Chapter 15

The remainder of the week dragged by for Nathan. He tried to keep himself occupied by making a list of a dozen different things he needed to do both at work and at home and he started tackling them one by one. On Friday morning He made his way over to the Queen of Hearts to check in with Lucas and make sure he'd arranged extra security for Friday and Saturday nights. As it happened Lucas was meeting with two men he'd hired to provide the service when he entered the saloon.

"Nathan, please come meet my new security detail for the weekends." Nathan did a quick once over of the two men who'd been hired. Both were about Nathan's height but quite a bit heavier and both were muscular. They certainly were an intimidating presence. Just what is needed thought Nathan.

"Gentleman, I'm Constable Nathan Grant. Good to meet you." Nathan was curious about their experience and as if Lucas could read his mind he filled Nathan in on their resumes. He explained that both men were with a security firm that operated out of Benson Hills and they were assigned to the Queen of Hearts for Friday and Saturday nights each week. They would be staying in rooms about the saloon on nights they were in Hope Valley. "Lucas, thank you for taking my recommendation. I know it's an added expense but I'm hoping it curbs some of the trouble we've been seeing lately." As a reminder, Nathan looked down at his arm which was still in the sling he'd been wearing for a week.

"I hope it helps too Nathan. I certainly don't want a repeat of last weekend nor do I want to put undue responsibility on you to keep the peace in here." Lucas was sincere in his comments. In spite of all that had transpired in the last year and more specifically the last few months, Lucas respected Nathan and not just in his role as Constable. He saw what a good father he was to Allie and though Lucas had sometimes accused Nathan of not putting her needs above his own, Lucas knew that wasn't true. The bond between Allie and Nathan was obviously a strong one. He also respected him for the way he'd handled Elizabeth's decision. Lucas knew how much Nathan loved Elizabeth, he'd professed his love to her not once but twice. Once Elizabeth had finally told Nathan she wasn't in love with him Nathan had come to Lucas to let him know what she'd said and encouraged him to stay in Hope Valley for her. Lucas realized that Nathan really was as selfless as everyone described him.

"It looks like you have things under control here. Let me know if you need anything." with that Nathan left and headed over to the infirmary.

Faith was busy with Rosemary when Nathan came in so he stayed in the waiting area until they were finished. When Rosemary appeared from behind the privacy screen she looked a bit pale and shaken. "Rosemary, are you okay?" Nathan didn't want to pry but he'd never seen the usually exuberant Rosemary like this.

"Oh, hello Nathan, I'm fine. I'll be fine. Thank you for asking."

"That's good to hear. Say, I was hoping to come by later today and talk to you about the Christmas festival. I know we have several weeks to go but it will be here before we know it." Rosemary was a bit surprised at Nathan's request given that he'd not been involved with planning the festival in years past. She gave him a perplexed look and he knew what she was thinking.

"I know, I know. I'm not much for crowds but I think this could be good for the community, especially the new folks who've moved to town. It will be good to show them what Christmas in Hope Valley looks like."

"Nathan, I'm excited to hear your ideas but I'm on deadline for tomorrow's paper. Can we meet next week?"

Nathan agreed that he would reach out to her early the following week and arrange a time for them to meet.

Once Rosemary left, Nathan went to the treatment area to have Faith evaluate his recovery from last week's gunshot. Thankfully Faith found that everything was in good order. The sutures had held and there was no sign of infection. While he would have a distinct scar, there should be no other issues from the wound. She told Nathan he didn't have to wear his sling all the time but to put it on if the arm started to ache. Faith and Nathan both knew that he wouldn't be following that recommendation. While Nathan followed orders for the first week, he was only too happy to be finished with the annoying sling.

Nathan made his way over to the café to talk with Bill. He wanted to make a couple of arrangements for his date with Sarah the following evening. Nathan had no idea what Sarah's dating history was. All he knew was that she'd been raised in Buxton and had recently moved from Union City. Nathan had heard through the grapevine of the elaborate dates Lucas had put together for Elizabeth. It was easy for Nathan to assume that women from the city expected grander gestures. Nathan had never been a grand gestures kind of guy. He knew he couldn't compete on that level so he hoped that by including a few thoughtful details he could make the evening special for Sarah.

Bill and Minnie were sitting at one of the tables working on menu plans when Nathan arrived. Nathan was a bit embarrassed to talk about his upcoming date with Minnie at the table. It was hard to admit that his dating experience was next to nothing outside of a girl he'd dated back before he left for Mountie training many years ago. Once Bill figured out why Nathan was there he asked Minnie to stay. "Listen Nathan you and I are two men who don't have much of an idea what women find charming. You need Minnie to tell you if you're heading down the right track."

Nathan shared with Bill and Minnie that he was bringing Sarah Crawford to the café for dinner the following night. Both Bill and Minnie knew Sarah as she came in almost every morning for coffee and a blueberry muffin. The smile on both their faces told Nathan that they approved of his date. "Nathan she's a lovely woman." Minnie said with a big smile. Nathan proceeded to share his ideas with them and after a couple of suggestions from Minnie Nathan was starting to feel a bit calmer about his upcoming evening with Sarah. Once they were finished planning Nathan asked how Allie had done her first morning at the café.

"Nathan, that girl impresses me more and more every time I see her. She's got a good head on her shoulders. She takes her responsibilities seriously." Bill was proud of both Nathan and Allie. Proud of Nathan at how he was raising Allie and proud of Allie for showing such resilience and determination in spite of everything she'd experienced in her 13 years.

Minnie echoed Bill's comments. "Nathan, I've seen what a lovely girl Allie is at school. She's been so helpful and kind to Angela. I'm happy that they've become such good friends. I love having her cheerful spirit at the café. It's infectious."

Nathan appreciated what they shared about his daughter. He always knew she was a blessing to him but it was reassuring to know that she was a blessing to others as said his goodbyes and made his way to the school to walk Allie home.

Unbeknown to Nathan, Sarah had figured out about what time each day Nathan would be walking past the dress shop heading to school to pick up Allie. She'd started finding herself at the window each day at just the right time so she could catch him walking by. Some days she felt like a school girl. It was hard to believe she'd known Nathan less than two weeks. There was still so much to learn about him and for him to learn about her.

Allie spotted her dad's red serge as soon as she got through the school house doorway and made a beeline for him. Seeing that he no longer had the sling she wrapped him in a big bear hug which he eagerly returned. The two made their way home chatting about their days. Elizabeth stood on the top step smiling at the sight of father and daughter. She wondered if there would always be a small ache in her heart seeing the two of them and knowing she wouldn't be a part of it.

Allie knew her dad had asked Miss Crawford to dinner on Saturday night so she was eager to ask him what he had planned. "How about if I tell you after the dinner sweet girl, that way I can leave out the things that don't go so well and focus on the things that do go well.?"

"Dad, I predict it will all go well. Just don't be so nervous. You're much more charming when you're not tongue-tied." Nathan had to laugh at Allie's observation. She knew him too well.

"Thank you for that advice. I will do my best."