The Dreams We Share

Chapter 12 Giving of Oneself

The next evening Lucas received a call from Allie. She was ecstatic as she had heard from the university that she was accepted.
"Lucas, I got accepted, can you believe it?" She practically shouted into the phone.

"Congratulations Allie. I knew that you would, but it is great to hear the official news," Lucas told her.

"Will you tell Professor MacKenna that I tried to call her but did not find her home? She has my number, if you would just tell her to call me when she gets a chance," Allie asked.

"And what makes you think I will be seeing Miss MacKenna?" Lucas inquired.

"Are you telling me you haven't been seeing her?" Allie asked. "If you have not, then I am extremely disappointed in you Lucas. She is amazing, do not miss this opportunity to at least get to know her."

"I will relay your message," he said, neither confirming or denying that they were indeed seeing one another.

"Well, I will let you go. I just wanted to share the good news. Constance is excited too. She has asked if I can come to visit her for a few days. I think I will be in Edmonton next Wednesday night through Sunday and returning Monday morning. Maybe we can get together one evening when I am there," Allie suggested.

"Certainly, I should be home that week. But on the road the following week. And then my mother and father are coming into town for three days," Lucas told her.

"I am sure you have missed them. By the way, Jack says hi. I am actually over at his house babysitting. Would you like to speak with him?" Allie asked.

Lucas could hear Jack asking if he could talk to Buddy. "Sure, put him on."

"Hi Buddy," Jack told him. "I missed you."

"And I missed you too. I have a little something for you that I found at the beach yesterday, some shiny pebbles for your collection. I will bring them with me the next time I come to Hope Valley," Lucas told him.

"When are you coming to see me?" Jack asked.

"I am not sure, but it won't be too long," Lucas told him.

"Can I come to see you?" the little boy asked with an expectant voice. "Can I come with Allie?"

Lucas was not sure what to say. He did not want to disappoint the little boy but how would he manage to have him visit when he had so much work ahead of him? He did not want to lose momentum on the project, so what to do? "Jack, will you put Allie back on the phone please?"

"What is it?" Allie asked him.

"Did you hear him ask if he could come with you to visit me? I do not want to disappoint him, but I simply cannot take time off right now. The project is at a peak over the next few months. I could spend the weekend with him for the most part, but the weekdays I will be busy until late afternoon," Lucas told her.

"Well, I could speak with Constance. Perhaps she will be okay with us baby-sitting him in the day while you are at work. Could you drop him off on your way and pick him up after work?" she asked him.

"Yes, I can do that if Constance and her parents agree," he said. "Why don't you find out whether this is amenable with the Petersons and then we can take it from there. I will speak with his mother once we know; leave that part to me, okay? Lucas wanted to be sure to speak to Elizabeth about this personally rather than have her hear it from Allie. Jack might spill the beans but that was okay. He wouldn't tell him that he could come yet. "Put Jack back on."

"Can I, can I?" Jack asked excitedly.

"We say 'May I'," Lucas interjected. "We will see. I will let you know very soon….in two days."

"Okay, Buddy," he heard him say with a bit of hope in his voice.

"But bye for now, give Allie the phone, Buddy."

"Allie, let me know when you speak with the Petersons. Let's keep this between us for now. Thanks for calling; talk to you soon."

"Good-bye, Lucas."

He got out of his meeting just in time to make his way to St. Joachim's by 5:00. He went straight to the kitchen to look for her and saw her as soon as he entered the door. She had just come from the university, and she was dressed in one of her suits with her hair up in a loose bun. He watched as she covered her outfit with a large apron and then covered her hair in a kerchief. She then slipped off her shoes and exchanged them for more practical ones. He tried to look away as there was something a bit sensuous about watching her remove her high heels. "They are just feet," he told himself.

She saw him and her face broke out into a wide smile, "Lucas, I am glad you could make it. I know that sometimes meetings run late at the Ministry."

"Fortunately, not today. But I am looking forward to this so they would have just had to do without me," he told her. "So, put me to work; what do you need me to do?"

"First, here is an apron, we don't want you to get your suit soiled." He removed his suit jacket and hung it on one of the hooks by the door. He took the apron from her and put it on. He then gave her a sweeping bow with exaggerated gestures, "Lucas Bouchard, at your service," he told her.

She giggled and he smiled. She looked so young when she giggled, she had so much natural joy that bubbled out. "Well first, we need to take the large stew pots to the serving table in the dining room. There is also this large warmer with rolls and two bowls with salad. The serving spoons are right over there on that side table and that stack of dishes needs to go out along with the box of flatware. The napkins have already been wrapped around each place settings."

"I will start with the heavier items first, not that you can't carry them, but I need to exert my masculine prowess and impress the ladies," he said. He winked at the cook who had come up next to them. Lucas and the cook laughed while Arawyn rolled her eyes. She grabbed a box of flatware and headed into the dining room. She smiled to herself once her back was turned.

