Lucky to be loving you

Chapter 22

Page 64

As Fiona started to wake up, she glanced around the room and sensed the warmth against her back. She heard the soft breathing of James close to her ear. James, her husband! A smile quickly came to life across her face. She felt his arm around her tiny waist with his other arm propped up holding his head.

"James?" she asked softly.

"Yes, honey?" he replied.

Fiona turned over and smiled up brightly at James. "Good morning, handsome!"

"You are so beautiful. Watching you sleep I fell in love all over again," James said as he leaned down to kiss her.

The two rolled around in a tight embrace when Fiona began to giggle. "James, I am ticklish there."

"Where, here?" he laughed.

They continued laughing together when they almost fell out of bed. Startled, Fiona asked quickly, "What time is it?"

"8 o'clock but don't worry, we have time," James answered.

"Not me!" Fiona answered frantically, "I have to get a bath first."

James laid back on the bed and laughed, "The train doesn't leave until 11:00, come back to bed," he beckoned as he patted the sheets.

But Fiona grabbed her robe after wiggling her feet in her slippers and flew out of their bedroom running down the stairs. Finding it cold after being so cozy in bed, she began rubbing her arms trying to warm them up. She hurried to the kitchen to get her water warmed for her bath.

Soon James came down the stairs practically naked with just a towel around him and casually went to the fireplace to put logs in the fireplace and work on getting a fire going.

When Fiona went past him, she was gasping as she saw him in the daylight. "James!" she said averting her eyes.

James looked up puzzled and then realized she was embarrassed. He stood up and walked over to her smiling, "Fiona, we're married, remember?"

"Oh, I most certainly do," she answered, still not looking at him, "Aren't you cold?"

James didn't want her to feel uncomfortable, so he nodded and teased, "Why yes I am," as he reached for her, "why don't you keep me warm?"

Fiona hugged him, but sweetly pushed away, and reminded him, "We really do have to get ready, or we'll miss our honeymoon!"

James reluctantly nodded, "You're unfortunately right, but don't think you can push me away all the time, it's just that I need to wash up and shave before you get in the bath."

Fiona grinned and started cooking breakfast while waiting for her bath water to be ready, "I'll have your eggs ready soon."

Fiona had seen her brothers when she bathed them as little children, but she had never seen a man in all his glory before. Smiling to herself, she started to hum while preparing the eggs.

Not knowing how the time went so fast, they found themselves at the train station with their luggage, just in time to catch the 11 o'clock train. They had a long trip by train to New York where they would board a trans-Atlantic Ocean liner to Europe. James' folks spared no expense, and their accommodations were very impressive.

Fiona had taken the train several times before, but never long enough to use a sleeper cabin. When she saw how comfortable the bed was, she was pleasantly surprised.

"I'm so happy to be here, Mr. Scholl," she said as she put her arms around James' neck, "This is going to be a fabulous trip!"

After Fiona and James unpacked and settled in their room, Fiona plopped herself down on the bed and kicked off her heels. She sighed, closed her eyes and felt the rhythm of the train as it sped down the tracks.

James plopped right down next to her covering them both with a blanket. It had been a whirlwind the last few days and they were both happily exhausted. About an hour later, James woke and realized he and his beautiful bride better get up and go down to the diner car to get something to eat. He gently shook Fiona awake, gave her a kiss, and helped her up.

When Fiona got to her feet, she brushed out her dress, walked over to the mirror and straightened her hair. She grabbed her hat, pinned it in place, glided some rose-colored lipstick on and dabbed a little perfume on her neck. James put on his suit coat and combed his hair. Together they were a stunning couple indeed!

The etiquette was very proper on the train. Ladies were expected to wear dresses and hats while the men wore suits. Talking was to be kept to a minimum while dining with no boisterous laughing. However, there was entertainment provided by the gramophone where one could listen to music, read, or play cards in the lounge car.

When they were seated in the diner, they had missed the mid-day crowd, and were fortunate to find the chefs still had hot soup and turkey sandwiches. There were a few other couples, but otherwise it was quiet. As they looked out the window leaving the Rockies behind, the scenery was still beautiful with snow covering the hills and valleys.

"Well, sweetheart, we're finally on our way! Isn't this exciting?" Fiona felt like she was in a dream.

"Yes, it is, but no matter where we are, as long as I'm with you, it'll always be exciting!" James winked.

The couple picked up their glasses of wine and clanged them together as they both wished each other to a long lifetime of love.

Page 65

Peter felt a bit awkward, but he also knew that he needed to keep in touch with Melanie. She had suffered so much in the time she was kidnapped, tied up, and gagged in Sinclair's basement and he felt so badly about it. He was just so relieved that his cousin, Bill had found her, and she was alive.

