Chapter 27. The Workshop

When Nathan and Julia finally let go of each other, they turned back towards the row houses, together. Julia supported him, her left shoulder tucked firmly under his right, her left arm on his back and her right arm loosely on his chest. They walked slowly, it took a long time to get him back. Allie came out when she heard them on the steps.

"Dad, we've been looking for you everywhere. Dr Carter is really worried. " Allie scolded him.

"I'm sorry, I thought I could handle a little walk." Nathan offered, though unable to hide his happy grin.

Allie replied sternly, "Dad, it's too soon and you know it." Julia loved the way Allie looked out for him.

"Allie girl, I was missing some fresh air." Nathan stated, trying to dispel her worry.

"What about the back yard, Dad? I can set up the wooden chairs you made, out there." Allie stated flatly.

Julia said, "That's a great idea, Allie. Do you really have some chairs we could set up for him? And maybe some pillows?" Julia really thought they were on to something.

Julia looked at him then, as if asking permission, and he nodded his agreement. She knew he had made the bookshelves, and suspected a lot of the tables around the house. But, chairs also? She was now very curious to see them.

Julia helped him to the couch, so that Faith could do her check up. When she was through, Faith jotted down notes and packed up her medical bag.

Julia could see that Nathan was spent. So, she brought the coffee table forward, and covered it with a blanket, in case it was his handiwork. She removed one of his boots and then the other, added a pillow on top of the blanket, and put his feet up gently, one at a time. Julia took another blanket and covered him, as she was worried the pain could make him feel cold. He never took his eyes off her as she worked.

As Faith made ready to leave, Julia walked her outside. Once the door was closed, Faith asked the question. "How far did he walk?"

"All the way to the pond. He said he missed me and had determined to track me down. I should have come to see him sooner, now I feel guilty." Julia said as she looked down at the porch. "I don't even remember what I was afraid of."

"He's a big boy, Julia. He's responsible for his actions." Faith responded, "But in this instance, don't think for one minute that he minded the pain he went through to see you. To him, it is all worth it." Julia nodded, knowing what Faith said was true.

"Faith, I'm ready to come back now. We had a good talk, and we are in a good place." Julia said, unable to keep from smiling. She continued, "So, please take the next day or two off. You need it after covering for me for so long. I can take call here all week, and if you want, we can take turns starting on Friday."

"That sounds great, I'll do that, take the next two days off, and come in to the infirmary on Wednesday. Feel free to call on me if there are any emergencies at the infirmary, or any changes with Nathan." Faith concluded.

"I will, Faith. Enjoy your time off. You deserve it." Julia said, smiling, and Faith hugged her. "And, Faith, if there's anything you need, as a friend, don't forget I'm always here for you."

"Thanks, Julia." And, Faith headed down the porch and home.

When Julia came back into the house, she stepped close to Nathan. She pulled the blanket up around his shoulders, tucking it in on each side. She looked down at him then, with his head reclined on the back of the sofa.

"Is that better?" Julia asked. He nodded and she noticed his top curl has fallen over his forehead. She ran her fingers through his hair to put it back in place, without even thinking about it. Julia realized how very natural that action was to her, and a huge smile washed across his face. She saw his obvious contentment and it made her smile too. She moved to the kitchen to get him a glass of water, and she set it on the table next to him.

Julia approached Allie at the dining table, where she was working on some homework.

"Do you really think we could set up a little outdoor respite for your Dad?" Julia asked.

"Absolutely," Allie answered and led the way to the backyard. They entered a little shed, and Julia was immediately taken aback. There was a beautiful workbench set up with woodworking tools, and about 4 beautiful works-in-progress scattered about.

"Wow." Julia said. "Nathan did all of this?"

"Yea, he's really amazing with wood," Allie answered with the same crooked smile. "This one is going to be another side table for Dad's room." she said, pointing to an elegant side table like the one already in Nathan's room, on the near side of the bed. "This one is going to be a bookshelf for my room." Allie said, running her hand over a lovely bookshelf, much like the ones in their living room, though a little wider and a little shorter.

