Chapter Thirty-three
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So Many Memories
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After a rejuvenating night of sleep, Bill was ready and waiting beside the car in the driveway. He looked over the house, cottage, gardens and scenery on the Collins property approvingly. He was grateful for God's provision for his dear ones.
"Hey, Uncle Bill!" Allie ran down the path to give him a hug and Nathan locked up and followed behind.
"Hey to you, Allie-girl! Are you ready for your school day?"
Allie looked back at her father. 'Most of it."
"Good morning, Bill. Ready to go yourself?"
Knowing exactly what Nathan was referring to, Bill only nodded and nervously added. "Hope so."
"Uncle Biill, do you like 'Midnight?'" Allie asked as they headed to St. Anne's.
"Midnight? What do you mean?" Bill inquired as Nathan chuckled.
"Our car. Her name is 'Midnight.' I chose the name." Allie grinned, proudly. "Do you like it?"
"Oh? A car has a name? Like a horse, eh?"
"Exactly! Isn't it beautiful?"
"Yes, Sweetheart. Midnight is beautiful. Good choice, Allie." Bill grinned widely. "Good choice, Nathan, as well!"
"Can you guess why?"
"The color?"
"That's part of it, but the other part is that Midnight is the start of a new day! Just like it is a new day for us here in Regina!" Glancing out the window, Allie noticed they were arriving at school. "Well we're here." As she got out of the vehicle, Allie spoke. "I love you both. I'm going to ask when I can show you around the Academy, Uncle Bill. Have fun with Dad! See you later." Allie waved goodbye and blew two kisses before disappearing into the group of girls heading into her school.
"That girl! Such fun..." Bill observed.
"So, shall I give you a tour first, Bill? Then I'll be glad to take you to the Finance Department before lunch. If you wish to dine with Miss Foster, that's fine, but you are welcome to join me in the Faculty Mess." Nathan reminded Bill. "After tonight's dinner with Peter and Carol, you are free to determine your own meals, where and with whom, okay? Just give me some notice? We can get groceries together with Allie tomorrow. That is a regular Saturday morning necessity!" Nathan explained. "Oh, and after church, we eat with Jon and Jane Samuels and their family. Jon said you are welcome to join us."
"Sure. Let's see how it goes when I meet A.J. today? I am here to visit you, but this may be an unexpected opportunity." Bill was grateful he had been able to fill-in Nathan last night after Allie went to bed and he felt he had an advocate in Nathan.
Nathan introduced Bill to his friends as they toured the Academy, then they crossed Parade Square to Headquarters. Bill was familiar with this building having visited various times over his years as both a Constable and as a Forensic Investigator. He was grateful for the tour though as it had been quite a while. Finally, Nathan walked him to the Finance Department and opened the door.
"Good morning, Adeline. You have a visitor!" Nathan stepped to the side to reveal Bill Avery standing behind him.
"Nath…" Adeline gasped and blushed a pretty pink as she stood. "Bill!"
"Hello, A.J. What a surprise to…" Bill couldn't finish his sentence as he was immediately engulfed by Adeline's warm hug.
Nathan nodded at Bill and closed the door behind him as he retreated, silently lifting a prayer for his friend and this beautiful woman.
Stepping back but still holding Bill's upper arms, Adeline spoke softly. "I've made a new start, Bill. I don't answer to A.J. anymore. A.J. served her time and doesn't exist anymore. You may address me as Addie or Elle or Adeli please?" She searched his eyes and found the same spark of interest she had remembered and dreamed about for the past six years.
Speechless, Bill considered his options, then recovered enough to whisper, "Addie." Bill shook his head. "Elle." He shook it again. "Adeli. I like Adeli. It fits you." He kept his hands around her waist.
"Then I am Adeli to you Bill. You look the same…" She searched his face and squeezed his arms. "Maybe a little thinner? Your desk job softened you up, huh? Or can you still pick me up like you did the first time we met, eh?"
There was always a teasing banter between the two of them and sparks flew now as if no time had passed.
"Remember I suffered a snake bite so that takes a lot out of you." Bill offered by way of excuse. "Probably never fully recovered."
"Oh? I would guess it was that kiss from which you never fully recovered, Bill." She tilted her blonde head and gave him a coy look.
Judge Bill Avery was in grave danger of losing his heart all over again. He was like putty in her hands and always had been. A brief memory of A.J. Foster dressed in a stunning blue dress flashed across his mind and he had to shake his head to return to the present. "That or the blue dress."
It was Adeli's time to blush and stammer. "Oh? You remember?"
Bill nodded. "Unforgettable."
"Then why didn't you ever say anything. I know you were speechless when I came out of that back room and you were jealous when I flirted with Joshua Baxter. We could have had something, Bill…" Adeli paused, "…Judging by that kiss." She glanced down at Bill's lips then back to search his eyes. "Why?"
