Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 22
Page 64
Some of the Chickadees were over at Dottie's checking to see how their dresses were coming along. It was so exciting to have 3 weddings in such a short time. Faith and Carson, Dee and Nathan, and now Molly and Bill.
"My husband said, it's just another excuse to buy a new dress!" Gail complained.
"but, I love my new dress and I'm anxious to wear it."
"Wait until he sees you in it, he'll be happy!" Dottie reassured Gail.
"Oh phooey, my husband told me no. He said I had to wear the first dress I bought for Faith and Carson's wedding. Again!" Janice said dejectedly.
"How do you like my navy blue dress?" Jane asked as she twirled around in it. "Dottie had a lot of material to take off the bottom, as I'm so short, but look at the lovely cape she made to go around my shoulders with the extra material!"
"Oh, that's so pretty!" Joyce whistled.
"Lucky for me I don't have to ask anyone, so I'm wearing this dazzling red dress. Sorry Jane, this time, I'm the lady in red!" she laughed.
"All right ladies, anyone else still need a dress for Saturday?" Dottie looked around. Several of the Chickadees hadn't picked out a dress yet. "What are you waiting for?"
"Who's going for a hairdo?" Mary asked. "You better make your appointments right away, Christy says they're getting double-booked. Fiona won't be able to take anyone on Saturday as she's doing, Flo, Rosaleen, and Molly, plus she's got to get dressed herself."
"Will Christy take anyone on Saturday?" Rita asked.
"She's working all day Thursday doing manicures and still has some room available, all day Friday, and Saturday until the last minute. She also has Bill, Lee and Nathan's haircuts and shaves early Saturday morning, before the ladies arrive!" Mary informed everyone.
"I'll do my own nails," Teresa shrugged.
"Teresa, that won't work, I'll do yours and you do mine," Marge suggested.
"Yes, that's what some of us did for Dee and Nathan's wedding," Diane shared.
Don't forget to match up your shoes, bag, gloves, jewelry, and whatever else you are wearing. The wedding will be inside, but the dinner reception will be outside weather permitting, followed by a dance inside Billees!" Rosemary added.
"I can't wait!" Christine said excitedly.
"Neither can I" added Kathy.
Bill came back from Brookfield and checked in with Gunther. "Anything new?"
"No, not here. How about you?"
"Gabe already checked out that spot by the woods that Nathan told him about, but they were gone. They left a mess, and he picked it up and brought it back in a box. I'm glad he thought to keep it," Bill informed him.
Bill started pacing and had his eyes furrowed in deep thought. Gunther watched him and didn't know if he could interrupt Bill's concentration. Bill looked out the window, not really watching anything, just stood there thinking.
Then he jerked around and directed Gunther, "I need you to call headquarters and ask them if they have been aware of any escaped prisoners or are chasing down anyone, particularly from the Calgary area."
Gunther looked puzzled, "Bill, why Calgary?"
Bill explained that he found a torn train ticket stub in the box of mess that Gabe brought back with him. I'm just about positive it said Calgary."
"Bill, I don't mind at all. In fact, I want to help, but -" Gunther was cut off.
"But what?" Bill demanded as he raised his eyebrows in suspicion.
"You know, you need to focus on your wedding, so just let me handle this and I'll report to Nathan," Gunther tried to explain.
Bill chuckled, "Not you too. Why does everyone think they have to babysit me. I know I'm getting married, but I'm not dead. I have been a Mountie for a long time. You can retire me, but you can't take the forensic investigator out of me!"
Gunther thought twice about saying anymore to Bill.
Bill calmed down and knew inside that Gabe and Gunther were both right. Nathan would give him a hard time too. It was just so damn hard not to pursue the investigation. "Look Gunther, just please check with headquarters all right? Nathan and Gabe will need to know. Thank you," and out the door he left.
At the hospital, Emily and Nathan went to the cafe to have something to eat while Archie was sleeping.
Emily was very worried about Archie and so was Nathan. "I hope you're wrong Nathan, I know thinking that Archie would keep remembering is doubtful, but it was so nice while it lasted. Life seemed so promising, didn't it?"
Nathan nodded in agreement as he tried to eat. "I just have no appetite, Ma. This wait and see time is working on me badly."
"Nathan, I'm not that hungry either, why don't we go back up to his room. If he's awake, maybe he'll talk to us calmly. You can go back to Hope Valley and I'll be here."
"Ma, I don't want you here alone," Nathan shook his head.
"Oh for heaven's sake, I've been alone quite a bit these last few years. I'm used to it. Besides, I brought my knitting. I've got a few Christmas presents I'm working on, if you must know, that'll keep me busy," Emily smiled warmly.
