CHAPTER 9 – WELCOME TO HOPE VALLEY ALLIE
Sunday morning, they got up and got ready for Church. She wasn't nervous since she would be with her uncle. Her and Uncle Nathan were walking towards the church and ran into Mrs. Thornton and her friends the Coulters. Since all of them were heading in the same direction they continued together. Allie like Mrs. Coulter because she was very funny. She loved watching the banter between her and Mrs. Thornton as they were just in front of them. Allie could tell Uncle Nathan did too because she could see him smirk. Mr. Coulter was carrying Baby Jack and just shook his head.
Then he whispered to Nathan "Somedays I wonder if they would even notice if I stopped walking until they got to church." Both ladies stopped mid-sentence and said, "yes of course we would." Then they rolled their eyes and turned back around.
"Honestly do men think we are stupid Elizabeth?" Rosemary asked.
"I wouldn't say stupid Rosemary I think maybe unobservant." Which sent Mrs. Coulter on another tangent. Elizabeth quickly looked back at Lee and Nathan mouthing "sorry" then her and Lee quickly smiled before Rosemary could see them. Luckily, they arrived at church and Elizabeth paused at the bottom of the steps while Rosemary went on up the steps. Lee and Elizabeth looked at each other and shook their heads as Lee handed Jack over to his mother.
"I'm telling you Elizabeth I'm glad I have you walking with us to keep her entertained."
"Well, I'm glad to have you carrying Jack because he is starting to get heavier and harder to carry. Sorry about that you two but Rosemary is a force of nature." Elizabeth said to Allie and Jack. Laughing the six of them walked in and found seats. Nathan glanced back and noticed that Elizabeth sat in the back row with Jack. At first, he wondered but then realized it was in case Jack grew fussy and she could take him outside. He thought back to the walk to church and had to admit he enjoyed it immensely. He wondered what it would be like if it was a common occurrence. To be able to sit next to her without causing a scandal. But before he pondered too long, he slammed the brakes on it because Elizabeth Thornton was off limits. Why is that? She's a beautiful compassionate woman? What is stopping you? He blocked out those questions and tried focusing on the sermon. After the service was over, he thought about making a quick getaway. But then Elizabeth walked over to where they stood. She had walked up as she heard Allie asking about Jack Thornton.
"Uncle Nathan who is Jack Thornton? Mrs. Thornton are you related to him?" Allie could see the pain that came across her face. "I'm sorry Mrs. Thornton I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's okay Allie I don't mind telling you the story if your uncle doesn't mind me doing so."
"No please go ahead and tell it Mrs. Thornton." He said with a smile. "I would be interested in hearing about it."
Before she could begin, they saw a sweet little girl who said "That was Mountie Jack's name, and he was a very brave Mountie like your uncle. Hello I'm Opal Weiss." Then looking at Nathan she asked, "Since you're the new Mountie may we call you Mountie Nathan or do you prefer Mr. Grant?" Nathan was very touched by it, and he could see Elizabeth was too as her eyes softened.
He bent down to Opal's level and said "Of course you can Opal because I'm here to watch over you since he can't at least here on earth. But we Mounties never stop watching over those we love and from what I hear he really loved the people of Hope Valley and especially Mrs. Thornton's students." He wascaught by surprise when she hugged him and said, "thank you Mountie Nathan."
"Your very welcome Opal."
"Mountie Jack built this church for Mrs. Thornton back when she was Miss Thatcher. Before that we held classes during the day at the saloon. He was there for a lot of us from when he first arrived 3 months after a lot of children lost their daddies in the mine explosion. I'm Emily Montgomery."
"He helped me adjust when I was first adopted by my mom and didn't have a father. My sister was away at school, and I was alone. The other boys were making fun of me especially this one he said nudging Robert. I began picking fights and one day Mountie Jack found me in one. He told me he wouldn't tell my mom, but I needed to stop fighting. But one day I sassed my mom, him and Mrs. Thornton and when I ran out of the house, he followed me. But he reminded me that my parents including my father were always inside me and never left. He shared that he knew because he had lost his dad when he was young too because his dad was a Mountie. Hi I'm Cody Stanton."
"He took us camping which was fun even though Mrs. Thornton and the girls crashed it."
"Wait a minute Robert, Miss Thatcher had the girls camp all set up and when the boys and Mountie Jack even showed up. That's right Emily we were. Now Robert before you say that we stole your spot I had no idea where Mountie Jack had planned you to camp."
"Yeah and thanks to us you didn't set up in Poison Ivy!" Opal had the decent look sheepish before continuing.
