Chapter 114. Apples and Daisies

On Thursday morning, Julia saddled Ginger and rode out for Jimmy's house call. When she got to George's house, Jimmy was sitting out front all alone, with the Bible she had given him, sitting open on his lap.

Julia dismounted, tied Ginger to the hitching post, and grabbed her medical bag. As she climbed the steps of the porch she greeted him. "Good morning, Jimmy."

He had seen her coming from a long way off. "Good morning, Miss Matthews."

"What are you reading?" Julia asked him, curious.

Jimmy closed the book, and looked up at her. "Isaiah."

"That's a very full book." Julia told him, as she took the seat to his left.

"So Joseph told me. This Isaiah had a lot to say." Jimmy told her. "I can't get past the first chapter."

"He didn't mince words, did he?"

Jimmy looked out at the hills and quoted, without even reopening to the passage. "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." He paused and looked at her. "And that's just one verse." (1)

Julia explained. "He spoke a lot about the holiness of God, and repentance and reverence. And how people should treat each other."

"In the Psalms it says that God loves justice." Jimmy told her.

It was Julia's turn to quote, "The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." He knew it already. "That's from Psalm 33."

Jimmy told her honestly, and with a sadness in his eyes. "I haven't been very…right…or very…just in my life, Julia. I've mostly been…on the wrong side of justice."

Julia suddenly understood where he was going with all this. "And you are trying to reconcile that?" She asked him softly.

Jimmy nodded.

"It won't happen in one day, Jimmy. You have to give yourself time, to work through all of these...issues. Joseph and Minnie are there for you, every step of the way." She paused. "And, so am I. And Faith. And Nathan."

He stared out at the landscape for a long time. Julia could see he was contemplating, and just waited. Finally, he spoke. "I think I should turn myself in. For all the things I have done." He turned to look at her. "I don't think I'll have peace otherwise."

And just like that, Julia could comprehend his dilemma. Since he arrived in her infirmary, he had been wrestling with his past, and all the bad things he had done. He had been trying to reconcile them - with God, with himself, with his fellow man. There had been two things plaguing him: sins, and...crimes. Jimmy had committed both. He had already confessed his sins and made it right with God. But still…there was the law. What must he do to reconcile before man? How could he be forgiven for his crimes? It was a struggle for Jimmy. And in his eyes, the only way out, the only way to be at peace, was to confess and pay for his crimes.

Immediately, Julia was at odds with herself. She knew the right thing to do, but she had become endeared to Jimmy and his plight. "Is that really necessary?"

Jimmy's eyes filled with tears. When Julia saw those tears, she was immediately taken aback. Jimmy, who had been so hard and so tough, was now such a stark contrast to his former self. As different as day is from the night. Her heart went out to him.

He spoke low. "It does say: the earth is full of His unfailing love." He swallowed. "That means even in prison, His love will find me."

Julia looked out at Jimmy's view - the landscape before them, God's beautiful creation. She wiped a tear that had inexplicably escaped. "You are right, Jimmy. No matter what, His love is always with you."

He gazed at that landscape. "That's enough for me."

Julia just sat next to him for a while.

Then finally, he turned. "Julia, when we're all done here, I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything, Jimmy." Julia replied. Another tear inadvertently fell.

Jimmy told her confidently. "I need you to tell your brother that I need an audience."

After the house call, Julia rode back to Hope Valley, though she took the long way back. And she let those soft tears fall the entire way. She had never imagined all those months ago, when she and Allie first met the hardened criminal Jimmy McIntosh, that she would grow so fond of him. But his story had touched her heart, and Jake's. And then they had fought so hard for him - for life - alongside Faith, in the infirmary. Their hearts had all become endeared to him, as they cared for him, and watched him change completely, before their very eyes.

Joseph had once told her. "God's working on Jimmy." And he had been right. They had all witnessed that work, little by little, and step by step. It was unthinkable that now, he would go to prison, and pay for the crimes he had already confessed before God.

But that was not a decision for Julia to make. If Jimmy felt the need to confess it all, and pay for his crimes, who could stop him? She didn't want him to go to prison, not one bit, but laws were made for a reason. And who was she, or anyone else, to decide whether or not they applied to Jimmy McIntosh?

And what about the people who had been affected by his crimes…his victims? Didn't their plight matter? Shouldn't he pay for the part he played in what happened to them? Justice needed to be served, his victims deserved it. But she just wasn't ready to face that harsh truth. She didn't want to see him go.

