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Chapter Fifty-seven
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Family Times
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Hudson drove the Thatcher and Thornton families around Hope Valley on this sunny November day. They enjoyed the road that headed out toward the foothills, stopping to look back at Hope Valley. On horseback they could have ascended to an overlook, but as cars were only now becoming common in the area, wider roads had not been extended. Jack meandered around the adults, eyes on the ground as he collected bits and pieces, sticks and small rocks.
"Mommy!" Jack cried suddenly. "What's this?"
Running to Elizabeth, Jack held up an object he had never seen before. "Look."
"Oh, Jack!" Elizabeth knelt and took the object. "You found an arrowhead! The native peoples attached these to long sticks and shot them with a bow when they hunted animals to bring home to their families."
"But why? Didn't the arrows hurt the animal?" Jack examined the arrowhead intently. "Why bring them home? Why not leave them where they were?"
Elizabeth gulped, wondering if her son was old enough to comprehend the sources of their dinners. "Well, you know how people catch fish to eat? Hunters catch wild animals to eat. They may hunt for deer or turkeys and the native peoples would bring home the meat for their families. Do you understand that?"
"You mean everyone doesn't get meat at the Mercantile? Couldn't they just buy it?"
"No, Sweetie. Many years ago they didn't have a Mercantile, so people grew their own food, or fished or hunted for it." Elizabeth turned the arrowhead over in her hand. "This one is a treasure. Can you guess how the native people make these?"
Shaking his head, Jack responded. "Nah uhh."
"The native people would find strong, round stones they called hammerstones and chip away bits of this stone to make a point, like this." Elizabeth allowed Jack to hold the item again. "Would you like to keep this?"
"Can I show Grandaddy and Grandmommy and Uncle Hud?"
"You may, Jack. Then why don't you let Mommy keep it safe in her pocket?"
After Jack made the rounds to show off his find, Elizabeth bent over again and took his hand. "I'll give it to you at home, sweet boy."
"Okay. Let's go!" Jack was ready to go home, but only after he had his treat. "Can we get ice cream now?"
"There are some things a certain young man never forgets!" William chuckled taking Jack by the hand and turning towards the car. "An old man doesn't either! Let's go, my boy…"
Once the table was set and the vegetables added to the pot roast pan, Nathan and Allie returned to the sofa. Zach reached for the tote he had brought. "I have a sketchbook here, if you would like to see my work? It's not was good as Colleen's though, so be warned!" He chuckled and handed the volume to his dad.
Before sliding his chair closer to his wife, Archie reached under the coffee table and lifted a brown, wrapped package and a couple of envelopes, handing them to Zachary while he kept Zachary's sketchbook clasped in his lap. Pointing to the top envelope, he encouraged Zach to open it.
"Oh! This is wonderful, Mom, Dad!" Zach exclaimed. "To have a photo of you both is perfect. When I look at this now, I will not need to pinch myself to be sure all of this is really true! Thank you."
"We need to get another portrait taken, Zachary." Explained Ruth. "So, for now, this is all we had at home to bring."
Chuckling, Nathan pointed to the next envelope in Zach's lap as he reached under his side of the coffee table to bring out an envelope for his parents. "Open these next, please?"
"Oh, Nathan!" Ruth and Archie cried out simultaneously as Archie extracted a photograph. Archie was speechless after his exclamation.
"This is perfect." Ruth looked at Archie and patted his cheek. "Both our boys in uniform! Oh, and one of Nathan and Allie! Thank you, Nathan." Ruth held the photograph to her heart for a moment.
Turning to his brother, Nathan suggested. "Zach? It might be better if you don't display us in uniform while still a Cadet, but the one with Allie, and with me in civilian clothes, should be fine."
"These are special, Nathan. Thank you." Zach caught Allie's eye as he displayed his half smile. "Now, I can show off my beautiful niece!"
"Thank you, Uncle Zach." Allie blushed slightly. "Those photographs fit the frames that Uncle Bill and Aunt Adeli gave you, you see?"
As Zach nodded, Archie interrupted. "Son? That wrapped package is for you. It's not really from any of us, but Mom and I discussed that you need to have one of these since the rest of us do. Please open it."
Zachary looked around his family, then ripped open the brown paper. "Oh!" He held a small painting close, tilting it towards the light to see the brushstrokes and colors, then held it at arm's length to admire the subject matter. The glass jar of paint brushes sitting before a window was illuminated by bright sun and sharp, contrasting shadows. The effect was stunning and it looked as though it was a color photograph, the rendering was so exact. "This is wonderful! I see her initials, so Colleen painted this? Are you sure I can keep this?"
"Oh, yes, Zachary." Archie reassured him. "You deserve to have a piece of your sister's artwork. We chose this because it is small enough to be packable, but maybe it is appropriate too? It appears you appreciate her work?"
"Oh, I do indeed. She was gifted and I love this. You couldn't have chosen a better subject for me either!" Zachary turned to show the painting to Allie and Nathan. "Perfect, eh?" Zach handed the painting to Allie since it was her mother's work. "Are you okay with me keeping this, Allie?"
