The Dreams We Share
Chapter 16 A Stop in Hope Valley
Lucas, Marcus and Jack headed out straight after an early breakfast to pick up Allie at the Hastings home. Lucas was hoping that they would make Hope Valley by lunchtime so they had to make an early start. The weather was favorable, and he expected a smooth trip.
Allie sat in the back with Jack and was keeping him entertained by helping him with his reading. They were keeping their voices low as Marcus was working with Lucas on the speech he would be delivering tomorrow afternoon in Grand Prairie. They would have to leave Hope Valley at dawn in order to make the five-hour journey north. Originally, they had planned to drive straight through but with this diversion over to Hope Valley they would spend the night at The Queen. Since they would be staying an afternoon in Hope Valley, Lucas had set up a meeting with Mike to go over the status of the hotel business. He and Marcus also were meeting with Lee and a couple of the farmers including Laura's father.
They made one stop about two thirds of the way to Hope Valley so that they could get out and stretch their legs. They had some of the cold lemon tea that Gustave had packed for them along with some cookies. They only had an hour before they would arrive in town and they would have lunch at the Hotel. He had promised Elizabeth that he would have Jack home by 2:30. His meeting with Lee wasn't until four and he would be meeting with Mike later on towards dinnertime. He was going to be dining with Mike, Mei and the baby. He was sure his namesake had grown a lot since he had seen him at the christening.
They pulled up to the Queen a little after 1:00 and were greeted in the reception area by Mike who responded to the bell that Jack eagerly rang with a big grin.
"Lucas, it is so good to see you," Mike said and leaned in for a hug. He shook hands with Marcus who he had met before and then turned his attention to the others. "Welcome back Jack and you too Allie, did you have a good trip?"
"I had a good time. Buddy took me to the beach, and we went in a rowboat and we found pebbles." He pulled some out of his pocket to show Mike.
"Those are great," Mike said.
"This one is like my eyes," Jack said showing him the pale blue one that Arawyn had pointed to.
Lucas thought to himself, "terrific," as he imagined he will show the pebbles to his mother and likely the one matching "Miss MacKenna's eyes" too. He knew that his relationship with Arawyn would soon become public knowledge now that Jack, Bill, and Allie had been in Edmonton. But he didn't want to engage in any discussion until he was able to make it back to Edmonton and they could talk. He wanted to officially court her but wanted to discuss it with her and inform her aunt and uncle first. Bill had said he would keep quiet until that time. Jack would certainly at least mention her. He knew that she was a teacher at Allie's school so perhaps he had some time to circumvent discussion about his 'friendship'. Allie might also spill some beans although she really didn't know that much.
After their lunch was finished, Lucas drove by the Grant's row house to drop Allie off. He helped her with her bag and gave her a big hug. "Thank you for taking care of Jack for me. He would not have been able to make the trip without your help."
"It was no problem and we enjoyed him. Candace was entertained by his exuberance," Allie told him.
"Well thanks again," Lucas told her as he turned and headed back to the car.
Their next stop was to Jack's house. Jack knocked on the door and ran in without waiting for an answer. Lucas took his bag from the back and carried it into the house, putting it inside the door. He had been in the house hundreds of times but now stood awkwardly by the door waiting. He saw that she still had the photo of the three of them on a table along with one of Jack and a few others. He decided not to look too closely.
"Mama…. Mama.. I'm home," Jack shouted. He could hear her come from upstairs and Jack ran to hug her as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She hugged him and looked up to see Lucas standing there.
"Lucas, come on in," she told him. "Make yourself at home." She indicated that he should sit on the couch as she went to the kitchen and put on the kettle for tea.
"Thank you for bringing him back. I know it was out of your way," she said.
"It really isn't that far out of my way, and I am more than happy to make the detour if it means that I get to spend these days with him. He was so well behaved and polite to everyone and such a joy to have; and we had a good time. Didn't we Buddy?"
He nodded vigorously. "The best Buddy time," he exclaimed.
