"Plans for a 'Date'"

It was getting dark early now, and Nathan and Allie were busy making their supper. There was a definite feel of autumn in the air, which meant potato salad season was pretty much over. Allie was cutting up potatoes, onions, celery and carrots while Nathan cut up chicken for chicken stew with dumplings.

"Uncle Nathan, can I ask you something?" asked Allie.

"Allie, you can ask me anything. Remember I promised you I'd always listen, and you can talk to me about anything," responded Nathan.

"I know. Angela and I were talking after church, and we both think you're sweet on Miss Couture. I mean, I hope you are. I really like her, Uncle Nathan."

"Allie, that makes two of us then."

"Why don't you ask her out on a date?"

"What makes you think I haven't asked her already?" teased Nathan.

"Uncle Nathan, you sound just like Angela. She said the same thing." Allie hesitated, hoping Nathan would just tell her. "So, have you asked her out on a date then?"

"Well, I asked her if she'd like to go fishing with us on Saturday afternoon."

"Uncle Nathan!" Allie looked up at Nathan and put her hands on her hips. "Are you trying to have a bad first date? Why would you ask a girl to go fishing and take your niece with you? What kind of date is that?"

"Laura likes fishing. I think she's probably good at it. Her brothers taught her. We're going to take the horses. She said she hasn't ridden in a while, and she's making us a picnic lunch. Then, if it's too cold to go fishing, we'll have dinner at the Café instead—all three of us."

"Are you sure you want me to go with you?"

"Of course I do. I knew when you came to live with me that if I was going to see someone, that person would have to understand that it's always going to be you and me, Allie. We're a team."

"I suppose, but I wouldn't mind if you and Miss Couture went alone either."

Nathan stopped cutting and looked Allie straight in the eyes. "OK, how about if we do this. The three of us will go fishing if the weather is good. Then I'll ask Laura if she and I can have dinner at the Café together that night. I'll check with Minnie and Joseph, to see if you can have supper at their house. Will that make you happy? Is that now an acceptable date in your eyes?"

"Better. Thank you, Uncle Nathan."

"For what?"

"For including me."

Nathan just smiled. "Let's get this meal in the pot so we can eat at a decent time. Do you have homework to do?"

"I did it already."

"You're a good student, Allie. You must be excited about Miss Couture tutoring you."

"I really am."

"She asked if we could stop by the library to set up a tutoring schedule. How about after school tomorrow? Could you meet me at the library then?"

"Sure, Uncle Nathan."

Allie and Nathan got their supper in the pot to cook while they prepared the dumplings. Their dinner came out perfect with a nice, creamy stock for the meat and vegetables. The dumplings simmering on top sealed the heat into the stew, so their meal was hardy, especially for such a chilly night.

Tuesday brought damp, cold weather. The sky was the color of steel, and it was overcast and damp. It looked like the first snow would be covering the ground shortly.

Allie and Angela left school together as they always did—arm in arm.

"It feels like snow weather, Allie. What does the sky look like?"

"It's gray, and it looks sad; not like in the summer when the sun is shining and fair weather clouds float by. Everyone says it will probably snow soon, Angela."

"Did you ask your uncle about Miss Couture?"

"I did. Angela, you're not going to believe what they're going to do for a first date. It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Uncle Nathan, Miss Couture and I are going fishing Saturday afternoon."

"What?"

"Yes, you heard it right. I told Uncle Nathan fishing was not a good first date and that it was not a good idea to bring me along. He said that we're a team. I did get him to agree to take Miss Couture to the Café Saturday night, just the two of them, if I could have dinner at your house."

"Of course you can. We can practice the piano too. It's perfect."

"I'm meeting Uncle Nathan at the library right after I walk you home. We're going to talk to Miss Couture about a tutoring schedule. You'll probably be meeting with her this week too."

"I am. Mama said she and I are meeting with her on Wednesday. I'm very excited that we're both going to be able to get extra help."

"So am I. I know Mrs. Thornton tries to help, but it's hard for her to do everything. OK, here we are at your house. I'll pick you up for school in the morning. Bye, Angela."

"Bye, Allie.

Allie walked into town to the library to meet Nathan, who was already there when she arrived.

"Hi Uncle Nathan; Miss Couture."

"Hi Allie. Your uncle was just telling me about our plans for Saturday. You don't mind if we go to the Café at night?"

"Not at all. I'm glad you don't mind if I come fishing with you during the day. I'm happy you like to fish. Most girls don't, but I'm glad you do."

"Yes. I grew up with brothers. Sometimes fishing was the only way I got to spend time with them. None of my other friends liked fishing. Their mothers frowned on me doing things like that. They said it wasn't dignified and that young ladies should learn how to do needlework and cooking, but my mother didn't mind at all. She always thought that learning, no matter where or how it happened, was important."

"She sounds like a smart woman."

"Yes, she certainly is. Well, what day is good for you to come to the library for your tutoring? I imagine after school would be the best time. Right now, my schedule is free any day, so you have first pick, Allie."