Upstairs, they waited just a few minutes when Archie hearing their voices, slowly woke up. This time he wasn't belligerent but sleepy. All he said was, "Hello you two."
"He's much better, see son. Now you go on home and don't you worry, ya?"
Nathan smiled and slowly got up, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, me and the Lord, we've got this. Now go on!" Emily ordered.
Nathan kissed his Ma and watched his dad fall back asleep, then he left.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 65
Dee was anxious to see Nathan and find out how Archie was doing that day. When he arrived he reassured her that Archie was calmer and relaxed. It had worried her that Nathan would have to stay at the hospital to be with his Ma should his dad be still so upset. Nathan had shared with Dee how badly he felt holding his dad down when he woke up after surgery, almost like a betrayal. Now, she was relieved to know that his behavior was that of contentment.
"Ma is being a strong woman for both dad and me. After all she's been through, she is still the sacrificial lady she always was and still is," Nathan said lovingly.
"Yes, indeed she is! We are so blessed to have her as the matriarch of our family!" Dee said.
"How has your day been sweetheart?" Nathan asked as he pulled her close and just held her smiling down at her.
Dee rested her head on Nathan's chest and closed her eyes. "I feel so warm and protected in your arms."
"Long day?"
"I think little bun is resting on my back and I find it so hard to do things that need to be done," Dee sighed.
"What are you thinking of?" Nathan asked as he rubbed her back.
"That feels so good, sweetheart," Dee snuggled in tighter, "I'm just getting tired quicker and there are lessons to plan, dinner to cook, housework, and just helping out with the wedding plans for Molly and guiding Allie and her feelings now as a teenager. Some days I just want to go back to bed!"
"Don't worry about dinner. I'll go to Billees and get some food for us after I check in with Gunther. Lay down and put your feet up for awhile. I'll let Allie know when I go out to the stable, that you're resting." Nathan kissed Dee and pointed up implying that she go lay down.
"All right, you don't have to twist my arm," Dee laughed as she headed upstairs.
Nathan greeted Allie in the stable as she was brushing down Penny. "Hey, how's Penny doing?"
"Dad! You're back, how's grandfather?" Allie asked.
"He's doing fine right now and drifting in and out of sleep. Oma is with him. We are waiting for the anesthesia to leave his system, and then we'll know how he is. He's not alert right now."
Allie listened as Nathan told her that her mom was laying down and he'd be bringing home dinner from Billees. Allie told him she was going to ride Penny to give her some exercise and she'd be back later.
Nathan looked over at Newton, "Hey boy, I'm sorry I haven't been giving you much attention the last few days, how would you like to take me into town?"
Saddling up Newton he decided to take a little ride first, and then head into town. It was always relaxing for him to go out in the country and ride. It helped clear his head. So much had been going on lately. It needed to be thought through. His dad remembering what had happened when he had left his family and then coming to grips with what he had done and apologizing profusely. His Ma's accepting his apology and now they were reunited. Then his dad apologizing to him and telling him how proud he was of him, made the reconciliation complete! Here, just a few days later, his Ma was with his dad at the hospital who just had eye surgery, with no one knowing if he'll remember what happened.
His thoughts just kept coming faster and faster. His best friend was getting married Saturday, and his wife would be having their baby in a few months. Oh, and lest he forget, a new recruit was coming any day now, and there were robbers loose in the area. Could there be any more things coming his way?
Nathan came to a stop and let out a deep breath. Looking up he prayed, "Lord, I can't handle this alone, I need your guidance. Please keep me strong and help me." Newton neighed which made Nathan chuckle. "All right boy, let's go into town."
There he saw several of the Chickadee ladies waving at him. They were walking and talking together while holding their dresses making sure they didn't drag on the ground. He waved back and after tying Newton to the post, he went in and checked with Gunther. He found Gunther on the phone talking to headquarters. Nathan hung up his hat and stood there listening to the conversation. When Gunther hung up he looked up at Nathan and asked how his dad was.
Nathan quickly updated Gunther and then it was his turn to ask, "What was that all about?"
Gunther relayed to Nathan what Bill had found out when talking to Gabe. Bill had asked him to follow up with headquarters to check on anything suspicious in Calgary. He had just spoke with the Superintendent of the Calgary area. He told Nathan they would be hearing back very soon.
"I'm glad that Gabe didn't need Bill's help, although Bill is a forensic investigator, but not now, if I can help it. Bill needs to focus on Molly and his wedding! Speaking of which, I'm going to get Bill and go for our haircuts now," he told Gunther who walked outside with him to sit outside and get some fresh air. "Keep an eye out, there's bound to be guests coming into town for the wedding."
