Chapter 20
Hope for Tomorrow
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It was good to see Gabe as they drove into Brookfield. He was walking back into town from the New Hope Orphanage where he would go to make sure they were doing all right, especially Lillian. He thought he was being discreet, but the town all knew he was interested in Lillian. Whenever there was a town event, you could find him right by her side. Lillian had known his interest in her but he seemed too shy to act on it. However, he was bringing her as his guest to Molly and Bill's wedding next Saturday and that would be their second official date as a couple. The last date was when they attended Dee and Nathan's wedding. So, this was long overdue. Lillian thought rather discouraged, Do I have to wait for someone else to get married for another date?
Nathan honked the truck horn to get Gabe's attention. At first Gabe didn't stop as he didn't recognize the truck but when Nathan hollered out the window, a broad grin took over his face and he walked over to the truck. "How are you all?" he asked as he waved at Dee.
"Good Gabe. My family and I are returning from Brook Springs and heading home now. Remember my mom and dad?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, of course, how are you doing?" Gabe asked.
"Fine, just fine," Archie chuckled as he put his arm around Emily.
"Look Gabe, I won't keep you," Nathan lowered his voice, "but you know the wanted poster we got recently about a bank robbery in Benson Hills? The robbers are still out somewhere. So, on the road just north of here, I noticed something I didn't see on our way up, so I stopped to check it out. From what I could tell it looked like a tent, 2 horses, and 2 people right close next to the woods. I thought I'd let you know."
Gabe nodded, "Thanks, I'll check into it."
"Keep me posted Gabe," Nathan asked.
Gabe added, "See you all at Molly and Bill's wedding!"
"Yes, looking forward to it," Dee smiled as she waved goodbye.
"Nathan, is it taken care of?" she whispered as they drove away.
Nathan nodded, "Yes, we'll talk later."
Allie was so excited to see them as they pulled up to the Landoch house. She ran out with Karen, and Dusty right behind them, and gave her Mom and Dad hugs.
"How was your visit?" Allie questioned.
"Short, but good to see everyone," Dee said. "Got Oma's hutch in the back."
"Mom and Dad said you're welcome to come inside for dinner," Karen told them.
Nathan looked at Dee to see her reaction. "It's fine with me, I am hungry." Dee nodded and asked Emily and Archie and they both agreed.
As they went inside the Landoch home, Ella and Taffy were wiggling like crazy trying to get closer to Dee and Nathan. "Hey girls, don't knock down Dee!" Nathan cautioned while laughing.
Inside, Marie and Bob were in the kitchen finishing up preparing the dinner. "Good to see you back safe and sound!" Bob bellowed. "You might want to wash up a bit first," as he pointed to the newly installed plumbing they had added recently.
Taking turns they came out and joined Allie, Karen, and Benjamin. When they all gathered around the table, Nathan told Allie confidentially that her grandfather had remembered what he had done in the past. Bob and Marie served the pot roast with all the fixings and it certainly was a delicious Sunday dinner they all enjoyed together.
"It was good to see the old farmhouse," Emily said happily. "I was so happy that Archie was there as he started to remember our time there," she told them as she patted his knee.
Archie smiled kindly at Emily and put his arm around her as he spoke, "Yes, it was a difficult memory, but I'm glad it came back to me. I hope I can make it up to my family," he said softly.
"We brought the hutch back and it's still as sturdy and handsome as it was the first day Nathan presented it to me!" Emily said gaily as she passed the dish of potatoes.
"Allie, Karen, tell us about your dance!" Nathan suggested.
"Yes, we want to hear all about it!" Dee nodded.
Allie and Karen both spoke at once. "It was the bees knees!" causing all to laugh!
"Oh brother!" Benjamin rolled his eyes. "Not again!"
"Sorry buddy, we want to know," Nathan chuckled.
"Yes, every detail," Dee teased.
When Allie mentioned that Robert was still planning on attending Mountie training, Nathan stopped eating long enough to suggest that Robert might want to talk with Gunther and make sure that he wants to pursue it further.
"We're also expecting Andy Roberts, a younger recruit, to arrive any time now. I bet he would be another good person for Robert to speak with."
Allie nodded, "Okay, I'll pass the word."
After the stories of the weekend were exchanged, Marie brought out chocolate cake and coffee topping off the delightful dinner. Offering to help, Marie told Dee, "Nonsense, you go home and get settled in, I've got help here."
"Thank you very much for the dinner, it hit the spot!" Nathan exclaimed. "We've got school tomorrow Allie girl, and I've got to take Dad to the hospital tomorrow in Clearwater to prepare for his surgery." He heard groans from both Allie and Archie.
