Chapter 75. The Hearing

On Sunday morning, Jake and Julia were both up early. Jake had stayed at the infirmary again, and both he and Julia had slept well. There was finally a peace, and Julia was sure his staying over was no longer necessary. The peace was perhaps linked to the fact that things were looking up, after Jimmy McIntosh agreed to testify. Or the fact that they were one step closer to proving Nathan's innocence, or perhaps it was just because her focus had shifted. She was no longer thinking of the attack, but focused on bringing Nathan home.

Before the appointed time to meet William, Jake went to his apartment to get ready and pack a bag. And, Julia headed to the mercantile and the cafe, to buy provisions for their journey.

As she waited in front of the Mountie office, Julia thought of Nathan; she hoped he was well, and hanging in there. She said a little prayer for him, and for the obstacles of today. She prayed that Jimmy McIntosh would arrive safely, and that he would keep his word, and testify. And, she prayed that Jake and William would also make it to Union City without a hitch.

William and Jake arrived together in front of the Mountie office, they had apparently already met in the livery. When they rode up, Julia came down the stairs, and met them in the street.

"Good morning, William." Julia told him, as he dismounted. Jake did the same. He tied up Ranger and went inside the office to grab a few more things.

"Good morning, Miss Matthews." William told her. "It's a nice day, should make for a nice ride to Union City."

It was a nice day, and Julia was suddenly overcome with gratitude for William, and for Jake. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked William in the eye, and told him. "Thank you, William. For doing this. For helping us."

William just nodded, and replied, "Miss Matthews, it's normal to tell the truth, and stand up when there is a wrong that needs to be righted."

Julia nodded, thinking his words true. "All the same, William. Thank you." And, she handed him a brown paper bag.

"What's this?" William asked her.

"Provisions for your journey." He looked puzzled, and she chuckled. "Lunch, William. It's lunch, and some snacks for the road. Jake will take care of the rest, once you are in Union City."

Jake came out of the Mountie office, and Julia approached him before he mounted. She also handed him a brown paper bag.

"Thanks, Sis." He told her, taking the bag from her. Jake looked at his sister long, not really knowing what to say. "See you soon, Jules."

Julia looked at him for a long time, so much emotion clearly written on her face. She told him simply, "Bring him home, Jake."

Jake nodded, and put his hand on her shoulder. "I'll do my best."

Julia nodded, and a lone tear escaped at his sweet proclamation. She quickly wiped it, and moved back so he could mount. Julia looked at her brother and realized in that moment, how perfectly timed his arrival had been in Hope Valley. She couldn't imagine anyone else being here, in the midst of this trial. It was God's mercy that it was Jake.

She smiled gratefully at both of them. And, with a click, William and Jake turned and headed out of town. Julia watched them all the way, praying safety over both of them.

After church, Julia came back to her apartment, to have a quiet lunch. She was tired, and wanted to take a Sunday nap. It had been an eventful, exhausting week, and a nap was just what she needed. In fact, she was just about to lay down, when she heard the phone ring in the infirmary.

It took a few seconds to register, and then all of a sudden, she went tearing off to answer it. Julia flew through the adjoining door, and stood in front of the phone. She took a deep breath, saying a little prayer all the while.

She answered. "Hello?"

"Julia, I have Constable Grant on the line for you." Florence sang out. Julia's breath caught in her throat.

Five full seconds passed before she managed, "Nathan?"

"Jules?" He sounded happy. Julia slowly out a long slow breath.

"Nathan." Julia smiled and asked him. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine. I mean, Bill's driving me crazy. But, I'm good. We're in a nice hotel, and the food is good." He told her. It was so good to hear his voice.

Julia sat down in the chair behind her. "I'm so glad. Did you hear, we got Jimmy McIntosh to agree to testify?"

Nathan told her. "Yea. I hear that I have you to thank for that. We got a telegram from Jake this morning."