And it was his choice to make. And she respected him for it, even if she didn't like it.

So, she dried her eyes, and rode towards the livery. She stabled Ginger and walked to the Mountie office, just as she promised Jimmy she would.

Julia sauntered in the open door of the Mountie office, and plopped down in the chair opposite her brother. Jake, dressed down in his short sleeved Henley, looked up from his paperwork and smiled.

"Hi, Sis." Jake eyed her curiously. "To what do I owe this little honor?"

Julia laughed. "Can't I just come in and see my big brother, and ask him how yesterday evening went?"

Jake's face broke into the biggest smile she had ever seen. He smiled so big, in fact, that she even thought she'd seen a second dimple. And that had never happened before. "That good huh?" She teased.

He looked down at his paperwork, tried to get that smile turned down just a little, and looked back up at her. It didn't work. "Yea."

"I've never seen you so…void of words, brother." She looked at him side eye.

He chuckled.

Julia knew him too well. "You don't know where to start do you?"

He shook his head no. "I might just keep it all for myself."

Julia nodded. "As you should." She teased. "Did you at least get a kiss?" He closed his lips tight. She laughed. "Blink once for yes and twice for no."

He sat there for a moment, unmoving. But finally, couldn't keep it from her. He blinked once, and they both broke into laughter. "Well, good for you, Jake. I'm glad she finally realized what a treasure you are." She smiled, genuinely, deeply happy for him. "Something I've known for a long time now."

He had to tell her. "She's a treasure too, Jules. I can't even…"

"Oh, I know. I've known since the first day I got here." Julia smiled at him. "Promise me one thing, Jake?"

He looked at her square. "What?"

"Promise me you won't get engaged before I get back from my honeymoon?" He just stared at her, trying to decide if she was serious or teasing.

"Jules, that's like…less than a month from now!" Jake shook his head in disbelief.

"Okay, I'll give you two months then." She teased again.

"You're crazy, Julia." He told her shaking his head.

"We'll see." Julia smiled side eye at him. "Let's just see how long you can wait."

Jake chuckled at her. She noticed the pretty bouquet of daisies sitting on the corner of his desk. "Where'd you get those?"

"They're from our date last night. I kinda forgot to give them to her, when I walked her home." He glanced out the door and down the street. "So I've been sitting here wondering how long I have to wait, you know, after a first date, before I can go down there and give them to her?"

Julia chuckled. "You're asking me about dating rules?" She shook her head at him. "Me, who has always maintained that they should make a manual about these things?"

Jake shrugged. "Well, you're a woman. What do you think?"

"I think you should get up and march yourself down there right after I leave." She smiled at him. "Don't waste a minute, Jake."

He looked down at the stack of paperwork on the desk in front of him. He'd much rather be making a fool of himself with Fiona than doing any of it. "I'll consider that."

He glanced back up at his sister. Julia's face suddenly changed and Jake could see there was something else, something not so happy, that she needed to tell him.

"Jake."

He searched her face. "What's happened?"

She looked down at her hand and back up at him. "Jimmy's asked for an audience. He wants to speak with you, Nathan, and Bill."

Jake could see she was conflicted, and requesting an audience could only mean one thing. "He wants to confess?"

"I think so." Julia told him sadly. "He's changed so much, Jake. I guess part of me was hoping the new Jimmy wouldn't have to pay for the crimes his past self committed." She paused. "But he was pretty adamant about meeting with you, when I was out there this morning."

"It's the right thing to do." Jake told her. Deep down, she knew it was true.

Maintiens le droit. Uphold the right. Her brother, Nathan, and Bill were trained to stand for what's right. It was not just a motto, but a way of life. And that standard applied even to a guy as changed as Jimmy McIntosh.

"I'll go up and talk to Nathan, see when we can schedule to ride out there with Bill." Jake told her as he stood.

Julia nodded slowly and stood too. Then she got an idea, and put up a finger. "Wait." Her smile turned playful. "Let me go. I'd love a reason to go up there, and…interrupt him."

"I don't think you need a reason, Jules." Jake teased her. "And I'm pretty sure any visit from you would not be considered an interruption."

"You're right." She chuckled soft. "I can't explain it, but for some reason, I miss him." They moved toward the door, and Julia stepped out onto the front porch.

"Weren't you just with him yesterday?" Jake teased her, as he reached up and leisurely grabbed the door frame with both hands.

