Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 18
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The townsfolk were so trusting of Nathan knowing that he would even risk his life to keep them safe. They appreciated that very much. Nathan was well liked and most everybody would do whatever they could for him. If he ever needed help, all he had to do was ask. This time he needed to borrow a truck to go up to Brook Springs to pick up the mahogany hutch he had built his Ma.
He already knew of three offers, but as he was out doing rounds, Dan Peterson flagged him over. Nathan rode up and parked his automobile. "How are you doing Dan?" Nathan asked as he got out.
"Good, but I must admit I miss Lana. She left for nursing school. We got a letter from her just a day ago and she is loving her studies but misses us too. She had to try her wings out someday though," he shrugged.
"Well, it sounds like she's following her heart. How's Lisa doing?"
"Lisa is still home, but she's thinking of pursuing clerical studies. She enjoyed that type of work when helping in the service during the war. I'm not sure where she can find work around here, but from what I gather she'd like to stay put," Dan shared with Nathan. "By the way, how's Allie doing with Penny?"
"Allie is in heaven having Penny at our new home. She is very responsible with feeding, grooming, and riding her. I'm proud of how well she is caring for Penny," Nathan was beaming.
"So, I hear you need to borrow a truck," Dan grinned. "Mine has 2 bench seats in it to hold 4 or 5 people. How would you like to take mine?"
"Dan, that would be great. I appreciate your offer."
"No worries, we're not going anywhere, and if we need to, we have horses!" Dan laughed, "they still work for us."
"I'll be back on Friday to pick up the truck, and I'll leave my automobile here. See you then," Nathan smiled as he shook Dan's hand.
Allie was all excited to spend a few days with Karen. The girls got wind of the dance that was coming up on the weekend hosted by the Hopefuls. They both wanted to go and were acting their best all week in hopes of staying on the good side with their parents.
When Allie saw her dad coming home, she ran outside to meet him. "Dad, when I'm at Karen's this weekend, we were hoping to attend the dance at Billees that the Hopefuls are hosting. Is that all right with you?"
"A dance? Is this open to everyone or just the Hopefuls?" Nathan asked. It was hard for Nathan to accept the fact that his daughter was no longer just a little girl but blossoming into a teenager who was growing up faster than he wanted.
"I don't know Allie girl, let me ask your mother first. If she says it's all right, I'll check with Mr. Landoch. We certainly have to discuss this together," Nathan advised.
When Nathan talked to Dee about the dance that was happening Saturday while they were up north, they decided that if the Landochs were allowing Karen to go as well as other older friends from school, Allie could attend. Bob Landoch agreed to be one of the chaperones along with Joseph Canfield. Of course, they would come home by 10:00. The girls whined that 10:00 was too soon to leave the dance, but they didn't complain for long as they wanted to be in their parent's good graces.
Bill checked in with Nathan and asked if he had heard any more about the robbers involved in the bank robbery in Benson Hills.
"Nothing much," Nathan said, "just a few sightings here and there but no confirmation. We don't even have any idea what they look like except for an estimate of their heights. So, they could blend in anywhere and no one would be the wiser."
Bill shook his head. This was not the news he was hoping to hear. "You all be careful when you go tomorrow. Don't worry about the town. Gunther and I got this covered."
Friday, Allie said goodbye to her grandparents with long hugs. Dee pressed a lovely dress she had sewed for Allie during the summer to wear to the dance and for church on Sunday. Allie thanked her and they hugged. Her dad gave her a tight squeeze and told her to be on her best behavior at the Landoch's home. Nathan drove Allie to school and waved, "See you in a few days, honey, I love you."
From there, Nathan drove out to the Peterson farm and parked his automobile, leaving the keys with Dan just in case he needed to use it. Thanking Dan once again, he drove back to his house and picked up his family. Luckily, Archie seemed content as long as Emily was in the truck with him sitting in the back seat.
