Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 9, Part 4, Page 57

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The clouds were softly drifting in the sky, the sun was shining, the breeze was cooling the air and the puppies were yapping and chasing their own tails. Allie was watering the flower garden and Carol was across the street rocking on her porch swing with Nicholas.

Then Allie heard Karen come down the road and was snapped her out of her daydreaming. "Hi Allie! Are we going to bake again today?"

"Yes, let's go inside and let Oma know you're here. Did you bring sleepover clothes?"

Allie and Karen had been excited about their first sleepover together. The two girls had become very close, almost like sisters. They had made up a special patty cake game that was their secret. Both of them were adopted and felt a special kindred spirit. Karen told Allie what it was like in the orphanage. She felt loved and missed the children there, but it was even better to be a daughter and belong in a family. Allie shared how she lost her mother and how her Uncle Nathan adopted her. Neither of them had siblings, so they promised with a pinky swear to each other to be pen pals and keep in touch when Allie went home. Now they just wanted to make the most of their time together as the summer was almost over.

Both of the girls enjoyed being with Oma, and Allie asked if Karen could call her Oma too. "Of course, my angels! I love to be Oma to you too Karen. Are we ready to bake?" "Yes!" the girls giggled.

That day they made cookies and sweet bread. The house was filled with the sweet aroma. This time the girls knew to clean up before they left to play with the puppies. "Do you have a name for your puppy yet?" Allie asked.

"I was thinking of Dusty." Karen picked up her pup and said "Hi little Dusty, you're going to come home with me in a few weeks, okay?"

"She likes her name, see how she's wagging her tail and kissing you?" Allie laughed. Oma was watching the girls and treasuring every minute they were together with her.

The next morning at the Sunday service, Allie played her guitar and Karen sang with Dee. The music was glorious and Karen's parents were so proud of her. "That wasn't so bad was it?" Dee asked Karen. "No not with you right beside me, it was fun!" Karen smiled. With that Karen's parents approached Dee and asked if she could start voice lessons and it was planned that she would join in on Allie's lessons but assuring that both would get individual attention.

Outside in the churchyard Oma brought the delicious desserts she and the girls had baked. She had a basket of all 4 bakery goods. When word spread the people gathered around Oma and the girls buying desserts for their Sunday dinners.

When Oma returned home with Allie, her basket was empty. "Looks like our hard work paid off Allie!"

Nathan and Lee talked for a few minutes about Lee needing help and looking for young strong men to help. "Why not talk to the soldiers that are over at Billees?" Nathan suggested, "I'm sure once they've mended, they'll be looking for work, if they aren't needed at home. You just might get the help you need living right under your nose!"

"True." Lee agreed.

"Why Lee Coulter, why didn't you think of that?" Rosemary teased.

"Sadly, I don't think the men out at Henry's cabin will be ready for quite awhile." Nathan sighed. "Dad, you ready to go by Henry now? Talk to you later Lee, and ladies." with that he and Archie left.

When Henry told them to come in he was just finishing his telephone call with the county about bringing in the oil pipeline. With half the money available thanks to Mayor Fiona, if the county agreed, then Henry was ready to talk with the bank about a loan.

"Good news I hope." Nathan suggested.

"Sounds promising." Henry nodded. "What's up?"

"Henry this is my dad, Archie Grant."

Archie extended his hand and the two men shook hands. "Nice to meet you Henry."

"Same here."

Nathan explained to Henry the situation with honesty. Henry got filled in on Archie's past and why he was standing in Henry's office. "We're hoping you might have some work that Archie could do for you. Dad needs a steady job. Any chance you have something he could do for you?"

"Listen Archie, I've been where you are and I know what a predicament you're in. I am working on making good on my second chance here in Hope Valley, so I'm a strong supporter of what you are attempting. If you can help me by making some phone calls, to make some arrangements for this pipeline, it'll be a small start. If things go as I plan, I'll need you're help to get this venture going. Let's see how this goes and if you're sincere, this just might work out for both of us." Henry encouraged.

"That's mighty kind of you Henry," Archie agreed, "I am sincere, and I'll prove it."

"Henry's making an offer that you better make good on," Nathan warned. "Thanks Henry, I appreciate this too."

"Nah, everyone deserves a second chance." Henry grinned.

Nathan agreed but thought to himself, dad's way past his second chance. "Okay dad, you've got a deal, let's get you to my place and get you settled."