Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 4, Page 28

While Allie was in school, Dee in Brookfield, and Emily helping Minnie out at the Cafe, he was free to do what he planned. First thing after rounds, Nathan went to Coulter Lumber and talked to Jesse sitting at the desk, with his feet up.

"Ahem!" Nathan startled Jesse who quickly dropped his feet to the floor.

"Good morning, Nathan," Jesse winced as he shuffled around some papers, "how can I help you?"

"Didn't want to disturb you," Nathan answered gruffly, "but I was hoping you could tell me if Lee sent the men out to cut down the trees yet today?"

"Ah, yes he did. In fact that's where Matthew and Joseph are now." Jesse answered.

"Thank you, I'll let you get back to work." Nathan said rather tartly.

Nathan couldn't help but wonder how Lee put up with Jesse's lackadaisical ethics.

Knowing Lee, he probably would give him a warning and leave it at that. Lee had a soft-heart, but was no fool.

Before Nathan would head out to the grove of trees, he stopped by to talk with Bill. Nathan peered in the window and saw his best friend sitting at his desk with the sign that read, "Judge William Avery". He looked smart pouring over his paperwork and Nathan knew that Bill knew Hope Valley the best of anyone. Always helpful, but keenly suspicious with a sixth sense of whether to trust someone or not, Nathan admired his best friend and looked to him for advice.

Politely knocking on his door while entering, Nathan greeted Bill. "How's it going?"

"Hey, C'mon in and sit a spell." Bill invited.

"Thanks, I've got a situation that I want to tell you about. I'm thinking I got a grip on it, but let me run it past you." Nathan started as he explained the whole O'Neill family situation including what he and his own family discussed about helping them.

"That's mighty kind of you Nathan. I think you're going above and beyond what's expected of you as a Mountie. However, having said that, I know you are more than a Mountie. You are a good man deep inside and it shows. I felt that when I first realized why you offered to come here, so you could look after Elizabeth and LJ." Bill reflected.

"Thanks Bill, but I've been taught by a good woman, my mother, to treat others the way you want to be treated. It's just the way I am. I'm not looking for praise, I'm looking for approval." Nathan divulged.

"I think you know what to do. Personally, I wouldn't of thought of following through to the extent like you. Just listen to your heart, but use your head. Be true to yourself. That's all I can tell you. Do you need my help?" Bill asked.

"Okay then Bill. Thanks for the support. Right now I do have two things that you can help me with. I'm looking to help find Rick O'Neill a job. He wants to stay close to town so as to keep an eye on his parents. Lee said by spring he will have work available when they start building to expand the Mercantile and other businesses. In the meantime, can Rick help out Sam at Billees? With the Christmas pageant coming and our wedding reception for sure, I thought this might be a good solution for both."

"Sure thing, that sounds like a great idea. Send him over." Bill nodded.

"Thanks, actually that was Dee's idea." Nathan said proudly. "Which leads me to my second question. There's some land that Dee and I have been going to before it got cold, it has a stream running through it, grove of trees, one of which I carved our initials in, and a beautiful view of the mountains to the east of here. Is that your property?"

"Sounds like it. You'd have to show me exactly. Are you"...Bill wondered.

"Yes, I am asking if you would sell me a parcel to build a home for Dee, Allie, my Ma and me." Nathan explained.

"Let's take a ride out there and make sure it's my land, then if it is, I couldn't think who better to sell it to! I need to give my horse Hero, some exercise anyways." Bill suggested.

"Great, I'll meet you at the livery in a few minutes, I just have to stop by the Mercantile to order something for Allie and Ma for Christmas." Nathan replied.

At the Mercantile, Ned gave him the catalog to browse through. As he looked in the selection he had in mind, he found what he wanted. "Can you have these by Christmas?" Nathan checked.

"Yes, unless there's a huge storm, I think you're still safe." Ned replied. "See you tomorrow at the town tree lighting."

"Thank you. Yes, you will." Nathan nodded as he tipped his hat.

Bill was ready at the livery. Nathan quickly saddled up Newton and off they rode. They met Matthew and Joseph cutting down the trees. They got off their horses and walked over. Nathan called, "You two got a minute?"

After they stopped they all came together in which Nathan shared his thoughts about helping out the O'Neill family. Matthew knew Timothy, the soldier who had died, as they returned back from war to Hope Valley together. Matthew had grown up with him and Rick. He offered to take one of the smaller trees to the O'Neill's farm and Pastor Joseph agreed, but first they would need to bring in the town Christmas tree, and the other tree that Nathan had roped off for his own home. Nathan was relieved that Pastor Joseph and Matthew would follow through with his idea. Of course, Pastor asked them all to pray that he would have the words to get through to Mr. O'Neill. "I'll meet you both back in town," Nathan nodded.

Bill and Nathan rode back to the Judge's office and Nathan was very happy that the land he showed him was part of Bill's property and was willing to sell him a parcel. "I'm going to keep my eye on my property," Bill cautioned, "with the big boom in industry coming, that land will be a big attraction to buy and build. I don't want to overcrowd you, so the parcels will be larger than I originally planned. For you and your family, I want the best."

"Bill, I will make you glad you sold to me, I promise. Thank you. I hope to surprise Dee with this for Christmas, so please don't say anything, especially to Rosemary!" Nathan laughed. Bill laughed too as he clasped his friend's shoulder, "Your secret is safe with me! I'll draw up the bill of sale and then it's all yours!"