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Chapter Two
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Complimenting Each Other
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"She's pregnant isn't she?" Sunset's rosy glow illumined the road before Nathan and Faith as they sauntered towards Hope Valley and Nathan broke the silence.
Startled, Faith asked. "How did you know?"
"I've seen the look before and she kept protectively touching her abdomen. Her concern was for more than her feverish husband, her stuttering son and their need for groceries. She is carrying another child and is fearful of being left alone."
"And you gleaned all that from this evening's visit?"
"We know Hans' condition. The children devoured the sandwiches I left with them earlier and, although the girls were quick to thank us, Pieter was hesitant to speak. Later I overheard him talk with his sisters and he stutters." Nathan looked into the golden pinks and purples above. "My theory is that is why none of the children are in school. We need to find some way for Elizabeth to assess them and invite them to classes. It's also possible they don't know how to read because I didn't see a book anywhere."
Marveling at Nathan's deductions, Faith stared at him, his face bright in the reflection of the setting sun. "Your assessment is correct, Nathan, amazing even. You are an admirable man… and horseman I must add." Faith smiled widely. "I have never heard you talk as much as you did in that stable!"
Chuckling Nathan responded, "Horses are very accepting and understanding. Easy listeners!"
"Oh? Do you converse with Newton on your rides?"
"Oh yes. He knows almost all my secrets, but he has promised to never tell!" Nathan grinned and observed Faith's rosy glow. "We are true companions."
"Do I get the sense that human companions have been less trustworthy?"
Coughing, Nathan glanced away. "Some have been. It can make you 'horse shy.'" Nathan laughed and was grateful that Faith grinned, getting his humor.
"I hope you trust me, Nathan? We have had some deep and revealing conversations together."
"That we have, Faith, and I am grateful. Is it because of our jobs or our personalities? I don't know, but I do believe you keep my confidences. You know I keep yours, right?"
"I do know that, but I believe it is who you are as a man, Nathan, not because of your job as a Mountie." Faith caught and held his gaze as they rode side-by-side. "I am impressed by how you handled the entire situation with the Sterks, by the way. You reassured the family, aided them as needed and acted with humility and compassion."
Nathan blushed, grateful for the gloaming. "Thank you, I guess? I was just doing my job."
"Oh, no you weren't. You were being kind and gentle and thoughtful and patient… even with me!" Faith giggled. "I am certain I would have sloshed water all over both the barn and myself, if you hadn't patiently showed me the best way to fill, hold and carry that water bucket!"
"Ah ha…" Nathan tried not to picture a water-soaked Faith.
"Nathan?" She whispered, still wanting to confide in him. "I would trust you with my life, anytime…" Her voice trailed.
Interrupting their lapse into silence, Nathan cleared his throat. "Faith?" He pulled Newton to halt and Faith followed suit.
His voice hoarse and low, "What has happened between us?" He leaned forward, torso twisted with his arm resting on the pommel, his face toward hers. "We have become good friends over the past year. You have helped me deal with heartache and I hope I have returned the favor. Yet, something was different in the Infirmary today. Am I interpreting this correctly? I think I saw some personal interest in your eyes? Am I correct?" He gulped. "Do I dare hope?"
Ducking her head demurely, Faith was grateful the dusk dulled the surrounding colors and hoped her reddening cheeks went unnoticed. "Do I dare admit it, Nathan?"
She inhaled deeply. "You know my history. I've told you how many men in whom I've shown interest. Does that make me seem desperate?" Faith paused and she looked at Nathan from under her lashes. "Would you believe me if I told you this feels different, deeper, stronger? Real?"
Pondering her words, Nathan responded softly. "The ease I feel around you. Your honest confessions. The foundation we have built over many months leads me to believe you and trust you, Faith, trust you with my heart." Timidly, he reached his hand over towards her, grateful when she placed her slender hand in his. Tingles spread up his arm and he gasped, staring at their joined hands. Barely whispering, he lifted his face. "You feel it too, don't you?"
Nodding and unable to contain her joy, Faith whispered in response. "I feel it, Nathan, different than ever before. It is wonderfully exciting, at times unsettling, yet when I am with you I am comfortable, at peace. I feel I belong. We belong."
"I do too." Nathan squeezed her hand. "Faith? Will you allow me to take you to dinner on Saturday?" He chuckled softly. "To be clear, I'm asking for a dinner date. Maybe I can borrow a vehicle and we could drive to Benson Hills?"
Without hesitation, Faith answered, "I would like that very much, Nathan. I would relish both the drive to and from as well as the dinner!"
"Good." Nathan declared gratefully. "Very good! Let me talk to Henry and then I'll let you know a time. Meanwhile, shall we return to the Sterks together in the morning?"
"That would be wonderful. I did promise to get some groceries, so maybe we could meet at the Mercantile? You could help me decide what to purchase."
