Chapter 55. The Absolution
On Monday morning, Julia looked out the front window of the infirmary, and saw Nathan already sitting on the front porch of the Mountie office. She smiled and watched him for a minute, slowly sipping his coffee and observing his town. She picked up the pretty wrapped package and card from her desk and headed over.
Julia walked out of the infirmary, and when Nathan saw her, his face lit up. She continued across the road and joined him on the porch. Nathan hopped up and grabbed her a cup of coffee, and came back and sat down next to her.
"Good morning, Jules." He said, looking at her. She looked so beautiful this morning in a simple blue skirt and white shirt. Her hair was half up and soft curls fell around her shoulders. He smiled at her, thinking her radiant, and generally happy to see her.
"Good morning, my love." Julia replied, as she sipped her coffee. "This is for you." She said, as she handed him the wrapped package and card.
Nathan took it from her, obviously surprised. Nathan asked her, "What's this?"
"Open it and find out, Lawman." She teased.
He pulled out the card and opened it. He read her words of thanks for the shoes, the picnic, well, for everything. Nathan looked touched as he gazed at her a long moment. Then, he got a mischievous look on his face. He gave a look down one side of the street, and then the other. When he didn't see anyone out yet, he quickly leaned over and kissed her. It was enough to release the thousand butterflies into her belly. As he pulled back, Julia giggled softly, and said low, "You are very scandalous, Constable. And just in front of the Mountie office." She teased him. "What ever will the townspeople think?"
He smiled unwavering at her, not seeming to care one bit. And finally, he went about opening the gift. He slowly unwrapped it and found inside, a picture frame. He turned it over and inside the frame was a very beautiful photo of the two of them. It was the posed "couple" photo Fiona had taken it at the Founder's Day festival. When he saw the simple photograph, he realized how striking they looked together. They made a beautiful couple, and he absolutely loved the photo.
"How did you manage to get a copy?" Nathan asked her.
"Fiona gave it to me. There are others, though I'm not sure I'm ready to part with any of them yet." She told Nathan. "But, I wanted you to have this one."
"Jules, I love it." He said, as he set the frame up right next to him and picked back up his coffee.
They sat there next to each other and continued to sip their coffee, just content to be together.
"Allie starts work at the switchboard this morning." Nathan told her.
"Yes, she mentioned it yesterday. I told her I would love to take her to lunch one day, when she's able. It will be nice to have her right here in town." Julia said.
"Yes, it will." Nathan replied.
"Do you have a busy day?" Julia asked.
"Bill and I need to go over and interview Lucas this morning, about the bunkhouse accident. I'm not looking forward to it." Nathan told her, "But it has to be done."
He looked out over the town, and continued, "Then, in the afternoon I have some paperwork to do with Bill. And, then I might go over and visit the infirmary, see if any new medications came in." Nathan teased her.
She laughed out loud at his little joke. "The medications come in the morning, Constable." Julia told him. And then she added softly, "But you can come visit the infirmary anytime you want."
He smiled, glad to hear that. "And you, Jules, do you have a busy day?"
"Well, it seems I might have a visit from the Constable today. He's now some big inspector so I guess he feels the need to inspect something." She said with a playful smile. Now it was he who laughed out loud at her little joke.
"Not too many appointments?" Nathan asked.
"Only Little Jack, he's scheduled this afternoon to get his stitches out." She told Nathan.
"Wow, it's only been two weeks since he got hurt?" Nathan asked.
"Yes. It seems like longer somehow." Julia told him. Maybe it was because so much had happened in that short time.
They finished their coffee as the town started to move and bustle. Nathan looked and the sky and knew it was going to be a beautiful day.
When Nathan stood, Julia followed him into the Mountie office to return her coffee cup. He set the picture frame with the beautiful picture of the two of them, right on his desk. He turned it slightly so that anyone who came in and sat in front of his desk, would see it.
"How's that?" He asked her.
"It's perfect, Nathan." She told him, and then she added, teasing him, "Just in case any single ladies come in."
"Well, I think it's already obvious that I'm completely spoken for." Nathan told her, titling his head at her playfully. Julia smiled at him, trying to keep her wits about her. He looked absolutely handsome this morning. He hadn't buttoned up his serge yet, and the top buttons were all open on his Henley underneath. She wondered if he realized what that could do to a woman?
