Chapter 34. The Name
On Monday, Julia went in early to the infirmary. She and Faith met together and set up the schedule for the week. Faith had some appointments, and Julia would still take the house calls at Nathan's in the afternoon. They discussed his walks, he probably wouldn't go very far at first, or very fast, but Faith wanted him to try to do a little each day.
Henry was also due in for a blood pressure check. His hand had nearly healed, but they were still monitoring him, and he was doing well so far. William was also due in for a quick check of his stitches, though he wouldn't get them out until the following Tuesday.
After they got the week sorted, Julia went over to the café to get coffee for both of them. When she got back, they sat together working on paperwork and sipping coffee.
The morning went pretty slow after that. They had lunch together in the café and Fiona joined them. Rosemary stopped at their table and chatted a while, and they also caught up with Clara.
The morning had been slow at the Grant house. Rebecca made breakfast and got Allie off to school. She made another hot bath for Nathan, and he soaked a long time. Rebecca helped him come down and he sat for a long time reading on the couch. He applied the mint balm and she made him a hot compress.
Rebecca noticed what he was reading and asked, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, isn't that a children's novel?"
"Yes, it is. But, believe it or not, it's pretty good. Julia mentioned it, and lent it to me." He paused, "And, since I've read most of what's on those shelves, it gives me something to do."
"It seems like you and Julia worked things out." Rebecca ventured.
"Yes. And, thanks for inviting her last night, Mom. It was so nice having her here. It felt so right, her sitting right next to me, reading with me." He said.
"You two were quite cute, I have to say." She paused, "A little glimpse of the future perhaps?"
"Dare I dream it?" Nathan asked her, timidly.
His mother encouraged him, smiling surely, "Dare it, son."
Later on Monday, Rebecca went to pick Allie up from school. She waited at the bottom of the stairs, and when the kids came out, she stood back a little bit. Allie was the last to walk out, with Elizabeth in tow. They continued down the steps together, and Rebecca pursed her lips together as they both arrived in front of her.
Allie came over with an uncertain, forced smile, one that her grandmother would instantly recognize as fake. She said, "Grams, I would like to introduce you to my teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton." She looked at Elizabeth and said, "Mrs. Thornton, this is my Grandmother, Ms. Rebecca Grant."
Elizabeth smiled and said, "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Grant."
Since Rebecca didn't think she could say the same about Elizabeth, she decided to ask about the school day. "Did you have a good day at school, Mrs. Thornton?"
"Yes. The students are all doing great. We are almost done now, just three more weeks." Elizabeth stated.
Rebecca said, "Well, I'm very proud of Allie. She is an amazing girl." She paused, "Was there something else, Mrs. Thornton?"
Elizabeth seemed like she was having a hard time finding her words. "I wanted to ask after Nathan. Is he doing better?"
Rebecca squared her jaw and asked, "Mrs. Thornton, do you really feel like you have the right to ask after Nathan?"
"No, I guess I don't. I'm sorry… I stuck my nose where it doesn't belong." Elizabeth fumbled.
"Well, at least it was you who said it." Rebecca stated flatly. "Mrs. Thornton, you are Allie's teacher and nothing more. Please try to remember it."
Allie tried not to smile at her Grandmother's firm stance.
"Well, if there's nothing else concerning Allie, I bid you good day, Mrs. Thornton." And, Rebecca and Allie turned and walked home.
When they were out of earshot, Allie giggled uncontrollably. "Grams, you were amazing back there! You are the coolest grandmother in the entire world!"
"How did she manage to manipulate you into making an introduction?" Rebecca asked.
"Well, she saw you on Friday, and asked about you. I told her who you were, and she kept after me about you. I finally gave in, and agreed to introduce you. I figured you could handle yourself, and boy did you!" Allie stated excitedly. "You were awesome, Grams!"
"Well, I couldn't help myself. How can one woman be so focused on herself?" Rebecca asked.
"Grams, from what I hear, she didn't used to be. The stories about her, from before we got here are really great. I think losing her husband really changed her." Allie said, somewhat trying to help Grams understand.
"Well, it doesn't give her the right to hurt people. She needs to realize her place as your teacher and nothing more. Ok, Allie girl?" Rebecca stated with conviction.
"You don't have to tell me twice, Grams. After how she treated Uncle Nathan, I agree one hundred percent. Thanks for looking out for us." Allie said, hugging her from the side.
Rebecca put her arm around her grand-daughter as they walked back home. As they came up the road towards the house, they saw Julia was walking up from the other direction.
When they came close, and met in front of the stairs, Allie sang out, "Julia! So good to see you, are you here for my Dad's house call?"
