Chapter 41. Under the Weather

The next morning, Julia woke up to Faith's soft voice.

"Julia, Julia. Are you ok?" Faith was standing over her friend's bed. Julia opened her eyes, but still felt horrible. She'd had a very rough night, between the chills, runny nose, and coughing. She'd woken up in the middle of the night, and hadn't gotten back to sleep until the wee hours of the morning.

"I don't feel so well," Julia said with a hoarse, nasally voice.

Faith felt Julia's forehead and frowned. "I think you have a bit of a fever, Julia."

Julia tried to sit up, but only managed to make herself cough.

"Julia, you don't sound so good, either. Let me go get my stethoscope, I'd like to take a listen to your lungs." Faith stated. She came back a few seconds later, and managed to help Julia sit up. Faith took her time and listened intently to Julia's lungs, and her cough.

"I think you have a cold, Julia. Your lungs are clear. But, you need to rest. And, you need to drink lots of fluids, hot teas, and soup." Faith stated.

Faith went over to the wash basin and dunked a wash cloth. She came back and put it on Julia's forehead.

"Julia, try to keep your fever down." Faith stated. "Get some rest and I'll come back and check on you in the afternoon."

"Thank you, Faith." Julia said, not recognizing her voice at all.

Then Julia remembered something important. "Faith, one of my young patients, William, is due in today to get his stitches out." Julia stated hoarsely.

Faith nodded and said, "Don't worry, Julia. I'll take care of him, and I'll also take care of Nathan's house call. You just rest up. I'll make you a nice hot tea and bring it over as soon as it's ready, ok?"

"Ok, Faith. Thanks a million." Julia rolled over, taking care to keep the cool rag on her forehead. She heard the door close behind her and closed her eyes.

At noon, Nathan heard a strange knock on his door. Well, not strange, it just wasn't Julia's knock. She was the only one he has expecting today, and she usually came much later in the afternoon. He stood and opened the door, and found Faith on his doorstep.

"Hello, Nathan. I'm sorry but you are stuck with me today for your walk." Faith told him, as he looked quite confused, "Julia's sick."

Nathan looked alarmed and asked, "She's sick?"

"Yes. When she didn't come to work at her usual time today, I went and checked on her. It's just a cold with a small fever, nothing to worry about. But I told her to stay in bed. She sounds awful!" Faith explained.

Rebecca had overheard from behind Nathan and walked up to join them at the door. "Should we make her some chicken soup?"

Faith looked at Rebecca and said, "That would probably really help. She's coughing and her throat sounds painful."

Rebecca nodded, and stepped back. Nathan looked back to Faith, who asked, "Shall we take care of your walk, Nathan?"

He nodded and closed the door behind him. They walked all the way down the lane, to the corner where Julia always looked back at him, before she disappeared behind the buildings. When he made it that far, without any support at all, he knew he could make it all the way to the infirmary and back. On their way back to his front porch, Faith was quite happy with his progress.

"Nathan, you've made a lot of progress. I don't know how much longer we need to keep imposing your walks. As soon as you can make it to the infirmary and back, we can let you come in for your check ups." Faith stated.

"Faith, honestly, I could probably make it there and back already. I may not have been pushing myself as hard I could have." Nathan admitted. He knew how much he could push himself, and knew he hadn't done so recently. Probably because he liked Julia coming by everyday, and hadn't been ready for that to change. He realized he was much better, when he was able to dance with her several times now, without too much discomfort.

"Could that have anything to do with Julia?" Faith asked as she looked up at him.

"Yes." It had everything to do with Julia. "Maybe I have been enjoying her daily visits a little too much." He said honestly.

"Nathan, part of your progress is due to the fact that you have taken it easy. And, you still need to respect that delicate balance between convalescing and pushing yourself." Faith told him, and then she added with a little chuckle, "But I'm glad to know you can do a lot more now. That's a great sign that your healing is coming along well."

And then, Faith looked back up at him and added one more thing, "I'm pretty sure she didn't mind coming to see you everyday."

Nathan smiled thinking about Julia. He would certainly miss her visits.

"So, what happens now, as far as my check ups?" Nathan asked.

They arrived back at his front steps, as they continued to talk. Faith answered, "Well, to finish out this week, why don't you come into the infirmary everyday, walking. Then, next week you can start with the frequency of every 3 to 4 days. How does that sound?"

