Chapter 24
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 70
Nathan studied his target and fired his rifle. Just as he hoped he hit one of the strangers in the leg, not enough to kill him, but enough to knock him down. When the other man stopped and looked up to see where the shot was fired from, he was facing two Mounties. He started to run, but then Mountie Callahan came riding in on Hero and blocked him from going anywhere. "I wouldn't take another step if I were you!" Callahan ordered sternly.
The two of them were surrounded by three Mounties and quickly held their hands up in surrender. Nathan was coming down from the roof and ran over to join them. "What have we here?"
"We didn't do nothin', you have no reason to arrest us," one outlaw argued as the two were being handcuffed.
"Nothing? Huh? You were running for the heck of it, I see," Mountie Callahan shook his head.
"You are under arrest for aggravated assault and battery against a police officer, and that's just to start," Nathan informed them. "Let's take them to the jail for lock up."
Bill came running out of the church and over to the group. "Good work Nathan! Meyer, and Palmer, you all were on this right away, thank you! Callahan, from the very beginning you were the first to leave on Hero, and I'm so glad to see you both! Thank you!" Bill was giving Hero a huge bear hug and rubbing his nose. "You're all heroes to me!"
"Yeah, yeah, all in a day's work!" Palmer laughed.
"We'll take these outlaws to the jail, you Bill, get back to your bride," Callahan ordered.
"Thank you, men. I am so relieved you were here at the time," Bill shook their hands. "Don't you leave, we have some celebrating to do!" he winked and walked back to the church where the wedding guests were slowly filing out.
Molly ran to Bill and embraced him for a long time. Dee was walking out with Emily and Archie, as Allie ran to meet her dad. "Dad you are a hero!" Allie shouted as she hugged him. Nathan swept her up and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
Archie and Emily joined Allie so they shared a group hug. Emily tenderly stroked the side of Nathan's face and smiled with so much pride, "You have always been my hero!"
"Yes, good job son!" Archie clapped Nathan's back.
As Nathan looked affectionately at Dee waiting, he rushed to her and buried his face in the crook of her neck, "I am so happy to hold you!" his heart pounded with relief and love as the lingering need in him was satisfied with her embrace.
Dee reached forward to kiss him and they melted into each other's lips.
Just then, Carson and Faith came over and asked what happened, and if anyone needed medical attention. Nathan nodded, "Yes, Gunther was assaulted by these two men and was unconscious for enough time that they were able to tie and gag him, leaving him in a jail cell."
"Oh, we'll go check on him right away, he probably suffered a concussion if he lost consciousness," Carson said dismayed.
"Wait, I knocked down one of the outlaws with a bullet. I don't think he has a wound from the shot, but he'll need to be checked too," Nathan added. "Don't trust him, have one of the Mounties with you."
Nathan put his arm around Dee, "I'm sure grateful that the Mounties were here for the wedding. They're going to take the outlaws to jail and interrogate them for me. I'll have to write up the report, but they know I'm Bill's best man, so we can have the reception now! Can't let the bad guys win, right?"
"Wonderful sweetheart!"
Bill was speaking to the crowd outside. He saw Nathan and Dee coming back to join them. "Now, ladies and gents, let's give our hero Sargent Grant a big round of applause!"
Nathan tried to brush it off, but the town was indeed proud of their Mountie! Nathan updated everyone on what was going on and asked them to relax and know that the outlaws were apprehended and with three Mounties in jail. He also told them that Gunther was ambushed and hurt and that Drs. Carson and Faith were tending to him now.
Fr. Ricardo asked that everyone bow their head as he prayed for Gunther's healing, for blessings on the safety of the town, and grace before their meal. The concern for Gunther was felt by all and Nathan was thankful.
Bill then addressed the crowd again, "The Romanos have brought their hot pasta dishes and salads for our dining pleasure. If you give them a few minutes, they'll set up inside Billees with Maggie and Sam's help. The buffet will be ready soon. My bride, Molly, asked for an outdoor reception, so please find a place at a table anywhere that you prefer. Be sure to thank Maggie, Sam, and the Hopefuls for accommodating her wishes! Last but not least, we will have the cake inside Billees followed by dancing. Molly and I extend our gratitude for you all joining us in our most important day in our lives!"
