Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 1, Page 7

Molly was at the stagecoach stop to welcome her good friend, Dottie. "It's been a long time since I've seen you!" as she hugged Dottie.

"Yes it has, too long!" Dottie agreed. "Thank you for taking me in during my stay. I can't wait to hear all about you and Bill and the goings on here in Hope Valley."

Molly and Dottie grabbed her luggage and walked into the cafe for some apple slices that Emily had just baked. "Of course, you are more than welcome," Molly hugged Dottie as they found a table to sit down together. "You'll meet Minnie who runs this place for Bill, with Clare's help, after Abigail left to take care of her ailing aunt."

Just then Minnie came over and brought the coffee with. "Hi Molly, I see you have a friend with you. My name is Minnie, welcome."

"I didn't think you would be here now, right after the shower! Minnie, this is Dottie, who owns the dress shop. Dottie, this is Minnie." Molly gave the introductions.

"Oh my, YOU are Dottie?" Minnie was surprised. "Rosemary talks about you all the time. She told me you were coming. So nice to meet you!"

"Minnie, I've heard very nice compliments about you too." Dottie said.

Clare came down after putting her gifts away upstairs and saw Dottie. "How are you Dottie?"

"Wonderful. It's looks like you are anticipating a new arrival! Congratulations!" Dottie grinned. "When are you due?"

"December, but I feel like another month I'll be rolling around. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up." Clare sighed.

"Not to worry, my dear. I'll be here to help at the dress shop, so that's one less place for you to be concerned about. You need to get off your feet at this late date." Dottie said matter of fact.

"We'll take some coffee and an apple slice each please!" Molly suggested.

"Sure thing!" Clare said as she left for the apple slices.

"I need to remind Bill to get some help over here at the cafe, so poor Clare can relax. Minnie had her daughter help during the summer, but when school started up again, she lost her help. Clare's been pitching in, but she needs to rest." Molly began as she continued to fill in Dottie on the latest happenings.

Meanwhile, Dee and Nathan realized that Molly was busy with Dottie, so asking her to sing at their wedding would have to wait. "Nathan, Elizabeth asked me at Clare's shower where Emily was. I tried to explain about your thought that your Ma was concerned about her accent. So, Elizabeth asked some of the older ladies to check in on her and Regina offered. I hope you don't mind."

"No not at all, I'm glad someone is going to reach out to her. The engagement dinner party is only a week away and she hasn't met very many people yet. Part of her staying close to home is because she doesn't want to run into my Dad."

Nathan pondered.

"Should we invite him over for coffee before the party so it's not too awkward for them both?" Dee suggested.

"Yes, you know, that's a great idea. Let's have him come home with us after church tomorrow." Nathan nodded.

As they arrived at Nathan's home, Emily was napping away in her rocker with her crocheting in hand. Ella and Ginger had barked in greeting and woke her up. "Oh for heaven's sake, I must've fell asleep." she seemed embarrassed and touched up her hair.

Nathan walked over to her and kissed her head.

"I'm fine, I should be getting dinner ready." as she shooed him away.

"Ma, just sit there for a minute, Dee and I were thinking that it might be best if you and Dad met here before the engagement dinner party next weekend. You'll be more comfortable here at home for your first meeting." Nathan suggested.

"What am I suppose to say? Hello, it's nice to see you after all these years? I don't think I can look at him. Nathan, he left me, you, and Colleen to fend for ourselves! It hurts too much." Emily started to tear up.

Nathan walked over and knelt next to his mom. "Ma, I'm sorry, but you and Dad will see eachother next weekend and you can't hide from him, if you want to live here in Hope Valley with us. Will you be willing to meet him for coffee here after Church tomorrow please?"

"Emily," Dee spoke up, "I hope you don't get mad at us for this. My folks are coming for the party and you can sit with them as they won't know anyone else. I want us all to be enjoying the celebration together."

Emily looked away, sighed, and looked back at them both. "You are right. The good Lord asks us to forgive, that is what I need to do, and it's something I need to work out with His help. For you and your lovely bride, Nathan, I will accept your suggestion and talk with your father tomorrow. All I ask is that Allie not be here when we talk. I don't want my angel to see her Oma's halo on crooked."

All three of them burst into laughter. Nathan gave his Ma gave his Ma a big hug and then Dee joined in for a loving group hug.