. .
Author's Note: WARNING! Suggestive content in Lucas's thoughts near the end of this chapter as I follow some of what the series insinuated. Please preview and skip if reading to children. I will also address it another time as the storyline reveals his character, or lack thereof, according to the S-9 clips I saw online!
Also, rather than wait until the end of the story I want to acknowledge Cinda J. and Eoin M. for their input on these chapters and those going forward. This week, they have each willingly devoted numerous hours to making this story what it will become and I value them and their suggestions. Thank you, my friends.
A few months ago, I would not have believed I would be here, writing and collaborating on another story, but here we are! Thank you for reading. Eilie
. .
Chapter Six
.
A Welcome Possibility for Some
. .
"Where are we going?"
Faith's question broke into their comfortable silence, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and startled Nathan. "Excuse me? Where are we going? Faith, are you alright?" He bent forward, leaning over Newton, to search her face.
"I'm fine. Why?" Faith looked surprised by Nathan's question.
"Faith! You just asked where we are going and we are on the road to the Sterk's farm. Why did you ask that?"
A burst of bubbly laughter escaped as Faith tilted her head backwards. When she could speak she stuttered to explain. "I meant… on our date… on Saturday! Where are we…going?"
"Oh!" Relieved, Nathan exhaled. "I was worried for a moment there. What made you think of our date?"
"Think of it? Nathan Grant, I have been hard-pressed to think of anything else since you invited me!" Faith's lilting laughter filled the air once again. "Haven't you thought of it, or planned it or…you do remember you asked me, right?" This time Faith was momentarily nervous.
"Of course I remember! Asking a wonderful woman on a date is not a familiar happening for me! There are only a few times I have asked someone and even fewer times when they accepted and we went out. So, rest assured, I've thought of our date often! In fact, I should have asked you for tonight because Saturday feels like an eternity to wait."
"So you have dated some other women, Nathan? I don't recall ever seeing you with anyone here in Hope Valley. In one of our conversations you shared what happened with Elizabeth not accepting your invitation and then, when she did, breaking it off outside the Café, but how many other women have you dated?"
"Dated is a loose term. I've had a couple dates, but I never 'dated' anyone. The Mounties won't allow you to marry until you've served for five years, so I didn't allow myself to become interested in anyone before then, and afterwards I had to concentrate on raising Allie. I went out with a woman from church before I went to the Academy, but we were young and I had applied to join up so I knew I might be leaving even though she didn't know that. We had fun on a picnic once or twice."
"And you left her heartbroken when you departed for training? Nathan!" Faith chided teasingly.
"Hardly. Her fella returned from war and I was quickly forgotten. Neither of us even had our hearts involved let alone broken!"
"Uh… I beg to differ..." Faith giggled. "Maybe you don't know this, but when a woman is asked out by a man like you, Nathan, her heart is involved even before the question is answered."
Although Nathan wanted clarification, he postponed the thought. Jed's horse was tethered outside the barn as they came around the corner of the farmhouse, so Nathan assumed the evening chores were in the works. Standing behind Faith just in case, he only assisted with the long step down from the stirrup as they may have had an audience. Grinning, he winked at Faith, grabbed the reins to tie the horses to the back porch rail and followed Faith into the warm kitchen.
"Something smells delicious, Nellie! You haven't wasted any time today. How are our patients?" Faith inquired.
"I don't see any change from this morning, but I may be too close to them to see subtleties. Neither of them are worse, and Hans drank two cups of the honey water and a cup of chicken broth with some chicken pieces, potatoes and carrots." Nellie sounded relieved. "That is the first time he has had an appetite for anything since this happened."
"That is great news. Don't force him, but if he wants something let him enjoy it. His full appetite will return once the fever dissipates." Faith assured her. "May we go to him now?"
"Of course. The girls are milking Dolly and hopefully not bothering Jed in the barn! Let me have Pieter come back here so he doesn't have to watch the procedure."
Nellie led the way with Faith and Nathan following.
