Eliza Crandall was just finishing the weekly laundry when the front door opened. As the two girls were still inside, Eliza anticipated it being her son, Abe.
"Is everything okay?" Eliza asked as she finished ringing out one of Eve's dresses. "You couldn't have finished chopping that wood already."
"No ma'am," Abe replied as Eliza moved to hang the dress up on the line she had strung across the room for the purpose of drying clothes during the winter months. "However, you told me to always listen to my elders, especially officers of the law, and Constable Grant come by. He told me to come inside and warm up while he finishes chopping the wood and then to come out and help him stack it."
With the dress on the line, Eliza moved to the front window. Pushing aside the curtain, she looked out the window. The red serge seemed bright against the while background as Constable Grant chopped the small logs into smaller pieces of firewood.
There had been a time where she would have protested the help. She wanted her children to know that they could make out just fine on their own. She didn't like to accept charity. However, she also knew that Constable Grant, like Constable Thornton, would lend a hand to an able-bodied man just as readily as to a widow and her kids. They didn't view it as charity, but as making a task easier.
"Well, I'm done with the wash, so please empty the wash tubs for me. Then you can get yourself a glass of milk and a couple of the cookies cooling on the stove and warm up by the fire," Eliza told her son. "I'll make some coffee and you can take a mug out to the constable when you go out to stack the wood."
"Yes ma'am,' Abe replied, doing as told.
Eliza moved from the window and headed for the stove. Along with getting the coffee ready, she would also start the soup she had planned for the midday meal. If Constable Grant was out this way, it meant that he would be checking on others when he was done here. She was going to see that he at least got a warm meal before moving onto the next person. Though he wouldn't have been offended if she didn't make the offer, she knew that he wouldn't refuse the offer either. Given the fact that he was willing to make the trip out this far, in this weather, to make sure everyone was doing okay, she felt a warm meal was the least that she could do.
After placing her things on the settee, Elizabeth made the short walk next door to pick-up Little Jack. She had already been longer than she had intended, Cat and Florence not the only one wanting to offer congratulations when they heard the news. However, she had gotten what she went in town for and had helped Lucas select a present for Fiona that she knew the other woman was going to love.
"Hello, Elizabeth," Lee said when he opened the door.
"I'm sorry I was longer than I said I would be," Elizabeth told him. "I sort of caused some distraction with this," she added holding up her left hand. "I may have also stopped by the Café to give Clara and Bill the news," she admitted. Giving how quickly news of her engagement seemed to be spreading, Elizabeth had known that if she wanted to be the one to tell them, then she needed to do it soon.
"I figured," Lee commented, stepping aside and motioning her inside. "It's not a problem. The girls have been entertaining Jack," he explained, nodding to where Bridget, Ivy, and Jack were sitting on the floor, several stuffed animals spread out, along with the ones each child held.
"I see that," Elizabeth said her voice attracting the attention of the children.
"Hello, Mrs. Thornton," Bridget and Ivy greeted her. The two girls had moved past their shyness and were now both talkative, though they had their spells of melancholy, which was to be expected.
"Hello, girls," Elizabeth told them.
"Mama!" Little Jack called out.
"Hello, my sweet boy," Elizabeth greeted her son, a huge smile on her face. "What is that you have?"
Jack looked at the stuffed animal he held. It was a lion with a yarn mane. "Lion!" Little Jack told her, waving the stuffed animal in the air.
"Yes, it is," Elizabeth responded, pleased to hear him saying yet another new word. She couldn't believe a year ago she had been trying to get him to say his first word. Before she knew it, she knew her son was going to be putting those words together into sentences.
"Tell yer mama what sound the lion makes, Jack," Bridget prompted.
At the request Little Jack made a not so ferocious roaring sound.
"We've been teaching him animal sounds," Ivy said proudly.
"Well, you're both doing a wonderful job," Elizabeth told the two girls. She let her eyes drift to the Christmas Tree that stood on the side of the room. Like her own, it was now decked out with ornaments. "And you did a wonderful job with the tree as well. It's beautiful!"
"Mr. Lee found our ornaments from the wagon and we mixed them with the Coulter's ornaments," Bridget informed her.
"Mrs. Rosie said it's a blend of both families," Ivy added, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
"It's perfect!" Elizabeth said, looking back down at the children. "And though I hate to break up your teaching game, I need to take Little Jack home now and feed him lunch," she said, making her way to the children.
Seeing Elizabeth coming toward him, Little Jack let go of the lion and got to his feet. As Elizabeth approached, he held his arms out to her.
"Mama, pick-up."
Elizabeth did just that, settling the little boy close to her.
"Bye, Jack," Bridget and Ivy said.
"Bye," Little Jack repeated.
"Girls, why don't you get these toys cleaned up," Lee said, addressing Bridget and Ivy. "I think its time for our lunch as well."
