Chapter 137. A Tour, a Letter, and a Phone Call
On Tuesday morning, Julia and Nathan slept in. They had gotten in late last night, after the long ride back, and the big soft bed felt just too good.
Until, out of nowhere, and curiously, Julia smelled coffee. She opened one eye and found her handsome husband waving a cup under her nose. He was so cute as he leaned down over her.
"Good morning." She rasped as she snuggled back into her pillow, showing absolutely no interest in getting up.
He tried another method. He kissed her gently on the cheek and whispered. "Good morning, wife."
She still snuggled into the pillow and let out a soft moan, one that communicated her playful yet continued reluctance to wake up. Nathan chuckled and snuggled his nose into the crook of her neck. And he tried one more time. He whispered something else, something that might entice her into action. "There's a letter from Allie."
Julia moved then. "Really?" She asked, as she forced her eyes to open and focus on him.
He held out the envelope that he'd found downstairs this morning, and already opened. "Must've come while we were gone."
Julia's eyes were wide open now. She sat up, scooted back in the bed, and took the envelope, excited and happy. "What does she say? Did she have fun fishing with Jake? How many fish did they catch? What about school, how's school?" The questions about Allie were never ending.
Nathan chuckled and sat on the bed next to her. "I'll just let you read it." He told her, as he brought his hand up and gave her cheek one gentle caress.
Julia pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and began to read. She excitedly reported things to Nathan, though he'd already read them. "School is going good." Then she read some more. "She's having fun with Grams. Ha! They made my fried chicken!" She told him happily.
He let his hand trace down her shoulder and arm. He liked seeing her so happy, and it warmed his heart that the source of her excitement, was Allie. She continued. "They didn't go fishing yet. The letter's dated Friday, and fishing is on Saturday." She explained and glanced up, to see if he was still listening.
A tidbit of useless information. "The ice cream parlor has maple vanilla now." Julia hurriedly turned the page to the back, and kept reading. "Archie's back has been bothering him." Julia lowered the page and eyed Nathan. "Have you been working him too hard?"
Nathan chuckled and leaned in again, placing a perfectly tender kiss next to her ear. "Maybe." He lingered there as Julia's breath caught.
She giggled low. "Are you trying to distract me?" She asked, with the same intonation he'd used on Sunday, when she'd interrupted his shaving.
"Why? Is it working?" He asked as he placed another kiss in the crook of her neck.
Julia giggled louder this time and pushed him playfully back, so she could finish Allie's letter. When he was far enough away that she could think straight, she picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. She kept reading, sipping here and there, but didn't tell him anymore. He knew it all already, anyway.
When she was done, she lowered the letter to her lap and humphed. "I miss her."
Nathan smiled softly and got that look on his face, his Allie look. "Me, too."
She was nearly finished with her coffee. "Thank you, sweet husband. For the letter and the coffee." She gestured with her mug.
"You're welcome." He said, gaze still happily fixed on her.
She set her cup down and asked curiously. "What's on the schedule for today, Lawman?"
"I would like to take you into Airdrie. We need some things from the General store, and there's a bakery." Nathan proposed. "And we could have lunch at a little cafe I know. I think you would really like it."
Julia smiled. "Sounds perfect." She loved the idea. "We don't have much left to eat here, do we?" Julia asked, realizing.
"Not much." He chuckled. "Though someone did leave us a pot of stew on the stove last night. Probably Charlie or Daanis."
Julia sighed. Last night, they'd been so tired they hadn't even realized, they'd come right in and fallen into bed. "What happened to room service?" She teased with a big smile, remembering very fondly the meals at the hotel.
"Oh, don't worry Mrs. Grant. We have room service here, too." He told her cutely. It sounded like an invitation to place an order.
Julia laughed out loud. "Oh, really. And, what's on the menu, Mr. Room Service?" She asked, curiosity peaked now. She raised her eyebrows. "Breakfast? Eggs? Pancakes?"
"Any of that." He said confidently.
"Well then, I would love to place my breakfast order. One like you made me at my house, after that giant beam almost did me in." Julia told him cutely, with dimples.
Nathan chuckled now. "Okay. I'll get right on that, Ma'am." He gave her a cute Mountie salute.
"What time would you like to leave for town?" Julia inquired.