"When I made a mistake, he didn't throw me in jail because of the bear. He also helped me build a crib for my sister when my mom was pregnant with her. Hi I'm Robert Wolfe."
"So when he passed, we decided to do something to honor him and all of us with the help of Mr. Gowen carved this plaque and my mom, Mayor Stanton made the proclamation to name it after Mountie Jack. We did so we could surprise Mrs. Thornton on her first day back teaching after he passed." Cody finished with a smile.
"So, Allie Mountie Jack was my husband, and this is Baby Jack who is named after his daddy. I hope I covered everything." she said in amusement. Inside she was so very proud of her students.
"Opal, Emily, Cody, and Robert, I would like you to meet Mountie Nathan's niece Allie. She just moved here with him and will be joining us tomorrow."
"Really?" asked Opal in excitement.
"What's your favorite thing to do Allie? asked Cody.
"Well, I really love to go fishing and read books."
As the kids began to converse Elizabeth pulled Nathan a little to the side where they could watch. Nathan leaned over and whispered asking clarification about Robert's story about the bear. She briefly told him finishing with Jack's disbelief that she could get Robert to admit he lied.
"Then Robert's conscience was so bad that he asked Jack if he was going to arrest him." They both laughed quietly appreciating the story. But Opal, Robert, Cody and Emily from church seemed very happy to see her. Not to mention how much she really liked Mrs. Thornton.
"How did you arrange this, Elizabeth? I just don't what to say but I'm so grateful."
"Nathan, you give me too much credit because this was spontaneous and completely on them." Just then she remembered about the luncheon that their "family" had every Sunday after church.
"Nathan I almost forgot but our family would like to invite you and Allie to Abigail's for lunch. Bill, Abigail, Rosemary, Lee will be there and probably a few others. We all consider each other family and have lunch every Sunday. Please join us and don't feel self-conscious about it. I promise those you will meet are very easy going and most likely already know. Cody and Robert are always there but I can invite Opal and Emily as well. That way Allie can get to know them a bit better before tomorrow. It might help ease her anxiety a bit more. These students are like the "gate keepers" and by that, I mean if they welcome a student then the rest follow suit. I can tell they already like Allie and something tells me she will not only fit in but be popular. So, what do you say?"
"I say that would be wonderful and Allie would probably enjoy it too." He responded.
"Great, let me just go talk to Cat and Melissa about Opal and Emily and then we can all head towards town. I know you still have rounds to do this afternoon, so I don't want to keep you too long." Nathan had to admit it was nice to have a woman that understood about his duty. He knew there were times she probably resented Jack's
Suddenly Baby Jack became a little fussy and Elizabeth was trying to calm him. "Would you like me to watch him for you?" "You would be willing to do that Nathan?"
"Of course, Elizabeth and I have a good reference if you need one? Allie would extol my virtues all day long and I am a Mountie." "Thank you" she said with a laugh handing Jack over to him before walking over to Cat and Melissa.
"Good afternoon, ladies. Do you mind if I borrow Emily and Opal to go to lunch today with me? Allie is so nervous about starting school and I'm hoping they will all continue making her feel at ease." Both ladies quickly agreed but not without teasing Elizabeth about how handsome the new Mountie was and how handsome he looked holding her son. All she could do was blush and try to keep her thoughts from being seen.
"I'll walk the girls home afterwards ladies. As for the other let me just say "No comment." She said with a chuckle but blushing just the same causing the other ladies to laugh.
She turned her breath caught at the sight of Nathan and her son. As she was admiring the beautiful picture, they made suddenly she knew that her feelings weren't just friendship. She found herself very attracted to a man that held the same dangerous job as her late husband. "Oh my! I'm in so much trouble." she said underneath her breath unaware that the ladies had heard anyway. Her heart began to beat in that funny way it only did for Nathan. But she refused to even explore that thought. He was a very good friend and that was where it would stay. She hadn't been a widow very long and it was very disrespectful of Jack to even consider it. But you weren't able to keep it that way when it was Jack that caused it. She was startled by that thought that bubbled up from somewhere in her mind. Somewhere Elizabeth? If you can't face it now at least be honest with yourself and admit it bubbled up from your heart. Jack? Why did that thought sound like it was Jack in her mind as if he spoke directly to her. Well, she wasn't going to think about it anymore.
But as she continued watching them, she heard"Good Luck with that Elizabeth."She turned around and realized Cat Montgomery had said laughing as she saw Elizabeth blush in embarrassment.
