CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Later in the day, after the Adoption Ceremony was complete, the sun had still refused to warm Hope Valley, and the weather was still just as brisk, so brisk that Nathan had gone back to the Schoolhouse after walking Elizabeth and Allie there after lunch, to take them extra wood, just in case they needed it, to ward against the freezing cold.
On his vigorous walk home, he decided to walk back into town and check in on Bill, who would no doubt be in his Mountie Office by now, as well as the visiting Constables to remind them about dinner tonight at his house and also get an update on their budding romances. At least Nathan hoped they were budding.
All the townspeople he passed were bundled up for extra warmth, but they all had smiles on their faces, and everyone was glad to see him. Several of them said they were missing him in his red serge and were anxious to have him back as their Constable.
Each time they said that Nathan automatically started to tip his hat, forgetting that it wasn't there! After greeting everyone, he hurriedly crossed the street to his Office, ready for some warmth!
He opened his Office door and the warmth from the stove immediately enveloped him.
"I know, I'm not supposed to be here," he said, putting up a hand. "But I promise to be quick with no work talk! Bill, you did a fantastic job with the Adoption Ceremony, by the way! It couldn't have been done any better anywhere! You made Frederic feel right at home!"
"Well, that's a lot easier to do when it's Family. Makes all the difference! Get yourself in here out of the cold!" laughed Bill. "That little Frederic's something else, isn't he?"
"That he is! Bill! A quick question: have you permanently moved back to my office, while I've been gone?" asked Nathan suspiciously.
"Can't answer that. That constitutes work talk!" Bill replied forcefully.
Aaron and Gabe, both at the same time, gave Nathan a look to pretty much affirmatively confirm his conjecture.
"Okay, am I allowed to ask how you two are doing with your Lady Friends?"
"Now that, Nathan, you can ask! These Boys have come a long way under my tutelage if I do say so myself!" answered Bill proudly.
"Well, Aaron, you first. I assume you've probably had the best luck of the two of you!"
"Hey, I resent that judgment, and without any evidence!' rebutted Gabe.
"Hey, buck up Gabe! 'm the Judge. I already have the evidence and Nathan's right! Aaron's way ahead!"
"Hmph, I was sure I wasn't far off. The floor's yours, Aaron. How are things with Felicity?"
Aaron's smile pretty much told the story.
"We talked and talked, and everything was just like before, only better! Nathan, she's coming back out here and as soon as I can get the ring, we'll be engaged!" and he high-fived Nathan with a slap.
"Not a bad idea to follow, Nathan! I keep telling you quicker's always better than later! You'll wish you had listened to me one of these days!" threatened Bill. "In fact, maybe you two guys should just go ring shopping together, kill two birds with one stone so to speak!"
"Aaron, that's wonderful news! Congratulations! Really proud of you, and happy for you, too!" encouraged Nathan while shaking Aaron's hand and slapping him on the shoulder, while momentarily ignoring Bill.
Then turning aside, "Bill, you're starting to sound like a broken record. you don't know everything, you know! So you might want to just give up on all this pushing."
"You're getting her an engagement ring for Christmas?" asked a shocked and wide-eyed Bill.
"No, I am not. But that doesn't mean we haven't talked about things. Bill, we've just started courting. And there are two children to consider."
"All the more reason to speed things up, if you ask me!" mumbled Bill under his breath.
"You and Allie! Have you been coaching her? You have...haven't you?"
Bill raised an eyebrow but refused to comment.
"Okay, Gabe, what do you have to report? How's it going with Lillian?"
"Well, I took Bill's advice and asked her to go to dinner with me when I get back, and she did say yes. But my sources say she and Sam have been pretty much inseparable as of late. I'm hoping it's just business! But at this point, who knows? Bill may be right. I might be too late."
"Now you listen to me, Son. It's not too late, till she's walked down that aisle. You go back to Brookfield and court her with a vengeance. I may just have to come over there myself and give you a hand! And don't think I won't do it." Bill glared at Gabe.
Nathan couldn't resist, "What business would you have in Brookfield, Judge?"
"Friends! And that's all I'm saying. Besides I promised Tess I'd look at those menus!"
Gabe's eyes widened, "You know Tess Stewart?"