Nathan saw the way she was looking at him, so he walked behind his desk, closed his office door and slowly walked towards her. She realized what he was doing about the time he got to her. A huge smile washed over her face, as his lips met hers. He kissed her tenderly and sweet. Julia was immediately swept up in the kiss, which didn't help him one bit as he tried to keep in mind where they were. It took everything in him to restrain himself when his emotions called him in deeper. When he finally leaned back from kissing her, he gently touched her face.
He whispered, "I can't think of a better way to start my day." He loved the softness of her face and even more so, the softness of her lips.
"Neither can I." And she reached up on tiptoes and tenderly, softly kissed him one more short time. When she set back on her heels, he smiled down at her, happy.
Nathan glanced at the time and realized he was due in Bill's office soon. Julia saw the glance at the clock and understood. She reached up to help him with his buttons. Though, when she reached for the buttons on his Henley, he gently put his hand over hers to stop her, collapsing several of her fingers on his bare chest. Neither of them were ready for the feel of her soft fingers on his bare skin.
Nathan saw her bite her bottom lip, as he whispered with a raspy voice, "Not those, Jules." She nodded slowly, and released her lip as she looked up at him. He was so close and gazing at her so intensely, she wasn't sure she would be able to button anything. He slowly removed his hand from over hers. And, Julia took a deep breath and steadied herself, and started at the top of his serge. She slowly buttoned one button at a time, as he watched her, so intently. When she got to the bottom, and the last button was done, her eyes came back up to meet his. She wasn't ready for the deep blue of longing that met her, in his eyes. Though, she knew she felt the very same longing. With everything in her, she wanted to kiss him again. But, she knew if she did, neither of them would be able to stop anytime soon, and they would never get on with their day. So, instead, though it took everything in her, she chose to act with reason, and step back.
"I should get back to the infirmary, Lawman." She said quietly. She had really wanted to call him my love, but worried for his restraint, if she had.
He only nodded in response, knowing she was right. He couldn't make his voice work for more than that.
When she got to the door, she wanted to lighten things back up. Pull them both from the deep well of emotion where they had both been barely treading water. When she finally managed to find the doorknob on the door, she said with a little tease to her voice, "I'll be waiting on your inspection later."
He nodded again, as she waved and disappeared out the door.
When Nathan and Bill walked into the Saloon, Lucas was cleaning up what seemed like a couple hundred candles. He was whistling and placing them into boxes. There were a few random bouquets scattered around. He looked up when he saw them enter and smiled. Nathan found that odd, but he was here on Mountie business, and planned to stick to it.
Bill spoke up, "Bouchard, we need to have a word with you, about the accident out at the oil rig bunkhouse."
Lucas approached them and nodded, "Shall we go to my office?"
When they got there, Lucas was in a good mood and very forthcoming with information. Lucas said that while Henry was equal partner in the oil business, he had nothing to do with the issue of the bunkhouse. The bunkhouse had been all Lucas' idea and all his doing, and while Henry knew about it, Lucas took full responsibility.
Lucas had been the one to find the workers, through a friend in Buxton. They seemed trustworthy but once they got here, he felt very differently. Looking back now he should have dismissed them right away. But, he wanted to get the oil rig guys situated and thought this group knew what they were doing. Lucas offered to cover all the medical bills of both Jeremiah and Julia. So, there was really no dispute to be had. He would house the oil rig workers in the Saloon until the bunkhouse could be rebuilt, and right this time. He already had another group scheduled to get to work on it, and they had been recommended by Lee. Local guys that were more expensive, but would do it right. Neither Bill nor Nathan could dispute anything he offered, and Bill assumed the case would be closed quickly.
"I'm really sorry that anyone got hurt." Lucas said. "And, I really would like to make it right. Perhaps I could make a sizable donation to the infirmary, to make up for the trouble that was caused?"
Bill couldn't argue with that, but that was also a decision he couldn't make. "You will have to talk to Faith and Julia about that, Bouchard. Though I'm sure they won't refuse, since they need the funds. But, it's not my call to make." Bill continued. "And, if neither Julia nor Jeremiah lodge a formal complaint, you'll be out of hot water."