With a look of compassion Cat said "Elizabeth it is okay to find a man very attractive. You're a young vibrant woman who can appreciate a handsome man." But she couldn't resist adding "I don't think there's a woman in Hope Valley that hasn't noticed our Constable." Cat noticed her friend's reaction to that statement and was overjoyed. If she wasn't mistaken concerning their Constable' interest he was unofficially off the market and there was only one woman in Hope Valley that interested him. For some reason this fact bothered her very much and she didn't understand why. Cat noticed her friend's reaction to that statement and was overjoyed. If she wasn't mistaken concerning their Constable' interest he was unofficially off the market and there was only one woman in Hope Valley that interested him. Then giving her a hug Cat and Melissa headed for home while Elizabeth headed towards the children.
"What do you think about Elizabeth and Constable Grant." as they walked out the church doors. Melissa asked. "My sister who visited last week fell hard for him though he didn't really say much."
"I would discourage your niece Melissa because I've known Elizabeth from the very first day she arrived to teach. If I'm not mistaken as I look at the Constable I know he's very taken with Elizabeth. Based on what I just saw from her the Constable is taken and definitely taken and off the market. I think the only thing holding her back is the short amount of time since Jack passed. But he has won her heart even if she doesn't realize it yet. I think it's going to be as funnier to watch than when her and Jack Thornton were courting because there are children involved this time around."
"Yeah that's what I've been picking up on about them as well. They light up when they are together and are always drifting near each other without noticing."
"Emily and Opal your mothers said it would be okay to join the family for lunch today with Allie and Mountie Nathan if that's okay with you." The girls were excited and eagerly agreed. Elizabeth noticed many of the families had left or were leaving. She noticed her son had fallen back asleep and Nathan offered to carry him to the café. "That would be great if you don't mind Nathan she said.
"I'd be glad to and truth be told I am rather enjoying it. It's been too long since I had someone this small in my arms. There's just something to be said for the joy of cuddling an infant or toddler wrangling." He said with a laugh.
"Toddler wrangling huh. Is that something like cattle wrangling Constable?" she said chuckling.
"Oh, go ahead and laugh now but your fun is only beginning. But yes, in a way it is just like that. Have you ever been to a rodeo or on a ranch?" He went on to explain when she shook her head.
"I've read about a contest where a calf is let out of a chute and then a team on horses are let out and attempt to lasso the calf and tie it's legs together. Doesn't it show how baby calves are gathered for branding on the range?" she replied.
"Yes it does. Now that calf doesn't want anything to do with what those men are up to. Since they can be fast the men are on horses. While young Jack hasn't gotten to toddler stage yet it's not far off. You see toddlers can run and change position quickly. Now nothing is faster than a toddler out of the chute running from Mom. Especially if that mom is tired and chasing him trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to."
"HMMM I Wonder if I can teach Sargent to become a roping horse." she said, and they both laughed as they were heading towards town. As they walked together there were many eyes on them and their ease with each other. They hadn't seen their teacher that happy or relaxed with someone other than family or Jack. Nathan didn't know it but suddenly there were many in his corner. Anyone who knew Nathan would have been surprised to see him as comfortable with Elizabeth as he was. As they neared town there was one who wasn't crazy about seeing the trio. Lucas Bouchard suddenly realized that he was going to try to win her for himself. But first he needed to do some of his own reconnaissance and come up with a plan. He had determined a while back that she could help him in his plan for Hope Valley because it was clear she held sway with them. The only problem was that the few interactions he had with her did not go well. Although as he thought more about it that was an understatement. He needed to find something to open things up with her like the Constable had with his niece. Yes, that would be the ticket he would find something to use to his advantage like the Mountie used his niece to do. But he was thankful that he didn't have a child to worry about like the constable. Maybe someday he would settle down and have a child or two, but he wasn't sure it was something he desired. He liked to be able to drop things at a moment's notice and you couldn't do that with children. But the lovely Mrs. Thornton did have a child that would become a part of his life should he be successful. Well, I'll worry about that part of the plan when I get there. That's why they make boarding schools and Nannies and such. What about her being a schoolteacher? I'll just keep her so overwhelmed with good things that she has been missing out on will see that it's not her life any longer. That she will see she doesn't have to earn her own way anymore. She will appreciate having the finer things in life that she had thus far never experienced. Yes, that is exactly what I am going to do and then went on about his day.
Later while Uncle Nathan went and did his rounds she walked home with Mrs. Thornton, Emily, Opal and Baby Jack. "I'm so glad you moved her Allie Opal told here. "Me too" said Emily "We are the only ones who live in the rowhouses the other's live elsewhere so it's nice to have another girl living in here too." They said before going into their homes. Since it was still early and Jack was content Elizabeth sat down next to Allie on the Grant's stoop.
