Chapter 10 A Day of Rest
Lucas made sure he got up early and dressed so he could bring breakfast and a surprise to his favorite people. He checked himself over in the mirror and went downstairs. He checked in with Gustav and grabbed a basket and put together some breakfast for Elizabeth, Julie, and Jack. Then he put on his coat and headed out the door, stopping only to get roses for Elizabeth. Arriving at her rowhouse he knocked on the door.
When she answered she was surprised," Lucas! You're up early!"
"I wanted to surprise you my love! I thought I might walk with you guys to church this morning. These roses are for you and I brought breakfast."
"Come in!" She escorted him in.
"Lucas!" Jack ran and through his arms around his legs.
"Good morning, my handsome man! Let me show you how to do a gentleman's handshake!" he tousled his hair.
Lucas kept working with Jack on a gentleman's handshake, when he noticed Rosemary, Lee, and Julie come in.
"Good morning! He gave a slight bow. "Mrs. Coulter I am glad to see you are feeling better."
"Thank you Lucas for being so thoughtful. The flowers you brought were very lovely and the soup was delicious! Please call me Rosemary. You have lived here for over three years. You don't need to treat me so formal. We are family." She laughed.
The group ate breakfast together and then walked to church. Jack sat on Lucas shoulders as they walked and messed up his perfect hair. He kept giggling while he was doing it, so Lucas just let him entertain himself. Elizabeth admired her two handsome men; they were going to be a beautiful family someday. She couldn't wait for that day to come. Once they arrived at church they shook hands with everyone and then made their way to the front two pews. Lucas took a seat next to Elizabeth and Julie took Jack. Rosemary and Lee sat on the other end next to Julie.
As Joseph began to preach the sermon on being grateful for your blessings, Lucas couldn't help but feel like the most grateful man in the world to have Elizabeth and Jack and a wonderful place to finally call home. Elizabeth could see he was in a daze; she politely nudged him and grinned,
"Come back to us!" she whispered.
He turned and smiled back. The service ended and the ladies stood there chatting for a bit, while Lucas made his way over to Bill and Nathan before they left.
"Bill! Nathan! I wanted to talk to you. I needed to let you know that my father will be traveling to Hope Valley here in less than two weeks with two diplomatic security officers, unless you guys want to follow him around," He laughed. "It is Canada's policy!"
"Your father is our Canadian Ambassador, Jonathan Bouchard! I don't know why I never picked up on that before. It is not as if there are a ton of Bouchard's around." Bill said.
"Yes he is coming and may be staying for a long while. They will be staying with me at my house!"
"Lucas, you have a house?" I think we all just assumed you stay at the hotel." Bill questioned.
"Well, it is kind of a secret. I try to stay as private as possible." He spoke softly.
The men nodded and went their separate ways. Lucas rejoined Elizabeth and Jack and they all headed to the Coulter's for their Sunday afternoon lunch. The men sat down in the living room playing with Jack, while the ladies got lunch ready and gossiped.
"Rosemary, how is the newspaper coming?" Elizabeth asked.
"It is going well. I am looking into Wyman Walden and the Pinkerton's but not finding out very much." She nodded in defeat.
"Well, maybe Lucas can help you!" Elizabeth said.
"Why Lucas?"
"He has been talking to Walden and his father has already done some checking up on the man. He will be arriving here in a couple of weeks and staying for awhile. He is our Canadian ambassador!"
"Elizabeth! This is so exciting. I have to know everything! He is coming here? What on earth for? Is he going to propose to you?" Rosemary smiled.
"Rosemary! Let's not get ahead of ourselves." She said in a frustrated tone.
Julie just laughed. "It is exciting! I think I am going to stay until well after the holidays! Elizabeth's life is just so fun! I hope to find the same thing for myself some day!"
"You will Julie!" Elizabeth told her.
They sat down at the table and were eating. "This has been lovely!" Julie said. "There is nothing like spending time with family. We should do this more often. Lucas you should have us all out for dinner!"
Lucas about spit his drink across the table as Jack said, "Lucas we go to your house?"
"Lucas was shifting uncomfortably in his seat, "Not today Jack I have been preparing my place for my father's arrival. In fact, I should probably get going."
Elizabeth could tell Julie had struck a nerve. She was getting very annoyed with her sister. "Lucas I will walk you out."
Lucas kissed Jack on the head and walked with Elizabeth to the door. "I am sorry about Julie." She is just excited and a bit nosey.
"Elizabeth I promise I am hiding nothing bad. It is something grand! It is suppose to be a surprise for you and I am not ready to show you yet. I promise when the time is right you will be more than pleased." He held both her hands in his. "Elizabeth will you and Jack take a trip with me next weekend to Union City? I think it's time for an adventure"
"Lucas that would be wonderful! I would love too!"
She leaned in and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close and gave her a gentle kiss, being mindful of the audience that was surely watching them.
"I love you Elizabeth! I will see you tomorrow." He walked out the door and Elizabeth returned to the table.
"Julie you need to stop! What Lucas has planned is part of a big surprise and he is not ready for me to know." Elizabeth's tone and raised voice conveyed her anger.
"Beth you can't tell me that you are not the least bit curious as to what that man is hiding!"
Rosemary chimed in," Hiding something?"
"Yes Lucas refuses to show anyone where he lives!" Julie said.
"He doesn't live at the hotel?" Rosemary questioned.
"Oh no! Apparently, he has the most beautiful home." Julie replied.
"Really? Lee did you know Lucas had a home? I always thought he lived at the hotel."
"Yes Rosey! I sold him all the lumber and it was a very substantial order for me. I have not been there or seen it though."
"Lee how can you keep things like this from me?" She scoffed. "This would make a great story!"
"Julie, Rosemary! Stop it right now. Jack and I are going home."
Elizabeth took Jack and they left and went home to enjoy the rest of their day. She was very annoyed with her sister and her best friend. She knew how they were. When they wanted to know something, they would not stop until they found out. She knew why Lucas was getting uncomfortable and it was causing some distance between them with Julie being around, distance she didn't like.