Chapter 20 The Balloon Comes to HV

The news of an air balloon heading toward Hope Valley had been reported in the Valley Voice and quickly spread through the town. Young Jack Thornton Bouchard was one of the many excitedly awaiting the arrival. He now had three colored drawings of the balloon that he had made at his Auntie Rosie's house the previous evening and was anxiously waiting for his parents to arrive for breakfast at the Coulters so he could show them.

Rosemary made a phone call to Elizabeth, "breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes." Jack wasn't sure how long that was, but it seemed like it took forever for him to hear a knock on the door.

"Coming," said his Uncle Lee as he went to let his parents in. Jack looked up from the table to see Lucas with a bouquet of flowers for his auntie and a smile for him.

"How is it going, Buddy?"

"I made pictures of the balloon, Papa. See?"

"Yes, indeed I do. You made three very nice pictures. See Elizabeth, Jack has made drawings of the balloon." Elizabeth stepped forward to see.

"Those are very good drawings. I wonder if the balloon will be one of these colors?"

"Well, we are soon going to know," Rosie said. "I just got a call from Florence, and it is just south of the row houses and should be coming into view within thirty minutes. Let's eat our breakfast so we can go out and see it when it gets here. I want to be there to do a feature story on the pilot."

After they finished breakfast, Lucas drove them all to the church so they could wait at the expected landing site. They found a crowd already gathered outside. Everyone was looking south of the row houses where the balloon had been spotted. A beautiful rainbow streaked the sky as the sun glistened along the damp landscape. Jack and the other children were so excited about the rainbow in addition to the prospect of seeing the big balloon. "Look at all the pretty colors, Jack," said Allie, who had taken charge of watching the little boy. He named some of the colors but soon was dragging Allie over to see his Uncle Bill and Mountie Nathan who had arrived by horseback. They were allowed to pet the horses with strict instructions from the men on where to stand so that they wouldn't be injured if the horses were spooked.

Soon Cooper Canfield hollered, "look, Pop, I think I see it!" Jack had been content to stay with Allie, but now that the balloon was in sight, he wanted Lucas with him. Allie got Lucas' attention and he walked over to where they stood.

"Papa the balloon!"

"Yes, it is, and it should arrive very soon." Very soon, seemed like an eternity to the little boy. Finally, Lucas put him up on his shoulders and walked in the direction of the balloon satisfying the little boy that they would indeed make it sooner. It wasn't long before the balloon was above them and the pilot was waving and calling

"Ahoy, down there!"

To which Jack responded, "Hoy" and waved enthusiastically.

Lucas reversed his direction and followed the balloon until they had returned to the church. "Jack, I want you to stay with your Mama while I go talk to the men. I will be back very soon." He gave Elizabeth's hand a squeeze and headed over to where the balloon was lowering to the ground and helped the pilot moor it. Very soon a little covered truck arrived with the pilot's partner. Lucas introduced himself to the men and they found that they had an acquaintance back in Montreal where Lucas had learned to pilot air balloons. Rosemary quickly arrived on the scene with her pad and pencil, "gentlemen, this is Rosemary Coulter, Editor in Chief of the Valley Voice," Lucas introduced the men and then said his see-you-laters and headed to where Elizabeth stood with an excited Jack.

The men left the balloon parked beside the church and headed over to the café for lunch. Lucas had promised them rooms and dinner this evening, so they first went to the Queen to register before setting out for the café. Before they left, they promised that they would be available to give rides all day Sunday, "Except for during church services," announced Joseph. "And you two are welcome to join us." Both tipped their caps to Joseph as they drove away.

Elizabeth and Lucas had promised Jack lunch in the country. They stopped at home to collect their lunch and then drove out towards Union City. "Elizabeth, there is a small duck pond by that abandoned barn. I know the owner of the property and he won't mind if we sit on those barrels for our lunch."

The pond was filled to overflowing from the rain that had come through. They watched quietly as a pair of ducks swam on the otherwise still water. Lucas had lifted Jack into his lap so he could whisper to him and not disturb the ducks. "That is a mama duck and that is the papa duck." He told the boy pointing first at the beige and brown speckled duck and then at the male with its shimmering green feathers and the white collar around its neck.

"The papa duck wears a shirt like you Papa with a tie around it."
"Yes, your papa the sharp dresser and your mama the frumpy schoolmarm." Elizabeth voiced.

"Now Elizabeth, you make me sound a bit flamboyant and you my dear are hardly frumpy."

"Hmph…" is all she said.

Lucas smiled and Elizabeth had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. He pulled her off her perch and next to him where the three sat munching on their sandwiches. Lucas finally let Jack give the birds a few crumbs of his bread. "We have to be careful with wild animals, Jack. People-food is not always good for them." Jack was happy that his crust was duck food too.

After a time, the ducks flapped their wings as they rose up and scurried across the pond and then soared into the air. The site was breathtaking and the wonder of being alive at this moment in this place with these two people washed over him. He looked at Elizabeth as she squeezed his hand. She knew his heart and she knew his soul and she felt them now. There was no need for words.