"I can do that. Should we take a wagon then? We can transport more groceries at one time so our other visits can be by horseback for the next few days. I can borrow the Livery's wagon. Actually that's perfect because I thought I would ask Jed from the Livery to care for the Sterk's animals for a week or so. He is often grateful for the added income."
"Oh?" Faith wondered if Nathan had hired Jed in the past, but made no comment. "The wagon will be much better. Thank you for thinking of that in advance. I would probably buy too much to carry and the wagon would be an afterthought!" Faith giggled, yet knew it might have been the truth.
"For tonight though, let's stop and see Allie, okay? We can have some supper before I escort you back home. Maybe she can help me prepare a meal to bring with us in the morning."
"Are you sure you have enough supper, Nathan?"
Laughing, Nathan explained. "If Allie cooked, we will have enough. If she didn't make a meal I can make breakfast-for-supper, okay? You don't want to have to cook by yourself this late."
…
"Hello! I'm home and Doctor Faith is with me." Nathan followed Faith into the house to find Rosemary, Lee and Allie seated at the dining table, concentrating on a game of dominoes.
"Just a minute, Dad… We are almost done…" Allie explained, before triumphantly announcing. "Ah ha! I won again!" Doing a little dance in her chair she hopped up to run to her father. "Hi, Dad! Hi, Doctor Faith. Did you two help the Sterks together?"
"Hi Honey." Nathan returned her hug and kissed her head. "Yes, we did. Did you spend the evening with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Lee?"
"Yes, I ate dinner with them and they decided to come down here so we would know when you came home."
"Thank you so much, my friends. Hans Sterk's leg needed immediate attention so Faith and I attended to the family's needs this evening."
"It was our pleasure, Nathan. You know we adore Allie!" Lee explained.
"Did you eat any supper, you two?" Rosemary was almost at the stove when she added. "I can easily reheat our meal."
"That would be wonderful!" Nathan laughed. "I had wondered what I could feed our doctor and thought it might have to be breakfast-for-dinner! Thank you, Rosemary."'
"Yes, thank you. How may I help?" Faith followed Rosemary and went to wash her hands.
"Allie may have to help you, but if you could set two places at the table, please? Once I serve you, Lee and I will head home." Rosemary exclaimed. "Allie and I made a Shepherd's Pie for the Sterks. Could you take it to them tomorrow, Nathan?"
"You're amazing, Rosemary! I was going to try and fix something to take, but will gladly bring yours. Thank you." Nathan entered the kitchen and gave Rosemary a peck on the cheek. "I just kissed your wife, Lee! Just so you know!"
Chuckling, Lee responded. "I am right here, Nathan. If it was anybody besides you, I might have a problem with it, but I'm no match for a Mountie!"
Rosemary blushed as she looked at Faith. "Men!" She whispered.
…
True to her word, Rosemary served the green beans, scalloped potatoes and ham, hung the apron and said her farewells, followed by Lee.
"Thank you again, both of you! Hope Valley's community really does serve together, doesn't it? Let me see you to…"
"Fiddlesticks, Nathan, eat your supper! We'll let ourselves out." Rosemary waved dramatically as she flung open the door. "Good night and sweet dreams!"
Blushing, Nathan couldn't respond except with a wave.
Returning to the table, Allie sat across from Faith, with her father at the head of the table.
"Shall we give thanks?" Nathan reached for the ladies' hands, again looking at Faith's momentarily before he led in a prayer of thanksgiving.
Immediately following the "Amen," Allie's questions began. "Tell me all about it! How are the little girls? How is Mr. Sterk's leg? What did you have to do to it?"
Faith swallowed her forkful and sipped her water before she described what she had done, keeping the description matter-of-fact. She added, "Your father helped by preventing Mr. Sterk from moving while I cleaned the wound."
"That sounds so exciting. Will Mr. Sterk be okay?"
"I pray so, Allie. Infections are difficult but I will try to keep it drained and clean. We'll know more in a couple of days." Faith responded.
"Could I go with you sometime to watch? Plus, I would love to meet the little girls. Maybe I could bring a toy or a game?"
"I believe we should ask Mrs. Sterk's permission first, Honey," Nathan cautioned. "If she agrees, I wonder if you could share some books and maybe read to the children?"
"I can do that." Allie enthused. "I guess I will have to bring a lot of books since I don't know what they already have!"
"I didn't see a book anywhere, so that might not be a problem." Nathan explained.
"There weren't any books around? I can't even imagine life without books… Wait, can they read?" Allie looked from her dad to the doctor.
"We don't know, Honey, but I have my suspicions. Dr. Faith and I will visit tomorrow morning, so maybe we can find out? Let's discuss this tomorrow, eh?" Nathan patted Allie's shoulder. "Do we have anything for dessert?"
