Chapter 3- Healing

Charlotte looked at her reflection in the mirror of the upstairs washroom. She had found a small bottle of partially used shampoo the night before and finally took the time to bathe and wash her hair. The last remnants of her journey this past week, flowing down the drain as she emptied the bathtub.

This morning presented a new day. A new week.

Even though the thought of returning to church and God's judgment caused a sense of unease, Charlotte knew if she did not go back today. She never would. What did her father always say when she was bucked off a horse on the ranch? You gotta get right back on.

This was her getting right back on and moving forward.

Charlotte had seen many of the other row house families already heading to town. She must be running late. Charlotte wished she would have thought to ask someone yesterday what time church started. She took a moment then to reach out and touch the petals of Allie and Nathan's flowers. Last night Charlotte had chosen to bring this bouquet up to her room. Although there was no bedside table to sit them on, the special flowers felt more at home in this space. Away from the prying eyes of every Hope Valley resident that decided to drop by unexpectedly. More importantly their aromatic scent had seemed to lull her into a deep sleep, as Charlotte had slept soundly until morning without re-living any horrible dreams.

Remembering she was running late, Charlotte, brushed through her wavy hair quickly, before leaving the house and starting her walk towards town. Thankfully, Charlotte made it to church before the services had begun, but like she had expected, she was running late. Cooper had just finished ringing the bell when Charlotte entered, noting all the pews were already filled with the regular patrons and families of Hope Valley. Another reminder of how much an outsider she really was.

"Ms. Thompson," a now familiar voice reached Charlotte. "I'll scoot over, and you can sit with us." Allie motioned from the back row. The same spot she had been in when Charlotte first met her a couple days ago.

Charlotte looked from Allie to her uncle, who reclined comfortably beside the girl in the pew, checking his face to see if it was indeed alright to impose on them.

"Yes, please. Join us. There is more than enough room," Nathan agreed and shifted further down the pew and closer to the outside window. Making space for Charlotte to squeeze past another Hope Valley family in order to sit next to Allie. As the rest of the congregation finished taking their seats, Charlotte nervously started to wring her hands together. Not even noticing the nervous tick she had begun, but Nathan and Allie had. They exchanged an understanding glance and nod before Allie took her right hand and placed it over Charlotte's. Charlotte turned to Allie and then to Nathan who both gave her a smile of support. Her hands quieted under the touch of Allie's and Charlotte was able to concentrate on the church services.

Joseph was right. He was an excellent preacher. The best Charlotte had ever heard. Although she was a bit miffed, when at the beginning of the services, he asked Charlotte to stand and then proceeded to introduce her to the congregation. The readings he chose and the sermon he gave seemed to hit Charlotte to the very core and be exactly what she needed to hear that day.

One passage Joseph read from Psalms, particularly struck a chord "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

His words caused a lone tear to escape Charlotte's eye, but since her hands were still being held in place by sweet Allie's, Charlotte discreetly leaned towards her own shoulder and used the blouse's material to brush the salty water from the side of her cheek. Hoping no one, especially Allie and Nathan, had noticed the gesture.

Pastor Joseph kept the services short, but purposeful. Before long, the congregation was released to enjoy the rest of their Sunday, which was again shaping up to be a warm one. As the pews filed out into the sunshine, Allie turned to Charlotte, "You missed some tasty trout last night."

"I'm sorry to have missed it," Charlotte smiled at the girl.

"Uncle Nathan and I are planning on packing some sandwiches and going fishing again today. Maybe up by another one of our secret spots, that upper meadow we told you about yesterday. The one where Uncle Nathan found those forget-me-nots you like." Allie continued without missing a beat, "Do you want to join?"

Before Charlotte had a chance to politely decline, someone called to her, "Ms. Thompson." Charlotte turned to see an older gentleman making his way through the crowd to her side, followed closely by a woman about the same age. They introduced themselves as Ned and Florence Yost who ran the local mercantile.

"Nathan had mentioned before church that you needed some things from the store." Ned nodded to Nathan who stood a few steps behind Charlotte and Allie. "Now I don't normally open the store, given that it's the Lord's day and all, but I also understand how you would need some essential supplies, before starting the week tomorrow. Flo and I can head over and open the mercantile for you to shop right now if you would like."

"That is very generous Ned, but before I say yes, would you be able to extend store credit for my purchases? I do not plan on getting much, just some of the essentials for meals and cleaning. I have some cash, but my first paycheck for teaching won't come until the end of the month, which is still weeks away." Charlotte felt the need to be up front with Ned given his kindness in opening the store on his day off.

"Oh, heavens yes. That is not a problem. You are a part of Hope Valley now." Ned responded. "Pay whenever you are able to."

"Thank you so much. If you don't mind, I'll walk back to the row house and get my list of supplies, so I don't forget anything."

"Of course, of course. Florence and I will be at the store when you get there."

Charlotte turned to Allie then, the girl's shoulders seemed to slump forward. "I'll take that as you can't come with us. Again."

"Allie." Nathan moved forward putting a hand on Allie's back. But the girl soon took off ahead of them, causing Charlotte to instantly become uncomfortable being left alone in the constable's presence.

Nathan sighed. "I'm sorry. That reaction has nothing to do with you."

Charlotte nodded, not sure if she believed Nathan at that moment, before quickly moving down the stairs and towards the row houses. Awkwardly following a few paces behind Allie. And Nathan following a few paces behind Charlotte.

"I know you want to be welcoming to Ms. Thompson, but you shouldn't be so upset, if she can't or doesn't want to join us," Nathan said, breaking the silence that had been between him and Allie since after church. They still packed a lunch, but instead of fishing at the small lake in the upper meadow, they decided to stay closer to town and fish at the pond. Although he shouldn't really call it fishing since they had not caught a single thing all afternoon.

Allie cast her line back towards the center of the pond, "But Ms. Thompson is all alone. No one wants to be alone. Shouldn't she want to be with us if we ask? It is not like she has anyone else at the moment. No Little Jack. No Mr. Bouchard."

The way Allie made it a point to accent the way she said Lucas' last name always made Nathan smile. Not much had seemed to go right in Nathan's life, especially this past year, but one thing was as constant as the North star. Allie would always be in his corner.

"Honestly, Allie. How do we know that Ms. Thompson doesn't have anyone? She may have a beau back home."

Allie pondered what Nathan had said, but thankfully did not ask any more questions. Nathan did not feel comfortable sharing his assumptions of Charlotte's past with his teenage niece. Allie may be growing up quickly, but Nathan still viewed her as his little girl and would try to keep Allie's life as innocent as possible, until he couldn't anymore.