"A Ride Home"
By Wednesday morning, a few flurries were swirling like pirouettes before touching the ground. The wind was gentle, but it was much colder. The Valley Voice was on everyone's doorstep, thanks to Robert's early delivery. When he dropped off the paper at Allie and Nathan's house, Robert quietly knocked on the door twice. That was his signal to Allie that the paper had arrived. Allie would always look out the window and wave to Robert, who would wait until he saw Allie and wave back. Allie quickly grabbed the paper and shut the door.
"Uncle Nathan, it's snowing a little. I already miss autumn with its pretty leaves, apples, and pumpkins. I hope it won't be too cold to go fishing on Saturday."
"I think it will probably be fine. We'll make sure we bring plenty of blankets and warm clothes. We'll be taking the horses, so if it's too cold, we'll be able to get back to town quickly. We'll bring Newton, and there's a spare horse at the livery this weekend. I need to check around to see if I can borrow one more horse."
"I wouldn't worry about it, Uncle Nathan. I can ride pretty well now thanks to your expert lessons. How about if I ride alone, and you and Miss Couture can share Newton."
"Allie, you're not very subtle you know."
"I know. I'm just saying we'll be fine with two horses."
"I'm sure we would, but I think it would be best to have three. Mrs. Yost saw me taking Laura home last night on Newton. I just don't want to cause any problems for her."
"OK. We'll take three horses then. So, how was the ride home with Miss Couture, Uncle Nathan? I wondered why you were so late. Usually you have Newton back at the livery by dark."
"Yeah, well, I didn't plan it that way. I was locking up the jail when Laura was leaving the Mercantile. She was headed home and running late, so I offered her a ride. That's all."
"Did she hold on tight, Uncle Nathan?"
Nathan looked down at the floor and blushed. "Allie, we really shouldn't be having this conversation."
"I thought you said we could talk about anything."
"I did say that, and I mean it. I'm just not sure that this is really an appropriate topic to be discussing. I like Miss Couture. I just don't want to rush into anything. She just moved here. If people think we're carrying on, they might be upset with her. She needs to get firmly established in Hope Valley. I don't want people gossiping about her or me either. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Good. Now, let's see what's in the Valley Voice this morning while we have our breakfast. Everything is ready. Why don't you come sit down and bring the newspaper with you."
Nathan and Allie sat at the table and enjoyed their breakfast of pancakes and bacon.
"Mrs. Canfield and Angela are going to the library after school to talk to Miss Couture about tutoring. I'm really excited that she will be able to help both of us. Oh, and Angela said I could have dinner at her house Saturday night. We're going to practice the piano."
"I think I should still ask Minnie and Joseph. That would be the proper thing to do. Look, Allie. Here's the article about the library and the notice of the meeting next week. It looks like Miss Couture has some great plans for the library." Allie read the article over Nathan's shoulder.
"I like her plans. Now hopefully our plans for Saturday will go, well, as planned," said Allie.
"So do I. If you're finished with your breakfast, you'd better get going, or you'll be late picking Angela up for school."
Allie quickly grabbed her coat and lunch pail and headed out the door. "I'll see you tonight, Uncle Nathan."
"I won't be late. Have a good day at school."
The day was uneventful for Nathan. He hoped Florence hadn't said anything about his and Laura's ride the night before. Minnie and Angela went to the library as planned to talk to Laura about Angela's tutoring schedule.
"Mrs. Canfield, please come in. It's nice to see you again, Angela. Please take off your coats. It's so cold today, isn't it? Why don't we sit here by the wood stove. Could I get either of you a cup a tea perhaps?"
"Thank you. That would be lovely."
"I keep the kettle on the wood stove just for occasions like this. When the children visited the other day, I also had some cookies, but unfortunately not today."
"We'll be having supper in another couple of hours, but the tea will be nice. Thank you so much for agreeing to tutor Angela. Where we lived before we came to Hope Valley, I taught Angela at home while Cooper attended school. The teacher there didn't even try to help Angela. We are so grateful to be living in Hope Valley. Mrs. Thornton ordered Braille books for Angela and stood up to Mr. Landis for Angela's right to an education. In the end, he was the one who helped bring you here. Hope Valley is certainly a place where miracles happen."
"I'm getting that feeling too, Mrs. Canfield. I'm glad to work with Angela. When I went to the Mercantile yesterday, I spoke to Mr. Yost about a Braille science book for Angela. I'm also going to speak to Mrs. Thornton to see if she has any other sources for books. I've written to my mother. She and I helped start a library in our town in Quebec. I asked her if she could look for Braille books there. I promise we'll get whatever Angela needs. My mother is very resourceful. If anyone can find what we're looking for, it will be her. She's also very persuasive when it comes to obtaining donations, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if she is able to get the materials at no cost."