Melanie had been recuperating from her ordeal slowly. Physically she had healed from the cuts and bruises the rope around her hands had caused. Her thin, frail body had started to fill out from the weight she gained back from her mother's home-cooked meals. Some of the days she had spent in the mental ward of the hospital where she had opportunity to talk with professionals about her trauma. The emotional and physical therapy brought her old self back out little by little.

When she was at home, her mother didn't allow her to be idle, but gave her chores to do around the house. Helping her mother gave her a sense of purpose and was a big help for her mother too, especially with her disabled brother to care for. Seeing him always in a wheelchair with no hope of ever walking, caused her to feel selfish for being able to beat her depression but instead wallowing in her misery. That gave her the incentive and determination to get better. So, when Peter came over, she actually looked forward to his visit.

When Peter knocked on the door, Melanie checked her hair in the mirror and then went quickly to answer it. Seeing Melanie, Peter broke into a big grin and handed her a bouquet of flowers.

Accepting the bouquet, Melanie invited Peter inside, "Why thank you, Peter! It's so nice to enjoy flowers especially now in the winter!"

"You're welcome, Mel, I just wanted you to know I've been thinking of you," Peter blushed.

"Let me take your coat. Have a seat, I'll be right back."

Melanie took the flowers into the kitchen, found a vase and filled it with water, then placed the bouquet in it. Walking back to the living room, she put the vase on the coffee table in front of the sofa and sat down across from him.

"They brighten up the room!" Melanie smiled.

"Yes, I agree and I'm glad you like them," Peter returned the smile, "Where's your mother and brother?"

"At the doctor's office for a check-up for my brother. He goes a couple of times a year so the doctor can check on his muscles to keep an eye on his atrophy. They are trying to keep his muscles as active and strengthened as much as possible. It's usually a full day for them both."

"So, there's still hope to help him get better?" Peter asked.

"Not better, he's just forcing his muscles to exercise so he doesn't get any worse. He was born with this and will need a miracle to get better, I'm afraid. I just hope I can drive soon so I can help mother with the doctor visits."

Peter felt badly for him too, but then got an idea. "Melanie, I wouldn't mind taking both of you together to the doctor for his check-up. This way, your mother could stay home and have some time to herself for a change."

Melanie's face lit up, "You'd do that for us, Peter? Don't you have work or things to do?"

"I only work part-time nights at the lobby in Redwood Inn. I check visitors in and out when they come to visit the town. It's fun and I get to meet all different types of folks."

"Do you like it?"

"I really do, it's better than bartending, that's for sure," Peter laughed, "and it gives me free time during the day. So, I have time to take your brother to the doctor, see?"

"We just might take you up on that," Melanie grinned. "Can I get you something to drink? Maybe a cup of coffee or hot chocolate?"

As the two of them talked while sipping their hot drinks, they relaxed and the conversation between them started to flow naturally with some laughter too. Peter didn't mention the Salerno brothers who owned the restaurant lounge where they both worked at as he didn't want to get Melanie upset. He was very relieved that the couple that had her held hostage, were already in prison and the Salerno brothers too.

"Are you ready to go back to work yet?" Pete asked Melanie.

"I'm getting there. We talked about it, but I don't want to waitress again. I need something different, something I want to do, but I don't know what," Melanie explained.

The rest of the time they just caught up on what was going on in their lives now. Melanie finally opened up about how she was treated, "Peter, I was so alone and what was the scariest was not knowing if anyone knew where to look because I had no idea where we were."

"All along you were right next door to your own home. It was your brother that gave my cousin, Bill the idea to go back and talk with the Sinclairs. Thank goodness he and Mountie Christopher Herrmann found you!" Peter said gratefully.

"Oh, Peter I was praying constantly for someone to find me. I was beginning to think I would never get home again or worse," Melanie looked away and sighed, "but my family has been so strong for me, and I am finally feeling safe here again."

Soon Peter felt he should leave and stood up, "I don't want to overstay my welcome, Melanie, so I'll be going, but if you don't mind, I'd like to take you out sometime."

"Really"? Melanie never thought about that, but it sounded really nice and she quickly added, "sure, I'd like that too."

Peter blushed, "You would? All right then, how about I come by next Saturday and pick you up in the afternoon so we can go out for a bite to eat? I have to work at the Redwood Inn that night, so maybe, 1:00 would work?

Melanie nodded with a smile, "Can we stay close to home please? I hope you don't mind."

Peter wanted to kiss her, but he knew she wasn't ready even though he always had a crush on her, this was the first time he actually had the nerve to ask her out.

"Sure, I'll call you later this week. Take care, Melanie," Peter said fondly.

"I'm looking forward to it," Melanie said sweetly.

When he walked to his automobile, he was grinning, thinking to himself that maybe, just maybe his life was finally turning around for the better.

