Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 5, Part 2, Page 22
It was a cool early morning when Emily woke up. She remembered her son and granddaughter were here in her home and a big smile swept over her face. After saying her morning prayers, she got some water from the basin and splashed it on her face. Getting dressed in her old house dress she quietly slipped down the stairs.
Grabbing a sweater, she walked to the barn. She heard Berta and told her, "I don't think Allie will be here in the mornings, at least not yet, so you'll have to contend with me". Berta was full of milk, but not like in the past. "You and I are getting old Berta, we both are slowing down." Berta mooed in agreement. "Don't you worry darling, you'll stay here with me no matter what" she laughed.
Inside Nathan stirred, but he didn't get up as the sun was just rising. Then he heard the kitchen door open and close. With the aroma of coffee he remembered he was at his ma's home and he too had a big smile. He sat upright and listened. Emily was making Bauernomelett (farmer's omelet) with the fresh eggs they had gathered yesterday. The smells coming from the kitchen were quite enticing. Enough so that Allie was pleasantly surprised and she too had a big smile take over her little face. Both of them quickly dressed and came down.
"Good morning ma!" Nathan gave Emily a big kiss on her cheek.
"Ah, Guten Morgen to you too! Did you sleep well?" Emily asked.
"Like a baby." Nathan smiled.
"Hi Oma!" Allie greeted Emily.
"Hello little angel, I hope you got enough sleep my sleeping beauty!"
"Yes, it was so comfy in a soft feather bed and warm quilt. I could've slept all day" Allie giggled. "What's for breakfast, it smells so good!"
"Egg omelet for you and your dad," she served both and stepped back thinking of how proud she was of her son adopting Allie. Nathan was truly an admirable son and she thanked God for him. "Now, let's say grace and we can exchange happenings."
"Catch up on what's been happening" Nathan explained to Allie at her confused look.
"Oh, like to tell Oma about Robert? Or about school? Or..." Allie asked.
"Yes, all of it." Oma nodded. At that Allie began and never stopped until most of her breakfast was gone. In the meantime Nathan poured another cup of coffee for his Ma and himself.
"That was quite an earful my dumpling! I wish I could meet this Robert, Opal, Anna, Timmy, Emily, Angela and Cooper and Mrs. Thornton."
At the mention of Elizabeth, Nathan squirmed. "Maybe sometime soon Ma, we'd love to have you visit!"
"Oh Oma, did you know that grandfather came to Hope Valley?" she asked.
"It wasn't for long Ma, he was released from prison and looked us up. I was very protective of Allie and she was quite upset with me. There had been a robbery and I was contacted and led to believe it was Dad. I'm afraid, I treated him a bit roughly at first, but I didn't want what happened to us as a family become a reality for Allie."
"Oh good Lord Nathan", Emily answered, "Did he steal again?"
"No, ma I tracked down the man who was responsible and retrieved the stolen jewelry. Dad was falsely accused. But, Ma he never gambled or stole anything. He actually seemed to understand my suspicions and was repentant."
Allie chimed in, "He told me stories about my Mom growing up with Dad and little things like that. It made me feel so connected!"
Emily was quite amazed as she began to sniffle. "I never thought I'd see your father turn away from his nasty habits. It is such a relief and I thank God for this glorious news!"
"Have you heard from him at all Ma?" Nathan inquired.
"No, not a word." Emily sighed.
"Oh, if only you do, wouldn't that me just the bee's knees!" Allie exclaimed.
Emily told Nathan and Allie both, "There is a German proverb: Iss dein Frühstück wie ein Kaiser, Mittagessen wie ein König und Abendessen wie ein Bettler (eat your breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king and dine like a pauper) says it all. We didn't have any sweet bread." Emily laughed as she cleaned up the dishes. "Allie, will you help me with some baking today?"
Nathan took a walk outside and examined the condition of the house and barn. He noticed a few roof shingles were missing and the outside door needed aligning so it would seal properly. When he got to the barn, he saw more repairs like boards that needed replacing, and both the house and barn could use a good new coat of paint! There was plenty of work that Nathan was definitely going to be busy with. He hoped Jack the neighbor, would be willing to give him a hand. Nathan knew his mother didn't have much money, but she did sell the cattle and probably had some in savings, but wondered if it would be enough.
When Nathan got back to the kitchen, he found Allie in an apron with his mother both laughing and enjoying themselves as they mixed and rolled out dough for the sweet bread.
"Ma, there's some maintenance work to be done here to both the house and the barn. I'd like to talk to you later when you have time so we can make some plans to have me take care of this for you while I'm here." Nathan said.
"It'll have to wait a bit, my son. Please do me a favor and feed the dogs and Berta, check on the chickens while you're at it. Danke!" Emily smiled.
This was exactly why he loved being home!