With a quick glance at Hans, Faith sought Nathan's gaze with raised eyebrows and a happy smile. She liked what she saw. As Nathan wrapped a towel over a pillow, Faith placed a thermometer in Hans's mouth and noted the time before arranging her instruments on a sterile towel she had brought.
Hovering over their patient, Nathan talked as they waited for his temperature results, suggesting work that Hans might have Jed do to assist him.
"Hmmm. This is good!" Faith jotted in her notebook, then shook down the thermometer.
Hans addressed Nathan. "I can't thank you enough, Constable. Jed has already chopped wood, repaired a broken fence around the corral and arranged the hay bales so they are more accessible for me. He has good ideas!"
"I would imagine so." Nathan chuckled. "He's run the town livery for a long time, so he knows horses, stables and barns. How long have you been farming this land and operating the orchard, Hans? I've only been here a few years."
"My Pops bought this land when I was a teenager and I learned farming from him. That was before the mine collapse and before town was called Hope Valley. My Pops grew up on a farm so he knew his stuff." Hans chuckled. "He left it to me when he went out east with my mother, but I'm the one who began the orchard."
"Really! You have delicious apples, Hans, so you are doing something right! How soon will you be ready to harvest this year?"
"I was talking to Jed about it and he brought me a sample. Maybe in two weeks?" Hans replied hopefully. "Of course everything is weather dependent on a farm!"
"Hans," Doctor Carter interjected, "I am pleased. Your fever is slightly lower even though this is the time of day when it is frequently elevated. Keep resting and drinking the fluids and soup that Nellie has fixed. Now, I'm ready to clean out the wound, if you gentlemen are prepared?"
"Sure thing." Nathan grinned at Hans and commented, "We better follow the Doctor's orders, eh?" This time, Nathan faced Faith to observe the progress as he took his position immobilizing the patient. "
While the Doctor examined Pieter's ankle afterwards, Nathan sat beside Hans and informed him of the plans for the new chicken coop. "I have a young man coming with me on Saturday morning and we should be finished in a couple hours. I have Lee finding plans, the lumber is donated and the wire is ordered. I suggested a double fence to protect the hen house and a larger and taller run. I also asked Ned to find some chickens for you so you can get started with a new flock. Ned knows the farmers that supply his Mercantile so he is the man for the job!"
"Constable! That goes above and beyond what you need to do, but I am so grateful. Thank you. Thank you so much." Clearing his throat, Hans continued. "Nellie told me about all the groceries you brought as well. I confess, we get low on supplies at this time of year until the apple harvest ripens and sells. We try to save the summer produce we've canned for winter and depend on our eggs. You have given us a great boost."
"Glad to help, Hans, but it is a Mountie's job to assist those he serves, so it is my pleasure." Nathan explained.
Whispering, Hans added, "I'm wondering if the pleasure isn't also spending time with a certain blonde doctor?" He winked and grinned to Nathan's delight.
Hans was getting better and Nathan had no problem admitting how much he was enjoying these visits and rides!
. .
"You never answered my question, Constable." Faith adjusted her straw hat. "Where are we going?"
Laughing, Nathan teased. "Back to town, Doctor. Back to town."
"Nathan… you know what I mean. What restaurant?" Faith explained, feigning exasperation.
"Can it be a surprise? I have someone working on that for me. Someone who has wonderful taste and knows the best places for dates." Nathan winked.
"Rosemary?" As Faith asked the question, Nathan was revealing his assistant.
"Rosemary!"
Dissolving into laughter, Faith choked out. "I guess the entire town will know then? Did you tell her it was a date with me?"
"Of course I did. Proud to do so too!" He winked at Faith. "She is sworn to secrecy. Well, except with Lee and Allie of course. They will be talking about us all evening I'm guessing. Allie chose to stay with them because she couldn't discuss our date with Opal!"