"Hello, pretty ladies. Yes, I am. Did you have a good day at school, Allie?" Julia asked.
"Yes, I did. And, nothing could beat the last 10 minutes of my school day." Allie said as she looked over at Rebecca and giggled.
Julia looked at Rebecca with a question in her eyes, and Rebecca just shrugged. "I don't know what you are talking about, Allie." And, she giggled a little bit too. That sent Allie into a new fit of giggles. She went bounding in the house, and left the door wide open.
As they went up the stairs, Rebecca looked at Julia to explain, "I think Elizabeth wanted to meet me. What she didn't realize is that I don't have the least interest in meeting her."
"Oh, I see." Julia smiled imagining Rebecca putting the Hamilton-bred Elizabeth Thornton in her place. It seemed fitting, and Julia was sure Rebecca was a force to be reckoned with when she was upset. "Remind me never to cross you, Rebecca."
At that, Rebecca turned, put her hand on Julia's shoulder, and looked her square in the eye. "Julia, I have to be honest with you. I don't know if we will always agree, but I will always respect you and always listen to you. For long as you are in Nathan and Allie's lives, and as long as you do right by them."
Julia looked her back in the eye and said, "I will always respect you too, Rebecca. And, I will do my best to do right by them. I promise." She paused and then added, "I would never intentionally hurt them, nor would I let anyone else."
"I believe you, Julia. And, I believe we have an understanding." Rebecca smiled at her, very happy that Julia was in their lives, "I cannot predict the future, but I hope you will be in our lives for a very long time. I think we are going to be very good friends."
"Me, too." Julia said shyly, but honestly.
"Ok, that's out of the way, now let's go see how our patient is doing." Rebecca said, and they climbed the last step and entered the house.
Nathan was asleep on the couch, with his feet up on the coffee table. When they came in he stirred, and opened his eyes to find Julia sitting next to him.
He tried to sit up a little, but Julia put her hand out to help him. "Let me help you, Nathan." He sat up, put his feet down on the floor and looked at her. He still looked sleepy.
"Are you fully awake, Constable?" She asked, grinning at him.
"I'm not sure. Are you a dream or are you real?" Nathan teased, with a little crooked smile.
"Shall I pinch you, to find out?" She teased him back, threatening her pinching fingers close to his right side.
"Oh, I don't know if you want to start that, Miss Matthews. Even with cracked ribs, I'm sure I would win." He smiled playfully at her, waking up now.
"Well, I'd rather wait until you are well to find out. I wouldn't want you to have any excuse if you were to lose." She smiled playfully back at him.
"We shall see then, when I'm well." He nodded, determined.
"Indeed we shall." Julia nodded back. "Now, onto your house call. How are you feeling?" Julia asked.
"Better today. I had another hot bath this morning and my mother has been giving me hot compresses all day. Your balm also seems to help." Nathan said. "How was your day, Jules?"
"Good, I guess. Uneventful. And your's?" Julia said.
"I had some good quality time with Mom, but other than that, also uneventful." He replied.
"Shall I have a look at your ribs?" She asked, and he unbuttoned for her examination. Everything still seemed swollen, but looked to be going towards the better.
"Nathan, we are supposed to go for a little walk now. Can we try to go a little ways? Then maybe when we get back I can apply the balm and a hot compress?" Julia proposed.
Nathan nodded, but looked down at his stocking feet and wiggled his toes. "I might need some help with my shoes." He said.
Julia giggled and stood up, "I can help you with that. Where are they?"
He pointed over by the front door, and she fetched his shoes. She helped him put them on, laced them up, and said, "Anything else, Nathan? Before our conquest?"
Nathan stood and said, "No, I don't think so. How far is this conquest? Should I pack a snack?"
"I'm thinking down to the Canfield's and back. So, about 70 yards one way, 140 yards round trip. It will be one for the story books." She teased.
"Ok, let's go, Magellan." He teased her back.
Julia came over to his right side, and snuggled in under his shoulder. She held his right hand in her right hand, and supported him. "How's that?"
"Well, I'm glad I don't have to do any math while we walk. Because I sure wouldn't be able to concentrate." He stated, as they walked towards the door.
"What do you mean by that?" She laughed at that random statement, as she opened the front door.
Nathan gently joked with her, "Well, you smell really good. You've got my head spinning just a little."
Julia laughed at his cute little flirtation and responded, "After all the baths every 5 minutes, you don't think you smell good, too? How's a girl supposed to get any work done?" She said as they walked out the door, and out onto the porch.