"And this is a little jewelry box." Allie said, pointing out a very exquisite small box, with beautiful etching on the sides. "And, I don't remember what he said this one was gonna be." Allie said, pointing to the last one, which seemed to be just starting. Allie was beaming with pride showing Julia all of her uncle's handiwork.

"The chairs are over here," Allie said, as she led Julia over to one corner.

"Wow, they are so beautiful." She said as she ran her hands over the intricate wood. "Shall we set them up in the yard?" Julia asked.

"I say let's do it, and then I can get some pillows and make it really nice. He can come to the backyard when he wants to spend time outside." Allie responded.

They carried the chairs outside one by one and set them up facing each other so Nathan could also put his feet up if he wanted to. Once the chairs were outside and in the light of day, Julia could see just how beautiful they were. The wood had been sanded and cared for perfectly respecting the grain. Intricate details had been carved or etched in at just the right places, to give a beautiful unique design to each chair. The stain was the perfect color to bring out the natural beauty in the wood. They were exquisite, and she just couldn't imagine what other surprises there could be to discover about Nathan Grant. She suddenly felt so lucky that they had decided to get to know each other better, to pursue knowing each other. She wanted to know all the little things she had yet to learn about this handsome Mountie.

Allie went inside to get some pillows and Julia went back into the shed to see if she could find a little table. Once inside, she was able to look more closely at the things he was working on. The intricate detail carved expertly into the jewelry box was also exquisite. His talent and attention to detail, and his meticulous work ethic shone through, in each piece he made. Julia saw the tools laid out on the table and she walked over and brushed her fingertips over several handles, imagining his strong hands using each one so expertly.

"I found some pillows," she heard Allie call out. Julia came out of the shed, closed the door, and helped her arrange them. Dusk was coming on now. When she headed back into the house, Nathan was fast asleep.

"Everything ok, Allie?" Julia asked, wanting to make sure all was well before she left to return to her apartment. Allie had a disappointed look on her face when she saw that her uncle was asleep.

"Well, my math homework is really hard today, and usually my Dad is able to help me, but…" she trailed off.

"Well, I can try to have a look with you. If you'd like?" Julia offered.

They sat down together at the dining room table, and inside of an hour, had knocked out Allie's math homework. Julia's explanations had really helped her understand, this time too. She had a very logical way of looking at math that really simplified it. Allie was grateful for the help.

Allie started to work on dinner, so Julia decided to stay a bit longer and help her. "I thought meals were being delivered everyday, Allie?"

Allie replied, "Yes, normally. But I wrote my name down for Sunday nights. So, I can cook for him too."

"That's so sweet, Allie. Sunday night is probably his favorite meal of all the week." Julia concluded. "So, what's on the menu for tonight, Allie?" Julia asked.

"Lentil soup," Allie replied.

"Can I help you chop?" Julia asked.

Allie took out a cutting board and two knives, an onion and some carrots. She said, "Well I need to chop an onion and if you chop a few carrots, then I just need to add water and the lentils."

They set to work side by side and in a few minutes everything was in the pot on the stove, working up to a boil. Allie added salt and pepper and gave it a good stir.

"It smells really good, Allie." Julia complimented.

"Well, it's a very easy recipe my Grams taught me. Usually, I make it only in the winter, but I know lentils are good for healing. So, I thought… for Uncle Nathan." She said sheepishly.

"You are a very bright girl, Allie, and that's very true about lentils." Julia smiled at her. "Lentils are exactly what he needs."

A big proud smile spread across Allie's face. She took out two bowls, 2 spoons, 2 glasses, the bread, and the butter, and set them on the table. "Would you like to stay for dinner, Miss Matthews?"

"Normally, I would like that very much. But, maybe another time. I think it's better if I just stay with you until it's ready, help you wake him up and get him settled for dinner." Julia answered. "Then I will head back home."

"Thanks so much for all your help today, Miss Matthews. I have missed having you around." Allie said shyly.

"I've missed spending time with you, too, Allie." Julia encouraged her.

Allie went to the stove and checked the soup, which was bubbling nicely on the stove. She stirred it well, and was quite satisfied with the way it turned out. "Five to ten more minutes and it should be ready." She said.

