Granting a Family - Chapter 12: Going Home

Professionally speaking, this day was a long time coming for Nathan Grant. All exams had been completed on Friday, and today they would attend a grand graduation ceremony where he would officially be sworn in as Inspector Grant and receive his new uniform. He felt such pride and gratitude for the good moments in his life and this new career opportunity.

Allie finished her three weeks at the academy with glowing reviews from her teachers. She exchanged contact information with her new friends with a promise she would be back for a visit, but she was even more excited to get back home and see all of her best friends. Both father and daughter had grown a lot during their three weeks in Union City.

Nathan and Allie ate breakfast together for the last time in the dining hall before they went up to get dressed for the Mountie graduation. He looked around the dining hall, and memories of his conversations with Kate put a smile on his face. Nathan wasn’t sure what the future held, but he knew his heart was now open to meeting someone new and falling in love again. Kathryn was an important part of his journey, and he hoped their paths would cross again. He didn’t want to think about what was going on with Elizabeth, and would deal with that once he was back home in Hope Valley.

“At least this dress is getting its money's worth,” Allie teased, admiring herself once again in the fancy cream-colored dress she had worn to dinner and the theatre last week.

“You look beautiful, Allie girl. I hope you know how much it means to have you here with me,” Nathan replied gratefully. “I could have let you stay in Hope Valley, but I really needed your support these past few weeks.”

“I like being with you, not being left behind all the time,” Allie responded. “Going to the academy was pretty great, too. It made me realize there is a great big world out there, and someday I want to go to college and do something amazing to change the world.” Her eyes were shining as she thought about the possibilities her future held.

Nathan felt emotional, knowing everything Allie had been through growing up and seeing her now with hope of a very bright future. “I’m so proud of you,” he began. “Your future is going to be incredible, and I can’t wait to watch it unfold as you continue to learn and grow.”

“I’ve never told you this before, but I’m glad my dad left,” Allie admitted. “I don’t remember everything, but have little memories of how mean he was to Mom when he had been drinking. I know she tried to make it work, but she was just so sad before she died. She tried to hide it from me, and wanted me to have a happy childhood. After you took me in, even though I missed Mom terribly, I finally felt safe living with you.” She rushed over and hugged Nathan so tight he could barely breathe as tears streamed down his face.

“I can’t cry like a baby before my graduation, or I’ll never hear the end of it from the other guys. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I miss Colleen every day. But I feel close to her with you, because I see so much of her in you.” Nathan held Allie’s shoulders and looked her in the eyes. “You are smart, loving, energetic, and beautiful inside and out, just like your mother.”

A single tear escaped Allie’s eye and she held Nathan tight for a few more minutes then suddenly shrieked, “We need to get going! It’s not every day your Dad gets made a Mountie Inspector. I’m going to be the proudest daughter there. Well, don’t just stand there...let’s go!”

Nathan laughed as they rushed out the door and headed to Mountie Headquarters. The graduation was breathtaking, as two dozen Constables took the oath to become Inspectors who would be spread across the territory to help investigate and keep the peace in honor and valor. Allie beamed when Nathan was given his new serge and hat. Even more impressive was when he received two special awards: one for winning the “unofficial” wood-chopping competition, and another for scoring the highest of all the trainees on the written exam.

After the ceremony, Nathan introduced Allie to his many new Mountie associates, and they met many of their families as well. Their time in Union City was ending, but he felt as if a lot of things in his life were just beginning. They decided to grab lunch at the Cardinal Café before they officially checked out of the boarding house and caught their ride back home. 

“This is a great café,” Allie said. “Have you eaten here before? It’s not fancy like the restaurant we went to, but I like sitting outside watching all the people.”

“I have been here before,” Nathan conceded. “I did come here a couple times for lunch with other Mounties, but I also had lunch with Elizabeth last week. She was in town taking her credential exam to work with blind students. I’m sorry I kept it from you, but I didn’t want you to think it meant more than it did.”

“What did it mean?” Allie asked. “That sounds an awful lot like a date, and you don’t need her to confuse you when you are trying to move on.”

“I really don’t know, but it was good to see a friend here in the city,” Nathan confessed. “She was asking about you and hoped you had a great time going to school here. I should have told you sooner, but I wanted you to at least know before we got home so you weren’t caught off guard. She wants to have us over for dinner, but if you feel uncomfortable with that we can turn her down.”

“It sounds fun, but I can’t have her getting your hopes up and breaking your heart again. It would be fun to play with little Jack and tell Mrs. Thornton all the amazing things I learned at the school here though. So whatever you think is best is fine with me.” Allie enthusiastically ate her lunch and chatted with her Dad while soaking in the city atmosphere one last time this trip.