Nodding and with eyes filled with tears, Allie gave her blessing. "Absolutely. You need it, Uncle Zach. That really makes you one of all of us."
Dinner was delicious and the conversation included a lot of laughter and stories of the past.
Zachary inquired about life on a ranch since he was a city dweller and shared how much he was enjoying riding. "My horse and I are getting along great. I never owned a pet, not that a majestic horse is a pet, but you know what I mean! This is the first time I have been getting to know an animal! He's a beautiful fellow too. Black as..." Zachary looked at Allie. "Guess what his name is, Allie?"
"He's black? So maybe Ebony? Shadow? Or Inky? Black Diamond?" Allie paused. "Oh. I know. Sable?"
"You are good at naming things, Allie. I like all of those names but none are correct." Zach chuckled. "I just gave you a hint though."
"You did?" Allie was stumped.
"I think I know, Allie!" Nathan teased. "And Uncle Zach is right. He just gave you a big hint!"
"You guess, Dad. I've run out of ideas."
"You sure?" When Allie nodded, Nathan spoke triumphantly. "Midnight!"
"Oh! Of course... I should have thought of that." Looking at her grinning uncle, she questioned. "Is Dad right?"
"In part, yes. His name is 'Midnight Star.' He has a small white star on his forehead." Zach confirmed.
"Oooo. He sounds lovely." Allie paused. "But what was the hint you gave? I still don't get it."
"I said you were good at naming things." Zachary teased. "I thought for sure you would guess after naming your automobile 'Midnight!'"
"Oh... I get it now." Looking dejected, Allie hit her hand on her forehead. "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
"Allie? We'll have none of that. You are not stupid. Remember? We don't call ourselves or anyone else names like that. Even if someone does a stupid thing, they are not stupid. In this case, you were under pressure and just missed a choice we thought you would get and then missed the hint." Nathan reached his hand over to capture Allie's in his. "You know Uncle Zach just said you are good at naming things. You came up with a wonderful selection and some names I may not have thought of too! You, dear daughter, are bright and gifted. That's what you need to remember. God has given you a good mind. Okay?"
As Nathan was reassuring Allie, his parents and brother were observing, understanding how good a parent he was. Each one was impressed and grateful, recognizing that Allie was the joy she was because of Nathan's loving fathering.
"I'm sorry, Dad. You are right. I shouldn't have said that."
"Allie? Please look at me?" Nathan squeezed her hand and looked into her soft brown eyes. "Thank you for your admission, Honey. I love you and you are a very beloved and special part of this family. Always remember that." Seeing some tears form, Nathan quietly asked. "Do you want a hug?" As she nodded, he pushed his chair back and opened his arms. Allie came to him readily.
Desiring to give them some space, Archie glanced around the table. "Is anyone ready for dessert? I know I am! Zachary would you help me collect the dishes?"
The telephone rang just as the family was beginning to eat their pumpkin pie. Excusing himself, Nathan went to answer. "Good evening. Grant residence. Nathan speaking."
"Nathan? This is Tim Stewart."
"Tim... Oh, Tim!" Nathan's voice explained his surprise. "To what do I owe this honor?"
"Oh Nathan!" The Chief Superintendent laughed. "It is no honor for you to hear from me! I was just thinking about meeting your father yesterday and realized you might enjoy another day with your brother. Would you like to have Cadet Grant join you again tomorrow? I can allow the same timeframe. Pick him up after Chapel and return at eight o'clock? What do you think?"
"I think that is a wonderful privilege for all of us, Tim. Thank you so much for thinking of us and making this arrangement. We are just having dessert, so this news will be the icing on the cake..." Nathan chuckled, "Except we are having pie tonight!"
Chuckling as well, Tim responded. "Oh? Now don't let me keep you! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Nathan, and greetings to your family."
"I can't thank you enough, but we will." Nathan grinned. "Have a wonderful weekend yourself! Good night."
"Good night, Nathan."
Returning to the dining table, all eyes were on Nathan. Not wanting to delay the good news, Nathan shared that they could extend their family time into the following day. Exclamations of joy erupted around the table.
"Is it common for the Chief Superintendent to make these exceptions to the rules, Nathan?" Archie inquired, amazed.
"I haven't been at Depot long enough to know, Dad!" Nathan shook his head. "I do know it is a privilege and I am very grateful. On behalf of our family, I need to do something for him for Christmas as a thank you. If any of you have any ideas, please let me know?"
Later, while Archie, Allie and Zachary washed the dishes, Zachary pulled Allie aside, quietly confessing. "I'm sorry you were hurt, Allie. I admire you and your guesses about Midnight Star were incredibly creative. I want you to know you are brilliant and, just like your father said, you are beloved."
Allie was beaming. "Thank you, Uncle Zach."
Overhearing, Archie was proud of his son and his granddaughter and made a mental note to share with Ruth later.
