Chapter 25

When MaKayla returned to Lucas's house she found him fast asleep on the couch. She gently knelt on the side of the couch. "Lucas. Time to wake up," she said quietly while giving him a gentle shake on his arm.

He opened his eyes slowly. "Hi. Sorry, guess I fell asleep. What time is it?" He asked.

"Dinner time. I brought some Coq au Vin from the saloon. I have something exciting to discuss with you." She told him. She helped him up and they walked into the kitchen.

She set the table for dinner, then served the Coq au Vin. "First, tell me how your visit with Jack went." She said happily.

"I have some exciting news as well. Apparently, Jack and Elizabeth have been talking, and Jack asked me if I wanted to be his Papa." He looked at her unsure as to what her reaction would be to this.

Before MaKayla could answer, Lucas said. "I mean, Jack understands that Elizabeth and I are no longer together as a couple and I wouldn't be moving into his house. That I have to go to Capital City for work." He told her in a nervous rambling manner.

MaKayla got up from her chair and walked over to him and sat down on his lap as she put her arms around his neck. "Lucas, I think that is wonderful. I know how much you love Jack. If Jack wants to think of you as his Papa, I would never stand in the way of that. I already knew that you think of him as your son. And now the fact that he thinks of you as his Papa is a gift to both of you." She told him sincerely. Lucas gave her a large dimpled grin and then kissed her deeply.

When they broke apart, Lucas smiled at this beautiful woman on his lap. "Thank you. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you support my relationship with Jack." She lightly kissed him on the nose and got up from his lap and went back to her own chair.

"How did checkers go with Jack?" She asked

Lucas had a flabbergasted look on his face. "Jack won all but one of the games of checkers we played. With you beating me at backgammon and Jack at checkers, I'm starting to get a bruised ego." He said laughing.

"Perhaps I will give you another chance at backgammon tonight." she told him. "But first, I want to discuss something else with you." He raised his eyebrows in surprise, wondering what she wanted to discuss.

"Ok, what do we need to talk about?" He asked with slight apprehension.

"I think I have come up with an idea for the land that the government purchased for the resort. I know you have been frantically trying to come up with a way to salvage your idea and bring jobs and prosperity to the valley." She told him excitedly.

"Do tell, Doc." He said curiously.

"Well, I think that a hospital and rehabilitation center would be perfect for that area. All we need to do is find a generous benefactor or two. You and I both know a lot of well to do people who are always looking for philanthropic ventures to invest in. This area really needs a hospital, Lucas." She told him adamantly.

"If I hadn't been here when you were shot, you would have died because the necessary medical help was not close by. Jack would have had to go at the very least to Union City to just have a tonsillectomy. Lilly's grandmother could have been treated right here in Hope Valley instead of going to Union City for months." She told him as she could see his mind working.

"As far as the rehabilitation center goes, you know all the physiotherapy you needed after your first shooting. Imagine a facility that can provide the physiotherapy needs that some patients require in the same location as the hospital. Your leg ended up healing so much faster when you started going to the hot springs, imagine the benefits they could provide to other patients. And lastly, Lee had the idea for a national park. We could open a park with options for camping in tents or maybe building some small cabins. Design hiking trails, offer horseback riding. Lucas the park could also benefit the patients in the rehabilitation center. We could also have a dormitory building for families to stay while visiting the patients that live a greater distance away. What do you think?" She said excited.

"How do you know that Lee has an idea for a national park?" He asked quizzically.

"I asked him to show me the land today so I could see if what I was envisioning could work. He and Rosemary asked how you were doing by the way." She told him.

"They did, huh?" He asked

"I told them if they came by, that you would be delighted to see them." She told him sweetly.

"Always the peace maker, Dr. Donovan." He said with an amused smile. "As for your idea, we would need benefactors with deep pockets. This would be quite an undertaking." He paused, thinking of all the possibilities.

"It would solve the unemployment issue throughout the valley and bring people to the towns. I love the idea, but finding donations could prove difficult and I couldn't go to the legislature without that secured." He said contemplating who he could ask.

Suddenly his face lit up. I need to make a call. He got up and walked into his library where the telephone was. "Florence, I need to make a call to Capital City, to Edwin Mitchell." He told her.

