Chapter 10. The Introduction
The next morning, Nathan and Allie were off early, for a full day of riding and fishing. Nathan had packed a picnic, and was so looking forward to spending more time with Allie. She would soon be 13, and he wasn't sure how much longer she would like coming out into the woods with dear, old Dad. As she grew up, he planned to do his best to keep communication open as much as possible, so that she would always feel like she could talk to him, about anything. These times together, just the two of them, were key to keeping those communication lines open. He was aware that Allie would need a woman to talk to from time to time. But for now, he took Julia's words to heart: he was the most important person in her life. She would gauge her standard of love, by the love he gave to her, and he wanted her to have a very high standard.
As they rode across Julia's meadow, as he now called it, the wildflowers were still in bloom. They were even more breathtaking than the day he had seen her running through them. Since that day, he had been trying to decide what had been more breathtaking: her, or the flowers. It had been a surreal moment he was sure he would not soon forget.
When they arrived at their fishing spot, Nathan had seen a beaver in the water. She was stirring up trouble and he wasn't sure there would be anything biting. But, he reminded himself it was about quality time with Allie, not how much they caught. They talked, caught up, and ate a nice picnic together.
Looking out at the water, Nathan remembered being near a stream like this one with Julia. He had woken up and found her, pant legs rolled up, wading in the middle of the stream. She'd had a contented smile from ear to ear, and then he had joined her. He remembered her slipping, and how he caught her. He remembered the way they held hands as they clamored through the water to the bank, her hand so soft and small in his. And, he remembered how she had been right, the water had felt so refreshing.
Finally, Nathan just couldn't help himself. He took off his boots and socks, rolled up his pant legs, and waded out into the water. Allie laughed at him, completely taken aback, but he looked so happy and content, she decided she would join him. The water felt so nice, and they were both laughing and having a great time. Allie started a splashing fight, and ended up very wet. They came out of the water, and laid down on the blanket in the sunshine to dry out. Nathan took a contented nap.
When he woke up about a half-hour later, he and Allie decided to try fishing again. She shared with him about one of the conversations she'd had with Julia, in the infirmary when she had been in to visit Joseph. Julia had asked her about her favorite subject and somehow the discussion led to them talking about writing. Julia had suggested Allie talk to Rosemary about writing opportunities with the Valley Voice. Perhaps she would like to have a columnist write from a young person's perspective, to share the happenings in town and at school. Allie had approached Rosemary with the idea, and she absolutely loved it. Rosemary had asked Allie to submit an article monthly, and they could increase the frequency if it really took off and became popular.
"Allie, I'm so proud of you, and I'm sure it will be very popular." Nathan looked very proud. "Wait, my daughter is an official newspaper columnist?" he joked, unable to contain his excitement. "I want a copy of every edition, when one of your articles appears."
"Dad, it's only once a month, but I am very excited about it. I have to give her my first submission in two weeks." Allie said.
"Do you know what you'd like to write about?" Nathan asked.
"I'm not sure yet, I jotted a few ideas down in my notebook at home." Allie replied.
"This was such a good idea, I will have to make sure and thank Julia." Nathan said.
"I have been trying to come up with a way to thank her, actually." Allie chimed in.
Nathan smiled at Allie, and the lightbulb came on. He told her, "I might have a good idea."
When the afternoon started to wane, Nathan and Allie packed their stuff and headed back to Hope Valley. They made a short stop in Julia's meadow, on the way back down.
Since they didn't have any luck fishing, which almost never happens, and they hadn't much at home, they decided to eat at the café for dinner.
They headed by their row house, and dropped their fishing poles, and washed up. Then they dropped their horses off at the livery. On the way to the café, they had one little stop off to make.
Allie went up and knocked on Julia's door, while Nathan stood a ways behind her. They heard movement inside, and when Julia opened and saw who was there, a huge smile spread across her face. Nathan's heart skipped a beat and he smiled shyly.
"Nathan, Allie, come in, come in!" She held the door open and motioned for them to enter. Nathan was shy entering her apartment, feeling like he was seeing something too personal. However, when he got inside, her place was warm and inviting. Julia had hung a few pictures, of people he didn't know, though he recognized her blond beau in one of them. Her books were in stacks against the wall, her apartment didn't have a bookcase. Though, everything was neat and tidy, and put in it's place.
