Chapter 26

Capital City, Alberta Canada

Tuesday August 23, 1921

It had been a busy month since Lucas's meeting with Sir John Ellerman. The money had all been placed in escrow accounts and now they were looking over the bids from construction companies who wanted to build the hospital and other buildings. They also needed an architectural firm to draw up all their plans.

"I really like this Hubbard Stone and Construction Company from Sioux Falls South Dakota. Their main headquarters are in America but they do business here in Canada as well. Their bid although not the lowest is the most encompassing and addresses all of our concerns. And they have agreed to hire only Canadian citizens to work on the project, with the exception of some supervisory positions." Henry told him.

Lucas smiled, "I agree totally Henry. My director of infrastructure also chose Hubbard Stone as the bid he would like to accept. We just need to decide on the architectural firm for the plans. We have Archibald and Schofield or Darling and Pearson. My director likes Darling, I prefer Archibald. Henry, you get to be the deciding factor. What say you?" Lucas asked with a smirk. "Be honest"

"Both bids are comparable but I would say I like Darling's architecture design just a little better." He told the governor.

"Darling and Pearson it is. Now, let's get this written up so we can get it to the legislature by Friday. I have already started making calls to those members of the legislature who appear to be on the fence about approving the project." He told him hopefully

"This is a good thing, Lucas, you should be proud. This will be wonderful for the people of the valley. It will accomplish all your objectives even better than the resort would have." He told him honestly.

"One more hurdle my friend, then I can really breathe." Lucas told him.

By Friday the bill was written and had been sent to the legislature for a vote. Now it was a waiting game. This was the part of politics that Lucas hated the most. He was use to making a decision then running with it, without needing the approval of a committee. Since there was nothing more he could for now with this project, he needed to take his mind off of work. He knew just who to call.

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Capital City, Alberta Canada

Saturday, August 27, 1921

On Saturday, MaKayla and Lucas had arranged to spend the afternoon together. He arrived at her house at noon as planned. As she came out of the house, she caught sight of what Lucas had arrived to pick her up on, which had her breaking out into laughter.

"Lucas Bouchard, where did you get a tandem bicycle?" She asked.

"It was in the garage at the governor's mansion." He told her. "It's all the rage in Paris. I thought we could bicycle to the lake and have a picnic. Come on Doc, you'll love it." He got off the bicycle and went over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He took her by the hand and led her to their transportation for the day.

MaKayla laughed shaking her head, "I'd love to join you." She hopped on behind him.

"Now the key to this," Lucas told her seriously, "is we have to be in rhythm with each other to get the best possible motion forward. So, on the count of three start pedaling." He told her.

"Yes, governor. I understand the mission." She said with a serious face, while trying very hard to suppress a giggle. They were in perfect rhythm the whole two-mile ride to Lake Wabamun.

Once they arrived at the lake, Lucas took the picnic basket from the front of the bicycle and they picked a nice spot under the shade of a tree. As he put out a vase of flowers, MaKayla stared in amazement. "You brought a vase of flowers to a picnic?" She smiled.

"Of course, every meal deserves that special something." He told her. "The flowers are from the garden at the governor's mansion."

"Well, it is a delightful first for me." She said as she leaned in to smell the beautiful collection of different flowers.

They then enjoyed Gustave's very tasty lunch with all his special touches. She especially liked all the cheeses and vegetables with the delicious homemade bread.

"We can rent a rowboat and go out on the lake if you want?" Lucas suggested.

"I would love to do that but under one condition." She told him.

Lucas eyed her suspiciously, "What's that?" He asked

"That only I row. The motion of rowing is something you shouldn't be doing just yet." She told him firmly.

"Hmm, well I'm not sure what the other fellows will think of me being chauffeured around the lake on a beautiful summer afternoon by a lovely young lady. But I'm willing to risk my honor." He said with a snarky grin. He took her hand and they walked along the shore to the boat launch. "I at least hope you will allow me to pay for the boat rental." He said teasingly.

"Yes, governor. I will let you have that pleasure." She smiled broadly at him.

They got into the boat with ease with MaKayla sitting in the middle seat. Lucas took the seat facing her. Lucas immediately noted that MaKayla was a very efficient rower. "It seems like you have done this before. What were summers like for you as a child?" Lucas asked.

"My mother's parents own a summer home in Saratoga Springs, NY. They are horse people and we would spend the month of August there. Saratoga has a horse track and a large lake. We went boating often. It was also where I learned to ride. My sister, brother and I had so much fun during the summers we spent there. My cousins would come as well and it was crazy mayhem." She laughed. "What about you?" She asked.

