Author's Note:
Can the honorable and humble Constable find love and happiness with someone who appreciates who he is, acknowledges his sacrifices and admires his life's calling to 'Maintain the Right?'
When the dedicated and compassionate doctor shared her desire to someday find a Mountie, did she imagine her dream might come true in a growing town in Canada's western frontier?
Through heartbreak and healing can these two friends grow a deep and abiding love for each other that encompasses a young woman who has known great loss?
Will they discover joy together in this land of Fanfiction?
In response to the challenge in the Nathan Grant Fanfiction Sunday Night Serge Facebook group, I present this story of Nathan and Faith. Thank you, Eoin, for the "MediMountie" competition challenge as I needed that to get me started on ideas I've had swirling around for a long time. Having yet to watch season 9 of WCTH, I am taking liberties with the timing of events for which I've only seen clips and edits, ignoring some happenings and 'correcting' others! Still, I hope to stay true to our characters' potential in telling their love story.
Disclaimer: The main characters belong to WCTH, Hallmark Crown Media, with some additional original characters added.
My thanks to Janette Oke, the author of books upon which the series was formerly based, and to the creators of Seasons 1-7. In my story, some situations and scenes from subsequent seasons are accepted as is, but others are included in order to be 'adjusted!' Since the Teacher became unrecognizable, making choices that are inconsistent with earlier seasons, she is a minor character in this story. Still, I hope this fanfiction is believable and enjoyable as a daydream come true
for some of us who want recognition and happiness for Nathan Grant!
Thank you for reading, Eilie
...
IN LOVING SERVICE
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Chapter One
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Mesmerized
…
'What was that?!'
Constable Nathan Grant sat on the examining table watching blonde curls bounce as the curtain swung closed, his gaze following her as it did so often. Sliding from the table to don his red serge, Nathan stretched his neck to clasp the collar's closures. As he stared at the blank ceiling above, he replayed this recent encounter with Doctor Faith Carter.
Concerned, she had asked about his headaches, explaining they might take time to disappear. The medical community was only beginning to learn about concussions, however Nathan had hoped for a different report since he still suffered these headaches weeks after being hit by a speeding vehicle.
Inquiring about his sleeping patterns the doctor's voice had been soft. Nathan had answered honestly about his concerns for Allie, but withheld information about others who oft invaded his thoughts. Yet moments ago, when they locked eyes with her further questions, he was unable to deny those thoughts or look away from those lovely blue eyes. Evidently Faith struggled to break their gaze as well because they both startled with Molly's comment regarding the readiness of the next patient. Nathan thought he caught a pink blush begin to rise as she released her hand from his shoulder and...
'There is that too! Not only the look, but the touch…'
Nathan reached up to feel his right shoulder. A warm, tingling sensation remained even though it was not the injured shoulder that Faith had touched so often during his convalescence.
'What was that?'
After buckling his strap and belt, Nathan stood silently until Molly's voice interrupted again. "Nathan, are you alright?"
Brought back to reality, Nathan grasped his Stetson and responded quickly. "Yes. Yes, I am fine. I'll be right out." He took a deep breath.
Having observed Faith's earlier blush, Molly noted that Nathan's cheeks were also flushed as he quietly spoke and saluted his goodbye. Loving all romantic possibilities and caring for both of her friends, Molly was determined to talk to Faith in private. Soon!
…
Nathan ambled to the RCMP office until he noticed students were exiting the schoolhouse. The advanced creative writing course and school chorus sessions were ending tomorrow after four weeks of class work during the summer. Adjusting his pace, he hurried to meet Allie.
Head bowed and deep in thought, Allie did not see her father's approach.
"Hey, Allie-girl! Why are you so distracted?" Nathan caught up to her, turning to walk alongside, his arm loosely draped over her shoulders. "Is everything okay?"
