Chapter 86. The Promise

On Friday morning, Julia was up early and decided to get a jump on her day. She came through the adjoining door and walked over to her desk. Though, before she sat down, she looked across the street at the empty wicker chairs, in a fleeting glance of longing, of wishing she could sit there and have coffee with Nathan. But he was still in Union City.

Though suddenly, as if on cue, Jake came outside with a coffee cup and sat in one of the wicker chairs. Perfect, she thought to herself. And, she was quickly out the door and across the street to join him.

"Good morning, brother." Julia told him as she entered the office, filled her own cup, and came back out to sit next to him.

"Good morning, sis." He answered with a chuckle.

"Keeping an eye on your town?" She teased.

"Something like that." He joked. "Is it me or do these chairs seem to beg for someone to sit in them with a cup of coffee?"

"I agree!" Julia giggled. "I said the exact same thing." She told him. "The only thing that's missing is a view of the sea."

"I second that." Jake told her with a chuckle. "Though the view of the mountains is not too shabby."

"Very true." She asked him, "What's new with you, Jake? Busy day?"

"Not really. I've seen some Pinkertons around, so my rounds are extra long, but other than that." He told her. "Not much happening in this one horse town." He said with a joking smile. "Just the way I like it." Jake was a protector, just like Nathan, and he always preferred peace and quiet, to action. When he had nothing to do, it meant everyone was safe.

"Everything else okay?" She asked him with a sideways glance. Testing the waters.

"Yes. Why wouldn't it be?" Jake asked her.

Julia shrugged and looked over the top of her coffee cup at him. He still wasn't ready to talk about what was bothering him, and that was just fine. "As long as I still see you smile from time to time."

"I'm going to be just fine, dear sister. I just have to get over it, on my own." Jake told her.

"Well, that's not very extrovert of you." Julia teased him.

Jake just rolled his eyes, but didn't offer any more than that. She nodded and smiled even. She knew what that probably meant. He would put everyone else's feelings before his own.

What was it about the Mounties? Did Uphold the Right mean to put everyone else first, even to the point of sacrificing your own happiness for the happiness of others?

But then again, wouldn't Julia do the same thing? She certainly would. Maybe it was something she and Jake had learned from their father, who had always put everyone else first. And, Nathan had that same selfless virtue. He had probably learned it from his mother who had protected he and Colleen first and foremost, when their father had faltered.

Nathan had exhibited that selfless virtue with Allie, with his mother, with Archie, and with countless other people. Maybe it was a trait that didn't have to do with the Mounties at all, but was learned by having a certain kind of example, one that they were all fortunate enough to have in their lives.

Julia decided to change the subject. "I've prepared a little surprise for Nathan, a sort of gift for his promotion. I was wondering if you'd be able to help me with it, this afternoon?" She asked him.

"This afternoon might not work. How about we meet over your lunch break?" Jake offered.

She smiled over at him. "Perfect. It's a date."Julia paused. "I'll even buy you lunch after, dear brother. Payment for your hard work." She said with a smile.

"You've got yourself a deal, sis." Jake told her happily.

Then, they sat and drank the rest of their coffee in companionable silence, both of them enjoying the view of the mountains and the town.

At mail call on Friday, Nathan's heart skipped a beat when he heard his name called out. He dropped his fork, jumped up from his chair, and sauntered towards the young man, who already had Nathan's letter pulled up to his nose.

"Your letters are my favorite." He joked with Nathan. "That's some girl you got there." He held the letter out to Nathan.

"Yes, she is." Nathan said, with a proud smile. He took the letter, sauntered back over to the table, cleared his tray, and headed back to his room.

Wednesday, July 24th 1919

My Dearest Love,

I hope this letter finds you well, in your last days in Union City. Here, we are all impatient to have you home.

Tonight, as I write this, I am burdened about something, and I feel I must include it in my letter. After your promotion ceremony, you said something that has stuck with me, and I feel I must address it. You jokingly mentioned to Chief Superintendent Collins that you didn't know you had your own cheering section.

Well, my love, I want you to know that you do. Please do not ever let the opportunity slip by, again. I want you to promise me that you will always tell me when you have any kind of ceremony, like the one last Sunday. I don't care how far away it is, or how impossible you think it is for Allie and I to come. We will always come for you, Nathan, or at least try. Do not ever not tell me. Please promise me.

From now on, I am here for you. Whether to cheer you on, or to stand up for you, or to just be by your side. And, I will always be there for you. You don't ever have to go through anything alone, ever again.

