Chapter 81. Days go by

Tuesday went by fast. Julia worked a long, busy day in the infirmary. And, after work, she went to Nathan's for dinner with Allie and Archie. It was so nice to have some time with them. They were both doing well, and keeping busy, too. Allie had picked up an extra long shift at the telephone exchange, and had several others scheduled while Nathan was gone. And, she had planned a big sleepover on Wednesday night with Anna and Opal at Emily's house.

Julia gave her the new book from L.M. Montgomery, which she was indeed ecstatic about. Allie had read the latest one in the series as soon as it came out last year, and had been wanting this one already. She gave Julia a big hug and thanked her earnestly.

Wednesday flew by too, and Julia was thankful for that. She worked long and stayed late, and at the end of the day, Robert brought her a letter. She was shocked when she saw the return address. A letter from Nathan, already.

Julia closed up quick and went back to her apartment, sat in her chair, and quickly tore open the envelope.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Dearest Julia,

Thank you for your sweet letter, it meant so much to me. The perfume was a thoughtful touch. I now carry your letter in the pocket of my serge, close to my heart, where I can smell your scent and be reminded of you, all the time.

To give you a little update, I arrived just fine, and met my roommate. His name is Timothy Bedford, and he will be an inspector in Edmonton. He knows Jake! He seems like a nice guy. He has five children, and talks about them all the time. I only have you and Allie to talk about, which of course, is all I need, but you know me. In the end, he still does most of the talking.

Tomorrow is our first day in the classroom. Timothy told me that we will be 7 inspectors in training, now that I am here. I look forward to meeting everyone. I will try to call you on Wednesday or Thursday and tell you all about it.

Jules, I have only been in Union City for 6 hours, but I miss you already. I miss your beautiful smile and your tender touch. And, I miss being close to you. In case you didn't know, being near you does things to me, Miss Matthews, things I never imagined. And, I just can't get enough ofyou.

Tonight, as I lay down to rest, I will find a way to be content with my thoughts of you. But, know this…I am already looking forward to the day when I will stride back into Hope Valley and take you in my arms again.

With this letter, I send you all my love, Julia. All my love and all my heart are wholly yours.

I love you,

Nathan

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Julia read the letter a second time, and a third, relishing every word. Nathan was so thoughtful and had a wonderful way with words. In her mind, she could imagine his voice and hear him saying all of those things to her. She missed him so.

She rose slowly, went to her dressing table, and pulled out pen and paper. She sat right down and wrote Nathan back. She didn't have much to report to him, not a lot had happened in the last 3 days, but even so, she had a lot to say. So, she expressed her love and her heart, just as he had done.

Julia was just finishing up and signing her name, when she heard the phone ring next door. She blinked twice before it registered. She glanced back at his letter. I will try to call you on Wednesday or Thursday and tell you all about it. Today was Wednesday, so she took off running for the phone.

"Hello?" Julia answered timidly.

Florence sang out happily, "Julia, I have Inspector Grant on the line for you." Julia liked the sound of that, big time.

"Please put him through, Florence!" Julia sang back, a little too emphatically.

"Jules?" Nathan said, just before Florence's click. Hearing her name, Julia closed her eyes for just a moment.

"Yes, my love. It's me." Julia answered excitedly, and slowly opened her eyes.

"Say it again." He said softly.

She knew exactly what he meant. "My love." She rasped, with emotion.

"Music to my ears." He told her softly. "How are you, my darling?"

"I'm wonderful, because I hear your voice." She confessed. "And, I just finished reading your letter."

"That was fast." He replied.

"It arrived this afternoon, though Robert brought it to me just as I was closing up." She told him happily. "How are you, my love?"

"I'm very good. The classroom time is going well, and I'm really enjoying everything I'm learning. It's a great group of guys, too." He told her.

"And, you said you are seven men in all?" Julia asked him.

"Yes, seven. There are two guys from Calgary, my roommate from Edmonton, two from Union City, one from Buxton, and me." He explained.

"Did you know any of them before?" She asked him.

"No. But, it's been nice to make their acquaintances." Nathan answered. "How's it going there, Jules?"

"Great. I went to dinner at your house, with Allie and Archie last night. Oh, and Allie's book came from Benson Hills! Remember the one we ordered? She's very excited about it." Julia told him.

