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Chapter Seven
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Routines Made Significant
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The gentle rhythm of raindrops pattered against Nathan's window as he awakened. Turning off his alarm clock, he stared at the rivulets of water sliding down the pane. 'So rain it is…' he sighed as he rose, donned his slippers and grabbed his robe. Heading downstairs he let the dog out and made coffee while he washed his hair in the kitchen sink before returning upstairs to dress.
Praying silently he remembered yesterday with Faith. Their day had become a regular routine as they rode to the Sterk's farm each morning and evening. Faith was extremely pleased with Hans's progress and tentatively hinted that Hans might be able to handle the cleaning procedure alone if Nathan had other Mountie duties needing his attention.
'There is no way I am going to miss out on serving with Doctor Faith Carter!' Nathan chuckled to himself. 'Even in the rain!'
A sudden thought sent Nathan hurrying downstairs to rummage in Colleen's trunk which sat in their living room and served as a table beside the armchair. "Ah ha! Perfect! If she doesn't already have one this will keep her dry and warm." Nathan whispered under his breath as he unfolded a hooded, yellow oilcloth poncho reminiscent of what sailors wore in gales at sea. Nathan had prudently invested in a couple of these ponchos when stationed on the coast, knowing that the raingear might be useful. Allie hated hers because no one else at school wore one, but Nathan had observed that there were some days when she chose to look unfashionable in order to be comfortable! On those days he wisely made no comment.
Refolding the slicker, Nathan tucked it into a tote and hung it on the front doorknob then went to prepare his breakfast and write a note to Allie. With her extra summer course and chorus ended, she would probably sleep-in before heading into town to work some extra hours at the switchboard so he asked her to check-in with him at the RCMP office before work.
Nathan opened the door for Prince to come back and quickly wrapped a towel around him to prevent a shower of shaken water drops from flooding the kitchen. With an affectionate pat on the head, Nathan headed to buckle his belt and strap.
Donning his navy trench coat and Stetson, Nathan left Allie's yellow slicker draped over the sofa and grabbed the tote in which he carried the extra one for Faith. As he sloshed into town he counted his blessings and gave thanks for his watertight Strathcona boots that kept his feet dry and remembered that he would own an automobile in ten days or so. He then prayed and asked God for better weather tomorrow. After all it was an important date!
. .
"You want me to wear this?" Faith unfolded the bright poncho and looked at Nathan.
"Well, it is a practical solution to keeping dry." Nathan chuckled low. "I know Allie hates hers, but it does the job!"
"I don't know about this…" Faith lifted the garment over her head and adjusted it.
"Can a Constable give orders to a Doctor? You don't want to get soaked or sick and miss out on an important outing, right? I say wear it." Grinning, Nathan added, "Plus, I think you look adorable."
Giving Nathan a serious look, Faith realized that if he thought she looked okay in this, who else was she trying to impress? Added to that understanding, his concern was a sweet and thoughtful gesture. "Okay. Thank you. I will wear it... and talk to Allie tonight!" She scrunched her nose which caused Nathan to chuckle.
"Good. Are you ready to go? The horses are right outside."
. .
Pounding rains prevented conversation on the way to the Sterk farm, but the Doctor and the Constable arrived dry.
"Where is the birthday girl this morning" Standing in the front hallway, Nathan asked loud enough to be heard in the kitchen.
Hurrying from the kitchen, Marit wore a paper crown. "I'm here, Constable." Marit giggled. "Do you like my crown?"
"Absolutely! Every girl should be a princess for her birthday, right?" Nathan exclaimed. "I hope you have lovely day and don't let the rain bother you!"
"Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. I understand it is your eighth?" As Marit nodded, Faith continued. "Well, you only have one eighth birthday, so I hope today is very special."
"Thank you, Doctor. Mommy made pancakes for me. They're my favorite!" Marit responded.
"That sounds wonderful, Princess Marit! I love pancakes too! Let me see how your Daddy is this morning, okay?" Faith waved as the birthday girl turned back to her pancakes in the kitchen.