"One minute, Jack," Elizabeth said. "Let me just go get the tea and I will be right back." She came back shortly with a tray with tea and some oatmeal banana cookies and set it on the coffee table. "Okay, so tell me about your trip," she said.
"Uncle Bill and me stayed at Buddy's house…. " he paused and corrected his sentence, "and I stayed at Buddy's house. It is big like a castle but there is no moat and no drawbridge. But it has a tall iron fence," he told her.
Elizabeth smiled and said, "no moat huh," as she turned and looked at Lucas.
"It isn't purple either," he said softly. She gazed at him for a moment remembering…
"Gustave says to give you a hug from him." He went over to the chair Elizabeth was sitting in and delivered it.
"Gustave made all my favorites," Jack told her.
"So did you do anything exciting?" She asked.
"I went with Buddy and Uncle Bill and Allie to help at a church. I rolled up the forks and spoons into napkins. We ate dinner with some people. Buddy says they need our help because they are having a hard time. I met lots of children. Some of them had no daddy like me. Some of them had a daddy but their daddy was looking for work. Right, Buddy?"
"Yes, Jack, that is right. The church and the Edmonton Ladies Society are doing good work, and you were a big help," Lucas told him.
"And Buddy read us all a story after dessert."
"Let me guess…. Robin Hood….." Elizabeth said as Jack nodded enthusiastically.
"My favorite stories are about Robin Hood," he told her. "And one night Miss MacKenna read 'The Ugly Duckling' to us. We saw swans at the lake!" Jack told her.
Lucas groaned on the inside, "oh boy" he thought to himself.
"Miss MacKenna?" Elizabeth asked.
"She is one of the members of the Ladies Society," Lucas explained nonchalantly hoping to pass over the details. His effort was quickly derailed.
"She is pretty with red hair like Miss Molly, and she has green eyes," he told her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his blue and green pebbles and selected one. "Like this," he told her showing her one that was sea green with that blueish hint in it.
"And this one is like me," he showed her the light blue one and then he looked up at her and then down at his pebbles and selected one. It was a deeper blue and matched Elizabeth's. "And this one is like your eyes, Mama".
Lucas looked at the pebble Jack was holding up and then looked at Elizabeth. He had looked lovingly into those eyes more times than he could ever count. He had been drawn to them at their first meeting, before he even knew that she was available. He had dreamed about them for years and he had loved her with everything he had... drowning in those deep blue pools, sharing his soul with her. He looked at her now, holding her gaze in his. Yes, he still loved her, but the love was transformed. She was no longer his and now nor was he hers. He gave her a smile and turned his attention back to Jack.
"Miss MacKenna found the special place with the pebbles, Mama. She found some pink and white ones with Buddy. Oh, Buddy, do you have my present for Mama?" Jack asked him.
"Here you are," he said as he took it from his took the small box from his breast pocket and handed it to Jack.
Elizabeth unwrapped it and held up the silver chain with the pink stone. "Oh Jack, it is beautiful!" She told him.
"It is pink like you like," the boy said. "Put it on," he was now bouncing as he had squeezed into the armchair beside her.
Elizabeth undid the catch and fumbled a bit while she put it around her neck and got the clasp to work. In the past, Lucas would have gotten up to help her with it but that was too intimate now.
"Buddy took me to a shop so I could look for a present," he said.
"Thank you, Lucas, for everything. You were so kind to have him especially now when you are so busy," she said.
"Carpe Diem," he told her. "He won't always want or need me like now. And I want to treasure each moment I am given."
A tear slipped down Elizabeth's cheek as he spoke. He looked at her, her eyes filled with tears. "It is okay; we are okay," he said. As always, he didn't want her to hurt.
Elizabeth blinked back her tears. "So, tell me more, Jack."
"We went in a rowboat around the lake. That is when we saw the ducks and the swans. Buddy helped me to learn to row too. And Miss MacKenna took a turn; she didn't need help," Jack told her.