"Yes, I do. I pretty much know everybody in these parts! So there!"
"Well, if you're coming anyway, I guess I can use the help. I really would love to take Lillian to the Mountie Ball, but I'm scared to death to ask her to something that big!"
"Well, at least you're thinking in the right direction!. I'm not used to having any of my Boys fail. So you just get that right out of your mind. We've got to figure out a way to charm the socks off this girl and get her to that Mountie Ball. I'll be able to figure out what you need to do once I meet her."
"How are you going to do that?" asked a skeptical Nathan.
"Just leave it to me!" answered Bill as he shuffled more papers across Nathan's desk.
"Well, you know Bill," Nathan said seriously, but with a glimmer in his eye, "it might help Gabe if he could see you in action. You think Tess would play-act it out with you, so Gabe could see how to do it? I mean, I know Gabe, and the only way he can learn anything is to see it with his own eyes."
"Sure, she's a nice Lady. I'm sure she would do that for Gabe and Lillian."
Nathan smiled. 'Bill hadn't missed a beat. And he now had just committed to meeting Tess, in front of witnesses! Not a bad little push! The plot thickens. Bill vs. Harlow' thought Nathan. But Nathan, being the pragmatic Constable he was, just wasn't sure the Ladies were right on this one. 'My instinct says we're missing a piece or two here.'
"Well, Gentlemen, I promised to help Elizabeth with the cooking…"
"Oh no, help us!" moaned Bill.
"I'll have you know, I'm actually a pretty good cook. I have had Allie to feed, you know! And she hasn't exactly starved! Besides, I don't get flustered like I do cooking with you! Elizabeth isn't constantly yelling at me like somebody else I know. See you guys tonight. Don't forget! My place, half-past six! And don't be late!"
"I'll bring the Rolls," called Bill as Nathan stepped out onto the Boardwalk. "Oh, and the Wedding Cake!"
Nathan couldn't help but smile as he called back to Bill, "I'm picking up the Dessert, but thank you, Bill!"
Suddenly, Gabe ran out to the Boardwalk trying to catch Nathan before he left.
"Gabe, what is it this time?"
Gabe had a look on his face Nathan had seen many times, and it was usually when he was in some sort of bind. The sort of bind Nathan always had to get him out of!
"Nathan, don't get mad!' he whispered. "But can you take Tillie home? She's tied out back. It's freezing cold and we're worried about her. We can't sneak away from Bill. Apparently, he's spending the whole day with us! Here's her leash. Please, Nathan!"
"Gabriel Kinslow, you owe me one. A big one!" Nathan threatened through gritted teeth, which Gabe completely ignored.
"And Nathan, tell Tillie that Aaron and I promise to pick her up in the morning!"
"Tell Tillie, you and Aaron PROMISE to pick her up in the morning?" Nathan slowly emphasized each word in disbelief. "Gabe, do you even realize what you just said?"
"Nathan, she depends on us, and you're going to have to pick up the slack when I go back to Brookfield!"
Nathan was glowering down at Gabe, with his hand on his hip and all the disdain he could muster.
"Oh, and Nathan," Gabe paused as he reached inside the pocket in his red serge. "Here's her afternoon snack!"
Gabe quickly turned and walked back, well practically ran back, into Nathan's Office, leaving Nathan standing there with Tillie's leash in one hand and her "afternoon snack" in the other, and a look on his face that said he was about to have Gabe committed if he didn't kill him first!
Instead, he just rolled his eyes and shook his head!
'Yep,' Nathan thought. 'Bill might want to scrap the romance lessons with those two! Tillie's already stolen their hearts! Oh, well, they held out longer than I thought they could!'
And Nathan couldn't help but laugh out loud!
"Big strong Mounties we are. Can't talk to a woman we love and ruled by a 10-pound mutt!"
"Come on, Tillie, let's get your leash on..."
After completing his Gabriel-given chore, Nathan crossed the street, waving to the people he saw gathered there, and walked into the Cafe.
"Good Morning Clara, is our Chocolate Cake ready, or am I too early?"
"Good Morning to you Constable! Not too early at all. Finished icing it a couple of hours ago. And I think you're going to be happy with it!"
"Oh, Clara, that looks delicious! Elizabeth will be so pleased. And Gabe will be beside himself. Chocolate Cake is his very favorite dessert!"