"What brings you by?" Julia asked cheerily.
"I hope you don't mind us stopping by like this, we were just on our way to the café, but Allie wanted to drop off a little gift for you." Nathan said.
"Well...Miss Matthews, I brought you these," Allie said as she brought the bright bouquet of wildflowers from behind her back. Julia gasped and looked up at Nathan then. She was at a loss for words. The flowers were so beautiful and had obviously been picked from her favorite field.
"Allie, how did you know?" her eyes looked misty, and Julia kept looking back and forth from Allie to Nathan.
"My Dad told me that you would like them. I don't know how he knew that, but I hope you do." Allie tried to go on, but Julia just hugged her, smothering her words. When they let go, Allie continued, "I wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" Julia asked.
"Well, you are looking at the newest columnist of the Valley Voice." Allie bragged.
"What? You spoke with Rosemary? And she said yes?" Julia cried with excitement.
"Yes, and if it hadn't been for your suggestion and encouragement, I never would have approached her. Rosemary had already been looking for new contributors and found the idea 'intriguing'." They all laughed as Allie did such a great impression of Rosemary then. "She is excited about the column, and asked me to submit my first article in two weeks."
"So, now you have to decide what you will write about." Julia said, with excited eyes.
"Exactly. Now comes the hard work." Allie laughed.
"But, this is so amazing, Allie. You column is going to be so good, I can't wait to read it." Julia said.
She hugged Allie again, and said. "Thank you so much for the flowers, I absolutely love them." Julia went over to find a vase and put them in. She wanted them in the middle of her table, to brighten up the room. Just as she set them down, there was a knock at the door.
Julia looked at them excitedly and said, "Oh, I have someone I can't wait for you to meet."
Nathan felt dread in the pit of his stomach, but he was stuck, with no way of escape.
Julia swung open the door and greeted the tall, handsome blond gentleman Nathan had seen at the stage coach platform. Julia hooked her arm through his and brought him over to them.
"Nathan, Allie, I would like you to meet my big brother, Jacob. Although, he likes to be called Jake." Julia said with a wink to Allie. "He came to visit me for the week. He's a Mountie too, like your Dad, posted just outside of Edmonton." Nathan reeled with this information. His heartbeat had been pounding so hard in his ears since she opened the door, he wasn't sure he heard her right. He finally let out the breath he had been holding, and let her words replay in his mind, calmer now. What? Her brother? A Mountie?
"Jake, these are my friends Nathan and Allie Grant." she told him, gesturing with her hands.
"Nice to meet you, Jake." Allie said, extending her hand. They shook lightly and Allie smiled big at him and at Julia. Allie thought Jake was very handsome. "Nice to meet you, Allie," Jake said to her.
Nathan stepped forward, extended his hand, and said, "Jake, it's nice to meet you."
Jake looked over his shoulder at Julia and asked with amusement, "Is this your Mountie?" Now once again, Nathan wasn't sure he had heard right, did Jake just call him her Mountie? Nathan didn't know what to think about this, but he couldn't think of anyone else's Mountie he would rather be.
Julia blushed and answered, "Yes, this is Constable Grant, our Mountie in Hope Valley." She couldn't look Nathan in the eye.
"I once did some tracking over by Edmonton, what town are you in?" Nathan asked.
"I'm in Spruce Grove, just to the west. You might have tracked with some of my colleagues from Edmonton. We help each other out a lot, over there. We're a real nice team." Jake replied.
The two men threw around a few names and talked about Headquarters, and realized they knew some of the same guys.
Allie and Julia just laughed watching them, talking like they had known each other for a long time.
Finally, Nathan said, "Well, we should probably be on our way, now. We had only meant to make a quick stop on our way to the café. We should let the two of you get on with your evening."
Jake piped in, "Wait, you guys are headed to the café? That's just were we were heading, and I'm starving."
"Would you guys like to join us and sit together?" Julia said, smiling at Allie.
Allie smiled back and said, "Can we, Uncle Nathan?"
"Sure, it's ok with me if it's ok with the both of you. You guys probably have a lot of catching up to do, and we wouldn't want to intrude." Nathan replied, motioning back and forth between sister and brother.
"It would be fun to get to know the Mountie who's protecting my sister." Jake joked. "No pressure intended."