"Can we have grilled cheese, please?" Bridget asked.
"I think I can manage that," Lee told her, as he retrieved Little Jack's hat and coat.
"Yeah," Bridget and Ivy said, as they started gathering the toys.
Lee helped Elizabeth get the jacket and hat on Little Jack. By the time they were done, Bridget and Ivy were heading upstairs, their arms loaded with stuffed animals.
"I'm so glad those two girls are feeling comfortable with you and Rosemary," Elizabeth commented as Bridget and Ivy disappeared out of sight. "And it's wonderful that you're trying to include familiar things for them."
"It took Jesse and me about an hour to find the boxes of Christmas decorations in that covered wagon," Lee told her. "They also have their quilts on their beds. Rosie and I thought it would help make this seem more like their home while they're here." He dropped his voice a little as he continued. "They're also going to be getting an early Christmas present. I got a call from their brother this morning. The doctor is releasing him from the hospital today. He's still having some lingering effects from the head injury, and needs to continue to take things easy, but he's been cleared to travel. The NWMP have arranged for a place for him to stay tonight but I'm going to drive to Union City tomorrow and bring him here. Brian will be staying with us until he's cleared by a doctor to go back to his posting."
"Oh, it's so good that they'll all be together for Christmas," Elizabeth said. "Is their brother going to be taking custody of them?"
Lee glanced toward the stairs before answering. "I don't know. Last I talked to him, Brian seemed overwhelmed by everything. I assured him that there was no need to rush a decision."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "I should be going. Thanks for watching Little Jack."
"Anytime," Lee told her, opening the door.
Elizabeth stepped outside. Carefully she made her way down the steps and down the shoveled path between the two homes. Reaching her front door, she looked over to find Lee standing out on his own steps. She gave him a wave before heading inside.
"How about dinner at the café tonight?" Nathan suggested as he walked with Ally from the Weisse's home, leading Newton. He had to go into town anyway to take care of Newton. Having anticipated having Ally with him when he brought Newton back tonight, he had asked Bill to take care of Midnight so that Ally didn't get suspicious of him taking care of a second horse.
"Okay," Ally said, nodding her head. She carried a basket which was covered with a dishcloth. All she would tell Nathan was that there were some of the gingerbread men she and Opal had made, along with some other things that were secrets for now. As he had his own secret in the livery, Nathan didn't press her on the subject. "Did you have a hard day?"
Nathan paused before answering, thinking over the events of the day. He had stayed busy but compared to some of the things his jobs required of him, he wouldn't call today particularly hard. Helping out folks was better than dealing with the bad guys.
"I had a busy day," Nathan finally replied. "However, it was also rewarding in a lot of ways. Being able to help people is one of the good parts of my job. I am trying to avoid having to make dinner or do dishes by suggesting eating at the café."
"I figured," Ally said knowingly. "When you and Mrs. Thornton do get married, at least you won't have to work all day and then come home and make dinner as well."
Nathan chuckled. "Mrs. Thornton works all day too. Don't you think she might like some days where she can come home and not have to worry about cooking dinner?"
Ally thought the question over for a few moments before replying. "You make a good point. We can just all take turns. That way everyone can get an occasional break."
"That sounds like a practical idea," Nathan told her. "Now, tell me about your day. At least the parts that won't give away your secret," he added.
The two chatted the rest of the way into Hope Valley. At the livery, Ally found a place to sit so she was out of the way while Nathan took care of Newton. Once Newton was brushed, fed and bedded down for the night, Ally and Nathan left the livery and headed for the café. They were almost there when Florence came rushing over to him.
"Constable Grant," Florence called, gaining Nathan's attention.
"Is something wrong?" Nathan asked her.
"Oh, no," Florence said as she came to a stop near Nathan and Ally. "I didn't mean to alarm you. It's just that I wanted to let you know that Superintendent O'Rielly called for you today. He wants you to call him back as soon as possible. He told me to tell you he would be in the office late tonight."
"Thank-you, Florence. I'll call him now."
Florence nodded. "Molly is at the switchboard. She can place your call."
Nathan nodded in acknowledgment.
"Oh, and congratulations," Florence added. "You and Elizabeth are going to be so happy together."
"Thank-you, Florence," Nathan replied easily, before Florence turned and headed on her way.
Nathan glanced over at Ally. "Why don't you go ahead and claim us a table, Ally," Nathan told her. "I'll come join you as soon as I make the phone call."
"Yes, sir," Ally replied.
As Ally continued to Abigail's Café, Nathan headed for his office. Sitting down behind the desk he reached for the phone. It wasn't long before Molly had managed to connect him with the office in Union City. Shortly after that, Superintendent O'Rielly was on the other end of the line.
"Constable Grant, how are things in your area?"
"Quiet, sir," Nathan replied.