"Bill pulled out all the stops on this one. And don't be mad at the messenger, but he did say he'd rather be baking a Wedding Cake," she said pointedly.
Nathan laughed, "I bet he did. That man never stops! He thinks you should ask a woman if you can court her one day, and marry her the next. The man is positively incorrigible!"
"Tell me about it! Don't forget I work with him every day, too!"
"Yeah, and we both definitely deserve medals for mastering that little feat!"
Clara laughed while she was boxing up the cake.
"Clara, is that a new necklace?"
"Jessie gave it to me for this month's Wedding Anniversary!" she sighed.
"Did you say 'months?' I thought Wedding Anniversary's come once a year."
"Not with Jessie, they don't. Between us, I think he's overdoing it just a bit, but I'm not about to tell him that. I guess it is a little nice to be pampered. Although, I'm sure our budget's blown out the window! Anyway, Lee's ready to kill him, because Rosemary's caught wind of it, and now Lee's feeling the pressure to do the same!" she laughed.
"That's funny! I can hear Lee now, and especially Rosemary! That poor guy can't catch a break! Just please don't tell Elizabeth."
"Sorry Nathan, if Rosemary knows, Elizabeth definitely knows!"
"Oh my, Clara, tell Jessie he's getting us all in trouble! Thanks for taking care of this. Really appreciate it!"
And with that Nathan continued on to the Mercantile.
The grocery list Elizabeth had given him was quite lengthy, and being the inept shopper he was, Nathan was sure he would need Ned's help in gathering everything up.
"Good morning, Ned! Elizabeth sent me after the groceries, and I'm hoping you can help me."
"Is it one of Elizabeth's longer lists?" laughed Ned.
"Looks like it to me. I'm not even sure what some of this is."
"Here, give it to me. Oh, Nathan, Nathaniel Helmsley was in earlier and he asked me to tell you he was in town if you happened to come in today. I think he's working at the Judge's Office if you want to drop in on him."
"Aha! That explains why the Judge is working in my Office! I was afraid he's moved back in while I was off." Ned gave him a look that said he wasn't far from the truth on that one.
"First he steals my desk, and now my whole Office?" Nathan just shook his head.
"Thanks, anyway Ned! Do you mind if I go find Nathaniel while you finish that list?"
"Not at all, I know Nathaniel was hoping to see you. I should have Elizabeth's list filled by the time you get back!"
When Nathan reached Bill's office, he saw Nathaniel pouring over several different Law textbooks he had spread out across Bill's desk.
"Nathan, great to see you. Was hoping you'd stop by!" Nathaniel got up from Bill's chair and walked to meet Nathan. "I suppose while I'm here, I'm going to have to break down and buy Bill a proper conference table! That man is tight as a pair of ripped pants!"
"You got that right. Great to see you, Nathaniel! What brings you into town?"
"Well, I let that buzzard of a Judge talk me into being Lead Prosecutor in the Packer Johnston case. Probably need to have my head examined!"
"No, that's great news! You do know as the arresting officer, I'm stuck as a witness no matter where they decide to have the trial. Have they given you a location yet?"
"No, not yet. This trial is such a big deal, I think they're still weighing their options. Truthfully, nothing would surprise me at this point. They're sending me a team of lawyers to help with the case. I told them I didn't mind staying wherever they decide to have the trial for the duration. But I sure don't expect to spend all my time preparing for it away from home."
"Can't blame you for that! Glad we'll be seeing more of you around here. In fact, Nathaniel, why don't you come to dinner at my place tonight? Elizabeth insisted on us having Judge Avery and the two Constables who have been covering for me over for Dinner as a way of thanks. It's at half-past six. We both would be thrilled to have you. The children are staying with the neighbors and their new son, but come a little early, so we can introduce you before they leave."
"Well, Nathan, I can't refuse all that. I've been dying to meet those children! How about I leave here at six this evening. Will that give us enough time to get acquainted?"
"That's perfect Nathaniel! So glad we're going to be seeing more of you. And glad to know I'll have a friend at Packer's trial. Can't wait to see you in action!"
"Oh, what can I bring the hostess?"
Nathan smiled, "She'll be thrilled just to see you, and a picture of your Elizabeth!"
