LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART Chapter 1, Page 2
The kitchen was always smelling so sweet when Allie or Nathan came in. Emily was baking every day, which meant Nathan was usually bringing home flour or sugar or some special ingredient for her. Today she was baking Honey Cookies. "Yummy," declared Allie as she was following the aroma into the house. "Hi Oma, what are you baking today, more cookies? Can I have one?"
"Hello my angel! Of course you can, but just one. I have an order to fill." Emily smiled. "Seems Minnie is getting requests for favorites, and the honey cookies are one of them. I think I'll have enough money for nice Christmas gifts this time."
"Oma, you are getting such great compliments. Even at school I hear the other children talking about their families ordering special baked goods for their Christmas parties! I'm just worried we won't have any as you'll be too tired to bake for us!" Allie sighed.
"Don't you fret now angel, my family comes first." Oma laughed. "By the way are you working the switchboard at the Mercantile this weekend?"
"I think so, why?" Allie asked.
"We need to buy your Dad and Dee an engagement gift. So, do your old Oma a favor and see if you can borrow the catalog from Mrs. Yost and look around and see what they already have please? Your dad has been so good about bringing me home all the ingredients I need, that I don't get to town very often."
"I'm sure I can borrow the catalog, but just for Sunday while they're closed." Allie said.
Dee went to the Coulter Lumber office after school and met Rosemary there. "Hello Rosemary! Are we still going to Brookfield together?" Dee checked.
"Yes, Lee approved, right darling?" Rosemary nodded at Lee.
"Hello Dee, yes, you two just be careful. I don't want to go searching for you like the last time you went out of town." Lee teased Rosemary.
"Thank you Lee," Dee smiled. "Rosemary, do you want to go Thursday after school lets out and stay over at my sisters, or leave early from here on Friday?"
"Dee, I would love to meet your sister and her family, especially before the engagement dinner. So, if it's all the same to you, let's go Thursday after school at least for this time." Rosemary suggested.
"Perfect. Can I make a telephone call to the Superintendent to get his approval? Then assuming he'll say yes, I'll call my sister and let her know." Dee said.
Dee made the two phone calls and was so happy that Mr. Landis saw no problem with Rosemary helping Dee as long as there was no money involved, and Dorothy was more than happy to have another guest. Dee just hoped she'd get enough sleep as she was a little bit concerned about Rosemary talking when she shared a bed with her!
When Dee got back to Faith's house, she changed her clothes and took a bath. It was such a treat to soak and wash her hair. She loved the smell and feel when she was done. She hoped that indoor plumbing would come to Hope Valley soon. Having experienced it while out to the concert, it was hard to go without. When she was done bathing, she packed up a few things for the trip the next day to stay on top of time. Being practical about everything, meant she didn't see Nathan, until he came over.
"Hello beautiful! Where were you after school today?" Nathan asked her as he pulled her in for a kiss.
"What?" Dee looked surprised. "Oh, it's Wednesday! I was thinking about telephoning the Superintendent for his approval of Rosemary driving me to Brookfield and helping me out, that..."
"You forgot about us" Nathan gave her a pouty look, "Yes, it is Wednesday which means it's our time alone together so we can go for a ride out in the country."
"Nathan, I am so sorry, will you please forgive me? When I went past the school and didn't saw you, John and the students no longer there, I came home and had a nice bath." Dee explained.
"Oh, I know." Nathan smiled.
"Why Constable are you a peeping Tom?" Dee blushed at the thought.
Nathan laughed loudly, "No darling, you just smell so nice. I just want to..." he stopped to kiss her.
"Can we still go for a ride now?" she smiled as she grabbed her shawl.
"I thought you'd never ask." Nathan answered.
Off they rode on Newton together in the warm sunshine. When they got to the field where he asked her to marry him just a week ago, they talked about that spot where they hoped some day to build a home together by the stream. When they walked over to the willow tree, Nathan carved their initials on the tree inside a heart.
"Sweetheart, have you thought about a date yet?" Nathan inquired.
"Well, I have. I don't want to take my Dad and Walter from a busy time. I know the spring brings lots of babies, so if we could have our wedding on Valentine's Day that's still early enough. Would that be a good time Nathan?" Dee asked.
"The sooner the better. That sounds romantic Dee. As long as I have you." Nathan held her. "We have a date to make you Mrs. Grant!"
"That sounds delightful! I will let Dorothy know when I see her tomorrow. I want her to be my maid of honor." Dee told Nathan excitedly.
"Tomorrow? Rosemary wants to go then? I thought you two would ride up on Friday morning." Nathan was disappointed.
"Now Constable don't complain, I'll be home Saturday early. Besides, I am the one who has to sleep two nights with Rosemary." she grinned.
"Better you than me." Nathan laughed. "We better tell Ma and Allie," Nathan said as he helped Dee up on Newton.
He put his arms around her as she rested her head against his chest while they rode back to his house.
