A Surprise in Hope Valley
Lee and Rosemary decided they'd both take the week off to get Patrick settled in and get to know him. They took Patrick for a walk every morning and afternoon in Little Jack's carriage. They didn't walk very far, because everyone in town stopped to visit with them and ask how Patrick was adjusting to life in Hope Valley.
Patrick was an easy going and happy baby, just like he was in Brookfield. Lee enjoyed making silly faces at him the way Grace did. He was convinced that Patrick was smiling at him, and no one could tell him otherwise. Lee and Rosemary quickly learned that Patrick liked walks in the cool fall air and Lee making funny faces. They just as quickly learned that he didn't like a messy diaper or being hungry. He only woke up once during the night for a bottle and diaper change and took a morning and afternoon nap. Lee noted that Patrick had quite the life with his two naps and outings a day and everyone making a fuss over him.
By the end of the week, Lee and Rosemary realized it was time to go back to work. Rosemary decided that she would forego finding a larger office for the newspaper. She decided publishing a paper once or twice a week was just fine, especially now that they had Patrick to consider.
"Lee, isn't life just perfect? I can't imagine it could be any more perfect, can you?"
"No, I certainly can't. By the way, have you seen Faith to make an appointment for Patrick's exam?"
"Yes, we have an appointment tomorrow. Patrick is having his exam, and I asked Faith if she could recommend a tonic or something for me. I always seem to be tired, and I know it's not Patrick that's making me tired. I haven't been eating properly, because there has been so much going on the last few weeks. I'm sure it was the entire Wyman Walden kerfuffle and then finding our dear, sweet Patrick. Anyway, Faith said she'd talk to me at Patrick's appointment."
"I have noticed you haven't been quite as energetic as you usually are. Hopefully, Faith can recommend a better diet or a tonic for you. Oh, I heard of something new. It's called vitamins. Maybe Faith knows about them. You should ask her."
"Thank you, Lee. I will do just that."
The morning began with a chill in the air and a bit of shimmery frost on the ground. The beautiful autumn leaves of red, gold and butter yellow were now brown heaps under the trees. The season had definitely changed. The children headed out for school in their warm hats, mittens and coats.
"Allie, wait. You forgot your lunch. Here. Do you have everything? How about your homework? Did you finish it?" asked Nathan.
Don't worry, Uncle Nathan. I finished it all. I had a lot of homework to do. Mrs. Thornton is giving me extra math homework. She said it's to challenge me. Did you know that we're getting a new librarian, Uncle Nathan? He's also a math and science tutor. I think he's coming on today's stage. Mrs. Thornton said we could all walk to the stagecoach stop near the Café to welcome him after we have our lunch. We're making welcome signs this morning. Isn't that exciting?"
"Yes, it is exciting. I heard about that. It sounds like you all made quite an impression on Mr. Landis. I think that's why he is sending the librarian. I also heard that he's going to be able to help you and Angela with your math and science."
"I can't wait to meet him. Angela and I hope he's a kindred spirit. Gotta go. See you tonight, Uncle Nathan. Bye."
"Bye, Allie. See you tonight." Allie slammed the door a little too hard in her haste to pick up Angela for school. "I don't know about that girl. One minute she's a kid, and the next she's a young lady and then a kid again. It must be normal. I'll ask Minnie. She'll know," Nathan muttered to himself. "Well, I guess I'd better get out on my rounds."
The children were all in their seats before Cooper rang the tower bell and Elizabeth rang the cow bell. They were excited to make signs to welcome the new librarian. Elizabeth had them review their homework and work on their mathematics before making the signs.
"Boys and girls, I'm afraid I don't know the librarian's name, but I think if you just write 'Welcome to Hope Valley' or something similar on your signs it will be fine. If you'd like you can also draw a picture of your favorite book on the sign too. I'm sure our new librarian would appreciate that. You have about an hour to work on your projects before we have lunch, and the stage is due in at 1 o'clock," said Elizabeth.
"Angela, how are you making out knitting Patrick's hat?" asked Allie.
"Mama says it's perfect. I can feel the stitches, and I can tell when I've made a mistake just by the way the hat feels. There are hills and valleys at the beginning for two inches. Mama said that's called a ribbing. After that, it's knit a row and purl a row. So, it's flat on the right side and bumpy on the inside. How are your mittens coming out?"
"I think they're alright. I made a couple of mistakes and went to see Miss Miller. She showed me what I did wrong and helped me fix it. So, I'm almost done with them. Miss Miller said when we're both finished we could go back to her house, and she'll show us how to sew them up," said Angela. I'm almost finished with my sign. How's yours?"
"Done. Mrs. Thornton, can Angela and I go to lunch? We're finished with our signs."
"Just five more minutes, Allie, and we can all go outside and have our lunch together. I think it's warm enough now. Children, finish up now, please."
