Chapter 7. The Request
At 3 p.m. sharp, Lee's car was parked outside the infirmary. Faith had already cleared Joseph for discharge, earlier in the day. The cast had set perfectly and was holding strong. Faith had asked Nathan and Bill to come and help transfer Joseph into Lee's car. Faith wasn't sure that was a task she and Julia could do on their own, at least not safely.
Joseph was excited to be going home. So, by the time Nathan and Bill arrived, Julia and Faith had already transferred him into a wheelchair, ready to be wheeled out to the car.
When Nathan entered, he avoided eye contact with Julia. She suspected that he must still be upset that Julia had overheard his private conversation. She honestly hadn't meant to, but there was no unhearing it now.
"Are you ready to go home?" Bill asked Joseph, smiling.
Joseph looked up at Bille with a broad, gentle smile. "Yes. I sure do miss my Minnie. Not to mention her cooking. But, I'm thankful you all took such good care of me. I'm sure you ladies will be happy to be rid of me." Joseph joked, looking at Faith and Julia.
Faith said, "Oh, Joseph, you weren't all that bad. We did laugh a lot, and you always have such sweet wisdom to share. And, we did enjoy your visitors," she looked at Nathan and Bill then, smiling. "Especially the younger ones," Faith said, referring to Allie and Angela.
"Having Allie and Angela stop by was the highlight of our day." Julia added, smiling down at Joseph. "They are both so sweet, and we will miss their visits."
Nathan couldn't help but look at Julia then, surprised to hear that. She met his gaze, though only for a moment, before looking back at Joseph. Of course, Nathan knew about Allie's time with Julia, it was impossible not to. It had been all he had heard about on their ride yesterday. Allie had excitedly spilled it all: "Julia is so beautiful, but also so nice and kind, and it's so much fun getting to know her…Julia just sat and talked with me, like I was her oldest friend. I love talking to Julia. Did you know she grew up in Nova Scotia, playing everyday in a lighthouse? She lived very close to Prince Edward Island? She had a bosom buddy too, when she was growing up? Her favorite subject was also reading? Do you think Rosemary would let me write for the paper sometime?" Allie had gone on an on.
"Shall we?" Faith asked Joseph. Nathan snapped back from his memories of yesterday.
"Yes, please." Joseph replied.
With that, Faith pushed Joseph towards the door, and Nathan and Bill helped lower down the wheelchair, so that it could be pushed over to the car. Nathan opened the car door, and in no time flat they had Joseph in the car and comfortable.
Julia carried out the bag that contained Joseph's belongings and put it in the floor of the back seat. Faith asked if both men could accompany Joseph, to get him safely up the stairs at his row house. They both agreed.
But, they both looked at one another puzzled, and Bill asked, "Wait, whose driving?"
Faith laughed, with a very amused look. And said, simply, "Julia." It was impossible for Nathan to hide his surprise at that revelation, and Julia felt him looking intently at her, but she didn't meet his gaze. Two could play this game.
When Julia opened the door for Bill, he was looking at her, impressed. He climbed into the back seat, and she climbed in behind the wheel. Nathan climbed in the back on the other side, and sat in the back next to Bill. Nathan couldn't take his eyes off her now, as she turned the choke, gave it gas, and got it started. Then, she pushed the clutch, put it into gear, and gave it gas again. The car started to move, smoothly and slowly at first, but as she remembered her lessons, she became more comfortable and drove a little faster. Nathan was still watching her as she drove. No one spoke for a long time, but finally Joseph couldn't resist.
"Julia, you have surprised me today, in a good way. And, I must say you are a very good driver." Joseph told her.
"Thank you, Joseph. It's very kind of you to say. My big brother taught me." Julia replied.
"He must be a good big brother, then." Joseph said, "He taught you well."
"He's the best." Julia replied, "I miss him so."
They pulled up in front of the Canfield's row house, and Julia climbed out and held the door for Bill. Nathan exited on his side, and he and Bill helped get Joseph out, and up into the row house. Minnie had set up a bed on one side of the living room, so he wouldn't have to navigate the stairs for a few weeks. They got him settled, and then Julia checked over everything. She went over to Minnie and discussed several things, as Nathan and Bill chatted with Joseph.
After they all said their good byes, Bill, Nathan, and Julia were off in the car again. Nathan sat in the back, and Bill rode up front.
When they arrived back in town, Julia parked the car back in front of Lee's office. The three walked in silence, and when they were in front of the Mountie office, Bill and Nathan said good bye to her, and went in. Julia went up the few steps to the infirmary and went inside.
Julia couldn't help but notice how awkward it was between her and Nathan now. She had to admit a little distance and time was going to be good for both of them.
Out on his evening rounds, Nathan was deep in thought. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep his mind from wandering to Julia. The image of her driving came back to him. She had impressed him, behind the wheel. He also pictured Julia sitting and talking to Allie, and his heart couldn't help but warm at the image. Nathan was happy Allie had made a new friend, he just didn't know what to think of her yet. He knew HOW he felt about her already, he had been trying all day to forget. But, when he saw her driving today, and heard that she had an older brother, he realized there was so much he didn't know about her. Eventually, he would like to learn about all those things. He longed to get to know her, and that honestly, scared him.
His feelings for Julia Matthews were a mystery to him. He felt more chemistry with her than he had felt with any girl, as far back as he could remember. But, at the same time, he was more comfortable with her than he ever remembered being with any other girl. It didn't make sense, but he knew it to be true. At the moment, after she had overheard the confessions he had made to Joseph, heartfelt and private confessions, he meant to slow things down a bit. He wasn't sure how to do that, but he knew he had to try. He wanted to be sure he was over his previous heartbreak completely, and wanted to take time to sort out his feelings.