Julia agreed, but joked back, "Only if you behave, Jake. No embarrassing stories, and no stretching the truth!" She warned, with her pointer finger.
"Oh, I think I am going to thoroughly enjoy this evening." Nathan joked right back at her. Julia blushed then, and Allie piped in, "Me, too!"
They walked over to the café and got a table for four. They ordered and as they waited, Nathan and Jake talked more about their training. Nathan had gone through Mountie training at Cape Fullerton, and Jake at Fort Garry, but 2 years before Nathan. Jake had been posted mostly around Calgary and Edmonton.
"Jules came to Calgary after our Father died. I had been there about 3 years already, when she arrived. About a year ago, they sent me on to a posting in Spruce Grove. I like my small town, it's really slow like here, though we are 2 Mounties posted together there." Jake shared.
Wait, did her brother just call her Jules?
"It was nice having Jake close by, those two years in Calgary. That's when he taught me to drive." Julia said.
"And, that was an adventure. We nearly took out three carriages, 2 postmen on foot, and a street light." He joked. They all laughed then, but Julia didn't seem to mind.
"Well, who could drive straight with all that yelling? And do you know he pretended to have a brake on his side of the car?" Julia joked right back, making a stomping motion with her foot to explain. They were all laughing at the imagery.
"Once, Jules brought a frog to school in her lunchpail." Jake ventured.
"No, Jake, you promised no embarrassing stories!" she started to protest, but was already laughing too hard to stop him.
"She sure did. It was a big one too, about the size of a grapefruit, she caught him in the freshwater pond down the road from our house. She didn't want him to get away so she put him in her lunch pail for safe keeping. In the middle of lessons, her lunch pail started making all kinds of racket." They all four were in stitches now, imagining it so vividly by Jake's description. "When the teacher came over to inspect her lunch pail, it literally hopped up and down right there on the floor." Jake made hand motions of the pail hopping up and down. Allie was laughing so hard she was bent over. "All the while, Julia kept a completely straight face, went right on with her lessons, pretending everything was normal."
"I was only 6 or 7 years old. I was trying to pretend it wasn't my lunch pail." Julia shrugged and said through her laughter.
"But, your name was written clear as day right across the front of the lunchpail, Julia Matthews." Jake motioned again with his hand, "Easy enough to read in between the hops." And, with that statement they all laughed so hard, they were all nearly in tears. "The teacher decided to open the lunch pail, and I came round my desk real quick, before she could get it open. I was about 13 then, and thought I might need to hold her up if she passed out."
"Did she pass out?" Allie asked, still laughing.
"She sure did!" Jake answered, and that sent them back into laughter.
The food arrived, but they all had to let the laughing die down so that they could eat. Nathan looked over at Julia then, smiling and wondering to himself, how many times will I be surprised by this woman? She caught him looking at her and smiled right back.
They ate for a little while and Jake decided he had another story, in between bites. "We once got picked up by the Canadian Coastguard. We got in a heap of trouble, that time."
Julia piped in. "That was also a scary story, if I remember right." Julia explained, "We were in a tiny john boat on one of the tidal creeks when the wind picked up. I wasn't much help with the oars as they were about 3 times as tall as me. I must have been about what, 7 then?" Julia asked Jake.
Jake was calculating, and then continued the story. "That seems about right, I was probably about 14. We were supposed to stay in the little creek, but the tide was going out, fast. Then, when the wind picked up, it added more current. We were drifting fast, being pulled very quickly out to sea. I rowed with all my might, but even if we had been two big guys, I don't think it would have done much good." Jake explained. "When we came round the point by the lighthouse, Julia made so much noise, hollering and waving her arms. I didn't know such loud noise could come out of such a little, tiny thing. And, I just tried to row fast enough, against the current, to slow us down."
"Mr. Jeffries came out of the lighthouse just at the right moment, and I don't know how, but he saw us. He took off for town running, and we were sitting ducks. We couldn't make it back, so we just had to wait." Julia said, remembering.
"They came for us in a huge coastguard boat. I knew we were gonna be in big trouble. Dad never let us near that john boat again without a tether rope anchored to shore." Jake said.
Julia looked at Allie then, with raised eyebrows, "One big positive thing, we got to ride in a big Coast Guard Cruiser. And, the captain even let me steer!" Of course, Julia would find the bright side, Nathan thought to himself.
