Chapter Thirty-five

.

Jack's Mountie Buddy

.

Taking advantage of a lovely October afternoon, William suggested that they take a Sunday drive to see some of the outlying areas around Hope Valley.

Knowing they would be gone during Jack's nap time, Elizabeth brought his blanket and Mountie toy, so he could sleep if he got tired. Jack was beginning to grow out of his afternoon nap and, so far, was not cranky in the evenings. Still, they were taking one day at a time because he was growing up so fast!

Hudson drove so William and Grace could take note of the landmarks and beautiful spots that Elizabeth pointed out to them. Jack was especially happy to sit on his grandfather's lap in the front seat since he was usually relegated to the back seat, although on this drive he was more fascinated by how Hudson drove the car than he was by the scenery.

Elizabeth directed them to drive by Jack's land and they pulled over to get out and explore a bit. "This is a beautiful property, Elizabeth. Do you have Jack's house plans?" William inquired.

"I do, although I couldn't bring myself to build his house. I think I may keep the land for young Jack, but if I did build, I would want a completely different style home. A new start." What Elizabeth didn't share was that if ever there was a possibility for a marriage with a certain Staff Sergeant Major, she would want them to plan the house together. She realized it was a dream, but still prayed for it whenever she thought of the land.

William took Jack's hand and they examined the property together, while Grace and Elizabeth walked more slowly arm-in-arm and quietly took in the vistas.

Back in the vehicle again, Hudson asked Elizabeth, "Where to now?"

Hesitating for a moment, "Would you all mind stopping for a few moments at the cemetery? I have tried to take Jack there every few weeks and we haven't been in a while."

"If you are up to it, that's fine, Elizabeth." William reassured her. "We're here with you."

Having said her goodbye to Jack when she had read her letter to him, Elizabeth was grateful that, although a meaningful place, she could visit today without tears. She held Jack's hand as they walked to the gravesite. Letting go, Jack ran to place his arms around the headstone, hugging it and saying, "I love you, Daddy." He hadn't let go of his Mountie toy, so brought it to the front to 'show' his father. "This is my favorite toy, Daddy. Mountie Nathan made it and I play with it every day. Bye!" He waved to the stone.

Although Elizabeth's eyes glistened with Jack's display of a child's affection, it was William and Grace who dissolved into tears and had to support one another watching Jack at his father's grave.


The next stop was to check on an apple orchard, and even though it was the Sabbath, William had them stop and pick up a bushel to take back to the row house. They chose a basket of beautiful red apples, left the cash in the box on the table and packed the trunk without seeing a soul. Elizabeth figured the family was picking their harvest as they had to take advantage of every good autumn day to make sure they made a profit. She knew the apples were delicious since she had been gifted apples for the teacher ever since she began teaching in Hope Valley.

It was a lovely memory, but distracted her when she recalled a certain beautifully polished apple she had received from a man in red serge a couple years ago. She smiled to remember Nathan's comment that if she ate it, there wouldn't be any evidence of bribing a public official! She missed the easy banter she'd enjoyed with Nathan Grant and had never told him that she had kept that one apple on her kitchen windowsill for weeks. Plus every time she looked at the plaque on Jack's bedroom wall, she remembered. Nathan had carved a plaque that Allie had given her for Christmas the previous year. An uppercase 'A' and a lowercase 'a' next to an apple, carved in relief and with a stem and leaf and highlights that made it shine even though the apple was highly polished to set it apart from the background.

Elizabeth sighed, suddenly realizing her father had asked a question. "I'm sorry, Father. I was somewhere else. What did you ask?"

William was looking back to check his daughter's emotional state and was relieved to see a smile on her face. "I asked what kind of farm is that? I don't see fields of crops."

Elizabeth dipped her head to look out the window. "Oh that's the Campbell's dairy farm. You know Laura? Jack's Nanny? She and her father and brother run the farm."

"Miss Laura? Can we see Miss Laura?" Jack asked excitedly.

"It's okay with me, if you want, my dear." Grace offered her opinion and tapped Elizabeth's arm.