As he rode back into town after his evening rounds, he spied someone out behind Julia's apartment. At first he rode over in alarm, but as he came closer, he heard the familiar sound of an axe chopping wood. As he came closer still, he realized it was Julia who was swinging the axe. Her hair up in a messy bun, she had her sleeves rolled all the way up. From where he sat, hidden behind some trees, he watched her for a few minutes. And Nathan had to admit, she was doing quite well. She, who was only slightly taller than average for a woman, and lean, was apparently quite strong. Julia worked meticulously, lining up the wood on the block, raising the axe high, and swinging strong. Just as he would have done. For the second time today, Julia Matthews had impressed him.
For the next week, Julia was convinced that Nathan was completely avoiding her. She knew he was probably still embarrassed about her overhearing his conversation with Joseph. But to be completely honest, she was also still embarrassed about it. Up at the cabin, they had spent a lot of time together, and then they had shared a closeness on the horse ride back down. It was impossible not to admit that things had become quite intense between them, quite quickly. Now, it seemed best to slow things down, and avoiding each other, seemed like the best solution.
They worked just across the street from one another. Could see each other through the windows if they chose to, but neither did.
Here's how it went: Nathan would come out, as was his habit, look up and down the street to check everything was in order. Julia would notice the flash of red through the window, but she wouldn't look in his direction. He avoided looking at the infirmary, at all costs. When she would go in or out of the infirmary, he would see her through his window, but he would wait until she was either down the street or inside with the door closed, before he would leave his office. It was awkward, to say the least.
If they would see each other in town, they would head in the opposite direction.
Once, she had entered the mercantile and heard his voice, but Julia hid behind one of the shelves until he left.
Once, she was already in the mercantile when Nathan came in for groceries. Julia managed to slip out quietly while he was on the other side of one of the shelves.
Another time, Nathan had heard Julia come into the café, when he was in the back talking to Bill. He let himself out the back door, to avoid running into her, leaving a smiling Bill looking out the door after him.
And, so it went, for more than a week.
Now, Julia found herself between a rock and a hard place. That was an expression her dad used to use, and she felt it fit perfectly for her situation at the moment.
She took her position as nurse very seriously in Hope Valley, but she realized something very early on. To do her job and do it well, it would be very helpful if she could get around on horseback. Jed from the livery had even agreed to let her use on of the lender horses whenever there was a medical need. There was just one problem: she didn't know the first thing about riding a horse. She needed to learn, and she knew it. To top it off, there was only one person right for the job of teaching her, as much as she didn't want to admit it. Nathan. Not only did she remember how Allie had bragged about him as a riding teacher, but because he was also a fellow public servant, she thought it made sense that he be the one to teach her.
There was just one obstacle now: crossing the divide they had created by avoiding each other, these last 10 days.
However, on Monday, after finally getting up her nerve, Julia crossed Main Street and walked up to the door of the Mountie office. She knocked lightly and peeked her head in. Nathan was seated at the desk, writing, and said "come in" before looking up. He was clearly surprised when she entered and closed the door behind her. Nathan, always the gentleman, stood in greeting.
"Hi" Julia said shyly.
Nathan took her in, from head to toe. She was wearing her nurses apron, but the blue dress underneath suited her thin frame very well. Not to mention, the blue brought out her eyes. Her hair was pinned back out of her face, but the blond curls cascaded down her back.
Nathan took a deep breath, trying hard to ignore the butterflies. He managed to sputter out "Julia, um…hello, what can I do for you?"
Julia liked the way he said her name.
"May I please sit?" She asked.
"Yes, please". He answered, motioning to the chair facing him. When she sat, he sat back down at his desk.
Julia looked at him, most definitely nervous, but determined. "Nathan, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to help me with something?"
"Well that depends…" he said a little bit flirtatiously, trying to lighten the mood and dispel his own nerves. He folded his hands in front of him.
Julia just decided to go for it. "I've come to the conclusion that riding a horse is going to be absolutely necessary for me to do my job as nurse well, here in Hope Valley. Whether for emergencies, like with Joseph, or house calls. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to learn growing up. A week or so ago, when Allie and Angela were in the infirmary visiting with Joseph, Allie was bragging on how you taught her to ride. She mentioned what a great a teacher you are. She is probably a little biased as she is so very fond of you, but I also think there is quite a bit of truth to her words." Julia was a little bit unnerved the way his ocean-blue eyes were transfixed on her. But, she took a deep breath and continued, "Like you, I am committed to doing my job and doing it well. But, to do it well, I need to know how to ride." she paused nervously, her hands fidgeting. "Would you be willing to teach me?" she finished with a nervous smile.
He looked down for a moment, considering her words. Those several seconds felt like days. He considered the attempt he had been making to stay away from her, as well as the strong desire to get to know her better. How to reconcile these two conflicting inclinations?
Finally, he replied, "Yes, I agree it will be advantageous to be able to ride, and I would be happy to teach you. When would you like to start?"
"Well I know you have your regular duties, and I have mine at the infirmary, but what about Wednesday morning, around 9 am?" She offered.
"That would be fine for me, I will do my morning rounds early and I can meet you at the livery at 9 a.m." Nathan replied with a nod.
"Ok," She smiled back at him. That wasn't so hard. "Jed has agreed to let me use one of the lender horses at the livery, whenever there is a medical need. I will ask him permission for Wednesday as well." Julia said, smiling in her shy way. She took him in once more, so tall and handsome, authoritative, seated behind his desk. Julia stood and turned to go. When she reached the door, she turned slightly and said, "See you on Wednesday."
Nathan nodded, and said "Good-bye, Julia." Once she closed the door, Nathan let out a long, slow, deep breath, that he hadn't even realized he was holding.
Once Julia was outside, she let out a long breath. She stood silent for a moment, and then slowly crossed the street back to the infirmary.