“Father and son—you are pushing the envelope, Nurse Gwen. I’ve barely gotten used to the idea of his existence.”
“You are doing wonderfully,” Gwen said. “You’ve made progress in my short time here, and to see a family reunited makes me feel like I’ve accomplished my job. The McAlister household is one moving forward with goals for the new future and not one crying over a lost past.”
“Here’s hoping my father latches onto the idea,” Daniel said, bouncing to his feet. “Meanwhile, I’m starved. Shall we eat?”
Gwen reached for his outstretched hand, and once again, shivers raced up her arm. This time, he was too close not to notice her reaction. When his eyes blazed into her soul, a connection was ignited. She speculated from his lingering stare that the idea did not disappoint him.
The days following merged into one another. The household had found an entire collection of baby furniture in the attic, and Gwen had set up the second bedroom as a nursery. A crib kept the toddler confined and made her less nervous about leaving him alone in his room. During his two naps during the day, she hurried to get the never-ending chores done. Caring for children, making meals and overseeing her patient was an all-encompassing job – not one she’d have picked for herself but she found satisfaction in the diversity it offered. The woman she’d met at the row houses was assigned to do their laundry, as well as Daniel’s. Gwen was grateful for that burden to be lifted from her shoulders, as she particularly disliked washday.
Constance Harrow must have sought God in prayer before placing her graduating nurses, for no one could have known that this assignment would bring such delight to Gwen. The business of hospitals, operations, and doctors barking orders to their staff, seemed a distant threat now, and she smiled at the easy life she was settling into.
Daniel came for breakfast every day and played with Jake while Gwen packed him sandwiches, fruit, cookies and drinks to bring to the woods for the day. He talked endlessly about the different varieties of trees, and how just the right angle of his cut had sent natures beast hurdling to the earth. The people who lived in the row houses caught the fever, and whenever they were not working for Thomas McAlister, they showed up to help Daniel in the woods.
In the evenings, he came to sit with Gwen and relayed the stories he’d heard, both the horrors and the blessings, the former slaves had shared with him. Daniel especially enjoyed their music. Its melody rang out as natural as the air they breathed, and the massive trees seemed willing to bow their heads as a sacrifice for the greater good.
Gwen laughed as she refilled his coffee cup. “You have quite the imagination, Daniel McAlister.”
“How so? If you believe that I am following God’s call in this endeavor, then why shouldn’t you believe He can also convince the trees to be willing sacrifices and allow them a role in this humane effort to rebuild His world?”
She studied him over the rim of her cup. “I’m impressed to hear quite a spiritual angle, Daniel. Tomorrow is Sunday, a day of rest.”
“Exactly, and I have a plan, should the good nurse be willing to co-operate.”
“Pray, tell.”
“After church, I would like to take you to a watering hole that I’m told was my favorite spot as a youth. We can picnic and put our feet in the cool water. Arthur has given clear directions as to the specific location, and he promises we will not get lost.”
“What of Jake? Should I call for the nanny?”
“I was hoping we could bring him along. We’ll take that cozy hamper for him to sleep in. Just think of all the trouble he can get into when he’s awake.”
“Yes, like plunging into the water and never surfacing again,” Gwen said. “Perhaps he is too young.”
“Surely, two sets of eyes can watch one little boy. He needs to see more of the property other than this tiny section we call our home.”
Our home. Gwen clung to that for a moment, then she chided herself for such silliness. “Our home” meant Daniel and Jake—nowhere did Gwen fit into the picture.
Yes, they should bring the boy. Daniel needed to spend all of his free time with the lad if he were to build a solid relationship. The early years were the most important for building a bond to last a lifetime.
“You’re right. I’m being far too cautious. The boy needs to be a boy.”
“Jolly right! Now, you’re catching the spirit.”
Gwen was pleased to see his excitement but at the same time, feared her job might soon come to an end. The ghosts of his lost memory did not haunt or restrict him from moving forward now. He managed any lingering limp from his leg injury as if it did not exist. His spirits were high, and he’d even developed a somewhat workable relationship with his parents. She’d accomplished her goals. It did not appear the man would ever regain the memories he’d lost, but it was enough that he’d resolved to start fresh and plan for a future.
She should be on top of the world, yet her heart ached, and she could not stop wishing she’d never have to leave that place.
Chapter 8
The church was enormous by anyone’s standards. White boards covered the outside of the building, and double doors stood open to welcome the congregation. Tall stain-glassed windows on each side pictured the agony of the cross on the left and the risen Christ on the right—the gospel in
