Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 6, Part 5, Page 38
It was dinner time and Allie came inside to join Oma. After saying grace Oma dished out the Sauerbraten and schnitzel. Allie was really developing a taste for her grandmother's cooking. Emily was teaching her favorite recipes from the old country, and was so delighted to pass these tried-and-true dishes on to another generation. They laughed and joked through their dinner so it was such a joyful time for the two of them. As they were cleaning up the dinner dishes, they heard a ring and looked out the door. Mary Grace was there and she rode over on a bicycle and was standing right outside in the yard. The bicycle was a shiny red all cleaned up and dressed with a big bow.
"Hello Allie!" Mary Grace called to her.
"Oh hello, what a pretty bicycle you have!" Allie smiled.
"Do you like it?" asked Mary Grace.
"Yes, can I try it please?" Allie asked without hesitation.
"You sure can, in fact you can try it for as long as your grandmother allows you, now, and the next day, and the next day..." Mary Grace answered.
"What? Really, you are giving it to me?" Allie ran up to her.
"Sure am Allie, I hope you like it." Mary Grace laughed.
"Oh, you are such a great friend, Dad was right!" Allie hopped on the bike and took off around the house smiling and clinking the bell.
"Seems like she is really having a great time!" Emily gushed. "Thank you so much Mary Grace."
After a few trips around the house, Allie hopped off the bicycle and ran to Mary Grace and gave her a big hug! "Thank you so much!"
"Your quite welcome Allie! I'm so glad you like it." Mary Grace replied.
"Come on in and set a spell please." Emily invited. "Thank you so much for giving Allie your bicycle, she seems thrilled. Please have some chocolate cake with Bavarian cream inside" tempted Emily.
"Yes, thank you, it makes me happy to know my bicycle is in good hands," Mary Grace said as she had a seat at the dining table. "Allie, your grandmother asked me if I could talk to you about music. Since your dad plays the guitar and sings, we were wondering if you would like to learn to play an instrument or take some lessons in singing?"
"Really?" Allie questioned. "This is my lucky day! I would love to learn how to play guitar just like him. Can I take lessons from you?"
"Well, that's the idea!" Mary Grace grinned.
"Angel, if you would like to learn to play the guitar then that's what will happen. You and your dad deserve to be happy and if this helps you find joy together than that's what I want too!" Emily hugged her granddaughter.
"That sounds like a yes, so let me try to find a guitar for you and we can start as soon as I do!" Mary Grace agreed.
"Yippee!" and with that Mary Grace received another hug!
Nathan went to Lee's to see what lumber he might have available. "Seeing as how I have a sign project to do for some friends, I thought I'd best be getting started." Nathan greeted Lee.
"Hey, I know just what you need." laughed Lee.
"Okay, so what do you want it to say exactly?" Nathan asked.
"That's up to you Nathan." Lee said. They both walked over to the lumber and Nathan got a nice smooth piece to carve.
"I'll be working on this right away, seeing as how the town is waiting for the sign." Nathan reassured Lee.
The two of them discussed the upcoming opening with the talent show. Lee told Nathan how excited Rosemary was and that she was driving him crazy with her plans. "What's there not to love though?" Lee added.
As he walked back to feed Newton in the stable, he ran into Faith. Faith told him how much she missed Carson! Every Saturday he called her, but she was worried he wouldn't be back as he really enjoyed his time working in the surgical field again. "But this is Hope Valley, and I have hope!" Faith said biting her lip. Besides, she was busy without Carson and really needed another doctor or nurse to help her. Nathan tried to reassure her that Carson missed her just as much and to hang in there.
Jesse was walking over to the Café and waved at Nathan. "Just going to check on my wife." he called out.
"Why, what's up?" inquired Nathan when he caught up to him.
"Didn't you hear, Clare is pregnant!" Jesse beamed. "I'm going to be a daddy!"
"Fantastic! Congratulations Jesse!" Nathan tapped him on the shoulder, "When is she due?"
"Right around Christmas time!" Jesse said with a wide grin.
"That's the best present a man could want!" Nathan agreed.
Just then a familiar automobile came around the corner. Henry leaned out of the window and waved.
"Well, look who's back in town!" Nathan gasped.