Chapter Sixteen

.

Read All About It…

.

Rosemary was supervising Lee as he manned the press at the Village Voice. It was getting late and she needed to get home to care for Jack, but she was trying not to comment or help, knowing Lee had offered to make the final printing his responsibility for now. Yet papers were a little crooked, and Rosemary Coulter was biting her tongue.

Finally deciding she couldn't take it anymore Rosemary announced she was heading home, grabbed a few copies to post around town and left Lee on his own. Robert would be delivering the papers with the morning mail, but Rosemary knew townspeople would appreciate Nathan's note and her glowing article about him tonight. Rosemary knew it would embarrass him immensely, but it had to be said. As she marched over to the Mercantile, Rosemary vowed she would write an apology and send it along with a copy of the newspaper to Nathan so that he could read it himself. She was determined to be the voice for truth and she figured people might refer to the article if they corresponded with Nathan in Regina.

Moments after Rosemary posted the newest edition of the Village Voice on the bulletin board outside the Mercantile, people gathered around to read the latest. Outlined in a box, with a small photo of Nathan and Allie, was Nathan's farewell note.

'Dear Hope Valley Friends,

Our departure is bittersweet as my daughter and I will miss you, even as we are excited to follow a new path to Regina, SK. A promotion was recently bestowed and I am now Staff Sergeant Major Nathan Grant, an Instructor at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division.

Regretfully we could not say farewell to all of you as our departure was hurried, but please know you will always have a place in our hearts. Thank you for your support and friendship during our time in Hope Valley.

I commend Constable Paul Martin to you as my replacement and hope you will welcome him with open hearts as he serves and protects you.

God bless you. Nathan Grant'

Along with a small photograph of Nathan and Allie that Rosemary had cropped from one taken at Allie's adoption, Rosemary had finally been able to use a photograph Carson had taken a couple years ago. Nathan Grant, looking incredibly handsome dressed in his Mountie uniform, was leaning on the porch post outside the Mountie office. Hands gripping his belt and one leg crossed over the other with the toe of his boot balanced on the wood, Nathan had a kind expression in his eyes and the slightest hint of a smile. It was an expression, a position and a location that everyone in town would immediately recognize.

Beside the tall photograph of the tall Mountie, the front page headline read:

'Farewell to Hope Valley's Beloved Constable!'
By Rosemary L. Coulter

'With deep regret we have had to say goodbye to our dear Constable Nathan Grant and his daughter, Allie. His promotion to Staff Sergeant Major has taken him to the RCMP Training Academy as an Instructor, beginning with the arrival of September's Troop. Few know that a couple years ago S/S/M Grant declined a prestigious promotion to remain in Hope Valley, but this time he had reasons to accept.

S/S/M Grant arrived in Hope Valley four years ago and has become a valued and beloved member of our community. From his first day, when he and Judge Avery solved the theft of Coulter Lumber Company's payroll, S/S/M Grant has used his many skills on our behalf.

A full list of his accomplishments while serving our community is too extensive to publish, yet it includes, but is not limited to, arresting thieves, murderers and kidnappers, exposing extortioners and holding accountable those with unsavory business practices. He has maintained order in the Saloon and kept Hope Valley safe, even being called upon to solve crimes in neighboring towns as well.

On his first night in town, S/S/M Grant took a punch in his face while trying to break up a fight and he has suffered other injuries on our behalf, including a vehicular accident and a gunshot wound from which we are eternally grateful he recovered. His courage and bravery have been our blessing. We owe him our gratitude.

Known for his excellence in tracking, S/S/M Grant has rescued numerous townspeople, found stolen livestock and rescued lost children. He has also put out fires, chopped wood for the infirm, brought groceries to the elderly, repaired fences for the farmers, settled property disputes fairly, administered first aid, assisted with at least one birth and one emergency surgery, comforted widows and orphans, mentored our youth and assisted whenever the town has had a need.

Our hearts have been blessed to hear S/S/M Grant's rich baritone voice singing the occasional solo at Hope Valley Community Church. Our Library contains a couple volumes of his writings and his daughter is a testimony to his parenting skills and personal integrity.

S/S/M Grant has always put others first and we have been the beneficiaries of that sacrificial service. We citizens of Hope Valley will always be indebted to S/S/M Nathan Grant and we wish him all the best even as we remain thankful.

Nathan, you will be missed.'

Townspeople buzzed with the details hitherto unknown to them and they were amazed. Their Nathan Grant was so accomplished and had served them so well. He was a noble and an honorable man and he belonged to them, no matter where he resided. Hope Valley was proud of their own!


Lee delivered the Valley Voice newspapers to the Mercantile early Wednesday morning, but had a lot on his mind. As School Board Chairman, Lee had scrambled to get Cat Montgomery to substitute teach for the first three days during the initial week of school in Hope Valley. When Ned Yost asked a harried Lee about the plans for the school, Ned mentioned a solution.

"Lee? My daughter Katie doesn't have a position for this semester and has often mentioned she wished she could return to Hope Valley. Would you be interested in or consider asking her to replace Elizabeth until she is recovered? Katie's credentials are up-to-date and you might be interested to know she is certified to teach the blind and also knows sign language."

Lee's face beamed. "Wow. Just wow! Let me call Mr. Landis right now and then I will call Katie. This might be Providential!"

"Let me jot down her telephone number, Lee." Ned handed Lee the paper and watched as a grinning Lee literally hopped down the steps and took off running to his office.