With that, Lee went inside and turned on the Victrola loud enough to hear outside. Rosemary was inside helping wherever she could, serving coffee, lemonade, and guiding the Hopefuls.
Nathan and Dee asked Allie to help by sitting with Emily and Archie. Nathan wanted to stop by the NWMP office to check on Gunther, and Dee was coming with him. Walking inside, he was glad to see Gunther was standing with Carson's help.
"Nathan, we're going to have to take Gunther over to the infirmary. He needs to be thoroughly checked and watched. I will make sure he is not left alone. Faith and I will take turns being with him for the first 24 hours. Just like Rick, we will need him to stay with us until we see if he needs further treatment," Carson explained.
Nathan didn't like this one bit. "I want you to let me know if anything gets any worse. I will call headquarters and have them let his family know."
Then looking at Gunther directly he said, "You're in good hands with these doctors. They are the best in the area. Now, don't worry about a thing, just take care of yourself. I'll be checking on you later. And, do what they tell you, that's an order!" he grinned.
"Nathan, one last report. The man that was knocked to the ground, didn't suffer any damage. The bullet grazed his leg, but there's no wound, so you can relax. Now, go celebrate your best friend's wedding!" Carson said as he shooed Nathan and Dee out the door.
"We got this," Callahan assured him, "talk to you later on."
"We'll bring you all some food, I promise," Dee smiled and Nathan wrapped his arm around Dee again as they walked in step back to their family.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 71
It was definitely a wedding to remember for Hope Valley! Bill could relax knowing the two outlaws were in jail and being questioned by his Mountie friends, and Hero was back safe and sound. Molly could relax knowing Bill was relaxed, so now it was time to celebrate!
"Mrs. Avery, what did I do to deserve you?" he asked.
"You did nothing Bill dear, you just got lucky," Molly laughed. "Bill, darling I am honored to be your wife. I'm just grateful this horrible incident with those outlaws didn't result in something majorly tragic. Let's leave it to the other Mounties, and instead talk with our guests."
As the bride and groom walked among their guests they were smiling and laughing as if nothing happened. Molly looked gorgeous in her stunning green dress complimented by her lovely red hair pulled off her face with a pretty barrette in an elegant style. Bill was enamored with his wife's beauty, especially that day. Molly, in turn, couldn't help but feel proud of her new husband as she held Bill's hand walking from table to table chatting with the guests and thanking them for coming to their wedding.
The weather was splendid. A perfect fall day just as Molly had envisioned. The sun was shining with a gentle breeze. The aroma of the food in Billees was tempting and the laughter of friends gathering was plentiful! Nathan and Dee joined Allie, Emily, and Archie who already were sitting at a table under a pretty tree that was adorned with bright orange leaves.
"Well now, there is my favorite couple," Emily smiled delightedly at her son and daughter–in-law. Allie asked if anyone was ready to eat and offered to help bring food back for her grandparents. "Thank you, angel," Emily replied.
"We'll bring back drinks too," Dee offered.
When the family was back together relishing the tasty Italian food, Archie seemed to be attentive and alert. Although sometimes, he was a bit confused when people stopped by and talked. However, when Henry came up, a big grin came across his face.
"Hello there Henry!" Archie greeted him robustly with a handshake.
"Hello yourself Archie, I haven't seen you in awhile," Henry answered.
"Sorry, boss, I'll be back to work after my eye heals up. Who's holding down the fort?" Archie asked.
Henry looked at the family and nodded knowingly. "It's all being taken care of Archie, just get better!"
"Why don't you sit a spell?" Archie asked Henry.
"Oh, I can't leave Dottie for long, or she'll send a search party out for me," he winked in reply.
"Good to see you Henry," Nathan said.
Inside the Hopefuls were inside pouring champagne and bringing out glasses full of the bubbly. "I'd like to make a toast!" Nathan spoke up as the guests quieted down "If everyone could please hold a glass up and join me in congratulating our lovely couple here today, to our man of the town, Bill, and closest friend, who finally got his girl. And to Molly who could never find a better man, may you both enjoy a lifetime of love together!"
