Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 4, Page 39

Dottie felt so sorry for Henry. He had a miserable life in the past and had no one to come home to, even today. Since his wife left him, he had a few encounters but the last one with Abigail was a love-hate relationship and yet Abigail had found the Henry, that wasn't bitter. Their letters were what kept Henry going. Dottie too understood what it meant to be alone and said out loud.

"Henry, would you like to come over on Christmas for dinner?" Dottie inquired. "I cook a delectable ham!"

"Dottie, that's mighty kind of you, but I'm not sure you want my company." Henry had a bitter chuckle.

"Nonsense Henry, please come for Christmas dinner! I really have no one coming here and I want to have Molly and Bill too." she persisted.

"Well, if you insist, thank you Dottie, a smart man can't refuse a good dinner, by by a lovely lady for Christmas. Let me bring wine. I look forward to it." Henry eyes softened.

"Wonderful, come over by noon. I'm looking forward to it too!" Dottie's eyes twinkled.

When Dottie returned to the dress shop, she was relieved to know that Dee had finally found 3 dresses that she could pick from the catalog.

"I'm glad you found a few. When speaking with Henry, I know he has strong feelings about those clothes that were in the attic." Dottie promised not to divulge Henry's confession. "So let's see the ones you're looking at."

Dee showed both Rosemary and Dottie to help her decide. Any of the three dresses Dee would look dazzling. "Now that is decided, what am I going to use for something borrowed, blue, old, and new?" Dee drummed her fingers on the chair.

"First things first, I need to call the order for the dress in right away." Rosemary grinned. "I'll go in the back room and make the call now. How exciting!"

Back in Nathan's kitchen Emily was quite busy baking up a storm. She had received so many orders for stollen, nuss schnitten, lebkuchen, pfeffernuesse, kipplens, and spritz cookies. Nathan had to keep bringing home flour, sugar, butter and spices. Thank goodness Allie was finally off of school by Wednesday so she and Karen helped her bake the last of the orders.

"Oma, this reminds me of the fun times we had at your farm house in Brook Springs baking and cooking this summer!" Allie spoke up.

"Yea, this is so much fun!" Karen agreed as she, Allie, and Emily laughed.

"Now girls, Santa Claus has been watching and he knows that you've been very good helpers for me. So, I think you are on his good girls list!" Emily teased.

"I hope he's more generous than St. Nicholas. All I got in my shoes were oranges and apples with a few walnuts." Allie scowled.

"Sure, young lady, better than coal!" Emily gave her a half-smile. "Let's get these packaged up shall we? I've got to take these to Minnie for the orders." Emily grinned.

"Can we help you?" Karen asked.

"Can you help me, why of course ladies. You baked these cookies too, so before we go, let's have a few just to make sure they taste good, ya?" Emily smiled.

Dee had left the dress shop very excited and anxious. She was humming a tune when she stopped in to see Nathan at the NWMP office. "Hello there my love!" her eyes sparkled as he turned around.

"Dee, what a gorgeous surprise!" as he held out his arms. Their embrace was long and tight.

Laying her head on his chest she loved to hear his heart beat. Reluctantly she pulled away and her whole face lit up as she gushed, "Nathan, I found a gorgeous dress for the wedding! Rosemary just ordered it!"

"You could come in your farm trousers, and I'd be thrilled to marry you!" Nathan laughed as he brought her back into his arms to give her an intense kiss.

"Whoa Nathan, I really must get to the church for our last Christmas choir practice" Dee said as she smoothed down her clothes and took in a deep breath. "I don't want to be late now" she winked.

"Love you Chickadee!" he called to her as she left.

At the church, both choirs were there to blend in perfect harmony. Angela and Timothy each took turns playing piano while Karen sang a solo for the children's choir among the other songs the class had been practicing together. Then Molly sang a solo for the adult choir, and then played the piano for the rest of the time when the adults were practicing. Dee had both choirs combine for the last song, "Silent Night." All in all it went very well and Dee was pleased. It was a very successful day in her book.

One thing had her wondering, where was Faith? She always came to choir practice. Thinking she was just enjoying time with Carson home now, she was surprised when she got to Faith's house that no one was there. That was funny. She hadn't seen the infirmary with lights on, so maybe they went out to dinner.

As she went to the table a note caught her eye. She walked over, and read, "I'm over at Clara's. I think we'll have a new citizen for Hope Valley very soon."