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Nathan & Elizabeth: An Epic Love
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Chapter Thirty-Two
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Celebrations
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Part III
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Nathan had earlier arranged a dinner for his men and was at The Queen of Hearts, meeting them all to make sure that everything was taken care of for a wonderful time of food and fellowship to enjoy on their first night in Hope Valley.
"It's nice to see you men relaxed in your casual clothes!"
"Good evening, Sir!" chorused the men.
"When it's just us off duty, it's Nathan!"
"I know it's been a stressful day for all of you with travel and a brand-new place full of unknown faces. But I mean it when I say you chose the best! And I, for one, couldn't be happier that all of you are here. Tonight is my treat. We'll all do this again together, when I can join you. Tomorrow morning, Bill is going to meet with you, Finn, as well as Andrew and Zane at 6 o'clock sharp and show you how we normally do rounds. Since I'm with the Deputy Commissioner all day, the Judge has volunteered to spend the entire day with you if you all need him. The rest of us need to be in our new office no later than 7 o'clock sharp. Deputy Commissioner Blevins will join us shortly thereafter. Any questions?"
"What about living quarters?" asked Jacques.
"Since the Deputy Commissioner is going to be with us through Friday, we've arranged for you all to take a look at what we've got available this coming Saturday, if that works for everyone? In the meantime, all your expenses incurred here at the hotel, including food, will be taken care of by Headquarters."
"Perfect!"
All the men seemed surprised that even this had been considered, but then again, they were all of the opinion there wasn't much of anything that got by their Chief Inspector.
"Just a thank you for planning this and taking care of us so well," thanked Finn earnestly. "We all really appreciate it!"
The men joined in with their own individual comments of gratitude and excitement.
"You can grab breakfast in the morning, either here or at the Café. Of course, this is a more formal meal, but Minnie makes great breakfast sandwiches, and she'll also fill your thermoses with really good coffee for rounds. Either way, you can't go wrong!"
"Sir, I meant to ask this earlier," noted Finn. "Does the governor have his own security detail, or are we it?"
"Unfortunately, as of now, we are it. I plan to talk to Governor Bouchard yet again to see if I can't get him to approve a special detail, although so far, Bill and I have had no luck. I think he might have just felt more comfortable with us doing it while easing into his new role. I know Headquarters will approve a team, so it's really just a matter of getting him to agree. So, wish me luck with that one," grinned Nathan. "Also, Finn, I do know Governor Bouchard is going to be spending a lot more time in Capital City, which will ease things significantly!"
"That's good to know. But do appreciate you trying again!"
"That's what I'm here for! You guys have a great night, and be ready to hit it early tomorrow!"
Nathan turned to leave but realized there was one more thing he needed to share.
"I'm also paying for the drinks tonight in case there's any question. All I ask is that since we have a visiting dignitary and you all are on the job tomorrow, just drink responsibly. We need clear heads as we get our bearings! Have fun, and see you bright and early!"
"Good night, Chief Inspector!"
Walking out, Nathan couldn't help but smile.
He knew that lame first name idea of his wasn't going to fly!
But hey, at least he had tried…
At the Grant rowhouse, just after Joseph had delivered their dinner, Allie and Elizabeth began unpacking the special dinner they had ordered from Minnie earlier in the day.
"Allie, are you alright," asked a concerned Elizabeth since Allie was being much quieter than usual.
"I guess so."
"I thought you'd be all excited about your Papa's promotion."
"Oh, I am! So very much! I guess I just got distracted. I want this to be a real celebration tonight, and I think it will be!"
"Only if our daughter is able to put a smile on her face. Is there anything you need or want to talk about, girl to girl?"
"I don't know."
Allie thought a minute, then it came rushing out as they placed the food in the appropriate table wear.
"This morning, Angela decided to go down the Mercantile steps without me, and she fell! Hard, too, but she just sat in the middle of the road and, once she got her bearings, started to laugh. I guess because she was proud of herself for doing it! But she wouldn't have fallen at all if these two bumbling guys had been paying attention and not bumped into her!"
"What two guys?"
"I didn't know at the time, Mama! That's the crazy thing. Because I was so mad at both of them, I didn't even care. But then today at the Town Mountie meeting – well, let's just say I found out who they are! I don't know why I'm so upset. The whole thing just kind of irked me. And then Angela got all gooey-eyed when Papa called out Peyton Hubbard's name like some love-sick puppy dog!"
"I see."
