Elizabeth had obviously not given enough thought to how she would keep her secret once she got to Hope Valley. And she realized that fact very quickly when Allie jumped off the train and ran to Rosemary and Lee waiting by the car.
"Uncle Nathan and Mrs. Thornton are getting married!"
Ooops.
Rosemary squealed, "Elizabeth!"
Lee stepped in quickly to avert disaster and grabbed Jack out of Elizabeth's arms before Rosemary managed to squeeze her to within an inch of her life.
"And where is the blushing bridegroom?" Rosemary said dramatically, peering back into the empty train.
Elizabeth laughed. She was so glad to be back in Hope Valley. There was nothing quite like it.
"He's staying in Airdrie for a few weeks more. His mother needs help on the ranch, and he still has the cast on his leg. He knows there's a temporary Mountie here..."
Rosemary's mouth formed into a perfect O. "Do not get me started on Acting Constable Stuart Covington," She shook her head vigorously. "That man would try the patience of a saint. The entire town will throw a parade when Nathan comes back!"
Through all this, Lee and Allie had managed to get the bags in the car. Jack was already on Allie's lap in the back seat.
Lee took Rosemary's arm firmly. "Plenty of time for all the news, sweetheart. I need to get back to the sawmill."
Before getting into the driver's seat, Lee hugged Elizabeth warmly. "So happy for you and Nathan, Elizabeth. You make a wonderful family together, all of you. He's a good man."
"Thank you, Lee," Elizabeth said, catching her breath.
From there it was a freight train rolling downhill and Elizabeth simply had to hold on. She thought she might as well enjoy the ride.
She managed to convince Lee and Rosemary – and Allie – to stay quiet until she'd had the ring sized. There was no jeweler in Hope Valley, but amazingly, Kevin the blacksmith had acquired some tools and filled in the need nicely. Rosemary had asked him a number of times to work on her rings and necklaces.
It didn't surprise Elizabeth that Rosemary convinced Lee to stop off at the livery and to take the bags up to the row houses before he went back to work.
Kevin was able to get to the ring right away and while he worked, Elizabeth, Jack and Allie spent some time with Sergeant and Sarah. Of course this had to be done while simultaneously answering the rapid-fire questions that Rosemary was asking.
Elizabeth realized that one of the reasons she truly loved Rosemary was her infectious enthusiasm. It just wasn't possible to remain blasé about anything around her.
"So. Tell me everything. When did he propose, and where? How on earth did he get down on one knee with his broken leg? Did you like his mother? What's the ranch like? Airdrie sounds like a lovely little town. Eight hours on a train, you must be exhausted!"
Elizabeth had only answered about half of Rosemary's questions when Kevin came out. He'd not only sized the ring perfectly, but he'd cleaned the gold and polished the diamonds. It sparkled now, causing the light from the windows to dance on the livery walls.
Rosemary held Elizabeth's hand and said, "Oh, Elizabeth, this is charming!"
Elizabeth looked at it with love in her eyes. "It belonged to Nathan's great-grandmother, and then to his mother." She pointed out the four diamonds in the shape of a square. "Nathan said these are for the two of us, and these two for Allie and Jack."
Rosemary was so overcome she had to pull a handkerchief from her purse. "I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth. We all love Nathan. And he so obviously loves you."
Elizabeth held her left hand up, turning it slightly to catch the light. She had spent the last few days with this ring on her first finger, and she realized that she'd been marking time in a way. She was absolutely sure about marrying Nathan, but a small part of her was still getting used to the idea of an engagement; trying it on for size.
Now that the ring was on the correct finger, everything fell into place. She felt a sense of peace, as if all was right with the world. The ring had found its home on the third finger of her left hand.
The surprising thing was, even after traveling all day, Elizabeth felt energized. She thought it might be because she was home again.
"Allie?" Elizabeth said, "Are you too tired to stop at Abigail's for a hot chocolate?" She looked at Rosemary. "Jack slept on the train, so he's wide awake. I was thinking a cup of tea would be nice."
Allie nodded briskly. It was a safe bet, because she loved hot chocolate, and Elizabeth knew it.
The truth was, Elizabeth wanted to soak in the town of Hope Valley again. To see the familiar faces of people whose stories she knew, and who knew hers. She could hold the time in Airdrie in her heart, but Hope Valley had her heart.
"Yes! Tea." Rosemary said, taking Elizabeth's arm and starting to walk her to Abigail's. "We have so much to plan!"
"About that, Rosemary. We want to wait until Nathan gets here to decide on a date, and start thinking about what we want to do." Elizabeth put her hand on Rosemary's arm affectionately. "But when we do decide, we would be so grateful if you would help with the planning. Or whatever you would be willing to do."
"Whatever you need, Elizabeth," Rosemary said softly. "I really am so happy for you."
Jack reached out to Rosemary and she took him gladly. "And you, my sweet Jack. We missed you!"
April 9, 1917
To: Nathan Grant, General Delivery, Airdrie, Alberta
My dearest Nathan,
Well, I won't need that chain for around my neck after all. Even for Hope Valley, this has to be a record.
I hadn't yet stepped down from the train when our Alliebeck ran across the platform to Rosemary announcing our engagement. And just in case Rosemary wasn't listening, I'm certain the whole train station heard her.
It was actually very sweet, and now that the cat is out of the bag I can't say I'm at all unhappy about it.
We stopped off at the livery and had Kevin size the ring (did you have any idea he did that sort of thing? I didn't!) and it now fits perfectly on the third finger of my left hand, right where it belongs.