"Yes, governor, hold one minute." She told him. MaKayla joined him in the library.

"Edwin, it's Lucas. I need you to send a telegram tonight. I want you to send it to Sir John Ellerman in London, England." Lucas then told him what he wanted to say. "Hopefully he will respond quickly. I want to know as soon as he does. Thank You Edwin." He hung up the phone with a huge smile on his face.

"Come here," he said to MaKayla as he pulled her onto his lap. "This is a fabulous idea and if we could make it happen it would be a wonderful thing for the valley." He said giving her a slow achingly passionate kiss.

"Now, governor, don't get carried away." She giggled. "You're still not 100 percent," she told him.

"I think I'm willing to live a little dangerously." He said as the kiss went to a deeper level.

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The next morning, Lucas received a telephone call from Edwin. "Sir John sent a telegram. He'll be in Canada in three weeks, Alberta specifically and said he would meet with you to discuss your idea. Can you be back in Capital City by then?" Edwin asked.

"Let me check with MaKayla as to when I can travel. Henry and I will begin working on the proposal for Sir John from here. I'm so excited about this idea Edwin. It's the answer we have been searching for. Please let Sir John know I look forward to his visit." He told him with renewed excitement.

"Governor, I agree with you. This is exactly what we need." Edwin told him.

MaKayla walked into the library as Lucas finished his call. He looked at up her.

"Sir John set a telegram back saying he would meet with me in three weeks in Capital City. How soon can I travel?" He asked inquisitively.

"Let's give it at least 10 more days here, then we can leave assuming you continue to follow doctors' orders." She told him in no uncertain terms.

"Absolutely Doc. Henry and I have a lot of work to do. But I believe it will be worth it in the end." He told her with a genuine smile.

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Capital City, Alberta Canada

Thursday, July 7,1921

Lucas, Henry and MaKayla arrived back in Capital City on Thursday night. Lucas had the driver drop Henry off at the mansion and then Lucas accompanied MaKayla to her father's house. He walked her to the front door.

"I've gotten use to us living in the same house, not quite sure how I'm going to be able to sleep without you just across the hall." He said gloomily.

"You will be just fine Lucas." She smiled at him as she put her arms around his neck. "I know you're feeling better but you still have internal damage that needs to heal. And that will take time. So, you need naps, no heavy lifting and stay in the downstairs bedroom. Understand?" She said in her sternest doctor voice. "I will be checking, so no funny stuff, mister." She said with a soft laugh.

"I understand. I don't under any circumstance want to end up back in the hospital as a patient, from here on out I just want to be a visitor." He chuckled.

He leaned down and kissed her, "I'll call you later to say goodnight." He turned and left but looked back one more time to see her disappear into the house.

As she closed the door, she leaned up against the door, missing him already. She loved being in the same house with him. Just then she heard her father's voice, bringing her back to reality.

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The next two weeks passed quickly. Lucas and Henry were working nonstop on the proposal for Sir John. Lucas still tired very easily and he did have to rest during the day but overall, he felt better and better each day.

The night before the meeting with Sir John, Lucas and MaKayla went out to dinner at Chartier Restaurant. Edwin had encouraged Lucas to go out so the people could see that he was alive, well and importantly in Capital City. In this particular instance Lucas was happy to oblige Edwin's public relation request.

"Are you ready for your meeting tomorrow?" MaKayla asked.

"As ready as we can be. It is my sincere desire that he will see the value in what we are proposing." He told her. "Thanks to your wonderful idea." He winked at her.

Looking around MaKayla noticed numerous people staring at them. "We certainly are getting a lot of stares tonight." She told him curiously.

Lucas looked around the restaurant to see the many faces looking their way. "It is rare for them to see their governor out in Capital City. No less with a beautiful woman as my dinner date. I'm sure most voters feel I was a figment of their imagination. Edwin said I need to be seen in public more." He chuckled.

"So that was why you were so insistent about going out to dinner this evening." She said with amusement.

"Perhaps a little, but mostly I wanted to show you off." He gave her a cocky smile.

She smiled back at him. "Well, governor, shall we be going now?" She asked him. "It's getting late and you need your rest. Please keep in mind you are nowhere near fully recovered just yet, no matter how good you feel." She told him earnestly.

