Fiona stared after Lucas as he left the cafe at a faster pace than was normal. Why did I react like that? she wondered, her cheeks heating with embarrassment as she thought about it. It was like for the space of two minutes, she had forgotten how to talk like a normal person. Was it possible… No way, Fiona thought, interrupting her own train of thought. She and Lucas had worked together for years. There was no way she was starting to have feelings for him now. Right?
Fiona's attention was drawn to Faith, who was crouching down next to Lily. It hadn't escaped Fiona's notice how brightly Faith had smiled at the governor. Was it possible that Faith had the inklings of feelings for Lucas too?
"Fiona!" Minnie's voice startled Fiona out of her thoughts.
"What? Oh sorry," she apologized when she realized that Minnie must have called her name several times. "Did you say something?"
"Yes, I just asked if you would be able to take these plates out," Minnie replied in her soft spoken way.
"Oh, yes. Of course, Minnie," Fiona answered and then quickly busied herself with the plates. She went out into the main area of the cafe and delivered the breakfast to the appropriate tables. She checked on a couple other customers and refilled several coffee cups before heading back to the kitchen.
At this point, only Minnie, Joseph, and Faith were left, as Mei had left to open the pharmacy and the kids had gone off to school. Fiona swooped in and grabbed more prepared plates and took them out as Joseph prepared to go to work. When Fiona returned, Joseph was gone and Faith and Minnie were already in the middle of a conversation.
"I don't know why I reacted like that," Faith was saying. "It was like I forgot how to control my facial muscles for a minute."
"I'm sure Lucas didn't notice anything," Minnie assured her, but Faith just laughed.
"Oh, I'm sure he did. But that's OK." Now, Faith shrugged. "I guess I have been thinking about him more recently."
"Really?" Fiona couldn't resist asking, her eyebrows shooting up at her friend's confession.
Faith nodded in reply. "I've never really considered a relationship working between us before, since Carson and I were together when Lucas arrived in Hope Valley and then once Carson left, Lucas and Elizabeth had already started courting. But ever since he and Elizabeth broke up and Lucas came back after his injury, I've seen a new side of him. A softer side maybe. Plus," Faith paused to raise her eyebrows. "He really is very handsome."
"I'll give you that," Fiona muttered without thinking and immediately started to picture Lucas's rich brown eyes. Stop it, Fiona, she scolded herself, trying to snap out of it.
"Are you going to tell him how you feel?" Minnie asked Faith.
"I don't know," Faith replied and she bit her lip nervously. "Should I? I mean, it is the twenty's after all. It shouldn't be too forward for a woman to ask the man, don't you think?"
"You'll never know until you try," Fiona offered, not that she had much experience in that department, but it sounded like good advice.
"That's true." Faith seemed to mull it over. "I guess I don't have anything to lose."
"That's the spirit!" Fiona encouraged, her affinity for her friend overtaking any feelings that might have still lingered.
"Maybe you could ask him if he wanted to have a quiet dinner with you," Minnie suggested. "So you could catch up with each other."
"Perfect!" Faith exclaimed, her face lighting up with a smile. "I'll go ask him right now!" With renewed enthusiasm and determination, Faith was out the door in a matter of seconds.
"She really is a go-getter, isn't she?" Fiona remarked, as she turned towards the sink to start washing some of the dirty dishes.
"That she is," Minnie agreed with a proud smile. "But so are you. Maybe that's why the two of you get along so well." Fiona looked over at Minnie and smiled.
"You might be right," she replied and then the two shared a smile before Minnie turned back to the stove and Fiona refocused on the dishes. She realized that the butterflies in her stomach were gone and that she no longer blushed at the thought of Lucas.
Yes, Fiona had been surprised to see him this morning, but then again, so had everyone else. Sure, she had missed him. It wasn't the same without seeing him sitting up on the balcony of the saloon drinking his tea every morning, but that's the way Hope Valley was. Whenever anyone left, their absence was keenly felt.
Fiona smiled as she washed a plate and set it aside. She didn't like feeling uneasy or out of tune with her emotions. It was a relief to feel herself returning to normal again. Today has already been full of surprises, Fiona thought, amused. And it's only nine thirty in the morning!
"No day is ever boring in Hope Valley," Fiona muttered to herself with a chuckle. It was just one of the reasons she loved this place. No matter how far she traveled or how long she was away, Fiona knew that she would always call Hope Valley home. And for that, she was truly grateful.