. .
"Your leg is so improved, Hans. It is almost miraculous." The Doctor examined the wound as she asked. "How is the pain this morning?"
"It has lessened, but is especially painful when touched. Even the blanket hurts if the area isn't fully covered with the bandage. I feel better though and slept well last night." Hans confessed. "I think Nellie slept too. I insisted she should go to bed and not try to sleep in the chair here."
"I'm grateful you did that, Hans. Nellie needs rest as well as good meals to protect herself and that precious baby." Responding to Hans's frown, Faith added, "It's okay. Nathan guessed, so he knows. Your secret is safe with both of us, although you are approaching the time to let everyone know."
"I guess so. I just don't want people's pity with all that has befallen us." Hans was now seated with his leg on an ottoman in front of the sofa. "Doctor, may I take the stairs now? And go outside in the morning when the Constable builds the chicken coop?"
"As long as you keep the wound covered with sterile bandaging, I don't see why not. Your fever is hardly a fever so you need not be concerned about that." Faith held up her hand. "May I request you nap both morning and afternoon though? You need to recover your strength. Also, no chores for you. Take advantage of Jed's willingness to work here for the coming week please?"
"How do you usually harvest the apples?" Nathan inquired before he made a request. "Would you mind if I gathered some young people to assist with apple-picking? School isn't in session for another two weeks and the students could get a lot done and have fun doing it together. Maybe I could arrange for sandwiches and lemonade so they could work during the mornings and afternoon? I can find someone to oversee the harvest if Jed or I are not available."
"That is most generous, Constable. Wow!" Hans gulped as he felt the burden lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you."
"Hans? Please call me Nathan? You too, Nellie? I only need the title if interacting with my superior officers. Everyone in town knows me as Nathan."
"Of course, thank you, Nathan!" Nellika spoke up. "I can bake cookies for when the students come to help!"
"Good. I will circulate a sign-up sheet and maybe Pastor Joseph can announce the need in church on Sunday! We'll get you ready for winter!" Nathan grinned, looking from the Sterk's to Faith. "I guess we should be going now?"
"Yes, we should. We'll be back to check again later this afternoon." Faith winked. "If you continue to improve I may only need to come in the morning tomorrow!" Still convinced his recovery was a miracle, Faith had a final request. "Let's keep praying, okay?"
"See you later. Happy birthday again, Marit!" Nathan called out to the kitchen.
"Thank you, Constable."
. .
Dressed for the rain once again, Nathan and Faith returned to town, this time able to converse although they kept close watch on their horses since the road was so muddied by now.
"What time do you pick up Allie?"
"She's working this morning, so we can get her at four o'clock. We'll have to stop at home to get the cake, let out the dog and I want to wear casual clothing, so shall we meet at the Infirmary… I'm sorry it is taking me a long time to remember to call it the Doctor's Office!" Shrugging his shoulders, he continued. "We can meet at your office at half-past four, alright?"
"The timing is fine, but do you expect this rain to continue?"
"Unfortunately the barometer says rain, so I'm praying it will clear overnight so Robert and I can build the chicken coop. A clear night for our dinner excursion would also be nice." Nathan had a thought, "I'm thinking of asking Henry if he needs his car this afternoon as well. It would make transporting the cake easier."
"I like that idea. My hair is curling as we speak and traveling in a vehicle later would help!"
"I love your blonde curls, Faith. Don't worry about it, however I will see what I can do."
"Nathan? Thank you for providing me this rain-slicker. You are so thoughtful and attentive." Teasingly Faith continued. "Allie is truly blessed, in spite of the unfashionable style!"
. .
Stopping in at the Doctor's office during lunchtime, Nathan knocked before opening the door. "Hi." Nathan whispered. "Are you alone or do you have patients?"
"I am alone! Molly is accompanying Dorcas on morning visits so I am catching up on writing patient reports. I confess I have allowed myself to fall behind on those as I have been spending time with this tall chap with the piercing blue eyes!" She giggled and motioned for Nathan to take a seat. "Did you eat yet? I can share half of my sandwich."