"I'm glad, Nathan. Allie needs women in her life in whom she can confide." Faith realized she may never have informed Nathan, so she explained. "You know when you asked if Fiona and I would be available to talk to Allie, she came to me a few times and to Fiona as well. When you were out of town in Brookfield that last time, the three of us had a tea party with Allie and Opal. It was great fun!" Faith added. "It made us both feel young again, plus it was quite informative about the various girls and boys who 'like-like' each other!"
"Oh really? I don't know where that phrase came from, but Allie is very aware of all the 'like-likes' in town, both young people and adults. No one is exempt from scrutiny, including me!" Chuckling, Nathan continued, "She probably has us figured out even before we do!"
"She does." Faith admitted quietly. "I know."
"Wait! What?" Nathan slowed Newton's gait. "What do you know?"
Batting her eyelashes, Faith only said, "Girls never tell their secrets."
"Now, just a minute." Nathan protested. "If you and I are going to date and maybe more, we are the ones to hold secrets, not you and my teenage daughter!"
"Get used to it, Nathan. Girls talk and they don't always share everything. How about I promise that what Allie and I share is more about her than you and me? I think that's fair and we still hold our relationship private and dear to our hearts. Agree?"
"I guess so… I am grateful she has you and Fiona and Rosemary to confide in, although I will miss her confessions to me… Sometimes it is difficult to realize she is growing up and away from me…"
"First, Nathan, as a daughter and a woman who was once a girl, the relationship you and Allie share is like no father-daughter dynamic I have ever seen. You two are close and wonderfully loyal, caring and concerned about each other. Allie has never spoken or even hinted that anything she discusses you don't already know. Well, maybe the physical changes a teenage girl experiences, but nothing important to her studies or goals or relationships. I'm guessing you know it all. So relax, Nathan, and be thankful for the treasure she is."
Faith sighed. "As to growing away from you? I don't think that is possible. You have sacrificed so much and invested so much of yourself into Allie that she knows, understands and will always be close to you. Even if she goes away to college or marries or has a family of her own, you Nathan are her Dad and an example of God's Fatherly love to her. She'll never outgrow that, and she is a blessed young woman to have that."
Gulping, Nathan could only say, "Thank you."
They were quiet for a while, looking at each other shyly, until Nathan asked, "You seem wistful. You've never shared about your relationship with your father, although you said that Carson helped you get back in touch. Can you tell me what happened?"
"I can and I will. I want to, Nathan, but we are almost in town and it would be easier to talk about when I am not riding. Will you please wait a bit for me to explain?" Faith held her breath because she didn't want Nathan to hear about how she had disappointed her father and went her own way against his will. She didn't think Nathan would understand that and she wanted to make sure to explain how she had changed and how sorry she was about some of her choices.
"Of course, Faith. I can wait and you can share whatever you are comfortable telling me. My opinion of you will not be changed by your past issues with your father. After all I've had my own father-issues, remember?" Nathan sat up straighter in the saddle. "Shall we go to the Livery and after taking care of the horses I can walk you home?"
"I would like that, Nathan." Faith held back her tears for this gentle, kind man. "Thank you."
. .
"I never answered your question." Nathan commented softly as he moved her hand from holding his elbow, to holding his hand. He watched to be sure she was okay with that and when she looked up at him and squeezed his hand, he knew she was fine. "Would you mind going to a really nice restaurant? I asked Rosemary to recommend one where we can dance. Is that okay?"
"You dance, Nathan?" Faith was surprised.
Chuckling Nathan admitted, "Allie is the only one in Hope Valley that knows. I never had a chance to dance here, but yes I do. I've had plenty of opportunities at Mountie Balls although usually with the wives of officers very willing to ask me to take them for a spin. I don't think all the Mounties had as good an instructor as I had and all the wives seemed happy enough!"
Faith giggled. "There are a couple things wrong with that statement, Constable. First, all the wives were in their glory dancing in your arms. I mean who wouldn't be? They probably asked their husbands to ask you to ask them!" Her laughter grew louder. "Secondly, if Allie knows about you, does she know how to dance?"