"Yes, and it was wonderful. We set up the house to receive his mother, and hung out with Allie. But we didn't manage any time alone." Julia replied. "It's completely irrational, I know." She shrugged. "But sometimes...I think you just need time alone to connect, in a certain way. Even if it's just five minutes." And somehow, Jake totally did know. He looked down towards the Nichols & Dimes and could completely understand what it was like to miss someone you had just been with the night before.

Julia followed his gaze down the street, and smiled to herself. She startled him out of his thoughts. "Have a good day, Jake."

And then, she walked off in the wrong direction.

"Wait a minute. Where you going?" Jake asked her, curious. "I thought you were headed upstairs?"

She turned back and told him. "I just gotta go get something at the Mercantile first."

Jake nodded. "Well bye then, Sis."

And she started to go. But then, she turned back one more time. He was still hanging there by his long arms and that door frame. "Oh, and Jake…" He brought his eyes back to meet hers. "You're welcome!"

Jake was curious. "I'm welcome? Was I supposed to thank you? For what?"

"For suggesting that haircut!" And Julia laughed out loud, turned, and crossed the street to the Mercantile.

Julia knocked lightly three times before poking her head in. And just as she'd hoped, Nathan was alone, and typing away on his typewriter.

He looked up and smiled when she entered. Then he stood and moved around the desk. And Julia came to stand right in front of him, ever so cutely hiding something behind her back. He picked up on that right away and tried to look over her shoulder, to see what she was hiding. But she didn't let him, and then, she didn't make him wait. She brought her hand around to the front and produced a perfect, shiny, red apple.

He looked down at that apple and back up at her, a question in his eyes. "I just realized that I never brought an apple to the instructor." She clarified. "Like I said I would."

He chortled and smiled crooked. "Well, you were busy."

"That's no excuse. So, I'm making up for it now." Julia said with an edge of playfulness. And from behind her back, she brought a second perfectly round, shiny, red apple. She held them both out to him.

"Thank you. Two times." He told her playfully, as he took the apples and set them on his desk. Two times. That seemed to be an ever-running theme between them.

"See? So many things are better in two's." She reminded him.

He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her in. He remembered. "Like your yeses." She had often told him yes two times, especially in the early days of their relationship.

She nodded as he moved closer. Then she added, just above a whisper, "And cookies." Nathan did like cookies.

His lips were almost there. "And kisses." He rasped, just before his lips met hers. And he kissed her with a sweetness and a fire. She melted against him. The kiss deepened, and all the missing went right out of her. And what replaced it was a fullness and a certainty. She was right where she was supposed to be.

When Nathan finally pulled back, he gazed down at her. "Nine days, Julia."

Nine days. She exhaled and tilted her head a little, caught up in the emotion of that kiss. She suddenly needed to tell him, needed him to know. "I love you."

He smiled crooked, and straightened a little. Slightly curious of where that came from, but caught up in the emotion all the same. Love was so clearly written on her face. Her eyes so deep and true. He marveled, and then swallowed. "I love you, too."

"In case I forgot to tell you recently." She explained with a little smile.

Nathan brought a hand up to her cheek and tenderly traced her freckles with his thumb. "You, my darling, very rarely need to tell me. I feel your love in all the little things you do." He told her. "You love well."

Julia searched his face, and the depths of his eyes. She hoped it was true, that he felt her love. Because of all the men on this earth, this was the one she wanted to love. For the rest of her life. "So do you." She told him. "And I'm a blessed girl."

Nathan corrected her right away. "I'm the blessed one."

Julia's gaze turned playful. "We're gonna have that contest, are we?" She looked at him slight eyed. "You won't win, you know."

Nathan smiled and pulled her even closer. "Neither will you."

"Shall we call a truce and say mutually blessed?" Julia offered.

"Well Minnie did say we could agree to disagree." Nathan teased. "And still have harmony."

Julia laughed. "I don't think that's what she meant."

His face turned slightly serious. "But I do hope we will always have harmony."

Julia smiled softly. "Me, too. What she shared was very beautiful, wasn't it? And it's exactly what I want for us."

Nathan pulled back a little but held onto her. "Me, too. And I think we can do it. Always have harmony."

"I'm in." She told him with a smile.

"Me, too." He told her happily.

He leaned in close and teased her. "Now, about that...second kiss."

Julia leaned her head back and laughed. "You are so charming, Inspector. But I actually did come up here to tell you something."

He pulled back a tiny bit. "Oh, really?" He paused. "And here I thought it was just to bring me apples and flirt with me."

