Chapter 5: Just the Beginning
The next day, as Nathan came back from doing his afternoon rounds, he saw Faith and Mei behind the pharmacy offloading a wagon full of supplies. He waved to them, and Mei waved back in response while Faith smiled at him. Allie who was playing nearby, saw the exchange and walked over to her father.
"What you need to do is go over there and ask her about fishing. Waving won't get you anywhere you know." Allie commented sarcastically.
Nathan chuckled, shook his head and said, "Allie, I promise you, this will not be a repeat of the experience with Mrs. Thornton. I will speak with Dr. Carter about fishing. What are you up to anyway?"
Allie rolled her eyes and replied, "I'm just playing with the Canfields, but our ball came this direction . Okay, I'll trust you, but ask her soon!" Then she ran off and joined Angela and Cooper across the field.
Nathan took Newton back to the livery and as he headed back to the Mountie office, he glanced back over in the direction that he last saw Faith. The two women were done at that point and nowhere in sight, but the wagon was still sitting outside. Nathan sighed, resolving to do some paperwork first and then try make his way over to the infirmary before it closed. If not, there was always the next day.
After he got through what seemed like a mountain of paperwork, Nathan stood from his desk and stretched his lean body. He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. He looked at the clock knowing that his conversation with Faith would have to wait until tomorrow.
After rounds and paperwork the following day, he headed towards the infirmary, on a mission. As he arrived, he once again inhaled and exhaled slowly, mustering up the courage to go inside.
"Why does this always seem to be the hardest part?" Nathan thought to himself as he climbed the stairs and opened the door to the infirmary.
As he walked in, Faith looked up from her work at her desk, smiled brightly as Nathan got lost for a moment in her gaze. Molly seeing the exchange between the two, stood from her desk and walked towards the door.
She stopped at where Nathan was standing at the door, looked back at Faith and then again at Nathan with their eyes still locked on one another. Molly shook her head, chuckled and said, "I am going to go to the mercantile. Do you need anything?"
Hearing Molly's question, Faith's trance was broken. She blushed and then responded, "Oh, no I don't think so Molly, but thank you for offering."
Molly nodded, patted Nathan's shoulder and then exited.
"Good afternoon, Nathan! Can I help you with anything?" Faith said smiling at Nathan as she gestured for him to take a seat across from her desk.
Nathan sat down and smiled at her as he fidgeted with his campaign hat. After a moment, he looked into Faith's blue eyes and said, "Faith, I stopped by today because Allie and I were wondering if you'd like to go fishing with us? We were thinking we could go fishing and then afterwards, Allie and I could make you dinner."
Faith's face lit up even more with the question as her heart pounded a little faster in her chest. "This must mean Allie approves like Fiona thought she would." Faith thought to herself.
"Nathan, I would love to join you and Allie fishing! I haven't been since …" Faith started to say and then stopped herself, her smile fading a little.
Nathan sighed and responded, "You haven't been since Carson. Would that be too painful of a memory?"
Faith instantly shook her head in response and said, "No, not at all. I'm sorry for my response just then. It's just that as I was answering you, I realized when the last time was that I went. I think going with you and Allie would be truly wonderful and I'm so honored to be asked! I know that your fishing trips are special to both of you."
Nathan smiled as he studied Faith's delicate features. He was excited that she had accepted and knew how special fishing was to both him and Allie.
"Allie came up with the idea and I thought it was great! What do you say we plan on it first thing Saturday morning. We can pick you up if you'd like, say about 8 o'clock?" Nathan said as he shifted slightly in his chair.
Faith smiled, nodded as she wrote something down and responded, "Sounds like a plan! And now it's on my calendar!"
Nathan smiled as he stood to leave but then he stopped halfway to the door and turned.
"Faith, I'm heading to the cafe for some lunch. Would you like to join me?" Nathan asked.
Faith, pleasantly surprised at the question, said with a big smile, "That sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm starving! Let me just write Molly a note and we can go."
The pair walked out of the infirmary and over to the cafe. They chatted freely as they ate their meal. It wasn't until Allie walked into the cafe and over to them that they were even aware of the time.
"Well, I was wondering where you might have been, but I guess this answers that question." Allie said to Nathan with a teasing smile on her face.
"Hi Dr. Carter! How are you doing?" Allie added as she looked at the town doctor.
With flushed cheeks, Faith replied to the young teen, "Hi there Allie! I'm doing well. Thank you so much for thinking of the fishing trip! I'm so excited that I get to join you both on Saturday!"