He looked pleased about his progress. "That sounds great, Faith. Can I also consider a return to work?"

Faith answered him, "Yes, but only at a desk. No riding, running, or chasing anybody. Desk duty only, ok?"

Nathan said, "That works out perfect. With my new position, my first assignment is to re-write an old training manual. I will be at a desk anyway."

"So, I think you can get back to your desk as early as tomorrow, Nathan." Faith replied.

"Thank you, Faith. I'll see you tomorrow at the infirmary, then?" He asked.

"Yes. Have a great day, Nathan." Faith replied, picked up her medical bag, and began her walk back to town.

As he watched Faith walk back to town, he was worried about Julia. And, he realized he was sad about the change to his care. On one hand, he longed to be stronger so that he could start to court her properly. But, on the other hand he would miss her coming everyday, and their game One Question. He would just have to work out other ways to see her. And, he hoped that they could continue playing their little game, as there was still so much he wanted to know about her.

In the afternoon, Julia heard a soft knock on her door, that roused her from her sleep. She still felt awful. She had used about a thousand handkerchiefs and they were strewn all over the floor next to her bed. Her throat was on fire every time she coughed, and the only way she was comfortable was to prop herself up in the bed. She had put all of her pillows behind her. The fever seemed to be gone, but she was still a little cold and stayed snuggled in under the covers.

When the knock came again she was startled. Who could be here? Faith would have entered through the adjoining door. She knew it must be Nathan, but did he walk all the way here?

She finally called out a soft but hoarse "Come in." The door slowly opened, and Nathan poked his head in.

"Jules?" He said as he saw her in the dim light, propped up in the bed. He'd heard her raspy voice, and asked, "May I come in?"

Julia knew she must look a fright but was so happy to see him. She didn't think twice, but answered, "Nathan. Yes, please come in."

He walked slowly inside and set some things down on her table. Then he came over to her, taking care not to trip over anything in the dimness of the room. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he approached her bedside.

She laid her head back on the pillow and smiled up at him, "Horrible."

"But, you managed a smile just now, so that's a good sign." He said.

"That's because it's you." She managed to rasp with another cute little smile.

"So, you wouldn't smile for anybody else?" He teased her lightly, hoping to make her feel better.

"Nope. Only for you." She softly joked and then took to coughing. Her throat sounded painful.

Nathan smiled at her, and went and opened the curtain slightly to let a little light in. When he turned around, she asked him, "Did you walk all the way here, Nathan?"

He went back to the table and picked up the bouquet of daisies that had been on his dining table for their date last night. He brought them over with a chair and sat down next to her.

"Well, it turns out I can make it to the infirmary and back now. Faith cleared me to walk to town, when she came for my house call at noon. So, I'm not defying any doctor's orders." Nathan explained.

"I wasn't asking for that reason, Nathan." She told him, with another little smile.

"I probably could have made it that far even on Friday, but I think I enjoyed your visits a little too much." Nathan looked down at the flowers. "The truth is, I'm not ready to let go of the time spent with you everyday, Jules."

She held her hand out to him then, and he took it. She replied, quietly, "Well, Lawman, we'll just have to find excuses to run into each other." Then she lifted her head and looked at him serious, and said, "Because I don't want that to change, either."

At her confession, he gave her his charming crooked smile. "Jules, this bouquet from our date last night was intended for you. But, in all the excitement I forgot about it. I thought it might brighten up your room a little, while you are resting." He explained. She smiled at his sweet thoughtfulness. He stood and went over to her kitchen and started opening cabinets looking for a vase of some kind.

"On top of the cabinet." She rasped, and he looked up and saw the vase. He grabbed it easily, filled it with water from the pitcher and placed the flower stems carefully in it. He started to place it on the table, but she spoke up. "Nathan, please, over here." She said as she placed her hand on top of her bedside table.

He set them down right next to her and she gazed at them happily. "Thank you so much, Nathan. It's so very thoughtful of you. And, daisies are some of my favorite flowers. Did you realize?"

Nathan answered, "No, I didn't know. I just really like them, too. They are such a bright and happy flower, they made me think of you."

"And, that's exactly the reason I love them. They are so bright and happy." Julia agreed with him. She suddenly coughed in a sort of fit, so he stood and went to the stove. He put on the water kettle and rifled through her cabinets until he managed to find two tea cups and some herbal tea.

