestrating something wrong, all for the chance to talk to Evelyn? He quickly dismissed the thought. He believed Sergeant Dennis’s intentions were honorable when it came to Nurse Thornton.

She released a sigh, her gaze wandering to the other side of the lawn. “I don’t know what to say to him now. Not after I’ve disliked him so much.” A faint smile lifted her mouth. “It’s easier to yell at him.”

“He may still need it.”

Her smile turned full. “I would agree. But is it wrong to want to be his friend?”

Joel studied the cane resting across his knees. Could an injured soldier and a nurse strike up a friendship? If not, then the course he was about to take with Evelyn—if she agreed—would also be wrong. And yet he wasn’t convinced either one of them were violating the rules.

“I don’t think it’s wrong. Not here, at least.” Joel met Nurse Thornton’s earnest look. “Once he leaves the hospital, that’s a different story. It could be a long time before you see each other again. Is that something you can live with?”

She hesitated, her mouth twisting with indecision. Joel admired her all the more for it. She wasn’t about to rush into anything. If only Evelyn had been a bit more that way, but he couldn’t judge.

“I can do that,” Nurse Thornton said at last, her tone firm with self-assurance.

“Then I say we get you over there.”

She laughed before her demeanor grew somber once more. “I’m the one helping you today, Corporal. So I will decide which side of the lawn we use.” The twinkle in her green eyes belied her no-nonsense tone. “We will be heading to the other side,” she announced as she marched to her place behind his chair.

Nurse Thornton pushed him across the lawn at a much faster stride this time. Joel gripped the chair arm with his free hand and tried to keep his cane from sliding off his lap. When she made up her mind, Nurse Thornton certainly put all her energies into it—no halfheartedness with her. Other than a passing thought about falling out of the chair and reinjuring his arm or leg, he was pleased, too. He’d figured out a way to talk to Evelyn.

After stopping his wheelchair beside the other one, Nurse Thornton helped Joel to his feet. Evelyn and Sergeant Dennis had walked a good ways down the lawn already, but Joel was determined to catch up. He moved as quickly as his leg and cane would allow, ignoring the pain that began after his first hurried steps.

“Slow down,” Nurse Thornton said with a chuckle. “You don’t need to move so fast on my account. We can catch up to them when they turn around.”

Joel didn’t want to ease his speed, but he did so to keep her from suspecting the real reason for his urgency. The slower steps also meant a reprieve from the ache in the lower half of his body. He willed himself to be patient. Evelyn wouldn’t be able to avoid him much longer.

It wasn’t long before she and Sergeant Dennis turned around and began moving back in Joel’s direction. He knew the instant Evelyn saw him. A frown pulled at her mouth and she promptly glanced at the grass, the trees, the sky. Anything but him. Clearly she meant to pretend he wasn’t there, walking toward her.

With less than twenty feet between them, Nurse Thornton finally spoke up. “Nurse Gray? I forgot I promised Sergeant Dennis that I would help him today. And I never break a promise.” She shot a look at Joel as she voiced the last few words. He guessed at what she couldn’t say out loud—she would pursue a friendship with Sergeant Dennis but nothing else.

The surprise on Evelyn’s face matched that on the sergeant’s. “Are you sure? We’re almost done.”

Nurse Thornton waved away her excuse. “I know, but I told Sergeant Dennis the other day that if he behaved, I would be the one to help him with his first attempt at walking.”

Evelyn glanced at Sergeant Dennis. “I apologize, Sergeant. I didn’t realize you’d made prior arrangements.” She gave him a pointed glare, then shot a similar one at Nurse Thornton. Joel wasn’t sure whom she appeared to be more annoyed with—the other nurse, the sergeant, or himself. Or all three equally.

“She did promise.” Sergeant Dennis sounded fairly contrite, though he kept his head up, his gaze riveted on Nurse Thornton.

“Then I suppose I will have to acquiesce.” Evelyn motioned the sergeant forward.

Dennis didn’t spare Joel a word or a glance as he passed by. Joel chuckled. Perhaps he’d tell his friend later that the true thanks went to Joel for orchestrating the opportunity for the sergeant and the red-headed nurse to talk. Nurse Thornton fell into step beside Sergeant Dennis, but Evelyn remained where she stood, her hard stare boring holes into a nearby tree.