She tried to turn back a little to close the door, but Rebecca was there smiling coyly at their cute flirtations, and closed it for them.
"Thanks, Rebecca!" Julia called out to the closed door, with a little chuckle.
The continued down the steps, one at a time, and once on the ground it was smooth sailing. He walked pretty well all the way there, but on the way back, he started to tire. They made it back to the front steps and she started to go up.
"Jules, I'm not ready to go in yet. Can we sit a while on the front steps? Maybe try One Question again?" Nathan asked.
Julia smiled and said, "Sure, Nathan. Do you have a question ready for me?" They sat down together, but he kept her hand in his.
Nathan nodded and said, "I do actually. I remember once you told me that your teachers used to call you quiet. But, you don't seem all that quiet to me, now. So my one question is what happened to change all that?"
Julia looked up at him, and smiled at the fact that he had remembered. She explained, "When I was young, I was really quiet. I grew up without a mom, and I was a tomboy that followed Jake around everywhere. I was tall for my age, and lanky. My Dad used to joke that I was all knees. I think that's a nice way to say awkward. When Jake left home for the military and the Mounties, I was only ten. Then it was just my Dad and me. But, Dad spent time with me, he invested in our relationship. And, in my teenage years it was my father's love that was my anchor. He believed in me and that changed the timid little girl into a more confident young woman."
Nathan interjected, "So, what you said to me up at the cabin about me being the most important person in Allie's life right now?"
She giggled, "I sure wasn't giving you parenting advice, Nathan. I would never presume to do so. You have done an amazing job with Allie, and it shows." She paused, and looked off in the field for a minute, "I was speaking from experience. If your love and acceptance is steadfast and steady, she won't waver in who she is. Your love will be the anchor to which she clings, no matter what comes her way." And then she added, in a whisper, "And, even when you aren't here anymore, she won't let go of that anchor."
"Your father sounds amazing, I wish I could have met him." Nathan said.
"Me, too, Nathan. He would have loved you. You would've had a lot in common, actually." She told him, with misty eyes.
"Like what?" Nathan asked.
"Calm demeanor, reserved unless there's something to say," and then she said with a raised finger, "but secretively talkative," she paused again, "charming sense of humor, sensitive and selfless." Julia paused, "There might've been a few things."
He smiled at her and said, "You think I"m secretly talkative?"
Julia said, "Well, yes. You don't talk to everyone, but those you are close to, you open up to. Then, you are talkative, you share and you are yourself. Not everyone is privy to that side of you. And, I think that makes it all the more special to be in the club. Like, I know a secret that not many other people know."
Nathan looked at her, a little bit shocked, "I have heard all my life that being quiet is a negative thing. In school, my teachers called me shy. But, I wasn't. I just didn't have anything to say."
Julia smiled at him. "Common mistake of a school teacher, in a class of rambunctious kids. You chide the one who's not going with the flow instead of championing his confidence to stand on his own." She paused and looked at him. "You are far from shy and certainly not quiet, Nathan. And anyone who has ever said otherwise, hasn't taken the time to get to know you."
Nathan looked at her so long, she finally asked, with a grin, "What?"
"It's nothing. Colleen used to say a lot of the same things to me." He chuckled low. "You sound like her."
"That's because she knew you, Nathan. And she probably hated it every time someone would mistakenly put one of those shaming labels on you." She stated plainly, imagining how much she would've liked Colleen.
"She did hate that." He said, smiling that she could know him and understand him so well.
"Jake is like Colleen, and he used to take up for me. And, well, I am more like you. Although, I like to use the word reserved." Julia said.
"Reserved. That does sound much better. Like a fine wine, sometimes they call it a reserve." Nathan chuckled.
"Exactly. We are like fine wine, Nathan, you and me." She smiled at him, almost teasing.
"Do you have a question for me, Jules?" Nathan asked her.
Julia smiled big, excited that she was finally getting to ask this one. "I do, actually." She paused, "You told me once that there was a story behind how Newton got his name. So my one question is: how did Newton get his name?"
Nathan laughed and said, "Wow, you remembered. I thought you'd forgotten all about it."
She shook her head and said low, "Never." He looked down at her and knew exactly what she meant. He didn't think he could ever forget the things she shared with him. She looked so beautiful looking back at him, he had to shake himself to keep going.
He decided to look out into the field and get his mind back on track. "Newton wasn't the first horse I was issued. The first one was re-purposed from another Mountie who'd retired. He already had a name, Dreyfus. Now I wasn't a fan of Dreyfus, he was old and rickety, and quite frankly, too small for me. When he keeled over, I didn't cry." He looked over at Julia and she started to laugh.
