Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 12, Part 8, Page 78

"Dad, Dee, look who's here!" Allie called. Standing next to Allie was her friend from Brook Springs, Karen, with her mom and dad.

"Oh wonderful, you made it here!" Nathan greeted Bob.

"It's been quite a hectic time for us, but yes, we're here. This is my wife, Marie and our daughter, Karen." Bob introduced his family.

"Hello!" Dee greeted Karen. "I'm so thrilled to have my first voice student with me as we both come here new together! It's nice of you to bring your parents with!" she teased.

"and I'm so happy that I can be with Allie and you again," Karen smiled.

"Believe me, she's been singing up a storm for the last few days!" Marie laughed. "Please forgive the way we are dressed. We've been trying to settle in as best as we can for Karen's sake, with school starting tomorrow."

"We just wanted to come by and meet some of the townsfolk, but we can only stay for just a little while." Bob said.

"You have to eat sometime, so it might as well be here." Nathan remarked. "Why don't you join us?" as Nathan led the way.

Bill, Molly, Lee, Rosemary, Sam, Elizabeth and little Jack were sitting together and waved. Over in a private area sat Faith and Carson holding hands and talking knowing that Carson was leaving the next morning. Ned, Flo, Clare, Jesse, Fiona and Mike were close by. Henry joined the soldiers just released Mark, Luke and John who were just starting with his Oil company. Even the ranchers and farmers were there.

Some of the children were gathered together talking Emily, Opal, Anna, Timmy, Robert and Laura, so Allie took Karen over there and introduced her to them. The children were all excited about school starting. Robert and Laura and some of the graduates were sharing what they were up to. Robert was still considering joining the Mounties, but helped deliver the mail for Ned. Laura was LJ's nanny, but needed to work full time somewhere. As soon as the room looked filled, Pastor Joseph stood up from his table and walked to the stage. There he asked everyone to please bow their heads as he asked God to bless their food and their school year. With that, he then asked everyone to start filling their plates at the buffet table. The families were all glad to be together again. Their laughter filled the room, especially over the talent show doings earlier. It was exactly what Bill and Lee had envisioned when they bought the place and it was proven to be a big success!

Pastor Joseph was back on stage and asked everyone to welcome Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton to the stage. With the applause, she came on stage and thanked everyone for coming to their first annual back-to-school potluck! She briefly ran over the curriculum for the upcoming year.

"Now, I'd like to introduce our new music teacher, Miss Dee." Elizabeth announced. Nathan squeezed Dee's hand as she stood up and walked to the stage. "Welcome to Hope Valley Miss Dee!" all the folks said together.

"Thank you Elizabeth, and all of you!" Dee said as she looked around. "It is my pleasure to meet you. I would like to say I'm so happy to come to this wonderful town. I came new to town and you've been so welcoming. I have been fortunate to reunite with a friend from my childhood, Constable Nathan Grant," and with that she looked fondly at him and then continued, "With his and Allie's help, my dream of teaching my love of music to your children is being realized! I will be sending information home with your students, but all are welcome to stay after school on Mondays and Wednesdays if your child would like to learn to play an instrument or take voice lessons. Now, I'd like to ask Karen Landoch who just moved here from Brook Springs where she was taking voice lessons from me, to come up here with me."

Allie nudged Karen, who couldn't believe her ears. She slowly walked up to join Dee. Dee glanced at Minnie and she told Angela to play the piano when she heard Dee begin. Angela knew from earlier when Dee had asked her what she planned. Now, Dee whispered to Karen that she wanted her to sing with her, 'Let me call you sweetheart'.

"Can Allie join us?" Karen asked.

"Sure, after the first verse." Dee reassured her.

As they began, everyone stopped and listened carefully. Smiles spread across their faces. Karen waved at Allie to join her. Allie grabbed Nathan's hand and dragged him up with her. All four of them were up there. Dee looked straight at Nathan and sang "Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you."

Nathan sincerely sang, "Let me hear you whisper, that you love me too." Everyone saw the two of them singing to eachother as they were in their own little world. Soon others joined in singing. Rosemary looked at Lee, Clare at Jesse, Florence at Ned, Minnie at Joseph, Molly at Bill, Faith at Carson...