Chapter 54. Father's Day
On Sunday morning, even before church, Allie came by to pick up her gift for Nathan. She and Julia wrapped it quickly, and then Allie took off. She wanted to get home with plenty of time to prepare his traditional Father's Day lunch. Grams was helping her and she was very excited. And, she wanted to take him his coffee in bed, another of their Father's Day traditions. Allie promised she wouldn't give him the painting until later, when Julia was present.
When Julia got to church, Nathan had saved a place for her, just as he'd promised. Right next to him. He rested his arm against the back of the pew during the service, and she sat a little closer to him than she probably should have, for church. But, she just couldn't help herself when it came to him. His presence seemed to beckon her closer. And though she hadn't realized it, she'd slowly but surely been pulled closer to him, like a magnet. Now she was sitting right in under his arm, close to his heart.
Julia tried hard to focus on Joseph this morning, his message was really good. But, her mind kept wandering to this man sitting beside her, and all the things they had shared with one another last night. Was his vision of the future really so close to her's? Had he really already laid out plans for the big white house? Were they really that perfect for each other? She knew the answer deep in her heart, but still she asked herself.
Joseph shared about casting our burdens on Jesus. The verse was from 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." It seemed so timely after she and Nathan's conversation Saturday morning. After all that he had shared with her about Colleen's death, and the burden that he had carried for so long. Julia knew she had her own burden, related to her father, that she needed to let go of in greater measure.
Towards the end of the service, Minnie called up all the children in the church. They had prepared a song for Father's Day. Paul took out his guitar and they sang a sweet song about a Father's love. It was just beautiful and not many dry eyes were left when they were finished. Allie came and hugged Nathan, and Julia gladly scooted over and let her sit down between them. He held her tight the rest of the service.
When it was over, Nathan took Allie's hand on one side and Julia's on the other, and they headed outside, with Rebecca. Though, when they got down the stairs Allie quickly ran off to talk to her friends. Julia, Nathan, and Rebecca visited a little while with Florence and Ned. And then when they started home, Allie caught up with them.
When they walked in the house, it smelled wonderful. By the scent, she guessed Allie and Rebecca had made a roast, which seemed to be one of Nathan's favorites. Allie had set a beautiful table, with a blue tablecloth and brown cloth napkins. And, she had picked blue flowers and made a small bouquet in the middle of the table.
Nathan looked surprised at Allie's attentions, and Julia encouraged her, "It looks so beautiful, Allie!" And it really did, the colors were Nathan's favorites. Allie and Grams went to the kitchen to finish getting everything ready. Nathan and Julia walked to the living room. Julia went over and stood near the bookshelf, she was scanning titles and seemed to be looking for something in particular.
"Looking for something?" Nathan asked her playfully.
"Yes. You once had a poetry volume I wanted to take a look at." She told him.
"The one with Lord Byron? When I read about my beauty with the sandy tresses?" He asked her, remembering their fun teasing on the couch, when he had replaced raven with sandy, in She Walks in Beauty.
"Exactly the one." She said as she found it and pulled it out, with a smile at him. Julia turned to the table of contents to see what poets works were in there. "This is a good one." She told him.
"I know. It's got all the classics, and then some. You can borrow it if you like." He told her.
"I just might." She told him. "I need something new to read."
Nathan walked over, scanned titles, and pulled out something. "Did you like The Call of the Wild?" He asked her.
"I did." She told him.
"This is another by the same author. Have you read it?" He asked her as he handed her White Fang.
"No, I haven't yet. You enjoyed it?" She asked him, flipping through the first pages.
"Yes. It's full of adventure." He told her.
Julia nodded and smiled up at him. "I'll try it. You don't mind if I borrow these two?"
"Not at all." Nathan smiled back at her. "Though, there's always the town library, too. They just got some new books in."
"Ah, now I'm intrigued. I'll go check it out. I haven't been in there in a while." Julia told him.
Allie came over then and called them to the table. Julia put both books in her bag by the door, and moved to the dining room, with Nathan. They all took their seats, and Allie said a sweet prayer, blessing the food and her father.
They ate together, and the food was delicious. It was a pot roast with vegetables, and Nathan was touched by Allie's thoughtfulness. When it was time for dessert, Allie rose and brought out a beautiful chocolate cake. It looked so good, and Nathan's eyes were huge.
"Allie, wow, it looks amazing!" He told her.
"It's not my normal recipe. Minnie taught me her's! I know you really like that one, so I asked her to teach me. So, now I can make it for you anytime you want." Allie told him.
