Hope Rising (27 page)

Instead of contempt, Dr. Dupont’s eyes shone with approval behind his glasses. “I heard just now of your rescue of Nurse Gray. Was she hurt?”

“Her ankle is sprained and some shrapnel split the skin on her arm, but other than that, she’s fine.”

“I am most glad to hear it.”

“Dr. Dupont?” an orderly called as he entered the tent. “We need you, sir.”

The doctor excused himself and Joel went to collect two mugs of coffee. He took a seat at one of the tables and cupped his hands around his mug to warm them.

As he sipped his drink, he listened to the murmur of conversation around him. Several nurses, including the chief nurse, came up and offered their gratitude to him for helping Evelyn. He responded with a polite tip of his head. He didn’t like all the attention; he simply wanted to talk to Evelyn, alone, before his mounting nerves got the better of him.

A commotion at the tent flap drew his attention. Evelyn entered the tent, leaning on Janet’s arm. Her hair and face were free of mud and glistened with water, though her uniform was still spotted in places. A blanket had been draped around her shoulders.

Joel stood to help her. “I’ve got some coffee for you.”

“Sounds wonderful,” she murmured as he assisted her onto the bench, her back to the table.

“You can manage from here?” Janet asked with a smile.

Evelyn nodded. “Thanks for helping me, Janet.”

The blond nurse smiled again, then slipped out of the tent. Evelyn accepted the mug Joel handed her and took a long sip.

“Not the best, but it tastes heavenly right now.” She peered up at him. “I can’t thank you enough for finding me. What made you come here?”

Joel stalled by taking another drink of his coffee. Again he felt as if every set of ears in the tent were trained on their quiet conversation. He couldn’t confess his love to Evelyn right here in front of all these people.

“Do you mind if we go outside?”

Evelyn glanced around the tent. “No.”

After draining his cup, Joel helped Evelyn to her feet. He offered her his arm to lean on and took her coffee mug in his free hand. They proceeded slowly out of the tent. Once outside, he searched the clearing for a secluded place to sit. Past one of the tents, he spied a fallen log. The lantern light reached to the foot of the log, but the rest of the spot was mostly veiled with shadow. They’d be near the commotion, yet not easily overheard.

“How about over there?”

Evelyn glanced in the direction he indicated and nodded. Joel led her across the clearing with measured steps to avoid straining her ankle. When Evelyn was situated on the log, he took a seat on a rock opposite her, their knees almost touching. He handed her the coffee again. She shivered in the cool air and drew her blanket tighter around her shoulders with one hand as she took a sip.

“Here, take my coat.” He removed it and placed the coat over the blanket.

“Thanks.” She stared down at her cup and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I still can’t believe you’re here. When I heard your voice, I thought I was dreaming.”

Joel took courage from her words. Thinking his arrival was a dream had to be a good sign. At least until he told her everything he needed to. He cleared his throat and shifted on the rock.

“I…got your letter.”

She lifted her gaze to his but didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry about the baby.” When she glanced away, he knew she’d misunderstood the reason for his apology. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Evelyn. That I wasn’t there to help in some way.”

She shrugged, despite the strain on her face. “Like I said in the letter, Alice and Dr. Dupont helped a great deal. And I’m fine now.”

Did she mean about the baby or about them? He frowned, hoping it wasn’t the latter. Didn’t she think about him every day and every hour as he did her? Didn’t she still wish to be together as he did? Didn’t her heart leap at being close to him as his did at being near her again?

“
Are
you fine?” he pressed.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Joel pushed his hand through his hair—he’d lost his cap somewhere during his search for Evelyn. This wasn’t going quite as he’d pictured. “Look, I’m botching this all up. But the fact is I came here to find you and tell you something I should have a long time ago.”

“Yes?” She took another drink of coffee, then set the mug on the ground near her feet.

“There’s something I need to tell you about the day Ralph died.” The memories washed over him, but they no longer held the power to cripple him. He’d fully let go of the guilt, even if he didn’t know what Evelyn’s reaction would be.