Lucas nodded and said, "I really am sorry, and intend to make it right. I don't want any trouble, especially now that…" he looked at Nathan and decided not to continue.
"Now that what, Bouchard?" Bill pressed.
"It's nothing, Bill. I just don't want any trouble." Lucas finished.
"And, neither do we." Bill concluded. "So, if you can work it out with both Julia and Jeremiah, and you can avoid any complaints, we'll be forced to close the case against you."
Nathan nodded in agreement. Lucas said, "Okay, I'll see what I can do, then."
"We'll need the name of the foreman and any other names you know, of that construction team you brought in. As well, any contact information you used to get in touch with them." Bill stated. Lucas opened his top desk drawer and took out a piece of paper.
He handed it to Bill and said, "I figured as much. This is the list of all the names I know, as well as my contact in Buxton."
He stood and extended his hand, though neither of them shook it.
Bill just nodded and said, "We aren't making any deals here, Bouchard. This is not a business transaction, but an interview for an open investigation. So, try to remember that."
Lucas nodded and lowered his hand. "Ok, well, then good day, gentlemen."
And, both Bill and Nathan nodded at him and let themselves out. When they got outside, they returned to Bill's office and discussed things further. Bill didn't think they would need to talk to Henry after all, since Lucas had taken full responsibility. Nathan was sure that Julia would never make trouble for anyone, and knew Faith would happily accept a donation, even if it was from Lucas Bouchard. There were too many needs among the homesteaders that lived in the outskirts and some of them didn't have means to pay for medical services.
Bill didn't know much about Jeremiah, but was sure Lucas would find a way to pay him off. They discussed trying to track down the group that built the bunkhouse in the first place. But, they could be anywhere by now. Nathan would call the Mountie office in Buxton and see what he could turn up. If the guys were still working in the area, they needed to be stopped before anyone else got hurt from their shoddy workmanship and fraudulent practices.
When they were done, Nathan went back to his office to place the call to Buxton.
Julia was working on paperwork when Faith entered the infirmary around 10 a.m. She'd had an early morning clinic at the saw mill, and it had gone well. Faith then looked over at the Mountie office and asked, "How did he take the news?"
Julia looked confused, "What news?"
Faith realized they hadn't heard yet. She looked back over at the Mountie office and felt horrible now. Her face gave her away, and she asked sheepishly, "About the engagement?"
Julia's mouth dropped open and she stood up too, to look out the window towards the Mountie office. There was no movement and nothing seemed amiss. Maybe he wouldn't even care anymore. But, then, Julia thought of Allie, working the telephone exchange in the epicenter of town gossip...the Mercantile.
Julia quickened toward the door of the infirmary, when through the window she saw Elizabeth approach and then enter the Mountie office. Julia stopped in her tracks. Faith saw it too, and they looked at each other. Julia's face was long and worried, but she still moved to the door.
"I have to make sure Allie is alright, Faith." Julia said quietly. Faith nodded, and Julia walked out the door and hurried to the Mercantile.
When Julia entered, Florence was behind the counter. She saw and understood the look on Julia's face. Florence nodded towards Allie, though Allie was on the phone chatting away. She seemed completely fine, and Julia concluded that Allie probably hadn't heard yet. Julia waited until Allie was off the phone, and tried to act casual and completely normal.
"Allie, would you like to take a walk with me. Florence here tells me you are due for a break?" Julia told her.
Florence piped in, "Yes, Allie. Taking your break is very important." Florence took some candy and walked over and shoved it into Allie's hand. The two women led Allie toward the door. "Go take a walk with Julia, and have some candy. Take all the time you need, okay?"
Allie just looked at the two women, completely confused. But, she nodded, and said, "Ok, I guess." With a shrug. "Where shall we walk, Julia?"
"Let's go towards the pond." Julia told Allie, loud enough to make sure Florence heard and knew where they were, in case Nathan came looking for them.
Florence got the message and nodded at Julia, as they left. Julia hooked her arm through Allie's and they walked like two old pals, down Main Street, and towards the pond.