They transferred everything to the dining area and then their guests began lining up. Arawyn demonstrated how much of each item to serve and then the two of them served up the meals. He had not counted the number served, but the majority were children with their mothers and sometimes fathers. And there were a number of single men as well. He himself had led a life of privilege, but he had seen poverty on many of his journeys. His parents had instilled in him the idea of helping the poor and he had always donated generously. This was different though; to donate money was one thing, but to be so close to reality was another. When everyone had received their meal, Lucas served up a plate for Arawyn and himself and they joined the others. They sat with a couple that had three children. The oldest was perhaps eight or nine and was a talkative girl. She told them all about her busy day at school. Herr ma and da listened with attention. You could tell they were a loving family. The children wore clothes that had seen better days, but they were clean, and the children looked well taken care of. He felt for the father who was trying to find steady work. He felt for all of these people. Many, you could tell, had lost all hope. But some were still hopeful that they could lift themselves out of their circumstances. Lucas was determined that he would do whatever he could to help them.

Everyone helped to clear the tables of the dinner plates and then trays of cookies, tea and milk were brought in. Arawyn let the children have their dessert and then gathered the children in a circle on a mat for the story telling leaving the adults to chat and have their dessert.

"I have a special treat for you today. Our visitor, Mr. Bouchard, is going to read to you. I have brought a picture book with tales from Robin Hood's adventures. He said that Robin is his favorite. Everyone, please say hello."
"Hello, Mr. Bouchard…." They all said in unison.

"Hello, children. Does everyone know about Robin Hood?" he asked. Most of the children nodded or raised their hands. "How many of you will be hearing about him for the first time, raise your hands," he said. A handful of children raised their hands. "Before I start the story, I will tell you a little bit about Robin Hood and Maid Marian," he told them and then launched into his exciting synopsis of Robin and Marian's backstory.

Arawyn listened as intently as the children. She was drawn into the world he painted with his words, mesmerized by his gestures. The man was a masterful storyteller just as she had glimpsed during their boat ride.

"And now, for the story," he told them. They clapped eagerly as he looked over at her with a grin. He liked the show. She was yet to find out that he did magic, but after this, she would not be at all surprised. He created a kind of magic all its own.

He began, first showing them the picture on the page, "Robin and his Merry Men were searching for a spot to rest for the night…." The children were rivetted in their seats as he continued to draw them into the world of Sherwood Forest. When he was done, Arawyn stood up and led off a round of applause.

"Shall we invite, Mr. Bouchard to come back another time?" she asked them.

"YES!" they all shouted.

"Well, Mr. Bouchard is a busy man. He works hard in our government. But I am sure we can persuade him to come back."

"Certainly," said Lucas. "I would love to. I am sometimes on the road travelling for my work, but I will come again sometime soon." He thought about Jack; if he did come for a visit then he would be sure to bring him here. He would enjoy the story time with the other children. And he was old enough to begin to learn about life outside of the shelter of Hope Valley. He would get Elizabeth's permission of course.

He helped clear the tables of the trays and tea service. A group of women from those that dined, were the volunteers to wash the dishes. It was their way of paying for the wonderful meal that their family had received. He hated to think about where these people would be spending the night. Some did have meager residences and just needed to feed their families, but he knew some did not. He would ask Arawyn about it.

"Thank you, Lucas," she said. "For helping serve dinner of course, but for the wonderful story. The children loved it and I really do hope that you will come back again."

"Just so you don't tire of me," he chuckled.

"Never," she told him smiling up at him.

He wanted it to mean more than just helping out here. He knew that he wanted her in his life, even if it would be just as friends.

"Good," he told her. "Are you ready to leave. I can drive you home."

"Yes, let me take your apron and I will get my things," as she turned and led them back to the kitchen.

He walked her up to the front door and then removed his suit jacket that he had put over her shoulders as the night had gotten a bit cool. He put it back on as he looked at her. She looked so lovely under the light of the moon that would soon be full.

"I enjoyed my evening. It was really eye-opening and also fun, too. As you can see, I very much enjoy a good story."

"I have noticed. And thank you again."

He took her hand and then bent in a sweeping bow, pretending to remove his non-existent hat in the process. He kissed it gently, not lingering like a lover's kiss…. "And I bid you a good night my lady," he told her donning his best British accent. He then released her hand.

She knew that he had kissed her hand for show, but she could feel the tingling shoot up her arm, nonetheless. There were so many facets to this man. He could be intense and serious, or playful as he was now. He was, from all she had heard, an earnest hard worker; but he could provide levity and whimsy when the situation called for it. She was looking forward to peeling back all the layers and knowing what all made him tick. He had shown her so much of himself in such a brief time. She knew that he felt a connection with her and was willing to risk being vulnerable. She would not disappoint him. His heart would be safe with her if he wanted to share it.