Chapter 8- A Gift

With Charlotte's basket of remedies, Nathan's cold vanished in no time. Not quite two months had passed since that night on his porch. So much had been left unsaid between Charlotte and Nathan, yet each one seemed to fully understand the moment's lasting impact.

Charlotte, in the meantime, had thrown herself into teaching. During the summer classes, Charlotte had found she not only won over her students, but also many members of the community through her various and sometimes unconventional lessons.

Similar to how Minnie had assisted with the jam making session, Charlotte turned to many of the other townspeople to put together lessons for the students.

Rosemary taught about newspaper reporting, editing, and printing of the Valley Voice. Letting each child write their own articles for the paper one week.

Ned shared with the children his passion for bees and how without them, there would be no fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Carter led a lesson in modern medicine as well as lending her microscope for the students to analyze pond water. Which also happened to be all the boy's, and Allie's, favorite activity.

The civics class Mr. Avery provided the kids was not quite what Charlotte expected. Bill had gotten a little off subject when he started to lament about the election last fall when Mr. Coulter beat him in the mayoral race.

Charlotte's favorite session had been the one with Henry Gowen and Mike Hickam. She found their knowledge, not only of the petroleum industry, but also the local geology fascinating!

With the summer classes winding down, planning was beginning on how the school year would look with the shared teaching duties. Elizabeth would focus on the reading and writing courses. Charlotte on the science, math, and social study lessons. Since a new school building would not be completed until sometime next year, the town council set about making plans for a secondary classroom that Charlotte could use for the children. The closest, currently vacant, building to the school was the old bank. Which much to the Grant family's joy, happened to be right beside Nathan's office.

Today was the final lesson and test of the summer, the boat races at the stream. The students had been partnered together and assisted by the best of Hope Valley's woodworking crew Charlotte could find. Jesse Flynn had created an opulent vessel with the design inspired by Emily Montgomery and Paul Blakeley. Poor Lee not only had to answer to Anna Hayford and Timmy Lawson's ideas, but also his wife's researched plan of attack.

In Charlotte's mind though, this race would come down to two parties. The Canfield's; Angela, Cooper, and Joseph against the Grant camp of Allie, Nathan, and of course Opal. Both designs seemed moderate, well thought out, and above all, functional.

Since it was their last summer lessons, the day was planned as a family event. With each of the children's parents and siblings invited to attend and watch the races as well as enjoy a spread of food that, because of Minnie and Clara, was sure to be delicious. Even though Charlotte had a lot to plan and prepare for the day, she made sure to bake up a couple batches of her now famous snickerdoodles.

"I don't know how many times Joseph has asked if I've convinced you to give me the secret recipe for those cookies yet," Minnie said walking up behind Charlotte as the two women stood back and watched a herd of people swarm directly to the food line and specifically to Charlotte's tin of cookies, she had just placed on it not a moment earlier.

"Lee! You can't take all of them!" Jesse called out as he and Nathan started to chase down Lee who was running away from the table with both of his hands laden with Charlotte's cookies. Lee's mischievous smile and look of joy made Charlotte's late-night baking seem worth it. Soon enough, with the Mountie in pursuit, Lee was apprehended and made to share his confiscations with the other men.

Boys will be boys. Charlotte laughed to herself as she set about spending time with the various families assembled that day.

"It looks like you all did an excellent job on the boat," Elizabeth's voice behind Nathan startled him from the last-minute thorough inspection he was giving to the school project he helped Allie and Opal create.

Nathan looked past Elizabeth, noticing Lucas in the distance with Little Jack, awkwardly trying to play with the boy's train set while also attempting to keep grass stains off his suit.

Nathan again scanned the crowd behind Elizabeth, his eyes naturally gravitating to Charlotte who was further upstream. Their eyes locked for a moment before Charlotte noticed his interaction with Elizabeth and broke the contact.

Nathan stepped around the table that held the boat, creating more space between himself and Mrs. Thornton. "The girls took care of the design. I just helped with construction." He answered in a blunt manner as his eyes again glanced back at Charlotte who had moved onto a different group of people, her back now turned towards Nathan.

Elizabeth noticed the glances and decided to change the subject. "The children seemed to enjoy having Ms. Thompson here this summer."

"I think we all have. Charlotte being in Hope Valley is a breath of fresh air," the words tumbling out of Nathan's mouth before he had a chance to catch them.

Elizabeth nodded "All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy Nathan."

Elizabeth's comments caused Nathan's throat to go dry.

What? Or more importantly who was going to make Nathan happy?

Because the person he thought was who a year ago, did not cause the same stir of emotions as the who of today. And that realization scared him.