First, they stopped at Dorothy and George's house. Dee was so happy to see her sister. It had seemed like such a long time. Dorothy couldn't believe how big Dee was with her 'bun'. Little bun, was not so little anymore. Emily was delighted that Archie remembered Dorothy. Just like Dr. Carson told her, Archie would remember people from the past more than anyone else. Their visit was short but sweet. The sisters talked about being together for Christmas in a few months. Dorothy couldn't wait to see their new home, but also looking forward to being an aunt.
Even though they had a hearty egg omelet breakfast, Emily brought along some of her cinnamon rolls which was a delightful snack to eat on the way up. The weather had held out until they headed further north and then the rain and wind came. Nathan and Emily were relieved that the hutch was not in the back of the truck.
By the time they arrived in Brook Springs, the rain had stopped. There they were welcomed to the Gleixner home. Bertie, Ted, and Walter greeted them and gave Dee a long hug and even had a chance to feel the bun give a greeting with a kick or two! Everyone was given a warm welcome and Walter helped carry in their bags. Archie even remembered Bertie and Ted which amazed all. Bertie had a roast chicken and mashed potatoes prepared for dinner. The flavorful aroma beckoned them to the table. Sitting all around the dining table they prayed to thank God for a safe trip and for being back altogether.
"Let's eat!" Walter said as he passed the first dish, "I've got some news to tell you."
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Dee's eyes widened, "What's the news, Walter?"
As the tinkering of the silverware stopped so all could hear his answer, Walter swallowed the little food left in his mouth and smiled. "I'm going to medical school to become a doctor."
Dee looked at Nathan and back at Walter, "How did you come to this decision, and where will you go?"
Knowing this was going to take some time, everyone went back to eating their delicious dinner with many compliments to the cook. Bertie was hesitant to accept praise knowing that Emily was well known for her scrumptious feats in the kitchen.
Emily recognized that in her old friend, and patted Bertie's hand while sitting next to her, "I would love your recipe for that chicken. It's so moist, and that's hard to accomplish!" Bertie felt honored and told her as soon as she had a chance she'd tell her how she prepared the chicken.
Walter cleared his throat and reminded them that when he was in the war, he was trained to be a medic. He saw many a soldier with mild headaches to having to pronounce some as passed. What he struggled with so horribly when he returned from the war were nightmares of not getting to a soldier in time to help. He had been studying shell shock ever since. He explained to them, that shell shock was one of the major side effects of WWI. Many soldiers suffered from it, as it was caused by the heavy explosions and constant fighting associated with the war. Troops suffering from shell shock struggled with sleep. They panicked upon hearing gunshots, loud noises, shouting, and similar. Sometimes it affected their ability to walk and talk.
"Shell shock is a scary thing, and I know a few soldiers who are still suffering from this yet today. So, I decided I'd like to further my medical training in hopes of becoming a physician," Walter explained.
Dee and Nathan both nodded their heads affirmatively. "Walter, this is something I can see you doing. When we were young, you were always trying to help an injured bird or helping carry books when Peter Justen was on crutches. It's just you, it's who you are!" Nathan said fondly.
Walter blushed. "Thanks, Nathan, being such good friends, I knew you'd understand. The problem is I hate to leave dad alone again to run the farm, so I don't know what to do."
Ted put his fork down and reassured Walter, "Son, my life is more than half over, yours is just beginning. It's time for you to decide what you want in life and go after it. Don't be worrying none about me or your mom. We'll be just fine."
Dee spoke then, "Walter, I too hated to leave the farm and all of you to study music, but I did, and I'm so grateful. If I hadn't, well I probably wouldn't be living in Hope Valley now, living with my soulmate and making you an uncle!" Everyone laughed and nodded their heads in agreement.
Emily reminded, "You didn't say where you are going to school Walter."
Walter answered, "I've been accepted at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I'll be starting my first semester right after Christmas. I'll know then how long I'll be studying. They will take into consideration my experience as a medic."