Elizabeth was at least wise enough to say no more. But as both a teacher and a mother, it was not necessarily what Allie was telling her. It was what she wasn't.
Instead of words, Elizabeth wiped her hands and wrapped her arms around her new daughter.
"Things have a way of working out, Sweet Girl!"
And somehow, that motherly hug and whisper brought her radiant Allie back.
At least for dinner tonight…
Bill and Hal were laughing and talking about the good old days as they left The Queen of Hearts Hotel, but as they walked past the Mountie Office, Hal remembered a question that had crossed his mind earlier.
"Bill, what's up with Nathan and Elizabeth? You told me they were a relatively new couple, which is pretty impossible to believe. I mean, it's obvious that they're head over heels in love. And the four of them together seem like a bonafide family if ever I've seen one! There has to be a good story in there. And knowing me, I don't want to stick my foot in it tonight over dinner!"
"Well, Hal, it's a long story, and I'm afraid not a very happy one!"
"How do you mean?"
"You knew Jack Thornton, right?"
"After what happened, everyone knows of Jack Thornton, though I didn't know him personally. I did hear that he left a widow but never had the privilege of meeting her either."
"Actually, you have! See, Elizabeth is Jack's widow, and Little Jack is Jack's son. Nathan was supposed to have led the mission in which Jack died, and though that, in itself, is also a long story, here's the quick version. Hargreaves had originally assigned Jack's mission to Nathan, but just before that was to happen, he sent Nathan out by himself to follow a band of cattle rustlers and report back. But right as the rustlers were about to cross the border, Nathan apprehended every last one of them by himself. Instead of lauding Nathan for arresting them all, and having them brought to trial and convicted, Hargreaves suspended Nathan."
"Why in blazes would Hargreaves have penalized Nathan for doing his job? And quite well, I might add!"
"That's the conundrum. Why, indeed?"
"So, you are telling me instead of giving Nathan a commendation, he decided to take disciplinary action?"
"That's exactly what I'm telling you. Because of his suspension, Nathan was not allowed to go on his assigned mission. Jack took his place instead, and after Jack was killed, Nathan bore a tremendous amount of guilt, feeling like he was meant to come to Hope Valley and protect the widow and her child, which he did, and admirably so."
"But none of that would have been his fault. I mean, Jack's death was an act of nature!"
"Yes, it was! But Nathan is as honorable as they come. He was grieving the loss of his sister, and he simply couldn't bear the thought of not doing something to make the situation better. Since Nathan protects the people he cares about, in his mind, that was the logical thing to do. Problem is he fell madly in love with her, and she with him."
"So, what's wrong with that? I'd call that a pretty remarkable, wonderful thing! Like it was meant to be."
"We all did! They were perfect for each other from the beginning, and the whole town knew it. Problem is Elizabeth loved him so much, she convinced herself, that since he was a Mountie, he was gonna die too, and she couldn't live through that again."
"But that's crazy!"
"Yeah, it is, but you know how the mind plays bad tricks when we grieve. She told him she loved him but wasn't in love with him, that she was only looking for Jack in him, and she ran straight into the manipulative arms of our now governor, 'choosin' to love him' instead of 'actually lovin' him,' since in her mind he wouldn't die!"
"That's awful!"
"Yep, it was like we were all livin' a nightmare. Don't get me wrong, Lucas was good to her as far as I know. Took her on hot air balloon rides, even wanted to build her a mansion, which is the last thing on earth she wanted. It was just that he was the wrong man, and all they had in common were their rich backgrounds. I don't even think the two ever discussed Jack, though Elizabeth and Nathan did all the time. That girl knew the difference between Jack and Nathan, that I'm sure about. Needless to say, she treated Nathan abominably and poor Allie took the rejection personally as up till that point, Elizabeth had treated Allie like a daughter, till suddenly she wasn't! I'm not sure what Nathan was hurting over more – his hurt or Allie's devastation."
"What a mess! How did they ever get back together after all that?"
"Well, there was a big Bouchard Weddin' comin' up about the time he became our governor, and I think all of it together made her realize what a colossal mistake she was makin'. You see, in all that time, she never once stopped goin' to Nathan with her problems, though he never once took advantage of that. But by God's grace and a forgiveness that's hard to comprehend, Nathan and Allie forgave her. I even think Nathan forgave her as it all happened, pain after pain, time after time! Not sure I could have done the same."
"That's so sad that they lost so much valuable time together and as a family, too!"
"I'll say! I'm just thankful they've fixed things now. The four of them are as happy as clams!"