She asked between giggles, "He keeled over? On a mission?" She was totally imagining Nathan with a keeled over horse, on a mission, and it was a funny picture. She was in stitches.
Nathan started laughing because she was laughing. "It wasn't funny. I had a dead horse in the middle of the woods." But now, he couldn't stop laughing, and that made it even funnier.
He tried to continue, "Do you know how big a hole you have to dig for a dead horse?" And, then he was laughing again, and since she never stopped, the giggling just continued.
She tried to ask something, but couldn't manage to get the words out between giggles, so she gave up.
He composed himself and managed to go on, "I had to walk to the nearest town, which took about 12 hours. I arrived in the middle of the night, and needed a place to bed down, and a new horse." She got herself together and took a deep breath.
"In the morning, I checked in at Mountie HQ, told them the situation and they gave me two options. I could take the train back to Cape Fullerton and they'd issue me a new horse, or I could see what horses were for sale in town. Now, seeing as the last horse they issued me was named Dreyfus and was about 100 years old," they both went back into fits of laughter, "I took my chances on the livery in that tiny town. I know a lot about horses, and figured I could do a better job of picking one. And, sure enough, I hit a gold mine."
He kept going, "I picked out Newton right away, only they were calling him Larry."
"Larry?" She asked, and they were both right back in fits of laughter. She couldn't imagine anyone calling a beautiful horse like Newton, Larry. She said between giggles, "You are making this up!"
"No, I swear. His name was Larry." He took a deep breath and continued the story. "The livery was run by a sweet old Inuit man, and he didn't have any tack for sale. I'd abandoned my saddle on the long walk, I preferred my rations and my saddle bags, over a saddle." Nathan paused, "So, the one condition he gave, before he'd let me ride out of there on Larry, was that I knew how to ride bareback. Now, this was normally not a problem because when Colleen and I were young, we couldn't lift a saddle up onto the back of a horse. So, we rode bareback all the time."
Nathan continued, "However, it started to rain. I wanted to get the heck on to the next town, where they'd hopefully have a saddle for sale. So, I agreed to ride bareback in the rain. I thought a little too highly of myself back then, I guess." He admitted, smiling at her.
Julia asked, "Is it hard to ride bareback in the rain?"
"Well, yes, mostly because the rain makes the horse, well…slick." Nathan said, and she saw where this was going.
"So, I got up on Larry with my saddlebags," when Nathan said Larry, Julia burst out laughing again. "I thought I was just gonna ride on outta there. What I didn't count on was my dear friend, the livery owner, taking out his shotgun and firing it in the air." Julia was laughing again, picturing Nathan on Larry, slick as a whistle, and the old man firing a gun next to him, causing the horse to take off.
Nathan smiled at her, "Now, Larry took off right as rain, and me, I wasn't ready for it. When you ride bareback, you have to thread your fingers through the horse's mane to hang on. I hadn't quite done that yet." Nathan said, "But, just before I slid entirely off his backside, Newton made a little bucking motion with his hind legs that sent me right back up into the seat. I grabbed onto his mane then, threaded my hands through correctly, and we were off."
Nathan continued, "He saved me from what would have been a very hard fall...a rather difficult lesson in gravity. I would've slid right off his back end and hit with a hard thud, if he hadn't bucked me back into place." Nathan told her. She was finally composed, but still smiling, imagining it all clear as day.
"I knew right then and there he was the horse for me. And, we've been together ever since." Nathan said, "I guess he preferred me over anyone who called him Larry." And, she was giggling again. "And, I don't think he was very attached to that name, he seemed happy when I started calling him Newton, after Isaac Newton."
"I think he loved you from the start. That's such a great story. You might be an even better storyteller than Jake." She smiled sideways at him, remembering the frog story, and how hard they had all laughed in the café together.
Nathan shook his head, "I don't know, it was pretty funny when he told us the frog in the lunchpail story. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard, I mean before that."
"Maybe you should write a children's book out of Newton's story." Julia said, with animated hands, "How Larry became Newton."
He looked at her, glad she liked his story. "And, I still can't remember the name of that little town."
She squinted her eyes at him, "Are you sure it's all true?"
"Every word. And now, you know why I could never part with my horse. Even for you." Nathan said, with a playful wink.
"I would never ask you to, though I do think he's the most regal horse I've ever seen. Maybe one day he'll let me ride him. When you aren't looking." Julia teased.
"He might, one day." He was still smiling at her, and she at him. They sat there a while longer smiling and chatting. Eventually, they went back inside, so that she could put the hot compress on his side. The laughing didn't help his soreness, but was all worth it.
