Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 5, Part 5, Page 25

Elizabeth brought LJ outside to his baby buggy, got him settled in, and handed him his little stuffed puppy. She put his cute little cowboy hat on to keep the sun from his eyes and so LJ attracted many passersby as they walked into town!

"Hi Elizabeth! How is our little cowboy doing today?" Fiona came over and tickled LJ.

"I think he thought we'd never come back to town, but I just needed to have some time to myself to ponder what I should do next. Rosemary came by and with her suggestion, I went to talk to Pastor Joseph." Elizabeth said.

"So, how are you doing now?" Fiona inquired.

"I'm getting better. This walk and seeing you and my friends are just what I need right now! So, would you like to walk with me?" Elizabeth asked.

"Darn tooting!" Fiona laughed as she wrapped her arm through Elizabeth's. "I was just going to stop over at the dress shop to see how the sewing circle ladies are doing with the curtains for the upstairs of Billees."

As they walked in, everyone stopped and watched Elizabeth to see how she was except for Rosemary. "Well, would you lookee here, isn't that my main man?" she asked as she swept LJ out of his buggy and into her arms.

Clare came over, "Isn't he the most handsome cowboy we've ever seen?"

The rest of the ladies gushed over LJ, who stole the show. The little cowboy giggled with laughter from all the attention. "Sit down Elizabeth, we've got this cutie pie!" Rosemary said as she showed her the curtains they were sewing for the upstairs bedrooms and then the curtains for the hall with the matching tablecloths.

"Ladies, these are so pretty!" Elizabeth complimented them all. "You've been hard at work."

"Molly, Faith, and Flo are helping when they can too." Rosemary continued, "Many hands make for light work! In fact, Flo just got the cut glass vases in and we are going to decorate them with matching ribbons and have seasonal flowers and greenery."

"Have you seen Billees?" Fiona asked Elizabeth. "If not, I'd like to show you, and introduce you to Sam, he's the new man that helped with repairs at the orphanage in Brookfield. Turned out he got taken by Walden too."

"Yes, just like Jesse did," Clare sighed.

Rosemary, being concerned about Elizabeth, asked her, "Are you ready to go over there?"

"Yes, I need to, I want to see the new reconstruction. I think it'll help me to see the saloon without Lucas there and all the other men working to make it into a family establishment." Elizabeth nodded.

"Okay ladies, let's stop sewing long enough to take a visit to Billees. We don't want to get in the way, so we won't stay long." Rosemary led the ladies and cowboy Jack out the door.

Over at Billees Jesse and Sam were constructing the buffet table and Lee and Bill were busy measuring lumber and working on the stage. "Oh what a nice surprise!" Lee walked over to Rosemary and gave her a kiss, then took LJ, "Hey here's our little cowboy!" LJ laughed as Lee raised him up in the air and down again.

Bill was right there. "Be careful with my Godson," he teased Lee. As the two doting men played with LJ, the ladies walked around and checked out the progress. The buffet table was looking very inviting and the ladies commented on all the delicious food that would be served there once the place was open. They envisioned the new curtains and the tables decorated with the new cloths and vases.

"I am so happy to know that Walden didn't get his hands on this place. To think that Lucas sold this to him, makes me wonder if I ever knew the real Lucas." Elizabeth Looking at Bill and Lee she continued, "I'm so grateful that you rescued this place and you too Rosemary, you are making this into a lovely place!" Even LJ squealed. Everyone laughed.

"Can you just hear the merriment and the music?" Rosemary declared, "People talking and laughing, singing and dancing!"

"Food, delicious food," chimed Jesse with a broad smile!

"A way to a man's heart," Clare agreed.

Sam finally spoke up, "I haven't met this lady," as he turned to Elizabeth, "My name is Sam Tremblay, ma'am, mighty pleased to meet you."

"My pleasure Sam, welcome to Hope Valley. You have worked hard and it shows." Elizabeth smiled. "The cowboy is my little one, his name is Jack, named after his father. He was the Mountie here but was in a fatal accident," she looked down then continued, "but I am ever grateful for all of my friends", as she looked around, "and you will be too."

"Who wants to go to the Cafe for lunch?" asked Fiona.