"As I said, a beautiful and incredible family if ever I saw one…"
Nathan had already made it home by the time Bill and Hal reached the Grant's rowhouse, though just barely.
"Papa, they're here, they're here!" shouted Jack, as Nathan came down the staircase having changed from his new uniform into civilian clothes.
"Coming, Jack. Do you want to walk to the door with me and help greet our guests?"
"Yes, please!"
So, Nathan led Jack to the door to welcome their guests while Elizabeth and Allie remained in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the food in the kitchen.
"Welcome! I hope you're hungry. I've caught a glimpse of the food, and I think Minnie has outdone herself!"
"Hey, Jackaroo!" grinned his Uncle Bill.
"Hello there, Jack! Thanks for welcoming us," smiled Hal.
"Are you a Mountie like my two Papas," asked Jack to which Nathan turned beet red and knelt down to patiently explain.
"Jack, Deputy Commissioner Blevins is a most important Mountie. He runs all the Mounties along with the Commissioner. And he's your Papa's boss, too."
"Does that mean he's important?"
"Very, very important, Son!"
"Is that a really big job?" asked Jack, trying to understand it all.
"Yes, Son," laughed Hal. "That's a very big job indeed. Sometimes way too big!"
Jack giggled.
"Then I guess you know how to play Mounties!"
Bill cackled.
"Hey, better you than me, Hal!"
"You want to play with my Mounties?" asked Jack ever so magnanimously.
"Jack…" cautioned Nathan.
"I would love to play with your Mounties, Jack. Just show me the way!"
"Jack, why don't you and the Deputy Commissioner bring your toys to the sofa and play there instead of the floor?"
"But, Papa's, it's good on the floor! The horses run better."
"I know they do, but the Deputy Commissioner has had a very long work week, and he might like to relax a little before we eat our dinner."
"Oh! Okay. Then, 'Com-mis-son-er,' you take these two 'cause they're really good ones. Papa made them for me. And I'll bring the others."
"You made these, Nathan?" asked Hal.
"Yes, Sir, I did. I like to carve when I get a chance! It's relaxing after a long workday."
"Which is about every day for the two of us, Hal! So, believe me, when we say we're grateful for reinforcements, we mean we are extremely grateful," explained Bill.
"I have to agree with that, Bill! It's going to be so nice to know we can better take care of our people," interjected Nathan. "Now, if we can just talk our Governor into having his own Security, we'll be well on our way to accomplishing that!"
"Make him see that a dedicated team is by far best, Son! If you need me to, I'd be glad to have a talk with him while we're here and let him know we are making the changes. You can't possibly be pulled away from your regular jobs, guard him, and then complete your own tasks! Wait, the two of you have been doing all this on your own this whole time?"
Nathan glanced at Bill.
"You better believe we have," Bill emphatically stated. "We've managed it, but it's been a real whirl for sure!"
"Let me squeeze in a talk with him tomorrow," insisted Hal. "I'll call Christian first and have him give me a solid plan with details so the whole idea is non-negotiable!"
"Hal, you do that, and I'll buy you a set of golf clubs!"
"I just might hold you to that, Bill, but when in this Mountie world of ours would I get the time to use them?" chucked Hal.
Elizabeth and Allie walked out to greet their guests.
"Good evening and welcome! We're so glad you both could have dinner with us! Allie and I wish we could say we cooked it. But on the other hand, we know you will be very pleased with what Minnie has cooked for us. She's an absolute genius in the kitchen, and most of her cooking is based on recipes her mother used to run a well-known restaurant in St. Louis. May I get you, men, a pre-dinner drink?"
"Nothing for me, but thank you, Elizabeth," smiled Hal. "And I'm sure whoever cooked it, dinner will be lovely with you and Allie tending to it!"
"Thank you, Deputy Commissioner. That's so kind of you."
"Do you have any of that apple juice," asked Bill sheepishly. "Can't believe I'm sayin' this, but that stuff was good!"
Bill missed the sweet glance between Nathan and Elizabeth, which seemed to occur any time apple juice was mentioned.
"Coming right up, Uncle Bill. I'll get it, Mama. You relax, and I'll finish in the kitchen, too."
Nathan patted the seat next to him, smiling for Elizabeth to sit there. Ever attentive, he reached up to hold her hand, assisting her as she sat. But the handholding didn't stop there. Both Bill and Hal noticed that the couple simply couldn't let go!
"This art is extraordinary, and it has to be your sister's art, am I right?"