“What is it?” she asked, her tone both wary and curious.

“We were concerned about a possible ambush, so I decided to divide the squad in two. I figured our chances of survival against the Germans would be better that way.” His shoulders slumped as the weight of that decision bore down on him again, but it didn’t crush him like he’d thought it might at voicing the words out loud. “I asked Ralph to lead the other group, but he refused. Said we made a better team. I didn’t push it. You know how Ralph was once he made a decision.” He sought her agreement, but she sat silent, watching him intently.

“We set off, making it up and over the hill with no difficulty. Then everything turned chaotic. The Germans hit our small group with everything they had.” Joel swiped his hand over his face at the recollection and felt Evelyn’s hand touch his knee. Maybe she would forgive him after all.

He looked down and cupped her hand in his, his thumb tracing circles over the back of her hand. “I’ve relived that day over and over again. If I’d insisted Ralph go with the other group, he would have lived. He would have made it back to you.” He blew out his breath, both fearful and relieved, to have the complete truth between them at last.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” Her tone was gentle, not reproachful.

Joel glanced at the tents. “I couldn’t. The guilt was too great. Especially when I started to fall for you. I thought you’d hate me if you knew the truth.”

Evelyn leaned forward. “And now? Do you still harbor that guilt?”

“No.” He finally met her gaze. How he loved those vibrant eyes of hers. “I realized after I read your letter I’d been wrong to hold back the truth. It was actually Louis who helped me let go of my regret.”

“Louis?”

“He said God brought you to him…and to me.” Joel tucked a damp curl behind her ear. “He’s right, too. All this time, I thought I was the one with the plans, but God had better ones in mind.” He grazed his thumb across her cheek, relishing the softness of her skin. “Can you ever forgive me, Evelyn?”

She lifted his hand from her face and pressed it to her lips, resurrecting the rapid thumping of his heart. “There’s nothing to forgive, Joel. I wish you would’ve told me everything sooner, but I’m not angry with you.”

“You’re not?” He struggled to concentrate on her words as she stroked each of his knuckles, then ran her warm fingers up his vein lines, beneath his shirtsleeve, to his forearm.

“No.” Her fingers stilled against his arm. “But there is something I need to confess.”

He nodded for her to go on. His heart ricocheted in his chest, but not from her touch this time. He sensed he would know in the next few moments whether she would accept him again or not.

“I meant what I said in my letter, at least at the time. But I don’t feel that way anymore.” She resumed drawing imaginary lines up and down his hand and arm. “I know I can’t give you the son or daughter you wanted, but do you, could you possibly still…” She let the question fade away as she glanced at him. The earnest hope on her beautiful face gave him all the answer he needed.

Freeing his hand, Joel placed it against the back of her wet hair and drew her close. He rested his forehead against hers. “Do I still love you? Do I still want to marry you?” He smiled when her breath snagged in her throat. “Yes, Evelyn. To both.”

He lowered his chin, capturing those delectable lips at last. They tasted every bit as sweet and inviting as he remembered. This time, he kissed her without hesitation, without guilt. He tangled his fingers in her hair as he pressed his mouth more firmly to hers. Evelyn circled her hands around his neck.

He lost track of time, his focus caught up in kissing her, until the murmur of distant conversation finally registered in his mind. They weren’t entirely alone, even out here. With much disappointment, Joel released her.

“I won’t get leave again for another two months or so, but we could marry then.” He locked his fingers with hers and rested their joined hands on his knee. “That is, if you’re still okay with being discharged.”

“I don’t mind, but I won’t wait eight more weeks to marry you.” Her eyes shone with playful determination. “I think we’ve waited long enough.”

“You do, huh?” He chuckled, tugging her closer. “So what do you have in mind?”

In answer, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in another long kiss. “I want to marry you today,” Evelyn whispered against his mouth before sitting back.

“Today?” he echoed, warming to the idea. Even if they’d been up all night, the thought of finally being married to Evelyn drove any remaining exhaustion from him. They’d have less than twenty-four hours to spend as husband and wife, but that was better than waiting weeks to marry her.