Glancing up at her Dad worriedly, Allie responded. "Dad? Angela told me Pastor Canfield saw two little girls wandering out on West Road. Wondering why they were out on the road by themselves, he walked them home and discovered their mother was bandaging her son's leg in the kitchen. I guess they talked a little and she offered broth, but she didn't have anything else to share. Could we bring them a meal?"
Nathan took a moment to consider how proud he was of his daughter's loving concern for those less fortunate. "Allie? I am proud of you and it is wonderful that you are so compassionate." Hesitating, he considered how to answer her. "Sometimes it is better when I stop on my regular rounds and offer whatever is in my saddlebags. Some folks are very proud and don't want to accept charity. Why don't we go home and prepare some sandwiches and cookies so I can fill my bags and visit later? Okay?"
Relieved, Allie agreed and brightened. Remembering her Dad had a check-up today, Allie inquired. "Did you visit Dr. Faith? How are you healing?"
"As well as can be expected. She said there are many things they don't know about concussions, so I guess I just have to get used to an aching head for a while longer." Nathan shrugged. "I just wish I could get more sleep."
"What would help you sleep better, Dad?"
"I'm having trouble turning off my thoughts." Wistfully, Nathan continued. "Maybe some distraction? Someone to rock me and sing me a lullaby!" He chuckled as a memory of singing a lullaby to his adorable little Allie sprung to his mind. "You know, like I used to do for you?"
Hurting for her father, Allie took the hand draped over her shoulder and held tight, vowing to herself to pray harder.
…
Within the hour Nathan trotted up the path to the Sterk farmhouse, saddlebags packed. "Hello!" He called as he dismounted and tied Newton to the porch railing. He observed the curtains move then heard young voices inside the front door after he knocked.
As the door opened, he was greeted with surprise. "Constable!" Nellie Sterk nervously scanned the yard and road behind him. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine with me." Nathan removed his hat. "I was making my rounds and decided to check on you and your family. How are you?"
Inviting the Constable into the hallway, the farmer's wife closed the door behind him after another glance outside. "Did the minister send you?"
Without hinting at advance knowledge, Nathan repeated his initial explanation about rounds and squatted down to engage the two young girls hovering behind their mother. "Hello, little ladies! You remind me of my daughter. She wears her hair plaited the same as you!" Nathan smiled and with twinkling eyes asked. "Let me guess. I think you are six years old and you are…" He placed his hand on his chin, thinking. "I think you are eight! Am I right?"
Giggling, the oldest girl admitted. "I turn eight this Friday! How old is your girl?"
"Allie is fourteen." Looking into their mother's face Nathan found no hesitation so he proceeded. "What are your names?"
"I'm Marit and this is Anna," Marit admitted softly.
"Good afternoon, Anna, and an early Happy Birthday wish to you, Marit." Standing again, Nathan inquired about Mr. Sterk even as he noticed a young boy peek around the hall doorway.
Instructing her daughters to return to play in the kitchen, Nellie motioned for Nathan to follow her into the front room. "This is my son, Pieter, and you know my husband, Hans?"
Upon entering, Nathan noticed the man's feverish flush and glazed eyes but first addressed the boy who shrank back and limped to a chair. "Hello, young man, I am Constable Grant." Nathan stepped towards him, reaching to shake the boy's hand. "I'm glad to meet you."
Pieter shook his hand, nodded and looked down.
Nathan quickly made his way to the sofa and calmly greeted the farmer by name. "Hello, Hans. Constable Grant here. You look uncomfortable and I am so sorry. Is there anything I..."
Moving to her husband's side, Nellie interrupted. "Hans and Pieter were trapping and when Pieter fell over a log, Hans accidently cut his leg on the empty trap. They were gone all day yesterday and finally made it home in the evening. He has been getting worse ever since."
"May I please examine his wound? I have some supplies in my saddle bag if we need to dress it again." As Nellie nodded, she lifted the bottom of the blanket revealing a red and puffy gash that was barely covered by the rags wrapping his calf. "I'll be right back."
