Starry eyed Lily

The Proposal

As weeks went by with every letter Lily received, she mailed one back counting down his date of return getting closer and closer. Lily started getting anxious to see him, her heart fluttering like butterflies; she longed to feel his presence with her. The night before his return Lily could not sleep, pacing the floor until late in the night. The next morning as she awoke William had already made it to her house. She ran down the stairs into the main room giving him a big kiss on the cheek.

It is so good to have you here, “Lily Said”. I have counted the days until your arrival back home. Would you like to go on a picnic Lily? Why yes, I would love to go she replied, great shall we go? The food is awaiting us in the carriage. While traveling to the pond Lily could not help but wonder why William chose her? Why did you wait for me William? There are so many available ladies you could have.

I have known from the first time I laid eyes on you that you were the one for me; I had things to finish before I could give you my true self. With that he leaned over and kissed her. I do hope that I did not offend you he responded. No not at all replied Lily. With the many picnics and walks that came within the months to follow, time started slipping away getting closer to the end of the railroad work in Redwater.

Hello Miss Hadley, can I speak with Josiah? “Asked William?” Why yes, he is in the study. She replied. While walking into the study William could feel his throat start to tighten close. He had never asked for anyone’s hand in marriage before. What can I do for you Will, you do not mind that I call you Will do you? No sir my father, called me Will. I wanted to come and ask for your blessing to marry Lily, I would like to ask Lily to marry me, with your approval of course.” William replied”.

Do I have your word that you will take care of my daughter, that you will always do right by her and be there when she needs you the most? Yes, sir you have my word. “Replied William”. What took you so long son? “asked Josiah”. The railroad is not a place to start a family and I want us to have a great start, I wanted to wait until the railroad was complete, but you see sir I have fallen for Lily. We have about six months left, and the railroad will be complete. I have not mentioned any of this to Lily I wanted your blessing first.

As William was leaving Lily was sitting on the front porch, Lily dear would you like to go for a ride? “William asked”. William was so excited that he did not even plan out the proposal. They rode until coming upon a big open area with beautiful views all the way around. He helped her get down off the horse. Why did we stop here? “Lily asked”. In about six months I will be done with the railroad business, the railway will be complete. “Replied William”

Ok but what does that have to do with this place? This is the site of our future. Our future Lily asked puzzled. Yes, Lily our future together begins here right now. As she looked around in amazement William had pulled out his grandmother’s wedding ring while bending down on one knee. Lily Rae Carter would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Lily still shocked could only now her head yes, Yes! She replied I will be your wife William.

We can plan the wedding for when I return. “replied William”. Excited to get back to her family, Lily ran through the front door trying to catch her breath yelled we are getting married. Her parents already knew what William had planned could not contain their own excitement. In the days to come Lily and Hadley were coming up with ideas for the perfect wedding gown. Lily had always known what kind of dress she would love to wear for her wedding. She contacted the local dressmaker to give into details of her beautiful long Chiffon lace satin dress.

I have always dreamed of this day Lily, for my own child of course, as Hadley drifted off thinking of all the things she was going to be missing out on, she nearly ran right into the door. As they finished up in the dress shop Hadley saw a new face out front, someone she knew wasn’t from around there. Lily caught a glance of Hadley staring at the stranger, why don’t you go out and introduce yourself to him? Breaking her concentration, I beg your pardon? Why would I go and do that she replied. Because you cant seem to take your eyes off of him and you know the early bird gets the worm, as they walk out the door they both started laughing.

Fine then I suppose I will welcome him to our quaint little town but I am not doing this alone you have to come with me. As the ladies both walk over to the stranger as he is walking by. Hi there you must not be from around here Lily stated. Why yes, he replied. I am the new Doctor. The name is Dr. Oliver Warren, I am looking for the clinic do you ladies know where I can find it? Yes replied Hadley.

I can take you there myself. My name is Hadley Pullman and this is my niece Lily Pullman. Nice to meet you both. As Hadley began to walk with the doctor to the clinic, Lily knew it was the perfect time to let them be alone. She headed to meet William at the pond. How long have you been a doctor? Hadley asked, I have been saving lives for about 6 years now. I have always wanted to help people so I decided to become a dr.

I went to school in New York and after becoming a doctor I knew that I needed to leave the city and find some where that could really use my help. That is amazing Hadley replied. What about you Oliver asked, I see you are young and beautiful, what is it that you do? Im sorry if that made you feel uncomfortable, I don’t usually have my own welcoming committee when coming to a new place. No, you didn’t she replied, I was married, his name was Jed, he had gotten really sick and we couldn’t save him. So, Josiah, Jed’s brother came to help me run the farm.

Not knowing what to say, I am sorry to hear about your husbands passing. Hadley smiled shyly back at Oliver. Here we are Hadley said as she walked onto the porch of the clinic. Thank you, Oliver, replied, I have enjoyed getting to know you Miss Hadley. I do hope to catch up with you again sometime. I’m sure you will Hadley replied, after all we do live in the same small town as she turned to walk away she couldn’t help but feel curious of Oliver.