“What time do you have to be back with your men?” she asked.

“Nine o’clock tonight.”

“What time is it now?”

Joel consulted his wristwatch. “Five thirty.”

Evelyn rewarded him with such a radiant smile he thought his heart might explode with joy. “Perfect. I’m officially on leave in thirty minutes.”

She bent toward him, clearly intent on another kiss, but Joel stopped her with a finger to her lips. Her eyes widened.

“I still need to officially ask you—again.” He searched the ground for something to put on her finger, since he didn’t have a ring. A loose thread on his coat caught his eye and he broke it free of the fabric. Going down on one knee, he tied the string around Evelyn’s ring finger. “Not the most permanent, but it’ll do.”

He lifted her hand and peered into her dark, soulful eyes. “Evelyn Gray, will you do me the honor of agreeing to be my wife—for the second time?”

“Yes,” she said, her answer barely out of her mouth before she launched herself into his arms.

He laughed and held her tight, overjoyed at the thought that very soon he wouldn’t have to let go so quickly.

“There’s one more thing.” She sat back and twisted the string on her finger. “I want to adopt Louis, Joel. I mean, I want us to adopt Louis. I’m sure that’s what he wants. He hasn’t any family now and I couldn’t leave him here when I go back to Michigan. To me, he’s like…”

“A son.”

A hopeful smile spread over her face. “You feel the same?”

Joel nodded, remembering how Louis had asked to call him “father” once Joel and Evelyn married. The simple, childlike gesture had done more to ease Joel’s disappointment over never fathering a child of his own than anything else. If he and Evelyn couldn’t have children, they could at least be Louis’s family. “I’d be proud to call him my son.”

“Oh, thank you, Joel.”

They shared another lengthy kiss, then Joel helped her to her feet. Ideas were forming rapidly in his head—ideas for where they could hold the wedding and where they could spend some time alone together before he had to return to his duties as a soldier. Perhaps Dr. Dupont could help him carry out the plans.

“I’ve got some things to do, but I’ll be back very soon.”

“You’re leaving?” Disappointment clouded her face. “What are you doing?”

Joel caressed her cheek. “Can’t a man who’s about to get married have a few surprises up his sleeve?”

She gave him a reticent smile. “All right. But you promise you’ll be back?”

“I promise. Just give me two hours, at the most, to get ready.” Joel scooped her up into his arms to carry her back to the tents. Evelyn let go a startled cry, but she was laughing. “Can you wait a little longer to become Mrs. Joel Campbell?”

“I’ve waited weeks now. I suppose I can last a few more hours.”

“Just don’t go back down to the evacuation hospital.”

Evelyn pressed a kiss to his cheek; he could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. “I won’t. Don’t worry about me. A bride has to have a few surprises of her own.”

He laughed again, relishing the feeling of lightness and purpose he felt for the first time in months. Ignoring the curious glances of those they passed, he carried Evelyn to the door of the tent he’d first brought her to. He set her down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.

“I want to talk to Dr. Dupont before I leave, but I’ll be back no later than seven thirty.”

“I’ll be waiting.” She cupped his face with her hand for a moment.

He stole one more kiss, then hurried toward the kitchen tent, where he’d last seen the doctor. There was a lot to do in a short time, but he’d never felt happier. In a few hours, Evelyn would finally be his wife.

E
velyn studied herself in the hand-held mirror Janet had managed to rummage up from somewhere, along with some hairpins. Under her friend’s deft hand, Evelyn’s dark curls had become a pretty arrangement at the nape of her neck, fit for a bride-to-be.

“It’s perfect,” Evelyn murmured, to keep from disturbing those eating breakfast at the other end of the table.

Janet smiled down at her. “You look very pretty.”

“Even in uniform?” Evelyn teased.

An orderly had agreed to fetch Evelyn’s stuff from the evacuation hospital. He reported that her and Janet’s tent had withstood the barrage of shellfire, with only a few holes as evidence of what had happened. Evelyn had changed out of her dirty outdoor uniform and nightgown into a clean jersey dress. Although not white or ornamented, the simple gown, without its usual apron, and the fancy hairstyle helped Evelyn feel more like a bride.