"She's probably read half of it already." Nathan chuckled.

"Maybe. She was going to have a sleepover tonight at Emily's, with the foursome." Julia told him, with a soft giggle.

"Ah, that will be fun." Nathan replied.

"We are all keeping busy and doing just fine, Nathan. Though we miss you." She told him, simply.

"Everything's fine here. I'm just missing you, too. But, only 10 more days to go now." He told her.

"Have you a little countdown going?" She asked softly, curious.

"Oh yes, I'm counting down the days until I get to hold you and kiss you again." Nathan teased her.

"I can't wait." She said softly, almost feeling his arms around her, already.

"Jules, did you take a look at the calendar yet? What day in September would you like to become Mrs. Grant?" He asked her, serious now.

Julia answered, "Well, I was thinking it might be nice to get married on a Saturday. Then we could spend our first night at your house, and leave for our honeymoon on a Sunday." She just threw that out there.

Nathan was quiet for a moment. Honeymoon. The word echoed in his mind, and as it did, an excitement filled his heart. They would go on honeymoon. Together. He hadn't really thought that far ahead, or even considered that yet. But of course, they would go on honeymoon. He needed to plan their honeymoon, and where on earth would Julia like to go? "That's a great idea Jules. A Saturday would be perfect. Pick one, and your plans for our first night and departure on honeymoon sound perfect." He paused. "Though, where in the world would you like to go, on honeymoon?"

She hadn't thought about that yet. "Well, I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it. But one thing is sure, I just want to be with you, Nathan. And, I don't care where we are." She told him simply, with full conviction.

Yes, but he'd love to have some kind of idea, from her side. "I agree wholeheartedly. The priority is for us to be together. But, maybe we should throw some ideas around. San Francisco, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls?" He asked her, brainstorming a few possibilities. When they had played One Question many months ago, they had both been interested in seeing the Grand Canyon.

"The world is our oyster?" She joked.

Nathan loved when she said that. "The world is indeed our oyster, Jules. You think about it and I'll think about it. And we can dream up something good, together." Nathan told her.

"I can do that, my love. I will think about it." She told him with a light giggle.

"So a Saturday in September?" He asked her.

She replied, "A Saturday in September, my love." She looked at the calendar on her desk. "The 7th, 14th, 21st, or 28th. Those are your choices." She said with a little tease.

"I pick the first one, Jules." He rasped. "I can't wait to be married to you." Nathan replied playfully. She swallowed hard, imagining it. The two of them alone on honeymoon, and married. No more holding back, no more good-byes on her back porch, no more separate houses.

"Okay, Lawman. The 7th it is. Though, I will need to check with Joseph and make sure he will agree to marry us then." She said, with a light chuckle.

"Jules, would you also please ask him about a few premarital meetings? When you ask him about the wedding date? Most pastors usually do something called premarital counseling, and I've been told it can be very helpful." Nathan suggested.

"Okay, my love. I'll check on that, too." She paused. "We'll have a lot to talk about next time you call." She chuckled low.

"And, make your list of honeymoon destinations." He reminded her.

"Yes, my love. I'm making a list of all the things I need to do, right now." She said with a giggle, as she wrote things down on a scrap paper from her desk.

"Your first bridal list." Nathan teased her. Though, he was right. It was her very first list as a bride. She also marked down on her list that she needed to talk to Bill about adopting Allie. And, she should talk to Clara about a dress.

"You don't miss a thing, do you, my sweet husband-to-be?" Julia teased him.

"Not when it comes to you." He reminded her. "I love you, Jules. Deeply. Remember?"

"And, I love you, my sweet Nathan." She told him softly. "Infinitely."

Julia could hear some background noise behind Nathan. "There are some guys waiting to get on the phone after me, Jules. I'm backing up the line, so I should probably go." He paused. "It was so wonderful to hear your voice. I'll try to call you back on Friday, okay?"

"I'll be here waiting." She told him softly. "Take care of you."

"I will. You, too." Nathan told her. "Goodbye, Jules."

"Good-bye, my love." But she didn't hang up until she heard the click from his side. She slowly set the phone back on the cradle and sat back in the chair. It had been so wonderful to hear his voice.