Reentering the home, Nathan knelt and unpacked one saddlebag to get to the medical kit he carried. "This is going to sting, Hans, but we need to cleanse that gash and loosely bandage it with sterile gauze. I think you need a doctor, but this will help until she can get here." As an afterthought, Nathan questioned, "Have you had the tetanus vaccination?"
Answering in a low tone, Nellie admitted that none of the family had had a shot.
…
Completing his treatment, Nathan asked to wash his hands in the sink. Back in the front room, he held up a few sandwiches. "Can you make use of these? I was planning to be out longer, but I need to return for the doctor immediately so I won't need these." He rummaged in the other saddlebag and produced another sandwich and a packet of cookies. "You're welcome to the cookies as well. You probably haven't had time to start supper while nursing your menfolk."
With a quick glance at her son, Nellie accepted. "If you are sure, Sir? We would be glad for them. Thank you."
"No problem." Nathan stood and lifted his saddle bags over his shoulder. "Keep soothing Hans with cool cloths and sips of water and I will return as soon as I can." Nodding at Pieter he added. "You and your Mom and sisters enjoy the sandwiches, eh?"
…
Praying as he galloped into town, Nathan halted Newton in front of the Doctor's Office. Having heard the hurried hoof beats, Faith opened the door as Nathan was ready to knock and enter. They collided, chuckling. "What's wrong, Nathan?"
"Oops! Sorry." With a quick explanation, Nathan asked Faith to gather her supplies, and to bring a tetanus vaccination if she had one, while he hurried to ask Rosemary to inform Allie of his delay. "I'll bring a horse for you." By the time he saddled Faith's horse, she was ready and the Doctor and Mountie galloped to the Sterk farmstead.
Along the way Nathan shared what he knew and what he observed. "I've seen this before and, since infection is what we hope to avoid, I cleaned the wound with hydrogen peroxide. I defer to your expertise though, Faith, and I'll be there if you need anything."
…
Alarmed at the pale face of her patient, Nellika Sterk, Faith nevertheless patted her arm as they entered the front parlor while directing her attention to Nellie's husband. Lifting the blanket, Faith made an instant diagnosis.
"Nellie? I need to treat this." Glancing at the three worried children, Faith introduced herself. "I am going to work on your daddy's injury, so maybe we can talk a bit afterwards?"
Nathan placed a comforting hand on Nellie's shoulder and asked if the children could stay in another room.
As Nellie agreed, Faith addressed Nathan. "Can you cover that pillow with a towel and slide it under his leg?" With quiet confidence, she addressed the farmer as she opened her doctor's bag. "Hans, you have quite the gash and it is deep. I am sorry but it will hurt more before it begins to heal. I have to cleanse the infection from the inside and treat with antiseptic again." Turning to Nellie, she requested a basin of boiled water, clean towels and a clean, damp wash cloth.
Upon Nellie's return, Faith instructed. "Please hold the end of the cloth between your husband's front teeth so he can bite down? And please sit so you don't have to watch." Faith looked grimly at Nathan as she tied her white apron and put on surgical gloves. "Can you hold Hans' hand and keep him still? You may have to lean on him."
Nodding, Nathan moved into position between Nellie and Faith, preparing to assist as requested. He was grateful he was there as Hans struggled, tightly gripping his hand and moaning. From his vantage point, leaning his upper body weight and arm over the patient's chest, Nathan watched as the doctor carefully cleaned the infection from deep in the wound and sterilized it again.
…
Once Hans was bandaged with sterile gauze, Faith explained that she needed to administer a tetanus vaccine to prevent lockjaw. Quickly giving the shot before anyone could protest, Faith gave similar instructions as Nathan had. "I would prefer he was in my clinic, Nellie, but I don't want to move him. Are you alright nursing him overnight with cool cloths? I can ask my nurse to come out here, if you need her?"
"I'll be okay. I don't think I would sleep if he was with you, any more than I will right here at home." Nellie added. "Thank you though."
"I will give him a tablet for pain now and if he is in pain at four o'clock in the morning you may give him this second tablet. I will return early tomorrow morning to check on you both. Try to nap a bit, Nellie? You need to care for yourself too." Faith's compassion was both seen and heard. "Could you sit in that armchair with your legs raised, please? Maybe Nathan can move it closer to the sofa?"
Quietly Nellie agreed, standing to take the basin of used supplies from Nathan so he could relocate the furniture.
"Please let me wash these items, while the doctor examines Pieter's ankle?" Nathan spoke quietly. "Your presence may reassure him that what happened is not his fault and you'll want instructions to help him as well." Taking back the soiled supplies, Nathan added. "I'll send him in with water for Hans to take the pill."
Finding that Pieter's ankle was sprained, but nothing was broken, Faith wrapped it again and complimented Nellie on her bandaging. "You wrapped this perfectly, Nellie. Now, I ask that you stay off of your ankle as much as possible, okay Pieter? If you are sitting, place your foot on a stool and in bed, place a pillow under it please?"
Pieter nodded his agreement as Nellie spoke up. "I'll remind him, Doctor. Thank you."
"While the Constable finishes with the supplies, may I speak to you in private for a moment, Nellie? Maybe outside?"
Reluctant, Nellie agreed and stepped towards the door.
"I want you to prepare a cup of hot water mixed with a spoonful of honey and help Hans sip it, please?" Faith instructed. "Even if it gets cool, that honey is a good antibiotic to get into his system."
Outside on the front steps and with the door closed, Faith whispered instructions for Nellie to follow for herself. "You seem very pale, Nellie. That could be from your worry and care for your family, but it is important for you to eat properly to maintain your health and strength. Have you eaten today?"
Blushing, Nellie let her gaze fall. "I had one half of a sandwich that the Constable left behind."
"Please finish the other half?" Faith paused, searching her eyes. "Do you need groceries, Nellie? I can bring some with me when I visit in the morning. Would you allow me to ease your burden and help you with that?"
"I wouldn't ask you to do that… I don't want to bother you…"
"If you need to feed your family, Nellie, you should ask! In this case I offered and it is no bother. I will make sure to include some iron-rich items for you as well." Suddenly realizing this was a farm, Faith exclaimed, "Has anyone fed the animals today?"
Her gaze now watery, Nellie admitted, "The girls helped me this morning…"
"Let's go back inside and the Constable and I will tend to the animals before we depart. You have your nursing duties to attend to!" Faith grinned. "Doctor's orders, Nellika Sterk!" Faith patted the woman's shoulder then, motioning for the woman to go first, Faith followed her.
…
Roles reversed in the barn, Nathan took charge and Faith assisted. "I was raised in Hamilton, so I confess I only ride horses from the livery and they are already saddled and cared for. I am good at following instructions though, Nathan."
"Good. I'll muck out the stalls, if you can refill the water troughs please?" He pointed towards a bucket and the pump. "You okay with that?" Noticing Faith's hesitation, he motioned for her to follow him and showed her the best way to accomplish the task before quickly returning to the stalls.
A timid voice interrupted them. "Excuse me? Mommy told me to milk Dolly and ask if you could carry in the pail for me?"
"I would be glad to, Marit. Do you need any help getting started?" Nathan smiled kindly as Marit shook her head.
With the stalls clean, Nathan showed Faith how to brush and talk to the horses. "You pet them and gently brush their heads and necks. I'll take care of their middle and hind quarters, then we can prepare their feed." With an even tone as they completed their tasks, Nathan kept up a quiet conversation with Faith and the horses causing Faith to marvel at Nathan's gentleness and running commentary. This was a side of a shy and quiet Nathan Grant that was both new and intriguing!
Unaware that Marit was watching from the doorway, Faith suddenly started. "Oh, sweet child! I didn't see you there. Are you finished with Dolly?"
With Nathan carrying the milk pail, Faith and Marit held hands as they returned to the house. Seeing that the boiled rinse water had cooled, Nathan volunteered to hang the towels and rags on the porch clothesline before the Mountie and Doctor departed.
...