"You can thank Allie. She was the superstar. I still can't believe he agreed." Julia told him.

"I can't wait to hear the story." Nathan told her.

Julia suddenly felt very emotional, hearing his voice. "Jake left this morning with William. They are on the way there, too." She told him. It all seemed to be coming together.

"Dare I say, I'll be home soon?" Nathan asked her.

Julia quietly insisted, "You have to be." And she let her voice carry the weight of her emotion.

"It's so good to hear your voice, Jules." He told her. "I needed to hear your voice." The emotion was evident in his voice too, "I miss you."

Julia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She didn't want to cry. "You have no idea." Julia told him. "It's all gray here, without you."

"It's pretty gray here, too." Nathan told her. "I wish you were here with me."

Julia's voice cracked when she said, "Me, too."

"I love you, Jules." He told her, simply.

"I love you too, Nathan." Julia answered him.

"Can I call you tomorrow, after the hearing?" Nathan asked her.

"Oh, Nathan." She was trying so hard to be strong, but knew her voice was giving her away. "Would you?"

"Yes." He was trying so hard to get the rest out. "You are the first person…" his voice cracked slightly, "I want to tell."

Her heart skipped a beat at his confession. "I'll be waiting." Julia assured him.

"Until then, my darling." He told her. And, she closed her eyes.

"Until then." Julia told him. "Take care of you."

"Good-bye, Jules." Nathan signed off.

"Good-bye, my love." Was her answer, and she stayed long after she heard the click, just to be sure he was gone.

Julia slowly hung up the phone, and smiled. It had been so wonderful to hear his voice. He was safe, and he was just fine.

On Monday morning, Julia woke with a heaviness. She was trying to stay positive, as today was the day of Nathan's hearing. But, so much was riding on the decisions that would be made today. And, that felt overwhelming. So, she rolled over and buried her head again under the pillows. She wasn't quite ready to face this day.

Eventually, though, her positive nature won out. She threw the covers back, deciding that work would be a welcome distraction. Julia got up, took a hot bath, and got ready.

Once in the infirmary, Julia and Faith worked all morning. They had their busy moments, but when it wasn't busy, Julia kept busy. She rearranged shelves, reorganized the books, and filed patient documents. She even cleaned the windows, and she hated cleaning windows.

At noon, Fiona and Faith took her to lunch, though Julia didn't say much for the duration of the meal. Faith noticed more than once how quiet Julia was. In fact, she had been quiet all day. As they were eating, Minnie came by and reminded Julia that they had activated the prayer chain for Nathan. That reminded Julia of the verse that Joseph has shared with her on Friday.

Joseph had said it was from Psalm 25: No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame.

Julia held onto that promise, for the rest of the day. Every time she felt worried, she repeated it to herself.

In the afternoon, the infirmary was busy, and Julia stayed late. Archie and Allie had invited her over this evening, and were probably already waiting for her. But, Julia had promise to wait by the phone, and she wasn't leaving until Nathan called.

RINGGGG.

The phone's harsh shrill actually startled her, and she looked at it for a full three rings before she picked it up. She was just so scared about the news that was waiting for her, on the other end of the line.

Finally, she took a deep breath. "Hello?"

Florence told her, "Hello, Julia. I have Constable Grant on the line for you."

"Thanks, Florence, please put him through." Julia replied, and before she even finished her phrase, her eyes were already filled with tears. He had called, just as he promised he would.

She tried a few times to get her voice to work, before it finally did. "Nathan?"

"Julia." He replied. It took him a long time to get words out, too. And, when he finally did, Julia could hear the emotion, his voice trembled with it, and that made her own tears fall. He simply whispered, "We won." And that was all she needed to hear.

For a long moment, the only sound was sniffling and sobbing, from the both of them. Finally, Julia said, "We did?"

"Yes. I'm coming home." He told her.

"I can't wait." Julia responded.

Nathan told her. "Get ready."

She giggled softly over her tears. "For what?"

