Chapter 73. The Stand
Friday morning, Julia was up early. She took the key from Jake, and let herself into the Mountie office, carrying her wash basin and pitcher. Nathan was already up, and quietly reading his bible, with his legs folded as he lay on top of the bed. He stood when he saw her and opened the cell door for her, and she carried her armload right into his cell. She set the wash basin down, and from beside the pitcher perched inside, she pulled out a towel and a bar of soap.
Though, she giggled softly as she laid the soap out for him. "I'm sorry, Lawman. I only have soap that smells like roses, or lilies. I brought you lilies."
Nathan smiled playfully down at her. "I'm not sure I could handle smelling like you all day long. I might not be able to put a cohesive thought together."
Julia smiled playfully. "Well, do you have any other soap around here?" She asked him, looking around towards the shelves and the coffee pot.
"I don't think so." He told her, with a cute smile.
"Well, your best bet might be my lilies, then." She smiled coyly at him, "And, on the bright side, you might miss me a bit less."
"You know, we do have a wash basin around here, somewhere." He told her looking down at the heavy thing she had just carried in.
"Is it clean?" Julia asked him. He had no idea. "And, is there soap?" She had a point.
"Ok, Jules. Point taken." Nathan looked at her, thankful for her thoughtfulness. "Thank you, for this."
"Well, I couldn't imagine you taking off for Union City, not knowing when you might next see a wash basin." Her chin quivered as she said it, and he noticed. She had done this because she was worried about him. It was her little way of doing something, when she felt helpless. "Now, you get to it, and I'll get to work on the coffee." She said flatly, and she walked out of the cell.
Nathan opened his bag and set it on the bed. She kept her back to him as she worked, while he washed up. He changed his Henley, and pulled his toothbrush and toothpaste from the bag. When that was done, he dried his hair with her towel.
"All done?" She asked, still with her back turned, but ready with the coffee, as soon as he was decent.
"All done, Jules." He told her, as he was pulling up his suspenders. When she came in, her familiar scent of lilies smelled different on him. It smelled manly and masculine, and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself.
She handed him his cup of coffee, and sat in one chair. Nathan turned the other chair to face her, and sat down. He held out his coffee cup to her, and said happily, "Cheers."
Julia smiled and clinked her cup with his, and said softly, "Cheers." She slowly took a sip, looking at him over the top of the cup.
His eyes were fixed on her, too, which made it hard to think straight. She didn't know how she would say good-bye to him today. She didn't think she could bear it. So, she swallowed the lump in her throat, and tried to think of something else. She had made the decision yesterday, that she would be strong for him. And, she would find a way. Hadn't Jake told her, the night of her birthday party in the saloon, that he thought she was strong? She would pull on that strength now, and she would see Nathan off well. She was determined, in her heart.
He tilted his head and looked at her. He could read her so well now. "So deep in thought, my Jules?"
"Trying not to be." She told him, honestly. "I want to be here, now, fully in this moment with you. Because once this day gets going…"
"I know what you mean." Nathan knew exactly. "Like this is our stolen time, hidden away in the most unlikely of places." He told her as he looked around at the jail cell.
"I have to say, we've faired pretty well in this jail cell, right here." She told him with a playful smile.
Nathan returned her smile. "I would have to agree. If it wasn't for yesterday, I might even like this jail cell."
"I just prefer it when you chase me in here, by choice." She told him, with a soft giggle.
"Well, I'll have to remember that." Nathan said over his coffee cup. "For next time."
"Lawman, you forget, this is Jake's jail now. You probably won't be in here as much anymore." Julia surmised, drinking her coffee.
"Oh yes, he's the one the one that should be chasing his girl into the jail cell, now." Nathan told her, taking a sip.
Julia nearly spit out the coffee in her mouth, when he said that. "Haha. Very funny." He was incorrigible, but she loved that about him.
"We could always spend some time, breaking in my classroom." He told her, with a slow grin.
Julia shook her head at him. "You've already kissed me up there, more than once."
Nathan looked at her timidly, and said with his charming smile, "Well, I think it could use a little more breaking in."
