Chapter 99. The Sleepover
Early on Monday morning, Nathan met Gabe at the Mountie office. They talked through the plan for the tracking simulation, one more time. Then Nathan quickly saw Gabe off, to get a head start and have sufficient time to drop the clues, for the guys to find.
When Julia got to the office for coffee, Nathan was just prepping the coffee pot. He wasn't done though, and her coming in…interrupted him.
When he glanced over and saw her, Nathan stopped scooping coffee and turned. She was wearing a new blouse in light blue with white accents at the top, and well, in that moment, he found her…exceptionally beautiful. He wanted to take in his fill of her, record her image in his mind, before three days away, with a bunch of Mounties, up in the mountains.
The way he looked at her made her heart do flutters. Julia smiled coyly and asked, "What is it, Lawman?"
He just kept his gaze fixed on her, and said, simply. "It just hit me. I'm going to miss you."
Julia opened her mouth to answer, but Nathan reached down and grabbed her hand before she could. He slowly turned and pulled her gently along, as he went farther into the Mountie office. Julia giggled. "Where are you taking…." And she realized. He slowly, but surely, pulled her inside the jail cell.
Julia laughed out loud but he wasn't kidding. Nathan gently turned her around to face him and blocked the door with his body.
"Okay, Lawman." Julia smiled playfully. "Just what do I have to do to get out of jail?"
Nathan's gaze was mischievous and his voice raspy as he told her. "I think you know." His eyes went unmistakably to her lips.
Julia gazed at him playfully, and tilted her head. She even batted her eyes at him, and let her skirts swish back and forth a few times, which she noticed, had a powerful effect on him. She slowly stepped forward and took hold of his suspenders. Julia gently, playfully tugged on them, and brought his lips to her own. And, the kiss that transpired there was not the sweet, slow, tender one, though that one was always good. No, this kiss - this kiss was hot. Passionate and fiery.
When she grabbed his suspenders, the emotions he'd felt just a few minutes earlier, boiled over. And when their lips met, the spark became a flame. And Julia met that fire, challenged by his cute little gesture, and driven by the memories of the last kiss they'd shared here, in this jail cell. Those memories brought an extra layer of emotion, more fuel to the fire. And so, the fire blazed.
When Julia finally broke contact to catch her breath, she rested her forehead on his cheek, and realized her hands were in his hair. And he held their bodies so close, pressed in to one another, in a way that made her blush. She ignored the heat she felt in her cheeks, and just gazed at him. His pupils were dark and his eyes so deep blue, and that storm, the good one, was right there on the precipice. She tried again to catch her breath and realized that he was doing the very same thing.
Julia whispered softly, "What is it about this jail cell?" And he chuckled low, and just gazed at her.
Finally…Nathan whispered back, "25 days."
Julia let one hand slowly trail around, from his curls, to his neck, passing just under his ear, to rest on his jawline. She willed her throat to swallow, and without even realizing it, bit her bottom lip. And when Nathan saw that little gesture, he sought out her lips again. The fire was still…ablaze. He kissed her with all the emotions he felt, for this woman had ravaged his heart. She had scaled every single one of his walls, one by one, and then called him out from behind them. Then, she had given him the confidence and the courage to destroy those walls, forever.
Julia met the fire, and felt the desire and the longing wash dangerously over her, clouding her mind and her judgement. She was sure he felt it too, by the storm of emotion that had been evident in his eyes. Julia finally let her reason take over and she pulled back again, slowly. She tried to regain her breath and her senses. 25 days. Twenty-five days, and they could see where this passion would lead them. But today, they yielded to wisdom, and let it guide them to modesty.
Julia took a step back, and then another, still another, until her back was nearly to the wall.
Nathan looked down at the space between them and tried to breathe. He ran his hand through his hair one time, then two times. And he let the emotions calm and the storm quiet. He slowly brought his gaze back up to Julia, and held it there. She smiled demurely and he couldn't help it...he smiled too.
And that's how Jake found them. He came in like a bear, banging things and swearing under his breath. And didn't even realize they were there, till he was well inside. And, when he finally noticed them, he nearly jumped out of his skin. But he took one look at his sister, and then at Nathan, and just shook his head at them. He turned his back and finished the coffee.
Nathan stepped close again and looked at Julia. She was every adventure he ever wanted to take.
He let one hand come up and trace a gentle caress down one cheek. Then he reached down, took her hand and led her out of the jail cell. Jake didn't even look away from the coffee pot but asked them, "Coffee? Or perhaps a chaperone?"
Julia looked up at Nathan and giggled softly, as he led her over to her brother.
Nathan's other hand swept his face - down his nose, mouth and chin, as he still tried to regain his composure. "Maybe both?" Nathan said with a sheepish smile.
Jake chuckled and set the coffee pot on the stove. He turned around and looked at one of them and then the other, with a happy smile.
Julia smiled back, and asked her handsome big brother. "And you, Jake? How are you?"
"I'm hanging in there." Jake told her, rolling his shoulders. "Though my shoulders this morning…they're sore. Like I was swinging a bat yesterday, or something."
