CHAPTER 78
Nathan woke to an empty bed, he reached for his watch which was on the bedside cabinet and couldn't believe it was turned half seven, he never slept this late. As he crossed the landing to the bathroom he smelt the coffee. He washed and dressed and was surprised when he saw Bea was also dressed and ready to face the day.
"Morning darling, you must have been even more tired than I was." She poured him a coffee and handed it to him with a kiss.
"I can believe I have slept that long, and I never woke up once. Have you been up long?"
"About an hour or so, I didn't stir all night but awoke needing the bathroom and a drink. I feel better for the early night though. You were dead to the world when I came back in to get my clothes, you must have needed it ."
"I guess I must, maybe it is peace of mind, once I drink this I may feel the benefit."
"How about a bacon buttie for breakfast?"
"A what? " he laughed
"OK a bacon sandwich, it is a buttie back in the UK, would set us up for the day."
"You do have some funny words and sayings, there again I guess to you we do too."
"Oh you do, believe me, now sandwiches it is."
He stood and watched her and couldn't help but smile. She had her hair tied right up in a high ponytail, it swung from side to side when she moved, this really was more like a horses tail than the usual mane. Newton swished his tail like it when he was trying to swat flies. He better not tell her that.
He had to admit the bacon butties had gone down a treat now he was fully awake he did feel better for such a long sleep.
"What is the plan for today then princess. I need to write that card first."
"I thought we could drop that off then head to the livery, take the boys for a walk, I want to see if I can get Sergeant out too."
"Bea you will be careful there won't you, the last thing I want is Elizabeth causing trouble again, the less we have to do with her the better."
"If she takes offence at me saving that beautiful creature then she is the one with a problem, and I can handle her Nathan, believe me. Don't worry."
He did believe her, when it came to animals you didn't mess with his wife that was for sure.
"I will see if I can catch Bill and ask if he knows the situation there, I tell you who would know, Vic. I may just telephone him on Monday to see what he knows."
"That would be a good idea, I am sure he would know, he would not be happy if he saw the poor lad I know that."
"You are right there, the horses that pass through his hands are like his children, I will do that if Bill doesn't know."
"If we do that then call and get the card for the pictures and the hinges for the box then head over and get this cleaning party on the go, I think we will get it done today. It isn't as bad as it looks."
He went to his desk and took out his fountain pen then picked up the card, he thought for a brief moment then wrote it. He blotted it then passed it to Bea, "Will that be OK princess?"
With her eyes full of tears they met his "Perfect daring."
It read "Remembering the miners of Coal Valley. Your story travelled over land and sea, and brought love like no other to Hope Valley and me ... Never forgotten, forever grateful, Nathan and Morag Grant."
Bea attached the card to the bouquet and knew that her tears would not be the only ones shed when that note was read.
They left the bouquet on the table in the small entrance to the church, Bea always thought of it as the church rather than the schoolhouse. She would check in a few days and once it was past its best she would remove it. "That is definitely the right place for it Bea, no place more fitting. Now let's get these boys walked before it gets hot again, around the pond and back will do them."
They didn't saddle the boys, Nathan had been worried about how Sergeant would react, he should have known better by now, Bea worked her magic again and he walked happily along in between Newton and Hero. He even started to eat when they put him back in his stall. It was a start, she thought.
While Nathan went to get hinges for the memory box Bea went and bought the card from the mercantile, she thought it would just fit if not then Ned did say he could get her some bigger. As she walked back down the street Faith was just coming out of the infirmary.
"Early start Faith?"
"Bea, morning, I was up early but only because I find it hard to sleep in this heat. I had some notes to write up and thought I may as well get them done. Now I have the day to myself unless we have any emergencies. What about you? You are out and about early too."
"We are helping Colin today, cleaning the rooms above the forge, he is moving down into town this morning. With a hard day's work we should have it ship shape and homely by tonight."
"You don't need a hand do you? It would give me something productive to do today and I would be glad of the company."
"Faith the more hands the better, your help would be most welcome. Come on, let's get these buckets and mops into action."
They met Nathan coming out of the Hardware store, "We have an extra pair of willing hands, see I knew party was the right word."
Party was the right word because as they turned the corner there was Mary waiting outside. " I thought you might like a helping hand, Jed told me last night what you were doing, cleaning is my thing you know and I would love to help, if that is alright."
Bea gave her a hug, "Mary you are welcome anytime, and thank you, Colin won't know the place when we are finished."