The day was already starting to become warm, so Nathan sat at his desk working, with the office door open. He had already called into the Mountie office in Buxton, and put them in motion to investigate the construction crew that had built the oil rig bunkhouse. He was just writing up some paperwork, when he heard a knock on the doorframe of his door.
He looked up and was very surprised to see Elizabeth standing there, already inside. "Hello, Nathan." She said quietly. "Can I please come in?"
Nathan stood up, as a gentleman, and answered, "I guess so, Elizabeth." She was already in anyway, and then, she closed the door behind her. "Please sit down." He said, offering her the seat across from him. As she sat, her eyes were fixed on the photo on his desk. The photo he had just placed there this morning, of he and Julia. He couldn't quite discern the look on her face when she saw the photo, but quite frankly, he didn't care. And, that revelation surprised him.
"Nathan, this conversation is way overdue, and I am very sorry that I didn't come to you before now. I have been avoiding it. And, I'm terribly sorry for that. I just haven't been able to face what I did to you." Elizabeth looked down at her hands, clearly sad.
When she looked back up at him, she had tears in her eyes. "I'm not sorry about my decision, Nathan. I'm only sorry that I didn't make it sooner, and save you all the pain I caused. When I see you with Julia, I know you are right where you should be." Elizabeth paused and took a deep breath. "Even if I ever regret not giving you a real chance, when I see you two together…" she trailed off, but the tears started then.
Elizabeth wiped her eyes with her hand, and continued, "Nathan, you offered me a love so real and so deep. But, I couldn't. I had that with Jack, a love so deep that you lose yourself in it. You become melded together as one, and there is no coming back. It was so painful when I lost him, like half of my heart and soul was missing. How do you fully come back from a loss like that? I don't think I ever will. And I'm okay with that. Lucas is okay with that." She sniffled and took out her handkerchief.
"Everything Lucas does is on the surface. His love is real, but superficial. He stays in the shallows and that's just exactly where I'd like to stay." Elizabeth looked back down at her hands again, she couldn't look him in the eye for this next part. "Nathan, you love so deep and I would," her voice cracked, and Elizabeth looked back up at him, "as much as I would have wanted to, I would never have been able to love you back like that. And, you deserve someone who will go deep with you."
"I will never be able to open my heart fully again. And, I will never be able to go as deep as I did with Jack. Ever." Elizabeth looked at the photo now. "But, Julia. She is just like you. She loves deep and real, and she is already there with you. Anyone can clearly see that she has already jumped into the depths with you, with both feet, and without reservation."
"I was never meant for you, Nathan. My great love story will always be Jack." She looked at him now. "But, your great love story is Julia. It was always her. She is the answer to all your prayers for true love. She's the one for you." Elizabeth told him, with a sad smile, and more tears.
"It was never me. And, I'm truly, deeply sorry I didn't tell you that the very first time you ever expressed a sentiment to me. I should have told you honestly, the very day you told me that I mattered to you." More tears now, but she continued. "I'm sorry for not taking more care for your feelings, for not taking into consideration your heart. I'm sorry for leading you on, and seeking you out to unload my hurts. And, I'm sorry for being so selfish in wanting, demanding to know about Fort Clay."
Elizabeth looked so ashamed now as she continued, "I'm sorry for always thinking the worst of you, all the time. Over and over. You are the most impeccable man I have ever met, even more so than my Jack. And, I see that now, and I am deeply deeply sorry." She paused, and thought of one more thing that was very important to say. "Nathan, I never saw Jack in you. Not even once. That was a lie that I told myself to keep from falling in love with you. But, it was never true, not even for a minute, and I'm sorry for ever having said it."
There were still more tears as she continued, "I'm sorry for hurting you, Nathan, time and time again. I'm sorry for every selfish and inconsiderate action. Deeply, deeply sorry. And, I hope, I pray that one day you can forgive me, and let go of all the pain I caused you. Not for me, but for you."
Elizabeth looked back at the photo one more time, "Because your chance at all the things that you have always wanted, is right there, in Julia. I was so undeserving of the chance you gave me, of a love so real and honest. I wasn't the right one, but she is."