Irritation rolled off her like a heat wave, encompassing Joel within its fury. She had every right to be angry with him. He only hoped she’d stick around long enough to hear what he had to say. With the aid of his cane, he shuffled toward her.

E
velyn’s cheeks burned with anger and embarrassment as she watched Joel’s slow advance. Her relatively calm stomach had started churning the moment Alice had declared she wanted to walk with Sergeant Dennis. What had happened to change Alice’s mind? She’d been so adamant about not talking to the sergeant, and Evelyn had been only too happy to comply with the plan to switch soldiers. Now the very person Evelyn had thought she’d successfully eluded was coming toward her.

What would she say? Or worse, what would
he
say?

Joel stopped in front of her, standing close enough that she could feel the warmth of him in spite of the shade. His hazel eyes were lit with the same intense determination she’d seen in them before. Parts of his light brown hair stuck up here and there, despite his attempts to smooth it earlier. She had a sudden urge to rumple it more, to wreak a little havoc on his normally controlled demeanor. His dismissive tone from the other day repeated in her mind, giving her the needed courage to speak.

“I will walk with you because that is my job, but I do not have to listen to you.” She moved to his side, so that anyone looking would see nothing amiss. But she made sure to add in a fierce whisper, “I don’t want you to say a word. Not a single word. If you so much as repeat anything you said the other day, I will leave you to figure out how to get back to the hospital on your own. Is that clear?”

He nodded silently, a look of apology crossing his face.

He should be sorry
, she thought as they began walking.

After only a few steps, Joel stopped and turned toward her. “Evelyn, I’ve changed my mind.”

She glowered up at him, appalled at his tenacity. “Weren’t you listening? You are not to talk.” She lifted her finger and jabbed it against his chest. A rather nice, solid chest. She forced her thoughts back to his belligerence. “I promise you, Joel, I’ll leave, if you say one more…” She lowered her hand in surprise as his words finally penetrated her annoyance. “Y-You changed your mind? What do you mean?”

He glanced at the trees beyond her shoulder. “I’ve changed my mind about your…um…proposal.”

Evelyn studied his face, trying to read deceit there. “Why? You made it very clear the other day you had no intention of helping me.”

His eyes flicked to hers, then away, but she caught the regret reflected there. “I apologize for some of the things I said that day.”

“Some?”

Joel shook his head, a smirk on his mouth. “All of them. Okay?” He struck out again, without waiting for her, but she easily fell into step beside him. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since our conversation.”

Evelyn did her best to squelch the hope building inside her as she waited for him to elaborate. He hadn’t agreed to anything yet, though if he did, all her problems would be at an end.

“I want to help, Evelyn.” He slowed his steps. “Next to my own brother, Ralph was my best friend. I owe him…for many reasons.”

Evelyn folded her arms against a prick of disappointment. She ought to be overjoyed. Why should he have any other reason for helping her than his friendship with Ralph?

“What about the baby?” She kept her voice barely above a whisper, though there wasn’t anyone near their corner of the lawn. “Is that important?”

Joel twisted to face her and faltered in his next step. Evelyn hurried to steady him with a hand to his arm. She meant to release him right away, but she paused and peered up into his eyes instead. They were more gold than green today.

What would it be like to have this man as her husband? To have him look at her with adoration and love, instead of guarded concern?

She broke eye contact first and lowered her arm to her side.
You’re being silly
, she told herself.
You need his help, not his love.
That isn’t what he’s agreeing to.

“I promise to look after the baby,” he said, easing Evelyn’s worries until he spoke again. “Whatever happens, I will help you, Evelyn.”

This didn’t sound like an agreement to her plan. Her earlier anger swooped in again, bringing with it fresh fear and snuffing out any glimmer of anticipation. “You said you’d changed your mind. Are you or aren’t you going to marry me?” She hated the candid words, but she had to know. Everything depended upon his answer.

“I’m willing to consider marriage. That’s what I meant about changing my mind.” He ground the end of his cane into a clump of grass. “But I think we need to get to know each other first. Don’t you?”

“Well, yes, but what happens then?”

“I was told yesterday that I’ll be moved to the convalescent home in two weeks. I think we ought to take that time to figure out if…” He plodded forward again. “If marriage would work between us.”