"Well, that I can do. You've made my day, Nathan!"
"And Nathan, I had a copy of the plat of land with the lake made so you'll be able to find your way around your own property in case you go out before the two of us can get there. Take this with you..."
Nathan sauntered back to the Mercantile, thoughtfully praying for Nathaniel. Nathan knew what it was like to be alone: physically without the person, you loved by your side, mentally when the anguish of past events continued to haunt, and emotionally when you had spent your entire life looking after others, and somehow forgotten yourself along the way. Nathan had seen all these types of loneliness in Nathaniel today, although outwardly Nathaniel had appeared to be very upbeat.
Perhaps someone else wouldn't have spotted it, but Nathan had intensely experienced all these things himself during most of his young life, and he understood them completely.
'It's odd,' he thought, 'I understand the pain of loneliness even more than when I was actually experiencing it, now that Elizabeth and I have found each other. The emptiness of loneliness vs. the boundless fullness of love,' he pondered. 'How could life be so disparate? It was like being blindly lost, then having your vision fully restored and being found in the very center of the light, with all its warmth and many colors radiating everywhere!'
Nathan was determined to be a true friend to Nathaniel and be there to support him and help him find his light again. This trial was a great start. Nathaniel would not only be doing something he loved but because of him, the trial was now in the best of hands, as there wasn't a Prosecutor in the country that could even begin to compare to him. With Nathaniel as the Lead Prosecutor, Packer Johnston's fate was sealed as tightly as it could be.
"Ned, is this everything? Oh, I want to pay. Elizabeth is entertaining my colleagues, so it's only fair!"
"Thought you'd say that Nathan. I've already put it on your tab. But tell Elizabeth I don't have the kind of parsley she wanted, so I had to substitute."
"I'm sure it will be fine Ned. But I'll tell her. Thanks a ton for getting all this together!"
Nathan walked briskly, straight to his row house, balancing Bill's Chocolate Cake and Elizabeth's voluminous list of groceries. Elizabeth had prepped the Ham this morning at her house and placed it in the oven before she went to work. Laura had kept a close watch on it for her.
Nathan deposited everything in his kitchen, leaving the groceries out on the table for Elizabeth to see when she got in from work, so she could grab what she needed easily. He then left for Elizabeth's row house to transfer the hot Ham from there to his rowhouse and oven.
Back in his own kitchen, Nathan placed the Ham in his hot oven and started to prepare the Brown Sugar Glaze that Elizabeth wanted him to make to baste over the Ham. He also sliced the Butternut Squash and placed the slices in the oven along with the Ham. Elizabeth had told him his primary responsibility was to baste the Ham and Butternut Squash with the Brown Sugar Glaze every 20minutes or so.
He felt sure he could handle that without messing anything up. In between, he peeled and sliced the potatoes for the Scalloped Potato Casserole Elizabeth wanted to serve and prepped the spinach for her special Creamed Spinach. Nathan also made Tea and Coffee.
When she got in from school, Elizabeth was going to finish making the potato and spinach dishes. Elizabeth had asked Laura to make a Jelled Carrot Salad, which was now chilling in Nathan's kitchen. And with Bill's Yeast Rolls and Chocolate Cake, voila, they had their meal, suitable for a Cafe Chef, a top Prosecutor, and two hungry Constables!
Unknown to Nathan, Elizabeth had made her favorite Sweet Cherry Sauce the night before, to serve with the Chocolate Cake Nathan had ordered. But that was going to be her little surprise!
Elizabeth Thornton and Nathan Grant were having their first official Dinner Party together, and Elizabeth especially was beyond excited!
"Nathan, I think everything's ready! Allie set the table beautifully. Truthfully, though, I would never have made it without your help. Thank you, Darling! The food looks perfect!" and she reached to kiss him. "I'm so happy, but I'm still in shock about the Baby and Frederic! Totally delighted, but still so surprised! I mean, we had no doubt Rosemary was pregnant, but for that adorable little Frederic to come to them the very same day!"