“What time is it now?”

Janet glanced at her watch. “A quarter past seven.”

Evelyn’s pulse leapt at the announcement. Joel would be here soon. She’d already informed Nurse Sheffield of her plans. While the chief nurse expressed regret at losing Evelyn’s help at the front, she offered sincere wishes for Evelyn and Joel’s happiness.

Dr. Dupont entered the tent as Evelyn set down the mirror. “I hear you are leaving us, Nurse Gray.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I spoke at length with your corporal. He is a good man and a very lucky one to be marrying such a lovely and accomplished young lady.”

Evelyn blushed at his compliment. The remark touched her deeply, especially since the doctor knew so much about her past. “What did he ask you before he left?”

The doctor wagged a finger at her. “You will not get his secrets out of me.”

She laughed and stood, one hand holding the chair to support her injured ankle. “Thank you, Dr. Dupont…for everything.” He would know what she meant, even if she couldn’t say it out loud with so many listening ears. She shook his hand with her free one. “I wish you all the best. I’ll be praying for your family.”

“Thank you. A letter from Bridgette made its way here yesterday, though it was sent many months ago.” His voice wobbled with emotion. “I am pleased to say I am the grandfather of a healthy little girl.”

“Oh, I’m so happy for you.”

When she released his hand, the doctor gently gripped Evelyn’s shoulders and placed a kiss on each of her cheeks. “Your father would be proud, Nurse Gray,” he said in a low voice that she alone could hear. His eyes peered straight into hers.

A lump rose in Evelyn’s throat as the truth of his words penetrated straight to her heart. Her father would be proud and her grandparents, too. She had made mistakes, yes, but she was no longer living in sorrow and hopelessness. She was embracing the life God had blessed her with.

Brushing at her wet eyes, Evelyn stepped back. This was only the first of many good-byes. How would she stand them all? “I’d better go.”

“
Au revoir
, Nurse Gray.” The doctor lifted her suitcase and handed it to her.

She gripped the handle and braved a smile. “
Au revoir
, Dr. Dupont.”

Other nurses called “good-bye” as Janet helped her to the tent door. Evelyn waved to them before ducking out the tent flap. Outside, she paused. Bidding Janet farewell for good would be as difficult as it would be with Alice and Sister Marcelle. She’d never imagined she would meet some of her dearest friends here in France.

“I’ll help you to the hill,” Janet said.

Grateful for a few minutes more with her friend, Evelyn linked her arm through Janet’s as she hobbled along. Sunshine dappled the path before them and Evelyn took in a cleansing breath of the cool morning air.

“What will you do after today?” Janet asked.

“I suppose Louis and I will go home to Michigan.”

“Do you wish you could stay?”

Evelyn threw a glance over her shoulder at the tents she could barely see through the trees. “Yes, more so than I thought. It would be nice to stay nearby since Joel has leave again in two months. But you know the rules. I’ll be discharged very soon.”

“Maybe something will work out so you can stay awhile longer.” Janet gave her arm a hopeful squeeze.

They reached the brow of the hill and stopped. Evelyn peered down at the road below. No sign of Joel yet, but he still had a few minutes to go before his promised arrival. She set down her suitcase and hugged Janet tight.

“How can I thank you enough for your help?” She let go of her friend to peer into her face. “Joel and I are getting married largely because of you and the things you said the other night.”

“It’s me who must thank you, Evelyn.”

“What do you mean?” Evelyn couldn’t think of anything she’d done to help Janet, at least not to the extent her friend had done for her.

Janet brushed some blond hair from her face, her eyes locked on something in the distance. “You helped me see that love and family might still be a possibility for me—again. Who knows?” She shrugged. “You’ll write, won’t you?”

Evelyn nodded and hoisted her suitcase. She and Janet had exchanged addresses. The sound of a horn floated up to them. Evelyn turned to see a truck waiting on the road below. “I wonder where in the world he found that.”

