Chapter 36
The next morning, Nathan and Elizabeth got the children ready for church. They dressed a bit more casual than usual because they knew that most of the men were going to the build site to raise the roof right after church. They suspected those that would be helping would be dressed casual as well. Elizabeth had mentioned to Rosemary her plan and true to her word, Rosemary had gotten all the wives and the widows to prepare an impromptu picnic at the build site for a late lunch. After breakfast, the Grants strolled alongside the Coultiers to church. Nathan decided that they would sit with the Coultiers that day. He would still have to do his rounds later but for the service today, he would not be in uniform.
Lucas knew that it would be frowned upon if he missed the church service that morning. He had been going over the books with Henry but Henry was adamant that they stop for church. Henry had plans after the service along with Hickam. Lucas wasn't sure what was going on because both men weren't dressed in their Sunday best. Lucas reluctantly followed his business partner to church. When he arrived, he looked very out of place. He looked like he was the only one in their Sunday best. He looked over and saw Elizabeth and Nathan sitting with Lee and Rosemary. Nathan's arm was casually draped across the pew on Elizabeth's shoulders, little Jack was sitting in his lap with Allie sitting between Elizabeth and Rosemary. Little Jack was playing with the buttons on Nathan's shirt contently. Lucas didn't know why Nathan was letting him do something like that in public.
The service was beautiful and short that week. The pastor had heard about what was occurring after and had done his best to keep his sermon brief but still inspiring. He was always inspired by this community and how they came together to help their own. Though there was one man that stood out from the rest of his flock. Someone that had been absent for a few months and still seemed like an outsider looking in. If Lucas truly wanted to be a part of the community, he had to start acting like it. Money was nice but getting people to do things for you instead of doing them yourself didn't impress the people of Hope Valley. They judged a man by his actions and not his words. Lucas still hadn't learned that the way Nathan had.
Nathan had seen Lucas in church but he suspected no one had told him about the house that was being built. He looked out of place. He had no intention of excluding him but wasn't going ask Lucas for his help. The town's men headed straight for the build site after shaking hands with the pastor.
The ladies and children headed off to the café to start preparing the food. Bill had told Clara that it made more sense to prepare everything in one place and use one wagon instead of several. The children colored at the tables while the ladies cooked. The older girls helped the younger children like little Jack draw pictures. When the food was ready Elizabeth, Rosemary, and Clara filled the wagon with the food. Allie and little Jack sat in the back with Rosemary while Clara steered the wagon towards the house.
It would be the first time they had seen the house since the men started working on the second floor. Elizabeth gasped at the sight of her house. It wasn't finished yet but for the first time she could picture them living there. She hadn't been able to visualize it before. She wondered if she had been too scared to envision it because the last dream had died with Jack. Elizabeth knew that with the roof going up, their dream of a new home that was truly theirs was closer than ever.
After the picnic, several of the ladies remained at the build site with Elizabeth and the children. They knew that every set of hands helped so they fetched nails, handed men saws and hammers or whatever else was requested. With the extra hands, the men were able to get all the trusses up and the plywood laid on the roof. They would still need to do the shingles but now the roof was up and the house enclosed with the exception of windows and doors. The interior walls were still just studs but the house looked like a home. They were all very proud of that accomplishment.
They decided that they would call it a day so that the families could share some time together and have dinner at a reasonable hour. Nathan told Elizabeth that he would have to do his rounds so that he would just walk them home before going to the office. Elizabeth assured him that dinner would be waiting when he got home. He knew that she would feed the children and get them ready for bed before he got home but would wait for him before she ate herself. It had become their ritual if he had to work late.
At their row house, Elizabeth kissed him goodbye and said be safe before taking the children inside. Nathan then proceeded to the livery to saddle Newton before starting his rounds. Everything seemed quiet until he was almost back to the office. He heard a commotion at the saloon and went to investigate. Inside it looked like a card game had gotten heated and Lucas was holding his eye while two strangers were duking it out. Nathan thought to himself why tonight, before stepping between the men and escorted them to the jail. Nathan called Bill to come watch the prisoners while he went to talk to Lucas.
Lucas held some an ice pack on his eye and was sitting on a bar stool when Nathan returned. He asked Lucas if he wanted him to get Carson first. When Lucas shook his head no, Nathan asked Lucas what had happened. Lucas told him that both men were drinking shots of whiskey over a game of poker. When the one player accused the other of cheating the men started swinging. Lucas said that he tried to stop the fight but only managed to catch a punch in the eye. Nathan told Lucas next time don't be a hero and get Bill or himself. If he didn't want to do that then he should hire some security. As the town grew so did the Queen of Hearts popularity with the strangers looking for work and the trouble they brought.
Back at the office, Bill had called Carson to check on the cuts and bruises the prisoners had. Nathan told Carson about Lucas' black eye and he said he'd stop by the saloon. Bill and Nathan decided both men were intoxicated and just needed to sleep it off. Bill offered to stay the night in the officer's quarters so Nathan could go home to his family. Nathan knew that Elizabeth would be waiting so he quickly changed and thanked Bill before heading home. Nathan cherished every day he had and knew that he was blessed to be part of this community and extended family.