Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 10, Part 5, Page 62

Dee received the telephone call she was waiting for. Superintendent Landis asked her to come to Hope Valley for an interview. He explained to her briefly that he would want her to work primarily in Hope Valley, but that he also expected Brookfield would be interested in having her. She reassured him that she was more than up to the challenge. She was so excited and yet remained calm and professional as she made the appointment for the following week. Then when she hung up she let out a happy scream and her mom and dad knew what just happened.

"Was that Mr. Landis offering you a job?" her mother confirmed.

"Yes, I meet with him next week. Can you believe it?" Dee spun around in delight.

"What all does he expect of you to do Dee?" her father asked.

"I'll be working primarily for Hope Valley, but he wants me to see if there is any interest in Brookfield too."

"That's where Dorothy lives." Walter said. "Fancy that!"

"What's going to happen to the music store?" her mother thought aloud.

"I'm not sure, mom, but the owner, Mr. Dartman, will have to decide if it's worth keeping open. It was a good idea at the time, but that's because we both thought I'd get a group of students started on lessons, but in this town, the children might be interested, but just can't leave their family without their help around the farm or ranch." Dee shook her head sadly.

"Sometimes, things don't work out, even with the best intentions, as they just weren't meant to be." her mother reassured Dee.

"Let's just be grateful for the opportunity for Dee to finally use her talents to the best of her ability." her practical father smiled.

That following day, as everyone was preparing for the end-of-summer festival, Dee told Emily and Allie that she was going for an interview with Mr. Landis.

Emily suggested that she ride on the stagecoach with Allie and Nathan back to Hope Valley. "I will miss your visits my sweet Dee." Emily began to tear up. "You have brought joy to my Allie and me, Karen too."

"Emily, you have been a dear friend to me that I deeply appreciate your kindness to both me and my family. I will miss you too!" Dee reassured her.

"In fact, as excited as I am, I will have a hard time leaving my church family, Karen, and my own family. Walter just came home, so at least he will be there with my folks."

"We can telephone each other Oma," Allie reminded Emily. "Besides, dad and I will be back again, you can count on that."

Brushing tears away, Emily perked up and said, "Your dad will be arriving any day now, so let's enjoy our time together and cherish it in our hearts."

"Yeah, I can't wait for the festival!" Allie cheered, "and I can't wait to see dad!"

Back in Hope Valley, not only was Matthew released from the care of Carson and Faith, but he was strong enough to go back to work. Bill joked it was all about his good cooking, but good nutrition did help. He went back home to his family and was glad to sleep in his own old bed. Soon he would be working for Lee Coulter Lumber. It felt good to be 'normal' again.

Even though Nathan and Archie were having long talks in Nathan's home, he was glad his dad would be going to Billee's to stay with Allie coming home the next week. One particular night Archie told Nathan something he never heard before as his dad never talked about it. Apparently, a famous relative of Archie's had been born in Ohio in the United States in the 1800's. He was a distant uncle, but that side of the family had arrived in the New World, long before Archie even thought about coming to America, specifically Canada. As the hero of the Civil War, and as President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant won international fame. Indeed, he was the most popular man on the planet in the 1860s to the 1880s, but Archie never met him or knew much about him.

"Wow!, that is incredible dad!" Nathan exclaimed.

"Don't I know it, too bad his moral ways weren't passed along on my side of the family," Archie chuckled.

"Dad, I don't want you to give up on our relationship healing now. It's good for all of us, especially with Allie coming home." Nathan cautioned.

"No more pity-party for me son. I have a new outlook on life, I can guarantee you that. I saw how the town all enjoyed wishing Henry a 'Happy Birthday' after he had put the town through an avoidable disaster, and he'll be regretting it the rest of his life. But, his determination to make it up to the good people here in Hope Valley, is just the incentive I need to do the same with my family." Archie declared. With that he and Nathan hugged.

"Let's get you packed and over to Billee's and grab a bite to eat." Nathan said.