After the cheers, Lee asked for attention, "Ditto to what Nathan just said, and may I add, Bill, you are the man everyone looks up to here in town, and I'm grateful to be standing up as a groomsman, and Molly, you will always have this man's heart, so cheers to you two!"
It was time for Flo, "Molly, sweetie, we have been friends for a long time, and I know how you waited for this day and here we are, I love you. Bill, you lucky guy, you've got a fantastic woman, take care of her!"
Followed by Rosaleen who was tearing up, "Mom, I see the love in your heart shining through your eyes now and it's clear to us all that you and Bill belong together. Bill, you will be my mom's man for her lifetime and she couldn't have a better one. I love you both, Congratulations!"
With that, cheers and clapping ensued.
Fr. Romano gave the couple the closing blessing they missed in church at the ceremony. "Molly being the Irish lass she is, wanted them to be blessed with an Irish blessing, so now's a good of a time as any, and I have the long prayer for them. Not bad for an Italian, eh?"
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm on your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May God be with you and bless you,
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind always be at your back,
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home,
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the sky above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hears that love you.
Everyone affirmed with a loud "Amen!"
Molly called all the single ladies from the stage to come to catch her bouquet. She looked behind her quickly trying to remember who was where, then turned around. Some switched on her and even though she wanted Rosaleen to catch the bouquet, it was caught by Lisa Peterson. Lisa was a bit shy and blushed bright red. Lana, her sister, just left for nursing school but Lisa was still home. Some of the men who lived upstairs at Billees watched and joked among each other as to who would date Lisa.
Bill asked Molly to sit on a chair so he could retrieve the garter, but Molly was teasing him that since he smeared some cake on her face, she wouldn't sit. So, Bill kissed her and she relinquished. Now it was the single men who were ready to go for the garter. It was a tie between Hickam and Trevor, but Trevor outdid Mike.
Trevor looked at Lisa and sauntered up to her saying, "Congratulations!"
"To you too," Lisa smiled with a giggle.
The music was starting to get louder and soon, Bill asked Molly to have the first dance, a waltz. Molly looked stunning in her gorgeous green dress flowing across the room in perfect step with her debonair husband, Bill.
Nathan followed taking Dee out on the floor, although not as sweeping as the bride and groom, the two sweethearts swayed perfectly together. Flo and Ned, Lee and Rosemary, and Rosaleen and Ben all joined them couple by couple.
"Would you like to dance?" Trevor asked.
"Dance? Why yes, that would be lovely." Lisa said demurely.
As the Victrola played, more and more people began to join them. Little by little the chairs were brought inside and the reception began in full swing. The Chickadees were some of the first people out on the floor dancing. The happiness was contagious and the room was soon full of swishing gowns as waltzes were playing. The gowns were gorgeous and reflected some of the radiant colors of the outside autumn leaves.
Sam, Maggie, and the Hopefuls, made sure there was punch, coffee, and more champagne available along with the slices of cake, but they didn't want to miss out on the fun either. The dancing varied from waltzing to fox trot to a new dance that Jane was showing them, the Charleston.
It didn't take long when the whole room was laughing and having a great time led by the Chickadees of course!
"Come on with me," Mary said as she grabbed Brenda's hand.
Kathie picked up on the beat, and grabbed Susanne's hand, "Let's try this new dance."
Soon, Christine to got up as well as Linda, Liz, Joyce, Teresa, Janice, and all the other Chickadees. "This is so much fun!" Nancy exclaimed as they were all side by side lining up next to Jane doing the Charleston on the stage. Even a few of the young men from the Hopefuls joined them.
About that time, Nathan took his Ma and dad home to rest up and get ready for bed. Allie and Karen were there and he felt good knowing they'd all be together. When he got back to Billee's the evening twilight was advancing into the night. Nathan just stood outside looking in on the warm glow and the gaiety going on inside with Molly and Bill laughing and dancing, his beautiful wife watching, as he thanked the Lord that the day turned out all right in the end. Knowing what good people he could count on made him very grateful and he walked back inside with a huge smile on his face!
