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Chapter Nine

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The Date Begins!

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Allie hopped down the steps of the Mercantile and got into the front seat of Henry's automobile. Glancing at the back seat, she examined the flowers, exclaiming excitedly as Nathan got into the driver's seat. "Dad! You chose beautiful flowers! Pink is perfect! And roses? Wow. I wish I was Doctor Faith!" Examining her father as he pulled the car onto Main Street and turned towards the row houses, Allie nodded her approval. "You look sharp, Dad. There's just one thing you know, that top button."

"I knew you would remind me, so I decided for a few extra moments of comfort until I had to button-up. Remind me at home, please?" Keeping his eyes on the road, Nathan continued. "I didn't even ask you before, but did you pack an overnight bag to take to Aunt Rosie's and Uncle Lee's?"

"I'm all set and, yes, I packed a dress for church tomorrow. I want to quickly change my clothes, before I collect my bag." Allie grinned. "Did you take care of Prince?"

"I did. I'll let him out when I get back from Benson Hills, but he's all set for now. Let me tell you that cake looks tremendous! I can't wait for you to make that next week as you promised. You made that all by yourself?"

"Well, Doctor Faith helped. We talked a lot and then once she saw how it turned out, she left to get ready for tonight. She said that Fiona is fixing her hair, so I want to see her before you go. She is already beautiful, so I can only imagine her all dressed up! Oh, just so you know for the future, Dad, she doesn't wear a lot of jewelry because of her job, but she does wear earrings."

"Ah ha! Anything else that might be helpful to know?"

"I'll have to think about it. We talked about so many different things! We laughed a lot too!"

"Oh? I am sorry I missed that! Here we are, Honey." Nathan opened the front door for Allie who hurried upstairs while he returned to the vehicle for a rose he had purchased for her."

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Nathan stood at the bottom of the stairs holding out the beautiful pink blossom as she descended.

"Dad! You didn't pull that from Doctor Faith's bouquet did you?"

Laughing Nathan grinned. "No, Miss Grant. I called Mrs. Yost and ordered some extra flowers as a thank you for Aunt Rosie and bought this for you! You are so sweet to be willing to sleep over so I don't have to worry while I am so far away. I thought you deserved a little something too."

Taking the rose and inhaling its sweetness, Allie reached up on tiptoe to kiss her Dad's cheek. "Thank you. You are the best. Let me… Oh! You already got out a vase!"

"I did. Sorry you have to leave it behind now, but it will be here tomorrow when you return." Nathan placed the cake in a basket and headed towards the door. "Are we ready?"

"Dad? Aren't you forgetting something?" She motioned to his neck.

"Oh! Allie! Thank you so much! At least on this first date I don't want Faith to have to remind me about my tie or button! Whew! You deserve more roses for that!" Before he picked up the basket again, Nathan opened his arms to his daughter. "You're the best, Honey."

Giggling, Allie just said, "I know!"

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"Take your time, Dad. I'm fine waiting here." Allie spoke from the back seat, waving her father out of the car.

Nathan held his bouquet for Faith, looked down to check if his tie was straight, and took a deep breath. 'Knock, knock…'

"Hello, Nathan. Come in." Faith whispered softly as she stepped aside to let him in, taking the roses from Nathan's outstretched hand. "These are beautiful and I love pink. Thank you."

Rendered temporarily speechless, Nathan couldn't even say hello! When he recovered he explained, "Ah, pardon me, Faith, but you are stunning tonight. I'm left struggling for words!"

With his signature half smile and twinkling blue eyes, Faith was finding it difficult to take her eyes off him to go find a vase.

Coming downstairs, Fiona saw them both and laughed. "Hello, you two. Oh, those flowers are gorgeous! Let's use the vase that was on the table, Faith? I'll cut what's left of that old arrangement to fit a smaller vase. You two beautiful people go and enjoy your evening." Fiona smirked at Nathan and commented. "And thank you for the flowers, Nathan. Very thoughtful!"

Their tongue-tied moments dissolved by Fiona's comment, Nathan and Faith laughed and were once again at ease.

"No problem, Fiona, enjoy! Are you heading out on a date yourself this evening?" Nathan helped Faith with her wrap as he spoke.

