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Chapter Fifty-three
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The Grants
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The senior Grants were due to arrive in Regina at six on Thursday evening.
Carol had offered to heat the Irish Stew in her kitchen so that it would be hot for the Grants upon arrival. Allie and Nathan baked the biscuits and prepared the table with the best of Colleen's linens, china and crystal. Allie placed her floral bouquet of fall-colored chrysanthemums in the center of their dining table as Nathan had hoped she would. She had added some dried grasses, flower pods and Queen Anne's lace. At the base of the vase, Allie arranged a couple small gourds and some dried pods to complete the autumn arrangement and both she and her Dad declared the setting beautiful and special.
Nathan and Allie sat together outside the stationmaster's office at the Regina train station, awaiting the incoming train. While they waited they played a game they had played since Allie was a little girl. One would begin a story about someone they saw waiting and the other of the two of them would add another sentence to the story, then back to the first person to continue. They had created some fascinating storylines over the years, and anytime they had to watch and wait this helped the time pass quickly!
Today's tale centered on a young mother and her child who were anxiously awaiting the train's arrival. They decided the woman was anxious because her son was impatiently hopping up and down and circling around her so frequently that she had to continually change hands in order to keep him with her and to keep from spinning around. The little boy just couldn't wait. They invented an entire backstory about a young Mountie returning from an assignment to meet his wife and child and prepare them to move. As Nathan observed, he was reminded of Elizabeth and Jack, so he became somewhat melancholy until the whistle blew.
Making their way closer to the platform, Nathan and Allie peered in every window they could see. Nathan's height was an advantage and he spotted his parents first. Pointing to the car, Nathan directed Allie excitedly. "There they are!"
Allie was bouncing with joy when Archer and Ruth prepared to exit the train. Nathan had hurried to assist his mother as even the extra step placed by the conductor was a difficult step to take with a cane. Safely on the platform, the Grants stepped aside and encircled each other with hugs.
"Oh, Grandmom and Grandpa. it is so wonderful to see you!" Allie wouldn't release her grandmother, keeping her arm around her waist.
"Sweetheart, it is good to see you too. You've grown taller though. My goodness!" Ruth lifted Allie's chin. "And you are as pretty as ever, Allie. Your grandfather is right, you look very much like your mother." When Allie moved, Ruth caught a glimpse of something new. "Allie! Do I see earrings? When did you get those?"
Grinning and pushing her hair back, Allie moved her head from side-to-side. "Dad allowed me to get my ears pierced for my birthday and gave me these gold studs. I love them!"
"Where in the world did he get that idea? It doesn't seem as though that would be something a single fella would think of! They are very nice though and make you look more grown up!" Ruth patted Allie's cheek as they waited for Nathan and Archer to collect their luggage.
"Are you all set?" Nathan returned to his mother and daughter.
"We are. I am a bit stiff though." Ruth took a tentative step, leaning heavily on her cane. May I hold your arm, Nathan?"
"Of course, Mom." Nathan took her arm and squeezed her close to his side as they made their way to the car.
"Wow! Son! What a handsome vehicle!" Exclaimed Archie.
"Remember I wrote to tell you? Her name is Midnight, Grandpa." Allie exclaimed. "She is beautiful though, isn't she?"
"Ahhh, yes. Of course. You bequeathed her name, right?"
Nodding Allie confirmed, then explained her reasoning.
Soon the Grants were heading towards home by way of a drive past St, Anne's Academy and the Mountie's Depot. "I don't know how much we can show you since this is a short trip, but at least this gives you some idea of the size and scope of the places!" Nathan explained as he then drove home.
Upon arrival, welcoming lights lit the main house and the golden glow spilled out onto the lawn surrounding the house. "That is where you will be staying," Nathan nodded as he brought the car to a full stop. "And that is the Cottage where Allie and I live."
"This is a large property, Son. But it is so wonderful that they are sharing it with you…" Archie took in a fortifying breath and continued. "And with us as well."
"We'll meet them now and get you settled a bit before going to the Cottage for dinner." Nathan helped his mother out of the car. Surprised to hear Peter call out, Nathan turned to see him pushing a wire-wheeled, wooden, cane-backed chair towards the car.
"I borrowed this for the weekend, Mrs. Grant. I thought it might help you? At least between the house and the Cottage." Peter Collins extended his hand. "I am Peter Collins, Mrs. Grant." He turned to a speechless Archer, extending his hand again. "Mr. Grant. Welcome to Regina!"
"Oh my stars! I have never seen the likes of this." Ruth looked at the Commissioner. "So I just sit down here?"
"You do, although you need to tell me if you would like a cushion on that seat." Peter stood on one side of Ruth and Nathan on the other, assisting her.
From her rolling seat, Ruth laughed. "I feel positively regal!" She reached out her cane to Nathan and nudged his leg. "You push me Son. This will be fun!"
Laughing, Nathan agreed as he bowed and said, "At your service, Ma'am…"
Joining in the laughter, Archer and Peter grabbed the luggage, while Allie ran ahead to open the door to the sunroom.
Nathan tilted the chair to maneuver over the first threshold, but Ruth had to stand and take the step into the main house with Nathan's assistance.
Carol emerged from the kitchen untying her apron as she did so. "Hello, Mrs. Grant. What an honor to meet you and welcome you into our home!" Carol opened her arms to hug Ruth and Nathan's mother gladly returned the hug, though she was only just meeting the Commissioner's wife. In spite of hugging her, Ruth could hardly speak.
"I… I didn't expect all this!" Ruth finally spoke softly.
"All this? What, my dear?"
"The rolling chair, your welcome… I mean you are the Commissioner's wife after all." Ruth explained.
