Chapter 43: Saturday in Hope Valley Part I
Nathan and Bill were tearing up the kitchen.
Literally.
All they had meant to do was fix a special breakfast for Millicent.
But when Nathan had walked into the kitchen, he didn't know Bill was already there, just outside the door to fill a large basin of fresh dishwater.
Nor did Nathan know Bill had left the oven door open (thankfully no longer scalding hot, but warm, nonetheless), which caused our Mountie to gallantly trip over it, breaking the entire door off in the process…
But when Bill came back into the kitchen, and saw Nathan on the floor, on top of the oven door, no less, he panicked.
Giving it everything he had, he tried his best to help his friend up, but in the process of said help, he spilled the entire basin of dishwater, pouring it all over both of them, soaking them and the floor!
As well as soaking the Eggs and Bacon, that he had already prepared and were left warming on top of the stove!
And yes, the Biscuits in the still warming oven, now doorless, were fairly soaked too from all the sloshing and splashing!
The only thing salvaged was the Coffee steaming away on the back burner, lid firmly intact.
But then again, it was Bill's Coffee, and it could have walked off the stove with or without the addition of the dishwater.
Unfortunately, Millicent and Allie were standing in the door by this time, stunned, looking at each other, not sure whether or not to believe the discombobulated scene they were seeing…
In fact, they were simply startled into silence and immobility.
As though they were in shock as it were, watching this scenario that just kept getting worse and worse…
"Stop! I do not need any more of your 'help,' Bill Avery! Just step back…"
You would have thought Nathan had been talking to a criminal he was about to apprehend, by the look on his face, the tone of his voice, and the large hand spread out in front of him, raised up from the wet floor…
But despite the warning, the poor Judge, for some reason or other, being quite slow on this particular uptake, kept right on trying to 'help.'
This time trying to lift Nathan up, but at the same time slipping in the water, with the Judge landing right on top of our new Chief Inspector, flattening him, if you will, in the process.
By this time, Millicent and Allie were back in action mode, feverishly running to help Bill off of Nathan.
After that no small feat was finally accomplished, Millicent and Allie together managed to get Nathan up out of the wet floor and into the living room, still dripping wet!
If the water on the floor could have produced steam, it would have been coming out of every orifice of our Mountie's head.
Instead, he was dead silent, as he sloshed up the stairs, mortified, with a nonplussed look on his face, and not a single word!
Bill waited a respectable distance, then sloshed up behind him, with Millicent and Allie hiding their faces in an effort to quieten their giggles.
"Allie, where is the mop? And we need quite a few towels!"
By the time the Chief Inspector and the Judge redressed, dried their wet hair, well, Nathan's wet hair, did their best to calm down, and returned with great embarrassment back down the stairs, with nary a word between them, Millicent and Allie had the kitchen back in sterling shape, all except, of course, the broken oven door!
Millicent was in the process of remaking the Eggs, Bacon, and yes, Coffee, too!
She had also cranked the oven up as hot as she could get it (minus said door, of course), in order to toast some bread, as baking Biscuits in an open oven was completely out of the question!
She also had some home-canned Pears cooking on the stove as well, to which she had added cinnamon and vanilla, along with a dash of nutmeg!
Allie had set the table, quite cheerily, placing a pretty cactus plant with hot pink blooms in the very center.
"Good morning, Mil!" smiled Nathan weakly, starting over as he kissed her on the cheek, oblivious of the Judge who was just behind him, grabbing a seat next to his own.
"Good morning, Love! Good morning, Bill! Breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes."
"Good morning, Allie!" her Dad added as he kissed the top of her head.
Nathan then sat down at his usual place, with the Judge sitting by him, both looking squarely, straight ahead, in an extreme effort to completely ignore each other's presence!
Millicent poured them each a cup of her freshly made Coffee, which unlike Bill's was actually drinkable, with two barely audible thank you's murmured in acknowledgement.
Allie stood taking in the vibe of the two men ignoring each other, given off loudly and clearly by both of them.
She could remember plenty of times her Dad and her Uncle Bill had had spats, but this somehow seemed different, even to a twelve year old.
Nathan Grant rarely, if ever, got mad, but Allie surmised this was as close as he had gotten.