"Yes, Sir. All of them are Colleen's. We're enjoying them very much ourselves, as Allie just recently got them out and hung them. They really liven up the place, as Collie loved to blend her own beautiful colors."
"These are much too stunning to be stored away. I'm really glad you're able to enjoy them now. I know from personal experience, it just takes time with things like that," commiserated Hal.
"That it does, Sir!"
"But I must say, your rowhouse is quite beautiful!"
"That's all thanks to our Allie! She decided we needed to update things and really did do a marvelous job, mostly using things we had packed away from all our moves."
Nathan smiled, noting that the whole time Hal was taking part in their conversation, he was still playing "Mounties" with Jack.
"Here you go, Uncle Bill. Iced cold apple juice!" smiled Allie.
"Thank you, Little Mountie!"
"I want some too!" decided Jack.
"Say 'please,' and I'll get you a tiny glass!" nudged Allie.
"Please, Allie!"
"Jack, why don't you let Allie rest a moment," suggested their Mama. "And we'll get you some apple juice to drink with dinner. How does that sound?"
"Okay. That's good!" decided Jack, easily influenced.
Elizabeth winked at Allie knowing Jack was just asking for it because his Uncle Bill had and the crisis of possibly seeing apple juice all over the Deputy Commissioner was now averted!
"Deputy Commissioner, I've heard several of the townspeople comment about how they were so grateful to have been reassured by you today."
"Good, I'm glad that they were. But Nathan, enough of this Deputy Commissioner thing. Tonight, I'm just Hal!"
"I don't know, Sir! I tried that with my men earlier tonight and failed miserably!"
Hal chuckled.
"It never works for me either. Except for Bill here, thank goodness! But I still keep trying…"
As Elizabeth was playing hostess along with Allie, they soon moved their guests to the dining table, which was beautifully set with Colleen's gifted blue and white Haviland china, cut crystal goblets, and sterling silver flatware.
To elegantly bring it all together, Mother and daughter had bought blue and white carnations and made a beautiful centerpiece for the very center of the table.
Elizabeth had brought two sterling silver candle holders and long tapers from home, which added the perfect amount of ambiance sitting at each end of the floral arrangement.
"This looks so lovely, Ladies! I appreciate you going to all this trouble."
"It's our pleasure. We're just delighted to be able to get to know you better, and vice versa," Elizabeth smiled warmly.
Hal held Allie's chair, while Nathan held Elizabeth's.
"Deputy Commissioner, would you like to do the honors of saying grace?" asked Elizabeth.
"I'm honored."
"You have to hold hands," warned Jack amid chuckles that couldn't be hidden.
Knowing what was coming, Nathan and Elizabeth held up their joined hands for Jack's obligatory hand clasp check!
"I know we do, Jack! My wife always makes my family hold hands, too. It's a house rule," grinned Hal.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we have so much to thank You for tonight. First, for the opportunity to fellowship with this wonderful family along with my dearest friend, William. Second, to partake of this wonderful meal that is set so beautifully before us. We ask You to bless those who have prepared it and so lovingly placed it for us; please bless it for the nourishment of our bodies. And, last but certainly not least, we are so very grateful to You for Nathan Grant, our new Chief Inspector! May You keep your almighty hand upon him, direct him, guide him, give him the wisdom that he desires and needs, and always keep him safe in your most powerful and hallowed hand. These things we ask in your Name and for your glory, Amen!"
"Amen," chorused all.
As the food was passed, everyone was excited over the menu, anxious to dig in.
Though the food was delicious, the conversation still flowed easily, with Jack unwittingly providing moments of humor here and there!
"Elizabeth, you were right, this is the best meal I've had in a very long time," complimented Hal. "Tastes like home-cooked for sure! But I must admit, it makes me think of Emily, my beautiful wife. Standing rib roast with scalloped potatoes happens to be my favorite meal, period. And Emily cooks it for me as often as she can. So, without knowing it, you have especially made me feel comfortable and at home tonight."
"I'm so glad! Is it difficult doing so much travel without her?"
"Is it ever! If I had my way, she'd never leave my side. But she does travel with me every chance she gets. She would have come with me on this trip, but her mother caught the flu, and she hated to leave her. I'm sure you two will meet soon at one of our upcoming events!"
Bill cleared his throat, which caused everyone to look at him, waiting for a contribution to the conversation, but oddly, there was none!
So Elizabeth continued her own conversation with Hal.
"I would love that, Sir! How long have you two been married, if you don't mind my asking."