She gave Janet one last hug, then slowly descended the hill, doing her best to avoid spraining her other ankle or stepping in the mud. It wouldn’t do for the bride to appear with dirty shoes.

“Good-bye, Evelyn,” Janet shouted, her arm lifted in a wave.

Evelyn waved back as her feet met level ground again. “Good-bye,” she called over her shoulder.

She limped toward the truck, her excitement making her wish she could move faster. A man stepped from the truck. Her smile spread wider, until she realized it wasn’t Joel.

“Sergeant Dennis?” Evelyn stopped. Her heart leapt into her throat as concern washed over her. Where was Joel? Had the sergeant come to relay bad news? “What’s happened?” she demanded.

Sergeant Dennis removed his hat and wiped at his forehead. “The dang truck got caught in the mud a ways back. But don’t be tellin’ Campbell that. He promised to tan my hide if I was late to pick you up.”

Relief rushed in to take the place of her fear. “So you’re my ride. How did you…”

“Had a few favors to call in,” the sergeant said with a grin. He helped her walk around to the other side of the truck and climb inside. Once he returned to the driver’s seat, he fiddled with the gears and the truck jerked forward.

“Where are we going?” Evelyn asked as they headed down the road.

“To St. Vincent’s.”

A thrill shot through her. “Is that where Joel is?”

Sergeant Dennis nodded.

“Your helping us has nothing to do with seeing Nurse Thornton again, does it?”

Red crept up the sergeant’s neck. “I told Corporal Campbell I’d be his best man.” He shot her a sideways look. “But it don’t hurt that Alice is there, too.”

Evelyn laughed. George Dennis was a good man. She was glad he and Alice had become such close friends, despite Evelyn’s objections in the beginning.

“We could make it a double wedding,” she teased.

His face turned as dark as his neck. “Nah. Alice wants to keep nursing until the war’s over. But I’m goin’ to ask her to be my girl today. You know, wait for me, official like.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

Comfortable silence filled the cab between them. Evelyn listened to the noises of the truck and watched the countryside moving past. Each turn of the wheels brought her closer to Joel and to her wedding. Before long, her eyelids began to droop as the previous night of little sleep caught up with her.

Sometime later, she jerked awake when the truck shuddered to a full stop.

“We’re here,” Sergeant Dennis announced.

Evelyn peered out the window at the familiar stone walls and turrets of St. Vincent’s hospital. She felt as if she’d come home. She touched her hair, reassuring herself all the pins had stayed in place even as she dozed. Satisfied, she lifted her suitcase to her lap and waited for the sergeant to open her door. When he did, she climbed out and smoothed the front of her dress.

She allowed him to assist her to the hospital’s main doors. But instead of helping her walk in, he took her suitcase and set it inside the door.

“Aren’t we going in?” she asked, confused.

The sergeant shook his head. “We’re needed in the church.”

He offered her his arm again and they walked around the side of the hospital. As they passed the nurses’ building and crossed the expansive lawn, memories flooded Evelyn’s mind—both pleasant and painful. She would always cherish this place.

Her heart beat faster with anticipation as they reached the ancient church. Sergeant Dennis held the door open for her.

“Will you walk me down the aisle, Sergeant?” Evelyn asked. “Not just for tradition’s sake either.” She gave a light laugh. “I don’t think I can do it on this ankle.”

The sergeant looked surprised. “It would be an honor, Nurse Gray.”

Evelyn shuffled ahead of him into the cool interior of the church. Her eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the dimmer light. Once she could see, she realized the building was already half-full with sisters and nurses, including Alice and Sister Marcelle.

Up front, beside the pastor, stood Joel. Though she’d seen him just a few hours earlier, Evelyn’s pulse quickened at the sight of him. He looked so tall and handsome in his mud-free Army uniform. And that smile, directed straight at her, made her stomach churn with pleasant butterflies.

“Evelyn!” Louis shot down the aisle and threw his arms around her waist. “You are back.”

She hugged him tight. Tears of joy filled her eyes at seeing him again. “Oh, I missed you, Louis.”

