Chapter 6
Thank you for all of the wonderful comments! This story has been a joy to write. There is some really good stuff coming up - good size chunks of it is already written, its just a matter of getting the characters there. We should be startng to hit some of those things in chapter 8, so hang on for just a little bit longer! A couple of notes - the inspiration of Elise is that of my grandmother, who was very short, compared to my grandfather who significantly taller then she was, easily by a foot. A part of Elise is also myself, who is also short, but not as short as my grandma, but definitely suffers from self dubbed comparison syndrome - comparing myself to others, especially the appearance. It is one thing to be confident in your self in a professional aspect, but the personal is so different. Second, it wasn't until a couple of chapters in that I realized that I probably should have given our heroine a different name - its a little close to Elizabeth. But Elise is a nod towards one of my favorite moves - Somewhere In Time starring Jane Seymore and Christopher Reeve. Anyways, I hope you enjoy chapter 6!
After her ride, Elise brushed and bedded down Storm for the night, but not before telling her truest companion, "Good night my heart. I will see you tomorrow". The horse nudged her head against Elise's, and Elise ran her hand over Storm's head one more time before she left the livery.
She did not feel right about going to dinner at the Grant's empty handed, so she stopped in at the café and picked up a strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. As she walked out of the café, she saw Mrs. Thornton leave the saloon and walk across the street towards the lane that headed towards the rowhouses. Elise tried to not pay attention to the woman in front of her, but that was easier said then done. Upon reaching the first rowhouse, Elise saw the woman walk up the steps and walk into the house, the same house that Nathan had looked at longingly just a few nights before. Elise kept walking, but her heart fell into her stomach. She may not see the full picture, but the pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together. She knew that something must have happened between the handsome constable and the beautiful teacher.
Suddenly, Elise did not feel very good, and she was tempted to cancel her dinner with the Grant's. She walked into her rowhouse, sat down on her settee, put her head into her hands, and silently prayed. She asked the Lord to grant her the peace and strength she needed to get through the next few hours. A few moments later, she raised her head, and feeling somewhat better, so started to prepare herself to go to dinner. She chose a black skirt and a light blue blouse. She lightly twisted her hair up out of her face, then added a slight dab of blush to her cheeks, and a splash of her favorite perfume. She felt that with what she had to work with, it would do.
As 6:30 was approaching, she stopped at one of the boxes she knew held some of her most prized possessions – her books. She found the book she was looking for, grabbed the pie for dessert and opened her door.
"I don't think its supposed to look like that", Allie said as she looked into the pot that contained their dinner.
Nathan came over to the stove, and noticed that the sauce had thickened up, leaving almost no "sauce" in the pan.
"Do you think we have enough time to go catch some fish… you know how to cook that," Allie stated as she looked up at him.
"Ha-ha, very funny", Nathan replied, just as he heard a knock at the door. "I think we just ran out of time. Why don't you go answer the door."
Allie bounded across the house, but when she reached the door, she quickly smoothed out her skirt and took a breath. Nathan noticed from the kitchen that Allie was trying to "prepare" herself.
"Allie, stop and answer the door".
"I'm trying to at least make myself presentable before she finds out you killed dinner".
Nathan's shoulders dropped and his head followed suit as he looked at her.
"Just answer the door."
Allie turned, then twisted the door handle.
"Good evening Miss Monteith", Allie said, with a huge, cheeky grin.
"Good evening Allie". Elise noticed Nathan in the kitchen "Good evening, Constable". He looked at her with a perplexed face, waved his hand, then crossed his arms as he looked back at the stove.
Elise walked across the house, placed her things on the table before she joined him at the stove. She looked into the pot, then looked up at him and casually said "Is it a good thing I brought something with me? So at least Allie and I don't starve"?
He looked at her with the same face he had just given to Allie, and Elise started laughing. "What is it supposed to be?"
"Spaghetti sauce".
