CHAPTER TWENTY
Due to the snow, the Cafe was busy, but not overly crowded.
Rosemary and Lee had saved the best table for them, the one with the most privacy. But they happily noticed an extra chair, which they were sure was for Bill.
Rosemary came to the door to help Elizabeth get the children out of their cold outer garments and boots, so they could leave them warming by the fire, while they all ate.
Nathan was teasing Lee that they might have to give sleigh rides all afternoon to the children of Hope Valley.
"Love that idea. As long as Rosie and I get to go first!"
"What idea?" Bill gruffly questioned.
"Sleigh rides for the Hope Valley kids! Are you in?" explained Lee.
"As long as I don't have to wear a red suit - no offense Nathan - count me in!"
"None taken, Santa!" Nathan retorted.
And since the men had a moment alone together, he added, "I could have never pulled off last night without the two of you and Rosemary. The meal was superb, Bill. You outdid yourself! And Lee, we would have never made it without that road!"
Bill and Lee were beaming, but they quickly shushed him as both the ladies and the children were coming back to be seated.
Nathan and Lee stood to help the ladies to their seats, and Bill went back to the kitchen for a final food check.
"Hey, do you want to order from the menu, or do your trust me?"
"Trusting you is unanimous," Lee called back, after having glanced around the table.
"I was hoping you'd say that! Get ready, you're in for a treat!"
"I want to know now. How was your sleigh ride, Children?"
"Oh, Mrs. Coulter, it was the absolute best! You and Mr. Coulter will love it. Everything looks so beautiful, and there are ice-cycles everywhere, and you have to go see the pond! It's magical!"
"SSS..lay!" Little Jack added in a loud voice and with a huge smile.
"Oh, how darling, my Darlings! I, for one, can't wait, Mr. Coulter!"
"Neither can I, Rosie, neither can I!"
In the background, they noticed Bill had finally put in the phone he had been planning to add for call-in orders since more and more people were getting phones for their homes. It was ringing, but no one was answering, so Nathan followed the sound and answered, "The Cafe, may I help you? Oh...I see. Do you know if it's urgent? Okay. I'll be right there. Thanks, Ned."
Walking back to the table, he hated to leave but had to make sure nothing was wrong.
"Can you all excuse me for just a few moments? Ned has a telegram for me that's marked urgent, and he's not quite sure what to make of it. You all go on and start your meal. I'll come back as soon as I've made some sense out of what's going on.
He bent down to kiss Elizabeth's cheek, then Allie's, and gave Little Jack a pat on the head. "Be right back, Buddy! Lee, Rosemary, so sorry."
"No worries, Nathan. Take your time," Lee urged. "We'll all be here waiting for you."
"But eat. Don't dare let your food get cold. Bill will have my head!"
And off he went. Elizabeth watched as long as she could, and Rosemary and Lee could not help but notice.
Bill came out carrying a huge soup tureen. "Where's Nathan?"
"Had to go pick up an urgent telegram at Ned's. He said for us to start without him." Lee answered.
"Well, then here we go!" And he lifted off the lid of the soup tureen. The most sensational aromas enveloped the table. Inside was a stew of some sort, and it looked and smelled delicious!
"What is it, Bill?" asked Rosemary.
"Good old fashioned Brunswick Stew with a few of my secret additions. You all are the first to try it. I've been working on it for weeks to have it ready for winter. You all fill your bowls, and I'll get the rest!"
"There's more?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, lots more, you'll need your plates too!"
Lee filled everyone's bowl except Nathan's.
Bill and Clara came back out together. Bill was carrying a massive platter of barbecued chicken and pork ribs. Clara was carrying a crock of baked beans and a huge bowl of potato salad.
"Now that looks to be everything except the soda bread. Clara, do you mind bringing us a couple of loaves?"
"Bill, this is enough food to feed the entire Cafe! But, I'm not complaining one bit. It all looks fabulous! And perfect for this weather!" said Elizabeth.
"Nothing's too good for you guys. But I do need you to really critique the stew, so I'll know if I need to tweak it!"
"No worries there, but if it's half as good as it looks, you've got another winner! Shall we pray?" And Lee prayed a prayer of Thanks over the food as they all gathered hands. Bill had sat down on the other side of Elizabeth, and she gave him a quick hug. He blushed a little and started passing the food.
When everyone's plates were full to overflowing, Lee pronounced, "Time to eat!"
Elizabeth fixed a second smaller plate for Little Jack, tearing up what she thought he could eat into tiny pieces, he could pick up with his hands. Bill had been kind enough to prepare a plain chicken breast and leg, with no barbecue sauce, as he knew how much Little Jack loved his chicken, but plain!