At this point Lucas was concentrating on pouring himself more tea and taking one of the cookies. He was still full from lunch but he needed something to do while Jack unwrapped his life….
"We had a picnic before we went in the boat. Gustave made sandwiches for us," Jack continued, "and chocolates. Miss MacKenna said they were yummy."
Lucas wanted badly to roll his eyes, but Elizabeth was looking at him. He put on his poker face instead.
"I thought they were yummy too," the boy said.
"Yes," Elizabeth agreed, "Gustave makes very yummy chocolates." She was thinking about the picnics she had taken with Lucas over the years. She wondered if he had brought flowers. Of course he had; attention to details was one thing you could always count on from this man. It didn't matter who he was with; he was always about making people happy. He was always thinking of others; wasn't that what had brought them to this point? It was certainly a part of it. He could do so much good on a big scale. And he had been fulfilling the promise she had always seen in him. She lived a small comfortable life; one she chose even if it meant that he had to leave her behind. She had pushed him; and she would not regret it now.
"Buddy took me to a big church on Sunday. The same one where we had dinner in the basement. I like Pastor Joseph better," Jack told her. "The man at the church talked too much."
"The man is called a priest," Lucas told him. "And he had a lot to say. He spoke to us about generosity and helping those that need us," Lucas told Elizabeth. "The service was very long compared to what we are used to here in Hope Valley. Saint Joachim is a catholic church steeped in tradition," he told her.
"I am familiar; I used to go to a catholic church with one of my friends in Hamilton on occasion," Elizabeth replied.
"And then we had lunch at Buddy's house. Gustave made me ravioli and we had orange chicken. And he made your favorite cake for dessert; Miss Mackenna liked it too," Jack told her.
"Well, it sounds like Miss MacKenna has good taste," Elizabeth announced.
Lucas wasn't sure if it could get any worse. And then it did as Jack rushed to his bag and opened it and took out the picture he had drawn. He ran over to her side to show it to her. Elizabeth looked at the drawing, impressed with his work. She felt a slight tightness in her chest as she looked at the characters he had drawn. She needed to stay calm.
"See Mama, that is Miss MacKenna," he pointed at the figure with the long wavy red hair and green eyes. "And that is Buddy," pointing at the figure that was unmistakably Lucas.
"Yes, I see. This is a very good drawing, Jack. It is a nice memory of your trip."
"Oh, after dinner we went to the park and I played kickball," Jack told her. "Mama, I am going to the backyard to see my puppy," he told her running out the back door.
She looked over at Lucas who had remained silent the entire time. She looked at him as if she was waiting for him to say something. And so he did.
"Undoubtably, Allie has told you of the professor that was one of the interviewers at the university, Professor Mackenna? She is a member of the Ladies' Society that does charitable work at the church I volunteer at, as I mentioned to you on the phone. We have become friends."
Elizabeth was wondering which had come first, volunteering or the friendship with the professor. But that was not her business. Lucas had every right to seek company from anyone he chose. If this was more, then she would be happy for him. It would cause a twinge or two, but she would be happy. He deserved a great love story now, his lifetime love. She knew Lucas loved her; she loved him too; but they were now on different paths, and each deserved a love that would share the rest of their journey with them.
"She sounds like an impressive woman," she told Lucas. "I hear from Allie that she is a professor of literature."
"Yes, that is something we have in common of course. Actually, she has read your book and knows of my mother," he told her. "Allie had mentioned it to her during their first meeting."
"Yes, Allie told me she had informed her that her teacher had written a book. I didn't know that she had read it though. Is that how you met, Miss MacKenna, when Allie interviewed?" Elizabeth asked him.
"Yes, just happenstance. She is also the niece of the Minister of Education, so our paths have crossed since at Ministry social functions," he said being honest with her without details. He knew that Elizabeth would put together the rest. "We have a lot in common; she has done a lot of travelling as her father was in the diplomatic corps when she was a child." Now he thought that was enough for now. Well except…..