"Not as elegant as yours, but we'll dine at the Café tonight." Fiona brought the vase to their dining table. "I'll leave the light on, Faith! Have fun."

"You too, Fiona. See you in the morning." Faith waved and took Nathan's arm.

"Allie's in the back seat and we'll drop her off at the Coulters then be on our way."

"Oooo! Doctor Faith, you look beautiful! Your hair is so pretty and that blue is perfect on you. Everyone in the restaurant will be admiring you. I can hear it now. 'Oh, this stunning couple that just walked in… Oh! They are waltzing around the room… Oh! So sweet… Oh!..'."

While the ladies giggled, Nathan pulled up to the Coulter's house. "Oh, Allie Grant! You are too much! Let me get your tote and the cake and you bring the flowers please?"

"Sure. Really, Doctor Faith, have a wonderful time with Dad." Allie turned to wink at Faith as she approached the steps. "We'll talk tomorrow!"

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"Your overnight guest is here, Rosemary!" Nathan announced as they knocked then opened the door and entered. "I can't vouch for her dessert since I was prohibited from even the tiniest taste. It looks great though. Have fun together tonight and I will meet you at church after my rounds, Honey." Nathan kissed the top of Allie's head. "Love you, Allie-girl!"

Looking up as Rosemary stood inhaling the fragrance of roses, Nathan added. "Thanks again for your hospitality and have a great night."

"Thank you for these, Nathan. We'll have fun I know, and you and Faith enjoy your evening as well. You'll have to tell me how you like the Queen Victoria."

"We will. Bye now!"

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Nathan got into the driver's seat and took a deep breath before chuckling at Faith. He took her hand and spoke earnestly. "Please forgive my lack of words when you opened the door? You really are beautiful and, although that blue is perfection on you, your beauty is inside as well. To me, you are sunshine!" Squeezing her hand, he added. "It is my honor to accompany you tonight and to get to know more of Faith Carter."

"Oh, Nathan. Thank you. You are a beautiful soul inside and handsome on the outside. No matter whether in your uniform or casual clothing I can't get enough of looking at you!"

Suddenly laughing again, Nathan managed to say something about being "…smitten like a couple of teenagers!" He started the vehicle and they were off to Benson Hills.

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On the road, Nathan decided to continue a topic they had previously postponed. "Since we have some uninterrupted time ahead of us, Faith, could you tell me about your relationship with your father?"

Faith glanced out of the window as she considered where to begin. With a deep breath she spoke quietly. "My father wanted me to settle down, marry, and give him grandchildren. There is nothing wrong with that. I want that too, but he was old-fashioned and that, unfortunately, was all he wanted for me. He didn't understand a girl with ambition or a desire to continue my education. I was strong-willed and, I mean that in a negative, unwilling-to-listen-way… Without his permission, I enrolled in nursing school with a scholarship. I was good in school and again, he thought that was not as important as knowledge about cooking and running a household." Faith chuckled. "I think that was part of why I resisted learning to cook when I was younger, though I eventually realized it was a handy skill to have if I wanted to eat!"

Glancing over at Nathan, Faith questioned, "Have you heard that I cannot cook?"

Nathan grinned. "I believe I have. Is it true?"

"No. I can cook just fine, nevertheless I don't always like to cook! Especially just for me! I think my frequent meals at the Café or Saloon, make people think I am inept in the kitchen!"

"Anyway, I took advanced medical courses and, when I graduated with my nursing degree, my father refused to acknowledge it. Actually it got so bad that we stopped speaking. I shared a flat with a couple other nurses and worked in a hospital in Hamilton. I loved it. I confess that I learned to work with people in that position. You see so much pain and struggle and I learned compassion and empathy and how to value each person and really listen. That's where I met Jack Thornton. Did you know that?"

"Jack was in the hospital? Was he injured?"

"Oh, no. His brother, Tom, was the patient and I was his nurse. I got to know them both when Jack visited. I overheard him talking about Hope Valley and I began to think becoming a nurse on the frontier might be a welcome challenge, especially because I had broken my engagement with Peter by then. My father liked Peter, so that was another bone of contention. Actually, it was less a challenge than an escape. Jack had said Hope Valley was growing and would be grateful for a nurse if I ever wanted to go west."