Julia giggled again. "Well, that too. But that was all bonus." Her face turned her own shade of serious. "The real reason, before you got me all distracted…"

"Wait a minute. Me? I'm the one that got you distracted?" He tried to grab her again by the waist, though she escaped with a little giggle.

She turned to face him and put up a little finger. "Okay, I'll give you that one, I might have come up here…intending to distract you." Julia confessed. He smiled, he liked her distractions. "But I do have something serious to tell you."

Nathan stood up straight, sort of at attention, signaling that he was listening and ready. "Okay. Tell me."

Julia got serious and looked down at her hands. Then back up at him. "Jimmy's asked for an audience. With you, Jake, and Bill."

Nathan could easily decipher what that meant. "You think he wants to confess?"

"I do." Julia told him. "He asked me to let you know as soon as I returned from his house call."

Nathan nodded. He could see she was conflicted. "I wish there was another way."

Julia agreed. "The guy was gifted a second chance and bravely took it. If only the law offered a loophole for people who turn over a new leaf."

"It doesn't work that way." Nathan reminded her.

"I know. And that wouldn't be fair to those affected by his crimes." She grinned sadly. "And it certainly wouldn't…constitute justice."

"No, it wouldn't." Nathan stepped close and took her hand. "But I love the way you look at things. It's so refreshing to be challenged by the optimism and hope that you carry, Jules."

She soaked up his words. "And I love your commitment to justice, and the way you always stand for what is right." Julia told him. "We need more Nathan Grant's in this world."

Nathan smiled. He appreciated hearing that. And he told her softly, "And I think we need more Julia Matthews."

She smiled. She loved the way they challenged each other, inspired each other, and made each other better. Their's was a wonderful balance, one that made it abundantly clear, that they were meant for each other.

Julia looked down at Nathan's typewriter. As much as she'd love to stay longer, he had work to do. "I can let you get back to typing, Lawman."

Nathan nodded. "Well I probably should go speak with Jake and Bill first."

"So, I'll see you this afternoon?" Julia asked.

"Lee agreed to let me use his car, so Allie and I will pick you up at 3:45." Nathan told her.

"Okay, Lawman. I'll see you then." She smiled, turned, and headed toward the door.

But before she got too far, Nathan reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled her back. As he slowly and playfully reeled her in, he teased. "Before you go...how about...that second kiss?"

Julia just laughed softly at Nathan's charming antics. "Some things are better in two's." She breathed, as she let him pull her in close. And their lips met in the middle.

After lunch, Jake noticed the barbershop open and finally headed down there, bouquet in hand.

When he came through the door, Fiona was sweeping up hair from the floor. She looked up and smiled. She stopped what she was doing and leaned cutely on her broom.

"Good afternoon, Constable." She drawled long and playful. "Back so soon?"

Jake just tilted his head and smiled at her. "You know, there is just something captivating about a barbershop." He squinted one eye as he flirted with her. "Makes it rather hard to stay away."

Fiona looked sideways at him. "Is that so?" She flirted right back. "I had no idea. And, just to clarify, is that, any old barbershop? Or this barbershop in particular?"

He took a good long look around the room, pretended to notice everything, take it all in. Then he nodded a few times and brought his eyes back to her. "I kinda like this one."

She crunched her nose up and asked. "And what is it in this barbershop that...holds your attention?"

He stepped closer, and fixed his eyes on her. Made her the center of his attention, so his message was clear. "I think you know."

She wanted to make sure he was also aware. "Well now, that's funny. I've been feeling rather pulled down toward the Mountie office. I don't know what it is about…law and order, all of a sudden."

Jake tilted his head. "Really?" He wondered. "Law and order, huh?"

"Well, it is important to appreciate…our law enforcement officers." She told him all matter of fact.

Jake nodded. "It certainly is. Just as it is important to appreciate a good barbershop."

Fiona smiled. "Seems like you and me agree on a lot of things."

Jake took one step closer. He lifted the bouquet and held it out between them. "That we do. Like daisies, for example. I think they are a bright and friendly kind of flower. And I really like them." He told her playfully.

"I like them too." She ventured. "Another thing we agree on."

"You see, I knew we would agree about daisies." He tilted his head and smiled at her. "Which is why I thought I would bring them down here. I think they belong in this barbershop, with you."

He held them out, and she took them. "Well thank you, Constable. I really do…very much like daisies."

"They were always meant to be yours...the daisies." He smiled at her. "I just forgot to give them to you last night."

"Thank you." Fiona replied. "It was very thoughtful of you to bring them."

Jake gazed at her. "Well, I better get back to…enforcing laws."