"Might I know her given name?" Elizabeth asked him.
He looked straight at her, "Arawyn," he told her. "Her name is Welsh from her mother's side and her father is Irish."
"It is a beautiful name. And from what Jack has described, quite fitting," Elizabeth conjectured.
"I assume that is a question. Remember, you and I know one another quite well." He paused, but then he knew she would know the truth someday; he was ready now. "Yes, she is beautiful. She has sea green eyes the color that Jack has shown you; mostly light green with a hint of blue at the edges. Her hair is the color of fire that you see in the Irish and it is long and wavy. Not quite as long as Jack drew though. She is about your height but a bit slighter in build. But the most remarkable thing is her voice; it still carries the lilt of the Irish….." He caught himself drifting off and brought himself to the present before he told her she reminded him of a sea nymph.
Elizabeth drew his gaze, "she sounds lovely, and I am happy for you." Elizabeth could see that Lucas was in love again. She knew him. She mourned her loss and his. But hopefully he had found someone that belonged in the world he was destined for.
"It is early yet. But I do feel happy for the first time in a very long time. Her friendship has brought that back. This feels… important. I am not sure exactly how to describe it," he said to her.
"I think I understand. If it is, grab on to it and never let it go. You deserve someone who can give you everything you deserve. I meant it when we parted and I certainly mean it now," she said. "But I do admit it is bittersweet."
"And as I told you that day, we both deserve to find the right person. I want your happiness, Elizabeth, and finally I am at the point that I want mine as well," he told her.
She rose and came to where he was sitting and sat next to him, taking his hand and squeezing it. "I love you, Lucas, I will always love you. And I want you to be happy too. Even though it won't be with me." Tears rolled down her face as she spoke. He took out his handkerchief and dried them. They hugged; in many ways this was truly the goodbye they needed… closure at last.
He arrived at Lee's office at the agreed upon meeting time. Laura's father Jed Campbell and one other farmer that he recognized were already seated. They were both intrigued by the exchange project, but he knew Jed was its true champion. He was sharp and would have made an excellent businessman in any industry; his was farming. Lucas had toured the country talking to farmers; if he had learned anything, it was that farming was a business and an art passed down generations. It was a passion for many like Jed.
The men stood and Marcus made the rounds of handshakes followed by Lucas who when he turned to shake Lee's, was quickly on the receiving end of a bear hug. "So good to see you, Lucas. We will have to catch up after our meeting."
"Yes, we will, I hope I get a chance to see Rosie and Goldie before I leave." Lucas told him.
Lee pulled over another chair for Lucas to sit on. They were at a table so that they could spread out a map of Alberta that had some markings on it that Marcus and Jules had added. Marcus explained what they were looking at. And what the plan was for the next few months as far as crop movements. The men asked a number of questions and had suggestions for a few minor adjustments. As they were about ready to conclude, Lucas decided to bring up a subject he had been mulling over.
"Gentleman, I have something I would like to discuss that is related to our work but a bit outside the box. I have taken up volunteering at a parish in Edmonton. A women's group is active in helping the poor of the town. They help feed and clothe them and find lodging as well as help them to make connections for jobs and other social services. The women do their best to raise funds for the purchase of food and they manage donations of food and clothing. But it is never enough," he told them.
"Sorry to interrupt," Jed said, "but I think I know where you are going with this. You want to know what the farming community might be able to do to help. And I think I have an idea."
Lucas was very impressed by the man's quick thinking; he knew the wheels had been turning as he had outlined the background of what he was after. He leaned forward to show the man that he had his full and utmost attention.
"Even with the exchange program, there is still a surplus of food that can't be sold. Less than desirable malformed vegetables for example. They are perfectly good as far as nutrition and flavor are concerned but just a bit too ugly to sell. Some of it we can feed to the animals, but the bulk is set to compost or just buried in pits," he told them.
The other farmer, Sam Watkins, nodded vigorously. "We have waste every year on my farm. Surely, we can do something to make use of it."