Too stunned at this sudden change in events, Evelyn remained frozen, unable to move. Joel advanced another few feet before he noticed she wasn’t next to him anymore. He slowly turned around, his eyebrows lifted in question.

“What if you decide at the end of those two weeks that marriage won’t work for us?” She hurled the words at him, hoping to wound him as he’d wounded her the other day. “What am I to do then, Joel?” She would end up right back where she was at present—still unwed and pregnant and in danger of being transferred or discharged at any time.

“This is a decision we both need to make.” He retraced his steps back to her side. “If we
both
feel marriage isn’t the answer, I’ll think of some way to care for you and your child. Either way, you don’t need to be afraid of the future anymore. I promise.”

Her anger deflated in the wake of his assurance. She didn’t like his terms. She preferred to have his pledge—now—that he would marry her. But she would have to trust him to keep his word. Something that wasn’t easy for her. Everyone she’d ever truly trusted had left her to fend for herself—her mother, her father, Ralph, God. Joel Campbell might do the very same.

She breathed a long sigh, knowing she had no other choice. She would trust him and hope that in a few weeks’ time he would agree to marry her.

With some effort, she managed to bestow a light smile on him. After all, if she hoped to win him over as a potential wife, she might as well start by appearing happy. “All right, I accept your proposal.”

Joel was beginning to regret his quick march across the grass to catch up with Evelyn and Sergeant Dennis earlier. That and his continued strolling had turned his injuries into one large mound of pain. His heart beat faster at the exertion and sweat had formed around the collar of his shirt. He hoped, with Evelyn’s help, he could reach the wheelchair before he collapsed.

“I think we ought to head back.”

“Of course.” Evelyn moved to his side, keeping herself next to the cane he gripped tighter and tighter with each step.

A noise in the forest drew him up short. Instinctively he placed himself in front of Evelyn. Who was crashing around in the brush?

Evelyn peered around him at the trees. “Louis? Is that you?”

A dark-haired boy emerged from the shadows, a grin on his face. Joel recognized him as the child Evelyn had been talking with the other day.

“Nurse Gray!” Louis bounded onto the grass.

Evelyn’s lips rose into a genuine smile. The action kindled warm light in her dark eyes and made her whole face appear radiant. No wonder Ralph had been eager to abandon his old habits for her. One smile was probably all it took.

“Louis, I want you to meet someone. This is Corporal Joel Campbell.”

With one arm in a sling and the other maneuvering his cane, Joel settled for a nod instead of shaking the boy’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Louis.”

“You are a soldier?”

“I am.”

Louis cocked his head. “Where is your gun?”

“I don’t have it now, not since I was injured.”

“Injured?” The boy’s black eyes widened. “But you are okay?”

Joel didn’t think Louis wanted a lengthy explanation of his injuries. He opted instead to say, “I’ll be back with my men soon.”

Evelyn glanced at him, then away, her expression conflicted. He could guess at her thoughts. What would happen between them before he returned to the front lines? Would they agree to marry or would he find some other way to help her?

“
Ma père
was a soldier,” Louis said, his voice soft and reverent as though he were in a church. He kicked at the grass with the toe of his bare foot. The emphasis on
was
wasn’t lost on Joel. He could easily surmise what the boy hadn’t wanted to say.

“I’m sorry, Louis.” He shifted his cane to squeeze the lad’s shoulder, noting how the bones were easily felt beneath the thin shirt. “I bet he was a courageous man. And he must have felt all right about going to heaven, knowing you’d be a brave little man in his place.”

The boy tipped his head to look at Joel, undisguised hope written on his dirty face. “I help
ma mère
at the market, and I do not cry anymore if supper is small.”

A swell of compassion lodged itself in Joel’s throat at the boy’s words, and he coughed to clear it. Louis reminded him of his littlest brothers, George and Charlie, though he looked even younger in age than either of them. How would his brothers cope with living in a war-torn country without their father and with little food at home?

“I need to get Corporal Campbell back to his wheelchair,” Evelyn interjected, “but you can walk with us, Louis.”

Joel threw her a grateful smile as he repeated his steps back to the wheelchair. Though standing didn’t aggravate his wounds as much as walking, he still felt exhausted. And he wanted to make it back to the chair in one piece.