"Good to hear," O'Rielly replied. "Your Dr. Shepherd was praising you first aid skills when I was talking to him earlier. He said you did such a good job cleaning up a leg wound that all he had left to do was apply some medicine and wrap it up again."
"Just doing as I was taught, sir," Nathan replied knowing that the superintendent was referring to Mr. Carbor's leg.
The man had cut it with an axe a few days ago. When he had checked in with the Carbors, his wife had said Fred Carbor was running a fever and the wound was painful. Nathan had asked to take a look at it and found the wound infected. While he had sent Carter, the son, into town for Dr. Shepherd, Nathan had done some first aid, draining and cleaning the wound the best he could. He had then wrapped the leg again until the doctor got there.
"You're still content there in Hope Valley then?"
"I am, sir," Nathan replied, wondering where this conversation was going.
"I won't try tempting you away then. Family is important and I respect your reasons for turning down the last promotion. However, the main reason I wanted to talk to you today is concerning the Peterson family."
"What about them?"
"You probably haven't heard yet, but Constable Peterson has been released from the hospital. Normally, I'd prefer to keep him here in Union City for a while. Let him return to light duty at the office, once he got medical clearance and then go from there. However, my understanding is that he's been invited to stay at the Coulters. As the two young sisters are with the Coulters, and given what they have been through recently, I've decided to post Constable Peterson there in Hope Valley with you for a while. Dr. Shepherd will make the call when constable Peterson can return to duty and at what capacity. I'm sure you'll be able to find someway to make him useful there. I'm also hoping that you might offer some guidance to him, not only as a veteran Mountie but as someone who has chosen to care for a young family member despite this job. I want the young man to be able to make an informed decision about what is best for both him and his two sisters."
"I'll do what I can, sir," Nathan replied. "When is he coming?"
"Tomorrow from what I understand. The force is paying for him to stay at the hotel for tonight. He said he had been invited to spend the holidays with the Coulters if he was out of the hospital."
"That sounds like Lee and Rosemary," Nathan commented.
"I've informed Constable Peterson of these arrangements. Though Dr. Shepherd will let headquarters no when he's releasing him for duty, once he does, I expect to hear from you on how his performance is, Constable Grant."
"I'll keep you informed, sir."
"That will be all then. I'm sure that niece of yours is waiting for some time with you, and my wife is holding dinner for me. Merry Christmas, Constable Grant."
"Merry Christmas, sir," Nathan echoed before hanging up the phone.
Grabbing his hat from his desk, Nathan left the office and headed for the café. He wasn't sure how he felt about the new orders. On one hand, he wanted to help the Peterson family in whatever way was possible. However, he wasn't exactly good at getting people to talk about things. He didn't have a problem with listening, but he wasn't sure how to go about starting that conversation with Brian Peterson.
For now though, Ally was waiting for him at the café and after being out all day, he was looking forward to sitting down and enjoying a meal with her.
However, Nathan had only taken a few steps from the office when another voice called his name.
"Nathan!" Lucas called.
Nathan was hoping the fact that his first name was being called meant that this wasn't going to be work related. Turning he saw the saloon owner hurrying across the road.
"Hi, Lucas," Nathan called out. "Is anything wrong?"
"No," Lucas replied, as he came to a stop near Nathan. "I just wanted to congratulate you on the engagement," he said, holding out his hand.
"Thank-you," Nathan said, shaking the proffered hand.
"The better man for Elizabeth won," Lucas continued. "I can see that now and Little Jack clearly saw that before me. That boy knew there was something special about you before I think Elizabeth realized it herself and while I knew Little Jack and Elizabeth was a packaged deal, you're ready to be a father to him. I'm not sure I could have managed that."
"I wouldn't sell yourself short, Lucas. You'll make a good father someday."
"Exactly - someday. I'm not ready for that on the first day of marriage, but you are. You're already a father as you made clear to me very early on. I have a feeling the incident with Ally affected our early relationship more than the fight your first night in town."
"It did," Nathan conceded. "And I'm a lucky man. Ally was a blessing, as are Elizabeth and Little Jack."
"And you'll all make each other happy," Lucas said confidently. "I hope to one day have what you've already found. Perhaps I already have. Only time will tell."
"You'll find the right person for you, Lucas. Personally though, I'm glad that person wasn't Elizabeth."
Lucas laughed. "I'm sure you are," he said. "I should probably get back to the saloon. Saturday nights are always busy. Have a goodnight," he told Nathan, nodding as he started to back away.
"Goodnight, Lucas," Nathan replied before turning and continuing on to the café. He had a feeling that news of his engagement to Elizabeth had gotten around Hope Valley while he was out today. If that was a case, he was expecting a few more well wishers when he got to the café. Surprisingly he found he didn't care. This was one situation where he didn't care if it made him the center of attention.
