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German tank. Had he misunderstood his own heart when it came to Rose? Had he really been acting in a way God wanted when he’d ended things between them?
    Instead of answers, he felt only pain and shock and gut-wrenching remorse.
    *  *  *
    With one hand splayed against the beech tree beside her, Evelyn shakily drew her other hand across her mouth. The taste of bile still stung her tongue. She needed a drink of water, and then she wanted to crawl beneath her blanket and never emerge.
    Since the news of Ralph’s death yesterday afternoon, she hadn’t been able to settle her stomach. Knots of panic, combined with her pregnancy sickness, made it nearly impossible to eat. Or keep anything down.
    “Evelyn?” she heard Alice call. “Is that you?”
    She stepped out from behind the tree, leaving the evidence of her now empty stomach hidden in the grass. “Yes.”
    Alice gave her a quizzical look. “What were you doing?”
    “Just enjoying the quiet of the forest.” She pasted on a weak smile. “Did you need something?”
    “No. I was just headed to bed. Sergeant Dennis is wearing me out.” She shook her head in annoyance. “Today he kept asking me silly questions while I tended to him. Like what my favorite flower is or my favorite book. I tell you…”
    Alice’s words faded into the background of Evelyn’s thoughts. If only Ralph were around to complain about. He never picks up his socks or he can’t ever remember our anniversary . These were things she would never know about him or confide with amusement to other women.
    “You look a little pale, Evelyn.” Alice stepped closer and peered into her face. “Are you sure you’re up to doing night duty? I could take your shift, if you’re not feeling well.”
    “I’m fine.”
    She prided herself on how even and firm her tone sounded, despite knowing she would never be completely well again. A hole, as deadly and painful as a bullet wound, had torn through her heart. The man she loved was dead, the man who had made her happier than she’d been in years. And now her unborn child would never know his father.
    What would she say in answer to her child’s questions? She’d known so little about Ralph’s life before he’d joined the Army—all she’d cared about on leave was enjoying his company and basking in his adoration. How foolishly she’d believed there would be time later on for delving into all the details of their lives.
    Instead time had turned into her enemy. Before long, everyone at the hospital would know her indiscretion.
    Perhaps I ought to request a discharge now, before the pregnancy’s discovered. The idea relieved some of the pressure in her abdomen until she thought of facing her grandparents. She feared their weakening health would never recover from a homecoming like that.
    I could lie—tell Grandma and Grandpa I was married for a short time before Ralph was killed and I was discharged.
    She dismissed the notion at once. Having committed one mistake, she wouldn’t add being untruthful on top of it. She’d simply have to hide her pregnancy for as long as possible. Being taller than most girls, she might be able to get away with it, especially with the loose fit of her uniform. In the meantime, she vowed to be the best nurse she could be.
    After her secret was discovered, she would have to throw her future upon the sisters’ mercy and pray her work as a competent nurse would pay off. Hopefully their need for help would mean a place for her to stay until she could no longer perform her duties.
    “Evelyn?” Alice’s voice broke through her mental scheming. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    She straightened her shoulders. She would do everything asked of her, and do it well—being pregnant wouldn’t interfere with her ability to be a good nurse. “Yes. I can take my shift.”
    “All right. Good night, then. Good luck.”
    “Good night, Alice.” She waved good-bye to her roommate, reminding herself that at some point she