Nathan sniffled and told her. "To dream again. With me."

"I'm already doing it." She told him.

Nathan asked her, "Really? What do you see?"

Julia answered, "We're swinging together, on the porch of that big white house."

Nathan was silent for a long time, contemplating her words. They were like salve to his weary heart, and an affirmation of what he had already known, for so long. Finally, he told her, softly, "You are my true love."

"Really?" She asked him, shyly.

Nathan had never been more sure of anything in his entire life. "You, and no other."

Julia felt exactly the same way about him. "And, you are mine." She told him softly. "Forever."

"Julia, will you take a ride with me, on Wednesday afternoon?" Nathan asked her. He couldn't wait any longer.

"Constable, are you asking me on a date?" She teased him.

"Yes." His answer came very quick, before she had even finished her question.

"Ok." She said slowly. "Yes, then. Two times." She answered, and he smiled. He loved it when she did that.

"Wednesday, 2 p.m., meet me in the livery?" Nathan told her.

"Ok, Lawman. It's a date." Julia told him. "Will I get to see you before then?"

"Yes, yes. I'll be home tomorrow. We're heading home first thing in the morning." Nathan told her.

Julia closed her eyes as she whispered, "I can't wait."

"I can't wait to hold you." Nathan told her. "Then, the victory will be complete." She could almost feel his arms around her already.

"Make haste and come, my love." She told him.

He smiled. He liked that. "Sleep well, my darling."

"Oh, I will…now." Julia told him.

"And you can tell me tomorrow, what you dreamt about." Nathan told her.

"I can do that." Julia told him. "Until tomorrow, then."

Nathan answered. "I love you."

"I love you, too." She replied. And, she heard a click from the other end of the line. She hung up, but only after she was sure he was gone. And, she sat back in her chair, and smiled.

They won.

On Tuesday, Julia did her best to occupy herself. Every time she thought about Nathan, and realized he was at that very moment, on his way home to her, she couldn't help but smile. But, that realization made the minutes literally tick by, one by one, slow and drawn out. The morning dragged on and on.

For lunch, Julia met Allie, who was also on her lunch break, in the cafe. Many people came up to them while they were eating, to ask after Nathan. What a joy to share the good news. And, even if Julia had wanted to keep it to herself, it was impossible. Her face gave it away as soon as anyone asked.

Allie and Julia both went back to work, and when Allie got off at 4 p.m., she came to the infirmary. She didn't want to go back home, since her dad should be arriving soon. Archie came shortly after, and he and Allie sat together on the bench outside the infirmary, to wait.

At almost 5 p.m., Allie stuck her head inside and said, "They're here!" Julia bolted up from her desk and ran towards the door.

She was through the door in an instant and stood next to Archie and Allie, on the porch of the infirmary, as the group came down the road. Bill rode in front with William, and behind them were the three red coats of Gabe, Jake, and Nathan.

When Julia's eyes met Nathan's, she felt an urgency in the pit of her stomach. She came down the stairs and onto the street.

When Nathan saw Julia and she moved down into the street, his stomach did a flip. She looked so beautiful with the sun low in the sky behind her. He felt an impatience to hold her close, and a deep, intense longing.

As soon as the group came near the Mountie office, and Bill stopped, Nathan couldn't wait any longer. He didn't even wait for Newton to stop, but he dismounted in one fell swoop. And, within a matter of seconds he was hastening towards Julia. When she saw him on the ground, she immediately moved in his direction.

They met in the middle of the street, in a huge embrace. When Julia ran into Nathan's arms, which came strong around her, he lifted her into the air. Everyone looking on couldn't help but smile at the scene before them.

Then, as soon as Julia's feet were back on the ground, Allie came running down from the infirmary, and joined the hug. Julia moved a bit to allow Allie to snuggle in between her and Nathan. And, they held each other, the three of them. A sweet little family to-be, that had been created in so many wonderful moments, but had also been through fire. Forged together, in the most beautiful of ways.