When it was ready, Julia walked over and sat down next to Nathan. She leaned in close and lightly shook his right forearm, "Nathan", she called. Nothing. "Nathan", she said again, shaking gently.

When he started to rouse, his eyebrows moved but his eyes wouldn't open. "Nathan, Allie made a lentil soup and it smells wonderful. It would be good if you could eat a little. Nathan?" she shook him gently again.

"I'm up." He said, and his eyes opened slightly. When he saw her there, bending over him, he tried to sit up a little, but she could see the pain in the lines on his face.

Julia said gently, "Nathan, do you think you could come to the table to eat something?"

"Yes", he said simply and started to try to get up. She was there on his right side immediately, to help steady him. She tucked herself under his right arm, as before, and helped him to the table.

After he was seated and comfortable, she started to excuse herself.

He caught her hand, "You aren't staying?" He asked as he stood up again, and turned to her. "Please, stay." he said, gently.

"Yea, Miss Matthews, please stay." Allie chimed in. With these two, there was no refusal. She adored them both so much.

When she didn't immediately say no, Nathan motioned for Allie to set her a place. "Quick, Allie, before she changes her mind." He said, with an adorable look of victory.

"On one condition," Julia said flatly, trying to sound serious. They both looked at her, all ears, ready to meet her demand. "Allie has to tell me another story. Or, I walk." Julia's face broke into a smile, raising a finger as she said, "and Allie, a juicy one this time."

Allie broke out in a fit of laughter then, teasing Nathan. "Oh, I'm sure I can come up with something about Uncle Nathan."

"Ok, well, then I guess I might be swayed." Julia said, playfully. She looked at him adoringly. Allie set the bowl, spoon, and glass at a place next to Nathan.

He looked at her and couldn't help but smile. "I think I'll look up the Mountie office in Spruce Grove, perhaps I should write a letter and see if Jake has any more stories for us, Allie?"

Julia was laughing, but still said, "Nathan, you wouldn't!"

Allie checked the soup again, and decided it was ready. She filled the bowls one by one, and set them on the table.

They all sat, Nathan said grace, and Julia admired Allie's soup.

"It smells wonderful, Allie." Julia, said testing it. It was still too hot, but was very tasty.

"I thought of a story." Allie said, finally, as they were eating. Julia had a huge grin, and looked sideways at Nathan, who looked worried.

Julia said, "shoot."

"Once, when we lived in Fort Simpson, my Dad tried to make me a birthday cake." Allie paused when she saw her Dad's head droop a little. She wasn't going to go on. But when he looked back up at them, she realized he was already laughing. Allie took that as a green light, so she kept going, "So much smoke was coming out of our windows, the neighbors called the fire brigade." Allie barely got the last words out, she was laughing so hard. Julia started laughing at the image, but soon realized that Nathan's face was pained. It probably wasn't a good idea to make him laugh.

Julia cautioned, "Allie, maybe we shouldn't make him laugh so much." Julia put her hand on Nathan's arm, trying to calm down and stop laughing.

When they were calm again, they all ate for a little while. Then Allie asked, "What was your Mom like, Julia? Do you remember her?"

"Sadly, I don't remember her very much. But, my Dad told me a lot about her. He and Jake both said I look a lot like her. I have the same hair color, and her eyes." Julia replied, smiling, wishing she could remember. "By Dad's description, she was strong and determined, yet gentle and kind. He always said she saw people. She saw their challenges and hurts and tried to help. He also told me she was very loyal. If you were on her good side, she would do anything for you."

When she finished her statement, she looked over and realized Nathan was watching her. She smiled at him curiously.

Nathan said softly, "She sounds exactly like someone I know." Julia smiled tenderly at Nathan's implication that she was like her mother. She had heard it many times before, and was proud of the fact. When she was small in Peggy's Cove, all her friends and neighbors had only lovely things to say about her mother.

"And, you, Nathan? Who do you take after, because I know it isn't your father?" Julia asked.