"We'll have you over for dinner soon," Emily and Dee offered, "it's the least we can do for taking care of Allie and the dogs, ya!"
"Anytime, it was fun."
Then as they headed back to their home, Lee and Bill came over when Nathan called them and helped carry the hutch out of the truck and into the house. It looked mighty good next to the dining table and the room seemed complete with it there.
"I've got to run the truck back to Dan now, but thanks for your help. I'll catch up with you tomorrow."
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Monday morning and it was a day that Nathan had been dreading. Allie kissed and hugged her grandparents goodbye as she left for school and told Archie she'd pray for him to see like new after his surgery. When Nathan dropped her off at school, he told her that he might not be there when she came home, depending on how things went with Archie at the hospital. "Not to worry though honey, your mom will be home."
He stopped at the office and went through his papers. Gunther came in shortly, acting quite proud of himself. "Everything is under control here," he grinned.
Nathan looked up from his desk and talked about how his weekend went and that Gunther had it easy with nothing to speak of. "I want you to know that on our way home I spotted something far away from the road near the woods just outside of Brookfield, so I stopped. From what I could tell, it looked like two figures by a tent. I couldn't get a good look from such a distance even with my binoculars."
"Are you thinking they could be the robbers of the Benson Hills Bank?" Gunther picked up right away what he suspected were Nathan's thoughts.
"Could be, but I don't want to jump to any conclusions. I couldn't pursue it much with my family in the truck, so I told Gabe when we saw him in town."
"What'd he say?"
"That he would check it out. I'm hoping it's not too risky for him alone, so I'll let Bill know. I have to take my dad to Clearwater Hospital in a little while for his cataract surgery, so I need you here," Nathan explained.
"Does Bill know?"
"Yes, I briefly filled him in last night when he helped Lee and I carry in the hutch, so I'm going over there now and tell him what I just told you," Nathan answered as he got up to leave.
"All right, but I'm ready for action if you need me!" Gunther seemed to be chomping at the bit.
Nathan stopped, and turned looking at Gunther, "Do you want to do rounds this morning?"
"Sure thing!" Gunther smiled broadly.
"All right then, I'll see you later when I get back. Thanks."
Nathan knocked on the judge's door, "Are you in here Bill?" he asked looking around.
Bill stood up from the floor where he was going through his safe. "I'm here," he grumbled.
"What's got you in a dither?" Nathan's eyebrows rose.
"I, the groom to be, cannot find our license to get married! I put the request in quite awhile ago, received it, and put it away in the safe. Or so I thought," Bill said disgruntled.
"Are you sure Bill? I mean, maybe you put it away in your house?" Nathan shrugged.
"I sure hope you're right, our wedding's this Saturday!" Bill sighed heavily. "Anyways, what brings you here?"
"I'm leaving Gunther today again to mind the RCMP office as I have to take dad to the Clearwater Hospital to prepare for his surgery," Nathan started.
"Don't say a word, Nathan, I'll be here, looking for our license," he muttered.
"That's not what I wanted to talk to you about, but it seems like now's not a good time to ask you for anything, so I'll talk to you later. Good luck!" Nathan said as he walked back to the door to leave.
"Wait!" Bill insisted, "don't you go leaving me hanging like that. What is it?"
Nathan smiled to himself and turned back around to face Bill. Then he sat down across from Bill and filled him in on the sighting by the woods just north of Brookfield. "I am hoping you might be a backup for Gabe. I just don't know if I can get out there with dad in the hospital, but I know how busy you are, so really don't worry about it."
"Yea, yea, but who else is going to help him?" Bill shook his head. "I'll call him and set up a time to go out with him, but he's only got me for one day. I've got a wedding to go to and Molly would be very upset with me if I didn't write my vows!" Bill looked at Nathan for understanding.
"You haven't written them yet?!" Nathan said shocked. "Bill, Molly asked you weeks ago. You best pull down the door shade, and lock the door. Don't answer it for anyone, except Molly or Gunther and put pen to paper right now. As your best man, I command you, this is an order!"
Nathan shut the door behind him bursting into laughter while Bill sat at his desk stunned. "I guess I better listen to Sargent Grant."
When Nathan returned home, Dee was filling up the hutch with precious knick-knacks and keepsakes from both of their families. Emily helped Archie pack his satchel and hers. They were ready to leave. "All right Dee, I'll be taking both mom and dad now, but I'm not sure when I'll be back. I'll have to call you later."