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 72
As the sun slowly rose casting a pink glow to the sky, the town was slowly coming back to life. It was Sunday, so no sleeping in with the church bells ringing, but it was an easy-going content morning. Nathan was the first one in awake in his home and drove right over to the jail.
Nathan had deeply appreciated the help of the Mounties who stayed to help out with the two outlaws. After interrogating them, two of the Mounties stayed overnight upstairs in Billees. One stayed in the jail.
Mountie Thomas Callahan was there waiting for him. Nathan brought him a hot cup of coffee and one of his mom's delicious cinnamon rolls.
"Top of the morning to ya!" Nathan greeted Callahan in a corny Irish accent.
"Hey Nathan, glad to see you with some coffee!"
"And a famous cinnamon roll baked by my mother, who's talent is famous around this town!" Nathan added.
Taking a sip of hot coffee and a bite of the roll, "Hits the spot!" Callahan agreed.
"So, what's up with these two? What were they doing in Hope Valley?" Nathan asked.
"They are Larry Sherman and Roger Walker, friends of Billy Hamilton," Callahan said.
"Billy Hamilton? Well, he was here before my time, but he was after Elizabeth Thatcher's money. Quite a playboy, but he left before there were any charges brought against him. Mountie Jack was stationed here then, so Bill filled me in."
"Well they were definitely up to no good, that's for sure. These two have been scouring the area for places to rob. Seems they knew that Bill was getting married and decided to case the town figuring it would be closed down with most everyone attending the wedding and they figured right," Callahan started to fill Nathan in.
"How did they know about Bill getting married?"
"When they were in Benson Hills, they heard the talk of Bill's wedding while drinking at the local tavern."
"They were probably the bank robbers in Benson Hills," Nathan concluded.
"Exactly. Both of them had run-ins with the law years before. Bank robbers, hunted down and arrested. Bill was the judge over the trial and sentenced them each to prison at British Columbia Penitentiary located in New Westminster for twenty years, but they escaped. They wanted to hunt Bill down and thought he was in Brookfield, but they left when they found out differently." Callahan added.
"I bet they were the ones I spotted just north of Brookfield!" Nathan nodded. "I saw two people right next to the woods that were camping. I had my family with, so I couldn't pursue it any further, but I did tell Gabe. They had left by the time he got out there, but he brought back to his office the trash they left."
"Were there any clues who they were?" Callahan inquired.
"No, but when Bill went through the box of trash he found a half-torn train ticket from Calgary," Nathan shared.
"From what we gathered talking to headquarters, while they were in prison they hooked up with Sonny and Lucky Garrison. They were planning a big heist in Calgary so that makes sense," Callahan affirmed.
"Did they succeed?" Nathan was listening.
"Yes, they did, every where they went, they got away with all of it. Now, we have to let Headquarters determine where the money is now."
Just then in walked Mounties Meyer and Palmer. "It's about time you got here!" Nathan teased.
"Don't give me no grief Grant, we were covering for you, so play nice," Palmer bantered back.
"Did you sleep well?" Nathan asked.
"Better than I did, I can guarantee that," Callahan sighed.
"What's on the agenda this morning?" Meyer asked.
"Listen men, I've really got to hand it to you for stepping in and helping me out yesterday. I mean it. If you weren't all there, who knows what would have happened? Thank you also for staying here. Really!" Nathan's gratitude was out in the open and the men knew he'd do the same for them.
"All for one, and one for all!" they all said simultaneously.
"Listen, we'll take these two to Headquarters. You let Bill know we enjoyed seeing him finally get hitched." Callahan smirked.
"And to a mighty pretty lady, that lucky dog!" Meyer grinned.
"Just to let you know we took the liberty of typing up the report, so all you have to do is sign it along with our signatures," Callahan smiled.
"What? You did all that? That's a whole lot more than I ever would expect. Thank you!" Nathan patted them all on the back and shook their hands. "I'll never forget your help," he told them while signing the report.
"Don't you worry none, take care of your lady and let us know when you have a new little Grant!" Palmer grinned.
As the Mounties rounded up Sherman and Walker taking them to one of their automobiles, Nathan saluted his good friends. When they left town, he walked over to the infirmary to check on Gunther, hoping to hear some good news.