Elizabeth rang the cowbell for lunch. The children were so excited, and they all remembered to grab their lunch pails, coats and their signs. The younger children played catch until it was time to meet the stage.
"Children, can we all gather in front of me after you put your lunch pails on the steps. Bring your signs. We're going to walk two by two over to the stage coach stop," said Elizabeth.
The children were so excited to meet the new librarian. They were well behaved all the way and lined up nicely near the Café. Bill saw them waiting and brought a cookie out for each of them. Right on time the 1 o'clock stage arrived. The children held up their signs and were jumping up and down and yelling 'welcome.' An elderly couple with their young grandson got out of the stage, but no one else did. Elizabeth looked at the driver, who pointed inside the stage. Elizabeth opened the door and found the librarian asleep.
"Hello, excuse me, sir. Are you our new librarian?"
There was a little stirring underneath a large blanket, and a head popped out from under the covers. Elizabeth gasped. It was a woman!
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. We were expecting our new librarian on this stage. The children and I came to meet him."
"Well, you have. I'm the new librarian. Were you expecting a man?"
"No, but, I just assumed it would be a man. I'm so very sorry. I'm Elizabeth Thornton. I'm the school teacher, and you would be?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I have been traveling so long by train, and it took two stage coaches to get here. I must have fallen asleep. My name is Laura Couture. I'm from Quebec. I'm your new librarian, Miss Thornton."
"Miss Couture. It's nice to meet you. I'm actually Mrs. Thornton, but please call me Elizabeth. I brought the school children to meet you. Do you feel ready for them?"
"Yes, I would love to meet them. I love children."
"Here. I'll give you a hand. Children, I'd like you to meet our new librarian, Miss Laura Couture."
"She's not a man. She's a girl," said Opal.
"Yes, Opal. She is. Can you give her a nice Hope Valley welcome?" asked Elizabeth.
The children were surprised to see a woman as their new librarian.
"Angela, she doesn't look much older than us. She's awfully pretty though."
"Well thank you, young lady. What is your name, and how old are you?" asked Laura.
"My name is Allie Grant, and I'm 13, ma'am.
"Allie, it's nice to meet you. I'm Laura Couture, and for the record, I'm 24 years old. I know I don't look 24, but I am. Will you please introduce me to everyone else, Allie?"
Allie looked at Elizabeth first for approval, and Elizabeth nodded. Allie introduced all the children.
"I imagine you know that in addition to being a librarian, I'm also a math and science tutor. I'm sure it must sound strange to you that I would be interested in mathematics and science, but it just comes naturally to me. I'll also remember all your names now that I have a face to put the names to."
Allie whispered to Angela, "She really is a kindred spirit. I think we're going to get along just fine."
"Miss Couture, would you like to rest a while? You'll be staying with Opal's family until we can make arrangements for your lodging. We'll be meeting Mrs. Weis right here in the Café. Boys, can you work together and bring Miss Couture's trunks up to the porch, please. I'm going to bring her in the Café, and I'll be right out. The rest of you can sit on the benches if you like."
Miss Couture followed Elizabeth into the Café. "Are you hungry? The food at the Café is wonderful. I'll introduce you to Bill and Clara. They run the Café."
Elizabeth made the introductions and ensured that Laura met Mrs. Weis. Mr. Weis had already loaded Laura's trunks onto his wagon with help from the children. Opal leaned over and told her father. "Papa. The librarian is a girl. We were surprised. It will be nice to have another girl around, won't it, papa?"
"Well, Opal, I was surprised when I found out that the new barber was a girl. I suppose the librarian can be a girl too. It goes to show you, Opal, that girls can be and do anything, right?"
Opal smiled and gave her father a hug. Elizabeth gathered up all the children and had them walk back to the school two by two. On the way, they saw Rosemary and baby Patrick.
"Rosemary, hello. How are you doing? How is Patrick?" asked Elizabeth.
"Oh, he is perfect. Good afternoon, children. Elizabeth, where are you going with all the children?"
"We've been to meet the stage. The new librarian is here. She is going to stay with Opal's family until we can find appropriate accommodations for her. Most of the property in town is still tied up in that awful land deal. I'm not sure where she's going to live."
"Wait, did you say she, Elizabeth?"
"Yes, the librarian, who is also a math and science tutor, is Laura Couture, from Quebec. I think you should interview her for the Valley Voice after she settles in."
"That is an excellent idea, Elizabeth. Right now, I have to get Patrick to the infirmary for his check up with Faith. I've been feeling a bit run down too, so Faith is going to see if I need to change my diet or if she has a tonic for me. Lee told me to ask her about something new called vitamins. I don't know what vitamins are, but when I find out, I might write a story for the newspaper about them. I don't want to keep you. I'll talk to you tonight. Good bye, Elizabeth."
"Bye, Rosemary. I'll see you tonight. Come on, children. We still have another hour left of school. How about I read you a story outside for the rest of the day? Come on. Let's go."