After just a few bites, everyone was moaning with delight over the food. Every single thing tasted better than the last, and the stew was simply magnificent. Rich and meaty and full of a savory mix of flavors, punctuated by a blend of herbs that added undefinable flavoring to the mix.
"Bill, you must teach me how to make this stew! It's by far the best I've ever had!" begged Rosemary. "And everything else is delicious too!"
"And whatever have you done to the soda bread? It tastes so different. It's perfect!" questioned Elizabeth.
Lee couldn't even talk, as he was too busy filling his mouth with bite after bite!
Bill was beaming, "Thank you, ladies. We'll see what we can do," which was as close to a yes for answers later that anyone would ever get from Bill. "Just pleased you're enjoying it!"
Elizabeth turned, and sure enough, a moment later, Nathan was at the door. She hoped it was a good sign he had returned so quickly vs. him rushing back to tell them there was an emergency he had to take care of.
He apologized to all and took his place next to Elizabeth, quickly kissing her cheek. "Oh, my goodness! This looks absolutely delicious! And don't worry, our afternoon of sleigh riding is still on! Everything's taken care of."
Relief fell across Elizabeth's and Allie's faces and both broke out into huge smiles.
"Here, Darling. Let's fill your plate!" and Elizabeth started doing just that.
"Am I missing something?" asked Bill innocently.
Elizabeth and Nathan looked at each other with huge smiles on their faces, as she handed him his plate and sat back down in her chair.
When she was settled, they both took each other's hands, and Nathan looked directly at Bill and clearly and proudly said, "Bill, it's official. I asked Elizabeth last night if she would allow me the honor to court her, and she said yes!"
Both their faces were radiant as they made this announcement. Lee and Rosemary already knew, of course, but this was the first time they had told their news in public.
"Well, it's about time! Congratulations to you both!" He reached over to give Elizabeth a big hug, then got up to shake hands with Nathan.
"I couldn't be happier! The whole town could see you two were perfect for each other! Well, mostly...maybe not one."
He had started to tease by adding more but thought better of it.
Instead, he chuckled.
Nathan and Elizabeth just smiled at each other, not bothered in the least.
"Thank you, Bill. We're deliriously happy!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
And the smiles on both their faces were definite proof of that!
"Goodness, Bill, what's in this stew? It's the best I've ever had!" asked Nathan.
"It's an ancient recipe of Brunswick Stew with a few of my choice additions. Turned out pretty good, didn't it?"
"You can say that again! Everything looks really delicious! I'm glad we trusted the Chef!"
Bill glowed over the compliments, especially the more subtle one of being called Chef!
"Nathan, anything we need to be concerned about for work in that telegram?"
"No, Bill. Surprisingly not. I don't really know how to tell you all this. It's good news, but totally unexpected. I don't think it's sunk in yet. Maybe if I say it out loud to you all, it will seem more real!"
"Whatever is it, Nathan?" asked Elizabeth softly. He had definitely piqued Rosemary's interest as well, and even Lee had stopped eating so he could give his full attention to Nathan.
"It appears I'm the proud new owner of the cabin we went to last night. Along with 16 acres of land."
Everyone at the table was shocked, except, of course, for Little Jack, who was happily playing in Allie's lap.
"Mr. Helmsley, the owner, had apparently ridden out to the cabin sometime yesterday after everything was prepared and before we got there. He said he had never seen it look more beautiful, and he wanted me to have it. His wife is gone, and apparently, he had built it for her to stay in when he went hunting, so they could still be close, and she would be included, instead of being left at home. He said it was time for us to continue the tradition. And he knew it would be in good hands and filled with love again. He made it clear he's not taking no for an answer. In fact, he's coming to town Monday to draw up the papers."
Everyone was speechless.
Finally, Allie said, "Uncle Nathan, Mr. Hem..."
"Mr. Helmsley, Sweetheart."
"Mr. Helmsley must think an awful lot of you to do that. We'll have to think of something very special for him. Maybe have him to dinner! It sounds like he might be lonely, with his wife gone and all."
Elizabeth and Rosemary exchanged a quick glance, both of them recognizing how well Nathan had taught Allie consideration and empathy for others, along with plain good old-fashioned thoughtfulness.
"Allie, that's a marvelous idea! I'll ask him Monday when he's in town. And we'll think of something special to do for him, too!"
"Nathan, I know Helmsley," Bill said firmly. "Once he sets his mind to something, there's no changing it. He's also a great judge of character, and I'd say he saw that in you. I also remember his wife. She was a beauty, a wonderful lady, too, and he doted on her. All their children have moved away. They wanted him to come with them when she died, but he was obstinate. He said, leaving their home they had built together would be like losing his wife all over again, and he was staying put! He has a ton of acreage, so he won't miss the 16 acres one bit. But that's still an awfully nice thing for him to do."