"Were you interested in Jack?"

"For a fleeting moment, sure. I have always admired Mounties and wanted to find one of my own!" Faith gave a brief laugh. "That sounds terrible. But it is the truth!" Serious again, she continued. "I admire the caliber of man who desires to serve others."

"One day I gave my notice at the hospital, packed my bags, waved goodbye to Hamilton and took the train to Hope Valley! Upon arrival, I went directly to the mayor's office and Abigail was thrilled to have me. I soon became the official medical person in town which caused me to stretch my abilities with book knowledge and common sense!"

"Eventually Carson was cooking in the Café and broke his rib, not there though! When I treated him I discovered he was a physician who gave up medicine after his wife died on the operating table. He was the surgeon and although he said what happened could have happened on the street or at home, she died in his care and her family blamed him. They were unaware that she had a brain tumor and Carson lost confidence. Grief-stricken, he left medicine entirely and then left town. Under duress, he agreed to operate on Cody Stanton as we were certain he had appendicitis. He saved the little boy's life and Cody saved Carson's too! So, Carson became the doctor and I the nurse."

"While working together, he learned of my estrangement from my father and got in touch with him. After he arranged for me to talk to Dad on the telephone, I ended up returning to Hamilton to spend time with and assist my father, before coming back here. So that is the long saga of my father and me! We are fine now, although very aware of the time we missed." Faith grew thoughtful, then added, "This is why I am so happy to see your closeness with Allie. The two of you will never experience the separation that my father and I have known."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Faith, but thank you for sharing. Does he acknowledge your accomplishments now?"

"Oh yes! Now he tells anyone who will listen all about his daughter, the Doctor!"

"Having observed your skills and bed-side manner this week, your father can be justifiably proud of you, Faith. I sure am. You are a wonderful physician." Nathan glanced at Faith as he put his arm over the seat preparing to park. "I mean that, Faith."

With glistening eyes, Faith thanked Nathan softly.

Pulling into a parking spot just down the street from the restaurant, Nathan exclaimed excitedly. "Here we are!"

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Entering the Queen Victoria arm-in-arm, Faith took in the dark maroon wall-coverings, walnut woods, fresh floral arrangements and dimmed sconces in the hallway. "This place is beautiful, Nathan! I already know I need to thank Rosemary for her recommendation."

Stepping up to the Maître De, Nathan spoke quietly, "Reservations for two under Grant, please?"

"Ah, yes, Constable. Doctor. Please follow me right this way."

Looking at each other with surprise, they both whispered to each other, "Rosemary!"

"Is this acceptable, Sir?" The Maître De motioned to a corner booth. "The woman that called requested our best and most private table."

"Yes, Sir. This is wonderful. Thank you." As he stood by while Faith slid into the corner booth, Nathan asked, "Am I correct in assuming that this woman also told you our titles?"

"Yes, Sir. Ma'am. She told me you wouldn't want anyone to know, but she wanted me to know this is an important occasion so you deserved the best." The gentleman handed a leather-bound menu to Faith and then to Nathan. "May I get anything for you while you make your choices?"

Looking for Faith's approval Nathan saw her nod. "A pot of tea and glasses of water for each of us for now, please? Thank you."

"My pleasure. Please take your time." The Maître De bowed, backing away as he admired the stunning couple, thinking. 'Have I ever seen such crystal blue eyes? And is this blonde beauty really a doctor?'

Neither Nathan nor Faith noticed the appreciative glances that followed them as they crossed the restaurant, but from their vantage point in the high-backed, velvet-cushioned booth, they were no longer in any patron's line of sight and were grateful for the privacy.

Nathan leaned over the closed menus and whispered, "Doesn't this remind you of Abigail's Café? So quiet and private?" He gave his signature half-smile and his eyes twinkled in the candlelight. As Faith began to chuckle, Nathan added. "I mean both establishments are named after women!" He sat back and waited.

"Oh Nathan! Wait until I tell Allie that one. She'll be mortified that you are making Dad jokes in such an elegant place." Faith tried not to smile, but was unsuccessful. She chuckled, loving Nathan's humor.

Then again, was there anything Faith Carter didn't love about Nathan Grant?

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