Chapter 61
Nathan met Julie at the train station because Elizabeth was teaching that afternoon. Lee had met him there with a wagon because they both knew Julie would have more luggage than his car could hold. Nathan had borrowed Bill's horse, Hero, for Julie to ride into town. From what he had heard she liked to ride. The plan was to get her settled into Elizabeth's old row house while Elizabeth was teaching and then they would all meet for an adult only supper at the saloon. As Julie disembarked, Nathan was waiting to help her down. Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, she hugged him and asked, "how is my sister? How angry was she that you asked me to come earlier than expected?" Nathan shrugged and made the little bit symbol with his left hand. He helped Lee load her luggage while she patted Newton and Hero. When everything was loaded, he held Hero while she got on before swinging himself into Newton's saddle. Sure enough, Julie dug her heels into Hero's side and urged him into a gallop. Nathan and Lee followed behind at a slower pace. He hoped Bill didn't see Julie racing with Hero.
After unloading all Julie's belongings into the row house, Lee returned the wagon back to the sawmill while Nathan and Julie rode over to the school house. Elizabeth was just about to dismiss class for the day when she heard the knock. She opened the door and saw Julie standing there. She hugged her and ushered her inside. Elizabeth announced, "Everyone, I'd like you all to meet my sister Julie. She will be helping out here at school before and after I have the baby. After the baby is born, I am not going to be here for a few weeks but Julie and a few others will be helping out by teaching for me." After that announcement, Elizabeth rang her bell to end class for the day. After gathering everything up they all went back to the row house. Nathan had helped Elizabeth get onto Newton while he walked with Allie and Julie. Nathan had returned Hero to the livery while Elizabeth had been introducing Julie to the class. Allie ran to Opal's house. She was going to stay there for supper. Elizabeth and Julie planned on unpacking before supper so the ladies went inside. Nathan then mounted Newton and rode back to town to do his rounds before supper.
After Nathan left Elizabeth asked Julie, "were you able to get everything on the list for Nathan and the children?" Elizabeth had asked Julie to do some of her Christmas shopping in Hamilton so her family would be unaware of the gifts. Nathan or Allie usually stopped at the mercantile to pick up the mail so it was hard to surprise them. Julie nodded and told her they were all wrapped and ready for under the tree. Elizabeth knew that because of her fainting spell they had postponed the tree search. She was hoping that they could do it after school the next day but that wouldn't give them much time before dark. That Saturday would probably be better. The tree would still be up a few days before Christmas. They would also get a small one for Julie.
When Nathan returned with the buggy to take them to supper Elizabeth's stomach was growling. She laughed and said, "I guess the baby is hungrier than I thought." He helped the ladies up and they rode into town. He was going to leave Newton at the livery tonight and ride home with Elizabeth and Allie. If someone needed him during the night, he would borrow Sargeant. When they arrived at the saloon, Bill, Lee and Rosemary were waiting for them. They were greeted by Gustav and shown to the table he had set up for them. Once again, he had outdone himself in preparation for Julie's arrival combining Hope Valley and Hamilton seamlessly. He gave them menus and told them about the two specials for the evening. They ordered the specials and Gustav went into the kitchen to prepare their meals.
While they were all chatting and waiting for their meals, Lucas came in covered in oil. There had been a problem at the oil derrick and Hickam, Henry, and Lucas ended up covered in oil. He didn't like getting so dirty but money was money however he earned it. He looked over and saw the group laughing, the vision with red hair was back. He didn't realize how much she had affected him until she left and now that she was back, he was going to let her know. Before anyone noticed him, he went upstairs to his suite and got cleaned up and changed into something more suitable. He then went downstairs to mingle with his guests. Gustav was just about to deliver the plates to Julie's table so he thought he would help to give him an excuse to talk to her. Gustav led the way followed by Lucas.
Lucas set the plates in front of his guests and said, "enjoy! Welcome back, Julie. How long will you be visiting Hope Valley? Hopefully you'll be here for the Christmas and New Year's festivities." Lucas didn't want to seem too eager but he wanted to know how long he could possibly enjoy seeing her around town. Julie smiled knowingly and replied, "I will be staying until after the wedding. Nathan and Elizabeth have decided to have a big wedding for their first anniversary since their first ceremony was very small in Bill's office. Though the reception that the town threw shortly after was anything but small." Lucas remembered that night. It was the night he returned to town. So much had changed since then. Mostly for the better, his businesses were growing and so was the town. Lucas nodded and wished them a good evening before retreating to his office.
After supper they rode back to the row houses, after saying good night to the Coultiers and Julie, Elizabeth and Nathan picked up Allie and continued on home. It was after little Jack's bedtime so Elizabeth went upstairs and kissed her son's forehead before relieving Laura. Allie said good night and went to get ready for bed. Elizabeth was yawning but she wanted to write in her journal so Nathan went outside and unharnessed the horse and made sure everything was fed and watered before returning to the house. Once inside he found Elizabeth fast asleep with her head on her journal and pen in hand. He tried not to laugh as he picked her up and carried her to their room. He knew she would be more comfortable in her nightgown so he got her ready for bed and then fell asleep beside her. He knew that the next month would be long and joyous as they celebrated a birthday, Christmas, and New Year's in their new home while they awaited the arrival of the newest member of the family.