"Nathan, I've been trying to get my hands on some of that land since I came to Hope Valley. There's one patch on the north side with the most beautiful trees of every kind that you've ever seen. We'll have to ride out, and I'll show you. It's really amazing! Talk about lumber for a house, or two!" added Lee.
Both Nathan and Elizabeth blushed a little.
"Well, I think it's marvelous! What did I tell you, Nathan, about the ambiance?" Rosemary was smiling directly at Nathan.
"Rosemary, I think you're totally right! He said the cabin had never looked more beautiful. So, in many ways, I have you all to thank for this. Rosemary for creating her 'ambiance' and you two gentlemen for helping me make it all happen! All of you can use it anytime you like, as an escape, a long weekend, for hunting, whatever you like!"
Rosemary was positively beaming, and both Lee and Bill looked awfully proud, too!
Everyone was clearly excited and thanked Nathan profusely. All of them, even Bill, saying they'd take him up on his offer.
"We're getting a cabin! Children, we'll go camping there!" promised Rosemary.
"For sure?" Allie asked, barely containing her excitement!
"For sure! Whenever your Uncle Nathan says we can!" she emphasized emphatically. "Of course, we'll have to spruce it up, Nathan, for it to be used on a more permanent basis."
Everyone could see Rosemary's mind churning with ideas.
"Of course!" agreed Nathan. "I'll leave that in Elizabeth's and your capable hands!"
"Now, see Lee! Why can't you agree to things that easily?"
"Because Nathan has no idea what he's getting into, where you're concerned Rosie! I do, however!"
Bill chortled and Elizabeth couldn't hold back an escaping giggle. Nathan just smiled and bent to kiss Elizabeth's cheek.
"Well, Lee Coulter! I never!" Lee just patted Rosemary's hand, but by the looks of her beautiful face full of consternation, he thought he'd better add a quick kiss on her gorgeous lips as well. And that was all it took for her face to soften and remember how much she loved him.
"Love this idea, Nathan. We'll all have a lot of fun up there for sure! Thanks so much, Nathan, for including Bill and Rosemary and me!" added Lee.
"Lee, it's my pleasure. I was wondering how I'd ever thank the three of you for all the help you've given me this week. I've never had friends like that before. And I can tell you it feels pretty wonderful." And everyone at the table could see that Nathan was choking up.
Which, in turn, caused all of them to do so, as well. Elizabeth and Rosemary were sniffling loudly, trying their best to not out and out cry. Bill and Lee, each came to give Nathan what one would describe as a man hug, which he was proud to return.
When Bill and Lee sat down. Nathan remained standing and raised his glass, "To dear friends who are truly family!"
And everyone stood and raised their glasses while repeating the toast!
Allie ran and gave everyone around the table a big hug and kiss, so thrilled to finally have a big family to call her own!
Lee spoke up when she hugged him and said, "You know Allie, I think it's time you call me Uncle Lee and Mrs. Coulter, Auntie Rosie. What do you say to that?"
"Really, I've never had an aunt or uncle before! Well, Uncle Nathan's like my Dad. And I don't get to see Uncle Gabe much at all. I would love that!"
Nathan had never heard Allie say that before or even use the word, Dad. He was trying very hard to not overreact. And although he remained relatively calm on the outside, he was exploding with emotion inside.
"Well, Allie, come here and give your Uncle Bill a big hug, too, because you've got another one!"
By this time, Allie was sobbing, and everyone knew they were tears of pure joy. Elizabeth and Rosemary weren't far behind.
Even Bill and Lee were both sniffling, reaching for their handkerchiefs and dabbing at their eyes. Although, both would deny it till their dying day, especially Bill.
Even Clara had caught enough of the conversation, on her many treks to and from the kitchen, to have tears in her eyes, too.
"Thank you, Uncle Nathan. Thanks for letting us stay here. We have a whole new family!"
Nathan pulled Allie to his lap and gently held her, caressing her hair till her sobbing finally stopped. The intense humble look on his face showed his profound thankfulness to everyone at this table for including them both as family.
Elizabeth, Bill, Lee, and Rosemary were watching Nathan and Allie closely, and they were all thinking the same exact thing: "Nathan is Allie's Dad in every way."
No one sitting at the large table they were sharing, would ever forget this day.
It was the day a wonderful family of seven was officially born, a loving family of two became even closer, and a beautiful soon to be family of four was happily being created by a very special couple's new commitment of courtship.