With the four of them working together by the time Colin arrived just turned one o'clock the place was looking like new. Mary was just cleaning the windows, Faith was cleaning the cupboards in the kitchen, Nathan was rehanging the lampshades, Bea, he laughed, was nowhere to be seen but he could hear her singing. The other three joined his laughter.
"Colin, have you got any clue what that song is, she has been singing it all morning?"
"I am sorry to say I do, not normally a ladies song, wait I will shock her " he was still laughing. As Bea finished Colin started to sing
"I've been a wild rover for many's the year
And I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more"
She came out of the bathroom grinning just in time to join the chorus,
"And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more"
"Sis, where on earth did you learn that?"
"You know I can't actually remember, I think the beaters at the grouse shoot but I could be wrong. It's kind of catchy, you could all sing the chorus."
Colin just shook his head, "Never change sis " he laughed.
"I can't believe the difference in here, thank you all."
"Nearly done Colin," said Mary, "we have the curtains to hang and the bed to make, then we can wash the floors as we all go out, should dry in 15 mins and then you can bring your things in."
"Well let me buy you all lunch as a thank you, it is the least I can do."
"Princess what are you doing?"
"I was going to hang these."
"No you don't let me do that, you and Mary do the bed, Colin and I will do the stretching."
Mary insisted on washing the floor and as everyone stood looking in from the doorway when she was finished they all felt as if they had achieved something. The place would be perfect for Colin, he would be happy here.
They headed to the saloon for lunch, "shall we sing as we go?" and at that she broke out singing again, the others just laughed at her. "You lot are no fun."
The five of them laughing caused a stir as they walked in, "Maybe another verse is in order?"
"No" they all replied in unison.
Colin went to get drinks and Faith went to the ladies room.
"Nathan, Bea, did you catch Jed this morning? We were a bit late as he waited for me."
"We didn't Mary, Bea and I took the boys out early."
"Well, we spoke about you know what last night, and the answer is yes. We need to ask a couple of things, sort them, but yes, we know the place will be in the right hands."
Nathan and Bea just looked at one another and smiled. "Mary it will and thank you. After I give Colin a hand we will walk over and have a word with you both."
Bea couldn't speak.
"You OK Bea, I thought you would be happy?"
"Mary I am, really I am, it will be the realisation of my dream, thank you."
"Oh lass don't be crying, you will have me going again."
Nathan got up and wrapped his arms around her, she buried her head in his chest and sobbed "Happy tears."
When Colin came back he wondered what had happened, why was sis crying?
"Colin, remember Bea's idea about the livery? Well, Jed and Mary have agreed to sell it to us, so happy tears."
"Today just gets better and better, congratulations you two. Have you and Jed got any plans Mary?"
"Get under each other's feet," she laughed.
"Let's not say anything until it's all sorted though, best idea I think."
"Oh I agree Nathan, Jed will be telling me off for saying something before he did as it is."
Faith came back and they all ate a much-deserved lunch courtesy of Colin.
Mary headed off to call at the mercantile and the four headed back to the forge. The floors were dry and in no time they had all of Colin's things unloaded. Some were put straight into cupboards others were left for him to sort.
"I really can't believe that is me moved in and more or less sorted, thank you again so much. I am all ready to open now on Monday and have tomorrow more or less free."
"Well, bro oh and Faith you too, we are hoping to get the photographs tomorrow and I am going to cook a proper English roast beef dinner with all the trimmings and relive the day. Well we hope, Lee and Rosemary are coming, would you both like to come?"
"Yorkshire puddings sis?"
"Well of course" she grinned.
"Then I am in and make extra, I haven't had them in years, lots of gravy too."
"Would you like to come to Faith? You are really welcome."
"If you are sure it isn't any extra work then I would love to."
"I will make enough to feed an army anyway, so it's no extra work."
"Will be around 5 o'clock I think but will let you know for certain in the morning at church, are you going to come Colin, to church?"
"Now I am in town I certainly will."
"Warning Colin they don't sing like we do back home."
"Bea I really can't wait to hear the singing in this chapel of yours, do you really all sing loud?"
"We do darling, we raise the roof, it is the best feeling ever. One day I will dare to do it."
Faith was laughing " Bea as long as you sing a hymn and not a song about a wild rover."
They all laughed and a chorus of "No, nay never " rang out.
Plans made to meet in the morning Nathan and Bea headed over to the livery. Nathan stopped before turning the corner.
"Bea, you sure this is what you want, it won't be too much for you ?"
"I am positive darling, the final pieces of our future are all falling into place."
"Let's see what Jed has to say first, but I think you are right."