Fiona took a deep breath. "Be careful out there, while you do."

Jake smiled that one dimple. "I will." When he got to the door, he looked back at her one more time. "See you tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to it." She breathed. And with a ring of that bell, he was gone.

At 3:45 p.m., Nathan pulled up in front of the infirmary, in Lee's car. Allie was sitting in the back seat, and smiled big when she saw Julia sitting on the bench, waiting for them.

Now, Nathan loved to toot the car's horn. And even though Julia had obviously seen them and was already on her way down the steps, he just couldn't help himself. He tooted anyway. That got the attention of everyone on the street, but Nathan didn't care. He just smiled at all the heads turned their way, and tooted a second time.

Julia laughed out loud and admonished him with a playful tone. "Nathan Grant!" She shook her head as she walked around to the passenger side. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Allie was in stitches in the back seat.

Julia climbed in, and through her laughter asked him. "Was I not moving fast enough for you?"

Nathan laughed from his belly. "No. Wasn't that." He shrugged. "I just like tooting the horn!"

And Allie, Julia, and Nathan shared laughter, almost all the way to the train station.

They pulled up just two or three minutes before the 4:00 train and waited patiently while the first passengers disembarked.

They waited patiently, that is, until Allie spotted her, and took off at full speed. "Grams!" That exclamation served as Rebecca's only warning before Allie arrived, and wrapped herself around her grandmother's midsection.

"Allie!" Rebecca replied happily. She enclosed her sweet grand-daughter in a warm embrace. "I've missed you so." She held on as long as the teenage girl would let her. And when Allie finally did pull back, Rebecca took a good look, with a grandmother's eye, and noticed all the changes. "You've grown, Allie."

"Really? You think so?" Allie asked, as they turned, and walked arm in arm towards Nathan and Julia.

"Oh, yes. Most certainly. You have grown up." Rebecca asserted.

Rebecca glanced up and saw her handsome son standing there. He was smiling, or more so…beaming. He looked so happy. In fact, Rebecca couldn't remember the last time she had seen him look so happy. And somehow...he looked younger. Even more handsome, and youthful.

Nathan stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug. "Mom." He said softly. The most beautiful name she had ever been called.

"Son." She softly whispered back. "I've missed you."

"Me, too, Mom." He said near her ear. "Me, too."

When he finally let go of her, Rebecca turned toward her future daughter-in-law. She wrapped Julia in a huge embrace and whispered. "Daughter."

When Julia heard that moniker, she hid her face, and held on tight. Julia had not realized how emotional it would be to see Rebecca. It hadn't been that long, but somehow the knowledge that she was arriving for their wedding, charged the atmosphere. That fact made it…sentimental. And then, on top of it all, Rebecca had called her daughter.

When Julia finally pulled out of Rebecca's hug, Nathan noticed her covertly wipe a tear. He had no idea what his mother had whispered to his future bride, though now, he wondered. He noticed right away the change in Julia's countenance, though she smiled when he caught her attention. What had her so emotional? He had no idea, but he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Mom, shall I go get your luggage?" Nathan asked her.

"Sure, son." Rebecca held out her claim ticket. "I brought one trunk and two bags."

"A trunk?" Nathan asked. That seemed excessive for a few weeks stay.

Rebecca gave him a coy smile. "Well most of what's inside is for you, Son." She glanced at Julia. "And your bride."

"Oh." Nathan replied, with eyebrows raised. "Guess I better go get it then."

Nathan gently let go of Julia's hand, and set out with Allie, for the luggage car. A porter helped Nathan carry the trunk back, and tie it onto Lee's car. And then he returned for the two suitcases.

Julia happened to glance left, and noticed Jed down by the livestock cars. When Nathan came back with Allie and the two suitcases, Julia mentioned it. "There's Jed over there." She motioned with her hand.

Nathan looked up and glanced down the way. Sure enough, there was Jed, out in the open. "Well, that's interesting."

Allie nodded and added. "A strange coincidence." She looked wide-eyed at Rebecca.

Julia shrugged. " Not strange. He must be picking up a new horse, for the livery."

"Yes, that must be it." Rebecca took Julia's arm, and turned her slightly, so her back was to Jed. Nathan quickly went to work tying on suitcases. And Allie began asking a million questions about Rebecca's voyage to Hope Valley, so Jed was quickly forgotten.

As soon as the luggage was secure, they climbed in the car, and Nathan drove them home, to his row house.

(1) Isaiah 1:17, Holy Bible, NIV