"I know, everything's happened so quickly, and now the Coulters are going to have not one, but two beautiful children! No one's more deserving. And those children are going to be so blessed. I think the timing's meant to be, and I got the impression Rosemary and Lee thought the same thing. You know, sometimes we don't listen as we should, and it causes us to miss out on the biggest blessings God wants us to have. Sort of like we almost did. I'm so glad Rosemary and Lee listened, despite the timing. I think Frederic is going to be a huge blessing to them in a lot of ways! And Darling, I am so very thankful we finally listened and accepted our blessing of each other!"
He reached to kiss her tenderly, but with all the feeling he had for her in his heart.
"There's the door! Shall we greet our first guest?" she asked excitedly.
"I love the sound of that, Mrs. Thornton!"
He gave her one last quick, but adoring kiss and they walked to Nathan's front door together.
"Nathaniel, welcome! We are so happy to have you visit us!" and Elizabeth reached up to give him a kiss on his cheek.
He smiled, "Thanks for having me Elizabeth! Now, where are these children I've been dying to meet?'
He looked up the stairs, as Allie carefully carried Little Jack to meet him.
"This is Little Jack, Mr. Helmsley!" announced Allie proudly. "And I'm Allie. We're going to give you a great big hug for giving us our lake!"
"Ah, the fisherman girl! You're as beautiful and spunky as I thought you would be! And Little Jack, you are quite the handsome young man! Come here, you two. I'm ready for those two great big hugs right now! And make them gigantic ones!"
Like a seasoned Grandfather, Nathaniel grabbed up both Allie and Little Jack, one in each arm, and swung them around till Allie was laughing and Little Jack was giggling non-stop.
He finally set them down, but knelt down to be closer to them, "Now, you young Lady, tell me how you learned to fish. And I want to know the biggest one you ever caught. No fish stories, now!"
"Dad taught me everything I know!" she said proudly, and then she pondered over what was her largest fish ever. She looked to her Dad for help.
"The biggest you've caught was that Largemouth Bass. Remember, it was almost twenty-eight inches long and weighed about twenty-four pounds. I hate to admit it, but I've never caught one of those that big!"
"Well, how in the world did you reel that monster in, Allie?"
"I was only 8 years old back then, so Dad had to help me," she answered rolling her eyes.
"That's exactly what Dad's are for! No shame in that. I can tell you and Little Jack and I are going to be great fishing mates! But, I'm going to have to sharpen my game, before I go out with the likes of you!"
"Mr. Helmsley, will you go with us to our Lake?"
"I'll not only go with you, I'll show you all my secret spots!"
Allie couldn't help but let out a shriek!
"Children, I hate to break this up but give Mr. Helmsley a kiss goodbye. You need to head to Frederic's house, so you all can get some major playing in. Do you have everything ready to take with you? All toys accounted for?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes, Ma'am. I packed everything in the satchel upstairs."
"Which is my cue to carry it downstairs. Excuse me, Elizabeth, Nathaniel."
Nathan went upstairs to retrieve the somewhat heavy satchel and returned to find Elizabeth bundling the children up in their coats, and then wrapping them in their scarves and mittens.
They went back to hug Mr. Helmsley one last time, telling him bye, "Please come back to see us, Mr. Helmsley. Dad and I need a new fishing buddy to help with Little Jack." Then she whispered conspiratorily, "Little Jack is quite the handful when we go fishing!"
Nathan and Elizabeth smiled, as Mr. Helmsley threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Well, he's just going to require an expert to teach him the right way, and I'm the man for the job!"
"Thank you, Mr. Helmsley! You're the very best!"
And that got Mr. Helmsley another kiss!
Nathan picked up Little Jack and carried him in one arm and the children's satchel in his other hand.
"Allie, what do you and Little Jack have in this thing? It's awfully heavy!"
"Dad, Frederic doesn't have any toys yet, so we're giving him some of ours. Is that okay?"
"That's more than okay, Allie Bean. You and Little Jack are the best!" and he smiled adoringly down at them. "I'm so proud of you for sharing. That's a wonderful thing to do for Frederic."
Lee and Frederic were waiting at their front door.
Lee grabbed Little Jack and gathered Allie to him, welcoming them."
"Hi, Frederic! Sorry, we're a bit late, Lee. Nathaniel came a little early to meet the kids. We didn't know he'd be in town, so it was all a nice surprise. Tell you all about it tomorrow! Kids have fun with Frederic and behave for your Uncle Lee and Auntie Rosie!"