The Grant team easily defeated Lee's, probably more appropriately named Rosemary's, boat in the first round of the races, when the latter mentioned vessel hit one of the rocks in the stream and quickly started taking on water. Lee blamed Rosemary's design flaws. Rosemary concluded that it had to be Lee's lack of construction skills, and the two students they represented giggled at the banter. The Coulters will be amazing parents someday, Nathan thought to himself.

Just like Charlotte had predicted. The Canfield's ship had beaten Jesse in the first round, when Jesse's top-heavy boat did not even make it off the starting line before tipping over in the stream.

In the final round of the race. Nathan's boat was up against the Canfield's. Cooper and Opal took their respective boats to the launch point and on the count of three sent their ships sailing down the stream. Each vessel pulled ahead at various points in the race depending on the currents found along the way. In the end though, the Canfield's craft crossed the finish line first, to whoops and hollers from everyone assembled.

"Congratulations Joseph," Nathan extended a handshake towards Mr. Canfield.

"Hard fought race, constable," Joseph responded, accepting the congratulations from Nathan. "Do you still want to take care of that surprise this afternoon?"

Noticing that Charlotte had seemed to be avoiding Nathan all day he responded, "Actually Joseph. I think it may be best if you just deliver it alone."

"But you did all the work, I was just supposed to help you carry it."

"Joseph. I think you understand this as much as I do. She will be more comfortable with you delivering it than me."

Joseph mulled over Nathan's words, but did not disagree.

As Charlotte made the walk back to the row houses that evening, she was exhausted. The day had been full of fun, laughter, and good-hearted competition. All the families, even Elizabeth and Mr. Bouchard, had made it a point to come up to her and say how enjoyable the event was. The summer was almost over, but in this community, it seemed as though Charlotte still had much to look forward to.

Well, at least where her job was concerned. Charlotte would be lying if she didn't admit that seeing Elizabeth and Nathan interact this afternoon sent a wave of jealousy through her like she had never experienced before, or ever wanted too again. Where did this feeling come from? Her and Nathan were neighbors. Maybe friends. Nothing more.

It was at that moment, lost in her thoughts, Charlotte heard, "A delivery for Ms. Charlotte Thompson!" Mr. Canfield's cheerful voice called out to her from the steps of Charlotte's house.

As Charlotte came closer, she could see a large package, wrapped in cloth, sitting on the porch beside where Joseph was standing.

"What's this?" Charlotte questioned as she made her way up the steps to join Joseph and open the door for them to enter her house.

Joseph bent to pick up the package and follow Charlotte into the front room. "I believe this is meant for your bedroom if I'm not mistaken. Do you mind if I carry it up there?"

"My bedroom? What is that Joseph?"

"A gift."

"Your family didn't need to get me a gift!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"It's not from me. I'm just the delivery man today."

A confused look came across Charlotte's face and Joseph took that as an invitation to take her present up the stairs. He placed it under the window in Charlotte's bedroom before removing the heavy cloth that had been covering the parcel.

With its unveiling came an audible gasp from Charlotte. In front of her stood the most handsome piece of furniture she had ever seen. A dark walnut bedside table, hand-carved and polished to perfection. Charlotte stood stunned. Unable to move. Unable to speak.

"Joseph…" Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "How did you know?"

"I didn't Charlotte," a joyful expression crossing Joseph's features.

A shock like that of being hit by a lightning bolt came over Charlotte. "Nathan?"

Joseph nodded his head, confirming her suspicions. "Nathan's been working on it since you took care of him and Allie weeks ago. Allie had told him how much you needed a bedside table and he set to work making it as a thank you."

Charlotte reached out to touch the wood. Running her fingers along the grain, most likely following a similar path to what Nathan had done when making the gift.

"He had planned on bringing it over with me, but wasn't sure if you would want him here," Joseph paused a moment taking in Charlotte's reaction before continuing. "Nathan's a good man Charlotte. Him and Allie may have been hurt in the past, but they still have so much love to give. And if I am not being too forward, it seems you could do well to open yourself up to receiving some of that love."

Charlotte turned then to look at Joseph, the impact of his words, causing her to be speechless.

Joseph, realizing that his job there was done, tipped his cap in Charlotte's direction and reversed his journey back out of her house. Leaving Charlotte to take in what this all meant.

You could do well to open yourself up to receiving some of that love.

She looked out the window at the Grant house, Charlotte took a deep breath to settle her nerves. Her focus then turned back to the table, moving the now dried wildflower bouquet from the trunk to its rightful place on the stand, before deciding to open the beautiful drawer that Nathan had hewn. Even though the light in the room was low with the fading sun, something caught Charlotte's attention. Along the bottom of the drawer Nathan had taken the time to hand carve an inscription into the wood:

What lies behind us

and what lies before us

are tiny matters

compared to what

lies within us

~Ralph Waldo Emerson