Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 15, Part 7, Page 100
Nathan walked up to the school, and as he did, he heard the girls giggle as they ran down the stairs looking at him, while the boys gave him a silly grin. Nathan couldn't help but laugh himself, that the word was out! As the children ran to their parents he got more smiles and nods.
Allie came up to him and told him how all the girls gave ohs and ahs while peering to see Dee's ring. "Finally, Dee had to answer the big question everyone was wondering about," Allie informed Nathan.
"Well what did she say?" Nathan smiled.
"That she was betrothed to the kindest, honorable, most handsome, Mountie Nathan!" Allie giggled.
"That's great," Nathan hugged Allie, "actually Dee and I have some business to take care of in town, then I'll be home. Tell Oma not to expect us for awhile." With that, Nathan walked into the classroom and saw both Dee and Elizabeth.
"Hello and Congratulations Nathan," Elizabeth said politely. "You have a lovely lady here. I'll be going now and talk to you later." Elizabeth excused herself and left quickly.
"That was quick," Nathan watched her leave. Then without hesitation, he turned to Dee and gave her a long kiss. "I missed you."
"Oh, for heaven's sake Nathan, you are acting like a school boy!" Dee smiled.
"Yeah, a school boy in love maybe." Nathan put on his swanky smile and pulled her in closer. "Okay, you win, I stand corrected by the teacher." he teased when he let her go.
"You gave up already?" Dee teased back and ran to get her things.
"We need to telephone your folks, and talk to Archie. Bill offered us a dinner at Billee's to celebrate our engagement. I will ask Dad, but he hasn't seen Ma yet. I'm going to need your help with that." Nathan asked.
"That might be tough Nathan, but let's try, they can't avoid eachother forever in this little town." Dee reassured him she'd do whatever she could to help.
As they walked to town Nathan told Dee that he had to bring Emily to the Cafe to talk with Minnie tomorrow to see if she would be willing to help with providing some bakery items for the cafe.
"How great! That'll give your Ma some thing to look forward to. She loves to bake and cook. Maybe she'll make a little pocket money besides." Dee was excited.
"I think so too. I'll take her tomorrow between breakfast and lunch. It'll be a win-win for both of them, I'm sure."
Nathan and Dee walked in to the Gowen Petroleum Company office. Henry looked up and asked them to come in.
"Hello son!" Archie greeted Nathan. "You look lovely Dee. What a nice surprise."
"Dad, we've got some good news to share with you!" wasting no time, Nathan announced, "This lovely lady is betrothed to me!" while holding a giggling Dee's hand for him to see her engagement ring.
"Beautiful, almost as beautiful as she is. You know, that ring looks somewhat familiar." Archie piped up.
"It should Dad, it was Ma's mother's ring. A treasured heirloom. I'm so honored to have it now for Dee!" Nathan explained.
"Well now, isn't that something!" Archie grew misty-eyed. "You son, are a mighty lucky man! Congratulations!" and with that father and son hugged.
"You, lovely lady, are blessed to have this honorable man as your fiance!" and asked, "May I?"
"Of course," Dee beamed as Archie gave her a kiss on her cheek.
Henry couldn't help but hear all the fuss and once he found out what it was all about, a broad grin swept across his face. "That's the best news I've heard all day!"
"For me too," Nathan grinned. "Bill offered to throw us an engagement dinner party for close friends and family. Dad, we'd like you and Ma to both be there, so of course you're invited, but let me speak with Ma about this and I'll get back to you alright?"
"Of course. If it becomes a problem, let me know, I'll understand." Archie sighed.
Over at Coulter's Lumber Company, the two walked into the office. "Hi Lee, how's it going?" Nathan inquired.
"Great, we're getting ready for building new houses for the pipeline workers, so I just hired Pastor Joseph to be the foreman overseeing this. This town is going to go through some growing pains, we're going to need not only more houses, a bigger school, separate church, bigger Mercantile, gasoline for more automobiles, hardware store, and more."
"Right, glad you're on this." Nathan nodded. "Lee, there's something you need to know."
Lee looked concerned. "Is everything all right?"
"Yes, it's actually more than right. We just wanted you to know that Dee and I are betrothed." Nathan laughed.
"This is fantastic! Congratulations!" he exclaimed with a hug.
"What is fantastic?" Rosemary inquired as she came in the office from the back.
"Nathan and Dee are engaged!" Lee informed her.
"You are? Oh my, my! Congratulations!" Rosemary told them both as she was hugging them both.
"Let's see that ring closer," Rosemary picked up her hand. "Oh my word, this is simply gorgeous!"
"Well now, I have to write this up for the Valley Voice!" Rosemary's head was going on full throttle. "We need an engagement party to celebrate!"
"Rosemary, Bill offered to have a dinner for us at Billees." Nathan said. "We just have to make a time and let it be a private party for our family and friends, including you and Lee of course."
"We're going to telephone my parents now, and I can't wait to hear their response!" Dee shared.
Dee and Nathan we're on cloud nine after sharing their engagement with friends.
Nathan opened the door and Allie was in the kitchen telling Emily all about school and Dee showing her ring.
"Hello Ma! Dee and I need to make a telephone call to her parents now." Nathan told his Ma with a kiss on her cheek.
"Sure, sure, don't mind me." she smiled.
Dee and Nathan surrounded the phone together and when Dee's Dad picked up the phone, Nathan politely started, "Mr. Gleixner, as you know, Dee and I have been friends for almost a lifetime. Her upbringing has made her grow into the lovely lady that she is today. We have discovered that our relationship has grown beyond just friends. We love eachother and I would be deeply honored to have your blessing to marry your daughter." Nathan said in utmost sincerity.
"Nathan, you are a man who makes me proud to know and one with ideal qualities and upstanding character. Of course, her mother, Bertie, and I both give you our blessings." Ted Gleixner said agreeing.
"Dad, it's wonderful of you both to bless our betrothal! I'm so happy, we both are. We haven't picked a date, but I need to know as soon as you can, what time works best for you and the farm." Dee said.
"Don't you worry, we'll be there no matter what!" Dee could hear Walter whooping in the background.
"Dee, honey," her mother got on the phone, "How exciting for you and for all of us! We are very happy for you! We love you Dee. Give our love to Nathan and his family." Bertie replied.
"Love you all too!" Dee answered.
Once the telephone call was over, Dee and Nathan were very happy and shared the good news of her parent's blessing.
"Ma, Judge Bill offered to have an engagement dinner party for us at Billees." he started.
"How wonderful!" Emily nodded.
"Yes it is! He's a great friend and it'll be a private dinner just for close friends and family. I need you to know that Dad is included in this invitation." Nathan hesitated to watch his Ma's reaction.
"Nathan, I haven't seen him in years, so I will not speak with your father. But, you are my son and I love you more than I dislike your father. So, far be it from me to spoil your dinner party. I wouldn't miss it for the world. This is about you and Dee, you'll not a hear a single complaint from me." Emily assured him.
Dee and Nathan sat at the table with Emily and Allie. "Now, let's plan for the dinner party and set a date for the wedding!" Nathan said.
THIS IS THE END OF THIS STORY. TO BE CONTINUED IN "LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART."