Chapter 19- Patched Together
Following the wildfire, fall had quickly moved into the valley. Cooler temperatures and renewed ambitions had seemed to put an extra skip in everyone's step, most of all Charlotte's.
While she still had dark days and some nightmares, teaching her class and becoming a valued member of this community, seemed to help heal her battered heart. That and spending more and more time with Allie and Nathan.
Since their day in the infirmary, the trio spent almost any free moment together. Picking out books in the library, riding their horses, fishing, going to church, and a more recent development, weekly Sunday dinners at Allie and Nathan's house.
Neither Charlotte nor Nathan had put a term to their newfound relationship. They didn't need to say they were courting. They didn't need to say they were involved. Because they both knew what they were building could not be defined by those simple terms. It could not be constrained to the normal box that new love so often found itself being placed in. Charlotte also knew that if she were to admit what she was feeling for Nathan out loud, there would be no turning back. And she still wasn't sure if she could be the woman Nathan needed in a wife.
Nathan and Allie were so incredibly patient with Charlotte. Neither one pushed her to be anyone other than who she was at the moment. Never asking for more. But since the day at the infirmary Charlotte's smiles came easier around Nathan.
Charlotte had recently worked up the courage to where she and Nathan could sit beside one another on the back steps of their houses in the mornings. Sipping on their cups of coffee together while Allie was still in bed. Watching the steam from their mugs join together with the misty chill of the dawn's low light that surrounded them. They would not discuss much on those mornings. Instead, blissfully happy in the mundane action of just being present with one another before the rest of the world decided to wake.
Occasionally, Charlotte would feel comfortable enough to reach over and take Nathan's hand like she had the day of Elizabeth's wedding. Weaving their fingers together so effortlessly it was hard for Nathan to remember it did not come without incredible thought and consideration on Charlotte's part. The connection, simple, but important for them to share.
How often as the mornings turned colder and winter moved in did Nathan wish he could wrap them together under a blanket and hold Charlotte closer, their bodies creating heat from the contact. Nathan envisioned keeping his nose warm pressed against her skin as his lips would explore along Charlotte's neck to where her collarbone met the edge of the blouse she wore. Nathan physically having to shake his head on those mornings to thwart the ideas that too easily crept into his mind. He had to take this slow.
Charlotte stooped down to place another log into her wood burning stove, visions of Nathan splitting them this summer floated into her thoughts. If the fire was not going to keep her warm, those visions were guaranteed to do the trick.
She straightened and turned to take in the view of the first floor of her house. Still very bare and lacking the hints of a home she so desperately wished she could create. No pictures hung on the walls or sat on the table. No pretty lamps or homemade quilts to decorate with.
The space especially seemed vacant with Christmas coming. There was no tree in the living room, topped with her dad's Christmas angel. No family heirloom decorations. She wondered what had happened to her mother's Christmas dishes that she would display proudly in a china hutch every December. Just more family memories she had left behind in her past life. A twinge of loss floating into Charlotte's soul.
Smells of Charlotte's famous Sunday pot roast brought her back to the present. She should get it over to Nathan and Allie's for dinner. Charlotte quickly packed it and a few other necessities in a basket, pulled on her wool coat and made the short journey to her neighbors.
Allie greeted her warmly at the door, "That smells amazing! Roast beef?"
"Of course!" Charlotte said smiling in return as Allie helped her with the basket, while Charlotte hung her coat on the rack next to Nathan and Allie's.
Allie had taken the basket to the kitchen table next to where Nathan was standing by the stove. Charlotte had given him the task of making the mashed potatoes for their meal but given the appearance of the soupy mixture Nathan was currently stirring, she wasn't sure if that was her best idea.
"Hi," Charlotte said, coming up to Nathan, peering over his shoulder.
"I hope they taste better than they look," Nathan said as he pulled the wooden spoon up causing his concoction to un-appetizingly plop back into the pot below.
"I'm sure they will be delicious. I have yet to meet a potato I didn't like." Charlotte smiled reassuringly before turning back towards Allie, scrunching her nose in concern. Allie muffling a laugh.
Nathan was finishing off his second slice of Charlotte's apple pie after dinner, when Allie asked, "So when are we going to pick out our Christmas trees."
"Trees?" Charlotte questioned.
"Yeah! One for your house and one for ours."
"Allie, I don't have any decorations. I had to leave them all behind in Potter's Creek. So there really isn't a need for two trees this Christmas."
"I'll make you some decorations!" Allie responded joyfully.
"She's right." Nathan agreed. "You deserve a Christmas tree just like everyone else."
Charlotte smiled at their kindness, "Well okay. If you say so. How about Thursday after class gets out?"
"That will work." Nathan answered. "I will just be getting back from Union City that afternoon. Which reminds me, would you mind Allie staying a couple days with you while I'm out of town?"
Charlotte and Allie's eyes glanced sideways at each other. Big smiles forming across their faces. "I don't think that will be a problem." Charlotte answered.