It was then, that Millicent realized as of right now, it would probably be safe to say, that she and Allie were currently the only two adults in the room.
She finished frying the Eggs and Bacon, as Allie carried the platter of Spiced Pears and Toast and placed it on one end of the table.
Then Millicent set the platter of Eggs and Bacon on the opposite end.
Nathan did get up to help seat both Millicent and Allie, but his face wore a very strained smile at best.
Now, Millicent and Allie, both felt it might be best to not mention the aforementioned debacle they had been privy to witness earlier, although neither had said the words.
And Millicent being a brand-new Momma hadn't thought to explicitly warn her daughter.
That is of course, until Millicent asked Allie to say Grace, and the words came tumbling out.
"Allie, will you please lead us in prayer?" asked Millicent, quite innocently, as soon as everyone was seated.
"Dear Father, we thank You for our food, that it's not waterlogged. Well, this food that is. The food that Momma fixed. Amen. P.S. We thank You that Dad and Uncle Bill weren't seriously injured. And that they didn't kill each other. And that Momma and I didn't slip and fall and break our legs! Amen!"
"Amen," agreed Millicent, trying her best to hide a rapidly encroaching smile.
"Amen," grumbled the men, stealing a glowering glance at each other.
Bacon and Eggs were passed and eaten, along with the makeshift Toast and delicious Spiced Breakfast Pears, but not a single word was spoken, as the men looked glumly and directly at their plates.
"That's it!" declared Millicent. "As we say in court, time to make up and play nice, Gentlemen! Right Judge?"
"Oh, alright! I'm sorry! How was I to know you'd come down stairs when you did?" semi-apologized Bill.
"Which is exactly why you should never have left that oven door open in the first place, and none of this would have happened!" explained Nathan, in not the gentlest of tones.
"Gentlemen, stop. Breathe in, breathe out," instructed Millicent. "Judge, say something nice to Nathan."
Bill looked at Nathan like he was sizing up a mass murderer.
"Judge…" urged Millicent. "Something nice."
"Oh, alright. You look dry this morning!" responded the surly Judge.
"Bill Avery, if…"
Nathan could barely get the words out!
"Gentlemen, both of you stop this right now. Something really 'nice,' Judge."
"Oh well, I suppose I'm sorry. I'll just come out and say it like a man. It was my fault! And even though I'm mad as blazes, you're still like a son to me."
"I suppose that even halfway counts as nice, Bill. Nathan, now you say something nice to the Judge."
"Do I have to?" he asked just like a petulant child, but the look Millicent gave him clearly let him know he did.
"Well, I can truthfully say, there's never a dull moment when you're around."
"Nathan…something nice. Not an observation."
"And YOU'RE mad as blazes?" erupted Nathan to Bill.
"Nathan, now…"
"Oh, alright! I agree - it was totally your fault!" then his tone softened. "But you're still like a father to me."
With that both men reticently shook hands, breathed a deep breath and decided to let bygones be bygones, by forgetting the whole debacle.
"It's just not worth the effort! Besides, Bill, Millicent's breakfast is better than ours put together!" gleefully declared Nathan, knowing that would get Bill's goat more than anything.
"Yeah! How do you do that?" asked Bill incredulously, as he was the designated Chef.
"Gentlemen, I'd say it's probably just a woman's touch!" sighed Millicent.
Which, obviously, this particular rowhouse desperately needed, especially today…
Bill had gone to take Gabe on rounds, and they were both planning to meet Nathan, Millicent, and Allie for lunch at the Café.
Allie was curled up in her Dad's big leather chair, reading the book Uncle Bill had started with her last night. Nathan had covered her up with an afghan, and Millicent had brought her a hot cup of chamomile tea!
Millicent and Nathan were in the dreaded kitchen, cleaning up after their most unusual breakfast.
'Are you really okay, Darling?" asked Millicent glancing up at Nathan, from the dishes.
"I'm sorry I let it get to me, Love. With Bill, around, I should be used to his bizarre happenings by now."
"Even I can see that he means well, Love! I am glad we talked to Bill about me officially adopting Allie. That needed to be done, and you two truly needed to make up!"