Allie's face lit up in response and she let out a small squeal. "Oh, I can't wait! You'll love our fishing spot! And I have to say, Dad fries up the best fish afterwards!" Allie said excitedly.
Faith giggled in response and said, "It sounds wonderful! Thank you for including me! I used to love fishing with my brothers when I was younger! I was actually quite good at it if I say so myself!"
"I knew there was a reason that I liked you." Allie said as she winked and smiled.
"Well, I've got to go. Emily and Opal are waiting for me. I was trying to find this one to ask him a question." Allie said as she gestured towards her father.
They all chuckled and Nathan asked his daughter what she needed. Allie went on to explain that Emily and Opal were asking if she could join them spending time over at Emily's before dinner that night. Nathan approved it and Allie hugged her father tightly. Before she left, Allie went over to Faith and hugged her.
Surprised at first, Faith wrapped her arms around the young girl in response. Nathan smiled watching the scene before him.
After Allie had gone off, Faith said, "As much as I have enjoyed this time Nathan, I really should be getting back to the office."
Without even thinking, Nathan reached over and put his hand over Faith's and said, "I've enjoyed our time too Faith. I'll walk you back to the infirmary."
Faith looked down at Nathan's hand on top of her own and then into his crystal blue eyes. The butterflies were fluttering about in her stomach as she smiled in response.
When the two reached the infirmary, they paused at the door. Faith turned to fully face Nathan. He was looking down at her smiling.
"Faith, I have to be honest with you. I am interested in you and if I am reading things correctly, I think that you're interested as well. I'm wondering if you would consider the idea of us courting one another to see where this goes?" Nathan boldly asked as he waited for her response.
Faith took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This was not what she expected in the slightest as she said goodbye to Nathan that afternoon. She put her hand to her stomach trying to settle the butterflies now swarming around in double time.
After a moment of silence, Nathan took a deep breath and said, "I tell you what - why don't you think about it, and you can let me know."
He was about to turn and walk away and Faith put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Nathan, you've got to give a girl a moment to process that news before you expect an answer you know." Faith said as she smiled up at him.
She took a big breath, blushed a little bit as she slowly removed her hand from his arm and looked intently up at him.
"You're not wrong Nathan, I am interested. I'm a little nervous too if I'm being honest. But you know what, life is short and I'm willing to see where this goes. So, yes! Yes, I would like to see where this thing goes with us." Faith said as she waited and studied Nathan's face in the process.
Nathan slowly let out the breath that he'd been holding as a wide grin spread across his face. He leaned in and quickly and gently kissed Faith's cheek.
"Now, I'm really looking forward to Saturday. We will talk soon." Nathan said as he pulled away before he turned to return to the Mountie office.
Faith simply nodded her head and smiled. With that, Nathan left and walked away. She opened the door, walked inside, and closed the door behind her as she leaned against touching her hand to her cheek.
Molly looked at her, shook her head and said, "Well I take it by that look and the time you've been gone that your date with our dear Constable went well."
Faith blushed as her face lit up and she simply nodded. She returned to desk and started writing. Molly watched her intently for a few minutes and then she finally got up and walked to Faith's desk.
Before she could say anything, Fiona bounded in and made a beeline straight for Faith's desk as well.
"Ok Faith Carter, spill! I caught a glimpse of that exchange outside and watched Nathan as he returned from it. He's on cloud nine. What happened?" Fiona asked as she crossed her arms in front of her.
The two women waited as Faith sat at her desk beaming and giggling. After a moment, she composed herself enough to stop and she placed a hand to her cheek.
"We are going to give whatever this is between us a chance. Nathan asked and I said yes, then he kissed my cheek." Faith said glancing shyly up at her two friends.
"I knew it! I told you Faith! Oh, my goodness, I'm so happy for you!" Fiona exclaimed as she made her way around the desk and embraced her friend.
"Faith, I'm happy for you! I knew it was a matter of time with you two. I could tell earlier when I left." Molly said as she joined the others.
After the women broke apart, Faith looked at her two friends and said, "I've never been so nervous and excited in my life! Im going fishing with both him and Allie on Saturday."
The friends continued to talk for several minutes until the next patient walked in. Fiona gave Faith a quick hug goodbye. Faith and Molly went about their day as usual. But Faith had a glow to her face and a pep to her step after that.
Down the street, Nathan was whistling as he sat at his desk working. It had been a great day and he was excited about what lay ahead for him and Faith. He was thankful that this time, he was bold enough to follow his instincts.