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Dr. Fisher spoke to both Emily and Archie the next morning, "From what the nurse's report states, Archie, you had a peaceful night. Your vitals are stable and you have no fever. This is good news!"
Archie smiled and squeezed Emily's hand. They were eager to know if Archie could be released and even Archie prayed with Emily earlier while waiting for the doctor. Emily turned her head to have Dr. Fisher's complete attention.
"Let's take the patch off and take a look at that eye, shall we?" Dr. Fisher said as he gently lifted off the patch. Looking carefully at Archie, Dr. Fisher asked Archie to follow his finger as he moved it from left to right and up and down. Archie's eye followed precisely as the doctor expected. Next, using his ophthalmoscope he held it close to his eye and saw his blood vessels, nerves, and retina.
Archie was breathing fast, waiting to hear if his eye was healing properly. "I can see pretty well Doc, a bit blurry, but better."
Dr. Fisher stood up and smiled, "Archie, your pupil reacted to the light, and the inside of your eye looks good. I'm pleased to say, you are on the right track and healing just fine, with no signs of infection. You can leave the patch off the rest of the day and only wear it when you are sleeping."
"Can I go home now?" Archie asked hopefully.
"If you have help at home to get around and rest your eyes when you've been reading, yes. First though, I need you to walk with the nurse to check on your balance. If you do well, then I will release you." Dr. Fisher grinned. "However, you will need to make an appointment to come to my office next week. Any questions?"
Archie and Emily looked at eachother and hugged. "Thank you Dr. for everything!"
"Archie, while you walk with the nurse, I'm going to the reception desk and call Nathan to come for us, ya?" Emily was delighted.
Nathan was at Nichols and Dimes with Bill getting a haircut when Emily called so he missed the call, but Gunther took the message. Gunther shot out of the NWMP office and ran across the street practically breaking down the barber shop door.
"Excuse me, I mean, I'm sorry Mayor Miller, but I have important news for Superintendent Grant," he quickly shot a glance at Nathan who was just sitting in a chair. He was already taken care of and just chatting with Bill who's turn it was getting a haircut.
"Gunther, you have to control your excitement," Nathan looked around sharply, "now, what's got you so worked up?"
"Yes, you're right. I just thought you needed to know right away that your Ma called and said that your father was being released and could come home now," Gunther grinned.
"Well then, you were right to be worked up!" Nathan nodded as he stood up, "see you tomorrow Bill. Just make sure to get to the church on time!"
"Glad to hear the good news that your old man is busted out of the hospital. I will be on time, don't you worry!" Bill laughed.
Nathan stopped at home. Dee was up from her nap and Allie was helping making dinner. "There's my girls! I'm going to pick up your grandparents now, Allie. Dee, Ma called and dad was released," Nathan was beaming.
"Oh, such great news! Is he okay?" Dee was concerned about Archie's state of mind.
"I haven't seen him today, but yesterday he was calmer, so I suspect he still is or they wouldn't be sending him home. You and Allie go ahead and eat if we're not here when it's ready, but we'll be back as soon as we can," Nathan insisted.
With that he kissed Dee and Allie goodbye and left.
Over at Minnie's the Chickadees were gathered. Minnie had been gracious enough to open the cafe for the ladies to do eachother's nails, hair or just chat. Teresa was giggling while Marge was giving her a manicure. "That tickles Marge."
"You sure are sensitive Teresa! Relax. Did you pick up your dress for the wedding?" Marge asked.
"Yes, you should have seen everyone all excited and talking a mile a minute about their dresses! You just couldn't hear yourself think!"
"Oh yes, we Chickadees are the funnest and most caring ladies! I so enjoy being together!" Debbie laughed.
"I can't wait to see everyone all dressed up in their fancy dresses!" Kathie declared.
Connie spoke up, "I just hope everything goes well. You know how nervous Molly is making sure everything is just right!"
"It'll be beautiful. The weather is promising, the decorations are all being handled by the Hopefuls and the Romanos are catering an Italian dinner!" Lucianna shared joyfully!
"Tonight's the rehearsal, so if anything needs to be adjusted, they'll know!" Margaret said assuredly. "Father Ricardo will see to that."
"Does anyone need anything, jewelry, shoes, gloves, hat or a bag still?" Janice asked. "Speak up now or go without!"
"Doesn't appear so," Nancy said as she looked around.
"You ladies remember the dance steps right?" Jane checked one last time.
"I've got the shimmy down pat!" Diane laughed.
"See you all tomorrow! I gotta' run!" Susanne waved.
"Tomorrow!" the rest of the Chickadees hollered.