"So am I. I love that you want it done with the Wedding! That will mean so much to Allie."
"I just think it's the perfect time to make us an official family. But Bill's right, I'll have to have a Montreal Judge to co-sign, as it will actually take place under his jurisdiction! But Bill will be able to sign as well, and he can file the papers back here, in Hope Valley's jurisdiction, if you'd prefer."
"I do think it would be nice for her Uncle to sign the papers. But as for the filing, I would go with wherever it becomes official the quickest!"
"Agreed! And that's definitely Montreal. You know, I was counting the days last night, and truthfully, our Wedding Day will be here before you know it. Which means you and I need to do some serious work!"
"How about tomorrow afternoon, after we eat our Sunday meal?"
"Sounds good! What are you planning for us today?"
"Well, after, our Lunch with Gabe, I thought we might ride back out to our property and do some exploring. How does that sound?"
"Riding Serena? And seeing our new land? Both sound wonderful! Oh, but Love, I don't think Allie's going to feel like riding quite yet."
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Just a second…let me check with her."
Nathan stuck his head through the door to get his daughter's attention.
"Hey, Allie, what do you think about us going to see Serena and Cookie after we have lunch with Uncle Gabe?"
"Yes! I was going to ask. I really miss Cookie! Dad you and Momma should go for a ride."
"But Allie, would you really be okay with that? I wanted us all to go see the land, but Momma says you won't feel like it."
"Can…may I just come back here and read?"
"Only if you ask one of your Uncles to stay with you."
"Can I ask Uncle Kyle? I think he needs a family most of all."
"I think that would be really nice, Allie. And then when we get back from seeing the land, we'll play your choice of board games till Dinner. Which will have to be at the Café since your Uncle broke our oven door!"
"Well, technically, Dad, you broke the oven door!" and Allie started to giggle.
Nathan chuckled.
"So, I did, didn't I? Thanks a lot, Baby Girl!"
"Dad, board games sound great, but you promised we'd get Mom's paintings out, and I think we'd better do it while Momma's here to help us hang them. You and I don't do so good at that."
"Well, you make a good point. Unpacking the paintings, it is! Then maybe we'll squeeze a board game in after dinner! How does that sound?"
"That sounds perfect!"
Nathan closed the door and crept back to Millicent who had just finished washing the last dish.
He grabbed her from behind.
"Is that you, Bill?"
"What? You are pushing your luck, Woman…"
She giggled.
"I love you, Nathan Grant, even when you do break our oven door! For which Essie would have your hide!"
"Don't I know it!"
She stretched her arms up around his neck, and stood on tiptoe to reach his lips, playfully kissing his nose instead.
"Yeah, not my finest moment," he murmured.
But not for long, as he lifted her to him, and placed his lips exactly where they belonged, squarely on her luscious ones, words were quite unnecessary.
As he kissed her, a pang seared through her core, realizing they would be apart for so very many days.
She kissed him with new fervor, holding him as tightly as she could, and if truth be told, missing him already.
"You didn't ask me what we were going to do tonight," he remarked.
"Were? What ARE we doing tonight, my Darling?"
"It is Saturday, you know. The perfect date night! I had thought we'd leave the night for just you and me."
"You did, did you?"
"Yes, I wanted to cook you a meal, but with the oven out of commission, after this morning's fiasco, and since the piece for the oven won't come in until Monday, I see our private date is going to have to wait!"
"Ooh, private date! Candles and everything?"
He laid his towel down, and placed his hands around her tiny waist, pulling her back to him, laying his head down by hers, taking in her scent.
"Candles and everything. Flowers, the works, Miss Bradford. Formal dress required."
"Yes, Sir! You just let me know when!"
She felt weak, and if he hadn't been supporting her, she would have surely fallen.
Because in so many ways, she had already fallen so very deeply in love, with this most honorable and loving man, who had been a constant throughout her entire life.
"Oh, how I love you," he muttered in a low gravelly voice.
While he was memorizing the feel of her in his arms, she placed her hands around his neck, as though she was memorizing each and every touch.
Because she truly was…
"Nathan, you are one lucky man!" grinned Gabe. "And I say this with all due respect, but Millicent are you sure this guy's the one?"