"As an only child, my summers were often lonely. Sometimes I would travel with my parents. I would spend some time with my grand mère in France. My cousin Gustave was there sometimes during the same time that I was. I wouldn't say there was any mayhem going on though." He gave a sad chuckle.

"Lucas, tell me. I know you want a family, but what do you picture that family looking like?" She asked.

Lucas gave her a bright smile. "It is my deepest desire." He said with passion. "Hmm, no one ever asked me that before. I guess I picture a big rambling house, filled with love and laughter. But its more than a house it's a true home. My wife is by my side with our children surrounding us. Where we are all together experiencing lots of wonderful adventures together, some big, some small. Just doing everyday things but together. Where no one feels alone. I'm not naïve enough to think that it will be rainbows and sunshine all the time but that's the point. We would be together regardless of whatever life throws at us. And you, what do you see?" He asked with a contented sigh.

"Well, I would say I see the same thing. Except I need to know that my husband understands that my career as a physician is important to me. I don't need another James O'Mara who thinks a woman's place is just in the home and nowhere else." She gave him a flirtatious smile. "And you, Governor Bouchard, do you think a woman belongs just in the home, bearing children, serving her husband?" She asked genuinely curious.

"My mother worked my entire life. Being a book editor is something she loves. Although when I was young, I sometimes felt she loved her job more than me. But I have also come to learn that my mother didn't take to child rearing naturally. Something that she herself admits. Women just as men need a passion in life. But I don't think that the passion has to be at the exclusion of the family. I do believe if a couple works together, they can both have fulfilling careers and raise a happy family." He told her as he gazed deeply into her eyes.

"So, no Dr. Donovan I don't believe that a woman is solely responsible for the raising of the children and taking care of the home. I want my wife to be able to have a passion for something she loves in addition to me and our children. I look forward to that." He said as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. Hoping she could read all that was there.

"I have seen you with children, you are very good with them. One might say, that you are a natural, so whatever your own mother may have lacked, you have made up for. Jack wanted you to be his Papa and despite him not be your biological child you love him as if he were. That speaks volumes to the kind of man you are Lucas Bouchard." She said sincerely. "So how many children would you like to have?" She asked curiously.

"Thank you, it is a characteristic that I am proud to have. Hmm as to the number, let me see. I was thinking a dozen." He told her with the sincerest face he could muster. MaKayla looked at him with a shocked expression and just then she lost her grip on one of the oars as it came off the guide holding it in place. It started to float away in the water.

Lucas quickly grabbed the other oar and tried to extend the oar out to reach the one that had fallen in the water. He stood up gingerly to extend his reach and leaned precariously close to the water but despite his attempts to remain upright, he toppled over the side of the boat into the water.

MaKayla gasped in surprise. "Lucas!" He came sputtering to the surface. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine, I got the oars." He said happily. He swam over to the side of the boat and threw both oars into the boat. He then attempted to pull himself into the boat. Due to his injury his strength was not what it should have been and he ended up causing the boat to flip over and MaKayla went for a swim as well.

"Oops, sorry about that" Lucas said as she rose to the surface. Lucas swam over to her. "Are you alright?"

She was laughing so hard; she could barely speak. "That is going to cost you governor." She said teasingly as she trended water. Other boaters watched this mayhem with sheer delight. Finally, one boater came to their rescue and helped them right their rowboat and get back into it.

Once they were back in their boat, Lucas said, "You realize this will probably be a front-page story tomorrow. Governor almost drowns date and himself in Lake Wabamun." He chuckled with delight.

"I have no doubt that Edwin will just love this publicity. I imagine this is not exactly what he had in mind when he told you to let the people see you in Capital City." MaKayla laughed.

Once they were back on the shore, Lucas stared at MaKayla as her dress clung to her, revealing her exquisite figure. Even with her hair hanging down soaking wet, he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He walked over to her and put his hands on her waist.

"You look like a sea mermaid," he told her. She smiled softly. He then placed the palm of his hands on her cheeks and brought her in for a slow achingly passionate kiss.

MaKayla begrudgingly pulled away, "Lucas, we have an audience. Perhaps we should go." She said as she looked around at all the people staring at them.

Lucas started to look around as well. "The Governor is off duty. Today I'm MaKayla's Donovan's date and nothing more. And if I want to kiss her that is exactly what I'm going to do with her permission of course." She smiled while shaking her head at him.

"Well, I whole heartedly support a day off for the governor. And if kissing his date is what he desires then who am I to argue with him." As she gently took his wet hair that had fallen into his eyes and moved it to the side. They both smiled as he leaned in to kiss her once again, and this time MaKayla didn't stop him.

