Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 3, Page 26

When Allie wasn't around Emily asked Dee if she would do her a favor. "I was hoping your mother, Bertie, could go by my old farm and pick me up something."

"I'm sure she won't mind at all," Dee assured her. "What do you need?"

"As you know, I left a few of my things and some furniture at the farm and told Jack and Carol that when I settle in I would be back to get it all. This is something that can't wait. I want to give Allie an heirloom for Christmas. She's had her eye on this as far back as I can remember." Emily divulged.

"Oh, that sounds like a wonderful surprise." Dee urged.

"If you could ask her to bring it wrapped up in Christmas wrapping paper to our Christmas celebration, that would be so very nice of her." Emily told Dee what she wanted and they both giggled at the thought of Allie seeing her gift.

"I'll be sure to let my mother know." Dee promised.

Soon, Nathan showed up with Allie. He had given her a ride on Newton after school to look for a tree. They picked one out and decided to go back the next day and bring it home.

"It is so nice out there in the country." Allie gushed. "Dad and I found the perfect tree for Christmas! Wait until you see it!"

"Oh I hope it's not to soon to bring it indoors." Emily cautioned.

"We can leave it outside for a little while, but I do want to get it in before any snow hits us." Nathan reminded them.

It had been getting dark earlier and earlier and the air was now cold and had a sting to it. "I believe old man winter is coming." Nathan hissed. "Doing rounds is getting to be a bit of a challenge so I guess I'll have to start getting out the long johns and doubling up on socks."

Allie laughed. "It's so funny to see your long johns hanging to dry Dad!"

"Ha Ha yourself Allie! You can do my rounds tomorrow for me. Let's see how you do without!" Nathan's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"You two, wash your hands and come to the table to eat while it's hot." Emily beckoned. "Dee, is Faith still joining us tonight?"

"I thought so, she might be busy. I guess she'll come when she can." Dee said.

"Then we'll eat now, and we can save her a plate." Emily suggested. "Let's say grace."

After they all had their plates full of German Rouladen and potatoes, the conversation began when Nathan complimented his Ma's cooking as usual.

"Ma, I have a favor to ask of you. Today I stopped by and visited the O'Neill family at their farm. I had met their son, Rick trying to hunt, but that's another story. When I spoke with him he told me that his parents lost their son, his brother Timothy, just this summer. Timothy was on his way home from war but he came down with the Spanish flu. In his weakened state, he couldn't fight it and passed away. The town all went to the funeral and it was such a sad day. I remember the service and then hearing "Taps" being played, and "Danny Boy" being sung at the graveside. Timothy was only 20."

"Oh my heavens," Emily shook her head. "May he rest in peace."

"That's so sad." Allie said quietly. "I was in Brook Springs with Oma then, so I didn't know."

"These men suffered so much." Dee's eyes softened. "Walter had horrible nightmares most of the summer." Nathan grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"When I visited them Mr. O'Neill was just sitting in his chair listening to the radio and barely talked to me. I asked what I could do to help and he just said nothing unless I could bring back Timothy. Mrs. O'Neill apologized and just explained that they were not doing so well and led me to the door." Nathan continued, "I told them to let me know if they needed anything, anything at all. As I left I saw the farm had been neglected. There were crops still in the field and machinery just sitting around. The thing is, Rick feels obligated to stay at the farm because he's keeping an eye on his parents. So, he's not gone off to school. He's quite capable of work so I asked Lee, but Lee won't have work until the spring."

Dee thought out loud, "Maybe he could help Sam at Billees. Sam is going to be busy with the pageant, and our wedding reception for sure, plus other events."

"Now, that's a great idea my dear." Nathan kissed Dee on her forehead.

"What can we do to help?" Emily asked..

"Well Ma, I thought maybe you could ride out with me to visit. I can borrow a wagon. It's really not that far. I was thinking you could make an apple cake or whatever you're baking that day and you could visit with Mrs. O'Neil." Nathan suggested.

"Sure, sure. I can do that." Emily agreed.

"Dee, I think we should talk to Pastor Joseph and have him ride out too. I'm thinking Mr. O'Neil might open up to him. If anyone can get him to talk, Joseph can. And, Allie, if you and some of your friends can make some homemade decorations, maybe we can bring them a Christmas tree." Nathan looked around the table to see what kind of responses he was getting. Everyone was smiling.

"All right then we are going to start on this first thing tomorrow. Nathan said in a commanding voice.

"This is good, ya!" Emily said as they all laughed.