"Not at all. Take note, Nathan. Em and I have been married 34 years, 10 months, and Son, I would know the number of days had I not been traveling. Sadly, if not for Christian, I seem to lose all track of time when on the road!"
Nathan smiled, all the while looking at Elizabeth.
"Note taken, Sir! I can't imagine forgetting something as important as one's Wedding Date, either!"
"Do you have children?" asked Allie.
"We have a son who is 32, and a surgeon in Montreal, along with two beautiful daughters 28 and 26, who thankfully live fairly close to us. The older one is the mother of our twin grandchildren, who are 4 years of age. The younger is single and teaches French at an academy in a town not too far from us."
"Sounds like you're blessed with a lovely family, Sir!" complemented Nathan.
"That I am, Son! And I never, ever take them for granted!"
"Uncle Bill is our family, too!" spouted off Jack.
"You got that right, Jackaroo!" winked Bill.
"Miss Allie, I sure could use your help for tomorrow night," began the Deputy Commissioner. "If you're so inclined."
"What for, Sir?" asked Allie curiously.
"For that huge street party we're going to be having! It's going to be grand and very unexpected. I'll even go so far as to say like nothing Hope Valley has ever seen! So, I need you to put out the word that all the young people should come and enjoy it! I promise it will be a lot of fun!"
"I can do that. I'll see that all the kids are there, and their parents too!"
"I appreciate that immensely, Allie! Do you need a few teasers?"
Allie nodded enthusiastically!
"Let me think. I know we've got a few jugglers. But my personal favorite – wait, I can't tell you that! Not till after the party!" chuckled Hal.
Allie laughed, too, and determined that she really liked this man.
"I've met an awful lot of important Mounties – but you're really different, Deputy Commissioner Blevins!"
"In what way, Young Lady?"
"You're really nice and fun too!"
"Hey, that almost sounds like I'm not," frowned Uncle Bill in faux consternation.
"Uncle Bill, don't worry! You're the best, too! I mean, you did do a sitting room campout with us!"
"But Uncle Bill wouldn't even sleep in my tent or on the floor!" lamented Jack. "He said he was too old!"
Hal almost spit his drink, cackling.
"You've got that right, Jack! But never in a million years thought the man would admit it out loud."
"Hey, I've slept on that cold hard ground enough to know this back of mine now prefers pillows galore!"
"So that's where all the pillows went that night," deadpanned Nathan.
"Funny, Son! But the question is kids: am I funny?" asked Bill pointing to himself.
"I'd say that's a definite yes!" declared Allie, rolling her eyes.
Hal laughed so hard that his eyes closed.
"Looks like you've met your match with these two, Bill!"
"Well, Deputy Commission Blevins, back to those jugglers. That's pretty grand for a Hope Valley party! Any more hints?"
"Think activities to do and performers to watch! You're going to love it all, I promise! Though I still say my favorites are something else! I saw them last year on a trip to Union City. They've also performed in Montreal and Toronto, as well as Paris, France, of course. We'll have to compare notes after you see it all!"
"Wow! Papa, don't you think we need to let everyone know about this? I mean, when they hear it, the whole town will be there before the party even starts!" (*77)
Hal chuckled.
"I knew I chose the right assistant to secure us a crowd!"
Dessert was, of course, chocolate in the form of Minnie's specialty Chocolate Pudding Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
The adults, along with Allie, were still chatting over dessert, though Jack had gotten sleepy, and Nathan had carried him upstairs to Allie's bed.
Dessert was so good that Bill and Hal stopped talking and scarfed not one, but two servings down, until they were so full, they couldn't possibly eat another bite…
After a good time by all with the men, both reminiscing and projecting into the future with a lot of business talk thrown in, their guests finally took their leave full and contented.
Bill walked Hall back to his hotel suite, both telling more scandalous tall tales than what would have been appropriate with the children.
The problem was, every single one of them was true!
At the same time, Nathan carried a sleeping Jack back to Elizabeth's.
"Poor guy didn't even realize I changed him into his pajamas, Lizbeth!"
"He had such a good time, but wouldn't you know, children really do tell all!"
"I think that was sweet. Thank you for making everything so perfect, and thank you for making my Boss feel at home."
"You're welcome, but I'm afraid, I have no desire to talk about that right now. You know why," she asked flirtatiously, pulling him with both hands to her settee.
"I'll bite. Why, Mrs. Thornton?"