Carol laughed and was joined by Peter as he entered with Archer and the luggage. Carol nudged Ruth. "A Commissioner is not royalty, Mrs. Grant! He's just a man. A wonderful man, but nevertheless a man!" Carol patted Ruth's arm. "As a matter of fact, please call me Carol? You too, Mr. Grant. We are not formal in our home."
Still surprised, Ruth nodded and managed to speak. "And call me Ruth, please?"
"And Archie?" He requested as he nodded. "Thank you."
"Take a seat again, Ruth, and we'll show you your room so you can freshen up or unpack a bit before dinner in the Cottage. Nathan? Please push your mom?" The room wasn't far down the hallway, but Carol wanted Ruth to get used to the chair.
"Gladly!" Agreed Nathan.
"Now, may I unpack and hang your clothing for you?" Carol offered.
"Oh, my stars… No thank you." Exclaimed Ruth. "I can manage that and Archie will help too. You have already done enough, just to host us!"
"On the contrary, I've done very little. Allie helped me make up the beds, Nathan brought you the flowers, Allie and I cooked yesterday and Peter will carry the stew pot to the Cottage when you are ready! I am looking forward to sharing our home and getting to know you, Ruth. We have a deep appreciation for Nathan and Allie, so we already have a lot in common!" Carol bowed slightly, then turned to depart the room as Archie placed the luggage on the bench at the foot of the bed. "Oh, the dresser drawers are empty and clean, and towels are in your own bathroom to the right, so make yourself at home." Carol pointed in the right direction, then added cheerfully. "See you shortly!"
Allie grinned at her Grandmother. "May I help you unpack, Grandmom?"
"I am a bit overwhelmed, Allie! But, yes, that suitcase is mine. If we can hang the suit, blouses and dress, that will be a good start. I'll handle the rest later."
Throughout the introductions that never really happened, Nathan and Archie were dumbfounded and hardly able to speak up, until they entered the Cottage. Before Peter departed after carrying the stew into their kitchen, Peter requested the elder Grants address him as Peter and asked if he could address them as Ruth and Archer.
"Archie, please? Thank you, Sir… I mean Peter." Archie colored slightly.
"You are exactly like your son, Archie. It took him quite some time before he could remember to say Peter." Peter grinned at Nathan. "Now enjoy your delicious dinner and family-time. Return to the house whenever you are ready. Early or late. No problem."
When the door closed behind him, the floodgates of exclamations burst open.
"Nathan! That was the Commissioner?" Archie was recovering his speech. Knowing his own history, Archie never thought a Mountie, other than his own son, would ever be so kind or friendly.
"Yes, Dad. He is a very special man and a dear friend." Nathan smiled, knowing just how much of a friend Peter and Carol were to him and his family. He shook his head, then welcomed his parents. "This is the Cottage. The wheeled chair won't fit, so you'll have to walk around inside, Mom. Allie? Do you want to take your grandparents on a tour? I'll get the beverages and call you to the table when I am ready."
"Dinner is served!" Nathan leaned on the door-jam of Allie's room, watching his Mom and Dad listening attentively to Allie. "Sorry to interrupt, but we want to enjoy the meal while it is hot!"
After giving thanks, Nathan suggested Allie serve the bowls of fragrant stew. "Allie made this, so I am sure it will be especially good. She is becoming quite the chef and baker!"
"Oh, Sweetheart! This is delicious!" Ruth took another bite. "Would you like to cook with me while we are here?"
"Oh, yes, please, Grandmom. Did you bring some recipes?"
Ruth laughed, joyfully teasing Allie. "I did, but you cannot read them."
Confused, Allie questioned. "Where are they if I can't read them?"
"Right up here!" Ruth pointed to her head. "All memorized and used for many years."
Giggling, Allie, responded. "Of course, Grandmom. But can you show me so I can write them in my recipe book? I would be afraid to cook without a written recipe."
"After many years you'll find you remember a lot of favorite dishes, Sweetheart. We'll have to decide on which of your father's favorites to prepare, plus we want to make our Saturday meal extra special." Ruth smiled, happy to be with her dear family. "I see you used Colleen's linens and dishes. It is lovely to see them again." Nodding to the centerpiece, Ruth added, "Is that your handiwork, Allie? It's beautiful."
Nathan had already called Rachel Bell and excused himself from choir practice to spend time with his family. When the announcement was made at rehearsal that evening, there was noticeable disappointment, amongst both men and women, although for some the reasons were different than for others! Nathan Grant had become highly favored in just one week.
Having enjoyed the meal and given many compliments to Allie, the Grant family sat in the front room.
Ruth admired Colleen's paintings that hung around the room. "Nathan? Your father and I brought something with us to give to Zachary. We'll bring it here tomorrow, but do you remember Colleen's painting of the sun streaming in the window on her jar of paint brushes?"
"Oh, I remember. The play of light and shadows in that painting is extraordinary. Are you giving that to Zach?" Nathan leaned forward, moved.
"Yes, Son. I hope you don't mind?" Questioning, Archie watched Nathan. "It is small and easily transported, so we thought it would be nice if Zachary had something his sister had painted."
Abruptly, Nathan interjected. "Allie? Would you please get Uncle Zach's card to show to Grandmom and Grandpa?"
Allie nodded and hurried to retrieve the card from her room. "Here." She handed the illustration to her grandparents. "Isn't this lovely? Uncle Zach drew it! See his initials?"
Nathan cleared his throat. "Evidently Zach is an artist too." Nathan shook his head in awe. "You couldn't have chosen a better painting to gift him than the one of the jar of paint brushes! He will love it!"