"I'm all set. Bill and I are meeting at the Café in an hour. If you are having a sandwich now does that mean you'll want something else after we return from the farm? I ordered turkey club sandwiches for you, Allie and me. We'll return to cooking meals again after these regular visits end!"
"I will gladly eat the club sandwich, Nathan. I only prepared cream cheese and jam since I was in a hurry this morning. Don't tell anyone?" Faith giggled. "At least your sandwich choice has vegetables in it!"
"Doctor Carter! Practice what you preach!" Nathan laughed. "I stopped in to let you know that good old Henry was willing to lend me his car for later as well as for tomorrow. I assured him that I plan to purchase a vehicle soon, so I will not infringe on his generosity forever! He said it is official Mountie work today, so no problem." Nathan blushed.
"What is it? Nathan, you are blushing..."
"Confound it! I do that way too much. I'm as bad as a schoolgirl sometimes. I often hope people think it is the reflection of the red serge, but…" Nathan explained. "Henry knows I am taking you to dinner tomorrow and teased me about it, before telling me that you and I make a lovely couple."
"Henry is a wise man and he is correct, we do!" Faith dipped her head and looked up through her eyelashes.
"Doctor Carter! You look at me like that and expect me to be able to concentrate on any work this afternoon?" Nathan grinned. "Oh, who am I kidding? I've been having difficulty concentrating all week. Anyway, I'll stop by for you after I pick-up Allie a few minutes after four. Is that okay?"
"That is wonderful, Nathan. Now go try and work on something productive." Faith giggled. "I cannot tell you how many times I re-read a paragraph this morning because I was thinking about you!"
"A fine pair we make!" Nathan winked and tipped his hat as he set it on his head. "Till later."
. .
"I am so excited to be going to meet the Sterk's! Allie exclaimed from the back seat of Henry's car. "I hope Marit, well everyone, likes the raspberry cake. It sure looks pretty and I know the frosting is delicious."
"I'm looking forward to a piece myself, Honey. You are becoming quite the baker."
"Do you bake much, Doctor Faith?"
"I can cook, but often don't want to bother. There is no good reason to cook for myself, but since sharing a house with Fiona we take turns or cook together, so that's not so bad. I have deserted her this week though." Faith suddenly realized she hadn't answered Allie's question. "Regarding baking? I rarely bake unless bringing something to a gathering. Again, it is too much trouble to bake just for myself and if I did, I might devour an entire pan of brownies in two days!"
"Dad could easily do that!" Laughing, Allie patted her father's shoulder.
"You know me well, Honey!" Nathan glanced in the rearview mirror. "So do we enter singing 'Happy Birthday' or what? Allie, we'll follow your directions on this!"
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Baskets in hand the ladies proceeded up the steps as Nathan followed behind with the basket containing the cake.
Marit opened the door with her mother standing behind her as Allie began the song..
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear Marit!
Happy birthday to you!" (*1)
"Let them inside, Sweetheart!" Nellie pulled her daughter back to allow the visitors to enter and took their raingear to hang on the wall rack.
Following her father, Allie set her basket on a dining room chair before turning to meet Marit.
"Mrs. Sterk, Marit?" Faith made the introductions as Nathan returned from the kitchen. "Please meet Constable Grant's daughter, Allison. Allie? The Birthday Princess is Marit and here is Anna and that is her brother Pieter."
Amidst mumbled hellos, Allie lifted a pink paper chain from the top of her basket.
"We've brought a little birthday party to you, so could you give us a few moments in the dining room to get set-up?" Reaching into her basket, Allie extracted a book and handed it to Marit. "I brought this for you to borrow, so if you want to start to read it, maybe you could do so in another room?"
Taking the book, Marit responded shyly. "Thank you." She was a bit awestruck by this older girl's attention.
"I am embarrassed that I didn't think of this before, but I have just put a chicken pot pie in the oven. Would you folks please join us for supper?" Nell implored. "It is the least I can do for you."