She looked at him, serious now, and asked softly, "Like this jail cell?" To his eager heart, that sounded like an invitation, and that was all he needed. Nathan set down his coffee cup and came to her, on his knees next to the chair. He was just the right height next to her, as she was seated in the chair. He took her face in his hands, and kissed her. Slow and long and tender. He didn't want to stop kissing her. He didn't know when he would get another chance. Nathan carefully tucked everything about this moment, everything about her face, and her lips, in his memory, beautiful and vivid and honest, to carry him in the days ahead. He knew truth would prevail, he knew it had to win out. But, until it did, they would be separated, and that was a hard pill to swallow. So, he kissed her like he didn't know when he would kiss her next. And, she responded, feeling the same urgency, and the same need.
Her empty cup was forgotten as it fell from her hand, the iron clanging against the floor. Her arms instead went tight around his back, and one hand ventured up to play with the curls at his neckline.
When he pulled back, Julia pulled him into her embrace. She held him so tight, she wasn't sure he could even breath. But, she held tight, and didn't let go.
She whispered, "I just have this feeling, Nathan. Everything is gonna be alright."
"It has to be." He responded, in a whisper.
They heard the door to the Mountie office open, as Jake entered. Nathan slowly pulled back from Julia, picked up her coffee cup from the floor, and sat back on his chair. Jake realized, as he entered, that Nathan was not alone.
"Good morning, you two." Jake called out, keeping his back to them, to give them privacy. He walked straight to the coffeepot, and let out a long thankful sigh when he saw that the coffee was already made.
"Good morning, Jake." Julia said softly, though her gaze was still fixed on Nathan. Another intense, amazing kiss in this jail cell.
"Good morning, Constable." Nathan answered, unable to take his eyes off of Julia. He was still silently committing every line of her face and every freckle to memory.
Jake sniffed the air, and smelled something else, other than the coffee. "How come it smells like my sister in here?"
Nathan chuckled and answered, "She lent me her soap."
"Oh, Bill's gonna love that. All day on the trail with a guy who smells like lilies." Jake chuckled. "Good luck living that one down."
Nathan smiled at her, but honestly, didn't mind a bit. Julia always smelled amazing, and he would wear her scent, a happy man.
Julia let her gaze go to her brother. "Well, it's better than smelling like these old nasty blankets in here. I don't know how people use them."
Jake told her the obvious. "Well, most of the guys that use those are half-drunk when they do. So, they don't usually complain too much."
Julia wrinkled her nose at that. She whispered to Nathan, "I should have brought you a clean blanket."
"It's okay, Jules. It's summertime and warm enough that I didn't need it. Didn't even use it." He told her.
She told him, "Ok, good."
Jake came in with his coffee cup, and stood in the doorway of the cell. "How did you sleep?"
"Not great." Nathan told him.
"Well, that makes three of us." Jake told him, looking at Julia when he did.
Nathan looked at Julia. "You still aren't sleeping well, Jules?"
Julia told him honestly, "I don't think it helped knowing that you were in a jail cell across the street, and all because of Danny Frisk and his lies. That just brought it all up again."
Nathan looked at both of them, "I can't wait to put this whole nasty mess behind us." He told them, then he looked at Jake for the next part. "I can't wait to look forward…to brighter days and brighter things ahead." Jake understood to what Nathan was referring.
"Here, here." Jake said, lifting his coffee cup. "I'll drink to that." And, he took a sip of his coffee.
Julia looked at Nathan, serious now. "We will put this all behind us, Nathan. And, we will look forward to the future, again. Together." Somehow, in her spirit, she just knew it was true.
"And, we will dream again." Nathan told her, convinced in his heart.
Julia agreed. "Not nightmares. But, dreams, good ones. Like the dreams we had on the blanket by the stream." Nathan knew just the ones she meant. And, he couldn't have said it better himself.
Nathan told her, with a timid smile. "You took the words right out of my mouth." She had no idea.
Bill came in the office door, and called out. "Anybody here?"
"In here, Bill." Nathan answered him. "Where else?"
Bill carried in three breakfast plates from the cafe, though he hadn't realized Julia would be here. He passed them all out, giving Julia his own plate. "I'll go get one more." He told them, and he quickly exited.
Bill came back five minutes later. Julia rose to have a look at the coffee pot, and served it all out, before refilling it to make another pot. While it was on the little stove, Julia sat back down with them, and ate with them. They talked Mountie business, things Bill had researched and discovered. Interesting precedence and statutes that might help them.