We all went for a cup of tea (hot chocolate for Allie) at Abigail's and I can't say I was unaware that Rosemary would act as mistress of ceremonies for our big news. What I hadn't counted on was the size of the audience.
It started with Florence and Molly, as ever together. They had scarcely walked through the door of Abigail's before Rosemary actually took my hand off the table and raised it up, pointing excitedly at my ring. With the door still open, they screamed so loudly that they brought the rest of the town running.
(Including our temporary Mountie. More on that later.)
Like your Infirmary stay, as news spread, folks wanted to come and shake hands with you and kiss me on the cheek. They were disappointed you weren't here, but said they'd complete the job when you arrive. Fair warning: If you shake as many hands as I got kisses on the cheek, you had better be well prepared, my love.
Especially sweet was Clara. She had a talk with me a while back, and she reminded me of it. She had told me that love was out there, I just needed to open up to it. Since our situations were so similar, I took her advice to heart, and I told her so tonight. "You see?" was what she said joyfully before she hugged me.
Carson and Faith made their way through the hordes of townspeople and were thrilled with our news. Carson asked how you were getting along on the crutches (!) and wondered if not being able to ride was difficult for you (!). I managed to stuff a cookie in my mouth at that very moment, which made it nearly impossible to speak. So I simply nodded and made nondescript "mm-mmm" noises until they were both carried off by the crowd. Note for the future: I am a terrible liar. I have no skill for it and am not interested in acquiring any. If I tell Carson the truth at some point in the next three weeks, I am sorry, but you mustn't be upset with me.
You have universal approval on the ring, from both the men and women of Hope Valley. I told its story to Florence and Molly and they dabbed at their eyes and took turns hugging me until Hickam came over and rescued me.
I was talking with Rosemary as we walked home about how pleased everyone seemed with the news. She told me that I am absolutely glowing (her word, and yes, I said thank you) and that in the face of my happiness, no one could be unhappy.
I am very happy, Nathan. I suppose there is quite a lot of glowing going on as well.
Some of Allie's friends also stopped by with their parents, and Charles Higgins, who can sometimes be far too direct, said to Allie, "Lucky you. Now you'll get A's on everything."
It bothered Allie and I talked with her at home about it tonight. I explained that the opposite might actually be true because I'll want to be sure I'm not giving her special treatment. I asked her to talk to me if she ever feels I'm being too hard on her, and that seemed to ease her mind. I also told her to let me know if any of the other children tease her about this because that is unacceptable behavior.
Now, about the new Mountie. Let me start by giving you a direct quote from Rosemary: "That man would try the patience of a saint. The entire town will throw a parade when Nathan comes back!"
As I said, when Florence and Molly screamed, Acting Constable Stuart Covington came running. Not ready to save the damsels in distress, mind you, but fully prepared to give Molly and Florence a citation for disturbing the peace.
So far, as I understand it, he's written up Lee, Rosemary and Henry for going over the speed limit in their cars, Lucas for numerous infractions pertaining to noise and alcohol, Ned Yost for blocking the sidewalk with delivery boxes, and though Rosemary said he'd scolded Fiona for the length of her skirt, I believe that was a joke on Rosemary's part. He also gave Bill a ticket for tethering his horse too loosely, and as local lore has it, Bill said, "I'm the Judge. Case dismissed!"
My own assessment is that Acting Constable Covington does seem to be a stick in the mud, and when he smiles it's not a happy smile. I'm not sure I like the way he has treated my friends and our friendly little town. And just to give you a visual reference, he's possibly two inches shorter than I am. I am sorry I missed our Bill standing over him with his gavel.
I know this is all very uncharitable of me and I apologize. But I want to be sure you know that your heart is still safe with me, even with another red serge in town. Not only will I not be welcoming him to Hope Valley, I will give him a wide berth for fear of receiving a citation for 'walking while happy' or some such.
Allie wouldn't let me rest tonight until we walked up to your house and watered the tree you planted in the backyard at Christmas. We all know why it's so important to her. I assume we can dig it up and move it to our future home, wherever we land?
You do have such lovely traditions in your family. And I feel such joy knowing that I might choose a charm for Allie's bracelet for next Christmas. I longed for that when we talked in the Mercantile. (Just in case you think it was only you who wasn't saying what you were thinking all that time).
Please give your mother a hug for me. I am writing her separately to express my gratitude not only for the stay at the ranch, but also for the warm and unconditional love she has shown me. She's a remarkable woman.
Also Charlie. He is someone I would very much like to spend more time talking to. He shows depth and wisdom and I'm certain he has stories that should be written down, if only in my humble journal.
Also, please say hello to Toby and Rio when you see them. They are good steady boys and Jack already misses them. I won't tell you which is my favorite so you won't be tempted to tell them.
Can it be just this morning that I kissed you goodbye at the train station in Airdrie? When I close my eyes I can still feel you holding me, warm and solid. I'm not sure you know how hard it was to leave you.
It taught me a lesson, though, which is always a good thing. Up to now, I've been the one who is being left, not the one who's leaving. This morning I had to hold my responsibilities and my duties against my incredibly strong desire to stay with you. I chose duty, and now I understand it all a little better.
I imagine you reading this on the porch swing in two or three days' time. Perhaps at sunset. And I ache to be there with you.
When you miss me, go to the pergola and ask me again. I'll still say yes and yes and yes and yes and yes.
My love is with you, always,
Your Elizabeth
P.S. Jack wants very much to know where you are. I sat down with his book before bed and he kept looking around, saying, "in'tan, in'tan." I have been demoted. Not sure how I feel about that. Yes, I am sure. I love how he loves you.
P.S.S. Did I say I love you? I do.
ETT