"Please forgive me, Nathan, for all of my bad decisions, my selfishness, for hurting you over and over, for my horrible behavior, and for my inability to move on from Jack." She paused, and then continued, "I realize what I passed up in you, I really do. You are a treasure, and I'm sorry I didn't treat you as one." When she finished, tears were still falling, and she seemed truly remorseful.
Nathan couldn't stand to see her like that, even if he didn't feel one bit of romantic feeling for her anymore. That had been a surprise, but he was glad for it. There was not one bit of chemistry either. He truly didn't feel anything for Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton anymore. Nothing romantic, nothing platonic, not friendship, nothing. He felt absolutely nothing for her. It was as if he was talking to an old acquaintance, someone he used to know but didn't anymore, and nothing more. But, as a gentleman, he didn't like to see her like this. No one would.
And, somehow, out of the depths of his certainty about Julia, out of the deep waters of his heart that were now completely at peace with the way things turned out, came forgiveness. He quite frankly surprised himself, but he was completely honest and genuine, as the forgiveness flowed out of him. "I forgive you, Elizabeth. And I wish you every happiness, with Lucas, or whoever you decide to give your heart to."
Elizabeth looked at him and said, "Thank you, Nathan. I know I don't deserve it, but I'll take it." She paused for a moment, and said, "And, Nathan. I know you felt a sense of duty to my Jack, to take care of Little Jack and me. But, I set you free from that obligation. I release you. You no longer need to take care of us." Nathan nodded his head. It felt good to hear that, too.
Then, she looked down at the ring finger of her left hand. It was hidden by the top of the desk so he couldn't see, but she knew she had to tell him. She should be the one to tell him. "There's one more thing, Nathan. There's no easy way to tell you this. But, yesterday, Lucas asked me to marry him." Elizabeth looked up at him, to see how that settled. "I thought I should be the one to tell you, so you wouldn't hear it from anyone else. Especially for Allie's sake. You should know that I did try to make things right with her, too. I apologized to her, and she released forgiveness to me. And, now that we are on good terms, I wouldn't want her to hear about the engagement in any insensitive way. But, I don't think it's my place to tell her. I thought maybe it would be best coming from you, since you know just how to soften it for her? Before the word gets out, if it's not already?" Elizabeth surmised.
Nathan nodded, still surprised that this news had absolutely no effect on him. His only concern was for Allie. Elizabeth was right. Allie should hear it from him, and not from anyone else that might not be so sensitive in their telling. Teenagers could be so fickle and trite, and he remembered how the kids used to tease him about his father when he was young. He didn't want anything like that to happen to his Allie girl.
"Lucas, Little Jack, and I will leave for Hamilton on Friday. My family hasn't seen Little Jack yet, and we thought we'd spend the summer there. I will present Lucas to my family, and they can get to know him, too. We'll be gone the whole summer, and be back just before the next school year starts." She told him.
Nathan nodded, taking that in, too. "Well, then, I wish you a good trip as well, Elizabeth. I really do wish you all the best, for you and for Little Jack." He looked at the photo sitting beside him. He didn't have one single regret. Not one. "And, I will tell Allie. In fact, I will track her down right now and let her know, before she hears it elsewhere."
Elizabeth nodded, and stood to go. When she got to the doorknob, she looked back at him, remembering the last time she was in this office, and the terrible hurtful things she had said. She felt free of those horrible things now, and she was grateful for his forgiveness, that he gave so readily, so easily. He truly was impeccable, in every single way. Now, she was only left with her regrets. And one of them would ever, always be that she didn't have the courage or the strength, all those many months ago, to give him what he wanted, or what he deserved. In fact, that would probably always and forever stand, as the one regret of her entire life.
"Good-bye, Nathan." Elizabeth said, as she opened the door.
"Good luck, Elizabeth." Nathan told her, and she was gone.
He sat there for the span of a full minute, looking at the photo on his desk, trying to register all that had just transpired. He felt so light now, in fact, he didn't remember ever feeling so light. At least, not since before Colleen died.
Then he looked back over at the open door, and thought of only one person. Allie. He needed to find her and tell her about the engagement before anyone else did, especially someone who wouldn't have the same sensitivity to protect her tender heart. He stood right up, and headed to the mercantile.