He leaned down and kissed her nose. "Whenever. As soon as we're ready." Nathan smiled at her, and stood, already heading for the door. "But after breakfast. I'm starving." They hadn't eaten at all last night.
"Okay, chef Nathan." She replied. And they went their separate ways - Nathan to the kitchen, and Julia to the bathroom, to fill the tub.
After a hearty breakfast, they set out in the car for town. Nathan gave Julia the full tour - he showed her where he used to go to school, and where one of his friends used to live. He showed her the church, and then as they went along, he pointed out little sites and shops along the boardwalk of downtown: the cobbler, the barber shop, and a new sofa fountain.
Then Nathan parked the car in front of the general store and grabbed a basket from the back seat. He and Julia entered together. When the little man behind the counter turned around, he recognized Nathan.
"Nathan? Nathan Grant?" Asked the small man with round spectacles and a bow tie.
Nathan smiled. "Mr. Schmidt?"
"Yes. It's me. Though, a little older than the last time you saw me." He chuckled low, but then he gave Nathan a good once over. "But then, so are you."
"Yea, I guess so." Nathan said kindly, with a shrug. "But on the contrary, you haven't changed a bit." Memories came racing back. He and Colleen running in and out of this general store, buying candy and pestering each other. Mr. Schmidt chasing them out, onto the boardwalk.
"Your mama mentioned you were coming." Mr. Schmidt glanced over at Julia.
Nathan snapped back to the present and remembered his manners. "Yes. We came for our honeymoon." Nathan took Julia's hand and placed it on his arm. "This is my wife, Julia Grant. Julia, this is Mr. Schmidt, owner of Airdrie's General Store."
Julia put out her hand, and he shook it. "Nice to meet you, sir. It's been wonderful to discover where my Nathan comes from."
Mr. Schmidt looked Julia over from head to toe, and then told the taller man. "Well, you've done very well for yourself."
Nathan cleared his throat and replied, amused. "Thank you, sir." Julia fought back a smile.
"What brings you in today?" He asked curious.
Nathan pulled out an envelope and placed it on the counter. "First, I need to mail this, please."
"Allie." Mr. Schmidt looked up at Nathan. "That Colleen's girl?"
"Yes, sir." Nathan replied, still amused. What was it about working in the mercantile business, that made people so nosy? Was every general store the center of town gossip? "Though, Allie's adopted now. Julia and I have become her parents."
Mr. Schmidt seemed to like that. "Good. And you're a fancy inspector now?" He asked, looking over his spectacles.
"Yes. Yes, I am." Nathan replied.
"Anything else other than the postage?" Mr. Schmidt asked.
Nathan was in a good mood, and terribly amused now. "Oh, yes. Me and the lady need a few things. Is it okay if we have a look around?"
Mr. Schmidt smiled, and extended his hand. "Please. Be my guest."
And so, Nathan hooked Julia's hand over his arm again, and off they went. He held the basket with his other hand, and Julia filled it. Coffee. Butter. Eggs. The apples looked nice, so she took a few. And so it went, until they had everything they needed to finish out the week at the ranch.
Next, Nathan took her across the street to the bakery, where they bought a fresh baked loaf of bread, some cookies, and a peach and maple pie.
Then she and Nathan walked through town to a cute little cafe. When they entered, a wonderful smell met them, and reminded her of Abigail's. A young waitress seated them on the terrace, and they ate a very nice lunch together.
When they were done, Nathan walked Julia around town a little more, pointing out sites, and telling stories. And Julia enjoyed every minute - hearing about Nathan's childhood exploits, and of course, more about Colleen.
When Nathan started up the car, which was still parked in front of the mercantile, Mr. Schmidt came running outside. "Inspector Grant, I have a letter for you."
Julia looked excited for half a second, until Mr. Schmidt clarified. "Well, it's not for you, but for Charlie." Julia's face fell.
But Nathan offered. "I would be happy to deliver the letter to Charlie for you. He's working on the barn today." Mr. Schmidt was satisfied with that, and handed over the envelope. Though when Nathan noticed the handwriting, he got a very puzzled look on his face. Mr. Schmidt left them and went back into the General store.
Nathan held up the envelope for a better look, and sure enough. Julia inquired. "What is it?"
"That's my mother's handwriting." Nathan told her with a quizzical brow.
