Hope Leads the Heart
Chapter 2 A Basket and a Family
Nathan looked up to see two smiling, but slightly disheveled figures standing just inside of the front door. Bill was covered in sweat and dust from head to toe, looking every bit like someone who had worked a long day cleaning the stables, moving boxes, and then unpacking. Allie was right beside her Uncle Bill, carrying a basket of food that filled the room with a mouthwatering scent. She looked trim and pretty in a simple light blue dress with a lace collar and short sleeves that emphasized her beautiful eyes, silky long brown hair, and suntanned arms. Nathan's eyes swept over them from head to toe and he couldn't suppress a grin- he was proud to call them family!
"Well, Nathan, how nice of you to take a break and settle in that chair while Allie and I did our best to make the place livable today!", fumed Bill in a dry, sarcastic voice. "No thanks to you, partner, but I'm pretty sure we'll rest easy and comfortably tonight. There isn't anything more to do that can't wait until tomorrow!"
As Nathan started protesting and defending his work ethic, Allie interjected with a giggle, "Oh, Uncle Bill! You know Dad moved furniture and unpacked boxes and boxes of books and supplies! Stop teasing and let's sit down to eat and share our news with Dad. I'm starving and we're all too tired to do much cooking. Lucky for us, Mrs. Canfield sent Cooper over with this delicious basket of food for our dinner. It's almost dark. Why don't both of you go wash up while I set the table? Take advantage of our indoor plumbing!"
Minnie Canfield had bought the café from Bill, and in spite of her long, hard workday she had kindly anticipated their need for a good meal on their busy moving day. As they bantered, teased, and celebrated this good fortune, the men were only too happy to wearily shuffle off to the bathroom. While they were making themselves presentable, Allie found plates and tableware in the kitchen and placed three settings around the table. She removed the napkin that covered the basket of food, placed fried chicken on a platter and potato salad in a large bowl. To her delight, Minnie Canfield had included some fruit, cheese, and 3 pieces of her famous apple pie, too!
By the time Allie was filling their glasses with lemonade, the two men had returned looking not only clean, but handsome, too, in spite of their end of day facial stubble. Allie couldn't help smiling at the pair of tall, blue-eyed crime fighters that made such an effective team and that she loved so dearly. She had to admit, her affection for Bill had blossomed and grown over time, ever since he had helped Uncle Nathan become her legal dad. Allie no longer remembered a time when Uncle Bill wasn't an important part of her world. He comforted her when Mrs. Thornton's behavior had shattered her dreams of having a real family with a mom, dad, and little brother. He had been there for her dad to lean on when Lucas Bouchard and Mr. Spurlock brought such evil to Hope Valley. Most importantly, Allie suspected that Uncle Bill had tried to help her dad move on from his unrequited love for her teacher. They might not look alike or actually be related by blood, but they had each other's back and were family all the same.
The three of them selected seats around the oak table and Bill and Nathan gaped at the sumptuous spread in front of them! Nathan insisted they take a minute to say grace and voice their gratitude for their new home, the end of the influenza epidemic, a return to better times in Hope Valley, but most importantly, for the gift of each other. As they gazed across the table at each other, their "Amen" was strong, clear, reverent. Each of them filled their plate with food, and once they took the first bite, it didn't take long for appetites to take over and silence any further conversation. They hadn't eaten since breakfast, ignoring their hunger pangs to focus on unpacking and setting up their new home.
Within a few minutes, the delicious meal was finished. Bill thought Nathan was looking exceptionally lean after the long months of hard work investigating the criminal element that had overrun Hope Valley, and was glad to see Nathan scrape his plate clean. They all devoured every last morsel of Minnie's famous apple pie.
As Nathan pushed his chair back from the table he queried, "Now that we are all stuffed, would one of you tell me what "news" you were referring to when you walked in an hour ago? I've been waiting in suspense and hoping it is something exciting!"
Allie chimed in enthusiastically, "Dad, Cooper told us the Hotel Le Veaux is open for business! Mr. and Mrs. Coulter have completed all the renovations and are having an Open House tomorrow right after the Town Council meeting. They convinced Gustave Pepin to stay on as chief cook and he is preparing all kinds of pastries for us to enjoy. Fiona is going to manage the hotel and has wonderful ideas for entertainment that she brought with her from her last trip to San Francisco. The saloon has been closed for so long. Isn't it exciting that it will look like a totally new place?"
Before Nathan could respond, Bill added, "We have a lot to discuss at the Council meeting. Apparently, Henry has some proposal for the old library that he would like to get a decision on before the start of the new school year. Mayor Hickem has information about a new teacher, and an update about the medical office. Then there is the bridge. He has received many complaints about the old bridge and is seeking input to resolve the situation once and for all. Seems like Hope Valley is anxious to remove all reminders of the last 18 months of hardship and loss and rebuild for a new future! The meeting will start at 10:00 tomorrow morning."
"Well, that is exciting news for sure, Allie! Lee Coulter has said that the renovations were extensive and I can't wait to see what the old saloon looks like. It was good of the Coulters to ensure Gustave and Fiona had jobs in the hotel. Fiona is quite the organizer and smart business woman. It would be a shame to lose Gustave's wonderful talents in the kitchen, and after all, they both were innocent victims in Bouchard's schemes. I'm glad things are looking up! Bill, we should plan on a long meeting if all those items are on the agenda!"
"I don't know about you two," said Bill with a yawn, "but I am beyond tired and just want to turn in. I want to get an early start with the boys on the branding tomorrow, and then ride into town to the meeting with you, Nathan. Afterward, we can go to the Open House and then stop at Yost's Mercantile to pick up some supplies I ordered. Let's take a wagon instead of the car. Allie, I assume you'll want to go with us?"
"Yes, Uncle Bill. Could we make a brief stop at the cemetery, Dad? I would like to place some flowers," said Allie.
Looking at both of them, Nathan nodded in agreement and responded, "Sounds like a good plan and a very full day for us. Bill, why don't you go to bed while Allie and I take care of dishes and clean up? After all, I have to pull my weight around here!"
Noting Nathan's covert reference to his joking about not helping enough, Bill agreed without hesitation and started down the hall to his room. "I won't argue about those dishes. Good night, then."
Father and daughter made short work of kitchen clean up and then sat down to enjoy a few quiet moments of reading. With the exception of a few stars peeking through the clouds, darkness had enveloped the outdoors, and they soon found it impossible to keep their eyes open any longer. They looked at each other with a smile, closed their books, and turned off reading lamps.
The two of them tiptoed down the hall past Bill's room, stopping at the doorways across from each other. Nathan stooped down a little to receive Allie's hug.
"Good night, Allie. Pleasant dreams. First night in our new home!"
Allie kissed her dad on the cheek and embraced him. "Good night, Dad. I love you."
The two doors opened and closed tightly and the occupants of the two rooms immediately changed into bedclothes. As soon as their heads hit the pillows, they both fell fast asleep. Not a sound was heard at the Double M for the rest of the night. Even the crickets stopped their symphony to sleep peacefully.