"Wunderbar!" Emily smiled broadly, as well as Archie.
"So, Dee honey, tell us how you're coming along with the baby," Bertie asked emphatically.
After cleaning up dinner, the travelers were tired and were happily content to sit by the fire and relax. Being all together they talked about Ted and Bertie possibly selling the farm, and looking to retire.
This caused Dee to perk her ears, "Where will you live?"
Bertie spoke up right away, "If I have anything to say about it..."
"And she does," Ted chuckled.
Bertie continued, "I'd want to move closer to you and Dorothy and your precious families. I miss our grandchildren Robert and Roberta too, Allie, and now little bun will be joining our family soon."
"Oh, mom, that would be just wonderful! Nathan and I would be so happy to have you close by, right sweetheart?" she said looking at her husband sitting next to her.
Nathan couldn't agree more, "It'll be enjoyable to have family close by and I know the grandchildren will benefit from having you near."
Dee began yawning and Archie was just about asleep, when they decided to get to bed. Dee and Emily slept in the extra bedroom, while Walter gave up his bed for the sofa so his good friend Nathan, and his father Archie, had a bed to sleep in. Lying in bed, Emily thought about tomorrow. They would be going to the old Grant farm and Emily wondered how Archie would react seeing his old home.
Meanwhile, back in Hope Valley, Karen and Allie were having a great time in Karen's bed telling stories and giggling. They had the 3 dogs, Ella, Ginger, and Dusty all on the bed with them too, until they got the pups to settle in some blankets on the floor. They left mama Ella stay on the bed. When they heard Karen's parents telling Benjamin a story, they sent Dusty to sleep with him. In a short time Karen's parents came in to check on the girls and say prayers. Turning off the gaslight, they knew it was time to sleep, but it Friday night with no school, so they talked for a long time about the dance tomorrow, until they surrendered to the sweet dreams
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Karen and Allie woke up late Saturday morning, but not too late to miss their blueberry pancakes and bacon. They ran down the stairs with the dogs whining to go out.
"Nothing like the smell of bacon frying in the pan and coffee brewing to wake my nose up!" Benjamin laughed.
The girls agreed and quickly rushed to the door to let the dogs out. It was so pretty outside now with the leaves turning everything into a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows, rusts, and greens. When the sun shone on the trees their colors seemed to burst into the sky.
"What a beautiful day!" Bob Landoch smiled as he walked to the door where the girls had let the dogs out.
"It sure is!" the girls agreed as they ran back inside.
"We're starving!" Karen announced dramatically as she fell into the sofa laughing.
"Come, young ladies, and wash your hands. Eat your breakfast while it's still hot!" Marie Landoch called.
The girls joined Benjamin and after grace they passed around the bacon and cakes. It was going to be a great day with the dance later that night. Excitement was on the agenda throughout the day!
Up in Brook Springs when Dee woke in the morning, baby bun was letting her know it was time to get up. Claiming the outhouse as the first one up, it was a relief. Walter was awake and brewing coffee as he had slept on the sofa. He had gone out already to tend to the cattle. Dee had a chance to quietly talk with her brother for a few minutes before the aroma of the coffee would wake the rest of the family.
Dee and Walter had always been close siblings and now even as they were both adults, their relationship was tight. Dee told Walter how proud she was of him pursuing his medical career. "I know it's tough knowing that dad will be alone tending to the ranch, but it won't be for long. It's time they retire. You know how much hard work it's been, and when they sell the ranch and cattle, they'll find a smaller place with money to spare. Plus, they'll be close to their family."
"I wouldn't go if I didn't know about their plans to retire. In fact, I think its an incentive for them to get the ranch sold. Dorothy and George are already looking for a place in Brookfield and now you and Nathan can look in Hope Valley," Walter nodded.
"It's going to be wonderful Walter, so don't worry. Listen, when we go over to the Grant's old farmhouse today, maybe talk to Jack and see if he would possibly help your dad out after you leave. They might even sell the ranch before you go, only God knows," Dee hugged Walter.