"The one and only, Gabriel! I think he always has been since we were ten years old!"
Nathan grinned and reached to give Millicent a quick kiss.
"There they go again…you might as well ignore them. They'll come back…eventually!" explained Allie, rolling her eyes for emphasis, but secretly loving how her Dad and Momma were to each other!
"Yep, Allie. I think they've got it real bad!"
"What about you, Uncle Gabe? How's that Miss Lillian?"
"Yes, Gabe, how is that Miss Lillian?" grinned Nathan, while Millicent laughed at the 'boys,' who always had to one-up the other.
"Well, I for one want to meet her, and her sister. I'm hoping I can be of service to them as a Barrister!"
"Millicent, you have made my day. Because when I tell Lillian that," and he turned to playfully cover Allie's ears, "She's bound to kiss me big time!"
"Uncle Gabe, I know what a kiss is!"
Nathan chuckled at Allie, and the thought of his pal kissing Miss Lillian.
"Well, you need some advantage, Old Boy, and this one is a great one! So, use it wisely," warned Nathan.
"You men! Allie, what are we going to do with them?"
"Momma, it's beyond me!"
"Me, too, Sweetheart!"
"Can I go order our dessert and surprise us?"
"May, Allie…" reminded her Dad.
"Sorry, Dad. May I go order desserts for us?"
"Yes, Sweetheart. Choose wisely! And you do know what I like!" he hinted.
"But I just realized. I know what you like, and I know what Uncle Gabe likes, but I don't know what Momma likes."
"Well, you're Momma's not too particular when it comes to sugar, so I'm sure whatever you choose will be fine!" assured Millicent.
And off Allie went, to find Clara, as her Uncle Bill had insisted he had something special to do in the kitchen.
"I tell you two, I'm beyond thrilled for the both of you! You know I am. And truthfully, I've known this would eventually happen from the first time I met you, Millicent. We just needed to light a fire under our Constable, I mean Chief Inspector, here! But that little girl is beyond the moon! It's like you've been her Momma forever! Colleen would be so very happy, Millicent, and so very pleased."
Millicent smiled, remembering her best friend, but it was a smile tinged with sadness, and she believed it always would be, for she would always, always miss her best friend, just as Nathan would always, always miss his beautiful twin.
Nathan took her hand, caressing her back, and feeling the exact same way.
It was an odd thing, but because their grief for Colleen was mutual, their individual loads somehow seemed lighter to bear, now that they were together.
Even Gabe could sense the difference.
"It was amazing, Gabe. We got off the Train, and it was like Allie had already figured everything out, including what to call Millicent!" explained Nathan.
"I only know this. If Colleen could hand-select Allie's mother, it would be you, and only you, Millicent," smiled Gabe, intrigued and thrilled that this was finally happening.
"That means a lot, especially coming from you, Gabe!" and Millicent reached to squeeze his hand, across the table.
"You're right Gabe, Colleen is very happy. I can feel it. And I'm so grateful. But, you didn't tell us about you and Lillian," reminded Nathan. "How are things going?"
"Slow, but steady. At least I think!"
"Why are they slow, Gabe?" asked Millicent.
"I'm not sure what it is. I know she cares for me. I think maybe she's just not ready to get serious. She thinks about the kids twenty-four seven. And maybe she figures there's not enough room for me in her life. I don't know."
"Okay, I'm meeting this Lillian sooner rather than later. I can read people like a book, and I'll know what's holding her back. Or are you even sure, she is holding back?"
"Her sister's in Europe, returning a child to her Grandfather, so Lillian's missing her and taken on all the responsibility of the children. It's pretty much just her and a housekeeper who helps. It's a lot."
"Have you asked her out?" asked Nathan.
"Not since her sister's been gone."
"Gabe, a woman doesn't have to have a fancy date all the time. Sometimes, just being there means the world. If she's extra busy, help her with the children! That would mean more to her than anything. Especially now, that she's bound to be overwhelmed with work."
"That's good advice. Hadn't thought about that. Was waiting to do something special. You know, like a regular date!"
"There's always time to do something special for her! But do something special for the children. That will thrill her more than anything. She just needs your presence right now!" assured Millicent. "I'm sure of it! Although flowers never hurt!"
