My parents, among many gifts, instilled in me a love of books and stories, and ensured I got an excellent education despite my (not inconsiderable) resistance. Eternal thanks to my mother, Clare Hume, who is loving, generous, an astute reader, and a font of anecdotes from her summers on Old Black Point. I am so grateful for all she does for me and my family, and for always supporting my creative endeavors. (Well, except singing. Because, let’s face it, everyone has their limits). My father, Brit Hume, from whom I inherited a practical streak, was on board from the first with this most impractical venture. (He seemed more certain than me, in fact, that this was what I was meant to do next). I’m grateful for his love, wisdom, and support, and for teaching me that the right word matters. Thanks, too, to Kim Hume, for her contagious enthusiasm for this novel.
Finally, I am most indebted to the three people who had to live with me throughout this process. My daughters, Mary Clare and Helen, inspire me every day with their humor and spirit and intelligence. I’m grateful to them for many things, not least for acting pleasantly surprised when I actually made dinner, rather than disappointed when I didn’t. Last but certainly not least, I’m grateful to my husband, Drew Onufer, to whom this book is dedicated. Drew does it all—slays the bugs, laughs at my jokes, and plans, well … everything. He is our family plumb line, always bringing us back to center when we veer off. I’m blessed every day by his decency, good nature, and unswerving support.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
In attempting to bring to life World War II–era Washington, D.C., I relied on a number of resources, including David Brinkley’s Washington Goes to War, Paul K. Williams’s Washington, D.C., the World War II Years, John Morton Blum’s V Was for Victory, Scott Hart’s Washington at War: 1941-1945, and Mary W. Standlee’s history memoir, Borden’s Dream, about Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Other than liberties I took with timing, I did my best to faithfully portray the Cadet Nurse Corps. It was, at the time, the most significant experiment in federally subsidized education in the nation’s history, and the first integrated uniformed service corps. The 120,000 cadets who fast-tracked through nursing schools included 3,000 African Americans, 350 Japanese Americans, and 40 Native Americans. The program prevented the collapse of civilian nursing care during the war.
I was delighted to discover that the Cadet Nurse Corps was the brainchild of Ohio congresswoman Frances Payne Bolton, a great champion of nursing and nursing education. Though I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing her, if her children and grandchildren are any indication, she was a wonderful woman.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Virginia Hume is a freelance writer and editor in Washington, D.C. Her early career was spent in public affairs and political communications. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband, their daughters, and an under-groomed bichon named Chester. You can sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Acknowledgments
Author’s Note
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
HAVEN POINT. Copyright © 2021 by Virginia Hume. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Olga Grlic
Cover art: landscape © Susan Pease/Danita Delllmont/Alamy; texture © Drawbot/Shutterstock.com
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-26652-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-250-26653-8 (ebook)
eISBN 9781250266538
Our e-Books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].
First Edition: 2021
Haven Point Page 38