"Oh? You wouldn't mind?" Elizabeth checked with her father as well. "We could just say a quick hello if they are available to answer the door."

Nodding to his grandson, William responded. "Sure. Let's do that."

A quick glance informed Elizabeth that a Mountie was visiting, but she didn't think her parents would identify the Mountie horse and since they were already out of the car, she decided to proceed. At their knock, Jed Campbell answered the door, surprised.

"Well, hello, Mrs. Thornton! What a surprise! Do you want to come in?" He stepped back to allow the visitors to enter.

"Mr. Campbell, we are sorry to interrupt your afternoon, but when Jack here learned this was Miss Laura's home, he wanted to see her. Is she…"

Laura came around the doorway blushing as she was followed by Constable Paul Martin who was making a Sunday call.

"Oh! Mrs. Thornton! Mr. Thatcher, Mrs. Thatcher and Hudson! Hello! Come in, please." She bent to lift a reaching Jack into her arms, settling him on her hip. "Hey, Jack! How are you today?"

As William Thatcher shook Jed Campbell's hand, everyone was introduced and nodded to everyone else, then settled on the chairs and sofa while the Constable brought some chairs from the dining room table.

"I haven't met you folks yet, although we have nodded in town. I am Constable Paul Martin and I am pleased to meet you formally!" He reached to shake William's, Grace's and Hudson's hands before sitting on a dining chair and lifting Jack onto his lap. "Hey, Buddy!"

"Hi Constable Paul!" Jack lifted his Mountie toy to show that he had it with him. "Where is your hat?"

Paul laughed and tickled Jack on the stomach. "You keep looking around and see if you can find it for me, eh? It must be around here somewhere." He let Jack slide off his lap to go search, keeping an eye on him.

"We were taking advantage of a beautiful autumn afternoon and took a Sunday drive around the area. It is truly a lovely valley." William offered.

"Isn't it?" Jed agreed. "What sites have you seen?"

"Jack Thornton's land, an apple orchard and now your farm… Elizabeth tells me this is a dairy farm? How many cows do you have?"

While William engaged Jed Campbell in conversation, Laura asked if anyone would like a cup of tea and some apple cake.

"You are sweet to offer, Laura, but we don't want to impose. We have interrupted your Sunday afternoon visit so we won't stay long." Elizabeth responded.

Noting the disappointment in the young woman's face, Grace countered. "You know, Laura, a cup of tea would be lovely if not too much trouble? May I come help you?"

Amazed at her mother's response Elizabeth wondered what cue she had missed. "Well, okay then, Laura. Thank you. Since my mother has offered, I will let her assist you, but come for me if you need help."

As Grace followed Laura from the parlor, Elizabeth glanced around. It had been many years since Laura had been in her class and she had visited Laura's home. Feeling the eyes of a watchful Mountie on her, Elizabeth turned to face him. "How are you enjoying your new posting here in Hope Valley, Constable?"

"Please call me Paul? I am loving it, Mrs. Thornton, and one of my favorite things is the ease and friendliness of the townsfolk. I never dreamed of such a lovely community to call home."

"Where are you originally from, Paul?"

"Vancouver, Ma'am. My family is there." He laughed as Jack looked under the table for Paul's Stetson. "I do miss them, especially my little brother, Sammy. He is Jack's age, so it is such a pleasure to be getting to know your son." He grinned at Elizabeth and bent to talk to Jack. "Buddy, do you really think I would put my hat on the floor under the table?"

"No, not really. But I don't see it anywhere." Jack giggled. "I'm still looking so don't tell me!"

"Okay, Jack. I know you'll find it. Keep searching!"

"Paul? Thank you for being willing to meet with Jack and talk to him around town. Bill told me he had asked you to do that. Constab,,, I mean Sergeant Grant always interacted with Jack and it meant the world to him to see Mountie Nathan. He always stopped to talk and show interest in Jack, especially as a Mountie's son. We miss him."