Nathan chuckled, as he rolled his shoulders, too. He'd had the very same feeling this morning. "Is it our age, Jake?"
Julia giggled out loud. There was only one year between them, and 32 and 33 were not ages that she would ever consider old. "I think it's probably more so the fact that swinging the bat used muscles you'd forgotten about." She teased them.
"Oh, but wasn't watching that ball sail so far…far…far…until it was completely out of sight, absolutely worth it?" Jake asked, with a reminiscing kind of air.
Nathan chuckled. "Oh yes, yes, indeed."
The coffee gurgled and Jake turned back, picked it up, and served three cups. And the trio went to the front porch, and drank their coffee together.
Very soon it was time for Nathan to head upstairs and finish his preparations for the tracking simulation. He and his trainees would spend time in the classroom all morning, to cover what they'd missed on Friday last week, when they'd tracked Fiona and caught criminals. And at 2 pm, Nathan would send them off, to track Gabe.
After lunch, once everything was in order, and while Nathan's trainees were off making their final preparations, Nathan snuck over to the infirmary to say goodbye. But, just as he was about to open the door and enter, Rosemary exited.
"Nathan!" Rosemary greeted him in her usual cheery way.
"Hello, Rosemary. Good to see you." He responded.
"Oh, it was a great game yesterday. Lee and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves." Rosemary told him. "You can expect a full spread in the next Valley Voice."
"Okay. I will be sure to look out for it, Rosemary." Nathan told her with a nod.
"Clara got some amazing shots, on the camera. I hope they come out well." She told him. Nathan hadn't even realized Clara was taking pictures, or that she even knew how to use the camera. But he was glad that someone was able to take photos since Fiona was off her feet.
"The photos will be interesting to see." Nathan told her. "She didn't happen to get any shots of Bill and Alex arguing, did she?"
Rosemary's eyes sparkled and she grinned sideways at him. "I hope so!" She said with a little giggle. "They were a hoot, weren't they?"
"Yes, they were quite…entertaining." Nathan surmised.
Rosemary thought of something else she just had to tell him. "Nathan, you should have seen Allie on Sunday, after church. She was so excited and adorable, going around and giving out all those wedding invitations." She smiled, and put her hand out for emphasis. "I wish you could have seen her. She was positively beaming."
He started to open his mouth, but Rosemary kept going. "We are all just so happy for you, Nathan." She said with a deep, honest nod.
"Thank you, Rosemary." Nathan looked toward the door of the infirmary. Speaking of happy, he wanted the chance to say goodbye to Julia one more time, but time was running short now. The clock was ticking. He looked back at Rosemary, sincere. "I appreciate you saying so." He looked at his feet and back up at her, and said with a cute, coy little smile, the one that sometimes, he could not quite contain. "I'm happy for me, too."
Rosemary giggled and waved her hand. "Of course! We all know you're happy." She smiled at him.
"Now, it just seems like the wedding can't get here fast enough." He told her with his lopsided grin.
"Oh, I remember that feeling." Rosemary told him. "When Lee and I were engaged, I never thought the day would arrive." She told him, wistful and romantic. "But it finally did, and it was such a perfect day." She reminisced. "And it will be perfect for you and Julia, too."
Nathan looked down at his feet again and nodded. He was convinced of that too, and was very much looking forward to the day. "I think so, too."
"Well, if you and Julia need anything." Rosemary lowered her chin and her voice. "Or if you need to talk to Lee…you know, about manly things." Nathan blushed. "Just say the word."
"Okay, Rosemary." He said, with an awkward smile, and cleared his throat. "Thank you."
"Of course, Nathan." Rosemary told him, "I hear you are going up in the mountains for a few days."
"Yea. I'm taking all the guys up there for a tracking exercise." He told her.
"Well, be safe." Rosemary told him. "Take care of yourself, and all those Mounties."
"I will, Rosemary." He told her. "Bye."
And she set off towards her office. Nathan finally entered the infirmary, and found Julia sitting at her desk.
She stood when Nathan came in. Faith was arranging things on the table near the examination table. When she looked up and saw Nathan, Faith made an excuse about going down to the mercantile for an order, and she exited, giving them some privacy.
Julia walked over and met him halfway. "Time to go?" Julia asked low.
"Yes." Nathan told her. "I just wanted to say good bye one more time."
"I'm glad you did." She smiled at him. "I hope you'll have a good time out there in the woods. I know it's training, but don't forget to enjoy yourself."
"It's a good group, so I'm sure we'll find a way to have a little fun." Nathan told her. "You enjoy yourself too, with the girls."
Julia chuckled. "Four giggling pre-teens, what's not to enjoy? They are adorable, so of course, it will be fun." Julia told him. "Thanks for letting us crash your row house, by the way."
Nathan smiled, "Don't mention it."
Julia smiled back. "There is one thing, though." He saw her eyes turn playful. "I hope we won't make too much of a mess. Especially in the kitchen, with the cookies. Not like last time…with the flour."
Nathan's pulse picked up at the very mention of flour. He knew she'd mentioned it on purpose. And, well, once that playful spark was ignited... "I always love a little flour."