He pulled Allie into a side hug and told her, "That's so thoughtful, Allie. That you would go to all that trouble for me."
Allie looked down at him, "You're worth it, Dad. And well, I love you lots."
Allie cut the cake and served everyone. Rebecca had made coffee, and served it too. The cake was delicious and Nathan even had a second piece.
When they were done with the cake, they moved to the living room. Once Nathan was seated, Allie proudly brought over a large package.
"What's this, Allie?" He asked her, curious.
"Your Father's Day gift." Allie stated simply.
He looked very curious as he cut the ribbon and started unwrapping. When the brown paper was off, there was a layer of soft paper. When he got that open he realized he was looking at the back of an artist's canvas. He turned it around and his mouth fell open. He was in shock and it showed. Julia saw his eyes fill with tears and then he looked at Allie who was obviously proud.
Nathan managed to choke out, "Allie? You did this?"
"Yes. Well, I had a little help, but yes I painted it." Allie told him.
Nathan looked at Julia who interjected. "Allie, you had pointers, not help. I didn't put one brushstroke on that canvas." Julia told him. "It was all Allie. And she's exceptional. Just like I imagine her mother was."
That sent him over the edge and a tear escaped. Allie told him, "Don't cry, Dad."
"They are happy tears, Allie. From a heart that's overflowing." He told Allie, quoting exactly what Julia had said, after Nathan had bought her shoes. He knew what she meant now, because he felt the exact same way, looking at this beautiful painting. It was just the drop in the bucket that caused his heart to overflow. And, it was beautiful, so very beautiful.
Allie had painted the scene from a photo that had been taken of he and Allie in Cape Fullerton. Nathan couldn't even remember now who had taken the photo, but it had been for a newspaper article. The photographer had seen them on the street, and thought Allie adorable. Later, the photographer had even tracked them down to give Nathan a copy of the photo.
Allie had been about 4 or 5, and they were walking down a busy street, hand in hand. Nathan was in his bright red serge, holding his campaign hat in one hand, and Allie's hand in the other. She was so small and tiny next to his tall frame, and had to reach high to hold his hand. She was wearing a bright blue dress with a huge blue bow in her hair. The bright blue stood out against the gray, dismal backdrop, as did the bright red of his serge. But it was their sweet gaze fixed on each other that made the scene so very beautiful. Allie looked up at him like he hung the moon, and he looked down at her like she had hung the stars. The raw emotion on their faces, as they walked the busy street was evident. They adored each other, and didn't even notice the busy scene around them. It was breathtaking.
Rebecca handed him a tissue and he handed her the painting, so she could have a look. Nathan slowly stood, having a hard time taking his eyes off the painting, and came over and hugged Allie.
"Allie girl, this is so wonderful. I don't know what to say. It's just beautiful. Your mother…" his voice cracked, but he managed to finish, "would be so proud of you. And, she would have loved that you got this artistic gift from her."
When he stepped back from Allie, he realized his mother was crying now. Nathan stepped over behind her, and put his hands on her shoulders as they looked at the painting together.
And then after a little while, Nathan walked over to Julia. He put his hand out to her and pulled her up to standing. He wrapped her in his arms and rested his cheek on the top of her head. He whispered, "Thank you, Jules. It's incredible."
Julia whispered back, "You are incredible, and you deserve incredible." He held her for a long time. When he pulled back, he saw that Allie had come over to sit by Grams and was explaining all the techniques she learned. He moved to stand behind them, pulling Julia gently by the hand with him, so he could listen to everything Allie shared. She was really in her element and had learned a lot from Julia.
When Allie was done with her explanation, Nathan went out to his workshop and got a hammer and some nails. He came back in and with his mother, picked a perfect place, so the painting would be the focal point in the room. He took down a few random pictures of fish, and hung Allie's painting.
Julia and Allie came over to have a look, once the painting was up, and it was really lovely there. Nathan had chosen the perfect spot, and the colors went so well with the blues of their living room. "Allie, you were really cute. Do you have more pictures of when you were small?" Julia asked.
Nathan looked at Julia and nodded. "She might not, but I do." He went over to a trunk in the corner and opened it. He took out a lovely picture album and handed it to Julia. She smiled so huge, at the prospect of seeing more photos of them.
"Allie, will you show me?" Julia asked her. And, they sat on the couch together. Actually, Nathan joined them too, so they sat as three with Julia in the middle, to look at the photo album. And, Rebecca leaned over the back of the couch to follow along.
