Chapter 58
The next couple days passed in a blur moving and rearranging furniture to work the best for them. They put a few things in the attic and a few things they put on the porch. One of the tables and chair sets were set up there so they could eat outside when the weather would allow. They would store in inside the workshop over winter. They unpacked all the new things they sent from Hamilton and incorporated them in with the old. Elizabeth decided which bedroom would be turned into the nursery and put the few things she had bought already in there. Nathan planned on making the crib and another rocking chair for the room. She placed a small dresser from one of the spare rooms in the room to hold everything she had saved from when little Jack was a baby.
Elizabeth knew that Nathan would be returning to work the next day and that school would be starting in a few weeks so she would have to prepare soon. Nathan had arranged for a phone to be installed at the house because with them living farther from town, Nathan had to be accessible in case of emergency. Bill was going to ride out today with Newton and Sargeant so that they wouldn't have to walk to town. Nathan was making arrangements to buy a couple more horses and a buggy. They had talked about a car but had decided against it for now. They also had decided only to get a cow and a couple laying hens now to provide fresh milk and eggs. They planned on getting more next spring after Nathan had time to build a fence. Now he was trying to finish a small corral so everything didn't have to be cooped up inside the barn. Knowing that their horses would be right outside also would save them some money because they wouldn't have the livery expense every month.
The next morning was a little chaotic, Elizabeth and Nathan woke up early to prepare breakfast and coffee for themselves before Nathan had to leave for work. He dressed in his serge so he could start his rounds on his way into town so he wouldn't have to double back. He was going to miss spending all day with his wife and children but he knew that they would be close by. Before leaving for the day, Nathan asked her something that shocked her, "Elizabeth, would you marry me again? We eloped and rushed the wedding. You deserve so much more than a quick ceremony inside the judge's office. After the baby is born, I want to have a big wedding here at the house with all our friends and family in attendance. As much as I used to hate crowds, I want to celebrate our commitment to each other." Elizabeth was so surprised but she nodded yes and threw herself into his arms. She never expected another wedding because the first one was perfect for them. Sweet and intimate but she had wanted her family 4there if she had ever married again. Nathan left her with a kiss and went to work.
That day Elizabeth and Allie worked in the garden. Some of the vegetables were ready to be pick and they were not going to let their hard work go to waste. One thing Elizabeth was enjoying was the larger garden at the new house but she missed Rosemary popping her head out of the house next door with a cold drink or offering an extra set of hands. She almost suggested that they go into town to get some ice cream at the mercantile after working in the summer heat but she wasn't sure how with only one horse. They would need something else soon because once school started, they would need to get into town easily.
Elizabeth decided to give Rosemary a call and ask her for a ride into town and back. She wanted to chat with Rosemary because they really hadn't had a chance to talk other than idle chit-chat at the welcome home party. Elizabeth picked up the phone and asked for Rosemary, when Rosemary answered, Elizabeth asked, "Rosemary, the children and I wanted to go into town to get some ice cream and visit but I can't figure out how to get the three of us comfortably to town with only one horse. Could you please bring the car and come and get us? We should have all if this taken care of before we moved out of town." Rosemary agreed so Elizabeth got the three of them washed up and in clean clothes. They were grimy after working in the garden.
When Rosemary arrived, they were ready and they drove into town. While the children were enjoying their ice cream, Elizabeth excited asked, "Rosemary will you help me plan a wedding for next spring? Nathan asked me to marry him again. He wants us to have a big Hope Valley wedding this time. I was thinking on our first anniversary but then I thought that might be too soon after the baby is born. What do you think?" Rosemary was giddy she loved planning big events. Her mind was already picturing the day and the dress. Rosemary answered, "Elizabeth, your first anniversary would be perfect. It would symbolize that even though you married quickly that it was truly what you both wanted and needed. We could design a dress without a fitted bodice, an empire waist, so that it would be more comfortable for you to wear. It will be spectacular. You said that your parents were coming for the baby's birth so maybe they will agree to stay until after the wedding." Elizabeth nodded and hoped they would but Elizabeth couldn't imagine her mother being away from Hamilton for more than a couple weeks.
While the ladies chatted, Nathan rode by and stopped to say hello. Elizabeth asked, "Nathan do you know when the other horses and buggy are going to arrive? With only Sargeant, the three of us aren't able to get to town easily. Rosemary came and got us. We need them before the school year starts. Otherwise, we might have to rethink getting a car." Nathan said he'd check with Kevin, at the livery, that afternoon. He hadn't thought about how Elizabeth and the kids would get to town other than walking and soon that would be too far for Elizabeth to walk comfortably. He knew that it was already too far for little Jack to walk on his own. He knew Elizabeth would need to get ready for school starting next week so daily trips to town would be essential.