"Because, Chief Inspector, I have no desire to talk at all! Because as of right now there are other much more pressing matters on my mind. And because my lips, if you get my drift, better be terribly occupied within two seconds," she outrageously flirted while taking charge, or so she thought.
Sitting first, then Nathan pulled her down to him, emitting a low, husky chuckle as though they were dueling for one-upmanship.
Though, oddly, that chuckle was very quickly aborted by a certain brown-haired, blue-eyed temptress, who happened to be wearing yet another new dress that was literally driving him crazy.
"Lizbeth…" he muttered between breaths. "That shopping trip…of yours and Allie's…is going…to be the death of me…"
The next morning, which happened to be an all-important Thursday morning, Bill went on training rounds with Finn and his men, having slipped Nathan an urgent note before he left by placing it on the Chief Inspector's desk.
As Nathan quickly read the note on his arrival, Hal watched as the grin on his face got broader and broader.
"Sir, it seems Bill needs me to take care of a somewhat urgent matter for him. It shouldn't take me longer than twenty minutes or so. Can you make yourself comfortable here till I return?"
"Go! Seriously, with this morning's view, that stack of records I brought from Union City, along with coffee that's made by anyone other than Bill, I'm more than good. Take your time, Son. I'll be here busy as can be!"
The Chief Inspector formally saluted his superior officer, then walked down the long hall and casually saluted his men as he left, who were attempting to organize their offices.
"Alex, I'll l be close by! But between us, on a top-secret mission for the Judge that should take no longer than twenty minutes."
Alex grinned.
"Got it, Sir! Good luck!"
"I may need it," chuckled Nathan. "The things that man thinks up, though I must agree this is one of his better concoctions…"
For once, the train from Union City was precisely on time.
Nathan first saluted the Mountie Security Team accompanying his guest, then warmly gave his greetings, introducing himself in the process.
Since two Officers from the Mountie Security Team were taking care of all the luggage, Nathan took his VIP guest in his new car with him back to The Queen of Hearts, with the Security Team following close behind.
"Mike, can you please see that this luggage is secured in Suite 201 and give me a set of keys?"
"Consider it done, Chief Inspector!"
Nathan started to correct him, but knowing it was a hopeless battle, he started back to his car, where his guest was awaiting, though under tight security.
Upon arrival, he gallantly escorted the VIP guest into Bill's office and thought it best for them to enter the more private, back staircase, which was closest to his office.
He then opened the private side door to his office, motioning for his guest to enter, while quickly making himself scarce, and deciding to check on his men's organizational progress.
But he couldn't resist the ever-increasing grin on his face.
"Bill Avery, this might be the nicest thing you've ever done…"
"Emily?" asked a stunned Deputy Commissioner. "Wh…what are you do…doing here?"
"I'm visiting my husband, the man whom I adore and have missed desperately! And for the record, my aforementioned, handsome husband better be ecstatic after his wife has experienced multiple laborious train rides, all just to see him!"
Before she could continue, Hal jumped up from Nathan's desk and enveloped his beautiful, earthy, teasing wife into his welcoming arms, lifting her off her feet to copious giggles.
"How did you know, I was desperately missing you!" he asked huskily, while smothering her with kisses.
"That's what best friends are for, my Darling! Bill called me just after you called him from Union City and told me that you both would love to see me. And that if Mother was well enough for me to travel, I should come. I thought, hmmm. At my age, two handsome men wanting to see me at the same time? When am I ever going to get that offer again? So here I am! Let the chips fall where they may!"
Hal chuckled, deliriously happy to see her, unable to let her go.
"And after all these years, I thought my old pal was surely over you by now!"
"What can I say? Apparently, I'm rather unforgettable!"
"Are you sure that one time you two dated was just to get my attention? Or were there a slew of romantic evenings I know nothing about?"
"Well, what can I say? Don't you know after all these years that a true Lady never kisses and tells! Especially, since I can only speak for myself, Dearest. Though Bill was awfully cute with that bad boy persona of his. And now, he is a Judge, after all! Why, what more could a woman possibly want?"
"Keep talking like that, and you're going to be placed under house arrest, Mrs. Blevins! And I'm definitely sending my buddy, Judge Avery, to the dungeons, never to return!"
Emily laughed that cheerful laugh of hers, so deliriously happy to be in her husband's presence once again that the bumpy train rides holding one calamity after another were all distant memories…
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77. "Wow," a natural exclamation first recorded as Scottish in origin in the early 16th Century that means very impressed, surprised, or pleased; the word's use as a verb came along much later in the 1920s. Public Domain Information.