“Was it sabotage?”
“No. At least, those who investigated said there were no indications of such. My father had expressed concerns about the boiler days before the accident. He thought he’d dealt withthe problem, but obviously he was mistaken.” She reattached the fan’s cord to a button on her waistband. The lacy piece hadn’t helped cool her at all and, in fact, waving it about had only served to make her hotter.
“Your losses have been great. My father also passed away during the war.”
“In battle?” she asked.
He shook his head. “It’s a long story, but he died in Minnesota.” Dr. Turner glanced past her into the crowd behind them. “It was one of those senseless and unnecessary things.”
“I’m so sorry.” She couldn’t help but notice something about his expression that suggested his grief was still strong, but she didn’t feel the situation warranted the intimacy of her questioning him.
“I realize it’s quite forward of me, but I wonder if you might consider having dinner with me tonight? Mrs. Silverman has known me for years and can vouch for my character.”
The idea of attending supper with the dashing doctor enticed Judith, though she probably shouldn’t even consider accepting an invitation from a stranger. Before she could answer, Mrs. Silverman put an end to any romantic notions.
“Judith! Judith!” Mrs. Silverman called, motioning her to come.
“If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’m needed elsewhere. It was a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Turner.”
“For me as well, and if you come to Minneapolis, please be certain to look me up.”
She nodded and gave him a smile. “I’d like that.”
Roman watched the young woman move through the throng of people. She was as graceful as a swan swimming among the reeds. He found himself mesmerized for a long while. She was beautiful, there was certainly no doubt about that. Hervoluminous brown hair had been carefully pinned into place, held by ebony lacquered combs. Her gown, although trimmed in black, was not that of mourning. The dark green suited her complexion, and the lightweight material was sensible for an extremely warm day.
But there was something more to her—something that attracted him in a way he’d not felt before. Judith Stanford had a heart for the very things he did. She cared about those around her who were suffering and in need, and she put others first.
His mother and sister were always after him to find a wife and settle down, but until this moment, he’d never met a woman with whom he could imagine himself married. Judith Stanford, however, was easily a match for the bride he had imagined. She was soft-spoken, yet firm in her opinions and confident in doing the right thing. Just the fact that she was here spending her free time listening to lectures on helping the destitute spoke volumes about her character.
But even as he thought these things, Roman chided himself. He didn’t really know anything about Judith Stanford other than the information Mrs. Silverman had shared in their brief conversation earlier. Certainly not enough to think favorably toward a lifetime together. No doubt it was just the heat.
Sweat trickled down the side of his neck. The temperatures were almost unbearable, and Roman felt he’d had more than enough of crowds and lectures. He made his way toward the back of the room where the exit doors would lead him outside into the hopefully cool night air. As he drew near to where Judith stood listening to Mrs. Silverman, he sensed there might be a problem. Judith seemed strangely silent, almost distracted.
As he came abreast of her and the others, Judith turned. The look on her face was one he’d seen on the battlefield just before men lost consciousness. Reaching out, he caught her as she fainted.
“Oh dear! Oh my!” Mrs. Silverman waved her gloved hands in exclamation. “What has happened!”
“I believe the heat has overcome the poor woman,” one of the men declared.
Roman lifted Judith into his arms. “Let’s get her outside. The open air will be better. Mrs. Silverman, please find us a way through the crowd.”
Outside the air was cooler, but heavy with humidity. Roman stood holding Judith in his arms and wondering what he should do next.
“I believe there is a marble bench to the side, just over there.” Mrs. Silverman pointed.
Roman caught sight of the bench and nodded. He crossed the portico and wondered whether to seat Judith on the bench or continue holding her. She was light enough he could have held her forever, or so he told himself, but propriety was important. He gently lowered her to the bench and, while still holding on to her, grabbed the fan attached to her waistband. He didn’t see how it was fastened and gave a hard yank. The button holding it danced across the stone floor.
Roman opened the fan while balancing Judith and began to use it quite vigorously. “If someone could get her a glass of water, that would help,” he said, not even bothering to look up.
She started to rally as he continued to fan her face. When she opened her eyes and met his gaze, she smiled. Roman was certain she had no idea of where she was. He smiled back.
Then at once, his nearness seemed to alarm her. She jerked and sat up straight, pulling herself out of Roman’s arms with surprising strength.
“Oh goodness. What happened?”
“You fainted, my dear,” Mrs. Silverman announced. “The heat was positively abominable. Thank God for Dr. Turner. He just happened to be passing by and caught you as you fell.”
Judith looked into Roman’s eyes. For a moment, he lost theability to reason. He had never met a woman who so completely captured his thoughts. He’d long prayed for a wife, but could it really be this easy? Could she be the one?