"Yes, she does. I taught her at home and we have gone on a couple Daddy-Daughter, well back then they were 'Uncle-Niece,' dates in the larger cities where I've been stationed as well as at the last Mountie Ball. She is a fine dancer, if I can be proud of my protégé!"
"But you haven't danced with her at any of the weddings or Hope Valley events. I know because Fiona and I were watching. We even hoped you would ask us!" Faith squeezed his hand. "But why not with Allie?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe I thought she would be embarrassed in front of all her friends? Maybe I was afraid to let the townsfolk know that part of their Constable? Maybe it would diminish respect for the law in town? I don't' know. I just never asked her."
"Well, I think you should. Of course I want most of the dances on the next occasion, but I will allow you a few with your daughter. I bet if you ask, her yes will be immediate! There is something you said though… something about a good instructor? Who taught you and where?"
Nathan laughed gleefully. "My mother! She was light on her feet and my, oh my! Could she and Dad glide across the living room floor! Waltzes and Scottish jigs and I don't even know the names, but Mom was good! She taught Colleen and me and we practiced plenty so Colleen could get over her two left feet. My sister was gifted at many things, but dancing was not one of them! She would step on my toes!"
"Oh poor dear…"
"Don't call Colleen a poor dear. She was determined and bold and outgoing and a charmer. She was her own worst enemy, but she was not poor. She was just clumsy!" Nathan grinned remembering. "But she was the most wonderful sister a boy could have and she was my best friend."
"Is that why you are so at ease with women, Nathan? You learned from Colleen?"
"Now that is rich! At ease? Did you ever see me around Elizabeth Thornton? A mess of tongue-tied, floundering awkwardness! It was embarrassing."
"If she didn't put you at ease, Nathan, she wasn't worth your time. I learned in Hamilton, that society girls have the worst manners and are only good at conversations that revolve around themselves. If Elizabeth had taken the time to ask questions and really listen, you might have more easily conversed with her." Faith leaned against him, reaching her free hand to hold Nathan's arm even though she kept hold of his hand. "I am grateful she didn't give you the opportunity though, Nathan, because now this moment is mine!"
A car approached as they passed Nathan's row house and headed to Faith and Fiona's. Quickly Nathan released Faith's hand and moved to walk on the road side, his arm protectively against her waist. It was a gentlemanly reflex oft practiced with Allie or any woman with whom he walked, but tonight Faith felt cherished.
. .
Contrarily, Elizabeth Thornton did not feel cherished at all. She had seen Nathan and Faith holding hands and happily focused on each other and she couldn't help comparing them with the disgruntled man who sat beside her, driving her home. For all his gentleman's attire and attempts to act the part, Lucas Bouchard never cared for her like this! Risking his own life to protect hers? She realized she had never, ever seen Lucas do that simple, gentlemanly act and it was a sobering thought.
When Lucas escorted her to her front steps, Elizabeth hurriedly kissed his cheek, waved, and opened the door to enter. She didn't invite him inside and, annoyed, Lucas turned on his heel, disappointed when he had expected a long, deep, intimate kiss from his fiancé, especially since he was leaving on a business trip in the morning.
As he drove back to town, Lucas felt a brief pang of conviction as he replayed the afternoon's argument. It was the same as always, arguing because Elizabeth wanted to know what he was doing, where he was going. with whom he was meeting and when he would return. He hated her insistence that she had a right to know. In Lucas's opinion, Elizabeth was nosey! 'I didn't tell her where I could be reached…' The thought was fleeting and quickly replaced.
'Why is it her business how I run my business? As long as I can remain solvent until the wedding, I'll be fine. Her allowance will allow me to recoup my dignity amongst my colleagues, gain status and access to riches, plus I can't wait to get her in bed.' So far his fiancé had resisted his attempts at intimacy, but once married Lucas was convinced he could have her whenever he wanted. 'That's an added bonus to the unlimited access to Thatcher wealth and prestige.' Lucas had been thinking about that intimate bonus a lot lately as their kisses made him increasingly hungry. 'We're promised, so do we even have to wait until our honeymoon?'
. .