They had all gone to the saloon to eat that evening. Lucas had promised Jack that he could have dinner with the balloon men and listen to their stories. He had warned the men that he had a curious just four-year-old in the "why?, "what's that" stage. The men were happy to accommodate. They dined a bit early on account of Jack. Gustave had prepared a few of Jack's favorites. His palette was expanding beyond macaroni and cheese of late.

Dessert was shared by all the guests as they first sang Happy Birthday to Emma their new event planner. She had the day off but had come for a birthday dinner with some of the friends she was making. Fiona and Faith were there, as was Molly. Of all the single ladies, she had the most in common with Molly as she too was widowed. Gustave was fond of Emma and had baked her a beautiful confection, two tiers of scrumptious cake and cream with a glaze he had made from peaches he had canned last summer.

Finally, it was time to take Jack home. Richard, the saloon manager, had come in on his evening off to wish Emma a Happy Birthday. "Lucas, as long as I am here, I don't mind staying a couple of hours, so why don't you take your wife and son home."

"Richard, thank you, I really appreciate your offer and I am going to take you up on it," Lucas said good night to their guests and carried the sleepy boy out to the car.

They arrived home and Lucas took Jack from Elizabeth's lap. "Elizabeth, I will carry him upstairs, but I am not going to wake him to get his pajamas on. I will just undress him enough, so he is comfortable."

"That's fine, he is so tired. He had a wonderful time all day and tonight too but he is out for the night or sure."

Lucas took him upstairs and got him all tucked in with his favorite bear next to him. He leaned down and kissed the boy's cheek and whispered, "I love you, son, sweet dreams," and then left the room with the door left slightly ajar.

Elizabeth was down in the living room and had stirred the fire a bit to add more warmth to the room. He sat next to her and held her hand in his. "It was a good day my darling, a very good day."

"Yes, it was. I love you, Lucas. I am so happy sometimes I want to pinch myself to see if it is real."

He kissed her on the temple, and she leaned into him as they watched the fire. "Do you need to go back?"

"I don't want to leave you not even for a minute. But would you mind terribly? I feel a bit guilty for keeping Richard from his night off. I had promised that I would take one weekend evening a week until we have more help. We will need to add staff when we take our trip this summer, so I intend to start looking soon."

"Don't worry Lucas, you have been much more available than I ever imagined. It's like you can't get away from us now that you have us."

"Can't isn't the word my love, I won't if I don't have to. I love being with both of you."

"Well, I have been neglecting my writing since I want to be with you whenever you are here. So don't feel bad. I will happily pick up my chapter and see if I can get back the feeling I had when I set it aside. I will wait up for you. Sleeping without you is not an option, at least if I don't have to."

"Okay, I will be back in a couple of hours and for sure no later than midnight. Call my office if you need anything, anything at all, you understand?"

"We will be fine, but I promise to call if I need you. See you soon."

She followed him to the door where he put on his coat and leaned in to kiss her. She held onto his lapels as she pulled him in for a moment. And then she let him go out into the night. She sat at her writing table and read the part of her chapter that she had written days ago.

The next morning, they woke to a beautiful spring day with the sun shining brightly through the window. Lucas had arrived home earlier than he thought he might and felt refreshed. It was going to be an exciting day. He had a surprise for Elizabeth, and he was more than anxious to get the day going. But he snuggled her until he felt her begin to stir. Before he could even make any suggestion about how their day might start, little footsteps came running down the hall and he heard a knock on the door. Bear and Jack were soon on top of them. Elizabeth giggled when Bear started giving her loud smacking kisses. Jack giggled too as he thought himself quite clever. Lucas grabbed them both and began to growl like a bear while alternating growls with big wet kisses. They were soon all giggling and laughing and kissing until Elizabeth finally called a truce so she could head to the facilities. Lucas then took a turn with Jack in tow. And their day had begun.

After breakfast over at Rosie and Lee's, they all headed to Sunday Services. Joseph had tailored the service for the young ones present who were so excited. They all left church thanking their pastor and heading over toward the balloon.

The men had rigged the balloon so they could let it up in the air for 10 to 20 feet but keep it tethered to the ground. This way they could give "rides" to the children and some of the adults. Everyone was having a grand time. Lucas brought Jack up with Robert, Cooper, and Angela. The children waved to their friends and family below. Lucas held Jack tightly against him high enough so he could see over the basket. When they lifted off the ground, Jack's eyes grew as big as saucers as he felt the floating sensation. It was soon time to come back down on the tether, but Lucas knew that even as young as Jack was, he still might retain this memory. He would certainly try to keep it alive for him.

"Jack, you stay with your Auntie Rosie while I give Mama a turn. Be sure to wave to her so she sees you." He helped Elizabeth into the basket and the men began to release the mooring. She questioned what was happening as Lucas explained that they were going to float over the valley. She grabbed on to him as he explained that he knew how to pilot a balloon and in fact had learned from a mutual acquaintance of these gentlemen.

"Why doesn't it surprise me," she said in that voice that suggested an eye roll might be not far behind.

"Trust me," said Lucas as they floated up into the air. He held her in his arms so she would feel safe, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek and then leaned his nose against her cheek in a gesture of pure affection.

"I do," she said. "I trust you." And they looked out over Hope Valley as she whispered, "It's so beautiful, Lucas."

"You are so beautiful," he said in return as he watched her marvel at the scene below and the clouds above as they drifted across the sky.