The first two photos were of Allie as a tiny baby, and what a cute baby she was. When she saw Colleen holding her, she was reminded just how much Allie favored her mother. And, in the photos, Colleen looked so very happy and showed Allie off to the camera. Next there was a photo of a very young, very proud uncle holding her as a tiny baby, probably as a newborn. And, in the photo, he had a mustache. He looked so tall and muscular holding such a tiny baby. And, Julia took note of how well he cradled baby Allie, for a young single guy.
Julia smiled up at him and asked, "Wow, you are so young there, Nathan. How old would you have been?"
"I was 18 when Allie was born. And, I think she was about two weeks old there." He told Julia.
"That's some mustache." Julia told him with a cute giggle. Even with the mustache he was dashing and handsome. He had a shorter hair cut, probably a requirement of his training at the time. She was sure he'd had all the women swooning.
"Yea. That was a phase. All the Mounties had them, and I guess I was trying to aspire to be like them." Nathan explained with his own chuckle.
Through the progression of photos, Allie grew up, and Colleen looked less and less happy. Then all of a sudden, Colleen was no longer in the photos.
There was one of Allie with her Grams. Rebecca looked younger and Allie seemed to be around four years old. And then Julia turned the page, to find a young Nathan holding Allie on his lap. The mustache was gone and he was so very handsome with his crooked smile.
"Wow, how old are you there?" Julia asked him.
"I was 22, almost 23 when I got Allie. And that photo was taken just after she came to live with me." He told her.
"You haven't aged a bit. You just got more and more handsome." She told him. He smiled at her assessment and his mother smiled, too.
"That's exactly what I always say, every time I see him." Rebecca piped in.
Julia looked over at him and said softly, "I'm a lucky girl." He looked at her then, with his crooked smile and she felt the butterflies take flight. She was sure he hadn't changed a bit, he had only become more and more distinguished in his features.
This trip down memory lane made Nathan curious to see photos of Julia when she was young. Julia flipped to the next page, and there was a picture of Allie with no front teeth. "Allie, you were so cute!" Julia told her, happily. Then a newspaper clipping with a photo from a school program. Then another photo of Nathan and Allie with Grams at Christmas, though Allie was much bigger in that one. And last, a more recent photo of Nathan and Allie.
In the very back there were two photos of Nathan in his serge. "That photo was taken when I completed my Mountie training." He told her.
"Are they the same?" Julia asked. They looked the same.
"I believe so. Somehow I ended up with two, I guess." He told her. Allie noticed the look on Julia's face, but her Dad seemed oblivious.
"Well, thank you for letting me see these, Allie. You were absolutely adorable, and you really favor your mother. She was very beautiful." Julia told her.
Allie hugged her from the side and said, "Thanks for saying so, Julia."
"Well, I mean it, Allie. Your mother was very lovely. I wish I could have met her." Julia told her.
"Me, too. She would have loved you." Allie told her.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Allie jumped up and said, "Yay! It's time! I've got another surprise!"
Allie raced to the door and opened it, and Lee was standing there. He had loaded his Victrola into the car and was ready to unload it. Nathan went and helped him, and they set it up, in the living room. At the same time, Julia and Allie and Rebecca worked to move the furniture back.
Allie smiled big and said, "Dad, you mentioned it would be fun to start a tradition of dancing in the living room on Sunday evenings. So, I thought we should start today."
"That's such a great idea, Allie." Rebecca told her.
"It's the Father's Day to end all Father's Days." Nathan told her with a big smile.
"Wow, thank you, Lee. Again." Nathan told him.
"Rosie and I could never say no to such a sweet request, from Allie. And, you know we love dancing. So, have fun!" Lee told them.
"Thank you, Mr. Coulter." Allie said, as he let himself out. Allie walked happily over to the machine.
Rebecca came over with her and explained how it worked. They got it going and Nathan quickly came over and grabbed Allie. He spun her around and around, and she giggled and giggled. They looked so sweet together dancing, Julia and Rebecca just watched them, adoring them both.
Nathan taught Allie some basics, and she caught on quick. Then, Rebecca cut in to teach her a bit more. So, Nathan came over and grabbed Julia's hand. She couldn't lift her left arm too high, so she just let it rest on his shoulder. But, she could still move pretty good. When Nathan took off with her, she felt like she was gliding on air.
Nathan really was an excellent dancer and Julia enjoyed dancing with him very much. When the song stopped, Rebecca got to going again, and they were back at it. Allie cut in to dance with Nathan again, and Rebecca and Julia watched them.
"Where did you learn to dance so beautifully, Rebecca?" Julia asked her.