After school on Wednesday, Charlotte and Allie made their way to the mercantile to collect some supplies in preparation for their tree expedition and decorating party. They had to get popcorn, cranberries, and string for the garland. Ribbon, jute, and paint for the decorations. A few oranges to slice and dry for ornaments. And then ingredients to make cinnamon cut outs for the tree.
As they were finishing filling their baskets, Rosemary's voice called out to them. "Allie! Charlotte! What are you two shopping for today?"
"Since Uncle Nathan is in Union City tonight, Ms. Thompson and I are buying supplies for homemade Christmas ornaments to go on her tree that we will pick out tomorrow." Allie beamed.
"That's exciting. I'm sure it will be the perfect tree." Rosemary said before turning to Charlotte, "Charlotte, that reminds me. I have something I need to drop off at your house tonight. Will you be home a little later?"
"We will. Once Allie and I get done here we are heading back to my place to start the ornament making." Charlotte smiled, placing a hand on Allie's shoulder.
"Great. I will see you two later." Rosemary replied as she hurried back out the door of the mercantile.
With Charlotte's guidance over the past few months, Allie was becoming quite adept around the kitchen. The two worked at slicing the oranges before placing them on a baking sheet in the oven to dry. Then Allie was put to work mixing the dough for the cinnamon ornaments, while Charlotte popped the kernels of corn for the garland strings. In no time at all, they were ready to start forming the cinnamon cut outs. Charlotte rolling the dough while Allie made each ornament with a variety of Christmas cookie cutters on loan from Minnie. A star, bell, and gingerbread man.
They had fallen into an easy rhythm when Allie broke the silence, "So. Ms. Thompson. Do you like Uncle Nathan?"
Charlotte continued rolling the dough in front of her and did not look up. "Of course, Allie. I like everyone in Hope Valley."
"But do you like-like him?"
"Like-like? What does that even mean?" Charlotte questioned, still not diverting her eyes from the task at hand.
"You know. Like-like!"
"Allie. I don't think I understand what you are asking." Charlotte responded, now setting down the rolling pin to look at Allie.
Allie rolled her eyes in exasperation. Adults never understood.
"Do you love him? I mean we all spend so much time together…"
"Allie. It is not as simple as that. I care a lot... About you and your Uncle Nathan." Charlotte moved now to the other side of the table and took Allie's dough-covered hands into her own. "I won't lie to you. Every day I wake up and wonder what it would be like being a family. Being your mom. Being Nathan's wife. But Allie, given my past…"
A forlorn expression crossed Allie's face, but she nodded in understanding.
Just then a knock sounded on the front door. Charlotte gently squeezed Allie's hands in reassurance before walking through the living room, wiping her hands on a dish towel, and opening her door to not only Rosemary, but many of the other women of Hope Valley. Minnie, Clara, Florence, Molly, Faith, Fiona, and Elizabeth all stood on the front porch of Charlotte's house.
"What are you all doing here?" shock carrying in Charlotte's voice as the women filed past, coming further into her living room.
"We wanted you to have an early Christmas present." Clara said, handing over a large and heavy parcel to Charlotte.
"But it's not even Christmas yet."
"We know, but with the weather turning colder, we thought now would be a good time to give you this." Florence smiled.
"I don't understand. I have nothing to give you all in return."
"Charlotte. You staying in Hope Valley. That is the greatest gift you could ever give us." Rosemary reached down and squeezed Charlotte's hand.
Tears of gratitude filled Charlotte's eyes. These women of Hope Valley were a different breed. Supportive and kind. Fierce and protective. Funny and loveable. Charlotte was blessed to be a part of this community. To be able to call these women friends.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Molly chimed in anxiously.
"Alright. Alright." Charlotte answered, realizing that the crowd was becoming impatient waiting to see her reaction. She set about removing the string that held the paper in place, before gently pulling back the wrapping to reveal the most beautiful handmade quilt Charlotte had ever seen.
Her mother had made quilts while Charlotte was growing up on the ranch. They were made with love and served a purpose, but most of the material had been scraps of clothes and other cotton remnants sewn together in a simple nine patch pattern.
But this quilt that sat in front of Charlotte was something special. Burgundy pieces on a cream-colored patch surrounded by smaller charcoal grey and burgundy plaid material sewn into the border of each block helped tie the whole design together.
"It's called a friendship star pattern." Elizabeth stated.
"We thought it was appropriate." Faith added.
"Each of us made a few of the blocks and then we sewed them together to form the quilt over the last few weeks. Allie here even helped and sewed a few of the pieces herself." Minnie said as she put an arm around Allie and brought her into the conversation.
"Well, some of us weren't as good as others, but we tried." Fiona quipped, earning a side hug from Clara and a laugh from the other women.
"Thank you all." Charlotte said, tears stinging in the corners of her eyes. "It's so beautiful."
Charlotte ran her fingers over the fabric and stitching. "Even though my past has had its struggles, it also is what led me to Hope Valley and all of you. I came into this town, much like this quilt, in pieces. But with the help of this community, you've all had a hand in patching me together and I'm not sure if I could ever thank you enough."