Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 6, Page 53

Fiona was very relieved to have a breakthrough with Christy. The beginning of her opening up was a good start. In order to keep her talking she had to stay home for a little longer and continue encouraging her to share more. Luckily, little Timi Anne was sleeping in.

"Rick O'Neill?" Fiona asked to make sure she heard correctly.

"Yes, why?" Christy asked anxiously.

"The O'Neill's just buried Timothy this summer and I went to the funeral. I didn't get a chance to talk to the family since then, but Constable Nathan did briefly recently, and Mr. O'Neill was still very upset about Timothy passing and wouldn't take care of his farm or family." Fiona started.

"I did know about their farm not being cared for. I only saw Rick a few times after that night." Christy's voice drifted off. "he said he could hardly get out anymore because his mother needed him to pick up the pieces where his Dad had left off. I felt so bad for him. He had lost his brother, and his Dad was ignoring him. Now, his mother counted on him to help with the farm. It just wasn't fair."

"Oh, honey." Fiona consoled, "That family struggled for many months. By the time Mountie Nathan came across Rick trying to hunt it was just about Christmas time. Up until then no one knew much else. They kept to themselves."

"I missed Christmas with my family. It was so hard. I thought I could be stronger than that, but I really cried about it. Maggie told me that Mom was so upset and worried about me especially at Christmas. Every night they prayed the rosary in hopes that I would come back home." Christy said sadly.

"Why didn't you go home with Maggie?"

"My mother told Maggie that she wanted me home and she would defend me if I came. I knew if I did my father would send me off again."

"You don't know that for sure. If he saw little Timi Anne, she might just melt his stubborn heart." Fiona suggested. "Let me call Constable Nathan here and let him know he doesn't have to keep searching for who you are, all right?"

"Yes, I guess. I don't know what to do now." Christy sighed.

"One step at a time." Fiona gave her a hug and called Nathan.

When Nathan got there Fiona and Christy filled him in on what they just talked about. Nathan was relieved that Christy finally opened up to Fiona as they had no education records on Christy or her sister Maggie. He nodded when she told him where she lived, and he indicated to her that he rode by there but had only waved at the people on the farm. I would like to go out there and talk to your folks if you don't mind." Nathan was hoping she would agree.

"I don't want to yet. I need to rest here and take care of Timi Anne until she gets better. I'm afraid my father will want me to give her away. So, please don't, not now. I'm not ready." Christy pleaded.

"All right, we can wait until you are both healthy. As long as Fiona doesn't mind." he looked at Fiona with a question written on his face.

"No, I don't mind at all. I admire her independence. She wants to do right by her little daughter and her spunk and determination is something I think needs support right now. Let's give her time." Fiona advised.

"If you say so, Fiona." Nathan wasn't quite sure he agreed, but it seemed reasonable to have her stay under Faith's care for now. "Have you seen Rick"?

Christy lowered her head and murmured, "No."

Nathan leaned back in his chair. "Christy, he is Timi Anne's father. He deserves to know. Don't you agree?"

"Yes".

"I know where he lives and you should know he works here in town at a place named, Billees. He's working hard there and helping at the farm too. Come spring he can work for Mr. Coulter of Coulter Lumber. I'm sure he could provide for both you and Timi Anne." Nathan informed Christy hoping she'd listen to him.

"Honey," Fiona said quietly. "Constable is right, Rick has grown into a fine young man who works hard. I suggest that you meet with Rick here at my house so he knows the whole story and can meet his daughter. Then you two can decide together what the next step should be. How does that sound?"

Christy looked upward and said, "Blessed Mother, what should I do"? After a brief moment, Christy agreed to have a meeting with Rick. Both Fiona and Nathan gave a sigh of relief and grinned.

"That's my girl"! Fiona hugged Christy. As if right on time all of them heard Timi Anne cry out and they all laughed.

"Sounds like someone wants to get in on the conversation!" Nathan laughed. "I'll be back in touch later." and let himself out.

Meanwhile, Dee was going down her checklist of things to do for the wedding. "I sure hope there is word at Dottie's about my wedding gown. I'm really getting nervous!" she told Faith. "What will I do if it doesn't come soon? It has to be altered yet."

"Don't fret, it'll come any time now you'll see. I have to go and check on Clara one more time and on Christy and baby Timi, so I'll talk to you later." Faith flitted out the door.

Dee sat there thinking and worrying. She told herself she needed to choose the songs right then so she could tell Molly. Dee sat down and went through her hymnal and picked out the songs. One was for her walk down the aisle with her dad, one was for Molly to sing after the readings and before the vows and the last one she would ask Molly to play the piano as she and Nathan walked together down the aisle. She started to daydream about the wedding and got giddy. She just couldn't wait to be Mrs. Nathan Grant!

A knock on the door snapped her out of it. Rosemary was there to remind her that they needed to order the flowers and so they sat right down and talked about what might be available in February. They would have to order from a florist in nearby Brookfield and her sister could bring them.

With that settled, Dee asked Rosemary about the reception. They didn't have enough money to feed the whole town, but they wanted to celebrate with them all, especially since Nathan had some of his Mountie friends coming from out of town as well as her sister with her family, and her mother, father and Walter too. Rosemary suggested they just have finger foods and cake for the general group with champagne. Later she advised they could have a dinner for their family and the wedding party. "And our close friends!" Dee hugged Rosemary "Thank you Rosie!"