When he was set, she decided she should head back to town and close up the infirmary. She rose and went to the kitchen to say good bye to Rebecca, and then she said good bye Allie, who was working on homework at the dining table.
She came back and sat next to Nathan.
"Good bye, Jules." He said, taking her hand and kissing it gently across the knuckles. She smiled at him, and was sure at that moment, that the butterflies would never stop. Not with him, not as wonderful and funny and charming as he was. She was definitely stuck with the butterflies, for a very long time to come.
"Have a good evening, Lawman. Don't forget your pain medication. I'll bring you a refill tomorrow," she said. She stood and reluctantly let go of his hand, and headed out the door after one more wave to Allie.
As she walked along, she couldn't stop smiling. She was imagining Dreyfus the horse keeling over, and Nathan toiling in the middle of the woods, to dig a hole big enough to bury him. And then, Nathan buying Larry the horse. And the old man shooting the shotgun in the air, nearly causing Nathan to slide right off his backside. It was just too funny.
And, Nathan was just a little too wonderful. She realized how much of a blessing he was, and she planned to never forget it.
On Tuesday afternoon, there was knock at the door. Nathan rose to answer, and was delighted to find Bill there.
"Bill, come in. To what do I owe this visit, my friend?" Nathan said happily.
"Well, I just wanted to come and talk through things for the interview on Thursday." Bill said.
Nathan asked, "Great. Coffee, Bill? Mom already loaded the pot for me, I only have to put it on the stove. She's in town running errands, before picking Allie up."
"Sure." And, Nathan went into the kitchen to put the pot on the stove. He got some cups out and set it all up on the tray.
"Did they tell you when the Chief Inspector would arrive?" Nathan asked, as he came back over to sit down until the coffee was ready.
Bill pulled out the telegram and said, "By the looks of it, sometime Wednesday afternoon or evening. I booked two rooms at the saloon for both Wednesday and Thursday nights."
"Two rooms?" Nathan asked.
"Well, it says here that Gabriel Kinslow will come over from Brookfield to assist in the inquiry." Bill stated.
Nathan smiled big at that information, "Gabe's coming? Your kidding!" Nathan was very happy at the prospect of seeing his old friend.
"It looks that way. Do you know this Chief Inspector Lewis?" Bill inquired.
The coffee gurgled, so Nathan went to fetch it. He filled the cups and came back, with the tray.
"Yea, sure I know Lewis. Though, last time we worked together he was only an Inspector. He got promoted to Chief Inspector when Collins got promoted to Commander. Lewis is a great guy, and we have a good working relationship. Lots of respect on both sides. So, I'm glad to hear it's him coming and not Hargreaves." Nathan stated.
"I don't think Hargreaves would agree to come and give you accolades." Bill grinned flat, "But, I'm glad it's someone that will do right by you. I was worried Hargreaves might try to sabotage your commendation. Though, Collins seemed pretty aware of Hargreaves dishonest tactics when he was here, so that's probably why he's sending someone he trusts, like Lewis."
"And, I'm really glad to hear Gabe is coming too. I'll have a great advocate in him. Not to mention, it will be a treat to catch up with him, it's been a while." Nathan stated.
"I'm going to get everything set up at the Mountie office this afternoon. Both can use it as a workspace. I plan to offer my office for the interview part though, just so you are aware. I thought it might be a little more comfortable. Though, I'll leave it up to Lewis to decide." Bill stated. "They've asked me to be present as well, as legal witness, which I will gladly do."
"Thanks, Bill. I really appreciate all you are doing for me." Nathan stated, gratefully.
"It's what friends do, Nathan." Bill stated.
Nathan rose and went over to a drawer and pulled out an envelope. He brought it back over to Bill and handed it to him.
"What's this?" Bill asked.
Nathan replied. "It's my offer for your land, Bill. I haven't been able to look at any bills of sale in recent weeks, to compare out the pricing. But, I trust you to tell me if I'm off. If it's not enough, please come back to me. I want to do it fair, Bill."
Bill tucked the envelope inside his jacket pocket and said, "I'm sure it's fair, Nathan, knowing you. I'll take a look and get back to you. It might take me a while to draw up all the sale documents, though. I won't have time to work on it until we are past this inquiry."
Nathan nodded and said, "I have to say, I'm excited."
"About the inquiry?" Bill joked.
"No, about buying your land. I can picture us living there." Nathan said, smiling at the thought.
Bill grinned back at him, already knowing, but still he asked, "Who is this us you are picturing?"
Nathan looked down into his coffee cup and smiled. "I think you know, Bill."