I will always choose you, Nathan. And I will always have your back. This is the promise that I make to you.

And I know Allie feels the same.

Before I close, I should probably let you know that the town has planned a party for you on Sunday evening. I'm warning you in advance so you can get used to the idea. The entire town wants to celebrate your promotion, and honor you for your service. Since I think you are most deserving of every honor bestowed on you, well, I found it hard to decline. Plus, it was Rosemary's idea and you know how hard it is to say no to her. She and Lee are hosting, and I think it will be a lot of fun. And, I will be on your arm the whole time. Right by your side. I promise.

I love our relationship. I support you, you support me. That's how this works, and it works so effortlessly between us. And I appreciate that very much.

45 days, my love. At the writing of this letter, only 45 days until I get to marry you. And, only three days until you are home and holding me in your arms.

I love you, Lawman.

J

On Friday evening, Julia was closing up the infirmary when the phone rang. She smiled happily and plopped down in her chair with the receiver.

"Hello. Hope Valley Infirmary." Julia sang into the receiver.

Florence sang back. "Should I even ask, Julia?"

Julia laughed, "Just put him through, Florence."

Florence chuckled. "Here goes."

"Jules?" Nathan's voice was music to her ears.

"Hi, my love." Her smile came through the phone.

"Hi." He drawled slow. His signature hi, the one she loved so much, that went straight to her heart every single time.

Finally he asked, "How are you?"

"I'm fine, Nathan. Just impatient for you to be home." Julia told him.

"Well, I'll be arriving tomorrow, on the 5 p.m. coach." That was the best news she'd heard all week.

"Hmm." She closed her eyes already feeling his arms around her. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I." He told her.

"Yesterday, Archie and Allie and I rode up to the land. We had an evening picnic up there." She told him. It had been such a nice time together.

"Really? That sounds like fun." He told her.

"We rode the horses all around the property, Allie played in the stream, I got my feet wet, and Archie and I swung on our front porch." She told him playfully. Nathan could picture it all, and was sad he had missed it.

While sitting on the swing, the trio had also discussed throwing Nathan a birthday party, though Julia would keep that a secret for now. She and Allie and Archie had decided on a small party, only close friends, and they had only one week to plan it.

"Maybe we can do that again, once I'm home. Take a ride up to the land? I'd love to swing on our front porch, with you." He told her with an edge of playfulness.

"Count on in, Lawman." Julia told him. "It was very nice. We spent a long time up there, ate together, and as we rode back down, the sun was setting. It was magnificent. The colors in the sky were so beautiful, like the first time I ever rode on a horse with you." She recounted, referring to the sunrise they'd seen at the overlook as they rode back down to Hope Valley together on Newton, after Joseph had broken his leg. How could he ever forget that day, or that sunrise?

Last night, Julia had come back home and painted all evening. She had been inspired by the bright brilliant colors that illuminated the sky, and she had tried to recreate them.

"I spoke with Lee on Tuesday. He's putting together a crew for me, and we should be able to break ground up there, some time next week." Nathan reported.

"Really? Break ground on the house?" Julia couldn't believe it.

"Yes." He told her proudly. "My darling, it's happening." She couldn't wait.

His tone turned very playful. "Though, I do have a bone to pick with you, Miss Matthews." Oh, no. Here it comes.

"Is it about the party?" Julia asked shyly.

"Yes, Miss Matthews." Nathan teased. "Whose idea was this?"

"Rosemary Coulter's. Do you really want to go toe to toe with her?" Julia giggled.

"No, not really." He chuckled.

"Well, neither did I." She said with a laugh. "She approached me at my wedding dress fitting. What could I say?"

"Wait." Nathan stopped her in her tracks. "You tried on wedding dresses?"

"Yes I did." She paused and let that sink in. "Lawman, it's happening." She fed him back the same line he'd used on her, just seconds ago, related to the ground breaking. That earned a hearty chuckle.

"I can't wait." He decided to tease her a little more. "Can you tell me about the dress?"

"No way! And, I'm not even sure I was supposed to tell you that I tried them on in the first place. Isn't it all supposed to be a huge surprise?" She asked him.

"Maybe. But, as long as you show up, and make it to the end of the aisle, that's all that matters to me." Nathan teased. "I'd marry you in a potato sack."

Julia giggled. "Well, you can count on me, Lawman. I'll be there." She paused. "Though, I plan to do a little better than a potato sack."

Julia got serious. "So you aren't upset about the party?"

