Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 7, Part 4, Page 44

The 6 puppies were starting to open their eyes. Allie was so anxious to play with them, but Emily had to call her in to help with the cooking, so Ella would relax alone with her pups until they got a bit older.

Emily was really enjoying showing Allie all the recipes she had learned as a young girl in Germany herself. They were preparing Schinkenfleckerl, creamy noodles and ham, and Allie loved it and asked if they could make it again and invite the Landoch family that had a girl Karen, she met at church, over for dinner. "Yes, of course angel. Also Dee, ya?" Emily smiled.

"Can I ride my bicycle over to Karen's house and ask her?" Allie asked.

"Of course, go ahead and see if they want to come next Sunday after church. If Karen wants to come over any time she is more than welcome." Emily offered, "Be home in time for your guitar lesson."

Emily was so happy to have Allie with her lately that time was going fast. She was thinking how much she enjoyed having her around and wished the time would go slower. It was going to be lonely when she would have to return to Hope Valley.

Someone knocked on the door and snapped Emily back to reality. There were two boys asking to buy some eggs for their family. "Sure, sure," Emily said, "let me go get you 2 dozen right now." When the boys left with the eggs, Emily sat in her rocking chair and dozed off...

Emily was dreaming of a time in Germany when she was a lovely young lady. She had gone with her family on a long trip on the ship the Lady Carmichael and was coming to Canada. There was so much excitement but the trip proved tough and crowded. They weathered storms, sea sickness, and illness to come to the New World. It was there she saw him. This attractive Englishman, with a gentle way about him and a warm smile. She caught his eye, so without wasting a moment, he walked over to her and asked for her name. She didn't understand much English back then, but she understood and answered "Emily". He smiled warmly and introduced himself to her, "Archie Grant". Emily felt a bit nervous as her heart began beating faster. He walked with her to the dining room and pulled a chair out for her at a table close to her parents. Emily sheepishly waved to them and sat with Archie. They couldn't communicate well at first and used a lot of hand signals, almost like a charade game, but throughout the night they laughed and enjoyed eachother's company. Throughout the journey Archie was by her side, teaching her English and keeping her company.

When they arrived he learned her address and shortly after her family was settled, he came calling for her. Within the year they were married and so in love. It was difficult to leave her family and travel west but Archie had work and needed to provide for her. It was hard for them to start a ranch, but like all new pioneers with determination, they made themselves a decent living and started a family. Colleen was an adorable new addition to their young family. She was such a little charmer and had her dad twisted around her little finger. Her babbling was proof of how happy she was. Wherever Emily was, there was Colleen. Outside when her mother was tending to the flower and vegetable gardens, inside preparing food, or back outside hanging laundry. Often Archie would come in exhausted from milking, tending to the cattle and the crops. Emily would be just as tired and they would fall asleep in eachother's arms. It wasn't long when they had a little brother, Nathan, for Colleen. Colleen was a little mother hen with her brother and they developed a strong bond. Nathan was helping his dad as best as his young body could. Life was going well for them until Archie just couldn't handle the long days anymore and stopped too often at the tavern when he'd ride into town and gamble their hard earned money. When he began to win more and more it became clear to Emily that he was neglecting their family and when he lost his money, he just about lost the farm. Too many nights Emily took care of the children with dinner, homework, chores, and bedtime stories. Archie would sneak in late and crawl in bed. Emily would shoo him away if he tried to kiss her. Eventually he stopped coming home and Emily would cry herself to sleep dreaming of the man she once met on the ship to the New World.

Nathan was watching Sam and Lee put up the sign on Billees. It shone in the sun and looked really good hanging outside. It made him proud. Fiona and Rosemary were there and they admired the sign with clapping. Ned and Flo peeked out along with Clare, Minnie, Faith, Molly, Jesse, Elizabeth and Mike. The clapping caused others to look at the men with the sign and pretty soon everyone who was outside was clapping.

Bill looked around and said to all, "Thanks to Nathan we are having our grand opening tomorrow after church! We are looking forward to having you all join us!" "And share your talent with everyone. Come one, come all to Hope Valley's Gathering Place!" Rosemary announced.