Allie said, "No way! That's so cool."
"It was all a load of fun, until we got back home. Then our bums were hurting so bad, we forgot all the fun we had in the bridge of that boat!" Jake recounted, making a painful face. They all laughed again, at that image.
They went back to eating for a few minutes, and Jake curious about something, finally asked. "Allie, I noticed in Julia's apartment you called your Dad, 'Uncle Nathan'. And, then another time you said, 'Dad'. Is there a story there?"
"Well, my Dad is really my uncle; or, he was my uncle." This was getting confusing. Allie paused, pursed her lips together, and started again. "My mom died when I was 4, and I've been with my uncle, Nathan, ever since. He officially adopted me about 2 years ago. So, now I'm his daughter. I have tried to start calling him Dad, but sometimes Uncle Nathan just slips out."
Jake looked at Nathan then, realizing how hard that must have been for a single guy, and a Mountie. He knew firsthand how Mounties get transferred around a lot, and he could not imagine. So, Jake respected Nathan above anything, for taking on his niece. But Jake knew he would do the same for Julia, without question.
"Wow, that's really noble, Nathan." Jake said, looking at him with respect.
"I'm the blessed one, and richer for having Allie in my life." Nathan said, smiling confidently. Just when I thought he couldn't possibly get any more handsome, Julia thought.
They all seemed to be finished with dinner, and Clara came by, picked up the empty plates, and asked if they would like dessert. Allie said, "they have the BEST pie here, you have to try it."
"Ok", Jake said, "Four pies, please." with a huge smile, not even asking what kind of pie they had today.
"Coming right up," Clara said and disappeared into the back.
"Allie, you heard so many funny stories about me and Jake. Would you have a funny story to tell about your Dad, or about you and your Dad?" Julia asked, looking flirtatiously at Nathan. He raised his eyebrows playfully and wanted to hear what Allie had to share.
Allie put her finger to her chin, all dramatic like, and looked at the ceiling thinking. The pies arrived then, it was apple today.
"We moved to Hope Valley, from Fort Simpson. I didn't really want to move, but I didn't really like Fort Simpson either. When I arrived in Hope Valley, everyone was so nice. I didn't like it." Allie said, sincerely. "The first day of school, I pretended to go into the school house, but instead I snuck around the side of the building, and went fishing. I skipped the entire day. When Uncle Nathan came to pick me up, I was no where to be found." Allie said with a hearty laugh. Nathan chuckled too, remembering.
Nathan piped in. "Until you walked around the side of the school house, with a stringer full of fish." And, they all laughed at the image. Nathan continued, "If I remember correctly, you got me in a lot of trouble with the teacher." Nathan looked serious, but they were all laughing. He couldn't help himself and laughed too. He looked at Allie, "We've come a long way since then, haven't we, Allie girl?" Julia smiled at the sweet nickname Nathan had given his daughter. Allie girl. It seemed to fit her perfectly and illustrate their sweet relationship.
"And, have you any stories of Allie to share, Nathan?" Jake asked, smiling naughtily at Allie.
Now it was Nathan's turn to put his hand to his chin, rubbing and thinking, looking at the ceiling, teasing her. Allie was getting nervous about what he would share. Nathan saw her discomfort and winked at her, to assure her.
"I lost Allie once, in a big train station in Calgary. Longest 20 minutes of my life. We were traveling from Cape Fullerton, home to Airdrie where I'm from, to see my Mom. I was unloading the luggage and looked away for just a split second. And, when I turned round again, Allie was gone. Disappeared into thin air. I don't think I breathed a full breath the entire 20 minutes I was searching for her. A sweet old porter found her and brought her back to me. From then on, I tied her on my back using my belt and holster, every time we changed trains." Everyone laughed softly at the thought of a tiny Allie strapped to Nathan's back. "We were quite a pair, the two of us." Nathan shared. He looked at Allie adoringly, and she at him.
"That story was not so much funny, as adorable." Julia said, smiling at both of them. Nathan caught her eye then, and smiled back at her.
They had all long since finished their pie, and it was getting late.
Nathan looked at Allie and said, "I'm going to talk to Bill for a moment. I'll be right back."