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Kathryn had been avoiding all the places she knew she might see Nathan at the boarding house since she had turned him down for dinner on Wednesday. It was Saturday afternoon, and she scanned the lobby before heading outside to wait for David to pick her up for a family party she planned to attend.

As she saw David’s car drive up, she looked back at the boarding house. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Nathan and his daughter bringing their luggage outside, in preparation to go back home. Kathryn felt a small ache in her chest to see them go, and a twinge of regret that might haunt her for quite some time, for refusing to even give him that one dinner date. But the truth was, he was leaving, and she wasn’t sure where she would be moving this summer to teach.

Advanced teachers with her credentials were being sent all over the territory as communities grew and there was a need for the older students to be taught a more advanced curriculum. She hurried into the car before Nathan could see her, and knew she would spend weeks wondering what might have been.

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Their own beds in Hope Valley never felt so good, once Nathan and Allie finally got home. When they finally woke up starving, Nathan realized there was no food in the house. While wondering what they would eat, a knock at the door startled them both. Thomas and Anne Bradshaw stood on their porch holding an entire ready-made meal to welcome them back to town. 

“Welcome back Inspector Grant!” Thomas shook Nathan’s hand in congratulations, and continued: “We sure are happy to have you back home, and I’m looking forward to catching you up on everything that’s been going on. You can relax today, but tomorrow I’m excited to go on rounds and discuss the factory opening and the new school.”

“Enough Mountie talk, Thomas. I want to know how you both enjoyed Union City,” Anne chimed in. “Allie, how did you enjoy the academy? Did you get to do anything fun when you both weren’t busy with training and school?”

As they ate the food provided by the Bradshaws, Allie told them about going to school in the city and Nathan told them about the restaurants they were able to eat at, as well as the play they were able to see at the theatre.

“That sounds like a wonderful trip for both of you,” Anne remarked. “I miss Union City, and hope to go back for a visit to see my family after the baby is born. Well, we must be going. We can’t wait to get to know you both better.”

“I appreciate your generosity and kindness, bringing us this meal.” Nathan was touched they had anticipated a need and filled it.

“See you bright and early, ready for duty.” Thomas jokingly saluted Nathan then took his wife’s hand as they left to walk to their own row house.

“I like them,” Allie declared. “Especially Mrs. Bradshaw. She’s so lovely and nice. Then there’s Constable Bradshaw, and he reminds me a lot of some of the funny young Mounties we got to know at the Forts we were stationed at before.”

As they finished up their meal and were cleaning up, they heard another knock at the front door. “I guess someone told everybody we would be home today,” Nathan chuckled.

Lee and Rosemary came to bring some fresh muffins, butter, milk, and a copy of the latest issue of the Valley Voice. “We are so happy to have you two back, and I’m planning a front-page story in my next issue, about our very own Nathan Grant becoming an Inspector,” Rosemary gushed excitedly.

“Let’s let these two relax and get settled back in before you start doing an interview, Rosie. We are pleased you are safely home,” Lee added. “Congratulations on your promotion Nathan, you really do deserve it after all you’ve done to keep our town safe.” 

“Thank you Lee, that means a lot. Rosemary I appreciated the food and your support. If you need anything from me for your article, come by the jail tomorrow afternoon and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.” The Coulters waved goodbye and headed back home. Nathan looked down the row of houses to the one at the end. Would Elizabeth be by to see them, or was she expecting him to make first contact after the letter she had sent him?

“Dad, can we go fishing?” Allie asked. “City life is ok for a while, but I need to be out in nature and catch some trout for dinner.” 

“That sounds nice,” Nathan agreed. They gathered up their gear, but before they could leave, another knock came at their door. Most of Allie’s friends had come to welcome her back, and invited her to go have dessert with them so they could all catch up before she went back to school the next day. Allie looked at Nathan for permission, and he smiled and shooed them out the door to go have some fun. Fishing will have to wait, he thought. I’m not so sure it is that girl’s priority now, compared to friends and boys. Nathan groaned thinking about having to parent a teenager alone. He knew it wouldn’t always be easy, but he would forever be grateful for his little girl.

With Allie gone, Nathan decided to go see his favorite partner, who he had greatly missed over the past few weeks, and take him for a ride. At the livery, Newton acted overjoyed to have his companion home. “I’ve missed you so much, buddy.” Nathan scratched him and hugged his neck. “Such a good boy, I hope you were well fed and ridden while I was away.” 

“‘Ewten! Atan!” little Jack squealed and came running over and jumped into Nathan’s arms. He hugged the little boy and held him up to pet Newton as Elizabeth watched the adorable scene unfold.

“Sorry, little Jack just has to come pet Newton and Sergeant every day,” Elizabeth apologized. “I think he wondered where you were the past three weeks.” She walked over and stood next to Nathan who was holding her son, giving the horse some much-needed attention. 