Nathan kissed all three Children and turned to head back to his guests, three of which happened to be coming down the street toward him from town.
Nathan stepped up his pace to meet them, so he could tell them Nathaniel was joining them for Dinner. It was easy to see, that Bill and his "Boys" were in a jovial mood.
"My motto, the more the merrier!" proclaimed Bill.
"Gentlemen, Dinner is served!" announced Elizabeth.
As she graciously seated everyone around Nathan's table, the men were indeed impressed with the meal and beautiful table that was set before them.
"Nathan, will you please lead us in prayer?" Without anything being said everyone instinctively joined their hands around the table.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the food that has been lovingly prepared for our nourishment, and we thank You for Elizabeth, who has brought all of us here to commune and dine together. We thank You for our wonderful guests, who mean so very much in our lives. And we pray You will always guide and direct each of us to fulfill the plans You have laid out for our lives. In your Holy Name, we ask, Amen!"
The chorus of "Amens" around the table was said as if in one booming masculine voice.
"Elizabeth, you're an awfully brave lady to put up with all of us men at one time," noted Nathaniel.
"Nathaniel, she's an awfully brave lady to put up with just me!"
Everyone laughed and Nathan began passing the food around the table, starting with the entree, which had been baked into the most beautiful Ham any of them had seen.
Nathan had already sliced an end of the Ham in the kitchen, so their guests could easily serve themselves.
"Elizabeth, you may have to tell me your secrets for the Ham!" chided Bill.
"Sorry, Bill, Nathan commandeered most of the work on the Ham!" Elizabeth answered with a proud smile, directed squarely at Nathan.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Bill's facial expression was more than suspicious.
"Well, thanks, Bill for the confidence! I told you Elizabeth doesn't yell at me when I'm cooking. It makes a world of difference!"
"Okay, got it, Nathan. I'll tone it down the next time we cook together." acquiesced Bill.
"Next time? There's going to be a next time?" asked Nathan, dubiously.
"Well, of course, there's going to be a next time and a next time, and on and on. You don't think I'm going to let you off the hook because you were so distracted by love the first time. do you?"
"I for one would like to know exactly how Nathan was distracted by love," said Elizabeth coyly.
Aaron and Gabe were shaking their head vigorously, too, waiting for an answer. Nathan's cheeks turned redder by the minute. Nathaniel just smiled knowingly.
"Let's just say the Boy couldn't even keep a spoon in his hand if I even mentioned anything about her. And God forbid if I said her name. Things flew everywhere!"
Everyone was laughing now, even Nathaniel.
"Bill, it wasn't that bad!"
"Yes, Nathan it was that bad! I lost five spoons that night. Had to go borrow some from Gustav, and that was a really fun little discussion, let me tell you!"
"Well, I think it's adorable," and Elizabeth reached over to give him a kiss on one of his flaming cheeks.
Nathan relaxed and once again put Gabe in the hot seat. "Gabe has a date with Lillian!" he announced.
"How wonderful, Gabe. I love Lillian! And I can perfectly see the two of you together." sighed Elizabeth.
"You might need to tell her that. There's this other guy that's always with her, and I think she might be a bit sweet on him."
"Now, Gabe, I told you we're going to figure all that out when I get to Brookfield." reminded Bill.
"You're going to Brookfield, Bill?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Well, yeah. You know, those menus for Tess."
"Oh, yes, Those menus…" she said, knowing none of this had anything to do with menus. But exactly what it had to do with, she couldn't figure out.
"Bill's offered to get Tess to help him show Gabe how it's done, Elizabeth," Nathan couldn't resist adding.
Elizabeth looked at him puzzled.
"How what's done?" she asked.
"A date, I mean. Bill and Tess are going to show Gabe how he should act on a date with Lillian."
"Bill, what a lovely idea! Gabe, Bill does have a way with women. Always has."
"Hmph! That's what he said, but we weren't sure we should believe him." but with Elizabeth saying it, Gabe sounded a little less doubtful.
"No, you're in very good hands, I promise. Even charming hands. No one has the charm like Bill. Except for my Nathan, of course," she quickly added.
"I'm not sure I've ever been called charming before," interjected Nathan.