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Capital City, Alberta Canada

Thursday, July 21, 1921

"You are going to wear that rug out if you don't stop pacing." Henry told Lucas good naturedly.

"Henry, we need Sir John to agree to the validity of our proposal and also be willing to help us. I just hope we can convince him." Lucas said nervously.

"It's a good plan Lucas. I have confidence this one will go our way." Henry told him confidentially.

There was a knock at the door, and Edwin entered. "Sir John is here." Edwin told them.

"Please escort him in." Lucas said. Edwin left and returned a few minutes later.

"Sir John, good to see you again." Lucas said affably as the two men shook hands. "I'd like you to meet my chief of staff, Henry Gowen." Henry stood and shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you." Henry said.

"Lucas it is wonderful to see you again. You look well considering everything I heard that you have suffered in the past year." He told him honestly.

"I'm fortunate to have a wonderful doctor, that has made all the difference. I'm getting better every day." Lucas said with ease.

"I'm pleased you are on the mend. Now, let's get to the matter at hand, shall we?" Sir John said. He was a man who did not mince words.

"I read over the proposal you had sent over and I must say it is quite ambitious." He said frankly. "But I also understand why this is so important to you. I want you to understand that although I feel that I owe you a favor for saving my son, this is not going to be it." He told him.

Lucas could not hide his disappointment at Ellerman's statement. "Sir John, if you'd just let me explain the merits of this idea and what a service you would be helping to provide to the valley communities and other surrounding areas…" Lucas trailed off as Sir John put up his hand.

"Lucas, you misunderstand me. What I meant by I owe you a favor and this is not going to be it, was that this is something I'd be happy to invest in, no favor is needed to get me to agree. So yes, I'm all in. I also contacted Samuel Holt on your behalf. He's a crotchety old goat but I managed to get him to agree as well. He read over everything and is willing to make a substantial donation. You will have the necessary funds for your project." He said sincerely.

"John, I can't thank you enough. This is wonderful news." Lucas said happily.

"Have Mr. Gowen contact my chief of staff and they can work out the details regarding the transfer of funds. I would love to stay and visit but I have a lot meetings scheduled while I'm in Canada. I'd like you to know that John Jr. is doing well. He's a happy 11-year-old boy and he owes that all to you. My family and I can never repay you Lucas for what you did." He stood and the two men embraced.

"I'm glad that everything turned out as it did. I hope to see you and young John next time I'm in England." Ellerman nodded and bid the men goodbye.

"Well, you have your funding." Henry told him with a smile. "You finally got a well-deserved win." Henry told him elated for his friend.

"Once we have the transfer of funds secured, we can write up our proposal to be approved by the legislature. I almost feel like I can breathe again. One more hurdle. I really believe this is a win for the valley communities as well." He told him.

"I agree Lucas, this is exactly what we need. I'm sure Lee and Maise Hickam can get behind this idea." He told him with a cocky smile.

Lucas laughed, "I hope so. I have a medical appointment with MaKayla that I cannot be late for. I will be back later this afternoon." Lucas patted him on the back and left the office.

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"Governor Bouchard right on time." MaKayla told him. "Come in."

"I was hoping we could have lunch together after you do my examination. We could go to the deli next to the hospital? I have some great news to share." He told her with a beaming smile.

She returned his smile, "I think I can make time for you. Now, let's go into the next room. As they walked over to the next room. She told him. "Ok, get up on the exam table, I need you to take off your tie and unbutton your vest and shirt."

He did as he was told. She checked his incision and then began palpating around his abdomen. "Does it hurt at all where I'm pressing? Be honest." She told him with a stern look.

He grimaced, "Yes, but it's not too bad." He told her.

"Ok, you can sit up and button your shirt." She told him.

MaKayla smiled at him. "Lucas, you are doing well. Your incision has healed nicely. I'm sorry it's so large but the scar will fade somewhat with time or at least not look so red and angry. But it's going to take time to heal the damage that was done internally. You still have to take things easy and that includes no strenuous activities until I give the go ahead. Understand?" She asked.

He nodded his understanding. "So, doctor, would dancing be considered strenuous, like a waltz?" He inquired.

MaKayla laughed, "I suppose a waltz would be OK, a slow waltz." She told him. "Do you have a dance to attend?" She eyed him curiously.