Their parents, Bertie and Ted came in the kitchen and greeted them with big smiles. "How did you two sleep?"
"Fine," Dee said, "It felt comfy to be back in my old bedroom. I just hope that Emily slept as well."
"I've had better nights in my own bed," Walter complained jokingly.
Soon all were up and ready to get started on their day. Bertie was frying up omelets and Dee was slicing up fruit. After breakfast, all except Bertie, drove the truck over to the Grant farmhouse. Bertie stayed to make noodles out of the leftover mashed potatoes from the night before. It was an old German recipe that her mother-in-law had showed her. They would have chicken and noodles and gravy with biscuits for lunch.
Over at the farmhouse, it was a sight for sore eyes as Emily looked all around. Baron and one of his pups, Jack and Carol had taken, greeted everyone with wagging tails and barks. Carol and Jack came outside to quiet the dogs and welcomed everyone with hugs! Baby Nicholas was no longer a baby, but a toddler who was clapping his hands in delight laughing at all the people.
"Oh my, Nicholas," Dee said as she reached for him, "you are such a big boy now!"
Nicholas babbled back to Dee and had everyone laughing. Nathan watched as Dee snuggled him close giving him loving hugs. It warmed his heart to see her interact with Nicholas knowing that someday soon it would be their own child in her arms.
Carol invited them all in and just then Archie stopped. He looked around and scratched his head. Looking at Emily he tenderly grabbed her by her arm and asked, "Em, isn't this our house?"
Emily reached up and stroked Archie's cheek, "Yes Archie, this was our house. I sold it so I could be close to Allie, Nathan and Dee."
"Oh," was all Archie said as he continued to stare and think.
"Come inside, Dad," Nathan invited looking to the house.
"Sure I'm coming," he said as he followed Nathan in. Emily grabbed his hand and held it tight as they stepped inside.
The inside was pretty much the same except it had Jack and Carol's furniture in it now. There against the wall by the dining room table was the stunning mahogany hutch Nathan had made for his Ma. A huge smile took over Emily's face as she saw it. Nathan couldn't help but beam with pride. It was one of his long projects that he had worked on being as precise as possible and shining up the wood to perfection. His labor of love was stunning. Tears came to Emily's eyes as she reflected on the time he surprised her with it in the dining area while she was in town. Nathan had secretly been working on it in the work shed and was never the wiser. Soon it would be in the new Grant home.
As Archie looked around he walked over to the corner of the kitchen, and still there as he remembered, were the measurements he took of Nathan and Colleen when they were just wee ones. He walked to the back door and saw the swing he had hung for Colleen from the old oak tree blowing in the wind.
Then absentmindedly, he walked outside the back door and stood looking at the crops in the field and stared. So many days and nights he had worked the crops and prayed for rain. They had lost so many crops to floods or drought. The memories came flooding back to him like a tsunami.
He closed his eyes and went back in time. His heart quickened as he thought about the turmoil they experienced hoping and praying for good weather and harvest. How he had expected his young son, Nathan, to be out in the hail and rain alongside him struggling to save the crops, to milk the cows, and keep the machinery running. In his mind he envisioned Colleen collecting the eggs in the hen house, feeding and grooming the horses, and helping her mother canning, put up food, and selling eggs.
The days were long and hard and he would go into town for supplies and stay to have a drink, then before long he would pull up a chair and join the poker game. One night led to many and before long he was totally out of luck and money. It was then that he had to get away from the pressure. He was letting his family down and he could no longer face his wife and children. It was better he got out of their lives all together. Tears began streaming down his face as he recalled this dreadful decision and his shoulders shook with sadness and regret.
Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see his beautiful Em. He tenderly cupped her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. As the memories of the past tore through his mind, he sobbed uncontrollably. Emily embraced Archie and let him cling to her as he gasped saying, "I'm so sorry, I'm just so sorry."
