Season for Love

 

PART 1

 

“December 1.  I can’t believe it’s December already.  This year has just flown by,” Dr. Anthea Blake said to her colleague Dr. Michaela Quinn, as they were finishing cleaning up the clinic for the day.

 

“Yes, it does seem like the year has gone by fast,” Michaela said as she closed her instrument case.  “I’m looking forward to Christmas coming.”

 

“So am I,” Nan said excitedly.  I love the Christmas season.  And this year is even more special, with Nat,” Nan looked down at her now bulged-out belly.  “And the baby.” Nan was just past the seven-month mark.

 

“You and Nat are pretty excited about the baby, aren’t you?”

 

“Sure are.”

 

Just then the clinic door opened and Nat walked in.  “Hi, honey.” He gave Nan a kiss.  “You ready to head home?”

 

“Yeah, let’s go.”  Nan turned to Michaela.  “Bye, Michaela.”

 

“Bye, Nan.  See you tomorrow.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

That evening, Nat and Nan had Dan, their good friend and the Colorado Spring’s sheriff, over for supper.

 

As they were sitting at the table, Nat began the conversation.  “Got a telegram today,” he smiled at Dan and Nan.

 

“From who?”

 

“Mrs. Jo.”

 

“Really?” Nan got excited.  “What did Mrs. Jo say?”

 

“Mrs. Jo and Nick are going to come here for the holidays.”

 

“That’s wonderful,” Dan said.

 

“I can’t wait to see the kids.  Rob’s 13 years old now, and then they have Sarah.  I can’t believe she’s already five,” Nan smiled.

 

“It’ll be good to see all of them again.” Nat said.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

A few days later; Nat, Nan, and Dan went to the Colorado Springs train station to wait for Jo and Nick’s train to arrive.

 

“Fancy seeing you three here.”

 

“Preston.  Don’t see you around much,” Dan said.  “You usually spend most of your time at the hotel.”

 

Preston A. Lodge III, co-owner of the Colorado Springs Château and Health Resort, laughed.  “Well, I’m here now.”

 

“What are you doing here, Preston?” Nan asked him.

 

“I’m waiting for a cousin of mine from Boston to arrive on the next train.  What are you doing here?”

 

“Nick and Jo Riley are coming in on the train.  We’ve known them since we were kids.”  Dan told him.  “They’re coming to visit us for the holidays.”

 

“That’ll be nice.”

 

Just then they heard a train whistle blow.  “That must be the train.” Preston announced.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

“Meredith,” Preston called out as his cousin stepped off of the train.  Meredith Lodge walked over to Preston.  The city dressed woman walked toward him.

 

“Good to see you, Preston.”  She turned toward the man in uniform.  “Our luggage, please,” she said, in a voice that sounded as if it was meant for a servant.

 

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said.

 

“Cousin, dear.  I do hope you don’t mind.  I brought a friend of mine with me.”

 

“No, of course not.  The more the merrier,” he said cheerfully.

 

“Judith, Noelle.  Come here.  I want you to meet my cousin,” Meredith called over to a woman slightly younger than her and the woman’s daughter.  Preston, this is my friend, Judith Bentley and her daughter, Noelle.”

 

Preston looked over at the woman who looked to be around his age.  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bentley.”

 

“Please, call me Judith,” she replied politely.

 

“Ok, and call me Preston.”  Preston found something very interesting about this woman.  She was pretty, had a pretty smile, and wasn’t as ‘stuck-up’ as he knew his cousin could be.

 

“Sure.  This is my daughter, Noelle.”

 

“Pleasure to meet such a pretty young lady.” Preston tipped his hat.

 

“Thank you, Mr. Lodge,” Noelle said shyly.

 

“Let’s get to that hotel of yours, Preston.”  Meredith interrupted the greetings in a rush to get to her destination.

 

“Sure, my carriage is waiting to take us to the hotel.”

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

“Nat! Nan! Dan!” Jo Riley yelled from the door of the train.

 

“Mrs. Jo.  We’re over here,” Nan waved to her.

 

Jo ran over to hug her three long-lost children.  “I missed you three,” she said, tears falling down her cheeks.

 

“We’ve missed you too, Mrs. Jo.” Nat told her.

 

“Hey, kids,” a familiar voice came from behind Jo.

 

“Nick, good to see you,” Dan shook Nick’s hand.

 

“You too, Dan.  Nan, Nat, I missed you kids.”

 

“We missed you too, Nick,” they said.

 

Nan looked back a little further.  “Ahh, is that Robby?”

 

Nan saw the young 13-year-old boy who was holding on to his five-year-old sister’s hand.

 

“Hi, Nan,” Robby said.

 

“And Sarah,” Nan looked at Jo and Nick.  “She’s so cute.”

 

“She looks like her mother,” Nick said.  Jo blushed.

 

While the others continued their greetings, Dan noticed a familiar face standing a few feet away.  He stood shocked as he stared directly at the fancily dressed young woman.  Her cheeks were glowing, her blond hair was put up in a gorgeous bun, and she had a beautiful smile on her face.  “Dan,” she spoke to him.

 

“Bess?”