Nathan looked up and realized Archie was standing just behind them, so he motioned, and pulled him in, too. When the four broke the embrace, Nathan kept his arm around both Allie and Julia, and they walked over to the little crowd assembled in front of the Mountie office.

Julia walked up and hugged her brother. She looked him in the eye and told him, "Thanks for bringing him home." Jake just smiled down at her and nodded. Allie followed suit.

Julia went to Bill next, and hugged him. "Thank you, Bill, for everything." She told him, with a broad smile after the hug.

"It was my pleasure, Julia." He told her, with his lopsided grin. Allie followed behind and gave Bill a hug, thanking him for helping her dad.

And slowly, Julia and Allie moved through the group, thanking them all.

When Julia and Allie arrived at William, Nathan joined them. "Thank you, William, for your help." Julia told him.

Allie told him too, "Yea, thanks for helping my Dad." She told him.

William smiled shyly and told them. "I'm just glad that justice was served." He paused, and looked at Nathan. "I should be getting home."

Nathan extended his hand, "Thank you, William. Thank you very much." And, they shook. "If you ever need anything, William. You know where to find me." William nodded, then he led his horse back to the livery, and went on home.

The rest of the group moved into the Mountie office. When they got inside, Archie asked the obvious. "Well, son, are you gonna tell us what happened?"

"With the testimony of both William and Jimmy McIntosh, it was an open and shut case." Nathan told him.

Jake spoke up, "You should have seen the look on Danny Frisk's face when Gabe walked in with Jimmy McIntosh. He nearly fell out of his chair." Archie smiled happy to hear that.

Gabe piped in, "Frisk ended up getting charged with assault, breaking and entering, petty theft, and making false accusations. He might get a few more thrown in, possibly slander, they're still working out all the charges." Gabe paused, and added with a shrug, "All that for five dollars."

Julia asked, "And, what about Superintendent Hargreaves?"

Bill told her, "Frisk flipped on him in the span of five minutes. He had indeed coerced Danny Frisk, or at least put the idea in his head. So, Collins stayed true to his word. He fired Hargreaves, and stripped him of his rank and commendations. Collins even gave him a dishonorable discharge, so he won't get his pension either."

Gabe added, "He's lucky no charges were filed against him. And, the only reason there weren't is because of his numerous commendations. Though, it does bring to question how many of those commendations were actually warranted?"

Bill added, "What's most important is that we shouldn't ever hear from him again."

Julia looked at Nathan, and breathed a sigh of relief, "That is good news."

Archie asked, "And, what about your promotion, Nathan?"

Nathan smiled and said, "Commander Collins will move forward with my promotion. Everything is back on track, as it was before, only a week late. He asked me to arrive in Union City on Sunday, the 14th, for the two weeks to complete my inspector training, and finalize the tracking program."

Jake added, "During those two weeks, there will be a ceremony to install the new inspectors. So, Nathan will be part of that swearing in. He will also receive two commendations, for his role in the apprehension of the William's gang; one for brave conduct, and the other for distinguished service."

At that news, it was impossible for Julia to hide the pride that she felt. It shone on her face, as she looked at Nathan.

Archie slowly drawled, "Wow, Nathan. We're all really proud of you."

"Yea, Dad." Allie told him. "Maybe we should have a party."

Nathan told them, "I don't need a party, Allie. Though, I was wondering when we could reschedule our trip to Brookfield?"

"I've been hounding him for two days, ladies," Gabe told them, looking back and forth from Allie to Julia.

"Reschedule?" Julia asked.

"Everyone in Brookfield was excited for you to come. I wondered if you might consider coming this week? Maybe Thursday?" Gabe asked.

Allie told him, "Uncle Gabe, that would be fun!"

Nathan looked at Julia, and said low, "I was going to talk to you about it."

Julia smiled, "It does sound like fun, let me just clear it with my boss." She told Gabe, who nodded in response.