After securing permission from the School Superintendent to invite Katie Yost to teach in Hope Valley, Lee dialed her number. After explaining the opportunity and hearing Katie's joyful acceptance Lee headed to the schoolhouse to pull Cat outside for a couple moments.

"Katie Yost is coming! Just like that we have a teacher! She will be here, ready to teach on Tuesday next. And, she is excited, grateful and happy!" Lee grinned. "I can hardly contain myself! Only God could have arranged this!"

"It sure seems like a wonderful answer to prayer, Lee. I am so glad." Cat assured him. "I'm fine until Katie is ready."

"Cat? I don't know what we would do without you. Remember this work is paid, by the way. We will not accept volunteering but we, I, thank you for filling-in." Remembering Nathan's call from yesterday, Lee continued. "There is something we need to do today though. Do you have any idea where to find the school records for Allie Grant? On Saturday, Nathan asked Elizabeth to forward them to her new school, but we know what happened that day…"

"I know just where the files are Lee. Do you want to see what needs to be sent or just send the entire file?"

"Let me send the entire file, Cat. It is a prestigious school, so I'm sure they can sort through what they need. May I take it now, so it can go in today's post?"

"Wait right here, Lee." Cat hurried inside and returned with a large envelope labeled Allie Grant. "Here they are. I just glanced and her grades are right on top."

"Thank God! And thank you, Cat!"

"You're welcome and yes, God be praised!"

Elated, Lee headed back to the Mercantile with great news for Ned and Florence and an important file to mail to St. Anne's Academy for Girls in Regina, SK! Had he known the contents of the envelope in his hand, Lee might not have been as excited to send it on its way.


When the mail and newspapers had been delivered, there were whispered conversations in a corner of the Infirmary.

"What is everyone whispering about?" Elizabeth's voice was quiet and concerned. "I keep hearing Nathan's name. Is he okay?"

Bill, Faith and Molly gulped in unison. They hadn't realized they could be overheard. Bill shrugged then straightened his shoulders, took a deep breath and spoke. "May I come in, Elizabeth?" He tucked the Village Voice under his arm.

"Yes." She whispered, now afraid.

"How are you feeling this morning? Did you sleep well?"

"I guess I slept well, but I don't know how I'm feeling, Bill. What is going on?"

Bill had to control his expression, but he was suddenly hopeful for Elizabeth's recovery. She was exhibiting the same curiosity she had before she got entangled with a certain saloon owner. Bill responded to her question. "We were just reading the Village Voice, Elizabeth. That's all."

"And Nathan?"

"There is a note from him and an article about him. Do you care to have me read them to you or not?"

"Read them…" She implored softly. "Please?"

As Bill began to read Rosemary's article, Elizabeth had silent tears coursing down her cheeks. Her watery eyes stared up at the ceiling. She gasped with the news of Nathan's promotion and move, and put a hand to cover her open mouth as his accomplishments were enumerated. But as Bill read the final paragraph, Elizabeth had a sudden realization of truth. Like a bolt of lightning, Elizabeth recognized that Nathan had always put others, put her first. His sacrifices for her could not be numbered. Nor could her tears.

Pausing to watch Elizabeth, Bill prayed silently for God to help her.

Elizabeth slowly looked from the ceiling to Bill's face, barely able to be heard. "Is there more?"

Bill nodded and continued. "Nathan wrote a note to the townspeople. Shall I read that to you?" With her nod, he read aloud but as he finished he didn't know how much she had heard or understood. Elizabeth was sobbing.

Faith quickly rounded the curtain and sat on the edge of the bed, enveloping Elizabeth's shaking form in her arms. Soothingly she whispered, "It's okay, Elizabeth. I'm here. It's okay… You're going to be okay." Turning her head to catch Bill's glance, Faith mouthed one word. "Joseph."


Joseph had come running when Bill summoned him from across the street. He received Bill's quick update, cried to God for help and entered the Infirmary. Joseph stood observing, making certain that Faith knew he was present before he sat quietly beside the bed.

A collection of white linen handkerchiefs was piling up on the bed until finally Molly placed a stack of face towels alongside Faith. Faith carefully slipped them to Elizabeth one at a time as needed.

A knock alerted Molly to answer the Infirmary door and seeing Fiona with a basket of food in her hand, Molly stepped out.

To Fiona's questioning look, Molly shared in a low voice. "Elizabeth wanted to know about the newspaper articles. You know about Nathan. Bill read them to her and now she is weeping uncontrollably. I'm worried, Fiona. She seems so fragile."

"Is Faith with her?" Fiona whispered.

"Yes. She's hugging her. Bill got Joseph to come right away, but he is just watching."

"And praying I am sure. That's really all we can do as well." Fiona eyed Molly whose eyes were glistening. "Are you okay?" She put her arm around Molly's shoulders.

"I don't know." Molly sniffled. "Listening to Bill read about Nathan and Allie being gone just made it very real. And now, Elizabeth? He loved her so much and was so patient with her. I'm sure he would know what to do. He could comfort her. But, now he's gone, how will she ever recover from this fresh grief?"

"One day, one step, one cry at a time I guess. Many of us will miss Nathan's calm presence, but we have each other, Molly. And we have to rejoice that after all this time, Nathan is receiving some reward for his labors. Only God knows their future, if there even is one…"

Bill exited the Infirmary door, nodding to Molly and Fiona, his eyes filled with concern. He stepped into the street and, with shoulders hunched as with a burden, Bill slowly made his way to his office as Fiona and Molly watched.

Meanwhile inside, Joseph watched, waited and prayed.