"Well on Saturday night I would like to go to the Vermillion Room for dinner and dancing with the smartest, most beautiful woman in all of Capital City. What do you say doc, will you be my date?" He asked her. "I thought it was time we went out on an official date." He said with a smile that reached his eyes.

She smiled back, "No public relations mission this time?" She asked coyly.

"No, this would be an honest to true date, date." He said with a captivating smile.

MaKayla returned his smile, "Well then, Governor, I'd be delighted to go on a date, date with you."

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On Saturday night, Lucas picked MaKayla up at 6:30 p.m. As he entered her home, he was greeted by her father. "Governor, it is pleasure to finally meet you in person. Please come into the drawing room with me. We can have a drink while we wait for MaKayla." He told him as the two men shook hands.

"Sir it is a pleasure to meet you as well." Lucas told him

"Would you like a brandy?" Mr. Donovan asked.

"Yes, that would be fine. You have a lovely home, sir." Lucas told him.

"Actually, this was my parent's home. I'm originally from Capital City. I don't know if MaKayla mentioned that. Although my wife was American. The children were mostly raised in England, although we traveled quite a bit due to my position as a diplomat. I understand you are acquainted with my son Andrew from your days at Cambridge." He told him.

"Yes, Andrew and I met through Matthew Aucoin. MaKayla told me he is serving in the RAF in Iraq right now." He told him

"He is. I wish he would resign from the military and work with me in the diplomatic service or business. I would dearly love for him to settle down, start a family. But he seems to have a mind of his own." The old man laughed heartly.

MaKayla's father eyed the governor closely, "You look well, Governor. Given everything that has happened to you lately. I'm extremely pleased that there has been no outward political blow back from the situation. I sincerely hope that the rest of your governorship will be far less dramatic." He said with kind eyes.

"Thank you, sir. That is my hope as well." Lucas replied somewhat embarrassed by all the less than stellar publicity he has received since becoming governor.

Just then MaKayla walked into the room. She was wearing a lovely sage color dress that went just below her knees in the front but was longer in the back. It had a V neck bodice that Lucas, thought was quite suggestive but looked gorgeous on the woman in front of him. The color brought out the green in her eyes and with her long hair loosely framing her face she was a vision of seduction. He got up and walked over to her.

"You look absolutely stunning," he told her as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, governor. You look quite handsome yourself in your green suit." She smiled at him.

"Ahem," MaKayla's father said to get their attention, as he could see they only had eyes for each other. "I hope you both have a lovely evening. MaKayla, I won't wait up for you." He said with a devilish smile. She gave her father a knowing look.

"Sir, it was a pleasure meeting you." Lucas told him as he shook his hand.

"You as well young man. Have a wonderful evening." He told them. With that the couple left.

MaKayla had been to the Vermillion Room once before for a charity event for the hospital. But this felt so different, being on the arm of this incredible man. They were escorted to a table in the back, away from prying eyes. They both ordered the salmon meuniere in brown butter sauce with roasted asparagus.

"Have you enjoyed being back at work since we've returned from Hope Valley?" Lucas asked.

"I have. But I must say I did enjoy getting to know the patients in Hope Valley on a more personal level then what I generally get to do at the hospital. That is one of the reasons I volunteer in Ashland Hills, once a month. Being a general surgeon can at times be a very lonely specialty. We are a hero if we save the patient but if not, the family generally views us as the enemy for not having saved their loved one." She said with a tinge of sadness.

"I hadn't really given much thought to that aspect for the physicians. Much like politics I suppose, damned if you do, damned if you don't." He gave a laugh with no humor. "Are you sorry now that you became a surgeon instead of staying in woman's medicine?" He asked curiously.

"No not at all, but I've had some rough cases lately with not such good outcomes. It can be hard on the heart." She said honestly.

Lucas reached for her hand. "MaKayla, I want you to share everything with me. If you have had a hard day or lost a patient, please know I will always listen. I want to be a comfort to you, the same as you have been for me with all of my issues. I don't want this to be a one-sided relationship. I've already had that and I don't want that again. I want to give back to you as much as you have given to me." He told her as he gazed lovingly into her eyes.