"Hmm. I never knew spaghetti sauce could look like that".
Nathan's face completely fell and instantly went red. Elise continued to laugh and Allie joined in. After a moment of laughing, at Nathan's expense, Elise regained her composure. "We can fix this. Do you have any tomatoes? Onion? Mushrooms?"
"Yes!" Nathan quickly got the ingredients around.
"What about a cutting board and knife?" Moments later Elise was giving Nathan a lesson on how to save spaghetti sauce. She had Allie fill a second pot to start boiling water to make the noodles.
"I wondered how I was supposed to make those…" Elise just shook her head and asked, "How have you two survived for so long?"
Allie piped in "We eat a lot of fish. Uncle Nathan is a wiz at fish".
"Then why are we not eating fish?"
"Point taken. In my defense, I heard that spaghetti was supposed to be romantic…"and then Nathan realized what he said.
"Oh, I didn't realize this was a romantic dinner…"
"Uncle Nathan, ohhhhhhh…." Allie chided.
"I think I'm just going to give up and not even try to get ahead".
The girls laughed once again, a sound that Nathan loved to hear. He looked up from his knife and mushrooms at Elise and Allie, who were at the stove working on the sauce. This was what he wanted, so much he doubted he would probably never get it.
"How are those vegetables coming?" Elise was pouring the juice out of the jar of tomatoes into the dry sauce.
"Onions and mushrooms are chopped". Nathan brought the cutting board of vegetables over to the stove and watched as the juice started to thin up the thick sauce.
"Go ahead and put them in while I stir." Nathan gently pushed the vegetables into the pot, while Elise stirred them in. Nathan was inches from her, and he breathed in her perfume. He recognized the lightness of lilies, and thought it suited her perfectly.
"Here, these need to be chopped next", Elise said to Nathan as she handed him the rest of the jar of tomatoes. He returned to the table, and Elise caught herself looking at him as he carefully cut the tomatoes as finely as he could. Her heart was racing as she was not used to being in as close proximity to a man. She thought the blue in his shirt matched his eyes perfectly, and his scent reminded her of spending a day in woods.
When he was finished, he brought the cutting board back over and as he was pushing the tomatoes into the pot, his hand brushed against Elise's as she stirred them in. Elise slightly tensed up, but she didn't show it, and Nathan looked at her bent head. Nathan quickly turned and placed the cutting board and knife near the sink.
"So, Allie, how was school?" Nathan asked, trying to settle his heart.
"Mrs. Thornton told us we have to do a book project. We can either do a report or find some other creative way to present our book. She said, "let the book you choose inspire you". So now I need to go to the library and find a book. Even though I've read most of the books at the library for my age."
"Allie", Elise said, "Go look at what I brought you over on the table. It maybe a little young for a book project, but you might be able to get a lot of inspiration out of it".
"Peter Pan! I've never read it, but always thought it sounded interesting."
"What's it about?" Nathan asked.
"Its about a boy who never grows up. He lives in a far away land called Neverland with the Lost Boys and a fairy named Tinkerbell. Its all about his adventures with friends he brings to Neverland from London. Its one of those books that lets you use your imagination." Looking at the boiling water, "Go ahead and add the noodles, Allie."
Allie added the noodles to the water. "Maybe after dinner we could read some of it? Uncle Nathan and I like reading out loud to each other after dinner".
"I would enjoy that Allie".
Elise stood there and took in the scene around her. Nathan was pouring lemonade into glasses while Allie put plates and utensils on the table. They worked well together. Obviously from years of experience.
A few moments later the pasta was finished, and the food was brought to the table. They all sat down, and Nathan reached for her and Allies hands. Elise was slow to reach for his, but not because he reached out to her. She had not graced the food since her father passed away – there was no one to pray with, so what was the point? She gently placed her hand in his, and also in Allie's outstretched hand.
"Allie, would you like to say Grace?"