Allie looked to her father who nodded at Faith and then at Allie. "We would enjoy that very much, Nellie. Thank you. Put us to work though? I'll help Allie decorate in here after we take care of Hans, then we are available to help you."
"Yes, please. Let me set the table with you once we treat our patient?" Faith headed towards the kitchen to wash her hands.
"Let me introduce you, Allie? Follow me?" Mrs. Sterk offered. "This is my husband, Hans Sterk. Hans? Allie Grant, the Constable's daughter."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Allie. I understand we are going to celebrate a birthday in a bit? Thank you for helping with this for my Merry Marit!"
"Oh, I like that! Merry Marit!" Allie giggled along with the two little girls, then addressed their father. "You are welcome, Sir. I was excited to come!"
"Allie, maybe you could stay with the children in the kitchen while Doctor Faith works with Mr. Sterk?" Nathan suggested.
"That's perfect because I need help on a project!" Allie enthused.
The children sat around the kitchen table as Allie instructed them on how to create a paper chain and between the four of them, they had two long chains to add to the one Allie had brought.
. .
Pink paper chains were draped from the corners of the room to the light fixture over the dining table, and Allie had cut out pink hearts to scatter randomly. Without a centerpiece, Allie placed the stack of a few gifts in the table's center and sat down to create a couple paper flowers. She showed the girls how to make an accordion fold, then tie some string around the center and unfold the paper to look like a flower. Those she added around the gifts and they were ready for a party!
"Mommy, can I sit next to Allie?" Marit begged. "Please?"
Not to be outdone, Anna piped up. "And I want to sit on her other side. Okay, Mommy?"
Grinning, Nellie agreed and motioned for Faith to be seated next to Nathan on the other side of the table. Nathan was allowing Hans to lean on him as they slowly made their way to the table. Once Hans was set up with a kitchen chair and pillow under his leg, Nathan suggested that Pieter could sit near the corner and he would have the privilege of sitting beside Pieter.
Placing his arm around the boys shoulder, he bent to say, "We boys have to stick together at this end of the table, eh? There are an awful lot of girls at this party!"
Nathan's reward was a happy grin from the young boy and everyone was soon settled in their places.
Hans reached out his hands and stated, "Let's pray."
"Dear God, Thank you for this special day for our special Marit. Bless her today and in the coming year. Thank you for the friends who have helped us so much this week and for the food that my dear wife has prepared for us. I also think I heard something about dessert, so thank you for whoever made that too! God bless us all. Amen."
"Amen."
Having overcome their shyness, Marit and Anna had lots of questions for Allie about school and town and where she learned to make the paper chains and everything they could think to ask! With unabashed admiration, Anna gazed up at Allie and even stated she was so pretty!
Allie giggled and thanked her, then commented on the girls and their plaited hair. "Sometimes I wear my hair like that, you know? My Dad sometimes fixes it for me!"
"Why doesn't your mother fix your hair?" Anna asked innocently.
Although their mother gasped, Nathan just motioned to not worry and listened as Allie explained just enough to answer Anna's question but not enough to dampen the happy atmosphere around the table. "You know? Even though I miss my Mama, God gave me the most wonderful Uncle and Dad I could ever want!"
"Where is your Uncle, Allie? Is he back in town?"
Allie laughed and pointed to Nathan. "He's my real uncle, but then he adopted me so now he's my Dad too! Pretty special, isn't it?"
"Wow! You are both, Constable Grant? Allie's Uncle and Daddy?"
Realizing there was a tender story here, Hans inquired. "How long have you been her father, Nathan?"
"When her mother, my sister, died Allie was three years old. When my mother's health suffered, I took Allie to live with me since I was her guardian. We've been together ever since and she has been my biggest blessing! At least up until recently." He grinned at Faith. "Now I believe I am blessed with two ladies in my life."
"Can we be in your life too, Constable Grant?" Marit asked, hoping for a connection with this kind man.
Chuckling, Nathan responded. "I believe that you and Anna and your Mom and your Dad and brother are already in my life, and Doctor Faith's and Allie's lives too, because we are all friends, right?"