Julia walked slow with Allie. She kept her arm hooked through Allie's, and took her sweet time. Allie ate her candy as they walked. She gave Julia a cinnamon sugar stick, though Julia didn't seem to taste it at all. They walked the long way around the church and then came round to the little dock. When they got there, Julia found a stone and tried to skip it. Allie laughed, and came over to show her how to do it.
"Like this, Julia." Allie showed her. "You have to hold it flat-ways, and then skip it by putting a horizontal spin on it." Allie showed her the motion and made one skip. Julia tried again, and this time it wasn't so bad. They both went searching for more stones, and kept trying again, until Julia almost had it down pretty good.
After one more throw, Julia looked up and saw Nathan approaching. She saw the look on his face, and understood.
Allie saw him then and said, "Hi. Dad! I was just taking a walk with Julia, on my break. We're skipping rocks, would you like to try? Julia, he's the expert, he's the one you should get a lesson from." Allie said excitedly.
Nathan looked at Julia, so very grateful for this woman who had understood. She had obviously heard about the engagement and read the situation. She had come to his aid, and distracted Allie until he could get there. Evidence that she truly loved them, both of them, and had their best interest always on her mind. She was looking out for them, not just he but Allie too. And, he knew he could completely trust her with his heart, and with Allie's.
"Allie, I think the rock skipping will have to wait. Though, I would love to do that with both of you, anytime." He looked at Julia as he said it. "But, I really need to talk to you about something, Allie. Can you and I take a walk now?" Nathan asked her.
"Sure, Dad. But, what about Julia?" Allie asked, not wanting to leave Julia out.
"It's okay, Allie. I need to be getting back to the infirmary. I have an appointment scheduled very soon, and Faith needs me there." Julia told her. "But, I will certainly take you up on the offer of a date with the two of you, to learn how to skip rocks. You name the date and time, Allie, and I'll be there. Okay?"
"Okay, Julia. Another time then." Allie told her with a big smile.
Nathan told Julia, "I'll come. We'll talk later, Jules." His voice sounded funny, and his words short. But, he was setting a date, an intentional meeting that he intended to have. With her.
"Okay, Nathan. You know where to find me." She told him.
Julia looked at Allie a little sorrowful, hoping she would take it well. "Allie, you too can stop by and see me anytime at the infirmary, okay?"
"Okay, Julia. See you later." Allie said, with a warm smile.
"Bye, you two." Julia said, and she turned and left them, heading back to town.
Julia prayed all the way back to the infirmary. She prayed that Nathan would say just the right words, and that Allie would take it well. And, she prayed over and over, for a long time, even once back at her desk. Until, she stood a while later and saw the door of the Mountie office back open. Julia wanted to walk right over and see him, ask how he was, and how Allie was. But, something held her back. She knew she needed to give him space. He said he would come, and she would wait. She would let him come, when he was ready.
Just after lunch, he came. Julia was on her lunch break and finishing up a coffee in her apartment, when Nathan knocked three times on the adjoining door. When she opened and he saw her, his face immediately softened and he looked very happy to see her. She was glad to see that, on the heels of his meeting with Elizabeth. She couldn't deny it, she had felt nervous when she saw Elizabeth enter his office. Knowing they were together was not easy. What if the rumor of the engagement wasn't true? What if Elizabeth had actually come to say that she had changed her mind about Nathan, and wanted him back?
But when Nathan had looked at her by the pond, and the way he looked at her now, gave her a very good reason to believe that nothing had changed between the two of them. And, by that, Julia was reassured.
Julia motioned for him to come in, and as soon as she closed the door, he pulled her into his embrace. She knew then, that all was right in the universe. She snuggled into her place, right next to his heart. She felt the racing of his heart next to her own, and felt his arms strong around her back. He held her for a long time, and she stayed right there, where she belonged. She held him tight and wasn't ready to let go. Finally, eventually, he pulled back just a little and looked down at her.
"Jules, thank you. For running interference with Allie. If she had heard it from anyone else, I'm not sure how she would have taken it." Nathan told her.
"So, how did it go?" Julia asked.
