Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 5, Part 13, Page 33

There was no time to sleep in on Sunday. Emily made sure to get the pot of coffee going so the aroma would wake up Nathan and Allie while she was outside milking Berta and gathering the eggs. Sure enough they were awake and moving in no time! She asked them to bring in buckets of water to heat up while they enjoyed a breakfast of fresh eggs, fried leftover dumplings, and some Butterkuchen.

Instead of doing dishes Emily told Allie the dinner and breakfast dishes would keep them after church. Right now, they needed to wash up as best as they could as they had to get a ride from Jack and his family and head to town for the church service. Oma saw Allie in a dress for the first time and her eyes lit up.

"Angel, let me fix your hair in braids and pin up with a pretty ribbon, ya? You look so pretty; your Robert should see you now!" she teased.

Nathan came down the stairs and said, "Woo hoo, look at my two favorite ladies, all dolled up!"

"Dad, you look very snazzy yourself." Allie smiled.

"Are we ready to go?" Emily asked.

Jack and his family were outside in the driveway. Allie and Nathan finally met Jack's wife Carol, and their son Nicholas. Right away Allie leaned over and started talking and playing with Nicholas who was enraptured with Allie's antics. Carol was quite pleased; it would be great to have Allie babysit she thought.

Emily walked up towards the front on the same side of the choir and led her family in the pew. Just a few feet in front of them was Mary Grace. When she saw them walk in the church, she started to get flustered. She wasn't sure why, but she felt a bit nervous. She felt like she was back in her audition. As she scanned the congregation, she saw her parents and relaxed. Stop being so silly she told herself.

Nathan spotted Mary Grace right away. She really blossomed and was no longer the girl he grew up with who had short hair and long legs. Now she was a lovely lady who he couldn't stop watching, especially when she sang her solo. Her voice was clear and in perfect tune and he admired how beautiful she not only looked, but sang.

When the service ended, Emily went over to Mary Grace's parents, and shared with them about the wonderful time her family had last night. "I'm sorry I haven't asked how you are lately. Mary Grace told us that you heard from Walter and hope to have him home soon."

"Yes, we were so relieved to hear that he was alive and well. We don't know for sure when he'll make it but we're more than anxious to have him home!"

"I will continue to pray for his safe return," Emily promised.

Allie was having a great time holding baby Nicholas as he giggled when she played peek-a-boo. When she looked around, she saw other children some her age and asked Oma if any lived by her. Oma nodded yes and then introduced Allie to a group of girls. Allie was busy talking with them in just a few minutes. Nathan noticed, and it made him feel better about leaving her here with his mother. He was hoping she would make friends and enjoy herself and this seemed promising.

Nathan walked over to Mary Grace who was helping clean up. "Good morning, Chickadee," he greeted her.

"Shh, no one here knows me by that name," she answered somewhat embarrassed.

"All right, how about Dee?" Nathan grinned. "I was so moved by your solo just now and I am amazed how easy it was for you."

"It takes practice" she said matter of fact.

"Yes, but your voice is well, just beautiful!" complimented Nathan.

"Thank you very much." replied Dee. "Are you interested in those new song sheets I brought over?"

"Yes, I forgot to thank you, I hope that the next time I come back up here to pick up Allie, I can play them for you," he added.

"Hey, is that you Nathan?" a man's voice came from behind him. "Remember me, Paul Reynolds?"

"Yes, yes of course how are you?" Nathan shook his hand. I haven't been up this way in quite some time. How've you been?"

The two men talked about old times growing up together and the laughter attracted other friends Nathan hadn't seen for a while. It was exactly more of what he needed, for him to laugh and be surrounded by friends.

When they arrived back home the dogs were excited to see them. Ella seemed a bit slower but still wagging her tail. Allie moaned when she saw all the dishes piled up to wash.

Oma told Allie, "Let's get to it, we'll be done and we can relax."

Nathan went outside and finished up painting some trim work and cleaned up the tools. He looked around the toolshed and remembered his dad working in it. He thought about him a lot lately and wondered where his dad was and how he was doing. Nathan had hoped that his dad would've contacted his mother to check on her, maybe soon he thought. Allie would be thrilled, but he wasn't sure about his mother.

Nathan hadn't told his mother that he ordered a telephone for her to be installed as soon as possible. Allie would be a big help guiding her grandmother how to work it. This way he could check on them both a lot faster. The surprise would be coming any day now.

While in the barn, he checked on old Berta and let her out to pasture to graze. Some of the chickens had little chicks and Emily had separated the mothers with their chicks from the others. He thought to himself, Allie is really going to enjoy it here!