Saving the Rifleman by Julie Rowe Read Free Book Online Page A

was going to be the cause of her anxiety.
    “How long have you been a nurse?”
    He could almost see her mentally pulling herself out of the darkness. “Two years. I studied under Nurse Culver in England then came with her to Brussels to help establish this teaching hospital.”
    “So this is a place where women are trained to be nurses?”
    “It was. Before the war. Our founder and his wife had been raising money to move us out of these houses and build a proper hospital, but they’ve both been killed. If it weren’t for Rose, this hospital likely wouldn’t exist.”
    Outside, booted feet walked the hallway, paused by their door, then carried on.
    Maria waited until they were long gone before asking, “How long have you been a soldier?”
    “Five years. It’s a good occupation for a third son.”
    “Is it?” She stared at him, her gaze so direct and discerning he wouldn’t be surprised to discover she knew every thought in his head.
    “Most definitely.”
    “Forgive me, I’m not familiar with such things.”
    “Naturally not. You’re a woman.”
    “Indeed.” She sounded tired.
    “In the eyes of a man like my father, there are only three acceptable choices for younger sons like myself. The military, the clergy or teaching at a university.”
    “Did you get to choose?”
    “No. My father decided early on that I wouldn’t do well in the clergy or at the university.” Living as a wastrel like his idiot uncle wasn’t an option either, as far as his father had been concerned. They argued about many things, including his life in the military, but that at least, John agreed with.
    “Why the army?”
    “I suppose because it posed the greatest challenge.”
    “And the greatest danger,” she added in a disapproving tone.
    “There’s that as well.”
    “I’ll never understand the male need for conflict and competition.”
    “Is that what you think this war is all about?”
    “Isn’t it?”
    “I suppose to some extent all war is, but no. This war is about power.”
    She shook her head. “That’s what’s so sad.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Anyone who thinks they can truly have power over another person, let alone another country is deluded. Power is an illusion. The only people we have power over are ourselves.”
    John stared at her, his jaw hanging low. He couldn’t help it. She’d repeated almost verbatim what his father had said to him before he left for active duty months ago. A slow smile spread across his face. “I need to introduce you to my father.”
    “Why?”
    “Because he loves a good argument. And if it’s on the subject of good and evil, or the condition of the human soul, he loves it even more.”
    “Don’t be silly. Your father isn’t going to want to talk to me.”
    “Of course he will.”
    She stared at him with her lips pressed so tightly together that lines appeared on either side of her mouth.
    “Why wouldn’t he?”
    “Because I’m an uneducated nobody.”
    John snorted. “Didn’t you say you trained under Nurse Culver? And I heard you speaking German to that officer. You had to have had lessons.”
    “A few, but I certainly didn’t learn anything useful at school.” An expression of hurt crossed her face then she turned away so he couldn’t see her at all.
    “Maria?”
    “I’m sorry,” she said to the wall. “I’m quite tired.”
    Her stiff shoulders told him something very different. “Have I upset you?”
    She shook her head just a little too quickly and a little too fast. He searched his memory to discover what he’d said to distress her, but nothing came to mind.
    “I’ll enjoy introducing you to my father. I doubt he’s ever met anyone like you.” Her lack of education would come as no surprise, but her intelligence and knowledge despite it would shock the old man.
    “I’m sure he hasn’t.”
    It was a perfectly proper response, but her tone said she didn’t believe him. Not at all.
    “You’re smarter than most of the chaps I