"It went surprisingly well. Much better than I expected. Allie just kept going on about you, she has you now, and you are better for us." Nathan told her. "She really adores you, Jules."
"And, I adore her." Julia told him. "I'm glad it went well."
"How did you know, in the first place?" Nathan asked.
"I guess Faith heard, I'm assuming from Lee, out at the sawmill. She was running a morning clinic out there. And, she came back with that little tidbit of information." Julia told him. "My first thought was you, but when I was on my way over to speak to you, I saw Elizabeth enter your office." She paused and then continued, "Then I remembered that Allie was working the telephone exchange today. I hurried right over to get her out of there, until you could talk to her. Florence looked pretty worried, I think she might have already run interference a few times this morning, before I got there."
Nathan knew he had to tell her about his exchange with Elizabeth. "Elizabeth did come to see me, Jules. She apologized for everything, and asked for forgiveness." Nathan told her.
"And, how did that go?" Julia asked.
"Also, surprisingly well. She seemed genuinely remorseful and sorry. So, I forgave her." He told Julia.
"I'm glad, Nathan. For your sake." She told him.
"Well, I cannot harbor any unforgiveness towards her, Jules. Not when you are clearly the one for me. I had to release her, so we can both move on. Not that I was waiting for her absolution to move forward with you, Jules. I had already forgiven her in my heart, on several different occasions with Joseph, so that I could move on. With you. The only thing left was to voice it to her, so that she could be released." Nathan explained. "And, she wanted me to hear about the engagement from her, so I could shield Allie before the word got out. That was good of her."
Julia agreed, "Yes, it was. Elizabeth talked to me about her desire to apologize a few weeks ago, when Little Jack came for his check, after his stitches. I encouraged her to make it right with both you and Allie. I'm glad she did."
"Elizabeth saw the photo on my desk. She told me that she was never the one for me, but that you were. And, I'm inclined to agree with her." He gently pulled Julia back in to his embrace. He held her close to his heart and he added, in a whisper into her hair, "It was always, ever, you."
"I love you, Nathan." She whispered into the warmth and comfort of his chest. Her breath tickled his chest where his buttons were open, and her hair was soft on his neck. He closed his eyes and took this moment in. These precious words that she had just spoken, they went right to his heart.
"I love you too, Julia." He pulled back just enough to look at her, and to tenderly touch her cheek. "Thank you for looking out for us, for having our backs, both of us."
Julia nodded, and he kissed her. Tenderly and resolutely. He kissed her with assurance, and reassurance, and then certainty. Julia truly was the one for him, and there was no other. He kissed her for a long time, until Julia wasn't sure she could stand without holding onto him. And, then when he pulled back, he planted a kiss on her chin, her forehead, both cheeks, and her nose. He showered her with kisses, making her legs even more uncertain.
She looked up at him, amused, and smiled. "You spoil me once again, my love."
"Or maybe it's you that's spoiling me, with your love?" He answered back, also amused.
"Either way, get used to it. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon." Julia told him.
"Hmm. I like that plan." He said, giving her one more little peck on the lips. "And, you get used to it, too." He said, kissing her one more time on the cheek. Then, he pulled back, and slowly, reluctantly headed towards the door.
"See you in the morning, for coffee, Jules? If not before?" Nathan asked her.
"If not before." Julia answered back, smiling happily at him. And, he left through the adjoining door, back to his office.
Julia and Faith were sitting and discussing the schedule for the week, when Elizabeth came in with Little Jack. Faith and Julia both moved with Elizabeth behind the curtain, to take care of him. They had the stitches out in no time, and without any pain or discomfort. Faith gave Elizabeth a cream to apply, for the itching and the scarring.
As Elizabeth was leaving, she turned to tell them both. "Thank you for everything, ladies. I really appreciate everything you have done for Little Jack." She paused and looked down at him and then back up at the two of them. "Lucas and I are taking Little Jack to Hamilton for the summer. So, we won't see you until just before school starts back." Elizabeth had an awkward look for just a moment, almost like she was sad to go. "I wish you ladies a great summer."
Julia said, "Have a great time, Elizabeth. And, I wish you safe travels."