"Oh, but my Darling, you are very charming. Aaron, Nathan said that congratulations are in order for you, too! Will we get to meet Felicity?"
"I hope you do! But who knows where we'll be? Right now, everything seems to be up in the air on where the Mounties plan to station me. If I had my rathers, it would be right here in Hope Valley, with Nathan and Bill. But I can't really see that happening."
"Wouldn't that be wonderful? All most too good to be true!" agreed Nathan.
"We'd love to have you with us, Aaron! You and Gabe just fit right in, here. Think of the things we could get done around these parts with a real team!" added Bill.
Everyone could tell Aaron was delighted to hear they would want him. Even if it were only a dream and even if it was most likely one that was never going to happen.
"Nathaniel, Nathan said you're going to be the lead prosecutor for the Packer Johnston case! Congratulations! That means we'll get to see a lot more of you!" offered Elizabeth.
"Yes, your Judge here, talked me into it! But, truthfully, I couldn't have resisted, I mean, it's the case of the century! How could I refuse? But, Bill, we're going to have to upgrade your office if that's where I'm to pull this case together. I've got six attorneys coming next Monday to help, with no place to put them!"
"Nathaniel, I told you our budget's all been used. There was barely enough for my desk!" admonished Bill.
"Ah, you have a desk! Other than mine, I mean," interjected Nathan.
"Now, Nathan, that old desk was mine before it was yours! Nathaniel, what in the world are you going to need?" totally ignoring Nathan's hint!
"Six additional desks and chairs in the second room for starters and a conference table we all can work at! Plus that bookcase of yours is loaded down, and you won't believe the volume of briefs they're shipping in!"
"I'll make a call to Headquarters and see what we can do." snarled Bill, reluctantly.
"Now, that's the spirit Judge!" Nathaniel would be happy with that as a start.
Everyone was enjoying their food, as well as the company.
As their Dinner came to an end, Elizabeth announced, "Finally, it's time for Gabe's favorite Dessert…"
"I'll go get it, Darling!"
"Oh, no thanks, my Love. I can manage," and she left the table with a grin.
She quickly returned carrying the Triple Layer Chocolate Cake on a pedestal cake stand.
"Now, that's a Cake!" pronounced Gabe.
"Just one more thing, Gentlemen."
Elizabeth was immediately back at the table with a large crystal bowl filled with a delectable bright red Cherry Sauce.
"I promise you, the Sauce is delicious with the Chocolate Cake!"
Nathan couldn't help but grin as he gazed up at her. And his beautiful blue eyes were definitely sparkling!
Elizabeth stood as the Hostess and cut large slices of Cake for their guests.
"Does everyone want to try the Cherry Sauce? I promise you won't regret it!"
The case for the Cherry Sauce was unanimously agreed upon around the table. So, she ladled a heaping serving over each slice of Cake, as Nathan served the completed Dessert plates to each of their guests, without being able to wipe the smile from his face.
"Oh, Elizabeth, you've got to give me the recipe for this Sauce! The flavors meld with the Chocolate perfectly!" Bill complimented. "I never would have thought about adding a Cherry Sauce!"
"Happy to do so Bill, as long as you don't forget to give us ladies those Brunswick Stew cooking lessons," bartered Elizabeth.
"A promise is a promise. We'll do it sometime next week."
That little cooking lesson would also give Elizabeth and Rosemary time together to prompt Bill for information regarding Tess.
Nathan, Elizabeth, and their guests had talked in the living room for what seemed like hours, just enjoying the Coffee and each other's company. But it was getting late, and finally, the men gave their thanks for what had been a perfect evening, which all had thoroughly enjoyed. Then one by one, they said their goodbyes.
Bill had insisted on doing the dishes alone in the kitchen. He finished about the time Aaron, Gabe, and Nathaniel all left together.
"Bill, I wish you had just stayed in here with us. We missed your spirited conversation."
"Nathan, truthfully, I needed some time to myself to think and come to a decision."
Bill looked a little worried.
"Bill, what's wrong?" asked Nathan forcefully.
"I'm not exactly sure. And I've debated on saying anything at all to the two of you. But standing in there, I realized it isn't right to keep it from you. We need to sit down and have a talk."
Elizabeth was also growing concerned.
She knew Bill as well as her own Father, and something big was troubling him...