Faith was a bundle of nerves as she made her way across the street towards the Queen of Hearts. It'd been a while since she'd felt anything for a man. And here she was about to ask the governor of all people out on a date!
"What has gotten into me?" Faith wondered aloud, but she also couldn't help feeling a little giddy at the prospect. She couldn't quite explain it, but when Lucas had walked into the kitchen that morning, it was like Faith's heart had exploded with hope. She couldn't stop smiling.
Faith took a deep breath as she stood in front of the doors of the saloon. You can do this, Faith, she thought, giving herself a mental pep talk. You've saved people's lives and delivered countless babies. Surely, that is much more difficult than this. Faith squared her shoulders and held her head high, trying to appear more confident than she felt.
Walking through the saloon, Faith waved to Mike as she passed the bar and then continued towards Lucas's office. Taking one more deep breath, Faith finally found the courage to lift her hand and knock.
"Come in!" Lucas's voice called from within, causing Faith's heart to flutter. She turned the knob and pushed the door open, her nerves flooding back as soon as she stepped foot in the room.
"Faith," Lucas greeted her, before she could say anything. He set down his pen and folded his hands on top of the desk, giving her his full attention. "I'm sorry I left the cafe in such a rush this morning. Please." He gestured to one of the chairs across from his desk. "Have a seat."
"Thanks," Faith replied as she sat down.
"Now, what can I do for you?" Lucas asked with a smile and for a second, every single word left Faith's brain.
"I, uh, I just wanted to come over and see how you were doing," Faith finally managed to reply. "I know you have a lot going on right now, so as your doctor and also your friend," she added, after a beat. "I wanted to check in on you. See how you are/were doing mentally and emotionally." Faith raised her eyebrows slightly in emphasis.
Lucas chuckled a little and glanced down at his desk. "I'm fine, Faith," he said, when he looked up. "But thank you for asking."
"If you're sure," was all Faith said in reply. She didn't completely believe him, but being a doctor, she had learned that sometimes it was best not to push. If Lucas wanted to tell her, he would do so when he was ready. "I guess I should let you get back to work," Faith said then and she stood.
"Thank you for stopping by, Faith," Lucas told her, standing as well. "I appreciate it."
"Of course," Faith replied, with a smile and a nod. "How long will you be staying in Hope Valley?"
"For the rest of the week," Lucas answered. "I was only planning to stay for the day, but I've been meaning to meet with the mayors of the surrounding towns to discuss a few things," he said. "Since I'm here, I figured now would be the perfect time."
"That sounds like a good plan," Faith agreed with a smile. OK, now's your chance, Faith. Ask him! "I was wondering if maybe you would want to have lunch sometime while you're here," Faith made herself say. "Just to catch up." She clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking.
"Oh," was all Lucas said and Faith's heart dropped. The surprise was plain on his face. He's going to say 'no'. "Sure, that would be nice." Faith's head jerked up. For a second, she just stared at him, sure that she'd misheard.
"Really? That would be great!" Faith couldn't contain her smile. "What time?" she asked, suddenly coming back to Earth. "And where? I mean, we could go to the cafe or eat here at the saloon or-"
"The saloon would be great," Lucas interrupted, a kind smile on his face. "Say, twelve o'clock?" His smile made butterflies immediately erupt in Faith's stomach, but somehow, it also put her at ease. And made her not feel so ridiculous for rambling.
"That would be perfect," Faith managed to reply, her smile returning. "I'll see you then."
Lucas smiled and chuckled softly. "See you then."
Faith turned and started to leave, but Lucas stopped her when he said her name.
"Faith?" She turned around again and faced him. "Thanks again for coming by," Lucas said and Faith could tell by the softness of his eyes that he meant it. "I really appreciate it."
"Anytime," Faith replied sincerely, with a soft smile of her own. "I'll see you at noon," she said before giving Lucas a quick wave and exiting the office. As she walked out of the saloon, Faith could have skipped all the way across town.
Just wait until I tell Minnie and Fiona, she thought, her smile so big that it hurt her cheeks. And Mei! They won't believe it! But first, Faith had to head to the infirmary. She still had a job to do after all, and Molly was probably already there waiting for her. Still, it was all Faith could do to keep from doing a happy dance in the middle of the street. She had a date with the governor!
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to comment because I would love to hear your thoughts. Stay tuned for more chapters coming soon!