"The railroad is now officially open!" Russell Wyatt shouted triumphantly.
The townspeople clapped and cheered. "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"
Faith and Carson stood together in the large crowd. Faith laughed with joy. Her family would be able to make more frequent visits. Faith might be able to forget the loneliness and isolation from her family that she sometimes felt late in the night.
"This is wonderful," Faith breathed blissfully.
"It is." Carson turned to Faith. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
Faith's stomach fluttered. Stop feeling like an excited schoolgirl, she thought to herself crossly. She didn't respond, waiting for Carson to continue.
"I'd like to ask you to dinner again. This time, at the cafe."
"Oh!" Faith smiled in spite of herself. "I'd love that!"
Carson smiled at her. "Good - because there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
"Could I have a teaser?" Faith begged.
Carson chuckled. "You'll have to wait - until tonight."
"Tonight?" Faith tingled with excitement. "Yes!"
Carson took her hand and squeezed it. "Tonight it is."
Russell Wyatt's booming voice interrupted Carson and Faith's conversation. "The first train to come to Hope Valley arrives tonight!"
This proclamation caused further clapping and cheering.
"So much is happening," Faith thought aloud. "I can't believe how much has changed since last year."
Carson looked intently upon Faith. "A lot has changed. Some things good and some bad."
Faith's mind whirled as she thought about the happenings of the past year. She remembered when Carson first arrived in town, cold and quiet. She thought about Ray Wyatt and his criminal and ungentlemanly deeds. She remembered the first time he had come to work at the infirmary and the awkwardness between them after Rosemary's matchmaking. She recalled the distant memory of Sophia Connelly. She remembered the day Jack and Elizabeth wed - such a glorious day! She thought about Rhonda's surprise visit and Carson's bravery in performing Rhonda's brain surgery. Faith remembered Jack's death, Carson's care, and her illness. She remembered all the precious letters Emma had sent weekly and how they had lit up her day. She remembered when Emma and her father visited and all the trouble that had ensued. The best part of it all was Carson. His care, his concern. His willingness to help Faith with everything. The banter between Carson and herself. And all the beautiful memories.
Faith shifted uncomfortably. Perhaps it was just a silly, useless feeling but she felt huge changes were coming.
"He asked you to dinner without a few days of preparation?" Rosemary Coulter exclaimed, horrified.
Faith giggled. "I don't need days of preparation. Carson just wants to. . . tell me something."
"Oh my! Do you have something to wear on this beautiful date?"
"I could wear what I wore to Jack and Elizabeth's wedding. . ." Faith's voice trailed off.
"That drab coat and plain outfit? Nonsense! I insist on helping you find the perfect dress!" Rosemary said.
The dress shop was rather empty that afternoon. Clara was in the back, sewing a blouse.
"Thank you for the thought, but I can't afford much," Faith shrugged her shoulders apologetically.
"Then I'll let you borrow one of my dresses at home! Clara, watch the shop!" Rosemary's eagerness was very apparent as she lead Faith to the Coulter rowhouse.
"You're too kind," Faith chuckled.
Rosemary's walk was brisk and they arrived at the rowhouse shortly. Upon arriving, Rosemary quickly took out several dresses for Faith to try. The first that caught her attention was a royal blue dress. It was simple but elegant at the same time.
"I've never seen you wear this one," Faith breathed, stroking the material gently.
"It turns out that it's too small for me. You seem quite taken with it - you should keep it."
"I couldn't ask you to do such a thing."
"Of course you could! It's a gift."
Faith embraced her friend. "Thank you so much! This truly means the world to me!"
"Could you do something in return for me?" Rosemary asked.
Faith nodded solemnly.
"Tell me how the evening goes!"
Faith had insisted that she would walk to the cafe herself that night. Her reasoning was probably foolish - she didn't want Carson to see her dress until she entered the cafe.
She patiently braided her hair into an elegant bun. Strands of hair dropped down gracefully in front of her ears. She smiled at her reflection in her hand-held mirror. As she perfected her hair, she wondered what Carson was going to say to her that night. A proposal, perhaps?
Faith gasped aloud at her own idea. Stop being so foolish and overly giddy, she silently chided herself. Try as she might, she couldn't stop thinking about the possible proposal that could happen that night - and she couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you," Sophia said, handing a tip to the man in charge of her luggage. She breathed in the fresh Hope Valley air. Oh, how she missed it! While San Fransico was grand and everything she had ever dreamed, it was nothing compared to the glorious and calming town of Hope Valley.
When she heard about the Hope Valley's railroad's opening, she quickly booked a ticket so that she could be one of the first to arrive in Hope Valley by train. The distance from her and Carson had torn her to shreds on the inside. She could finally see him for the first time in what felt like forever. . .
She glanced at her watch. It was only 7 pm. Surely Rosemary wouldn't mind a surprise visitor. Rosemary always loved surprises.
Sophia hoisted her bag further up her shoulders and trudged toward Rosemary's rowhouse. Maybe Rosemary knew where Carson was so that she could locate him.