Bill looked at everyone and said, "I'm going to excuse myself, and take Hero to the livery. I really should check in at the cafe." Then he told them all, with his lopsided grin, "I'll hold a table over there, for everyone. You're all welcome to eat dinner there tonight, and it's on me."

"Thanks, Bill." Gabe told him. "But, I'll come with you to the livery. I should put Apollo up, too."

"I'll come with you, too, Bill." Jake piped in. "Nathan, I can take care of Newton for you, if you like?"

"Sure. Thanks, Jake." Nathan told him.

"Well, let's just meet in the cafe at 6:30, then?" Bill asked, and all agreed. And Bill, Jake, and Gabe started toward the door.

"Wait…Jake." Julia came over to the exit, to ask him something quietly. She looked shy to ask, but wanted to know. "What happened with Jimmy McIntosh?"

Jake looked down at his hands, and back up at her. "He went back to Benson Hills, Julia. He asked for a train ticket home." Then, with a somber look, he told her, "I'm not sure he's ready to change. But, Julia, you tried."

Julia pursed her lips sadly, and nodded her head.

Then, Jake joined the others outside, and they took the horses to the livery.

Julia turned around and headed back in the office to spend time with Nathan, Archie, and Allie.

Just before dinner, Julia ran over to the infirmary and spoke with Faith, who had just come back from a house call. She asked about the trip to Brookfield. Faith had already given her permission for a few days off the week before, so she didn't mind at all that it was pushed to this week. Julia's excitement started to grow, as she walked towards the cafe to meet everyone for dinner.

Allie, Archie, and Nathan came out of the Mountie office just about the same time, so she waited for them to catch up. Nathan came close and took her hand, threading his fingers through hers, as they walked. She loved the feeling of her hand in his.

"Faith said yes for Brookfield." Julia smiled up at him, as they walked together.

"Then it's a date, Jules. Can we leave Thursday afternoon? After Allie gets off work?" He asked her.

"Yes." She told him. Then she added with a soft giggle, "Just promise me, no more surprises."

Nathan thought of the surprise he had in store tomorrow afternoon, and decided that he couldn't exactly make that promise. Or perhaps, that particular surprise wouldn't count, since it wasn't exactly what she meant. He decided he could sort of agree. "No more bad surprises, Julia." He told her with a little chuckle.

She nodded happily up at him, as they walked into the cafe. Jake and Gabe were already seated and drinking iced tea, and Archie, Allie, Nathan, and Julia joined them. Bill was working in the back, though he joined them soon after.

They enjoyed a nice dinner together, this group of friends, that had become a lot like family. The dinner was jovial, a sort of victory dinner. It was one of those wonderful moments, after a long mission, or a hurdle overcome, that just needed to be celebrated.

There were lots of stories told, and points of laughter. And, much time was spent recounting the moments that had marked the victory. It was an occasion to appreciate the important things that matter most. One of those times when everything seemed right in the world.

Finally, when the pie had long been finished, and the coffee cups were empty, the group decided to call in a night. It had been a long few days, and now that the ordeal was over, the fatigue was catching up.

Jake excused himself first, and headed home. Gabe was next, and went to the Saloon. Bill returned back behind the curtain to help close up. Allie and Archie started home.

And, Nathan walked Julia home. He held her hand, just as he did before, so intimate and sweet, as they approached her back door.

"I had a lot of time to think, while I was away, Julia." He told her. She turned and looked at him, wondering what that meant. "And, put things in perspective." He had planned out everything he wanted to say, but now the words weren't falling into place. He had intended to thank her for standing by him. But, once he gazed down at her, he was overcome with feelings. She just had that affect on him. And, he felt so many different things, wonderful things, and courage seemed to float to the top. "What I'm trying to say, is that I'm a lucky man."

Julia looked down at their hands, all intertwined between them. "No, Nathan. I'm the lucky one." She looked back up at him, with a shy grin, "And, you'll never convince me otherwise."