Jake knew what Nathan was doing, so he jumped up and followed him. Nathan talked quietly to Bill, trying to pay the check. Jake got in there, also trying to pay the bill. Allie and Julia were laughing at them fighting over who was paying, and Bill not knowing whose money to take.
"This is a problem I hope I never have again. I'll take some of your money," Bill took some from Jake. "And some of your money," Bill said as he took some from Nathan. He counted the sum in his hands, and nodded, it was enough. "Now get out of here, before I call the Constable!" And the two guys came back together, smiling.
The group of four walked out together and said good night in the street at the corner of the infirmary. Nathan and Allie continued on home, and Jake walked Julia back to her apartment.
"Wanna come in, big bro?" Julia asked, and he followed her in. "How about an herbal tea?" she offered.
"Sure." he said.
Jake was watching her, trying to formulate what he wanted to say. Over the years, he had seen a lot of guys interested in his sister. Some had been his friends, many of his colleagues had also asked after her. She was beautiful, and men took notice of her. But, he had never seen anyone look at her the way Nathan looked at her. It was exactly the way he would want a man to look at his beloved sister. Now, he was trying to decide if he should tell her, and how he should tell her.
"Honey?" Julia asked.
"Sure." Jake answered. She stirred some in and brought his cup over. She set it down next to him, on the table.
Julia sat down in the chair opposite him and studied him. Something was bothering him.
"Out with it. What's troubling you, Jake?" She asked him.
"There's not something wrong, so much as something is right. I'm just puzzled how to share what I want to say." Jake answered. "What's the relationship between you and Nathan? And, be honest, no leaving anything out."
Julia took a deep breath. What to say about her and Nathan? And, she couldn't dance around the truth, with Jake. "Well, we are friends. We got to know each other when we spent a night up at a cabin taking care of a patient with a medical emergency. The patient was incoherent most of the time, so Nathan and I talked a little. Shared a little bit of our stories." Julia admitted.
"And, then?" Jake asked.
"We see each other around town. He is teaching me how to ride, so I can get around on horseback for emergencies and house calls." she said.
"Sis, you are learning to ride?" Jake asked, excited for her, knowing it was a dream of hers.
"Yes, I've only had one lesson, but I really think I learned a lot. We rode pretty far, and I got up to a canter." Julia told him, with a proud smile.
"On the first lesson? You must have been a fast learner." Jake encouraged her.
"And, Nathan is a great teacher. He's very patient. My horse got spooked coming back, and he rode up right next to me and talked me out of my panic. He didn't take the reigns and save me, which he must have wanted to do. But, he encouraged me to get back control of my horse. In that moment, he called me Jules. Nathan had no idea what that name means to me." Julia shared.
"Could you see a future with him?" Jake prodded gently.
"Well, that's hard to say this early on. But, I sure can't imagine my life without him in it, at least as a friend. I really love it here, Jake. It's a nice town, and the people, all of them, are really great." Julia said.
"I'm glad you are happy, Julia. That's what's most important to me." Jake replied. "And, when the time is right, I hope you will give Nathan a chance. You both seem really good for each other, and I don't say that lightly." Jake paused. "Remember that this is coming from the guy who never thought he'd see the day when anyone would ever be good enough for you."
"Thanks, Jake. I'll remember that." Julia smiled at him, lovingly.
He stood and walked to the door. "Should I pick you up for church tomorrow?" Jake asked.
"Yes. It starts at 10, so if you want to come about 9:30?", Julia replied.
"You can count on it, sis. Good night." And, he was out the door and on his way back to the saloon.
As Nathan and Allie walked home, they talked about their evening. Nathan couldn't believe he had woken up this morning, so down in the dumps, thinking that Julia had a suitor. When, all along the gentleman had been her brother, and a Mountie to boot.
They had such a fun time with Jake and Julia this evening, and even in retelling the stories and talking about the night, both he and Allie were laughing again. It seemed to Nathan, that wherever Julia went, she brought joy with her. He couldn't imagine anyone more happy or positive than she. And, Allie felt it to. She wanted to know the next time they could hang out and spend more time with Julia.
Nathan was already looking forward to Monday night, when Fiona had organized the Social Club, and they were all to meet up at the Saloon. Had it not been for Julia, he would not have agreed to frequent the Saloon at all. Nathan hadn't even been inside in nearly 9 months, except on Mountie business. But, for this occasion he was quite excited.