Jake brought up Hargreaves, though they decided to focus on the case at hand, and let the chips fall where they may. Commander Collins had promised to deal with Hargreaves when the truth came to light, and if that truth included any misconduct on his part. They would stand on that promise and hope that Hargreaves would be dealt with, if he indeed deserved to be.
Julia served everyone fresh coffee and they drank happily. All four of them, crammed in that little jail cell.
When they were all done, Julia collected the plates.
"I'll leave you men to your meeting. I'm going to return these plates to the cafe, and go open the infirmary. Please let me know before you leave." Julia told Bill and Nathan. Nathan gave her a little nod.
Julia entered the cafe by the back door. She brought in the dishes and said hello to Minnie.
"Good morning, Minnie."
"Ah, Good morning, Julia." Minnie looked at her. "How's Nathan?"
"He's doing as well as can be expected. I think it's challenging, but he's strong. Very strong." Julia told her. She was proud of Nathan, through and through.
"Joseph is just finishing up his breakfast, and then he's gonna head over and see Nathan." Minnie said, pointing towards a table in the cafe. Julia looked out from behind the curtain and saw Joseph there.
"I'm just gonna go say hello." Julia told her, motioning.
Minnie smiled, "You go right ahead. He'll be so happy to see you, Julia."
Julia walked over to the table, where Joseph was seated alone. "Good morning, Joseph."
Joseph looked up, and wiped his mouth, happy to see here. "Good morning, Julia. Please sit down." He motioned to the seat in front of him. "Tell me, how's Nathan?"
Julia took a deep breath. "I don't think it's easy. But, he's a good man, Joseph, and he's strong."
"Yes, he is. I know he'll get through this." Joseph told her. "Last night, when I was praying, the Lord gave me a verse, from Psalm 25: No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame. Nathan's hope is in the Lord, so he will not be put to shame, Julia. The Lord will cause the truth to be revealed. And the truth will set him free. I just know it."
Julia liked that verse, "Wow, I like that one, Joseph. I'm going to remember it all day." She paused, "And, probably tomorrow." And, for the days ahead, until Nathan comes home. "Thank you for sharing it with me."
"I'm gonna go over and share it with Nathan, as soon as I'm done here." Joseph told her.
"He'll be so happy to hear it, Joseph. And, to see you." She told him. She now felt very uplifted and sustained.
"Julia, I've enacted the prayer chain. So, all of Hope Valley is praying for him. Don't you forget that." Joseph told her. She nodded, grateful for everyone, and their prayers.
"I'll remember that, too." Julia told him. She slowly rose, and said, "I'll let you get back to your breakfast, Joseph. Thanks so much for everything."
"My pleasure, Julia. See you soon." Joseph told her.
After a little wave to Minnie, Julia exited out the front of the cafe. She headed back to the infirmary, to occupy herself, until it was time for Nathan's departure.
Nathan was meeting with Jake when Gabe sauntered in.
Nathan stood, and came to the door of the cell, "Gabe! Old friend!" He came over and shook Nathan's hand. Gabe realized that Nathan was not leaving the jail cell, though the door stood open.
"Are you stuck in there?" Gabe asked curious.
Just then, Bill came back in, "Hello, Gabe." He said, shaking his hand, too. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course I would come, Bill." Gabe said, placing his hand on Nathan's shoulder.
"I've got some good news. Nathan, I called around, and pulled a few strings. I managed to get you remanded into my custody, until the hearing on Monday." Bill told him.
"What does that mean?" Jake asked.
"It means no more jail cell. Nathan's in my custody, and I can decide where he's held." Bill told them. "And, I decide he'll stay with me, at a nice hotel in Union City, and certainly not in a jail."
Nathan breathed a sigh of relief. That was good news.
Bill chuckled as he told him this next part. "But, you are stuck with me for the next three days. I can't let you out of my sight."
"Great." Nathan teased him with an uncertain grin.
"The alternative is jail." Bill teased back.
"Ok, then." Nathan smiled even, "You and me, it is, Bill." Nathan told him. "From when does the remand apply?"
Bill told him, "Immediately. So, you can come out of there."
Nathan exhaled, and came out of the jail cell, with an easy grin. They walked over to the desk, and all sat down together.