“Were you planning on going for a ride?” Nathan asked. “We could saddle these boys up and take it easy so Jack can come.”

“Maybe another time,” said Elizabeth. “Right now it’s this little man’s nap time.” Nathan handed Jack back over to his mom and tousled his hair. “I hope we can get together later though,” she added.

“I got your letter,” Nathan stammered. “Uh, I think Allie wants to tell you all about school at the academy and to see Jack.”

“I would love that. Can I get back with you on a good time to get together?” Elizabeth asked.

“Sure,” Nathan answered. “I better get Newton ready for our ride.” He turned around to grab his saddle when he felt a hand on his arm.

“Nathan,” Elizabeth almost whispered, as he turned to face her. “I’m glad you’re home. I missed you.” She was quite close to him, holding Jack who was grabbing for Nathan and playing with his suspenders. They both looked at Jack who giggled at the attention and said “Mama, look it’s ‘atan!” They all laughed and were grateful for the break in tension.

“Take him home for his nap. We’ll talk later.” Nathan smiled at Elizabeth as she set down Jack and walked home holding his little hand.

Riding Newton was just what he needed, and Nathan felt like he gained some mental clarity as they galloped across the fields. As he stopped at a creek to let Newton get a drink, his thoughts immediately drifted to Kate and how she would look galloping on a horse of her own, her golden hair flying in the wind and emerald eyes sparkling in the sunlight. He knew it was futile to dream about her, since he wasn’t sure he would ever see her again. “Let’s go back home, boy,” he said, stroking Newton.

When he arrived back at the livery, Bill was there brushing Hero after just returning from his own ride. “Nathan! I’m so glad you made it back. I bet Newton was happy to have you riding him again. We did our best to take care of him while you were gone, but I could tell he missed his partner.”

“Bill, it’s good to be home. Thanks for holding down the fort. I hope the new Constable didn’t drive you too crazy,” Nathan joked.

“He’s a little too talkative for my taste,” Bill grumbled. “But he’s a good kid, and I think he’s going to fit in just fine here. I wanted to offer my congratulations on your graduation and all of your success at the Inspector training. I still have a lot of contacts within the Mounties, and I heard some really outstanding compliments from superiors and fellow trainees in Union City. Sounds like you impressed all the right people.”

“I don’t know about that, I was just doing my best,” Nathan shrugged. “I do think the time away was good for both me and Allie. She really thrived at that school, and I am looking forward to a more advanced teacher coming in to help her reach her potential. It seems like the school is going up pretty fast, and the factory looks ready to open.”

 “You made it back just in time for us to really make sure things are secure before we see more of the factory workers moving into the newer developments outside of town. As for the new school, and the new teacher, how did things go with Elizabeth in Union City?” Bill asked, staring down Nathan to try and assess his feelings.

“Did Elizabeth talk to you about it when she got home?” Nathan asked.

“A little. She just said it was good to see you, but wasn’t sure how you felt or if there was possibly a new woman. I was all confused.” Bill shook his head and noticed Nathan slightly blushing with his crooked smile. “Wait, so there was another woman?”

“There was this girl Kate I met at the boarding house, and we talked a few times. But that obviously didn’t and couldn’t work out. She seemed to have something against Mounties...and she’s a teacher, so that’s obviously a strike against her for me. Then Elizabeth acts like she wants a second chance with me, and I just don’t see how that is possible either.” Nathan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“Two beautiful school teachers are interested in you, huh? Wow, that sounds like a tough spot to be in,” Bill smirked.

“Wait, how would you know Kate is beautiful?” Nathan asked.

“The look on your face told me all I needed to know about what you think about her. Even though things didn’t work out with her, it was probably good for your head to be turned by another woman who isn’t Elizabeth. As to what is going on with Elizabeth, it has taken a lot of time for you to be ok after she hurt you last fall. Just make sure and keep boundaries with her,” he advised.

Nathan pondered what Bill said, then just having finished getting Newton squared away for the evening, he excused himself saying, “It was great to run into you here, Bill. I’ll see you in the morning, and you can get me all caught up on the happenings of Hope Valley. I better go see if Allie made it back from seeing her friends and get us to bed early tonight for our big week ahead.”

“See you later, Inspector.” Bill beamed with pride at all Nathan had accomplished. He was proud of the man he saw Nathan becoming, and hoped he found a woman who appreciated him.

Nathan walked through town, taking in the sights and sounds of Hope Valley. Even though people were moving in to work at the factory, it still was a much smaller place than Union City. As he walked past the row houses, he saw many familiar faces who said hello and welcomed him back. Nathan smiled to himself and allowed a comforting feeling to wash over him. It felt good to be home.