Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 11, Part 2, Page 66
All 4 stepped out of the stagecoach and were greeted by Flo and Ned. "Welcome back Allie and Nathan! What have we here?"
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Yost. This is Ginger, my new pup. Isn't she cute?" Allie said as Ginger was looking for a place to pee. Oh my!" Flo answered, "yes, she is..."
"Flo and Ned, I'd like to introduce Mary Grace who is here for an interview to teach music." Nathan announced.
"Welcome to Hope Valley!" Ned and Flo both said. "What a nice surprise!" Flo continued. "We have several talented people here that would really enjoy that. Good luck!"
"Thank you and please call me Dee."
Nathan walked Dee over to the infirmary. He introduced Dee to Faith and they hit it off right away. Nathan asked if Dee could stay with her for a few days while she had her interview. Faith was happy to help and she closed up the infirmary long enough to walk with them to her house close by Nathan and Allies. Allie was already there with Opal playing with Ginger.
"This is my house and I live alone, so you're more than welcome to stay with me. It'll be great to have someone to talk with. Follow me upstairs and you can get settled." Faith suggested. "I'll have Nathan and Allie here for dinner with us. That will give us all a chance to talk."
Meanwhile, Nathan and Allie got settled back home and both were ready for a bath from the stagecoach ride. Afterwards, they joined Faith and Dee for dinner. Ginger came too and Allie made sure she took her out after she ate and Ginger attracted all the kids that were outside. Allie and Ginger were the main attraction.
Inside Faith learned more about Dee and Nathan's friendship and Brook Springs, which was very interesting indeed. Faith detected a spark of a slow ember being fanned which brought a big smile. "Well Dee, for everyone's sake, I hope your interview goes as well as you hope. I'm sure Nathan and Allie will be thrilled."
The next morning Dee was awake early. She was meeting Elizabeth Thornton and wanted to make a good impression. Faith drew her a bath and left for the infirmary and told her to help herself and wished her luck!
Dee was more than ready when she knocked on Elizabeth's door. "Good morning Mrs. Thornton, I'm Mary Grace."
Elizabeth welcomed her with a big smile and "Won't you please come in?
Mary Grace explained why Allie and Nathan referred to her as Dee, saying that anyone she meets here in Hope Valley, can call her Dee.
Elizabeth shared about Angela playing beautiful music on the piano and how she heard it from a distance to find her playing in her father's truck outside. She also explained that she was blind and that Mr. Landis was not happy that Elizabeth was allowing Angela to join the classroom with the other children and he felt that the other students would not get the proper attention they needed. Elizabeth felt up to the challenge and was even learning braille. The rest of the students and parents supported her by showing up for school all together with the Canfields.
"I am amazed how this town comes together, helps out and stands by each other when needed!" Dee grinned.
"This is a remarkable town and we live by our name of Hope Valley." Elizabeth stated proudly. "When I lost my husband, I was pregnant and the ladies here helped me out in every way possible. The support of the people here is beyond anything I imagined." Elizabeth smiled. "So, I think not only Angela, but Timmy Lawson has shown interest in music and there are several students I am very sure are prime candidates. In fact, Rosemary Coulter and I have worked with the students recently in a skit for the talent show, and most of them are talented."
"I have to meet with Mr. Landis this afternoon, so I appreciate you filling me in. Thank you!" Dee smiled.
"Of course. Do you hear that little voice?" Elizabeth asked with a huge grin. "That's my son, Jack, LJ for short. I will get him up from his nap, so you can meet him." With that Elizabeth brought LJ downstairs to meet Dee. "Oh what a sweet boy you are!" Dee was delighted. "Your mama is very lucky to have you Jack!"
"I am, now he needs his lunch," Elizabeth told Dee. "Good luck today, I'm sure you'll do great."
When Dee stepped outside she saw Nathan riding on Newton going back to town. "Good afternoon Chickadee!" he teased.
"Quiet now Constable Grant! Leave it to you." she laughed.
"When is your interview?" Nathan inquired.
"At 2:00 at the cafe." Dee answered.
"All right then, I'll be by to walk you to town." he smiled.
"That's sweet of you!" Dee was tickled.
"My pleasure," he winked, as off he went to do his rounds.
After enjoying a bowl of soup, Dee freshened up and brushed her golden locks into a soft bun, added a touch of lipstick, and put a cute little hat on that matched her pink skirt. Her sky blue eyes caught Nathan's attention again as he walked her to the cafe arm in arm. The escorting was not private, as Elizabeth watched out her window. She wondered if there was more to them than met the eye.
Superintendent Landis was sitting in the corner waiting. Nathan sat down. Dee walked over to his table. He greeted her, then stood up and pulled her chair out. He ordered her a cup of coffee and wasted no time beginning his interview with her. As Nathan watched indiscreetly while drinking his coffee, he was relieved to hear her laugh and then sing a little tune to everyone's delight who were in the cafe. She was blushing when the applause stopped. That clinched it. When Mr. Landis left, Dee excitedly walked over to Nathan's table. "You are talking to the new music teacher of Brookfield and Hope Valley!"