Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 11, Part 6, Page 70
Dee was on an adventure that she had been waiting for. Her first stop was at Brookfield. Luckily the teacher there, Miss Anne Johnson, was available to meet with her. Plans were made for her to stay at her sister Dorothy's home. It was so fun to see her and her family, husband George, and the twins Robert and Roberta. She marveled at how big the children were. "Auntie Dee!" they shouted as they ran to her.
"Hello my sweethearts! My, how you've grown. I've missed you!" she exclaimed as all three scrunched together for a hug.
"How are you?" Dorothy asked trying to get in the hug.
Laughing, Dee gave Dorothy and then George, her brother-in-law both a big hug too. "Come on in and leave your bag by the door, I'll get it." George grabbed her bag and took it upstairs to the guest bedroom.
"So Dee, tell me all the news!"Dorothy urged. Robert sat on one side of Dee and Roberta on the other lifting her arms and encircling them around themselves. Dee laughed and told everyone, "I'm going to be the music teacher here and in Hope Valley! I have an appointment to meet with Miss Johnson later today."
"You're going to be our teacher?" the twins were thrilled.
"Yes, and I will get to see you at school every other week. I so hope you like to sing or maybe play an instrument." Dee encouraged.
"Yay, I want to learn to play drums!" Robert said excitedly.
"Ah, let's think about that a little bit," Dorothy rolled her eyes. "How long will you stay?"
"I only have today and up to Brook Springs tomorrow as I have to gather my belongings. Right now, I'm not happy to stay goodbye to Mom and Dad, but Walter is there now." Dee assured her sister.
"How is he doing?" Dorothy inquired.
"Better, physically, although he still suffers nightmares from time to time. He is definitely determined to get back to 'normal' and is already helping dad with the farm. Dad only has the cattle and is no longer growing crops as he works part-time at the hardware store, so that's not too much for Walter."
"How did you find this job?" Dee inquired. The twins went and got involved with their toys after a while so the sisters could talk without interruption.
"Do you remember Nathan, Colleen's brother?" Dee asked.
"Yes, why?" Dorothy raised her eyebrows and looked at her sister funny.
"Short answer is, he is the reason I have the job!" Dee smiled from ear to ear. She told her sister all about their meeting up again during the summer when he walked through the door at Emily's and became flustered seeing his hair all tussled. His strong arms and broad shoulders took her breath away. That he escorted her to and from her home for a dinner together with Emily and Allie, and how she had so much fun with him playing guitar and the two of them singing. "Did you ever notice the dimple in Nathan's chin when we were growing up?" Dee asked Dorothy.
"Ah, no, but I'm sure you just did. Go on" Dorothy winked.
"Well, I taught Colleen's daughter, Allie to play guitar and Emily joined us when we sang. Allie's friend, Karen, began to take voice lessons too, so us ladies had great times together. Oh and Emily began teaching all of us German foods. She is such a great cook!" Dee looked so happy.
"Hmm, maybe she's grooming you to be a great cook for Nathan and Allie?" Dorothy teased.
"Oh stop. Anyways, he heard me sing at church and told Elizabeth Thornton, who's the teacher in Hope Valley, that I wanted to find a job teaching music and how good I sang. Allie sent her a letter too." Dee admitted.
"Wow! Lucky for you, seems like you have quite the fans!" Dorothy complimented her sister.
The two sisters giggled through the whole conversation and George just smiled to himself delighting in their joy. "Sounds like this Nathan is a stand up man, adopting Colleen's daughter, and reconciling with his father while taking care of his mother."
"Yes, I can't wait for you to meet him George, hopefully soon!"
"Dorothy's not allowed to swoon over him like you Dee" George reminded as he put his arm around his wife.
The meeting with Mrs. Johnson turned out splendidly. They agreed that every other week would suffice because of the traveling. The school house was every bit as nice as Hope Valley's and she had her own closet to store supplies.
The next day Dee said goodbye to her sister and family but promised she'd be visiting when up to teach. When she arrived at Brook Springs her mom and dad were in town and waiting for her. "Mom, Dad, you think I was gone forever," she laughed. "Dorothy and all are doing well. The children are excited that their Auntie Dee will be teaching, so I'll be seeing them every other week. How's Walter doing at the farm?"
"Great, just what the doctor ordered," her dad answered.
"I'm sorry I can't stay but one night, but I have to get back to get settled with Elizabeth. I'm staying with Faith, a Doctor in town, so don't worry about me!" Dee assured them both. "Before I go back, I have to stop by Emily's for Nathan. He asked me to check on her to see that she is doing all right. He's worried about her."
"Of course, but that will just have to wait until later tonight. Right now we want to hear about Hope Valley!" her mom urged.
When Dee stopped by to see Emily, she was sitting down in her rocking chair crocheting. It cheered her up to see Emily, and she insisted she stay and have tea and apple strudel. They talked for some time before Dee got ready to leave. "I'm sorry I can't stay, but Nathan wanted me to talk to you and assure you that he'll be calling you every Sunday and not to worry about him or Allie as they are doing just fine."
"Dee, my dear, here are 2 letters. I need you to take back to them for me please? I'm counting on you to keep a close eye on them for me!" Emily winked. "Please give them both a hug for me."
"Sure will, if you insist." Dee laughed.