When the teas were made, he also managed to find some honey and put a generous dollop in hers. He brought them over and sat in the chair just next to her. They sipped tea together and finally she said, "Nathan, thank you, the tea feels so wonderful on my throat."

Julia looked over at him and all the memories of last night's date came flooding back to her. In fact, she had done nothing but dream about the wonderful evening, all night and all day. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him in his blue shirt and brown vest, holding her close and gazing deep into her eyes.

Julia had not realized he was such a romantic. He had honestly impressed her with every tender attention he had included in their evening together. She couldn't believe that he had taken note of so many things that she liked. Her heart swelled with love when she realized all this about him. Now, here he was, just sitting with her and taking care of her. He was too much.

"Nathan, I want to thank you for last night. I know we didn't get to finish our evening, but I was deeply touched by all of your delicate attention. I didn't realize you were so…romantic." Julia said with a shy smile.

Nathan sipped his tea and then said, "I'm only sorry that it took me so long to do something nice for you, Jules."

Julia smiled tenderly and said, "And the things you took note of and remembered, were so thoughtful."

He confessed just above a whisper. "Jules, when it comes to you, I remember everything." She was glad the lights were low because she was sure she was blushing.

"I'm only sad we didn't get to finish our date." Julia stated.

"Jules, you were amazing with Little Jack. And, while I'm disappointed that our evening got disrupted, I'm glad we were able to help." Nathan admitted.

"Yes, me too." She said as she finished her tea. She set the cup down on the table next to her daisies.

"Jules, something else." He paused, "I didn't realize you can sing. You have such a lovely voice." Nathan complimented her as he finished his tea also.

Julia looked embarrassed that he had heard her, but didn't even think twice about it at the time. She had only thought of calming Little Jack. She shyly rasped, "Thank you for saying so, Nathan. Something I used to do with my piano, though I think I'm quite rusty still."

Nathan smiled at her and couldn't help but tease her, "Well, you sound rusty now but you didn't last night."

She laughed at that one and replied, "You're a funny guy, Lawman."

"You should hear my Dad jokes." He replied, chuckling. "Allie loves them."

She looked at him with slight of eye, "Does she, really?" she asked, teasing him.

He laughed playfully back at her and said, "Ok, you got me. I probably like them more than she does." He paused, smiling at her, "But, she used to like them."

"It must be so hard as they grow up. When they love something one minute and change their minds the next?" Julia surmised.

"Yes, sometimes it is a little hard. At the time, I didn't intend to become a father, it just fell in my lap. But, the single best decision I've ever made was saying yes to take Allie." Nathan stated. "It's an adventure for sure, but the most wonderful of adventures."

That confession made Julia's eyes misty. "Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we didn't even know we needed." She said, thinking of how she came to Hope Valley. She had just thought she needed a change, she'd had no idea what a gift this little town would be to her. And, she'd had no idea what Nathan would come to mean to her. He was a gift she certainly hadn't counted on.

He stood and took the tea cups over to the sink, and quickly washed them. He noticed her dress from last night soaking in her laundry basin. He hoped she would be able to save it. It was a lovely dress and since he had not seen it before, and normally took note of all of her attire, was convinced it must be new.

Nathan turned back toward her, "Jules, Mom made you some chicken soup. Would you like me to heat you some?" He came to the table and picked up the container he had brought in with the flowers.

"Wow, that's so kind of her. Yes I would love some. I haven't eaten much today." She stated.

Nathan fished around and found a pot and poured some soup inside. He placed it on the stove and refilled the water kettle, to heat as well. He found a water glass and filled it and brought it over by her bedside.

"Nathan, maybe I can come to the table, and sit with you a little while." She stated.

He came over and stood close, and asked, "Are you sure?"

She nodded, so he put out his hand, offering to help her up. She quickly remembered she was still in her bed clothes, so she asked, "Nathan, could you please grab my robe from the back of chair behind you?" He turned back and grabbed it for her and held it up. She stood and slid her arms in while he helped her at the shoulders. When she was wrapped up warm, she walked over to the table and sat.

He served her soup into a bowl and set it down in front of her, with a spoon. Then he made two more teas and brought them over as well, careful to put honey in hers again.

"Thank you, Nathan." She smiled happily at him and he looked puzzled.

"What's got you so amused, Jules?" He asked playfully, curious.