"I think many people here miss him. When I go on rounds, I hear frequent stories of the impact Sergeant Grant had on the town. I wish I could have known him, but maybe he'll visit someday." Paul smiled. "He leaves big boots to fill!" Laughing he continued. "Sorry. No disrespect because I understand he is very tall! I just meant his footsteps are hard to follow… Hmmm! Is that any better?" Chuckling, Paul shrugged his shoulders and Elizabeth warmed to him even further.

Catching sight of Laura carrying a tray, Paul went to her and stated. "Here, let me take that. If I hold it, you can serve from it, okay?"

Laura looked into Paul's face then agreed. "Thank you, Paul."

Elizabeth took note of what others in town were beginning to notice. She thought silently, 'Maybe Jack visiting the Mountie office is a good thing to help this budding relationship!'

An excited voice called from the entryway. "I found it. Constable Paul! It's hidden under Mommy's coat!" Jack hurried into the parlor and straight to the chair where Paul had been sitting. Making himself comfortable, he watched as the beverages were served.

"Good for you, Buddy! I knew you could do it." Paul encouraged Jack. "Good investigative skills! Maybe you take after your Daddy?"

Returning to the chair, Paul sat on the floor and invited Jack to join him. "We can use the chair as our own table and eat our cake together."

Elizabeth had tears in her eyes as she watched Paul with Jack. Yet, she wasn't moved by Paul's interest in Jack, she was moved at how much he reminded her of what Nathan would do.

Watching the scene before them, William glanced at Elizabeth and noticed her tears. He would ask her about them later.


Having enjoyed apple cake at the Campbell's, the Thatchers had suggested soup and buttered bread for supper to make it easy and quick. As Elizabeth and Hudson washed the dishes, Grace and William got Jack ready for bed. Calling down the stairs William asked if it was okay for him to read Jack his bedtime story to which Elizabeth agreed.

Hudson departed for the Thatcher row house to give the family some privacy, leaving the vehicle for William and Grace for later.

When Elizabeth got to the second floor, she stood and listened to her father reading to her son. Slowing tip-toeing to the doorway, she observed the tender scene, noting that Jack was struggling to keep his eyes open. She entered quietly and bent to kiss Jack, whispering for her father to continue until Jack was fully asleep. She and her mother quietly left the room and returned downstairs.

"How are you tonight, my dear? Was it difficult for you today? I mean so many of those places to remind you of Jack, Senior." Grace was sitting beside Elizabeth on the sofa.

Staring at the flames in the woodstove, Elizabeth replied thoughtfully. "You know? I wondered how it would be to return as we drove around but, when I remembered or thought about Jack, I didn't feel tears today. Well, except when Little Jack hugged his father's tombstone. He's never done that before and that was difficult to see. Tender, but difficult."

"I wondered. It shattered your father and me." Grace whispered.

"You have come a long way, Elizabeth. I am proud of you. Of the work you are doing to heal. You are an amazingly strong woman and I admire you for that.' Grace paused. "I only wish your sister, I mean Viola, could see you. Society doesn't recognize genuineness and strength in women. They are missing a lot."

Elizabeth pondered her mother's words. She didn't feel strong, but she felt she was returning to her genuine self and for that she was grateful.

William joined them. "He is sound asleep." He chuckled, admitting, "I only finished the book so I knew what happened!"

Observing Elizabeth's contemplative demeanor, he quietly asked. "Are you okay with today?"

Elizabeth smiled slowly. "Mom just asked me that. I'm fine. There were just some sad memories, but mostly they are just becoming memories now."

"Memories of Jack?" William spoke quietly, hoping these weren't triggering.

"Him too." Elizabeth admitted. "After we left the cemetery though, mostly thoughts of Nathan to be honest."

"Can you tell us? You had tears in your eyes watching Constable Paul with Jack at the Campbell's."

"That was the most difficult for me. Not only do I have to think of what Jack is missing without his father, but I know what Jack is missing without Nathan." She paused. "Nathan would have done exactly what Paul did today. Sit on the floor with Jack and eat together using the chair as a table. It was a picture I wish could happen."

"Hmmm…" William was increasingly aware that Nathan Grant still should be a part of his daughter and grandson's life. His prayers were more and more frequent on that subject.