"Ajjj… I mean Adeli, I was the sheriff, then became the judge. You were in prison. I couldn't even entertain the idea…"
"You really never thought of me at all?"
"I didn't say that." Bill blushed again. Suddenly aware of their surroundings, Bill let go of her and stepped back, whispering, "You are at work. Could you join me for lunch somewhere to talk? You need to name the place, but my treat." Bill looked hopeful.
Reluctantly Adeli let go of his arms and looked at the clock. "Can you meet me out front and we can go to one of my favorite Cafés? We'll take my automobile."
Bill raised an eyebrow. 'Only if I drive."
"You drive? That is something I have to see! It's a date." She observed Bill's face as she used that word and saw he didn't even flinch. "At noon?"
"I'll be there!" He bent to kiss her cheek, turned on his heel and left the office, leaving a breathless Adeli totally unable to concentrate on the work before her.
Bill burst into Nathan's office, only to find an empty desk and a surprised officemate.
"May I help you?" Wes asked as he stood.
"Oh. Sorry. I'm Bill Avery, Nathan's friend, colleague… ah really he's like my son."
"Ah hah! Nathan mentioned you were coming for a visit." Wes extended his hand and shook Bill's. "I am Sergeant Wes Murphy. I take it you are looking for Nathan?"
"I am. Do you know where I can find him? Before noon? It's sort of urgent." Bill kept his eyes sweeping the office as if Nathan would suddenly materialize before him.
"Bill, I am sorry but Nathan is supervising a class until lunchtime. Maybe I can help you with something? Especially if it's urgent?"
"Well, you might not think so, but Nathan would understand." He looked at Wes and figured the teasing would be worth it if he could impress Adeli Foster! "Can you tell me where the nearest floral shop might be? And is it in walking distance?"
"Bill, I can do better than that for someone close to Nathan. Let me take you there. I am free right now, okay?"
"Really? Would you? Thanks a lot. I am indebted." Bill turned to reopen the door and followed Wes into the hallway.
"My vehicle is in the parking lot over here." As they settled in the auto, Wes grinned at Bill. "She must be something special. Didn't you just arrive yesterday afternoon?"
Bill sighed. "Oh she is more than special…" Not even caring about the potential of teasing, he continued. "I haven't seen her in over five years and she is more beautiful than I remember. There's still a spark there too."
"Well, good for you, Bill. Don't let her go this time, eh?"
Bill nodded, lost in thought until Wes pulled in front of a pretty floral shop. "Be right back!" He was out the door before Wes could tell him to take his time!
Bill had left a note for Nathan telling him to pray, which is the same request he made to Wes driving back from the floral shop, and was now standing in front of the main entrance to Headquarters. He nodded as various Mounties exited and commented on the flowers or the lucky lady. Suddenly, there she was and Bill noticed no one else.
"Oh Bill! These are gorgeous. How sweet of you! Shall I go back in and get a vase?"
"No need. The florist gave me one for you." He leaned behind a bush where he had hidden the vase filled with cool water. "Here."
Carefully placing the bouquet of varied-colored roses in the vase. Bill offered to carry it for Adeli. This time, Adeli kissed him on the cheek, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow. When whispered, "Thank you, Bill. I love them."
"Good. I didn't know what color you might like so I bought a couple of each. Are any of these your favorites?"
Adeli pointed to the peach roses. "These. Because they remind me of the sky, the glow at sunrise or sunset. In prison I could see a patch of sky and especially at sunset a peach-colored glow filled the cell and gave me hope for a new day. Ever since peach has been my favorite." She squeezed Bill's arm before letting go to unlock the vehicle. "This is me. Do you really want to drive or shall I?
"I wanted to, but maybe I better hold the vase steady. I don't want you to get your pretty skirt splashed. I'll drive next time." With that he set down the vase and walked to the driver's side to open the door for her.
Adeli took note of everything Bill said and did. She had a lot to think about later. He kissed her cheek twice. He complimented her pretty skirt and told her she was as beautiful as ever when they sat across the table from each other at lunch. He paid. He covered her hand with his own when she held his arm. He was genuinely sorry she'd had to spend time in prison and was grieved he'd played a part in her arrest. He was grateful she had saved his life so selflessly, but regretted they had only shared one kiss. But, he described it as powerful and memorable! He had brought her flowers and asked her favorite color rose. He… Adeli's list continued and when she sat in bed that night, she listed everything wonderful about this day and about Bill Avery. Her final comment in her journal was, "And he is taking me to dinner tomorrow night!"
After dinner with Nathan, Allie, Peter and Carol, Bill thanked Carol for the delicious dinner and mentioned to please not wait up for him. He and the Grants had some catching up to do!
Settled into the front room of the Cottage after Allie was in bed, Nathan waited for Bill to tell all. He could tell Bill was about to burst. "Start at the beginning, Bill. Last I saw you were in her arms!" Nathan chuckled.