"How could I be upset? No one has ever done anything like this for me before." Nathan told her, honestly. "It's true, I don't like crowds. But when you are on my arm, I feel like I can do anything."

"I won't let go of you, Lawman." Julia told him softly, another simple promise that evoked powerful emotions deep inside of Nathan. "I'll be right by your side."

He thought of all the deep sentiments she had shared in her letter. And now, her words brought all of his emotions right to the surface.

You can count on me. I'll be there. I won't let go. I'll be right by your side.

How could she have such an affect on him, from across a phone wire? Nathan would never understand it, but it seemed they always ended up swimming in a deep well of emotions, on their phone calls.

His voice cracked. "That's all I need to hear."

She heard the emotion in his voice. And, it provoked all of her deep feelings. "Did you get my letter?"

"Yes." He breathed, barely treading water.

Julia almost couldn't speak, his words had such an affect on her, even his simple yes. "I meant every word." Her voice came out low and emotional.

"And, I receive every word." Nathan rasped. "Jules…" When he breathed her name, her stomach did a long slow flip. "I promise to do the same for you. All of it." That was about all he could manage. His voice betrayed him. He would tell her the rest when he was holding her in his arms. "I have a lot more to say…"

"Until it be morrow?" She said softly, and heard him exhale. She could hear the noise behind him too, and knew their time was running out. "Nathan, come home to me swiftly." She longed to be in his arms.

"Tomorrow, my darling." He rasped, "And until then, I love you."

"I love you, too." She breathed softly.

"Sweet dreams."

"Good bye, my love." And she stayed on the line until she heard the click.

She took a deep breath, collected herself, and headed to her apartment.

A little before 7, there was a knock on Julia's door, which she happily answered. And just as planned, she found her brother on the other side of the door, though he was dressed to the nines. He looked as handsome as she had ever seen him. He was wearing a suit - slacks, a vest, and a jacket, all in heather grey, paired with a crisp light blue shirt. He'd also put on his nice dress shoes, which she hadn't seen him wear in years. And, he looked sharp. His green eyes were shining.

Julia looked him up and down and was impressed. Jake put even Lucas Bouchard, dressed in any one of his fancy suits, to shame. Though, when he saw her impressed face, his nerves got the better of him. He had wanted to look good, but not seem like he was trying too hard. Jake asked her shyly, "Is it too much?"

He'd dressed up before in Hope Valley, though perhaps never quite this much.

Julia looked proudly at her brother. Jake was attractive in a timeless way, one that always had women turning their heads. His sandy hair coupled with his piercing green eyes, strong jawline, and a single dimple on his right cheek, made a beautiful combo. He was classic handsome.

He faltered. "It's too much."

Julia laughed. "Jake, don't be silly. Here's what you do. You make an entrance, make sure the lady has seen you, and then relax. Take off your jacket, roll up your sleeves. Act casual. That way she sees the fancy you, but gets the real you." Julia said with a wink.

Was he that obvious? Wait a minute. "What lady?" He asked her, serious now. Sometimes, he hated that she knew him so well.

"That's been exactly my question for weeks now, dear brother. Though you haven't been ready to tell me." She said, teasing him with a mock punch to the arm.

"Maybe I'll just leave the jacket and vest here." Jake tried to move around her, but she blocked his way.

"Stop it! You look perfect." Julia closed and locked the door behind her. "Let's go."

They turned and walked down to the saloon. When they entered, the place was pretty empty. Fiona and Faith had already reserved a table and were seated. Both ladies looked up, and took Jake in, at the same time. Julia saw the recognition register on both of their faces. Fiona was less obvious, but Julia noted the long lengthy stare and the drop in her chin.

Mike came in two seconds behind them, greeted everyone, and took the seat next to Fiona.

Though almost as soon as he sat down, Mike looked around awkwardly, and offered to get drinks. George was behind the bar, and Julia wanted to go say hello, so she went with him.

As they approached, Julia said, "Good evening, George. How are you? And how is all the family?"

"Everyone is just fine, thank you for asking." George replied, "And you?"

"I'm doing well, thank you." Julia replied.

George noticed the ring on Julia's finger, as her hand rested casually on the bar. "I see that congratulations are in order." He smiled, genuinely happy for them. "Congratulations to both you and Constable Grant."

"Thank you, George." She smiled at him, "How's it going here at the saloon, with the changes?"

"Gustave is fairing well. I think it's a lot to chew all at once, but he's been running this place for a while now." George reported back. "He just needs to remember that."

"I'm sure he'll be fine." Julia encouraged. "And, he's got good people working here, like you."