Allie piped in and said, "Definitely Grams. You'll see. They even look alike." Julia smiled at the thought, anxious to meet his mother, and see for herself.

"And, you, Allie?" Julia asked.

Nathan answered, proudly, "She is very much like Colleen. Sometimes, when her hair is braided a certain way, and she looks at me with a certain expression, I feel like I'm looking at Colleen, 20 years in the past."

"Do you have a picture of her, Allie?" Julia asked. Allie got an excited look on her face, put down her spoon, and ran upstairs.

Allie came back down with a very old tattered black and white photo, and held it out to Julia. Nathan was right, Allie really did favor her mother.

"Allie, she's really pretty. And, you do look a lot like her." Julia held the photo and made comparisons. "Even with you, Nathan, I can see some resemblance." She said, smiling at him.

Nathan replied, "She looked more like my father, and I more like my mother, but there are still some resemblances."

"It's funny how those family resemblances work. Jake looks more like our Dad, though he got the blond hair from mom, like I did. We don't look that much alike, but, you can still tell we are family." Julia said.

Everyone was finished then, and Allie started to pick up the bowls. She ran some water into the wash basin, and Julia helped her wash and dry. While they were working, Nathan went back to the settee.

When they were finished, Allie came over and sat next to Nathan. Julia approached them both and said, "Thank you both for dinner. I think I will head home now. But, Nathan, do you need help getting upstairs first? Or Allie, are you able?"

"I can help you, Dad." Allie said, "Unless you are ready to go up now."

"I think I'll stay down with Allie a little while, and read. But, thanks for the offer, Julia." He stood up though, and came to walk her out.

"Nathan, you can rest, you don't have to walk me out." Julia said, smiling at him.

"Oh, but I want to." He replied.

As they got close to the front door, Julia turned back and said, "Bye, Allie. It was really fun having dinner with you. And, your soup was really good. I'm going to try that recipe sometime."

Nathan opened the door, and the two of them stepped onto the front porch. He looked at her, and took one of her hands in his. "Thanks for staying, Julia. I know it doesn't substitute for the dinner I still owe you, but I enjoyed being with you, just the same." He said, his eyes fixed on her. "And, I won't forget about that dinner, I'm looking forward to it, as soon as I'm well enough."

The thought of going out just the two of them, made her stomach do flips on top of the butterflies she was already feeling from him holding her hand. "I'm looking forward to it, too." Julia answered, "and, I won't let you forget." she said with a playful smile.

He squeezed her hand and said, "Good night, Julia. Be careful walking home."

"Good night, Nathan. And, I'll see you in the morning. You get me for house calls the next 4 days." Julia said softly.

He looked very happy to hear that. Julia slowly let go of his hand, and walked down the steps, and down the path towards town. She looked back over her shoulder about halfway there, and he was still watching her. Before she turned the corner, she turned again and he was still watching, so she waved before disappearing behind the buildings.

That night, Julia had several vivid dreams. The first was of Nathan, standing before her at the pond, looking at her with an intense longing in his eyes. A longing for her. She was undone by his feelings, and she had such an assurance that she was right where she was supposed to be.

The second dream was of her, Nathan, and Allie eating dinner at their dining room table, together. Just as they had tonight, though she saw it from the outside looking in. They looked so much like a little family, the three of them. Her heart was full and she hoped it would one day be so.

The third dream moved all in slow motion. Julia slowly climbed the stairs at Nathan's house, and entered his bedroom. When she came in, she had the strange feeling that it was no longer just his bedroom. On the far side of the bed was the second night table that Julia had seen down in the workshop, though it was completed now. Sitting on the night table, were things that Julia recognized, they were her things. She turned and looked in the closet, and saw her dresses and clothes hanging in there, right next to Nathan's clothes. As Julia turned back around, she realized that Nathan was standing just behind her. In the middle of the room. Without a shirt. Exactly like the day she and Faith had wrapped his ribs. He was strong and handsome, and looked at her with a deep desire. He was breathtaking, everything Julia had ever wanted and so much more. Julia stood frozen in place, admiring him, adoring him. Finally, and still in slow motion, she took a deep breath, and walked toward him and into his arms.