"Dear Lord, thank you for bringing Miss Monteith into our lives and letting her come to dinner. Without her here to fix things, we would probably be eating cold cheese sandwiches tonight."
"Allie…." Nathan grumbled while Elise suppressed another laugh.
"Thank you for this food and the company. Amen"
After dinner was finished and everyone had a slice of pie, Nathan insisted that the ladies head to the settee and start reading "Peter Pan" while he worked on the dishes. Elise started to protest, but Nathan was adamant. "You saved dinner, now its time for our guest to relax".
Elise and Allie made their way over to the settee, and Elise started reading from the book. The dishes did not take Nathan long, and soon he was sitting in the chair, listening to Elise read about flying boys, children and fairies. Both Allie and Nathan were transported to Neverland as Elise's voice brought the story to life. She was an amazing reader, and Nathan and Allie held on as she described the scenes. Elise read three chapters before she finally noticed that Allie's eyes were starting to droop just a little.
"Allie, I think its bedtime", Nathan stated.
"But I'm not tired" Allie said as she yawned. "Can't we just read another chapter".
"Not tonight, you need to be awake if you want to use it for your project", Elise reminded her.
"I guess". The girl pulled herself off the settee, went over to Nathan for her nightly hug and kiss on the forehead. She then turned to Elise and wrapped her arms around the unsuspecting woman. "Thank you for the story".
"Your welcome Allie", Elise returned, taking in the smell of her hair. She was tempted to kiss her at her hairline but stopped herself. As natural as it felt, it also felt like it was too much. A moment later, she was alone with the tall and very handsome Mountie.
"I should probably go. Thank you for dinner. It was enjoyable".
"Only because you saved dinner".
"I think it would have been enjoyable even with cheese sandwiches". Nathan's crooked smile started to form on his lips.
"Here, let me walk you home".
"That's not necessary, Constable", Elise said as she started for the door.
"No, I would like to walk you home".
Elise turned back towards him, felt her checks get slightly red as she responded "Ok".
They exited the rowhouse, and started to make their way down the lane to hers. They were both silent, slightly awkward, but also slightly comfortable. Nathan knew he was running out of time, and just before they reached her front steps, he asked "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I need to finish unpacking, setting the house up. It is really my last chance to get it done since I will be busy come Monday setting up my office and opening the doors to the public. I have a lot of work in front of me to get my practice up and running. I want to make my way around town to finish meeting the residents here, then get out into the valley and meet those on the outskirts of town. With the factory opening soon, that has to be one of my main priorities."
"Well, the valley is a decent size area. I go on my rounds every day. Maybe one day you would be interested in joining me. I can introduce you to most of the families. I'm still getting to know some of the newcomers for the factory also."
"That's a very nice offer Constable. Thank you. I will take you up on that offer when I am ready".
"I look forward to it". Elise's eyes got a big for a moment. "And its probably time that you start calling me Nathan, especially since there is a good chance we will be spending more time together. In a professional aspect, I mean".
"Well, then you should probably call me Elise".
"Elise it is then. Well Elise, have a good night. Sleep tight"
"Sleep tight Nathan". Nathan turned to walk back to his house, just as a thought came to Elise. "Nathan, would you and Allie be interested in another cooking lesson on Sunday?"
Nathan turned back around, looked her in the eyes and said, "We usually go fishing after church". Elise's expression slightly dropped, figuring he would say no. "Allie looks forward to it every week. Why don't you join us, then we could have the cooking lesson?" Her eyes perked back up once she realized his intention.
"I would like that."
"Shall we escort you to church? It would be a good place to meet some new people also", Nathan making it sound so innocent.
Elise paused for a moment. She prayed when she needed strength, but only had she not said grace in years, she had not stepped foot in a church since her father had passed. "That would be very nice of you. Thank you"
"I will see you Sunday then. Good night Elise".
"Good night, Nathan". She watched as her turned and made his way back down the lane. And she swore she heard him whistling.
