Chapter 18 A Snowy Battlefield

It was now nearing mid-March and the fickle weather in Hope Valley had turned colder once again. They were just clearing the table after dinner and Lucas noticed that snow was beginning to fall outside.
"Elizabeth, Jack, come and see."

Both hurried across the room to his side and Jack exclaimed, "It is snowing!" as he jumped up and down excitedly. "We can build the fort."

"Well, if it keeps up tonight then perhaps there will be enough snow in the morning."

"I sure." Jack insisted.

"We say, I am sure." Lucas coached.

It was going to be difficult getting this little guy to bed tonight, Lucas thought to himself. After clearing the table, they took their spots next to the fire while Elizabeth brought them some dessert. Lucas sat on the couch and pulled her in close to him while Jack sat on the floor nearby and had his dessert on the coffee table. Elizabeth and Lucas always shared theirs, Jack thought nothing of it because they each used their own fork or spoon and simply shared a plate, but for them, it was a reminder of the intimacy they share when they are alone together.

"Papa, can we look at the fort?"

"Sure Buddy, let me go get it from the desk." Lucas retrieved the drawing that they had made, and they mulled over it praising their masterpiece.

"Papa, we have to make a lot of balls… this high," he indicated on the drawing.

"Well, we are going to need help. Mama, do you know how to make snowballs? We need ammunition for our fort." Lucas explained to Elizabeth.

"I think I can manage to make very good ammunition. I make meatballs, don't I? You can count on me should this snow keep up." She glanced towards the window and saw that the snow was now falling coming down heavily in big flakes.

They finally got Jack tucked into bed, but it took several stories to finally settle him from the excitement. Lucas headed down to check that the fire was secured. They had decided to retire early and watch the snow from their bedroom and share in the reading of a new book of poetry that they had purchased while in Union City almost a month ago. Nothing made Elizabeth more content than hearing his deep, rich voice quietly read aloud to her. And he too loved to have her read as she filled the passages with passion and brought them to life. It was while listening to her that he would often wonder how someone, so perfect, had come into his life. They were simply meant to be.

They read until they were both sleepy, changed for the night and then they lay on their sides with her back to him and his arms around her so they could watch the snow fall late into the night.

The next morning Elizabeth slipped out of bed to go check on the snow and then snuck back in bed and cuddled up against her sleeping husband. He mumbled something and threw an arm around her and pulled her in tight against him. She thought he was still asleep but soon felt him kissing her behind her ear. "Good morning my love," he whispered. She turned in his arms to face him and smiled.

"Snow Lucas, lots, and lots of snow. Jack is going to be so excited."

"And I am sure he is about ready to get up and come running in here." But before he does….." he trailed off as he kissed her and quickly distracted her.. He used the little time they had left alone to make her forget about the snow altogether.

It wasn't long before they heard the scamper of little feet and a knock on the door. They had taught Jack to knock before entering as this was always "polite behavior." He ran in barely able to contain himself with joy. "Mama, Papa, there is soooo much snow!" the little boy exclaimed. "Can we go, see?"

"I tell you what, we will let your mama rest a bit more while you and I go down and peek outside. We can get the fire going while we make our breakfast and then your mama can come down to join us and we can make a plan for the day. How is that?"

His answer was a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Lucas gave Elizabeth one last squeeze, knowing that she was cozy and comfy after their little morning interlude. "We will see you soon." He told her as she smiled at him with her eyes closed.

They descended the stairs and crossed to the door. It was chilly inside and when the door was open a rush of cold air came flooding in. Jack peeked out at the sea of snow and pronounced it "Soooo good." Lucas smiled to himself, to be young and feel that kind of joy. Well, he wasn't so young anymore, but the little boy's happiness was infectious.

"Okay Jack, it is time to close the door and get the fire going. Then we can make breakfast and get our action plan ready." Lucas decided to try out his new skill, scrambling eggs as Gustave had shown him. He set some biscuits from the day before in a tin next to the fire to warm them, put the kettle on for hot water, and began setting the table. Soon everything was ready, so he decided it was time to start the eggs. "Jack, will you go call your Mama down for breakfast?" Jack excitedly went to retrieve her as he was more than happy to help the day get started.

They ate while listening to Jack chatter about the snow. Elizabeth offered to clear the table since Lucas had done the cooking. In the meantime, he decided to make a call.