Dee kissed and hugged Emily and Archie goodbye and promised to pray for a successful surgery. Giving Nathan a tight hug and a lingering kiss, she whispered in his ear, "Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you!"
"Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so blue, I'm in love with you!" Nathan whispered back as he nestled his face in her hair.
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Nathan pulled up to Clearwater Hospital with his mom and dad. He helped his Ma out and grabbed Archie's bag. He made sure they got inside and then parked the automobile. Emily was telling the receptionist that Archie was checking in for his cataract surgery when Nathan found them. Archie was a little upset, mainly nervous, but it helped him to have Emily with him.
The nurse from the ward where Archie was going to, came with a wheelchair for Archie. She was a middle-aged woman with a lovely smile and pleasant demeanor. As they went to his room, Nathan noticed how clean, almost immaculate the floors and rooms were which helped ease his mind. Archie would be in a large room with several beds occupied by men only. There was a bed by the window ready for Archie.
"My name is Nurse Darlene, and I am your primary nurse. Should you need me, I will be in this room to take care of you. There are others nurses stationed here and they will introduce themselves to you in case I'm not available."
"My name is Emily Grant. Archie is my..." Emily hesitated, "was my husband," and I'll be staying with him throughout the week," she said confidently.
"Oh, that's not necessary, he'll be very well taken care of," Darlene tried to assure Emily.
Nathan spoke up, "We understand and that would normally be fine, but it's just that my dad has another disease. If you read through his chart, you'll see why my mother will be staying close by."
Darlene paged through the report on her clipboard, and raised her eyebrows as she read in big red letters Senility. As she looked up she gave both Emily and Nathan a sympathetic smile and nodded her head in understanding. "Of course. I'll make sure that after the surgery, while in the recovery ward, his nurse will be aware."
"Thank you," Nathan smiled.
"All right, Mr. Grant, let's get you changed and settled in. You and your family will be able to have lunch together if you'd like," she said with a questioning look on her face.
"That would be nice," Emily answered and smiled at Archie.
"Ma, I'm going over to the boarding house and take your satchel to your room while dad changes his clothes and has his blood drawn. I'll be back soon," Nathan kissed his Ma on her forehead and left.
He was relieved that his mother's room was only 2 doors down from the hospital. He stopped at the registration desk and asked if someone could walk his mother to her room at night when she left. He was happy to know they would accommodate that for her. Maybe identifying himself as Sargent Grant helped he thought to himself.
In Hope Valley at Minnie's, the Chickadees and other ladies were meeting that morning. The lively chatter was centered on the handsome Dr. Scholl. A few of the ladies had seen him drive out of town with Fiona and they were gone for several hours. Could they be an item?
Mary O'Neill did confirm that Christy was working alone that afternoon for Fiona as she was going on a ride with James Scholl. "Christy told me that Fiona was very happy and humming a tune most of the next day!"
"Well, let's see who he brings to the wedding this weekend. Then we'll know for sure," Cheryl suggested.
"Do you all have your dresses ladies?" Dottie inquired. "I hope to have the last of the alterations completed by Wednesday."
"I can't wait!" Gail spoke up, "I have a lovely dress ready to show you all!"
"Me too," Jane popped in, "I tried a beautiful one on the other day, and knew just where I'd wear it."
"Now ladies, make sure you have your accessories; heels, bag, jewelry, gloves, and hats etc. If not, I have plenty for your eyes to feast on at my Apparel Shop!" Dottie reminded them.
"We need to pray for good weather," Minnie began, "so let's quiet down now and ask the good Lord to bless Molly and Bill's wedding with a day of good weather and that everything falls into place."
As the ladies bowed their heads in prayer, Rosemary surprised herself by saying "Ouch!" rather loudly.
"Shh!" Gail hushed her.
"Oh my!" Rosemary couldn't help it. "I think I'm feeling my baby moving!" she said excitedly.
Minnie hurriedly concluded their prayer and everyone quickly said, "Amen."
Then Rosemary was ecstatic, "There it is again! OH! I have to tell Lee!" she said exuberantly.
Dee walked, or more or less waddled over, "Rosemary, it's time. You will have lots more of these kicks and ripples from now on. Believe me!"
Flo clapped her hands, "This is really wonderful. Two new babies will be joining Hope Valley soon!"
I know. We need to start a nursery for all the little ones. Let's see, we have Timi Anne, Michael, and soon Dee's and Rosemary's babies," Rita laughed.
"That's an idea that the time has come!" Virlinda agreed. "What do you suggest?"
The Chickadees got busy throwing out ideas and thoughts as Rosemary got up and said, "See you ladies at the wedding. I've got a daddy to talk to now!"