"Thank you so much, Miss Couture. I really appreciate everything you're doing for me," said Angela. "Do you know how to read Braille?"
"I do. One of my students in Quebec was blind, and I taught her, so I had to learn Braille then. We could only get Braille books written in English and not French, but it worked out well. I'm hoping my mother will be able to get some of the books that my former student has outgrown. She's very bright, just like you, Angela."
Laura took Minnie's and Angela's hands in hers. "I promise I will help you, Angela." Both Minnie and Angela started tearing up. "No, no. Don't cry."
"Miss Couture. . ."
"It's Laura."
"Laura, you can't imagine how difficult it was before we came to Hope Valley. All I want for my children is the right to the same education as other children. These are happy tears, because my prayers have been answered. Cooper is doing so well at school. Mrs. Thornton is a wonderful teacher. Now Angela will not only be getting the education she deserves, she'll also be able to get extra help in a subject she excels in, thanks to you. I'm so grateful."
"It is my pleasure. I'm excited to work with two truly gifted students. Mrs. Thornton told me about one of her former students, Becky Stanton. She won a science fair for a model bridge she designed and built and was awarded a scholarship to further her education. Anything is possible in Hope Valley, Angela. You just have to work hard."
"Thank you, Miss Couture. I'll work hard. I promise."
"I know you will. So, how are Tuesday afternoons? I know you and Allie walk to and from school together. Could Allie walk with you to the library after school on Tuesdays?"
"I'm sure she would. I'll ask her. Allie is my bosom friend, Miss Couture."
Minnie and Laura laughed, and Angela joined in. They talked about everything in Hope Valley while they enjoyed their tea. Minnie complimented Laura on her ideas for the library and promised to be at next Wednesday's meeting.
"Well, Angela, we should be going. I have to stop at the Mercantile for a couple of things before we walk home. Thank you for everything, Laura."
"You're both very welcome. Bye now."
Minnie and Angela left the warm library and walked to the Mercantile. They were no sooner in the door when Florence came up behind Minnie.
"Oh, Florence, you scared me. I didn't even hear you behind me. How are you today?"
"It's nice to see you both. Did you read the Valley Voice this morning? Laura has some wonderful ideas for the library."
"Yes, she certainly does. She's a lovely woman. She's going to be tutoring Angela in science and Allie in mathematics," said Minnie.
"That's nice. Are you going to the meeting next Wednesday? I thought I would go, you know, just to see what kinds of ideas people have. Ned may need to order some special supplies, so I thought I should go. Laura is tutoring Allie too?"
"Yes, she is—in mathematics. Allie is very bright."
"Mrs. Yost, Allie can figure out problems in her head without even writing them down. She's the only one I know who can do that," said Angela.
"Allie certainly is very bright. When she comes to the Mercantile with the other children, she always helps them figure out what they can buy with the money they have. She's a nice girl. Her uncle is a nice person too. Do you know I saw him and Laura last night outside the window of the Mercantile? He helped her onto his horse. She put her arms around him, and they rode out of town."
"Well, she'd have to put her arms around Constable Grant if she was riding behind him," said Minnie.
"Constable Grant was taking her home. Miss Couture was running late. She promised Mrs. Weis that she would help her get supper. Constable Grant drove her home so she wouldn't have to walk. Allie told me," said Angela.
"I see. Mrs. Canfield, do you think it's proper for Miss Couture to be accepting a ride from the Constable? Alone?"
"Florence, this is 1919. Women can vote here in Alberta, and women are very close to being able to vote in America. Look at Faith Carter. She's a doctor. Times are changing. There's nothing wrong with Constable Grant giving Miss Couture a ride home, especially if she was running late. He was being a gentleman, as he should be."
"I'm not saying he isn't a gentleman. She's new in town. Maybe things are different in Quebec than they are in Hope Valley."
"Florence, good manners are the same everywhere. I think it's nice that they're friends. You know they have both been through some difficult times. Let them be, Florence. Now, why don't you show me what you have in stock so I can make a new dress for Angela. She's growing so fast, her dresses are getting too short, and I've already added a ruffle to the hem of this one. I think it's time to make a new one. What do you think, Florence?"
"Well, yes, I guess so. Why don't you come over here, and we can check what we have in stock. Angela, what's your favorite color?"
"I like blue, Mrs. Yost."
"Excellent choice. I think we can find something you'll like."
While Florence was walking towards the counter, Minnie happened to look out the window behind her and saw Nathan and Laura riding Newton in the direction of the Weis home. Minnie smiled.
"You just saw Constable Grant and Miss Couture on Newton, didn't you, mama?" Angela whispered.
"Yes, I did. How about if we just keep that between the two of us," answered Minnie.
Minnie and Angela shared a laugh and followed Florence to the counter where the yard goods were displayed. "We're coming, Florence."