"I fought so hard to play in a man's world that I guess I decided I didn't have the right to feel anything but grateful and to complain or be sad would prove to the old guard that women didn't belong in surgery." She said thoughtfully. "But Lucas, I do want to share everything with you, even my work." She said passionately. "I feel safe and loved when I'm with you. I know that you won't judge me or make me feel bad about what I'm feeling." She smiled and squeezed his hand tight. He returned her smile with a genuine one of his own.

Their dinners arrived just then, breaking the moment between them. They enjoyed their salmon. Once dinner was done, they took to the dance floor.

MaKayla was back in doctor mode, "Only slow dances, remember?" She gave him a stern look.

"Yes, doctor. I remember." He told her with a wink. They did two waltz's and then went back to their table to enjoy dessert. They both ordered Crème Brule.

"You are really an excellent dancer, Lucas. Very smooth." She told him.

"Am I allowed to do the foxtrot?" He asked suggestively. "It is one of my favorites."

"Ok, we can try one, but just one." She told him. He smiled at her answer.

Once they had finished their desserts, the next song was a foxtrot. MaKayla thought Lucas handled the dance well but he did seem a bit flushed after.

"That was wonderful Lucas, but let's sit for a while." She told him. He didn't argue, it had taken a lot out of him.

"Your father was speaking to me about Andrew. Do you think that he will resign from the military and join your father in the diplomatic corps?" He asked.

"Andrew is supposed to come to Canada in December for a visit. Father and I are hoping we can convince him to make a change. So, we will see. Andrew loves flying though, so I don't think he would be interested in diplomatic service." She told him.

"It will be good to see him again. It has been a long time." Lucas said.

"Andrew is quite excited to touch base with you again as well." She told him excitedly.

"Will your sister come to visit then as well? I'm sure, your father would enjoy having all his children in one place for the holidays." Lucas told her.

"Oh, that would be so wonderful if she could. The three of us have not been together in so long, not since my mother's funeral." She told him sadly. "And your parents, when will you see them?" She asked.

"I usually see them at Christmas time. They plan to travel to Capital City then." He told her.

"Your mother has called me several times since my first phone call with her back in June. She calls for a status update on your health. Apparently, she doesn't trust your assessment of how you are doing physically," she told him with a laugh.

Lucas shook his head. "I'm so sorry. Since I didn't tell her about the first shooting, she apparently thinks I'm keeping something from her. Now I see why she thinks she can wait to her usual Christmas time visit to come see me. She has inside information." He winked at her. "This also explains why she has been peppering me with questions about you." He smiled at her. MaKayla lowered her gaze and blushed.

"I may have a confession to make." Makayla said as she gave him a suspicious smile.

"Do I want to hear this?" Lucas said as he cringed inwardly.

"It's nothing bad but it might explain why your mother is asking you so many questions. When I called your parents after the shooting, I told your mother I was in love with you. She was so worried about you and I wanted her to know that you were more than a patient to me. That I would be there for you. I have this tendency to say what I'm feeling and worry about the repercussions afterward. She said sheepishly. Lucas broke out in uncontained laughter.

"That explains a lot." He told her.

"Are you annoyed with me that I told her that?" MaKayla asked worriedly.

He took her hand. "Why would I be annoyed? You were saying what was in your heart. It was the truth and I'm glad you felt that you could confide that in my mother. Which is actually amazing to me. Many people find Helen Bouchard, shall we say, off putting. She means well but she can be tough." He smiled lovingly at her.

The couple then went out to the dance floor and shared two more waltzes together. It was nearing eleven o'clock and Lucas needed to get MaKayla home. He didn't want to get on the wrong side of her father on their first date. Governor or not, father's expected certain things where their daughters were concerned.

As they arrived at MaKayla's house, Lucas walked her to her door. "Thank you for a lovely evening. I enjoyed myself immensely. I think that our first official date went quite well. I hope you will do me the honor of allowing me to ask you out for a second date Dr. Donovan." He told her sweetly.

"Governor Bouchard, you were a perfect gentleman this evening. I believe I could see my way clear to go out with you again." She said with coy smile. Lucas cupped her face in the palm of his hands and kissed her deeply.

"Goodnight my love." He said just above a whisper in that velvety tone that made her go weak in the knees.

"Goodnight governor." She whispered back in her tantalizing British accent that drove him crazy.