"He wanted me to take over as manager of the place, but I'm getting older now, and I'd just as soon keep on as bartender and avoid all those long hours, and the stress." George explained.

Julia nodded. George looked at Mike. "Speaking of tending bar, would you young people like something to drink?" He asked.

Mike greeted George and then rattled off their order. Julia waited with him, to help him carry everything back. While they were waiting, Gustave came out and walked behind the bar, to talk to George. Perfect timing.

"Bonsoir, Gustave." Julie greeted him.

"Ah, bonsoir, chérie. Comment ça va?" He asked her.

"Très bien, et toi?" Julia responded. Mike looked at her stunned. He hadn't realized she spoke French.

"C'est compliqué." Gustave replied, though mostly with his hands.

And, off they went in a full conversation in French. Mike could pick out words here and there, but was lost for the most part. Luckily, George came back with the first two drinks, so Mike excused himself to deliver them.

When he arrived at the table and handed the glasses of wine to Faith and Fiona, he asked them. "Did you girls know that Julia speaks French?"

Fiona perked up, and looked over Mike's shoulder at Julia speaking with Gustave. She herself spoke French. "Really? How did I not know that?"

Fiona looked at Jake, curious about something. "Et toi, Jake, tu parles Français?"

"Oui, bien sur." He gave her a stellar smile. "Mais, pas très bien maintenant, ça fait tellement longtemps…" He told her, though with surprising ease.

Faith giggled. "What did he just say?"

"That he speaks French, though not very well because it's been such a long time." Fiona replied. He had a good accent and sounded very nice speaking french.

"It sounded pretty good to me." Faith said with an impressed smile.

Mike went back over to collect the other drinks, as Julia was just finishing her conversation with Gustave.

"C'est super, Gustave. Nous sommes très contents que tu restes ici, à Hope Valley." She told him.

"Moi aussi, chérie. Merci." Gustave replied. Julia picked up one of the drinks to help Mike.

"Bonne soirée." Gustave told them.

"Bonne soirée." Julia answered, and turned to Mike, ready to follow him back to the table.

"Have a good evening." Mike said to Gustave, lifting one of the glasses.

Mike and Julia walked back to join the others. When they got there, Julia noticed that Jake had both shed his jacket, and rolled up his sleeves, just as she'd suggested. Julia sat down between Jake and Faith. Mike sat on the other side, between Jake and Fiona.

Fiona spoke up, "Julia, you are full of surprises."

"My French is horrible. It's been way too long since I've used it." Julia told them.

Mike asked her, "Did you find out anything interesting, about what's going on with Lucas and the saloon?"

"Yes. Apparently Lucas is still around, he's putting his affairs in order. And will leave town as soon as he's done." Julia reported.

Fiona piped in, "He's been out to talk to Henry several times about the oil rig. From what I gathered, he's keeping his partnership for now, but Henry wants to buy him out as soon as we are out of the red."

"Lucas has sold the saloon to Gustave, who's very happy about it. And, will make some positive changes." Julia paused, and her face showed her pleasure, at the changes. She liked Gustave's ideas. "He wants to get away from the saloon feel. No more cards and no more gambling." She told them.

Julia shared the rest with a broad smile, "He plans to turn this place into a proper hotel and restaurant. With a bar, where nice people can hang out. And, he may even bring in musicians from time to time" Julia told them. That was good news. Jake seemed happy to hear that, too. It would mean less trouble in the place. "He's hired a manager, to come in and clean the place up. And, he said this manager is tough, and will keep out the riffraff and the shady characters, and prohibit any gambling."

"Did Gustave say anything more about him, the new manager?" Mike asked, curious.

"Not much. If I understood right it could be one of his distant cousins?" Julia giggled. Her French was rusty and Gustave talked fast sometimes. "Gustave said that the manager will arrive on Sunday, and is someone named Alex Taylor." She reported.

"Well, that's a lot of good information, Julia." Faith chuckled. "Good detective work."

"Glad I could be of service." Julia joked. "But, I was only trying to check on him. Gustave's a nice guy."

"I'm glad to hear he's taking on the saloon and sticking around. Maybe we'll finally get to know him. He's always been Lucas' behind the scenes guy, overworked, and hidden away in that kitchen." Mike stated, sounding a lot like he knew some of that from experience, though obviously not from the kitchen. Lucas had a certain way of treating people. Always kind and respectful, but always with the undercurrent of some expectation on his part. There was always a motivation behind his friendships, and a reason for his alliances. You could be sure that he had calculated it all out in advance, and decided accordingly if the relationship was worth his time and energy.