When they arrived back at the Governor's mansion, Lucas changed into a pair of black pants and a white henley shirt. He got MaKayla a lounging robe to wear while he put her clothes in the electric dryer that the mansion had the great luxury of having. He didn't want her to go home in soaking wet clothes as he was not sure what her father would think.

"How does the area around your incision feel? Any pain?" She asked him.

"No, it feels fine." He told her.

"I think I need to check. Come lay down on the sofa so I can make sure you didn't do any damage." She told him.

"OK Doc but I'm telling you that I'm fine." He told her

"I will feel better if I check, please humor me." She said sweetly.

They went into the parlor, Lucas laid down on the sofa. He pulled up his shirt while MaKayla checked his abdomen for any bruising. Just then they heard a gasp. MaKayla turned around and Lucas raised his head to see Henry looking at them.

"Should I even ask what is going on here?" Henry asked with a shocked expression.

They both burst into laughter. Lucas started to sit up and MaKayla held her robe even tighter together. "Honestly Henry, this is not what it seems at all. We fell in the water at Lake Wabamun today and MaKayla's clothes are in the dryer. She wanted to make sure I hadn't injured myself so she was in doctor mode. Nothing more." Lucas said with a smirk.

Henry was shaking his head, "Thank goodness I was the one that walked in. But the two of you continue on as you were." he smiled at the young couple and he took his leave. Henry was glad to see his friend happy again. Lucas and MaKayla looked at each other and started laughing all over again.

"Thank goodness that was Henry and not Edwin, otherwise I would have been in for a lecture. So where were we," he said as he reached over to kiss her with renewed passion. As they broke apart both breathless, MaKayla had a look in her eye. "Have I done something wrong?" Lucas asked concerned.

"No, not at all. But there is something on my mind that I would like to discuss with you." She said a little sheepishly. "But after my clothes are out of the dryer, and I'm fully dressed again." She told him with a wry grin.

MaKayla walked into the library after getting dressed. "Lucas" she said. He looked up and smiled.

"Come sit down next to me. Tell me what is on your mind." To lighten the moment, he said. "If you're worried about the dozen children I would like, I'm more than willing to drop that down to half a dozen." He said with a silly grin. He found himself nervous about what she wanted to discuss since she wore such a serious expression.

She sat down next to him on the couch. "Lucas, you know how I feel about you but I also want to be honest with you about something." She looked him in the eyes. "Trevor and I…you know we were engaged and there was a war….and I never knew if he would come home from a…" she trailed off as Lucas kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"You don't have to say anything else. I understand. And I'm happy that you and Trevor got to experience that. It will always be special to you, as it should be." Lucas held her gaze and wiped a tear from her cheek that had fallen.

"Thank you for understanding. I love you so much," she told him and then hugged him tight.

"Since we're being honest with each other. You don't need to wonder if Elizabeth and I shared anything special like that. The answer is no. I'm no saint but she was a widow with a child and it took on a different tone. I've had lovers in the past but you, MaKayla Donovan, when the time is right will be the first woman, I will truly make love to." Lucas told her with raw emotion.

They both leaned in and kissed each other with all the love they were both feeling.

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Capital City, Alberta Canada

Tuesday, September 20, 1921

Lucas sat in his office mulling over why the legislature was stalling on his bill proposal for the new hospital and rehabilitation center. The bill had been on the legislative agenda for three weeks now. It hadn't been vetoed but it hadn't been passed yet either. Lucas despised this game of one upmanship that seem so prevalent in political circles. The blustering by politicians to best one another instead of doing what was good for the people. Well, 'if the mountain wouldn't come to the Muhammad, then Muhammad must come to the mountain,' then so be it, he thought.

Lucas stood and was putting on his jacket when Henry came into his office. "Are you going somewhere?" He inquired.

"As a matter of fact, I am. I'm on my way down to the legislative chamber." He told him with a new boldness in his eyes.

"To do what?" Henry asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"They have had our proposal for three weeks Henry. Three weeks! There is no reason this wasn't passed on day one. I'm going to find out why." He said confidently.

"Are you sure that is wise Lucas?" Henry asked.

Lucas stopped and looked directly at his friend. "Henry, I'm not a politician and I don't want to be one. This tomfoolery needs to end." He told him in no uncertain terms.

Henry knew there was no sense in trying to talk him out of this, he had his mind made up. "Ok, let's do this." The two men left Lucas's office together.

Henry stood at the door of the chamber as Lucas went down to the legislative floor. All conversation ceased as they stared at Lucas. No doubt surprised to see the governor, since he had been virtually nonexistence for his first year in office. Finally, Chairman Reynolds stood. "Governor Bouchard, what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Lucas stared at Reynolds not fooled by the gracious smile he displayed.

