Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 8, Part 1, Page 48
The days were going by fast. Emily was teaching Allie a new recipe every couple of days. They had fun together cooking and baking. "I love having you with me and it's so wonderful to see your love of cooking. Allie, you are a fast learner and a good cook!" "Just like my Oma!" Allie hugged her.
Allie was busy babysitting Nicholas for Carol so she could ride with Jack to town. It was the first time Allie ever fed a baby. She had mashed up potatoes on his spoon wiggling through the air and he opened his mouth just in perfect time for Allie to plop the food on his tongue. He giggled and when he smiled the potatoes oozed out of the corners of his mouth. Allie couldn't resist his funny giggling and she was laughing right along with him. Soon after they were playing on a blanket outside with a few toys. Nicholas was really enjoying having Allie with him and when they rocked on the porch swing he fell asleep in her arms.
Once he was snug in his crib, Allie tiptoed downstairs and was reading her book from Mrs. Thornton. That's when it hit her. She would write her teacher and tell her not only about her grandmother and the farm, but about learning to play the guitar and her teacher Dee. She'd ask her if Dee could come back with her to teach more children music and voice lessons!
Bill, Lee, and Rosemary came walking back in to Billee's and found Sam busy cleaning up. "Hey Sam," Bill started, "where are we with food?"
"We have some basics, but you haven't given me times when we will be open, so give me the word boss, and I'm ready when you are." Sam answered.
"Yes, we just have to make plans to be open on a regular schedule, but we won't have any parties as such while the wounded are here, yet we will be cooking for them so we might as well have Billee's open." Lee said.
"We should hire some help though." Rosemary nodded. "Or we're going to need volunteers for cooking and serving."
"Henry's cabin is going to need food and help with the wounded too." Bill thought out loud. "Any men there will be more injured than here I would think, and need even more help. Those that come here, will need some care, but they should be able to get around better."
"Sounds like I need to put out a front page headline, after reporting our Grand Opening of course, that we need people to step up once again. These men need our help. They fought in strange countries for us, so at the least we owe them a bed to rest in while they get better and good food to build them back up!" Rosemary declared. I'll get busy and get this written up right away."
"Sam, Bill and I will get a schedule figured out and make a list of menus and ingredients. When we're done, we'll come back here and meet with you." Lee told him. "Please take inventory of not only the food we have, but a count of dishes, linens, towels -everything."
"All right, I'll get to that right away." Sam reassured them.
Nathan knocked on Elizabeth's door and was greeted by her holding LJ. "Hello Nathan, is everything all right?" Elizabeth bit her lip.
"Oh not to worry, I'm not here on official business." Nathan smiled.
"Won't you come on in." Elizabeth offered. "What can I help you with?"
"Elizabeth, first I wanted to say, I know things between us are awkward, but I don't want to avoid you because we all live in this town and we will be seeing each other from time to time," Nathan started "and even though I'm not happy the way things have turned out between us, I want to try to be friends."
"Nathan, I should never have left you when you told me..." Elizabeth hesitated, "when you told me you loved me. I was surprised and let fear take over."
"But why would you tell me that you were looking for Jack in me? Didn't you realize how badly that hurt?" Nathan asked.
"I didn't know what else to say, I guess. I mean I thought I loved Lucas. He was so fun and really exciting that I got swept away by his charm, but he never told me he loved me. I never really knew him, it's clear now." Elizabeth looked away sadly.
"It's hard isn't it? To be rejected by someone who you loved, or thought you did." Nathan looked directly into her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Nathan that I hurt you, I truly never meant it to be like this." Elizabeth sighed.
After a brief moment of silence, Nathan spoke. "Elizabeth, let's try to put this behind us and just be friends."
"Thank you Nathan, I would like that." Elizabeth smiled.
"Good, now what I wanted to ask you is about a friend of mine, Mary Grace ,who lives in the same town as my mother where I grew up. She was my sister, Colleen's best friend, Dorothy's little sister. They have a brother, Walter who will be coming home from the war soon. You see, we all grew up together and when she was young she was always singing, so her father would call her his little chickadee. Later we started calling her Dee." Nathan explained.
"Wait Nathan, I got a letter from Allie about her. She asked if Dee could teach music and voice lessons here in Hope Valley. Allie said she taught her how to play guitar and she actually played at church!"
"She did, did she? Then you know what I am asking. Do you think she would be able to teach music here?" Nathan asked.
"I would say yes, but you have to check with Mr. Landis. He'll have the final say about this and I'm afraid I'm not his favorite person. Tell Allie and Dee that I will definitely pitch the idea and give it my best." Elizabeth reassured Nathan.
"Thank you Elizabeth, I'm glad we talked." Nathan smiled as he said goodbye to LJ making a funny face. LJ laughed and so did his mommy as she shut the door.