Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 15, Part 3, Page 96
Dee sent off her letter with a quick prayer to Superintendent Landis with reasons she thought would be appropriate to pay Lillian Walsh a stipend for helping Dee provide musical instruction for the children interested in learning to play piano. Odds were that he wouldn't agree to this suggestion, but that didn't stop her. Somehow, she was hoping to provide better opportunities for the children in Brookfield.
Now, she was looking forward to meeting with John, the soldier, who played in the military band. Nathan had been thinking of her, with all she had to do, so it tickled her that he thought to check with the soldiers to help. She went over to Gowen Petroleum and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Henry called.
"Hello Mr. Gowen," Dee started until Henry interrupted and said, "Call me Henry, please. How can I help you?"
"All right Henry, Nathan told me that you have a soldier, John, who played in the military band and might be able to help me with the children who want to learn to play an instrument." Dee said.
"Yes, he's willing," Henry smiled, "how can I help?"
Dee asked if he could release John for an hour on a Monday or Wednesday. She was worried about John losing wages for that volunteer hour, but Henry reassured her that he would provide any missing wage as his contribution to music. "I'll make sure John stops by the school on Wednesday to meet the students and work with you to get this going."
"Thank you Henry!" With that he asked her to keep this under her hat.
"Of course," Dee smiled.
It was time for Nathan to meet his Ma at the Mercantile. She was ordering the food that she wanted that wasn't in stock. Emily already had all the staples that she needed on the counter and Ned was adding them up as well the list of food he needed to order. "There you are Ma. Are you buying the whole store?" he raised his eyebrows at the stack of food.
"Nathan, I don't know how come you've not lost weight. Your pantry is very low and if I want to cook, I have to have the ingredients, ya?" Emily scoffed.
"It's fine Ma, just thinking now about the delicious dishes you'll be cooking!" he smiled and then gave his ma a kiss on her cheek.
"You are just sweet talking me again, but I love it. Besides, I have to get Allie busy learning more dishes, and Dee too!" Emily winked.
Rosemary wasted no time talking with Elizabeth and Dee about having a community Thanksgiving to be held at Billees on October 11th. Her ideas were well received by Dee, who was impressed with Rosemary's enthusiasm. It was hard not to be excited as she rambled on. Rosemary's elation was contagious, so she was more than willing to work with her.
Elizabeth being the practical person in the group was hesitant to take on a big project like this. She knew how hard Rosemary had worked on the potluck recently and worried this might be too much. Although Elizabeth was thinking all along that Sam would be involved with it being at Billees, so it just might be fun after all!
Once the three ladies got to discussing the food, songs, and skit they thought they could pull it off if they worked together. Rosemary would work on the skit, Elizabeth offered to work with Sam on the food, and Dee would work on the songs. Any crafts could be prepared ahead of time in school. "I'm delighted to have an excuse to work with Sam," Elizabeth admitted. Dee and Rosemary laughed.
Pastor Joseph walked in the Coulter Lumber office and greeted Lee. "Sure is a good day today Lee!"
"Oh why is that?" Lee asked.
"Why not?" was all Joseph said.
"Come on in Pastor. Have a seat." Lee responded.
"Now Lee, you can call me Pastor in church, but other than that, just call me Joseph."
"Okay, Joseph, I can use your help. It seems like Hope Valley should be preparing for expansion. Fiona brought to my attention that with the pipeline being dug now we will be seeing more people, families, coming here. Henry just hired 3 soldiers to work on the pipeline. That means I'm going to need more men to help with various duties. I just hired Archie to help me in the office, and Bob Landoch to work outside chopping down trees, and Matthew, a soldier who just was released helping hauling the logs. I need more laborers." Lee explained. "You see, the town council has decided to purchase more land to build more row houses. I need to think ahead. Come next spring with the pipeline being installed those houses will be needed for the new workers and their families."
"How can I help?" Joseph inquired.
"I know you like working with wood, so I thought you'd be a great foreman to oversee the building of the houses. With more people, come more everything. A bigger school, a new church, a bigger Mercantile...you get my point."
"Yes, indeed I do!" Joseph said as a big grin grew across his face.
"You got it, the job is yours. I need you to work now with Archie and develop plans and get blueprints designed. Anything you need, Archie will call and make arrangements." Lee explained, "I'm going to see where exactly I can purchase more office space so you two can work together. I'd also like you to continue to attend all the town council meetings to keep up with how the town plans are going. So, Joseph, are you ready to join the Coulter Lumber Company?"
"You don't have to ask me twice! The good Lord does provide! Thank you!" Joseph got up and shook Lee's hand.
"Welcome aboard!" Lee laughed.
"I told you it was a great day!" Joseph joined in the laughter.