"I don't tell many people this, but my father was a sort of socialite. His family was wealthy and attended fancy parties, and social events. But, he fell in love with an ordinary girl. His family said that she was below him. But, he didn't care. He gave up his place in society, walked away from it all, and married her." Rebecca smiled at Julia. "My parents were ridiculously happy, and he never looked back. In fact, he completely reinvented himself, earned everything he had himself. But, he was well educated and trained for society. So, an excellent dancer. He made sure all of his children were afforded the same opportunities he had. Though, he allowed us to choose how we wanted to use them."
"Are your brothers and sisters still living?" Julia asked her.
"No, I'm the last one left. I was the youngest. My two brothers both died before they were 30. My sister died a year before Colleen." Rebecca told Julia.
"How did you meet Archie?" Julia asked her.
"At school. He was a neighbor, though his family moved a couple years before we graduated. He came back a few years later to the area to work and build a carpentry business, and my parents often employed him at the ranch." She paused, remembering. "My parents built the ranch, though it used to be about four times the size. We have downsized over the years, and adapted to the changing times." She told Julia.
Rebecca continued, "Not to mention that Nathan and I made the decision to sell off a chunk to cover Archie's debts. We wanted to make it right and didn't want his bad choices hanging over our heads." She paused. "Though it's still a big enough ranch. It's just more manageable now. And, I have Charlie. He's a savvy foreman and does a great job managing it for us."
"Nathan told me a little bit about him. He sounds like a nice guy. I hope to meet him someday." Julia told her.
"Well, you are welcome at the ranch anytime, Julia." Rebecca told her. "And, Charlie is wonderful. He's a great guy to have around, and really knows what he's doing in managing the ranch. I couldn't do it alone. He's smart and witty and quick to get things done. Business smart and won't let anyone slack off. He demands things be done right, and I'm grateful for it. He runs a tight ship." Julia found it curious the way Rebecca's face lit up when she talked about Charlie.
"He's been working there a long time?" Julia asked.
"Yes. Charlie was a classmate of mine, actually. My Father saw something in him, and hired him straight after his studies. He worked his way up, and has been foreman since about the time Colleen was born." Rebecca explained.
Nathan saw the break in conversation and came over and grabbed his mother. He whirled her around the dance floor, and Allie pulled Julia out to dance, too.
Julia tried to dance the male steps, but her and Allie only giggled at how horribly they both danced without Nathan. It turned into more of a giggle fest than a dance. Rebecca noticed and when the song changed, she came and whisked Allie away, easily dancing the male steps. Nathan took Julia's hand, and they too, were off again. Julia realized how much she loved dancing with Nathan and hoped this really would become a tradition.
As Nathan whisked her around the floor, he felt his heart soar. She was also a very fine dancer, and so easy and light on her feet. He could certainly see more times of dancing in their future. In fact, he was certain he would dance with Julia every chance he got.
The next song that Rebecca played was a slow one, so Nathan pulled Julia close and wrapped his arm strong around her back. He laid their intertwined hands on his chest just as he had done at the Founder's Day dance. He looked down at her and said, "I hope this becomes a tradition, Jules. I love dancing with you." He told her.
"I love dancing with you, too, Nathan." Julia told him. "I can't believe your grandfather Sully was some big socialite." She said with an amused smile. And then she added, a little playfully, "But it fits. You are quite regal when you dance."
"Wow, my mother told you. She doesn't give that information away easily. And, she always told us that it was some big family secret." Nathan said with a chuckle.
"Well, I won't tell anybody, my love. I'll keep all your secrets safe, tucked away in my heart." She said with a sweet little wink.
"Well, I don't think it's really a secret. We're the only ones left now." He told her, with a shy smile.
"So, I'm dancing with a descendant of Alberta royalty?"Julia teased.
"Sully wasn't royalty, just from a well-respected wealthy family. That was until Sullivan ran off and married a simple school teacher." Nathan chuckled.
"I hardly believe that your grandmother Rose was just a simple school teacher. By your description, she was much more than that." Julia told him.
"Yes, she was." Nathan said, "In the ways that matter."
"Nathan, have you ever noticed the way your mom lights up when she talks about Charlie?" Julia asked, suddenly serious now.
He spun her out and the back in, with the music. When she came back in, he answered. "Yes, I know. I have been trying to encourage them for years. But, they are like two turtles. Very slow ones." He smiled at her, "Neither of them will make the first move, so it's been in stalemate for quite a long time. If Colleen were around, she would have stuck her nose in it a long time ago. But I'm not so much a meddler, I guess."
"Well, we can hope can't we?" She asked, with a cute smile.