Laura's dad jumped in again, "if the government will pay for the transport, I would certainly be willing to donate what I don't need for compost, to your cause. I know in particular that there would be root vegetables available during the fall that are particularly long lasting and could be a good source to carry over through the winter and early spring."
The other man nodded his agreement and Lucas stepped in, "this is exactly the kind of thinking I was hoping for. In the long run we all benefit. Preemptive services such as this means that the burden on the government to step in to help the destitute will lessen and in turn the government will not need to collect as much in revenue from all of us; everyone wins."
Lee had been quiet but interjected, "I like it. I can see that part of the benefit is to do this through the charitable volunteer workers around the country. This lessens the cost of management by the government if we were to launch something akin to this through them. Of course, the ministry would be involved but your services are already committed. I think if we pilot this through the women's group in Edmonton then they can become our champions around the country. Perhaps a few would be willing to travel to other communities to explain the program and give pointers on how to get started."
"Absolutely. I know one or two from Edmonton that will definitely be helpful," Lucas said, thinking of Mary and Arawyn. Even Martha might be willing as well. And he himself would do everything he could to help the ladies group in their travel logistics. Between himself and James they put many miles on the road already and could facilitate spreading the word to the communities by including them as an adjunct to their meetings and speeches. Many already had charitable groups and some might be happy to establish one once the word got out.
"Gentleman, this has been a very productive meeting and I thank you both for your time today. Marcus and Jules will be contacting you for more details. I will be discussing this with James and of course the minister over transportation. We will make our case to the Premier very soon. I can't promise anything, but I think that there might be an opportunity to actually purchase your contribution for a few cents on the pound. You will be hearing from us," Lucas told them and then rose to indicate that the meeting was over. The men shook hands and then departed.
"Thank you, Lee, for arranging this meeting. I think we are on to something here," Lucas told him.
"Yes, I do to." Lee reached into his drawer and pulled out a bottle of whisky that he kept for the occasional toast. He poured a glass for each, "to progress"," he proclaimed.
Lucas had dinner with Mike and Mei. He had his arms full of baby throughout dinner. He had taken Luke from Mei for a little snuggle when he joined them. The baby had decided his beard was something fun to grab; it became a game and Lucas was more than willing to entertain the little one and let his mama eat her dinner.
"He is beautiful, Mei, and so delightful. Nothing like smiles from a little one. Mike, you must be anxious for many adventures ahead. Mei will have her hands full with the two of you," he laughed.
Mei, joined in, "as if Mike isn't enough on his own."
"Now Mei….." Mike protested. As Lucas laughed at the two of them. "I want this," he thought to himself as he watches the love and banter between his friends.
"Mei, I already thanked Mike for all his hard work at keeping our hotel thriving. The numbers we went over in our meeting are impressive. But I want to thank you too. I know how busy you are with the pharmacy and the baby; your help here is very much appreciated," Lucas told her.
"I do it with love; this is Mike's work, and he loves it and I love him. This is the hub of Hope Valley; and we are proud of our part in making it thrive and grow. We miss you though; you are the heart of The Queen," Mei told him.
"I am glad you feel that way; I sleep at night and don't have to worry about my business, and I know that any time I can come, I will be welcomed home," Lucas told her. "And this little guy is a great reason to come more frequently. I want to see him grow up and know his godfather; I am truly honored."
"There is no one that we wanted to be our son's godfather but you," Mike said seriously.
"Now on that note," Mei added, "right now it is time for your godson to take his leave and go to bed."
Lucas gave the little boy an extra squeeze in his arms and then transferred him to Mei who said her goodnight.
"I am proud of you Mike; not just of the work you have done, but the courage you found to grab the life you wanted when love hit you hard." Lucas told him.
"Do I detect a note of melancholy or is it hope in your voice. I know you have had a tough time and I have been praying for you to find peace and someone who will love you without bounds. You deserve that," Mike told him.