"How about Mondays?"

"Monday it is if that's alright with you, Nathan."

"Yes, Monday is fine with me."

"Alright, we can start next Monday right after school. Allie, please bring your books with you, and I'm going to look around the library to see if we have any other books that would help you. If not, I have some at home I can bring. During our first session, you can show me what you've already learned, and we can go from there."

"Thank you, Miss Couture. Well, uh, I have to get going. I'm making supper tonight. Uncle Nathan, you can take your time here. I have everything under control."

"Thank you, Allie. I'm sure you do."

Allie got up and quickly left the library. After she shut the door, Nathan and Laura just looked at each other and started laughing.

"Well, that wasn't very subtle, was it?" asked Nathan.

"No, not at all! I think Allie is so sweet. She cares about you, Nathan."

"The feeling is mutual. I was sad when my sister passed away, but I think I'm very lucky to have Allie in my life. She keeps me laughing."

"I can see that."

"I suppose I should do my evening rounds before it gets dark. It was nice to see you, Laura."

"You too. Thank you for stopping by."

Nathan tipped his hat, smiled and went outside. Newton had found a patch of grass and looked quite comfortable just staying where he was. "Good boy, Newton. Come on now. Let's get our rounds done so we can get back to the livery before dark." Nathan saw Laura looking out the window. They waved to each other, and Nathan was off.

Laura took the kettle off the stove and straightened out her desk before getting her coat and hat and locking up the library. She stopped at the Mercantile to speak to Mr. Yost about her account.

"Miss Couture, how are you today? Are you getting settled in?" asked Ned.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for asking. I thought I would be able to stop by yesterday, but I didn't make it. Do you have a few minutes to talk about the library's account?"

"Yes, of course I do. Florence, looks who's here. It's Miss Couture."

"Mr. Yost, please call me Laura."

"Very well, and I'm Ned. You know, we're all very glad you're here:"

Florence ran to the counter in between calls at the switchboard. "Miss Couture, I'm glad you made it. How are you doing? Are you getting settled in alright?"

"I am. I already love Hope Valley. It's beautiful country, and the people are so kind and friendly. Oh, and please call me Laura."

"It's Florence. Tell me all about your first few days in Hope Valley. Have you had many visitors to the library? Who else have you met? Have you made any friends? Has Rosemary interviewed you for the paper?"

"Florence, slow down. Give Laura a chance to catch her breath," said Ned.

"It's fine. I'm very comfortable staying with the Weis family. Opal is such a dear. They have made me feel very welcome. As you know, I met everyone at church on Sunday. Since then, I've had several visitors to the library. Rosemary has already interviewed me for the Valley Voice. Oh, we're going to have a meeting next Wednesday, so people can tell me what kinds of programs they'd like the library to hold."

"That's nice. So, who else has been to the library?" asked Florence.

"Florence!" Ned stood with his hands on his hips looking at his wife.

"It's fine. The children have been in to visit along with Judge Avery, Mrs. Sullivan, Elizabeth and Nathan and Allie."

"The Constable. I have to say, he has been so good to his niece. You'd never know he wasn't Allie's father. I'm glad to pay a compliment where one is due, Ned, and Constable Grant is a good man."

"I think so too. In fact, he, Allie and I are going fishing on Saturday afternoon, and then Nathan and I are having dinner at the Café Saturday night."

"Fishing?" asked Florence.

"Oh, yes. I had brothers, so I learned to fish. I'm looking forward to it. Well, Ned, could we go over the library's account? I need to be home in time to help Mrs. Weis get supper ready."

Ned and Laura reviewed the accounts while Florence went back to her duties at the switchboard.

"I hope Florence didn't ask you too many personal questions. She really doesn't mean any harm," whispered Ned.

"No, it's fine. She's a lovely woman, and I appreciate you both making me feel so welcome. Could you show me around the Mercantile if you have time?" asked Laura.

Ned and Laura walked around the store, and Florence joined them in between telephone calls.

"Thank you for your time, Ned. I suppose I should be heading home. Good night, Florence." Florence waved from the switchboard.

Laura buttoned up her coat and headed out. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Nathan had finished his rounds and closed up his office as Laura walked by.

"Laura, are you heading home?"

"I am. I promised Mrs. Weis I would help her make supper. I spent a little too much time in the Mercantile though."

"You did say you liked to ride. Can I bring you home?"

"Do you think that would be alright?" Laura hesitated. "I'd like that very much. Thank you, Nathan."

Nathan stood by to help Laura up onto Newton, but she got up without any problem. Nathan then mounted Newton and they rode out of town together.

"You realize Mrs. Yost is watching us from the Mercantile window," said Laura.

"Yeah, I saw her. Florence is harmless, but don't be surprised if everyone in town finds out I brought you home tonight."

Nathan and Laura shared a laugh, and they waved to Florence. Laura put her arms around Nathan and held on tight for the ride home.