When a Heart Calls Your Name
Chapter 1
First Impressions
Jacob drove Jack into town so they could figure out what to buy Grandma Beth for their 30th wedding anniversary. Jack loved spending time with his grandson Jacob and he didn't have the opportunity to see him that often because he didn't live in town. Jacob had recently gotten his driver's license and Grandpa Jack was happy to test him out. As they were driving, Jack looked over at Jacob and he was reminded how Jacob got his deep blue eyes - from his Elizabeth. Jack saw Elizabeth in everything – she was always on his mind and always in his heart.
As Jack and Jacob looked around the department store, Jacob asked, "Grandpa Jack, what do you think Grandma Beth would like for your anniversary?"
"I'm not sure, Jacob, let's talk awhile and maybe we can figure that out." So Jack and Jacob sat down at the lunch counter and ordered some coffee and pie. Grandpa Jack asked, "Did I ever tell you about the first time I met Grandma Beth?"
Jacob replied, "Yes, but tell me again."
Grandpa Jack shared…
It was the year 1910 and as a young Mountie, I arrived in Coal Valley right after the big explosion that took the lives of 47 men. I was 26 at the time and frankly, I was disappointed to have been sent to a small coal mining town. I wanted adventure and I thought I'd find more excitement at the busy shipping port of Cape Fullerton. Can you believe it, Jacob? I wanted to be stationed in your hometown!
On my first day in Coal Valley, I rode to the mine to diffuse a situation. Most of the townspeople were there at that time. As I rode up on my horse Taylor, I was drawn to the prettiest lady I had ever seen in my life, your Grandma. My first impression was how stunning she was, how beautiful her eyes were, just like yours, Jacob. She was standing there holding a young boy and at the time, I assumed the boy was her son and that her husband was one of the miners that died in the explosion. It wasn't until the next day that I was pleasantly surprised to find that she wasn't married, that the child wasn't hers, and that she had just come to Coal Valley to be the new school teacher.
There was a saloon in town that also served as the school during the day and it had a second floor with rooms for rent. I rented one of those rooms when I first got to town. On my second day, I came down the stairs and I was met with, "Hello, I didn't know anyone else was here." You see, it had been Grandma Beth's first day of school and she was writing on the chalkboard when she saw me and we introduced ourselves to each other. I can say now that we had an instant attraction to each other. But as time went on that day, I never would have admitted that.
If you remember, Grandma Beth grew up in a big home with a wealthy family and she had all of the material things that money could buy. But she dreamed of coming out west to teach children just like her Aunt Elizabeth Delaney. That day we met, during our introductions, I realized that your Great-grandpa William had me stationed in Coal Valley just to make sure your Grandma was safe. When I figured that out, I was furious that I would be stationed in a small mining town that would be dull with no action. Little did I know!
I didn't know Grandma's strong will and character at that time, and I insulted her by telling her that she wouldn't last a week in Coal Valley. I told her that I was there to watch her so that 'daddy's princess' doesn't stub a toe. Well, that really made Grandma mad! She said, "I'm a Thatcher, I don't run from a challenge, and I can take care of my own stubbed toes, thank you very much!" My first impressions of your Grandma really confused me: I was angry with her and attracted to her at the same time. I didn't know whether to argue with her or find reasons to spend time with her. But I knew this: I could feel her heart calling my name.
"Do you have a special girl, Jacob? Do you know what I mean when I say I could feel her heart calling my name?"
Jacob replied, "Not really, grandpa. At sixteen, I've been on two dates with a girl named Mary; I like her and all, but I'm so busy and focused on my grades and my baseball game, that I really haven't spent much time on girls."
Grandpa Jack stated, "That's okay, Jacob, you're young. You have plenty of time to figure that all out. When God puts two people together, no matter what you do, you don't have any control over how He knits your hearts together. Sometimes this happens instantly and sometimes it takes a good, long while. But when you find The One, Jacob, your heart will call her name."
"Reminiscing about that first day when I met your Grandma, I now have an idea for our anniversary. She loves art and I haven't drawn her anything in years. I think she might enjoy me drawing a picture of us in the saloon when we first met. What do you think, Jacob? I could caption the drawing, 'First Impressions.'"
Jacob told Grandpa Jack that he liked his idea about the drawing. Jacob knew how he loved to receive special gifts such as a baseball that Clifford Bogstie used in the perfect game that he pitched in 1931.
Jack and Jacob finished their coffee and pie, picked up some art supplies, and headed back home to Grandpa Jack's house. When they walked in the door, they could smell something baking and as they walked into the kitchen, Jack saw Elizabeth taking some biscuits out of the oven. Elizabeth said, "Hi, you two. Did you find what you were looking for? Are you hungry? I just made some fresh biscuits and I have some homemade strawberry jam to go with them."
Jack replied, "Hello, love. No thank you on the biscuits, I'm not hungry right now. But you could give me a kiss to sweeten my day."
"Jack Thornton, are you wanting a kiss as an excuse not to eat my biscuits? Jacob, did I ever tell you about the first time I made dinner for Grandpa Jack?"
"Elizabeth, I have a special project to work on. How about you sit down with Jacob and tell him all about that eventful evening when you first cooked for me. It's kind of a long story and Jacob's a growing boy. I'm sure he'd love to have some of your biscuits and jam with you."
To be continued…