"I am finally ready for that. This trip came at just the right time. The book at last is closed, and a new one is beginning. I am hopeful," he said.
"That sounds like you may have a specific reason to hope, and if you do, I wish you all the best. You have put everyone in your life first and a lot of unknown faces out there too. It is your turn to be happy. You can still work for good if you have the right person by your side. The dreams we share are the best dreams."
"You know Mike, despite your sometimes more than jovial exterior, there is a wise man inside. I appreciate the counsel and I will take it to heart," Lucas told him. He rose from his seat, "I think I will go up to my suite. I have a phone call to make," Lucas said. He had promised he would call her tonight and besides, he wanted to hear her voice before he went to sleep.
"Have a good night, Lucas, sleep well."
"I am counting on it. We will be up early to head out; it will be the crack of dawn," he told Mike.
"We will have breakfast ready, just give me a call when you are ready to come down. I will be up too," Mike replied.
He removed his jacket and tie and sat in his favorite armchair where the telephone was placed. He then removed his shoes and put his feet up on the hassock that his father had sent him during a trip to Tangiers. He took a sip of the brandy he had poured, leaned back and closed his eyes. He brought her picture to the forefront. "Arawyn, I miss you," he thought to himself. But he could picture her clearly leaning over the sand with the red waves around her, head-to-head with Jack looking for sea glass that matched their eyes. She could be so sweet and gentle and kind. And then he imagined her when she was dancing the tango with him. He could feel the passion ignited within her as his desire responded to hers; it had been like playing with fire. Both of these pictures were her and he wanted to know all her many facets. He reached for the phone.
"Hello…? He heard the voice of one of the staff.
"Anna, is Miss MacKenna at home?" He asked.
"Yes, sir, I will get her, hold for a few minutes, please," she told him.
A few minutes later he heard her voice; he had been waiting to hear it all day. "Hello, this is Arawyn," she all but sang in his mind.
"It's Lucas," he said quietly. "You asked me to call to let you know that I am safe and sound. I am but I have wanted to hear your voice all day."
"I have missed you too," she told him. "I have tried to concentrate on my work but alas I am afraid I have been less than successful. Somehow knowing you are far away makes me think about where you are and what you are doing. When you are in town, I can just imagine that you are in the library with a favorite book," she told him.
"Well at the moment I have retired to my suite at the Queen, and I am in my favorite chair with the phone in one hand and a sniffer of brandy beside me," he told her.
"Okay, I will picture you like that for now," she said. "How was your trip and your meetings in Hope Valley?"
"The trip was good, it passed quickly with Jack entertaining us. Marcus and I were able to get a bit of work in on the way too. We had lunch at the hotel before I dropped off Allie and then Jack," Lucas told her. He paused, wondering what he should say about his visit with Elizabeth. He decided to go with the truth; there was nothing to hide.
"Do you mind if I tell you about my visit with Elizabeth?" He asked her. Most woman would be curious and might probe but she wasn't most woman.
"Certainly, you can talk to me about anything. I will let you know if I am uncomfortable," she told him.
"Well, I guess I should have expected Jack to lay out every detail of his trip. It came like a rush that I couldn't dam up even if I wanted too. I had hoped to be able to talk to you more before anyone else heard about our friendship. But Jack basically laid it all out in his own way. The church and meeting you and about your hair and eyes… he showed her the pebble that is just that shade of green with hints of blue that match them. And the one that you told him matched his. He even found one that is deep blue and matches his mamas. He showed her the drawing he made of the two of us. He told her about the picnic and the boat and the swans. And about dinner on Sunday and the park. And how you love Gustave's chocolates," Lucas told her.
"Oh my," Arawyn said.
"Yes, Elizabeth and I know each other well. She got the picture, I am sure. She did cry a little, mostly she knows how much he means to me, and her decision took that away. Like I said, I wanted to speak with you first before telling her about us, but Jack dealt the cards and I decided to play the hand. She knows that I always thought about her happiness first, but I told her I was ready to find mine. She understood what I was saying to her and at last we truly had the closure that we needed." Lucas went silent for a moment and Arawyn took the opportunity to speak.