Bill couldn't contain his smile then and replied, "Well, I have to say, I'm happy for you, Nathan. Now you just have to not screw it up."
Nathan nearly choked on his coffee, but knew Bill was right. He had to do it right this time. This was the time that mattered, his one wonderful shot at all of his dreams coming true. And, in all the world, he couldn't have imagined anyone more amazing and perfect for him, for his one true love.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Bill. I'll make sure and cling tight to those fatherly words." Nathan joked. "Try not to screw it up."
"It's good advice." Bill protested, shrugging his shoulders.
Nathan smiled, and finished his coffee. "Indeed it is, Bill."
Bill finished his coffee too, and set his cup down. "I probably should be getting back, I actually do have a lot of work this week. Not to mention all your inquiry hoopla."
He stood and walked Bill to the door. He put his hand out, and Bill shook it. "Thanks, Bill, I really appreciate all that you are doing. I owe you big time."
"Yes, you do, and I'll figure out how to settle the account, don't you worry." Bill grinned even at him.
"I know you will, Bill. And, I'll be right there to agree to whatever it is." Nathan said earnestly. "Ah, and Bill, when you see Kinslow tomorrow, will you please tell him to come right over and see me?"
"Sure thing, Nathan. See you tomorrow." Bill said, and opened the door to leave.
"Bye, Bill." Nathan called out after him, as he left.
Nathan was reading on the couch when there was another knock. Though he recognized that one, three light taps could only be one person.
He opened the door and smiled big, "Hi, Jules."
She couldn't help but smile at him too, "Hi, Nathan. You seem better today." She said as she came inside. She set her medical bag down and followed him into the living room.
"I am indeed, Jules. I've been keeping up all that you recommended, and it has really helped." He said.
"Great. I have the refill of pain medication for you," Julia went over to her medical bag, pulled the bottle out, and set it on the coffee table.
"Do you need to see?" He asked, playing with his buttons already.
"Not really, unless there has been any change. I think we could just try the walk and see how that goes?" She said.
"Ok. Well then let's get to it, I guess." Nathan stood and she followed him to the front door. He opened and they went out the door together. As he came to the top of the steps, she put his right arm across her shoulders and held tight to his hand.
"How's that for support?" She asked him.
He leaned on her and gave her a smile. "Seems good to me. I'm not too heavy on your shoulder like that?"
"No, it's just fine." Julia replied. They started down the stairs and then walked towards town.
"How far today?" He asked.
"Well, that depends on you, but we could try to go past 5 houses today?" She suggested.
"Five houses down and then back. I think I could handle that." He said, smiling down at her again.
Nathan still moved slow, but they managed to walk all the way there and back. When they returned, he sat down on his front steps. She sat next to him, and he took her hand.
"That wasn't so bad, now was it, Lawman?" She asked.
"Not too bad. I'm thinking we could try to go all the way down to the last house tomorrow." He said.
"Are you in a hurry to get to back to town? Trying to escape?" She asked, curious about the sudden hurry.
He looked down at her hand in his and said, with his crooked smile, "Well, the sooner I can walk into town, the sooner I can take you to dinner."
"So, that's your motivation now, huh?" She smiled shyly at him, thinking him the absolute most charming man she'd ever met. He wasn't charming in that smooth-talking, playboy, thinks-too-much-of-himself kind of way, like some men. No, that was fake charming, putting it on thick to get what you want. But, Nathan was authentic charming, because he didn't even realize how handsome and charming he was. He was charming in that humble, honest, and real kind of way. Accidental charming, pure charming, charming when he didn't mean to be. And, that was the absolute best kind of charming.
He looked up at her and said, "Well, I do have three promised dates. And, I plan on cashing in on each and every one." And, the intense look he gave her as he said it turned her insides to mush.
"Well, I will be most happy to oblige." Julia admitted, smiling back at him. "And if tomorrow, you want to try to go all the way down the lane, I will let you lean on me to get there."
Nathan looked at her, and said, "Well, you've got yourself a deal, then."
Julia nodded. "Do you have a question for me today, Lawman?"
Nathan replied, "Yes I do. I thought I'd keep it light today. So, Jules, one question: what's your favorite kind of cake?"
"Chocolate." Julia replied, without even needing to think about it.
"That easy?" He asked.
"Yep. Chocolate cake, all the way. I could have eaten Allie's entire cake, by myself, on Saturday." She giggled.
"Now, that I would have been interested to see. Maybe I'll try my hand at baking again just to see you eat an entire cake by yourself." Nathan teased.
"Well, it would have to be as good as Minnie's chocolate cake." She interjected.
