Part 1: Chapter 37: 1887: Red Deer, Alberta,

Christmas Without the Normandeaus

As the lieutenant's long disappearance became more and more wide spread, the amount of criminals partying and staying in town increased. Cliff and Don welcomed all business, so it soon became customary for Wurthers and his breed of Mountie and low achieving soldiers (which included the second-lieutenant left in charge), were often seen gambling, drinking, and whoring at the Red Deer Saloon with criminals of all calibers. Those loyal to their jobs and duties were appalled to see the increased damages and law breaking and no one stopping it. Archie had actually been forced to play a few hands at the Saturday night poker. He would only engage in conversation if asked direct questions.

Despite the fact that Regina and Edith had sent a package, the package never actually made it to Red Deer, and no one reported on the mail line being attacked and robbed from, so the Grant's didn't know to expect a package and the others didn't know that the package didn't make it.

The Grants knew that Christmas would be tight and thin. Colleen had not joined the choir that year, so they decided to forgo the Christmas Pageant and stayed at home instead. Nate and Colleen both seemed to know that their parents were struggling. They had tried being as helpful as possible and hadn't had a major sibling blowout since they were in Winnipeg.

Ophelia and Archie made a big deal about making presents for each other was better than store bought items. So, they had been helping Colleen and Nate make the presents for their family, which included the family in Winnipeg.

Ophelia had made everyone a family scarf. Colleen drew a picture book of their best moments. Nate had made wooden ornaments, with Archie's help. Each present was wrapped simply, but nicely and with a tag showing who they were for. Archie had only just had enough time to mail that box off before it would have been too late for their Christmas presents.

Christmas morning came with a light layer of snow.

"Mama, Daddy! It's Christmas!" Colleen said eagerly from their parents' bed which they had been sharing since they hadn't had the money to replace the children's beds yet.

Archie and Ophelia smiled at the fact that nothing was stopping Colleen's Christmas enthusiasm.

"Santa came!" Colleen exclaimed.

"Yup," Archie smiled as the family put on their robes and took them downstairs.

The pile of presents was small, but Colleen and Nate were just as excited. Ophelia and Archie had both agreed that their presents for each other could wait and that the time and money would be spent on the Santa present.

Colleen and Nate took turns opening the presents.

Colleen got a sketch book, a journal, and a knitted scarf. Nate got a knitted scarf, some bait for his fishing pole, and his own fishing box.

"Did ya get what ya wanted?" Archie asked.

Colleen nodded, but then said what was also on her mind.

"I'm kinda sad that Autie Norman and Auntie Regina didn't send anything, though," Colleen admitted.

Ophelia and Archie looked at each other.

"They might have. It might still be on the way," Ophelia said to placate her daughter. But she had also been worried about the lack of packages and help from them, despite being asked many times.

Colleen thought about that, then nodded in agreement. The family spent the rest of the day caroling (Archie and Colleen mostly). They also spent time making snowmen in their yard. At first the snowmen were just general, basic shapes, but eventually Nate commented that one looked like Uncle Norman, and then they had to make the entire family.

They ate their Chritsmas meal with thanks and had a nice evening just the four of them being a family. When they went to sleep, Nate was out almost immediately. Colleen took some persuasion.

"Do you think Auntie Norman and Auntie Regina like our presents?" Colleen asked tiredly.

"Most certainly," Ophelia whispered as she kissed her head goodnight.

"Good," Colleen said as her eyes finally drooped down.

Ophelia and Archie waited a few minutes before talking.

"Colleen is right to be worried about nothing coming from them," Ophelia said.

Archie nodded in agreement.

"It's weird for sure."

"I know mail is slow, but this is ridiculous! I received a letter the other day from Edith. She was referring to something that she had mentioned in a previous letter, but I didn't get one from her that discussed that topic," Ophelia started.

"What could possibly be happenin', though?" Archie said.

"Well, either the mail is being stupid slow, or they are losing letters and packages," Ophelia said.

Archie looked appropriately shocked with that deduction.

"We'll send another letter in the morning," Archie said. Both Grants fell asleep with their children sleeping on their mattress.


Meanwhile in Winnipeg, Regina, Harris, Edith, Sally, Molly, and Rachel were all celebrating with some normalcy. They had also had growing concerns about what was happening or not happening in Red Deer for the Grants. They did receive their Christmas package from the Grants. It was their still apparent lack of funds with their gifts that made them suspicious about not having received their package.

"I don't like this," Regina said as they were looking at the package from the Grants.

Edith nodded in agreement.

"What are we going to do?" Harris asked.

"We are going to settle as much of our affairs here as possible. When James gets back, we will show him why we are afraid for the Grants, and we are going back with him," Edith said firmly.

"How will you travel?" Regina asked.

"Train," Edith replied with what she thought was the obvious answer.

Everyone gasped in surprise, but Rachel, Molly, and Sally all nodded, knowing that it would be their duty to keep her healthy.

It took James longer than the normal travel time due to the choppy, winter ocean, but when James made it back to the house in Winnipeg with Regina's file, it was a bittersweet household who greeted him. James noticed their unease immediately.

"What's wrong?" James asked when he saw their half smiles.

"We're worried about the Grants," Harris said.

James raised an eyebrow.

"We haven't had consistent communication. We sent a care-package after Ophelia's letter, and it doesn't seem like they got it," Edith said.

James quickly read through the things that they had gotten from the Grants.

"I need to go to the Mountie Office," James said firmly as he turned right around and stalked out into the cold winter air.

It was only an hour later when James came thundering into the house. He couldn't hold his anger back.

"I need to leave as soon as I can get General ready. We are taking the train to Calgary. I am going to need help. Take a day to get your things to your attorney, Regina. I already know you are all planning on following me," James said.

Edith nodded.

"Why do you need help?" Harris asked.

"Because a mobster and his gang are going to be passing through any minute. Apparently, people haven't taken law and order very seriously since I've been gone," James said this with sarcasm and anger. "Don't go into the town until I have dealt with that."

Here he glared at each of them, but lingering on Edith the most.

Edith just gave him a loving smile.

"Be safe," Regina said as he turned away to get General.

"Always," James waved in good-bye.


Hello! Sorry about the shortness of this chapter, but I had originally planned for Christmas and James heading back to Red Deer as short snippets of the next chapter, and I'm not certain I can add to it with diligence and duty that it requires. That being said, a warning Seamus Grant rears his big, evil head in the next chapter, and he definitely attacks some people. Not gorey, but more descriptive than Edith's attack in previous chapters.