"Thank you for sharing that, Lucas. I know these past years have been difficult, but I am glad that you had the opportunity to speak with Elizabeth and that the two of you have the closure you need. I am sure she will be wishing you all the best and that she will always be willing to let Jack have a relationship with you, "she told him.
"Yes, she has wished me well all along; even when I couldn't see it for myself. But I told her how we met and that we have a lot in common, and that it has developed into a friendship. I might have just left it there, but I went on to tell her that I feel happy again now and that I feel like this is important. Like I said, I want to speak to you about our relationship as soon as I am back, but I felt that it was important to speak the basic truth. I hope you don't mind," Lucas said the last words very softly.
"I don't mind, Lucas. I trust you to know what is best for her, for Jack and for yourself. And someday, should our friendship continue, I hope I will meet her. I have a feeling we have a lot in common and we could even become friends," Arawyn told him.
"Arawyn, on my side there is no 'if' when it comes to our friendship; I want your friendship first and foremost. You are the most fascinating woman; you are intelligent, and it comes along with a quick wit and a love for banter. You are kind, caring and truly compassionate. We have a lot of similarities in our likes, literature, travel and the outdoors. And did I mention that you are beautiful? Yours is more than beauty; you have the magic of the sea and the island you were born in. You are like the ocean, you are like fire, and that lilt is a melody to my ears. You are not like a siren who lured men at sea to their doom; but you are like the sea nymphs that helped them on their journey," he told her.
"Are you sure you don't write poetry instead of financial plans in that big office of yours?" she asked. "I like you too, Lucas, very much. And I am writing a poem for you. Sometime perhaps it will be time to read it."
"I would like that very much. Oh, how I wish you were here next to me so I could tell you what is in my heart," he whispered.
"I think that is what you have been doing, is it not? I can and will wait for you to return. And I will listen to the words you want to tell me, and I will share with you mine in return," Arawyn told him softly. "But for now, you have an early morning so you can get to your meeting. If you have a chance to call me tomorrow and tell me how it went, then do. But I will understand if you aren't able to call.
"Thank you, for being so understanding. I don't like being away right now, but it is important. Not more important, but timing is against me if I don't act on the project. Tomorrow, I will call you and also tell you about the meeting I had with Lee Coulter and two of the local farmers. It will interest you very much. I am excited about it."
"I can hear that in your voice, and I will be waiting for your call. Sleep well, Lucas and perhaps we shall find one another in our dreams."
"Sweet dreams, Arawyn. I hope to find you too. Goodnight." He heard her put down the phone before he set his receiver down too.
The rest of the trip was a whirlwind. So many meetings and several speeches to give. He called Arawyn each night and they chatted about the project and his meetings. She was excited to hear about the farmers' donation idea and told him that she was willing to travel anywhere this summer before the next term started. And she was sure that Mary and Martha both would help too. They kept their conversations to the project and chatting about various topics of interest and telling each other more about themselves. But they stayed away from discussion about their possible future.
They both were anxious for their reunion on Friday morning. He would be returning in the wee hours of the night and then had Friday off. She was available Friday except for a few things she wanted to do in her office if she had a chance in the afternoon. They made arrangements to meet at his place for breakfast. Marcus was traveling on to visit his brother and sister-in-law for the weekend and would be leaving at first light in order to drive to Calgary. Gustave would be preparing breakfast for Marcus and himself and then would be leaving his and Arawyn's for later. He had planned to bake breakfast favorites and slice fruit for a continental breakfast but also had boiled eggs and prepared a dish of sliced ham and put them in the refrigerator if they wanted something more substantial. He had promised to keep to his quarters during her visit unless "Lucas needed his assistance"; Lucas rolled his eyes at Gustave who smirked. He knew he was being teased. But he also knew that Gustave loved him and would give him space right now.