"Chairman Reynolds, good to see you again." Lucas told him. As he thought two can play this game. Lucas had schooled his countenance into one that he knew was unreadable. "I'm here to check on the status of my administration's proposal, bill 21-13. And while I'm here I would also like to know the status of the water proposal bill 21-10. My office has not heard any updates in the three weeks since 21-13 has been on your agenda. I must, therefore, conclude that the legislative body has questions or concerns. So here I am. What can I clear up for you gentlemen to get these very important proposals passed?" Lucas said in the most charming of tones.

Chairman Reynolds, coughed, "Hmm, Governor, I don't believe we have any questions?" He told him as he looked at his fellow legislatures'. "Does anyone have questions for Governor Bouchard?" He asked as he looked around the room menacingly. No one responded.

"Then Chairman, what's the problem? We have philanthropic donations from esteemed benefactors that will fund the entire project. We have supplied you with bids from respectable companies for the work on this project. Our fellow Canadian citizens are ready to go to work. Why the intentional hold up?" He paused as he glanced around the room. He observed that most of those assembled looked down instead of looking him in the eye.

Lucas continued, "As there are no questions regarding the validity of this proposal, then something else must be holding up the passage of this bill. Could it be that some of our esteemed members have an axe to grind… with me? Now, if that is indeed the case then say so and let's get on with this." He said forcefully as he walked around the room.

"I am fully aware that some of you still bear allegiance to Balfour. Why that would be escapes me. But none the less, perhaps it bears repeating that Balfour can do nothing for you now. He is in prison, where he will be for quite some time, I might add." Lucas then took a seat at the other end of the table from Chairman Reynolds.

Folding his hands in front of him and leaning forward, he said. "On the other hand, you are now left with a young, politically inexperienced Governor, who due to a trail of unforeseen circumstances has…let's be kind here… has had to deal with a lot of other distractions. But I want to assure all of you, I'm not going anywhere. And the political shenanigans of the past administration will not be tolerated in this one. Now, do what you were elected to do, serve the people. I will expect a passed or vetoed bill on my desk by Friday."

Lucas stood, adjusted his cufflinks, took one last steely look around the table and with his most charismatic smile said, "Have a good day, gentlemen."

As Lucas walked out of the room, he chuckled to himself, good or bad at least they knew now he meant business and had no plans to resign or be a lame duck for the next three years. He was tired of playing their particular brand of politics. He ran for the governorship to effect change and that is exactly what he was going to do. He met Henry at the door of the legislative chamber, they left together and closed the door behind them.

"Glad to have you back old friend. I missed you." Henry said as he greeted him with an appraising smile and patted him on the back. Lucas thought happily, it was good to be back.

But more importantly Lucas felt the remaining darkness lift and the despair that had haunted him for the past year leave him. It was an ordinary Tuesday, he thought, I'll be damned, an ordinary Tuesday. It was just the way MaKayla had said it would be.

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Henry walked into Lucas's office the following morning with big grin on his face.

"You didn't say much, my friend, but it was enough." He gave him the two pieces of paper in his hand. Lucas stared down at what was on the papers, then back up at Henry.

"They didn't make me wait till Friday?" Lucas said incredulously as he gave Henry his own big grin. "This is fantastic. They passed both bills 21-13 and 21-10." Lucas said happily.

"Small towns can now be assured that their water supplies are safe from people like Balfour and Montague going forward. Your whole reason for running for governor Lucas has finally been achieved. It cost you a lot personally, more than you or anyone else thought it would. But you did it. This is something to be proud of." Henry told him with admiration.

Lucas sat back in his chair, as the enormity of the moment was not lost on him. "Thank you, Henry, but no man is an island. We did this together." He said as he looked at the one man who had stood with him despite all the drama and chaos.

Please call Hubbard Construction and Darling and Pearson and let them know they have won the bids. Find out what our next steps are for getting this process started. I would like to make the formal announcement in Hope Valley in mid-October, say the 19th. I know it's soon but if Darling could have some sketches available for the formal announcement of what the structures will look like would be great. I also want a representative from each company in Hope Valley when I make the announcement. I don't want anyone to think we are hiding anything. We can also present Lee, as mayor of Hope Valley a copy of Bill 21-10." He told him.

"Since MaKayla came up with the idea for the hospital complex, I would like to go see her and let her know the good news in person. So, if you will excuse me for a few hours."

Henry chuckled. "Absolutely, go tell Dr. Donovan the good news."