Julia smiled up at him, and whispered, "Me, too." That memory should hold them both for a day or two.
Then she promised him. "If we girls make a mess, we promise to clean it up."
Nathan replied. "Oh, I trust you. And, I'm not worried about a little mess. Messes can be fun." Didn't she know. "My main concern is that you and Allie, and her friends, have a good time." He told her. "Thanks for letting her have friends over."
Julia nodded. She looked out the window and noticed all the guys arriving with their horses tacked, loaded, and ready to go. Ben Davis rode by, leading Newton just behind him. Nathan followed her gaze and saw that time was almost up.
He stepped close and placed one hand on her cheek. He caressed her freckles and told her. "I love you, Julia Matthews. I will miss seeing your beautiful face tomorrow, and the next day."
Julia held his intense gaze. "I will miss you, too, my love. But the time will pass quickly, you'll see. And I will see you on Wednesday."
He leaned down and kissed her short and sweet. Then he placed a tender kiss on her forehead, and lingered there, close to her, till the last tick of the clock.
Then he looked out front again, absentmindedly, and knew it was time. "Bye, Jules."
"Bye, my love."
Nathan slowly turned and walked toward the exit. He looked back at her one more time, and smiled happily, just before he disappeared out the door.
When Allie ended her shift at the mercantile, she came to the infirmary and hung out with Julia and Faith. And when Julia ended her own shift early, she and Allie headed home to the row house, together.
For the next hour or so, they worked side by side to prepare everything for Allie's friends. And at around 5:30 pm, three girls, bubbling with excitement, arrived at Allie's door. She welcomed Opal, Emily, and Anna inside with a big smile. They were all very delighted for girl time, and especially pleased to spend time with Allie's future mom. Julia was fun, pretty, and kind, and they were excited to get to know her better.
After the girls set their things down in the living room, they went to work on the cookie dough. Julia taught them her Grandmother's sugar cookie recipe, which made a huge batch, and kept them busy for a long time, rolling and cutting, and baking. Julia had brought her old cookie cutters, that made rounds of all different frilly designs.
While the cookies cooled, Julia had a fun activity for the girls. She had borrowed plenty of supplies and utensils from Fiona, to style hair. The girls were so excited to try different updo's or braids, and even curls. Julia heated the hair curler, and the girls took turns styling each other's hair. Fiona had even given Julia pointers on certain styles, so she also helped them actualize their fancy ideas.
Once the four girls were all styled, they insisted on styling Julia's hair. Julia found it impossible to say no to them, so the four girls crowded around and worked together. They made Julia a half-updo with long flowing curls down the back. It actually came out really nice, and when Julia saw their creation in the mirror, she really liked it.
"Perhaps I should hire you girls to style my hair for the wedding." She told them, with a stellar smile.
Emily gasped. "Oh no, Miss Matthews. You cannot count on us for such an important event. We could never…"
"Yea, Miss Matthews. That would be way too much pressure!" Opal cried.
Allie piped in. "No way!"
"Okay then." Julia told them with a giggle. "I'll keep Fiona booked for now. But if you girls change your minds, let me know." She told them, with a happy smile.
All four girls were beaming after her kind words of encouragement. The hairstyle had come out nice, but no way should she count on them for her big day.
Once they were all beautified, Julia and Allie pulled out the finger foods that they had prepared for dinner. Cute little sandwiches made with chicken salad or cucumbers, cheese and crackers, vegetable sticks, yogurt, and plenty of other delectable little tidbits, filled the table. They ate like princesses, and chatted happily, enjoying the time together.
When everyone had eaten their fill, they all pitched in to clean up. Then Julia pulled out the icing, which she had made earlier. The girls worked together to decorate all the sugar cookies. They iced them, sprinkled different colored sugars, and added various candies. Each cookie was a different creation, lovely and unique, not to mention delicious. They finished the evening by tasting- everyone ate cookies till they were stuffed!
Then they all set up their bedrolls in the living room, with Julia as part of the circle. They sat up and talked late into the night, telling funny stories. In one particular round of pajama party fun, Julia asked them to tell their most embarrassing moment. The girls went around, one by one, and shared, and the tales were really funny. The girls thoroughly enjoyed hearing each other's stories and laughing together. Julia even shared her most embarrassing moment - which involved climbing a tree in a dress, and ended with some of the local boys seeing her petticoats.
When the girls finally laid down, it was really late…or rather, very early in the morning. But, wasn't that the best part of a sleepover with your friends? Julia laid down too, and a short time later, realized that the girls were all fast asleep. Julia turned on her side and looked around the room. Each of these girls was sweet and lovely, unique in her own way. And, she counted herself privileged to have had this time with them.
Then, as she looked across the way, at Allie, Julia's heart swelled. She hoped for many more times like this, over the long future ahead of them.
Lastly, just before she closed her eyes, Julia thought of Nathan, somewhere out there, sleeping under the stars. She said a silent prayer that he would be safe and warm. And as she drifted off to sleep, his handsome face was the image that filled her mind, and heart.