"I've been trying to come up with a way to thank you." He told her. "For standing by me, and fighting for me. Jake told me what you did with Jimmy McIntosh, Julia. He said you were incredible."

"I told you a long time ago, that I would fight for you. And for Allie. And, I meant it." Julia reminded him, simple as that.

Nathan nodded, with a little chuckle, remembering how she had insisted exactly that, after the storm up on the mountain. Her exact words had been, I will put it all on the line for you and for her. He looked down at their hands held tight, between them. Then he looked back up at her. "I still want you to know how much it means to me."

"I was afraid you would be upset with me, for taking Allie to Benson Hills." Julia told him. "I'm actually relieved that you aren't." She paused to explain, "But, I just knew in my heart that Allie was the key."

"If I have ever been upset with you, Julia, it's been because I care about you so much. And, in the future, if I am ever upset with you, it will be because you matter so much. I can't help myself, because I love you." And, his voice cracked as he said that last part. Julia moved closer and put her hand on his cheek. She loved the feel of his soft skin, and the slight stubble at the end of the day.

"And, if I ever do anything crazy, or take a risk, it's because I love you. And Allie." She stated simply, in reply.

At her words, Nathan moved closer, leaned down and kissed her. Their lips met with an urgency and a passion, and they met to express a great love. One that had just been expressed in words, but needed to be expressed in gesture. Since Nathan had taken her hand, he felt like he would burst with that love, and he needed to express it. Now, as the kiss deepened and the passion built, he was so very certain that everything about this love, was right. When he pulled back a little, he placed his hand so gently on her face. With his thumb, he traced her freckles, the ones that he loved so much. And, he gazed down at her, so very certain about the step he would take tomorrow.

"Jules, meet me tomorrow at 2 p.m.?" Nathan asked her.

Julia detected some sort of surprise, by the way he was being vague and a little insistent. "Okay. What should I wear, my love? My riding culottes? Is it a long ride?"

"No, we aren't going far. We just need the horses to get there. So, riding culottes are not necessary." Nathan smiled at her, thinking to himself that he would absolutely propose to this woman, no matter what on earth she wanted to wear, and even if she showed up in a bathrobe and a hair towel. "You can wear whatever you'd like, my darling."

Julia stayed close and nodded up at him, not ready to let him go. He let his fingers gently venture to her black eye.

"It's faded slightly." He told her.

"Has it?" She asked him. "I guess it has been four days." It had been so easy to forget that it had been that long, since they had last seen each other.

Nathan leaned down and kissed her one more time, slow and sweet. And, when he pulled back he said. "Good night, Jules."

Julia found it particularly hard to say good-bye to him, tonight. She whispered, "Parting is such sweet sorrow…"

"That I shall say good night till it be morrow." Nathan completely surprised her, and responded perfectly, not missing a beat in the iambic pentameter, to finish the quote of William Shakespeare.

That brought a slow easy grin to Julia's face. She told him softly, "You are so much more than I ever expected." She remembered back to when she'd once told Bill that Nathan surprised her. She had been impressed with his library and called him a literary Mountie. "What other mysteries are yet to be discovered?"

"There's only one way to find out." Nathan told her.

"And, what way is that, Lawman?" Julia asked him, with a slow giggle.

"I'll tell you tomorrow." He promised her, with his crooked smile. "And, you can tell me all about your dreams."

"You've got yourself a deal, my love." Julia told him. "Till it be morrow, then?"

"Yes. 2 p.m., in the livery." He told her, as he slowly backed up to go. "Unless I see you before."

"Ok, Lawman." She said, with another little chuckle, slowly letting go of his hand.

He turned back one more time to look at her, before he was out of sight. And, she wondered what on earth he had planned for tomorrow. Nathan Grant was full of surprises, and they were always wonderful. Thoughtful, romantic, and perfect. So, Julia went inside her apartment and started to plan what she would wear for the surprise he had planned for tomorrow.