Laughing, Allie shared an important truth. "Dr. Faith, if you don't already know, Dad loves desserts! No meal is complete without something sweet…" Allie dissolved into giggles. "Ohhhh, I'll have to remember that one!"
"Allie?" Chuckling, Nathan inquired again, not wanting to forget his original request. "Dessert?"
"Yes, to answer your question, Dad. We have raspberry pie!" Excusing herself, Allie left the table and returned with two slices of pie and a grin.
"That looks really good." Nathan eyed one of his favorites. "I hope you like it, Faith? We've never discussed food preferences!"
"I enjoy pie, cake, cookies, puddings… actually any desserts. I don't know how to make any of them, but I enjoy them!"
"Well. Allie is learning to bake, so we'll get along fine then, eh, Allie-girl?" Nathan winked at Allie then gave his crooked smile to Faith, adding, "A woman after my own heart!"
…
Back with their horses and walking slowly towards her row house after washing the dishes, Faith confessed. "I enjoyed our time together, in spite of the seriousness of the situation at the Sterk's. Thank you for accompanying me and assisting as well. It is nice to have someone by my side who is not squeamish nor hesitant to help. Also, someone who has some medical training and a lot of common sense! I felt more confident in your presence, Nathan, so thank you."
Nathan gave his half-smile and with twinkling eyes commented, "I can't say that I have ever enjoyed a home visit more myself. We make a good team, although you don't give yourself enough credit, Doctor! You really are knowledgeable and have a lovely way with your patients. You are calm and encouraging which turns them away from worry and helps them move towards healing." Glancing at the woman beside him, Nathan asked. "Have some people caused you to lose confidence?"
"Interesting question. Lose confidence? Not entirely, but some people's skepticism has made me second-guess my medical advice." She shrugged.
Not letting her avoid the issue, Nathan pursued his line of questions. "Did those skeptics have medical training themselves and felt they knew better?"
Swallowing hard, Faith admitted. "A few, yes. There are also patients who are resistant to try the simple, wise recommendations I make and would rather take a pill or potion to magically get better. Recommendations like eliminating some stress, taking a walk, making time to relax and taking up a hobby, playing music, reading a good book, getting more sleep, you know? Things like that. Medication isn't always the answer, or at least not the entire answer."
Thoughtful, Nathan was quiet for some moments. "You mentioned some of those things to me, you know… The problem is I already read, carve, play music, sing, and walk. I don't know what else I can do to relieve stress. Sorry, I am not seeking free medical advice. You just got me thinking."
"For you, Nathan, I will gladly offer whatever medical input I can, in or out of the office. But, as your friend, may I say something?" Their horses slowed as their steps slowed and she searched Nathan's face for permission to speak.
"You may, Faith. We are beyond being afraid to be honest." Nathan held her gaze. "What is it?"
"I believe withholding that information about Jack replacing you from Elizabeth and trying to navigate her hot and cold behavior was stress you carried for quite a few years. Then the stress of responsibility for Allie, all on your own adds to that. In Allie's case there is a lot of joy, but it is still stressful. I am being bold, but in my opinion you haven't let yourself become deep friends with anyone, except maybe with Bill? But do you relax and have fun with Bill? Friendships and being in love can help you relax and you may find those headaches dissipate and your sleep improves sooner than you think." Faith laughed softly. "I think I have said enough."
Faith couldn't read the expression on Nathan's face so looked into the starry sky above, becoming quiet and thoughtful again as they approached her home.
Arriving at Faith's front steps, Nathan whispered. "I will take both horses to the Livery so you can get some sleep. In the morning, I'll meet you at the Mercantile as we planned." Nathan took the reins from Faith, waiting as she collected her belongings from the saddlebags.
Turning to face him, and with her voice soft and countenance concerned, Faith asked. "Nathan? Are you disturbed by what I said or did I overstep…"
Nathan took a step closer to Faith and shook his head. "Not at all. You just gave me a lot to think about, especially when you said 'soon.'" He put his finger to his lips as if saying "Shhhh." Reaching to take her free hand in his own, he lifted it to his lips and brushed a feather-like kiss across her knuckles. "I look forward to tomorrow morning, Faith."
As he released her hands and backed away, Nathan whispered, "Sleep well."
Left speechless by his affectionate action, Faith smiled and watched him mount Newton and turn to lead the horses to their stalls for the night. 'Will that kiss help me to sleep or hinder me tonight?' Faith sighed as she entered the door of her row home.
As he brushed and bedded the horses and walked home, Nathan's ponderings paralleled Faith's. 'Will thoughts of that wonderful woman help me to sleep or hinder me tonight?'
When he looked in his mirror as he prepared for bed, Nathan's happy grin wouldn't go away and he was asleep even before he finished his bedtime prayer.
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