"Maybe I should just ask Minnie to make me one, then." He joked.
She giggled again, "Fine by me. I'm feeling hungry," Julia challenged. But, he had to agree. Chocolate cake was the best. He might even help her eat the whole thing.
"Do you have a question for me, Jules?" Nathan asked.
"Well, your question was a pretty good one, and made me curious as to what your favorite cake is. So, Nathan, same question: what's your favorite kind of cake?" She asked.
"Also Chocolate." He answered.
"Really?" She smiled.
"One hundred percent. And you are right, I could have eaten a few more pieces of Allie's birthday cake without even blinking." He said, agreeing with her about how good it was.
"So, you just go ahead and order that cake from Minnie, and I'll half it with you." Julia teased, "It could count as one of our dates. No dinner, just a whole chocolate cake to eat between the two of us."
"Oh, no no no. That will not count nor suffice as one of our dates. Are you kidding? I have big plans and they don't include us hiding in a corner somewhere halving a chocolate cake." He looked at her serious. "Now, we can still do that, eat a chocolate cake together. But, it won't count as a date. Period."
Julia suddenly felt very shy."What do you mean you have big plans?"
Nathan explained, "Jules, we only get one first date, and one second date, and one third date. And, then after that, the dates, they all start to run together. Not that I'm speaking from experience, because I'm not at all. Let me get that straight and out of the way. Most of my firsts will be with you." He looked at her then, honest and open, before her. She looked at him timidly, aware that they would also be her firsts. "Those first few dates, they should be special. And, I want them to be...for us."
"Talk about no pressure? I hope I can live up to your expectations, as a date." She said softly. "I don't have a lot of experience, either."
Nathan smiled genuinely at her, "And, that will make it all the more wonderful. You and I get all those firsts together. And, no pressure, Jules. Just you and me, real and natural. That will make it special."
She looked at him and nodded slowly. She suddenly couldn't wait for the dates, knowing they would be perfect. Because they would be the two of them.
"Nathan, I have something for you. I'll be right back." Julia said as she stood and disappeared into the house to retrieve something from her bag. She brought back a small wrapped package, with a pretty ribbon.
She handed it to him. He looked at her, surprised, but took it. As he started to open it, she suddenly put her hand on his to stop him, cautious.
"Please don't be upset with me." Julia said, just above a whisper.
"Why would I be upset with you, over a gift?" He asked, but when he looked at her face, he saw that she was uneasy.
"Promise?" She whispered.
"Promise." He replied, wondering now what could possibly be inside the package. She took her hand back and let him finish opening.
Inside the wrapping were a set of brand new guitar strings. He glanced at her and she still looked a little bit scared, unsure what his reaction would be.
Julia nervously started to explain, "Nathan, I kept hearing Colleen's signature line, things are soon going to be looking up, for you. And, things are looking up for you, Nathan. There's Allie, and your Mom's here, and your commendation and possible promotion…"
"And, there's you." He interrupted to add that in there.
She smiled, certain now, "And, there's me. The song… it's not the same anymore. I think there is a new song for you, if you would just tune in and hear it. And, it's a happy song. There's no longer the need to make music to cope, because the song is genuinely and purely happy." She paused and took a deep breath. "Will you do something for me?" She asked.
"I can try." Nathan said, though hesitant.
"Will you ask yourself if there is a new song to play?" She put it out there and then waited for his reaction.
Nathan just looked at her, bowled over by her. Tears came to his eyes, as he said, "I can do that, Jules. I will try."
Julia's eyes filled with tears too, and she looked so relieved by his response. She added, "There's no rush. The strings are for whenever you are ready."
He had been watching her and realized something. "You were worried," Nathan stated.
"Yes. I wasn't sure how you would take such a gift." Julia looked down at the grass in front of the steps then, "I know it's still sensitive. And, I was hoping you wouldn't be upset with me." She admitted.
"Why would I be upset by something that obviously came from your heart?" Nathan asked.
"I guess I was just scared you wouldn't see it that way." Julia said, "You know couples don't always see eye to eye."
"Yes, that's true. Even we will have a disagreement eventually, Julia" He said.
Julia looked at him and the tears were still there. "I know, but I hope that we can always work it out. I'm not sure I could stand quarreling with you."
He stood and pulled her up into his arms. "Now, why wouldn't we work it out, Jules?"
"I don't know. I've never been in a relationship before. And, I'm only human. I might mess up big and what if it's unforgivable?" Julia rambled.
"I cannot imagine a scenario where I could not forgive you, Julia. And, yes, you are human, but amazing, so why would I ever be that upset with you?" He asked, smiling now. Realizing that she was just feeling insecure, after laying her heart on the line with her gift.