Bill blushed. "That was the first time!"
"Oh!" Nathan exclaimed then waited.
Bill shared their conversations. "…And she wants to be called Adeli now… Isn't that beautiful? Isn't she beautiful?" Bill continued in a steady stream of memories. "…And Wes took me to get roses… and she loved them… and peach roses are her favorites because she remembers the light that filled her cell at sunset… and during lunch we spoke as though we had never been apart, even though we shared so much that had transpired in the past five years… and…"
Bill was animated and alive and Nathan had never before seen him like this. Gone was the crusty curmudgeon and in his place was a man besotted! He was as excited as a teen boy as he detailed his day and his reunion with Adeli Foster!
Elizabeth Thornton headed to the Mercantile with her mother and Hudson, the family's butler. William had hired Mrs. Swift to cook and clean, but she had needed a few days off for family issues, so the family had planned a few simple menus for the next few days, deciding to split the responsibilities for cooking. Grace was sill hesitant to cook for anyone other than her husband, but promised to act as sous chef to both her daughter and butler. That she knew she could do!
"Good morning Elizabeth, Mrs. Thatcher, Hudson. How may I assist you today? Oh, Mrs. Thatcher there is letter for you from Hamilton and one for you as well, Elizabeth." Ned handed the envelopes to the ladies who thanked him and placed the mail in the bottom of their baskets.
"We have some grocery shopping to d,o Ned, so we'll let you know if we need your assistance. Thank you." Elizabeth answered as they turned to the aisles towards the back of the store, Each one had a separate list, but as she was more familiar with the shelves Elizabeth returned to the front of the aisle first.
"Did you get one too?" Leaning against the shelves, Elizabeth remained hidden but recognized Opal's excited voice as she heard paper being torn. "Oh! Listen! She says she is taking a class called Home Economics. I wonder what that is. Oh, she explains that some of it is cooking and how to entertain and run a household and sew…. She has made some new friends and one is from Barbados. We'll have to ask Miss Yost to show us where that is. She's going to be in chorus and go to a youth group at church. I wonder what that is?"
Emily continued with her letter. "She says there's going to be a Faculty Tea on Friday and she'll tell us all about the food. She is helping to make it in her class! Wow. Cooking in class! That sounds like fun. She said she saw Robert in chapel the first Sunday, but they aren't allowed to talk because of Mountie rules. I wonder what that means? Why would the Mounties have rules about talking? Oh, wait. She said her Dad let her talk to Robert after church for a few minutes and she hoped Robert or her Dad wouldn't get in trouble for that. She said Robert asked her to say a prayer for him because it's hard. She thinks we should pray for him too…"
The girls' voices faded as the door closed behind them. Elizabeth drank in the news as one parched. To herself she thought, 'It sounds as though Allie is thriving in Regina. So many wonderful opportunities… I wonder if she misses Hope Valley or even thinks of us?'
Her thoughts were interrupted as her mother placed her arm around Elizabeth's waist. "I'm all set. How about you, my dear?"
Elizabeth gulped to steady her voice before agreeing that she had collected everything on her list as well. Hudson approached the counter and began to unload his two baskets, explaining that all the Thatcher-Thornton items should go on Mr. Thatcher's account as previously. When his eye caught a pretty color on the side, he excused himself for a moment and waved Grace to follow him. She returned holding something behind her back and turned so that Ned could take note and add them to their bill.
After Hudson and Ned loaded the baskets and a crate in the back of the vehicle. Hudson carefully laid the extra purchase on top and shut the trunk lid.
When Elizabeth came down the stairs after collecting her journal to take to meet Dr. Ben, a beautiful arrangement of pink roses graced the dining room table. "Oh! These are lovely! Where did these come from?"
Grace smiled and William grinned, looking up from the floor where he was building a Lincoln log cabin with Jack.
"They are from your mother and me and Hudson!"
"Hudson?" Elizabeth looked confused.
"Well he was the one who saw them and waved me over. So yes, they are partly from Hudson, Sweetheart. Good man, isn't he?" Grace smiled as she handed Elizabeth her coat.
William was on his feet in a flash, lifting Grace's coat to help her and then helping his daughter into her garment. "You have a good session with the good doctor this morning. Jack and I will be fine, right Buddy?"
Jack was pulling at his mother's skirt. "Grandpa and me? We'll be good, Mommy." He tugged again. "Let me kiss you!"
"Elizabeth squatted to hug her son and receive and give kisses before departing. "I'll see you later Jack. Thanks, Father!" She reached up to kiss her father on his cheek which caused William to wink at his wife once his daughter's back was turned. He gave Grace a peck on the cheek and a sly pat on her backside causing them both to blush and laugh.
A lot of good things were coming from this surprise visit to Hope Valley and renewed love was just one of those good things!