"Yes, have a great time, Elizabeth. And, Congratulations on your engagement." Faith told her.
Then, adorable Little Jack came and said bye to them both. Julia bent down to gave him a little handshake, but he just stepped forward and gave Julia a big hug instead. He did the same for Faith, and all three ladies giggled at how very cute he was.
Later in the afternoon, Bill entered Nathan's office. He had a file in his hand and sat down across from Nathan.
"Hi, Bill." Nathan said as he put down his pen.
"Hello again, Nathan." Bill said, as he heard a loud bang above his head. "Wooah, what was that?"
"The guys are working upstairs." Nathan told him.
"How's it coming along?" Bill asked.
"Pretty well, I'm assuming. They got the stairs done already, and are working upstairs now. It sounds like they are clearing out all the boxes and crates. Been sounding like a herd of elephants up there all afternoon." Nathan told him.
"Well, whatever it takes." Bill said. "Nathan, I came by to see how you are doing?"
"Well, thank you, Bill. I'm doing just fine. How are you doing?" Nathan answered him.
Bill pursed his lips and said, "I mean regarding the announcement that's going around."
"You mean the engagement, Bill?" Nathan asked him.
"Yes. I mean the engagement. Are you okay?" Bill asked.
Nathan laughed. "Just fine, Bill. Elizabeth can marry whoever she wants. She's no longer my concern, and hasn't been for a long time. Remember?"
"Well, I'm glad you are fine with it. I think she's plum crazy. But, she wouldn't listen to me about Bouchard a year ago, and won't listen to me now. So, like you said. She can marry whoever she wants." Bill surmised. "My biggest concern is you and Allie. How did Allie take it?"
"Allie took it really well. All thanks to Julia, who heard the news first, and instinctively thought of Allie. Julia quickly ran interference, and got Allie out of the mercantile, to make sure she didn't hear from anyone but me. So, I think that really helped." Nathan told him.
"Julia is a god-send, Nathan. I hope you realize. There are not two like her." Bill told him.
"I realize, Bill." Nathan told Bill, honestly. "I'm very thankful." Nathan paused, and had to tell him one more thing. "Allie did make me promise one thing, though. She gave me a sort of ultimatum."
Bill chuckled, imagining Allie doing just that. "And, what was the ultimatum?"
Nathan laughed out loud and said, "Allie gave me one month to propose to Julia or she says she will do it."
"Sounds like a good ultimatum. You better listen to the girl, Nathan." Bill chuckled.
Nathan tilted his head at Bill and said, "It's not too soon, Bill?"
Bill looked at him, proud and fatherly. "Nathan, I'm no expert on engagements and weddings. If you want the expert, you should probably talk to Rosemary. But, I will say that love doesn't come along everyday, especially love like you have with Julia." He paused and then continued, "And, for when and how and where, well, that's up to you Nathan. You get to write that story."
Nathan looked at him, and realized no matter how cross or fickle Bill could be, when it came down to it, he gave great advice. "Bill, thank you for your great advice. I appreciate you looking out for me, and Allie."
Bill nodded and said, "Sure thing." Then, he pulled papers from the file folder he was holding. "Nathan, I have the papers for the sale of my land all drawn up, and approved from the Alberta Province Regional Office. All we have to do is sign, and the land is yours."
"Great. Can we sign them now? I only have to put in a call to the bank and the payment will be made directly into your account." Nathan told him.
"That's why I'm here, Nathan, to sign the papers. I'm really happy you are going through with it." Bill told him.
"Well, now I have a good reason to build that big white house." Nathan told him.
Bill smiled at Nathan, "You sure do, Nathan. And, you deserve it." Bill set the papers out and pointed everywhere Nathan needed to sign. Bill signed next to him, and when all was done, he handed Nathan his copy.
"I'll call the bank right away, Bill." Nathan told him. And, as soon as Bill left, he did.
And, just like that, Nathan became the proud owner of a beautiful piece of property, just outside of Hope Valley. A sizable piece of land all his own. Just dirt, and rocks, and earth, on which to build their dream. He and Julia's dream. Land...like a blank canvas, all their own, on which to paint whatever they wanted, together. He, and Julia, and Allie.