Nathan pulled back a little and said, "Look at me, Jules." She did. "I don't want you to hold back because you are worried about my reaction. I want you to always feel free to be honest with me. And I'm sure, with honest communication, we will always work it out."
She nodded, and went back into his arms, burying her face in his chest and holding him tight, just like he loved. After a while, Nathan looked up and saw Allie and his mother approaching, carrying her basket. When they saw he and Julia embracing, they both smiled.
Nathan whispered into her hair, "Jules, Allie and Mom are coming." She pulled back and nodded. He could see she was raw, and still fighting tears.
He picked up the guitar strings and put them into his pocket. And, crumpled the wrapping paper into a ball.
"Hello, you two!" Allie called out, smiling from ear to ear as she walked up.
"Hi, Allie." Julia managed, "How was school?"
"Oh, it was okay I guess. Though, not as good as yesterday. Today, Mrs. Thornton wouldn't even venture outside onto the steps of the schoolhouse, when the bell rang." Allie said, which made Nathan tilt his head and look at her curiously.
Julia laughed, remembering what Rebecca had told her yesterday.
Nathan finally asked, "Did I miss something? Is somebody not telling me something?"
Allie looked at Rebecca, and so Nathan did too, figuring that was where he'd find the story. "Mom, what did you do?"
"Well, nothing really. That school teacher manipulated Allie into introducing her to me, as if I cared to meet her. And then, she had the audacity to ask after you, Nathan." Rebecca said, with an innocent shrug.
Nathan chuckled and asked, "And what did you say?"
"I just asked her why she thought she had the right to know anything about you? She couldn't come up with one good reason. So, I simply reminded her that she's Allie's teacher, only Allie's teacher, and nothing more." Rebecca said, with another innocent shrug.
"Dad, it was classic. I've never seen Mrs. Thornton so tongue-tied. It was the perfect response, Grams really put her in per place." Allie bragged, hooking her arm through her grandmother's.
"I don't think you'll get any more trouble outta her." Rebecca said, with a little wink.
Nathan smiled, imagining Mrs. Thornton tongue-tied. She, who had tracked him down on numerous occasions to put her two-cents into his affairs, yelled at him in the middle of the street, gave him so-called parenting advice when she herself had no idea what she was doing, and had never so much as attempted to apologize. She had been tongue-tied? He couldn't even imagine it.
Nathan shrugged at his Mom. "I guess thanks are in order?"
Rebecca squeezed his cheeks and said, "Anything for you, my boy." Her little gesture of affection brought a crimson blush to his face, and Julia and Allie both giggled.
Allie looked at her grandmother and said, "I've missed you so much, Grams." And, they walked arm and arm into the house.
Nathan looked at Julia and took her hand, and they too walked up the stairs and into the house.
As they arrived in front of the couch, Julia asked quietly, "Shall I set you up a compress before I go?"
Nathan smiled down at her and said, "If you think that will help, I'll gladly take it."
Julia went into the kitchen and started the water boiling. Rebecca came in and asked, "What's the update on his progress?"
"All seems to be going well, by my account. He walked pretty good today. Has he been asking much for the compress?" Julia reported.
"Not too often, but I try to keep it up pretty regular, even if he doesn't ask. And, he's taking the medicine according to your instructions." Rebecca replied.
"Then, you are doing exactly what he needs. And, it shows. He's getting better everyday, Rebecca." Julia grinned.
When the compress was ready, Julia carried it over. He had his shirt open, so she laid it right where it should go. She covered the coffee table, took off his shoes, and put his feet up on a pillow. She sat down next to him and asked, "How's that?"
"Perfect. I am very well taken care of." Nathan said, as he smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Julia smiled back at him and asked, "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Same time?" He asked.
"Same time." She replied.
As she stood to go, Rebecca came over with Julia's empty cookie tin, and handed it to her. "Julia, before you go, I wanted to return this."
"Thanks, Rebecca." She said.
"Any chance we can get a refill?" Nathan asked her with a little wink.
"Well, with all the walks and house calls, I'm not sure when I can fit baking into my busy schedule. But, I can try, Lawman." She smiled down at him.
"Bye, Julia. Thanks for everything." Rebecca said.
"Have a good evening, Rebecca. And, tell Allie bye for me." Julia responded, and Rebecca left them to return to the kitchen, where she was unloading her basket.
"Bye, Jules." Nathan said, with that crooked smile.
Julia picked up her medical bag, and walked to the door. She turned back, blew him a little kiss, and then she was gone.