“What were you doing in the woods, Louis?” Joel asked to distract himself from the fatigue and pain pulling at every muscle. The boy carried a book in one hand, so perhaps he’d been reading.

“I was coming to see Nurse Gray.” Louis lumbered along beside them, making whirring noises under his breath. “Oh, and finding a bird.”

“Louis likes birds and airplanes,” Evelyn explained.

Joel paused in his next step to keep his cane from clipping Louis’s heel when the boy darted to his other side. “You like to watch birds?”

Louis nodded.

“Then I have a book you might like.”

“What book?”

“It’s a bird notebook. My sister Livy and I sketched a lot of the birds we saw at home and I wrote things down about them.” From the corner of his eye, Joel caught the appraising look Evelyn tossed him. Her interest made him momentarily forget the conversation and his hurting body. Could he imagine this woman as his wife?

“Can I see it?” Louis asked.

“See what?” Joel frowned, trying to remember what they’d been discussing.

“The bird book?”

“Yes, in fact you might be able to help me with something.” He appreciated how the boy slowed to match his own laborious pace. “The other day I saw a brown-and-white bird with a red-orange breast. It landed on the windowsill of the ward. Do you know what it’s called?”

Louis laughed. “That is easy. It is a
rouge-gorge
. A redbreast. A robin.”

“Ah. We have robins in America, but they look different. Ours are larger and more black than brown. I’ll write the French name down in my notebook when I go inside.”

“Can I see the book now?”

Joel cracked a smile, despite the deepening sweat on his neck and forehead. He would never take walking for granted again. “How about tomorrow?”

“Okay.”

When they reached the wheelchair, which Joel felt certain had been moved several dozen yards back from where he’d left it, Evelyn helped him sit down. “It looks like you have a book, too, Louis,” she said, setting Joel’s cane across his knees. “What is it?”

“It is one of
Grand-mère
’s English books.” The volume he held up showed signs of being well loved. Joel read the black type printed on the front—
Around the World in Eighty Days
.

“Jules Verne.” He smiled at Louis. “That’s a good one. Do you like it?”

The boy’s skinny shoulders rose in a shrug. “
Ma grand-mère
read in French so I could understand, but that was when I was little. I cannot read the English.”

“Would you like me to read it to you, Louis?” Evelyn offered. “I can take you in first, Corporal.”

Joel shook his head. “I don’t mind staying outside. Now that I’m sitting.”

Evelyn settled onto the grass and tucked her feet beneath her nurse’s dress. Louis flopped onto his stomach beside her to listen. Opening the book, Evelyn began to read in a clear but soft voice about Phileas Fogg. Joel watched her, enjoying the chance to study her unawares. He’d noticed the weariness emanating from her face and shoulders the other day, but in this moment, she looked content.

She glanced up from the page and smiled at Louis. It was a brief exchange, but long enough to show the tenderness she clearly felt for this young boy. She cared about Louis and enjoyed spending time with him. Would Evelyn ever feel that way about him? Joel wondered.

He squashed the foolish thought. His plan centered on getting to know her, in order to figure out how to assist her. And since marriage was not likely to be the means by which he helped her, feelings were inconsequential.

“Corporal?”

Evelyn’s voice jerked him back to the present. He’d missed most of the story.

“It’s time I get you back.” She rose to her feet in one fluid motion and handed Louis his book. “We might be able to read more tomorrow, if there are no surgeries.”

Louis grinned. “I would like that. Good-bye, Nurse Gray.”

The boy sprinted for the woods, but stopped when Evelyn called out, “Would you like some bread, Louis?”

“
Non.
Ma mère
had a good vegetable day.”

“It was nice to meet you, Louis,” Joel said, lifting his hand to wave. “I’ll try to remember to bring my bird book tomorrow.”

“Okay, Corporal.” He waved back, then darted into the trees.

Evelyn steered Joel’s wheelchair around and pushed him back toward the hospital.

“He seems like a nice kid.”

“He is.” Joel could hear the smile in her voice, even if he couldn’t see it. “Thank you for talking with him. I think he’s lonely. From what he’s said, he was very close to his grandmother. She died some time ago, and then he lost his father. Now there’s only him and his mother.”