"Good morning, Mike. Are you keeping warm?" Lucas asked Mike Hickam. Mike was a good man. He had helped them during another big snow when they had gone to find Christmas trees for the row house and for the saloon.

"I am wondering if you are free today and would like to join us in a massacre of sorts? I am hoping you are willing to go to the livery and hitch a sleigh and bring out some of the children since school will be out. They can help Jack and me build a snow fort that we have designed. I think that Robert probably will be busy helping in town but let him know he should swing by. If you could go to some of the houses and see if their parents are okay with an outing…Timmy, Opal, Cooper…. "

Mike enthusiastically agreed. He had been a part of Jack's life ever since Rosemary and Lee had asked him to build a rocking horse for Little Jack when he turned one year old at Christmas time. Lucas was remembering this tale when he thought to himself, I should call Lee and see if he wants to join us. I can use all the help I can get with the children and Lee will be fun to have with us."

Elizabeth helped Jack get ready for the outdoors so that Lucas could get himself ready. He was going to have a big day ahead. Jack was bundled up in many layers and was ready by the door. Lucas helped him into his rubber boots which he had retrieved along with his own and set by the fire to warm.

They soon were ready to march and set out to survey the territory to find just the right spot for the fort. They had the diagram with them, and they were prepared with a shovel, buckets, and some flowerpots that Elizabeth had given them to make turrets for the fort's outer wall.

It wasn't long before they heard the sound of bells as Mike came into view driving the sleigh with a load of children. Allie had joined in to help with the children as did Robert. There were a number of children including Timmy, Opal, Emily, Cooper, and a few others all bundled up in the sleigh.

"Papa, Mike is here with some children!"

"Hi Mike, thanks for coming. Hi everyone" he greeted the kids and helped them down from the sleigh. "Thank you, Robert and Allie for coming to help watch over the younger ones."

"Always the man for the job," Robert declared. Allie rolled her eyes as it seemed she might have heard this a time or two.

They all gathered for the big reveal of the fort plan and were all given directions on what to do. Some started making the stockpiles of snowballs, others began constructing the walls of the fort and as those were erected still others made the turrets to go around the tops of the walls. It was a massive production, and it was done with giggles and laughter as the snow would start up again but ever so lightly. Elizabeth came out to join them and greet all her schoolchildren. She wrapped her arms around herself as if not quite believing that she was really here in this fairyland adventure. Lee had joined them, and he and Lucas were doing most of the heavy work while Mike rolled in big balls of snow for the construction.

When it was all done, they took a break back at the row house porch where Elizabeth and Rosemary passed out hot chocolate, sandwiches and cookies to everyone. They were gearing up for battle and needed fuel. They selected sides, most of the younger children would be in the fort with Lucas and Allie, while Lee and Mike would be the black knights along with their troops of a few older boys including Robert.

The Black Terror approached the fort with their stockpile of ammunition and a hard-fought battle ensued. They gently pummeled each other being careful that the little ones were not injured and after all the ammunition was fired and everyone was covered in snow, Sir Lucas met Sir Lee on the battlefield to negotiate a truce. Hurrahs went up and Allie started a march and dance that eventually led back to the row houses where Rosie and Elizabeth helped dust them off and brought them in to warm near the fire.

Lucas gave Mike a dry jacket to wear when he was ready to return the children back to their homes. The children all thanked Jack for the invitation. Jack was so happy as he made rounds hugging each and every one of them. "Thank you, Papa, he said as he came to Lucas."

"I am glad that you had a wonderful time, Jack. It will be a good memory to share between us, and with all of these wonderful friends." They all waved their goodbyes and headed out with Mike in the sleigh.

It didn't take much convincing to get Jack to go down for a nap. It had been an exhilarating but exhausting day so far. He was unbundled and he donned a pair of pajamas for now. Lucas barely had opened a book and read the first sentence when he saw that Jack was already out. He closed the book, covered the little boy, gave him a kiss, and quietly left the room.

He went to the bedroom and proceeded to change before he headed down to meet Elizabeth. He lay down on the floor on the rug in front of the fire, "I don't think I have ever worked harder in my life."

"I am sorry that they wore you out, darling." As she lay next to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek."

"And I loved every minute…" she could hear that he was drifting away into a nap of his own. She grabbed an afghan off the couch and placed it over him and lay there a while listening to him breathe as he slept. How many times in this past month had she thought, "He's mine…. How did I get so lucky.?"