Nellie wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke, "Thank you all for your friendship. It means the world to us."
"I agree with Nellika." Hans interjected. "You all have been such a blessing and I hope we can get together again sometime?"
A knock interrupted the conversation as Jed popped open the kitchen door. "It's me, Jed. I just finished with the horses and here is Dolly's milk. Can I do anything else before I go?"
Nellie stood in a flash and glanced at her husband as she called out. "Jed! Jed! Can you join us for dessert?" She hurried into the kitchen and pointed to the cake on the counter as she motioned to shhhh. Then she again asked Jed to join the family, the Constable, Allie and Doctor Faith for dessert and coffee.
"That sounds great if it won't be any trouble?"
"No trouble at all! We'll make room for you. Why don't you wash up at the sink here and I'll get an extra plate."
Having overheard, Faith stood and moved her chair to the end beside Nellie while Nathan moved his chair to Faith's place and headed to the kitchen to get himself another chair.
"Hey, Jed! You timed that right. Good for you. You may sit between Faith and me, okay?"
As welcomes and hellos were shared, Jed looked at the decorations.
"Is this someone's birthday party? This is exciting."
"It's mine, Mr. Jed. I'm eight today!" Marit explained. "Allie decorated for my party."
"Ah ha! Good job, Allie. And is that crown because you are 'Queen for the Day?'"
Marit giggled. "I'm a princess today."
"Ah ha! My little sisters used to dress up and be Queen for a Day. They would wear a crown and boss our sisters and brothers around all day! I think being a princess is much better!"
"Allie? Do you want to join me in the kitchen for a moment? Doctor Faith, you too?" Nellie asked quietly as they collected the plates. "Hans, would you like tea with your honey tonight?"
"Good idea. Yes, please."
Soon Faith returned with a pot of tea, while Nellie brought a stack of plates and forks. She and Faith distributed teacups to the adults and then Nellie disappeared back into the kitchen with the song beginning as Allie walked in carrying the pink cake.
"…Happy birthday to you!"
Astounded, Marit's eyes were wide and she was speechless as this cake was placed before her. One lit candle was in the center and Anna instructed her sister to make a wish and blow it out.
Applause resounded as the candle was extinguished. Nellie kissed the top of her daughter's head and whispered, "Surprise, Sweetheart! Why don't you make the first cut and then I'll move it in front of my place so I can cut it?"
"Oh look!" Marit found her voice. "It's pink on the inside too! I wonder what pink tastes like?"
After everybody was served, the table was momentarily quiet as each one tasted the pretty confection. Murmurs of appreciation could quickly be heard and Allie declared that the flavor was raspberry so it could be pink!
Every plate was scraped clean as no one wanted to waste a morsel, and Allie stood to reach for the gifts to hand them to Marit.
"These are real? Wow." Carefully Marit opened each one to find blue, green, yellow and pink hair ribbons, a set of paper dolls, a box of crayons and a coloring book of princesses. "Oh, I love all of these! Thank you!"
As supper drew to a close, Jed excused himself to get back to town and Nathan explained that they would help wash the dishes then they also needed to depart as they were in a borrowed car.
As they prepared to return to town Nathan, Faith and Allie received hugs from the ladies and handshakes from the menfolk. "We cannot thank you enough for making this such a lovely day for our Marit. I think we all enjoyed it just as much. God bless each one of you and I guess we'll see you in the morning."
"They didn't deliver today due to the rain, but Lee promised to have the wood and chicken wire delivered by eight in the morning, so we'll see you then! Have a good night, friends."
"Hans, if you'll allow me to make a recommendation, please? Sleep on the sofa again tonight? That way you may have enough strength to go outside and supervise the construction in the morning, Does that sound like a good plan?"
"Good idea, Doctor. I will do that. Thank you and good night!" Hans responded with a wave.
. .
(*1) First published as "Good Morning to You" in 1893 by Patti Hill and Mildred Jane Hill. Revised as "Happy Birthday to you" and published in 1912. Public Domain.