Julia could only assume that Mike had either known that first hand or observed it. Even that, depended on what Lucas thought of Mike.

The group discussed a few more things in town, and shared interesting conversation. It was always a nice time with these four.

Mike had a fun idea. He finished his drink and looked around the table, "Anyone interested in a round of darts?"

Fiona offered, "I'm in."

Julia looked at Jake, "Are you up for it, brother?"

Faith giggled, "Well, I'm not playing if you two are allowed on the same team." She said, pointing at Julia and Jake.

"Well, I'll keep score then!" Julia offered, taking herself out of the equation. Though, that meant Mike and Fiona would face Jake and Faith, something she hadn't calculated out, before she opened her mouth. Julia saw the muscle tighten in Jake's jaw as everyone else agreed.

Mike went and refilled a few of the drinks while the group moved over to the dartboard. Julia pulled out the darts and handed them to the two teams, then took her place a ways back from the scoreboard.

Each player threw one dart to work out the order of the turns. Fiona would throw first, then Faith, then Mike, and then Jake.

Things went well for the most part, and the game was amicable, until Mike and Fiona started to pull ahead. Mike's attitude changed, he became more outspoken about their good shots and harped on Faith and Jake's bad ones. He kept making high-fives with Fiona that lasted a little too long, and every time Julia saw the clinch in Jake's jaw. Her heart went out to her brother. She had no idea how he was keeping his cool.

Finally, Julia caught his eye and gave him the most loving, supportive look she could muster. He visibly took a deep breath and calmed. Then he and Faith slowly pulled ahead again. However, that only seemed to make Mike more driven, and more loose-tongued. He was taking the whole thing way too seriously, and it was supposed to be nothing more than friendly fun.

Fiona must have told Mike to take a moment, because he walked off to the bar. He got another drink and had it half way polished off before he got back to the dartboard.

Julia could see it was wearing on Jake. Faith gently and thoughtfully took his arm, and when she did, Jake softened. He was thankful for Faith's friendship.

From her vantage point, Julia couldn't help but notice something else, very interesting. When Faith took Jake's arm, there was a flash of something unmistakable on Fiona's face. For a split second, Julia thought Fiona looked jealous. It was only there for a fraction of a second, but Julia was certain. Of course, Fiona quickly recovered, and pretended to look at something on the wall.

Mike missed another shot, so he huffed and finished off his drink. Another muscle twitched in Jake's jaw and Julia began to regret her whole score-taking idea.

Jake was up next, and hit two good shots. The victory was pretty much sealed, at the rate they were going.

They started at the top again for the last turn. Fiona hit two good shots, which helped advance their score. Faith did fairly well on her turn, but didn't score many points. Then Mike hit two good shots, which put them ahead by one. But, Jake and Faith were still set to pull it out, as long as Jake didn't completely mess up.

Mike started his trash talk again, and was a little too much. He only got louder with each passing minute. This whole evening he had behaved strangely, it was very uncharacteristic. The other four were looking at each other wondering what had gotten into him. And, obviously the third drink hadn't helped. Fiona looked both upset and embarrassed. Faith looked embarrassed and worried, probably thinking the very same thing as Julia, worried how Mike would react if Faith and Jake won, and he lost.

Jake took a moment, and looked at Mike, then Faith and then Fiona. Then he turned to the dartboard, but fixed his gaze on Julia. He seemed to be asking her what to do, though he knew already. Julia just gave him a frown and a little nod.

He looked at the scoreboard and did his quick calculations. He only needed two points to seal their victory, which would be easy for him.

First shot. No score. Mike made his usual commentary.

Second shot. No score. Mike got louder.

Third shot. Still no score. And, Mike erupted. He and Fiona had won. Or rather, Jake had thrown the game. Though, Mike seemed to be the only one who didn't realize it.

Mike picked Fiona up high into the air and spun her around, though from Julia's vantage point, Fiona didn't seem to like it very much.

Of course, Jake didn't see that part. He took one look at them and turned away. He looked shyly at Faith and seemed to say sorry, though she agreed with what he'd done.

Poor Jake didn't say another word. He put his body into motion towards the exit. He didn't look around and he didn't look back. Not even at Julia.

Jake walked straight by their table, finished off his first and only drink, in one go, and made a bee-line for the bar. He spoke quietly with George and paid his tab. Though they would find out later that Jake had paid for everyone.

Then Jake walked to the door, threw it open in one swift movement, and disappeared into the night.