The four took their time and discussed the case at length, and filled Gabe in on everything. They talked strategy. This morning, Gabe and Jake would go talk to William. They would also try to find Romeo, it was worth a try at least, to track him down.
They would stay in touch by telegram. Bill gave them the name of the Hotel where they would stay in Union City, and the closest telegraph office. As well, Bill promised to stay in touch by telephone, whenever possible. And, the other two could always call the hotel with news.
About 20 minutes later, as Bill and Nathan were walking back from the livery with Hero and Newton, Allie and Archie arrived.
"Dad! You are out of jail." Allie told him, happy, and crashing into him with a huge hug.
"Bill got me remanded to his custody. So, where he goes I go." Nathan chuckled.
Archie looked at Nathan, "What does that mean, exactly?"
"No more jail cell, Dad. Bill booked us a room at a hotel instead." Nathan said with a broad smile. Archie was very happy to hear that. The last person who deserved a jail cell was his upstanding son.
Out the front window, Julia saw them walking past and came out the front door of the infirmary, surprised. She just smiled at Nathan, seeing him out, walking around.
She came down the stairs of the infirmary to join them. "Are you sprung, Lawman?" Julia asked him, curious.
"No, just hitched to Bill, for the next three days." Nathan told her with an easy grin.
"Hitched to Bill? Should I be jealous?" She asked Bill.
Bill laughed low. "He's remanded into my custody, until the hearing. So, I can't get rid of him or let him out of my sight." Bill told her with his lopsided grin. "But, it means no more time spent inside a jail cell. He stays with me in a hotel."
Julia's eyes were happy and so very grateful. She said low, "Oh, Bill. That's…wonderful." The hardest part of this whole thing, was imagining Nathan in a jail cell. Nothing could be more unjust.
Julia's mood was lifted even higher, when Nathan stepped over closer to her, and he whispered low, so that only she could hear. "Just when I was starting to like our jail cell." Julia's eyes instantly shot up to his, and she was met with his playful, mischievous look. She just shook her head at him, and blushed. Though, she had to admit, that particular jail cell was starting to have its upside.
Julia told him low, "Nathan Grant, always the charmer."
"That's one phrase I thought I'd never hear." Nathan told her, quietly.
Julia giggled low, "All those other girls didn't even realize."
Nathan just looked at her and smiled, wondering how on earth she could make him feel like the most charming man on the planet? He, Nathan Grant, charming? He had always thought it a stretch. But, that Julia found him charming, meant everything to him, and was all he needed.
Once they tied up the horses in front of the Mountie office, Bill and Nathan started to pack up their saddlebags. They loaded their things onto Hero and Newton. Minnie walked up with two brown paper bags from the cafe, and Archie handed Nathan a few more things as well. Allie gave Nathan a card, which he also tucked safely inside his saddlebag.
Faith and Fiona walked out of the cafe and joined them as well. Florence and Ned came from the Mercantile. Rosemary and Lee came from their office. And soon, there was quite a crowd to see Nathan off. He looked around, and felt, emotional. He remembered his very first day in Hope Valley, crossing this very street, and how awkward and unwelcome he had felt. And now, here were so many people, so many friends, all here to see him off.
Nathan started his good-byes around the group, and everyone wished him well. He made his way all around the small circle, to everyone, save three.
When Nathan got to Allie, he hugged her long, and promised her he'd be back soon. Next, Nathan said good-bye to his father, and Archie told him not to worry, truth was on his side. And, then, lastly, Nathan came to Julia. He hugged her shorter than he would have liked to, because of the audience, but he hugged her still.
Then Julia told him quietly, "Good-bye, my love. Come back to me quickly."
"That's the plan." Nathan answered.
"Jake, and Gabe, and I will find a way." She promised him.
Nathan told her with a little chuckle. "Jules, let Jake and Gabe handle it. They'll be fine."
Julia smiled up at him, and tilted her head at him. "Now you know, I can't do that." She told him honestly.
Nathan just smiled at her. He took her hand and kissed it tenderly across the knuckles. She felt the familiar butterflies, and took a deep breath. She knew everyone was watching, so she just gazed at him.
Nathan moved to Newton, and mounted. Bill mounted Hero, and Julia gave him a little wave. Then Nathan put on his campaign hat, and gave them all a tip, as they rode off toward Union City. Everyone waved good-bye, and watched until they were completely out of sight.