Julia looked down at her list. Wow, her first list as a bride. It was crazy to think about, but Julia couldn't help but smile. She was suddenly very excited, and content because it gave her something more to do. She would work on the items on this list over the next few days, and be ready on Friday, when Nathan called her back.

On Thursday, Nathan was sitting in the mess hall, eating lunch when the mail call came around. He looked up sharply when he heard his name called out. He blinked twice as it registered, and suddenly, shot his hand up into the air. "That's me." He called out.

As the Mountie acting as postman brought the letter over to Nathan, he chuckled sideways. "I might keep this one for myself, sir. It smells a little too lovely." He said and teased Nathan, pulling back the envelope just in time, as Nathan reached for it. Nathan blushed mildly, but looked so happy, the young cadet couldn't hold it back from him any longer. He finally relinquished the letter, into Nathan's eager grasp.

When Nathan saw the lovely penmanship on the envelope, his heart skipped a beat. He held it up to his nose and took a big whiff, and sat back in his chair happily. Julia. Her scent truly was the most beautiful scent in the world.

He tucked the letter into his serge, dropped off his tray, and headed back to his room to open it in privacy.

Once he was safely in his room, he sat down on the bed and opened her letter.

... ... ... ... ... ...

My dearest love,

Thank you for the sweet letter you left with Allie. I guess we think alike, stashing letters for each other. So romantic. And, your beautiful words brightened my day.

Let's get one thing straight, Lawman, I'm the blessed one, in this relationship. Don't you forget it. And I agree wholeheartedly, God does write the best love stories. And, I love our story. My dad always used to say, "When it's right, you'll know." And, I have to tell you Mr. Grant, you are so right for me.

I cannot wait to be married to you. As for a wedding date, I thought it would be nice to pick a Saturday in September. We could spend our first night at your house, and then leave for our honeymoon on Sunday. What do you think? There are four Saturdays in September, to choose from.

I hope you are doing well, and that you like your classroom sessions. I know you will absorb everything you are taught and use it to the best of your ability. You are going to make such a fine Inspector. And, I can't wait to see you in your new hat.

Mr. Grant, I love you more than words can say. And, I can't wait to become your Mrs. Grant.

Take care of you and come back to me swiftly. I can't wait to snuggle into your embrace, and feel your strong arms around me.

Your true love,

J

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Nathan read through the letter again, and then smelled it one more time. Julia had mailed this one on Monday, and though they had already discussed some things in the letter during their phone call, he was still happy to read every word. Somehow it made him feel that much closer to her.

Nathan suddenly looked at the clock and realized the time. Nathan rose, tucked the letter in his front serge pocket, and hurried back to class.

Thursday evening, when Julia walked into the cafe, she knew right away. One look at Jake and she knew he was definitely not himself. He was sitting awkwardly sandwiched between Fiona and Faith, and though he was trying hard to act normal, Julia could see right through his act. He was uncomfortable.

Julia strolled up and tried to ease his discomfort. "Hello, friends." She said happily.

The relief on Jake's face was unmistakable. "Good evening, sis." He answered, relaxing right away.

"How was your day, Julia?" Fiona asked.

"The usual. It was busy, and as you know, my boss is such a slave driver." Julia answered with a mischievous smile, and a little wink.

"Yea, I'm sure she's really hard on you." Fiona said with a giggle, sending a slight eye at Faith.

"Haha, guys. I think I'm probably more of a pushover than a slave driver." Faith told them, with a soft chuckle.

Clara came to take their order and they all asked for the special. It was roasted chicken with mixed vegetables, one of Julia's favorites. Jake ordered a plate for Mike, too.

As they waited, the conversation flowed easily, and was all jovial and fun. Julia was glad that Jake seemed less awkward and more relaxed, now.

When Mike walked in, Jake happily rose and helped him pull up another table. And Jake sat with Mike, happily relinquishing his spot between the two ladies. That seemed to ease Jake's discomfort even more.

When Clara came to drop off their dinner plates, Julia stopped her to ask about scheduling a wedding dress fitting at the dress shop. Clara was very excited, and already had a few ideas.

"Slow down, Clara. I have no idea where to start. So, it will be a first look." Julia said, with a giggle.