"Well, I'm smiling at you." She said simply, and then added, "Taking care of me, for a change."

"And, how am I doing?" Nathan smiled back.

"I could get used to this. Maybe I should be sick a few more days." She teased him. "You're the best looking nurse I've ever had." She said cutely.

Nathan chuckled at her cute flirtations, and replied, "I could say exactly the same about you, Jules." He smiled. "You are definitely the most beautiful nurse I've ever had."

She giggled at the way he turned that around on her. She couldn't imagine she looked very beautiful right now. Her hair was all down and a mess, and her cheeks were certainly pale.

"I'm not sure about that, if you count today. I'm sure I look a fright." She said.

He thought her quite beautiful just like this. In her bed clothes, her hair down and falling all around her shoulders. And her cheeks rosy, even if her coloring was a little pale. She was still very beautiful. In fact, he was sure she would always look beautiful to him.

"Jules, you are beautiful everyday." He said simply. When she finished her soup, they sat and drank their tea together.

"Please thank your mother for me, Nathan. I feel so much better already. Will you please tell her?" Julia asked.

"I can do that, Jules. How does your throat feel now?" Nathan asked.

"It's still scratchy but less painful." She said, and sipped her tea. "And thank you for the tea, Nurse Nathan."

He laughed at her calling him nurse, but was glad to help. When she finished her tea, he picked up the dishes and set them by the sink. He helped her back into bed and covered her up very gently. Then, he returned to the sink and washed up the dishes for her. He put the rest of the soup in her icebox.

When he came back over, she looked tired so he decided he should go.

"Jules, I think I'll head home now and let you rest. I put the rest of the soup in your icebox." He smiled down at her. "Are you propped up enough?" He asked her.

Julia took his hand and said, "It's perfect, Nathan. Thank you for coming by to check on me, and for taking such good care of me."

He sat down on the bed just beside her and simply said, "It was my pleasure." He looked down at their hands intertwined. "Jules, when Faith came for my house call today, she changed some things related to my care."

"So you mentioned before. What decisions did she make? And, how soon do they go into effect?" Julia asked, seeing his disappointment at the changes.

"It seems you won't need to come around everyday anymore, effective immediately." He said, looking up at her to see her reaction. She looked as disappointed as he felt, sad even. "So, Miss Matthews, we will have to find other occasions to see each other. That is, if you want to keep seeing me."

"Will you still be coming into the infirmary for check ups?" Julia asked.

"Yes, daily until Friday, and then every 3 to 4 days after that." He said, sadly. She didn't look happy about that, but had known it would eventually happen. She couldn't keep calling at home if he was improving so much. "But the good news is, I can go back to work, though only at a desk. So, I'll be back at my desk just across the street from you."

That was good news, and it showed in her smile. "Do you remember the first time you told me that?" She asked him.

"What, that I worked just across the street from you?" Nathan asked back.

"Yes. It was when you caught me running through the flowers. Up at my meadow. Right then and there, I knew I was in trouble." She said, smiling at the memory.

Nathan smiled playfully at her, "What do you mean in trouble?"

"In trouble. At risk…of having my heart stolen." Julia looked at him, a little serious and a little bit flirtatious at the same time.

"Did it work? Did I really steal your heart, Miss Matthews?" Nathan asked with his charming crooked smile, curious.

She looked at him completely content and open. She couldn't hide the way she felt about him anyway, she had stopped trying since Founder's Day. "What do you think, Constable?"

He looked at her, and brought her hand slowly up to his lips. He kissed her hand ever so lightly and smiled. She had completely stolen his heart, too. And he was sure she knew it.

He reached up and tucked a soft tendril of hair behind her ear. Then he softy asked, "Can I come and check on you tomorrow?"

"I would love that." Julia replied. "I'll try to be a little more presentable."

"You can be any way you like, I'll still be here." Nathan responded.

She smiled at his sweet comment. He slowly leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. Then he sat back and said, "Get some rest, Jules, and I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded and said, "Thank you, sweet Nathan."

He stood up, and gently let her hand fall as he backed up toward the door. He looked back at her one more time before going out, and gave her a little pretend tip of the hat.

When the door closed behind him, she gazed over at the lovely flowers he had so thoughtfully brought her. For some reason, looking at them made her mind drift to the future. As she fell back asleep, her mind was filled with images of them together, in various stages of life, and her ever and always by his side.