As Hadley caught back up with Lily, they knew it was getting late and it was time to return home. What is the news asked Lily? We did not get to talk much Hadley replied. He went to school to become a doctor and after finishing school he wanted to move somewhere he could really help others, so he chose our town. Lily could hear the excitement in her voice. Please do not tell your Ma and Pa that I met someone new I do not want them thinking ill of me. Laughing Lily asked, why would they think ill of you?

They could not honestly think you would be a widow the rest of your life. I am just not ready for a relationship, or even all the questions they will ask. Knowing exactly what Hadley was talking about Lily soon changed the subject. William will be home waiting for me, we still have so many plans to make for our wedding. I think it is great that you are starting to look for another love. I I am not looking for love Lily, I cannot go through losing another person that I love replied Hadley.

Upon walking up on the porch Josiah and Penny were sitting in the swing enjoying one another company. We met the new doctor today, Lily said as they walked by. I believe he will be a great fit for the town. I’m sure everyone will appreciate a young and smart doctor like Dr. Oliver, Josiah replied.

As everyone sat around the table eating, Hadley couldn’t do anything but think back of where she would be had she never married Jed.

I think I want to become a nurse, maybe even a midwife saying aloud. Realizing everyone stopped talking and listening to hear she responded I’m sorry I was thinking out loud to myself. Now is just a good time as any stated William. The new doctor could use the help. But who will help with the farm asked Hadley? We have plenty of help now that Caleb is here replied Josiah. I think my brother would want you to move on and pursue your dreams.

It is time for you to get out and live your life as you wish, there’s no need to worry about the farm we will take care of it. After eating Hadley went and sat by the fire. This is great news said Lily. I cannot believe that I am considering school for nursing. I never in a million years thought I would be going after my dreams. After marrying your Uncle, I pushed all of my dreams away, I didn’t think it would be possible with working the farm and being a nurse.

It is time consuming and if it weren’t for your father, I would have lost everything. Its time to start your future Hadley do not allow your life to go to waste. Lily went to find William sitting outside on the porch. I’m so excited for Hadley, she stated. We have grown closed in the last few months. Lets talk about our future said William. Yes indeed she replied. I want our wedding to take place at the pond in town, Lily said. But it will be winter, I don’t think our guest would attend in the cold snowy weather. Ok she said, okay.

What able the chapel, the chapel would be perfect Lily stated. We can use the Christmas tree as part of our day, we can add some candles along the seats and in the windows, William added. It is getting late my love we must finish this discussion tomorrow, with that William kissed Lily goodnight and rode away on his horse. Lily found her way to her room and laying down thinking of all of the planning she needed to do she later dozed off to sleep. She was awaken by Hadley pacing the floor.

Im not sure if I want to go to the clinic Hadley spoke, Nonsense Hadley that is your nerves talking. You will do great. We can go into town together, after getting up and dressed Lily met Hadley by the door. They soon found themselves standing at the clinic door. Saying goodbye to Lily, Hadley went inside being greeted by Oliver. Good morning Hadley, what can I do for you? I would like to come and work for you, I know I don’t have much experience but I would like the opportunity to learn.

I would like to study nursing, it is something I had planned on doing before I had gotten married and then, well life just got in the way. I feel like I would be a great asset to your clinic. Okay, said Oliver. Let’s give it a go. I can use some help with things around here and since I hardly know anyone around here it would be better to have a familiar face with me when out on house visits. Let’s start with getting a supply list together to stock the clinic. I also need to find a horse and buggy.

We can start by going to the Pony Express, they sell horses when they get replaced with younger more outgoing horses, next the general store. Arriving at the general store Oliver helped Hadley down off the wagon. Staring out the window Abigail could not believe her eyes, seeing Hadley with another man. Acting busy as they walked into the store Hadley walked in first, Good morning Abigail how are you today Hadley asked. I am doing fine thanks she replied, what can I do for you today? Meet Dr. Oliver Warren, he is our new town Doctor.

How do you do, I am Abigail Merry. I’m fine thank you. I have a list of supplies I would like to get for the clinic. Let me see what I can do for you she replied. Abigail came back with cotton balls, tongue suppressors, pillows, sheets, and some dishes. Is this all you need today? Yes, Ma’am the rest of my things will be sent in on the stagecoach next week. Very, well she replied. I will add this to your credit, you can come pay on it as you wish. Oliver grabbed the supplies and headed back to drop off the supplies at the clinic.

It will be great when the railroad gets here, our supplies will not take as much time to arrive, we will have more travelers stopping over for visits. Have you traveled anywhere asked Oliver? No, not since I was a small child. I do hope to visit the ocean one day, the smell of the salty air sounds so refreshing. I want to hear the waves crash along the beach, my mother used to say it was a way of relieving stress, Hadley replied.

Your mother has a good point, Oliver replied listening to the waves crash is almost like meditation. You close your eyes and let everything in your go. While walking into the clinic Lily was inside waiting for their return. Greeting Hadley, how was your first day? It has gone better than I had expected she replied. Closing the door Oliver hollered have a great night ladies, as they started walking away William rode up to them. Lily can we talk?

I have heard from my brother Samuel, he would like to attend our wedding. That’s great Lily replied. They will be here in two weeks. I would like to give Claire and Blaine an extra special Christmas with us. There still is so many things to plain before their arrival, I need to get started right away.