"Well, if it would help, I have some magazines and catalogs I could drop off at the infirmary tomorrow. And, you can start by having a look in there, if you like?" Clara proposed.

"That sounds wonderful, Clara. Then, by the time we schedule a fitting, I might have a better idea." Julia told her, with a happy smile.

"Oh, I can't wait! You are going to be absolutely radiant. Nathan won't know what hit him." Clara said happily.

Julia laughed as she imagined Nathan standing at the end of the aisle, in a suit. He would be so incredibly handsome, and she was convinced that she would be the one who didn't know what hit her. "I'm excited to have a look, and to work with you, Clara."

Clara looked toward the door when a few people walked in, and excused herself, to go take care of them.

Everyone started to eat and enjoy the roasted chicken. The banter flowed easily and they all shared the occasional laughter. Julia was thankful for her friends.

Fiona told a funny story about a recent dispute out at the oil rig.

But about half way through, Mike interrupted to elaborate, and fill in the parts that Fiona had so carefully skipped over. "Fiona, be honest." Mike paused, "Friends, she stepped into the middle of a dispute and caught an elbow right in the chest. If I hadn't been there, at that very moment to catch her, she would have ended up in the dirt."

Jake's eyes flashed to Fiona, and the look on his face gave him away, though only Julia noticed and recognized that look. "Fiona, why didn't you call me right away? These are the kind of things I am supposed to take care of. You shouldn't put yourself in harm's way." Jake said, almost scolding her.

Fiona was taken aback by Jake's reaction. Julia watched her expression move from surprise, to defense, to offense, to something much lighter, almost amusement. "Jake, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." She told him with a determined smile. "I work at an oil rig with a bunch of rough guys, if I don't end up in the dirt once in a while, I'm not doing my job."

Jake wasn't backing down. "I'm sorry, Fiona. But, no matter the job, no part of it should put you in the dirt." Jake paused and looked more protective than Julia had seen him in a very long time. "Those guys need to respect you, and treat you like a lady at the same time. And, if they can't do that, you call me. I mean it." He told her, firm.

Fiona didn't know whether to appreciate his support and protection, or scowl at his coddling. Though, he didn't really give her a chance to figure it out. He continued, and tried to cover his tracks. "That goes for you, Faith, and Julia, too. No matter who comes into the infirmary. I'm just across the street, if you need me."

Then Jake turned to Mike. "I'm glad you were there, Mike. But please, you and Henry are responsible to look out for Fiona out there. And, if you need me, call the telephone in the Mountie office. Okay?" Jake implored him.

"Yes sir, Constable." Mike replied, with a nod, realizing that Jake was very serious about this.

After that interaction, Fiona looked shyly at Jake, not sure what to make of him. He looked just as shy when he returned her gaze, though his face was intent and serious.

Julia spoke up, to break the awkwardness. "Thank you, Jake, for looking out for all of us." Jake nodded at Julia.

"Yea, thanks Jake." Faith told him, with a timid smile.

"Ladies, please don't misunderstand my insistence. I'm not implying, in any way, that women are weaker than men. Only that you should be treated with respect. And, the law protects you." He paused looking at each one of them. "Though in my own personal opinion, women should not only be treated with respect, but with honor, and with chivalry." Jake told them, though he sheepishly avoided contact with any of them, for that last part.

Fiona looked at him, surprised by his words.

Julia looked over at her sweet brother, and put her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, brother. You are truly the best."

Clara came and took away the empty plates, and asked for their dessert order. A few minutes later, she brought out the pie and coffee.

Fiona finally spoke up as she cut into her pie. She had been exceptionally quiet tonight. Especially since Jake's discourse. "Anyone interested in an evening at the Saloon? It would be fun to get together there."

Mike responded, "Great idea, Fiona. When?"

Fiona responded, "Next week? Maybe Friday night?"

"I'm in!" Faith replied.

Julia and Jake looked at each other. Neither looked terribly excited, but for Fiona, they would both go. "Ok, I'm in." Julia piped in.

"Next Friday night, then?" Fiona confirmed. Even Jake nodded, so it was a done deal.

After the desserts and coffee were all polished off, and the conversation waned, the evening dwindled. Faith, Fiona, Jake, Julia, and Mike all walked out together, said their good-byes, and went their separate ways.