"Yes, we can always hope." He said, with a content smile, as he dipped her. That got a happy giggle out of Julia, and Allie as she watched them.
"Very smooth, Lawman." Julia said with an amused smile.
He spun her out again and then back in, and then dipped her, all in one movement. He held her there in the dip for a few seconds, and she laid her head back and let out a light laugh. When she brought her head back to look at him, he was gazing at her, intense but amused. And they were caught there for a moment, taking each other in and smiling, evident to anyone watching that they enjoyed each other very much. And then, unable to let go, they danced together a little while longer.
When the last song ended, Nathan changed it, and took Allie around for another spin. She had the steps down pretty good now, and was looking good out there. At the end, Nathan spun her around, and Allie giggled loud. When Nathan heard her giggle, he kept spinning her and spinning her, and added his own chuckle. Rebecca and Julia looked at each other. It was wonderful to hear such happy laughter from the both of them.
When that song was over, they were all exhausted and sat down a little while. "Dancing is good exercise." Rebecca said.
"Indeed, it is." Julia replied with a happy smile.
"Dancing makes you happy." Allie stated.
"I think you are right, Allie." Nathan agreed.
"Does anyone want more chocolate cake?" Rebecca asked.
Allie asked, shocked, hardly believing her ears, "Chocolate cake for dinner?"
Julia looked at Nathan and they both said, "Yes!", in unison. Rebecca went over to the table and cut some more pieces of cake, and served plates. Nathan, Allie, and Julia all came and got a plate. They sat together at the table and enjoyed more cake, together. When they were all done, Julia noticed the time and decided she should probably head home. Nathan offered to walk her.
As soon as they got outside, Nathan took her hand as they walked together. The day was cooling off and the evening felt so nice. They strolled along, taking their time.
"It was such a fun day." Julia told him.
"It was perfect from start to finish." He told her. "I can't believe the painting, Julia. When did you girls work on it?" He asked.
"We started last Saturday and then worked a few days after school. I think your mom helped cover our tracks." Julia replied.
"You girls are sneaky." He chuckled.
Julia explained with a playful grin, "Yes we are. And, it was all Allie's idea. She came to me about it. I only said yes. She had picked out the photo she wanted to reproduce and knew exactly what she wanted to paint for you."
"Well, I love it. I'm impressed with how good she did." He told her.
"Allie has a gift, Nathan. She has an eye for it, and now, she has some technique under her belt." Julia shared with him.
"Thanks for helping her, and encouraging her." Nathan told her, looking down at her with a happy grin.
"I enjoy spending time with her, Nathan. She's fun, and sweet, and thoughtful. But she's also cool and not a push over. She's really something." Julia told him.
"Allie reminds me so much of Colleen now. Only Colleen was even more headstrong, and threw her weight around a lot more." He said.
"So people were scared of Colleen?" Julia surmised.
"Indeed. She could be intimidating especially if you crossed her. You did not want to be on her bad side." Nathan chuckled. "Woe to the man."
Julia giggled, imagining her being just that way. "I think I would have loved her."
"You would have adored each other." Nathan smiled. They were almost to her door.
Nathan walked her up near her little stoop and he looked at her, with that intense gaze. She faced him and looked up at him.
"Thank you, Jules, for everything with Allie and the painting. I'm deeply touched." Nathan told her.
"It was my joy, Lawman. And, you deserve it. You're a wonderful father, Nathan." Julia replied.
He gently placed his hand under her chin, and tipped her head slightly up, and kissed her. He kissed her slowed and sweet. Somewhere in there, the passion mounted quickly, and the kiss deepened. Julia seemed to melt under the weight of their intense emotions, and she held onto him for support. He held tight to her around her back. Her right arm was strong around his back, though she let her left hand rest on his chest.
He pulled back a minute to catch his breath, and let their foreheads rest together. He looked down at her, so close. He said, "I've been waiting all day long to kiss you." He said breathlessly. Julia smiled at his sweet confession. "I love you, Jules. More and more each day. And, It's hard to say good bye."
"Is our coffee date still standing, in the morning?" Julia asked him.
"Yes, I'll be waiting, on my porch." He told her with a little tease.
"I'll be there, my love." As soon as the words my love sunk in, he kissed her again. He kept it gentle and loving, though it was still a smoldering kind of kiss. When their lips finally broke contact, it was even harder to leave each other.
"Good night, Jules." He kissed her one more time on the cheek.
"Sweet dreams, my love." She replied, and he reluctantly, finally let her go. He started his walk home. Though, he looked back at her a few times, as was becoming his habit, before he was completely out of sight.