"What kind of books do you like to read Allie?" asked Elizabeth. "Well, I like Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Secret Garden, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Little Women. I like some of the poetry of Emily Dickinson and a few others as well."
"Wow you have a wide variety of books you like to read."
"Uncle Nathan and I read together at every night before bed." Elizabeth couldn't believe what she was hearing. Everything new she heard about Nathan made him that much more attractive to her. "What other things do you like to do for fun besides fishing and reading?"
"Well I like to draw and paint and even though my teachers thought it was a waste I like to write stories." She added but looked down.
"Allie I don't think it's dumb at all and do you want to know a secret when I was a little girl I began writing stories and I still do. Since I was 5 years old I always dreamed of being a teacher and a writer."
"Really Mrs. Thornton? You have been writing stories since you were my age?"
"Yes really Allie I have. In fact I will have to show you a book of stories I wrote that my late husband published for me along with drawing the illustrations. So not only do I not think it's dumb I think it's wonderful. I love to read as much as you do as well. Not to mention all those books you read some are among my favorites. It seems we have a lot in common with each other. How are you handling the move and starting school tomorrow, Allie?"
"Honestly Mrs. Thornton I'm still nervous about everything. I mean meeting the others today was nice, but I've just never had luck at school and making friends."
"Well Allie if you have any problems with schoolwork, or the other children please feel free to come to me or if it involves me or you're not comfortable then please talk with your uncle. I never want you to be frustrated and not enjoy school."
"Thank you Mrs. Thornton and I will."
"Your very welcome Allie. You know there is something else I do that helps me process my feelings and helps in writing. I have a journal that I write in each night that helps me process my feelings. I didn't just write my feelings in it but sometimes thoughts for stories or maybe at times something I read or heard someone say I write in there that I wanted to remember. Sometimes even memories or descriptions of things I ate or saw. Is that something you think you might like to try?"
"Maybe I might Mrs. Thornton." They were prevented from more discussion as Nathan was coming down the road as Jack began to get fussy. After saying goodbye to the Grants Elizabeth headed home to feed Jack and get him ready for bed. She meant to ask Nathan if he had a copy of Allie's school records. She would make a point of it when he walked her to school in the morning. But something told her that Allie was probably advanced in academics just based on the reading she liked. Elizabeth would also keep an eye on her interactions with the other children.
BACK AT THE GRANT HOUSE
"So how did you like the church Allie?"
"It was really nice but I liked after church the best. Mrs. Thornton is so nice and I really think I'm going to enjoy being I her class. Emily and Opal live here in one of the rowhouses and they are glad I do to. Uncle Nathan I'm not sure about what to do with them."
"What do you mean Allie?"
"Well I like them and Robert and Cody too. They are really nice and they said the others will too. But we are never in one place very long. I don't want to hurt their feelings and make them sad like I did Joanna. Plus what if I do something like stumble or say the wrong thing?"
"Sweetheart, you will be fine in school. If you have any problems just go to Mrs. Thornton if you don't want to come to me about school things." Nathan replied putting extra emphasis on the last three words. "Promise me?" He knew that his job had caused Allie heartbreak but didn't realize how much it impacted how she saw friendship. He would have to try and speak with Elizabeth about it. "Being a town Constable is different than the past postings. We will be here a while and it's OK to make friends. I don't anticipate leaving until you finish school at the earliest. I like being the constable and watching over the town. In fact Mountie Jack was here for 5 years until he volunteered for the Northern Territoriies and Fort Clay. Just be yourself Allie and the kids will want to be friends."
"I promise Uncle Nathan." Allie said. "How is everything going to work? She continued. "What do you mean Allie-girl. Well, are you walking me to school, and picking me up and what if you're not available? Am I allowed to walk with Opal and Emily if we become friends?"
"Well, I think at least for the first week I'm walking you and then we can negotiate. Is that fair and alright with you?"
"I guess I would like that Uncle Nathan. But the real reason is you want to make sure I go to school and not fishing, isn't it? I don't get it though because I apologized and said I wouldn't repeat it. I'm not exactly crazy about it but I agree to go along with it somewhat reluctantly I might add. It's the best I can do right now but I still love you the most Uncle Nathan." she said with a smile as she hugged his middle.
"I love you more than anything on earth and in the heavens except for God sweetheart. Now let's rustle up something for dinner and get that chess board out before bed. Sound good?" he asked.
"Okay Uncle Nathan but I hate that you're going to be sad."
"Why is that Allie?"
"Because you're going to lose that's why!"
"Oh, you really think you have the skill to beat your dear old uncle, do you? Well, we will just see about that young lady." Oh how much he loved and needed Allie in his life. He never once regretted that decision and knew his life was richer because she was in it.