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Nathan was at his desk at the RCMP office looking at nothing in particular, holding his head in one hand, and tapping his fingers with his other hand. He had sent Gunther and Andy to do the town rounds so he could be alone to think. When they got back he would go out for a ride with Newton to do the rounds in the country.

Right now, he had to concentrate. He wanted to do something special for Dee on their anniversary. She had been such a dedicated wife understanding having his parents living with them, helping to raise Allie, and blessing him with two precious children of their own. All of this in three years this Valentine's Day!

She more than deserved a special time but he wasn't sure just how. With Dee still nursing Colleen, she couldn't leave very long, so their options were limited. He was happy to have her on his arm at Fiona and James' wedding, as that was the first time they had actually been out alone together and they enjoyed such a wonderful time.

He knew his parents or hers would gladly help babysit Christopher and Colleen so that would be no problem, but if he wanted a day away or an evening out, they would only be able to leave for a few hours.

The door opened, with Bill walking in, "Hey, Nathan are you daydreaming?"

Nathan snapped around when he heard his buddy's voice. Scratching his head, he answered, "Just trying to think about what to do for Dee on our anniversary. She can't leave Colleen just yet, so whatever I can do for her we have to stay close to home."

"That's easy, the ladies all like the romantic atmosphere of Romano's Restaurant in Brookfield," Bill suggested.

Nathan looked up at Bill and shrugged, "I know, but I want to do something really nice for Dee. She married my family not just me, and she's also caring for two little ones so she can't teach music and she loves teaching!"

"Hmm," was all Bill could muster up to reply. Then, he spoke, "Can't Allie watch Christopher and Colleen next September when school starts, part-time?"

Nathan shook his head no, "Bill, that wouldn't be fair to ask Allie. She's ready to start her own life and this year, she's been working at the Mercantile on the switchboard."

"Yes, you're right, she's got the whole world out there to explore. I forget Allie is grown up. Is she staying here in town?"

Nathan shrugged, "For now, that Robert's home from Mountie training, they have to decide where their relationship is headed. I'm hoping it's not too serious."

"Did you have the talk with her yet?" Bill asked while walking to look out the window.

"Talk? Me?" Nathan laughed.

There was a few minutes of silence. Just then Andy and Gunther came in after finishing the town rounds.

"Everything is in order, sir" Andy informed Nathan.

"Seems Mayor Fiona will be pleased," Gunther interjected.

"We've got a few weeks to go before Dr. and Mrs. Scholl return," Nathan replied.

With a smile on his face, Bill added, "I like the sound of that."

Nathan nodded, "I just wonder how they're enjoying themselves with it being after the war. The photos in the Hamilton Standard were brutal."

"Hopefully, Europe has had a chance to clean up and rebuild by now. I'm sure they wouldn't have gone if it wasn't. James' father, being the prestigious man in Hamilton that he is, would have made sure before they bought the trip for their honeymoon," Bill countered.

Andy and Gunther stood standing anxiously waiting for Nathan to let them know what he wanted of them. With so much on his mind, he looked at the two and dismissed them, "As long as everything is under control, why don't you two go for lunch?"

Nathan was still focusing on his upcoming anniversary and Bill knew he was in his way, "Look, Nathan, don't let your anniversary be such a struggle. You two were married on Valentine's Day, so let me host a Valentine's Dance at Billees. What do say?"

Nathan pushed his chair back from his desk and looking straight at Bill with a crooked smile said, "Bill, that's a nice thought, but it's not very romantic for Dee and me. I mean..."

Bill didn't let him continue, "Oh for heaven's sake man, do you want a room upstairs? I can give you the suite."

Nathan laughed, "Sure, sure. That's it. The whole town will know their Mountie and his Mrs. are upstairs in the suite. I don't think so."

Bill gave up and started to walk out, "Before I leave, just give the dance some more thought. If I know Molly, she's already been making plans for one before I even get a chance to run it by her. I know the townfolks will be looking forward to it."

Nathan shrugged, "All right, all right, only one contingency."

Bill stopped while keeping his hand on the doorknob waiting, "What?"

"I want to sing a song to Dee that I've written just for her. I'd like to play my guitar and give her all my attention with a table for two before anyone starts coming. It's strictly just me and her."

Bill closed the door and looked at Nathan thinking, "How am I going to get all the Hopefuls and Chickadees out of Billees? They'll be decorating and setting up, making coffee, you know all that stuff."

Nathan got up, "Well now," he said as he tapped Bill's shoulder, "see that's my problem, where will I ever find any place or time to be alone with my wife?"

Nathan put his Stetson hat back on, "I've got to get Newton saddled up and go for rounds. I want to check on Darcy and Paul to see how they are doing at the old Henderson farm. I'll catch you later."

The two friends walked out together and as Bill watched Nathan walk to the livery where he left him earlier in the day, he suddenly got an idea!