Julia let out a loud happy chortle. "You're kidding!" She snatched the letter from Nathan and looked it over. Sure enough, it was certainly Rebecca's pen. And the envelope was thick, very thick.
Nathan snatched it back and laughed at her. "This letter, my dear, is none of your business."
Julia rubbed her hands together and hoped. Oh, how she hoped. "Yes. But if that letter says even one iota of what I hope it says…"
Nathan looked at her, very amused. "What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about your mother and Charlie!" She said happily, as she sat back in the seat of the car. She pointed to the envelope in Nathan's hand. "Let's just hope."
Nathan looked at her, curious now. "My Mom and Charlie? Jules. What did you do?" And he put the car in gear.
Julia laughed. "Nothing, husband. I did nothing at all." And off they went.
Nathan continued to drive her around in the car, pointing out sites, and showing her more of Airdrie. When they were finally finished with his tour, Nathan drove them back to the ranch. And of course, he passed by the barn, and made sure to deliver the letter to Charlie.
On Tuesday afternoon, back in Hope Valley, Fiona Miller was in the oil rig office, working at the desk opposite Henry. He'd been a bear all day, had gotten a letter this morning from either Abigail or Christopher, it was unsure which, but he hadn't been himself since. She guessed it hadn't been good news, so she'd been sensitive and tried to keep her distance.
Mike, on the other hand, who was working behind her, hadn't been so sensitive, and had fallen victim to Henry's bite a few times already. Poor Mike just wasn't able to discern when their boss needed space.
And that's where she was when the phone rang.
Mike picked it up after one ring. "Hi, Florence." He sang out, then he listened. His face changed, and when he brought his eyes up to Fiona, she couldn't quite discern his expression. "Gabriel Kinslow? Sure put him through."
Mike held the phone out to Fiona. "Gabriel is asking to speak to you."
Fiona stood, surprised, and laughed casually. "Why would Gabriel Kinslow ask to speak with me?" And as soon as the words were out of her mouth, it hit her.
Jake.
One look at Mike's face and she knew what this was about. A heavy weight twisted in the pit of her stomach.
As Fiona put the phone to her ear, her heartbeat echoed so loudly in her head, she could barely make out a thing. "Jake…injured…head trauma…rifle."
Fiona didn't need to hear more. Not one word more. "I'm coming, Gabe. I'm on my way."
"Fiona!" He called out, trying to catch her before she hung up. "Can you bring Dr. Carter? Maggie is tending him…but the doctor can't come from Clearwater befo…"
She didn't wait for him to finish that either. "We're coming, Gabe. Both of us." And she set the phone down.
Fiona turned around and tried to string words together, at least to tell both of these dear men in her life what was going on. For one was a friend and the other, a father. But "Jake…" was all she could get out.
Henry was already on his feet, had been since the moment she'd taken the phone. "Take my car, Fiona." And she headed out the door. Henry grabbed her jacket, the one she hadn't had mind to think of, and followed her outside. He laid it on the front seat, as she climbed in and brought the car to life.
And with the quickest of glances, she managed to look him in the eye, for the slightest of seconds. "Thank you, Henry."
Fiona skidded to a stop in front of the infirmary, tires throwing up gravel. She ran up the steps and flew through the door.
"Faith!" She called out.
Faith stood, immediately alarmed. She had never heard such an urgent tone of voice from Fiona, ever. Faith rushed around the curtain, and found her dear friend distressed, and standing just inside the door.
"It's Jake." Was all she needed to say.
Faith turned to her patient behind the curtain. "I'm sorry, Clara." She paused. "I'll have to finish your physical later."
Clara spoke from behind the curtain. "Of course, please, Faith, go." She was well aware of what Jake meant to Fiona.
Faith turned back to her worried friend, and didn't waist another second. "Who called you?"
"Gabe." Faith asked short questions, and Fiona gave short answers.
"Injuries?" Faith asked.
Fiona choked up as she tried to get it out. "Head trauma."
Faith grabbed her bag, and quickly started packing it. She threw in anything and everything she might possibly need.
Fiona joined her, "What else?"
Faith gave her a second bag, and dictated what to put into it. When they had everything, Faith told her. "Let's go."
As the two women ran out the door, Faith called back to Clara, who was just coming out from behind the curtain. "Bill has a key to lock up!"
And just like that, they were gone, in a cloud of dust and gravel.