Nathan smiled at her, "So noted, Love!"
"You've done spectacularly in the flower department, Darling!"
"You know, Gabe, Mil is right. Sometimes the very best times crop up when you least expect them. A moment in front of a fire, at the kitchen table, even at Church, or just a look across a crowded room," suggested Nathan, looking only at Millicent.
"Are you two doing demos right now?" chuckled Gabe.
"If that's what it takes!" laughed Millicent. "It's just we're so happy, how could we not want the same thing for you and for Lillian?"
"Maybe you should bring her to Montreal for the Wedding, Gabe," suggested Nathan.
"I'd love that, but I doubt she can get away. It's a good idea, though. Maybe I'll ask."
"Okay, Uncle Gabe, it's Chocolate Cake for you and Dad, and Momma, I brought you something fancy. Uncle Bill said he made it for you. He called it a Clafooties?"
"A Clafoutis! For your French lesson, the word means to cover or fill. It's a sort of custardy cake, almost like a flan. And this one's Cherry. It looks delicious! But what did you get, Sweetheart?"
"I got Brownies with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Hot Fudge Sauce. Uncle Bill's fixing it, now."
"Now, that sounds positively yummy! I might even have to have some of that Cinnamon Ice Cream!" smiled Millicent.
"You are sharing, right, Allie?" asked her Uncle Gabe.
"Uncle Gabe, you get Chocolate Cake, and it's really good Chocolate Cake," but Gabe still looked unconvinced. "Well, maybe, one bite!"
"That's my girl!"
"Dad, when we move to Montreal, can Uncle Gabe come to see us?"
Nathan and Millicent looked at each other with shocked expressions.
"What do you mean, Allie? We haven't gotten to talk about where we'll live yet," asked her father.
"I think we should live in the big city! I can't wait to see it!"
"That's great, but your Momma and I were thinking you might want to stay in Hope Valley during the school year, and us go to Montreal to spend our summers, to let your Momma catch up on her work there."
"Well, just so we're there, part of the time. I have a really big family I have to spend some time with! And we sure can't do that from here! But I guess we'll have to have two homes."
Millicent and Nathan exchanged an incredulous look, and Millicent put an arm around Allie.
"You know, Allie, I think it's very important you keep your friends, here, along with making new ones in Montreal. My home there is now your Dad's and yours. In fact, I'm going to give you my bedroom, if you like."
"Your bedroom? I get your bedroom?"
"If you'd like it! And I think you will," laughed Millicent. "It's a pretty special room! A little girly, but not too girly!"
"Allie, it's a beautiful townhouse in the city, and it sits across from a gorgeous park. You'll love it!" smiled Nathan. "Although it's a lot bigger than we're used to!"
"Will Uncle Hendrix and Auntie Essie be there, or do they stay with Grandpapa and Grandmama?"
"Yes, they most certainly will be there with us, and they will love having you there, Allie!"
Nathan, Millicent, and Gabe all shared a look, each thinking the exact same thing.
'From the mouths of babes…'
Then Millicent and Nathan shared a most incredulous parental look.
'Why in the world do we adults complicate everything…'
"Momma, I think Cookie's steadier on her feet. Look at her!"
"I think you're right. She does seem a lot sturdier!"
Nathan was feeding Serena her favorite bananas, realizing he would be her person while Millicent was in Montreal.
"Look, Dad! Look at Cookie!"
"She's looking more solid on her feet, Allie! You know, you'll start to see differences in her every day," noted her Dad. "She'll grow a bit and get stronger, too!
Nathan walked over to where Millicent and Allie were standing and wrapped his arm around Millicent's waist.
"Mr. Bouchard! Come meet my new horse!" called Allie.
Before Millicent and Nathan knew it, Lucas, the man who never came to the stables mid-day, was standing in the stall with them.
"Good afternoon, Lucas," smiled Millicent.
"Good afternoon, Lucas," nodded Nathan.
"Yes, Good day to all three of you. My, this looks to be a fine specimen of a horse, Allie!"