He broke free of her embrace to show her the notebook he clutched in one hand. “I kept the corporal’s book for him, like he told me to. Until you came back. I have been so careful with it and only drew a few pictures inside.” Evelyn recognized Joel’s bird book as Louis showed her a drawing he’d made.

“That’s very good—”

“Now that you are back, we will be a family and all look for birds together.”

Evelyn hated to steal away the grin from his young face. “Well, you see, Louis. Corporal Campbell has to go back to being a soldier, and you and I—”

“Will be staying with us at the hospital,” Sister Marcelle interjected, “as long as you like.”

Evelyn blinked in surprise at the sister. “What about my being discharged?”

Sister Marcelle placed her hand on Evelyn’s arm. “You may be released from active service with the Army Nurse Corps once you are married, but we could still use your help.” She glanced at Joel, who was coming down the aisle toward them. “Besides, I hear your husband-to-be has leave in a few months. It might be nice to stay close so you can see him sooner.”

“Say you’ll stay, Evelyn,” Alice said from her spot next to Sergeant Dennis. “It hasn’t been the same without you here.”

Evelyn gazed into the earnest faces around her and laughed. “All right then. Looks like you and I are staying for a while longer, Louis.”

The boy gave a whoop as Joel came up to them. His nearness set Evelyn’s heartbeat racing with anticipation again. “Go and sit down, Louis,” she gently directed. Sister Marcelle led the boy back up the aisle.

“What are we celebrating back here?” Joel asked, amusement in his hazel eyes.

“Louis and I are going to stay on at St. Vincent’s for a while longer. At least until after you get leave.”

“That’s an excellent idea. But I think we need to get married first.” He tipped his head in the direction of the pastor. “The poor man’s been waiting since I woke him up an hour ago.” Leaning closer, he whispered in her ear, “And the cottage I rented for the day should be just about ready as well.”

Evelyn blushed, even as excitement shot up her spine at the thought of being alone with Joel, as her husband this time.

He kissed her quick on the cheek. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Alice handed her a small bouquet of wildflowers as Joel returned to his spot beside the pastor. Evelyn fingered the colored petals—they would look pretty, dried and pressed, in her flower book at home.

One of the sisters struck up a wedding march on the little organ. It was Evelyn’s cue.

She linked her arm through Sergeant Dennis’s and they started slowly up the aisle. For a moment, she wished her father were walking next to her and her grandparents were seated in one of the pews. But as her gaze took in the happy faces around her—Louis, Sister Marcelle, Alice—she realized these people were as dear to her as her own family. And in a few minutes, she and Joel would become a new family themselves. She locked her eyes with his and returned his brilliant smile as she took her place beside him.

Evelyn leaned against Joel, her hand clasped in his. They turned onto the gravel drive leading to the hospital, their footsteps crunching in the early evening quiet.

“Don’t you wish we could go back?” She glanced over her shoulder, though she knew she couldn’t see the little cottage they’d spent the day in.

Joel lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles. “Yes, very much.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t do to miss the lovely dinner they’re making for us, though.”

“Probably not.” Joel chuckled. “Besides, Sergeant Dennis and I have to head back soon.”

“I know.” She refused to focus on the imminent farewell; instead she wrapped the happy memories of the day around her like a quilt. She felt so blessed, so loved. “I’m grateful Sister Marcelle is letting me and Louis stay.”

“Me, too. It’ll be easier getting through the next two months, knowing you’ll be here waiting for me when I get leave again.” He smiled down at her in a way that made her stomach flip-flop. She hoped the next eight weeks would speed by. “What will your grandparents say about our marriage and about Louis?”

“I think they’ll be happy for us.” She kissed his cheek in reassurance. “It’s my other idea I’m worried about. I’m not sure how they’ll react.”

“What idea is that?”

They were almost to the main doors of the hospital. Evelyn stopped and turned toward him, her heartbeat picking up with fresh excitement. “I want to turn my grandparents’ big farmhouse into a home for boys like Louis. Those who’ve lost their parents or have run away from home. Like that boy you once told me about, who lived with your family.”