Sorry for the LONG wait!

Chapter 13: The Change. I

A few short weeks had passed and it was a few days before Halloween in Hope town had decorated their homes with Halloween and autumn filled festivals between their own homes and within the town. Most of the pumpkins had been decorated and carved. Some thanks to Ramona and most thanks to the children. Ramona herself was not in Hope Valley anymore. She had left rather quickly without a note or word to anyone...Except Anna. A note that only Anna possessed and kept to herself, as per the directions within the note.

Joseph took care of the cafe as much as he could between the other jobs he had done so most often there were some days where the cafe was closed for business. Anna used those free days helping out at the soda fountain while Mei did the pharmacy job. A safe haven for her little heart.

Nathan and Allie were still butting heads with one another. Allie was sometimes in no mood to do her homework. She said she would rather take a nap, then end up falling asleep. Nathan let her sleep sometimes but other times he had to wake her up and kind of force her to do her homework. Often resulting in Allie nagging at him. She had been almost the same way in school though she was better than here at home. She did as she was asked and she did it without much hassle. But Nathan was starting to miss hanging out with Allie. Riding horses, eating dinner together or just talking to one another about what was going on in their lives.

Lee was babysitting Little Jack for the day while Laura was home sick. Lee had bundled up Little Jack and taken him out for a ride in his little wagon throughout the town. Good practice for Lee. The boys circled the town three times before stopping at the Valley Voice to check on Rosemary. Was she supposed to be relaxing? Yes, but she still found some minor things to do. Rosemary had spoken with Ramona the day before leaving to ask about the holiday that Ramona had spoken about. "Ha! I want to see the Benson Beetle write about this unique and fun holiday!"

"Hi Aunt Rosemary," Lee called out to his wife. "We came to visit."

"My two favorite men! Come here, Jack." Rosemary held her arms out for Little Jack to run into. He embraced her and her hug and Rosemary lifted him to sit him on her lap. "Are you two having fun?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Sure," Lee said, rubbing his lower back. "A workout."

"Lee, I know the cafe is closed, but Minnie said if I craved anything then you and I had permission to go in. Could you make me a cup of tea and some toast with blueberry jam?"

"Of course sweet-heart. I'll be back soon." Lee kissed her forehead tenderly and left for the cafe.

"Now that it's just us, do you want to help me with something?" Rosemary asked Little Jack. He nodded. "Great."

Lee made his way to the cafe when he heard someone calling his name. Lee turned at the call and saw Anna coming up to him briskly. "Hi Anna."

"Hi Mr. Coulter. Are you going to pass the cafe by chance?"

"I was just on my way in—Mrs. Canfield said Mrs. Coulter could use it to get last minute pregnancy cravings."

"Yes, she mentioned that to me." Anna smiled. "Would you mind if I walked over with you? Emily's family said I could stay with them tonight for a sleepover. I just have to grab a few things."

"Sure."

The two walked over to the cafe. Lee walked in first and sure enough saw Curtis Howell sitting at the table reading one of the Valley Voice newspapers and smoking a cigar. Lee thought it was odd but ignored it for the time being. Lee got what he needed to start making Rosemary's tea and toast while Anna went upstairs to get her stuff.

"So how are you liking Hope Valley?" Lee asked. Curtis glanced up, shrugged, then back to the paper. "Oh...OK. No small talk...How much longer are you sticking around?"

Curtis only spoke with clear and short word choices. "Few weeks. Sort of like it here. Not in a rush to leave."

No small talk. Got it.

A few minutes later the toast was done and tea was ready. Unsure how much jelly Rosemary would want on the toast Lee had decided to take the jar with him to the Valley Voice office. Lee used a basket to carry many of the items over and left the cafe.

By the time Lee came back with everything for Rosemary, the woman herself and Little Jack had set up the little fun surprise for Lee. A red velvet cupcake with chocolate drizzle. She had wanted to make him a thank-you dinner but this would do for now, for taking such care for her. Overbearing but adoring. Lee used the clean knife to cup the cupcake in half and give the larger half to Little Jack.

The two adults adored in delight looking at the little boy eating his cupcake joyfully. They couldn't wait for the day they could do this with their own little one.

5AM

Allie had woken up in the middle of her sleep, turning up the light in her room. She was so hungry, again, for the fifth time. Her stomach refused to let her sleep. But she knew that if she ate anything she'd just puke it right back up. She got out of the bed and made her way down to the kitchen to grab a light snack and water. Together, it helped just a little. Just a few more hours until the morning and then she would be able to eat a full meal. It would be Saturday afterall, no school.

Allie had gone back up to her room and started to head back to the bed. Just before climbing into the bed she stopped and looked at her sheets. There was a spot on them that...No, not even a spot. It was too big to be a spot. She took a closer look at the bedsheets.

Nathan woke up at 6:15AM to use the bathroom. When he finished he had a slight urge to check in on Allie. Just to be sure she hadn't snuck out again like the first time with the claim 'I'm just taking a walk' or the second one 'I wanted to look at the stars better up on the balcony of the saloon' just the other day. He warned her not to do that again.

Needless to say Nathan peeped his head inside and saw an empty bed. He turned to the staircase and called out, "Allie?" No reply. "Allie?" He went closer and started to descend down. "Allie?"

Allie was nowhere in the house.