"She's perfect. Her name is Cookie, and her Momma is Serena. That's my Momma's horse, right there. Cookie is named 'Cookie' because she really likes cookies, but they're not good for her, so we have to give her carrots, instead."
Allie was going on a mile a minute, while Lucas quietly assessed the smiling couple standing in front of him.
No way on earth, did he understand this pairing.
Why this woman could have married into royalty if she had so chosen.
She was that cultured and that stunning.
She could have had any man she wanted.
What in the world did she see in this Constable from nowhere?
And why in the world had she never once looked at him?
'Why I would have given practically anything to have had this creature on my arm,' thought Lucas.
The part that really bothered him was that they both seemed genuinely happy, no not happy, more like deliriously in love.
And that was something Mr. Lucas Bouchard had never experienced.
He didn't realize it, but he was frowning, almost glaring.
"Lucas, is something the matter?" asked Nathan, quick to pick up on his aura.
"Oh, no. Uh…I best be going. You three have a good day!"
"You, too, Lucas!" but Nathan's eyes followed him out of the Livery.
Allie was sharp enough to wait till Lucas had left the building, before speaking.
"Why was Mr. Bouchard acting so strange?" asked Allie.
"I'm not sure, Sweetheart. Hey, why don't we head back to the rowhouse, change into our riding gear, Mil, and get you settled with your Uncle Kyle, Allie?"
Nathan had a thought, one that he preferred not to be thinking. An ominous thought. And he was going to have to remember to talk to both Bill and Security about it this very day.
Showing up once in the Livery, with no other people there and no place to go, was one thing.
But twice, in less than three days, with still no place to ride, was not a coincidence…
The air was quite chilling, but the ride was wonderful!
Millicent's cheeks were rosy from the cold.
"I can't tell you what it feels like to be riding Serena again!"
"You can tell she feels the same. Look at her, Mil! As happy as can be!"
"This is all thanks to you, my Love!" as she reached to caress Serena's glorious mane.
"Just to see you and Serena so happy, makes everything worth the effort, Darling!"
When the couple arrived at their new property, both were taken aback by its beauty.
"I just can't believe this property, or that it's Bill's. He never once said anything about owning this. It's never been included in rounds, either."
"I'm afraid it's ours now, Darling! He was pretty adamant," smiled Millicent. "Quite the magnificent Wedding Gift!"
"I can see it all so clearly. The house should sit right here, facing this side of the river, with the mountains behind. We'll need stables, and of course, a house for security, and probably a guest house."
"Do you really think we need a guest house, too?" asked Millicent.
"Well, think about it, parents, family, and I'm not at all sure about this, but Hendrix and Essie are chomping at the bit to come with us."
"Yes, they are. I suppose you're right. I just don't want you overworked, Nate. You'll have a brand new, very demanding job, too," she reminded him. "Don't forget that."
And then with a smile, she added, "Besides, we'll be newlyweds."
He leaned over from Newton, to lovingly kiss this beautiful woman who would be his wife.
"I don't know what I did right, but to think about you and me being newlyweds together, why, it's almost more than a man can comprehend, my Darling!"
"You're already a part of me, Nathan Alexander Grant. You do know that, don't you?"
"As much as you're already a part of me Millicent Alexandria Bradford, soon to be Grant."
"I love the sound of that! Mrs. Nathan Grant," and she looked into his sparkling blue eyes, sending him messages of love in that single look, that were theirs alone.
"This is so real, and it's truly happening, Mil. You and me! And Allie, and lots of little ones!"
Both were so taken in with that very thought, and each other, as well as the electricity that was in the air, that they almost forgot what they were there to do.
But slowly remembering, Millicent slyly glanced ahead to get her bearings, then turned back to him with a most beguiling look.
"Race you!" and she was off.
Both on horseback, her on Serena, him on Newton, ready to race through the cold wind together, both laughing, one after the other.
Nathan looking masculine and rugged, with the wide brim of his ranch hat lowered just enough to shade his sparkling, teasing eyes.
Millicent looking spectacular, with her long blonde hair flowing out into the cold wind behind her.
And with pure happiness and joy etched on his handsome and her most gorgeous, face.
"So not fair!" and he galloped off after her, both laughing, wondering if they could ever feel more love than they did at this very moment…