At his desk in the front room Nathan called the Samuels to accept the Sunday dinner invitation for his parents and brother, mentioning that they would be bringing an apple cake for dessert. He also called Peter and Carol to ask if it was okay with them for Zach to join his parents and him for dinner, also mentioning an apple cake they would bring for them to share. Zachary was welcomed by both families and everyone was thrilled.
When the Grants retired to the living room for a time of singing, Nathan and Zach alternated playing guitar as everyone sang folksongs and hymns. They were a choir of multiple parts sung by great voices and the evening was enjoyed by all. Eight o'clock came quickly but as they said goodbyes, it was a relief to know they also had tomorrow together.
On Sunday morning, Elizabeth awakened very early and, with her cup of tea, sat at her desk in the lamplight. The stove was warming the room so she decided to write another story idea that had come to her as she closed her eyes before bed. She had prayed for Jack, her parents, Nathan and Allie, the Coulters, Bill, her sisters, the Canfields, Laura and her Hope Valley friends and students when she recalled Emily's find on the school outing into the woods a couple years ago. Emily had discovered an arrowhead and that had caused such a fiasco with Nathan.
As Elizabeth paused to think about the result of that encounter, recalling it wasn't so bad after all. Nathan's visit when he shared that she mattered to him? It was a visual she never wanted to forget, that blue jacket, his soft voice, that sweet confession, those blue eyes… Last night her thoughts had convicted her. Like Cupid's arrow to her heart, she admitted, she had been touched. 'Oh how I regret being so cagey in my responses. I should have been honest right then and told him he mattered to me to. If Nathan was hesitant I should have suggested we take a walk and discuss what that meant to each of us. Life might have been very different…'
Elizabeth shook her head, momentarily setting aside her thoughts of Nathan. Before she could forget why she had come to her desk, she raised her pen for the task before her. 'Write a story incorporating both Jack's arrowhead and Emily's find.' As she thought out a plot, she laughed. From zero inspiration a couple weeks back, she was now developing a little series of short adventure stories for Jack and younger children.
Before the morning service, Jon Samuels met the Grants at the front entrance of the church to assist Ruth up the steps and into the sanctuary. The two families sat together in the back two rows and pointed out Jane in the choir. The choir members' discretely nodded in Nathan's direction and he returned their smiles, looking forward to joining them at the following week's service.
Allie and Rachel wore their new coats and Sally wore her fur collar, so each of the young ladies whispered how nice the others' looked, certain that they were the best-dressed at this Sunday's service! They neglected to account for Ruth Grant, striking in her Yale blue tweed suit as she drew attention standing tall between her husband and oldest son. Ruth's matching hat made her blue eyes especially stunning and even choir members from the choir loft up front admired the handsome blue-eyed Grants. When the first hymn was sung, the Grants drew additional attention and admiration as they wove melodious harmonies throughout the song, sounding like a choir in the back row! Always happy to be associated with her Dad, this morning Allie was thrilled to be sitting next to her grandfather instead!
At the end of the service, the Grants remained in their pew to allow some friends to find them and meet the senior Grants. A few choir members found their way to the back of the sanctuary hoping to be introduced. Either Nathan or Allie made the introductions of her teachers, Rachel Bell, Ardis Ross, and Claire Collins and her fiancé, Dan Richards, while Nathan introduced fellow instructor, Josiah Blake.
Waiting to depart also allowed Ruth to exit with assistance and not feel she was holding up the line of departing congregation members. Once most of the crowd had chatted and shaken hands with the pastor at the door, Rev. Huntley approached to meet Nathan's parents. After making the introductions, Nathan excused himself to retrieve the automobile while his parents chatted with the pastor.
"Welcome to Regina, Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Have you enjoyed your visit with your granddaughter and son?" The pastor nodded and acknowledged Allie by name.
"Thank you, Sir. We are enjoying both sons! Nathan is an instructor, as you know, and Zachary is a Cadet! Two Mounties in our family!" By now Archie was proud to share.
"Oh? I wasn't aware of that. I imagine Cadet Grant has to attend services at the Chapel at Depot, so we haven't met." Rev. Huntley surmised. "When will he graduate?"
"In the middle of February, Sir."
"And where are you folks from?" The Reverend addressed this question to Ruth.
"Calgary right now. It is hard to live so far away from Allie and our sons, but we are grateful we could come for this long weekend. Travelling in winter isn't as easy as you get older you know!" Ruth smiled.
Rev. Huntley chuckled. "You do not look 'older,' Mrs. Grant, but I know it is more how we feel than how we appear. I hope you'll be able to visit again in the springtime. Regina is lovely then."
Nathan walked up to them at this point. "Excuse us, Reverend." Nathan nodded as he turned to his parents. "Are you ready to go Mom and Dad? The Samuels are expecting us and we still have to collect Zach."
"Oh? Are you joining the Samuels for Dinner?" Interjected Rev. Huntley. "They are a lovely family."
"Yes, Reverend, we are. We've become quite close as Jon and I are at Depot together and Allie attends St. Anne's with Sally and Rachel. Sunday dinner has become our joint family tradition!" Nathan smiled, explaining as he helped Ruth into the aisle. "Good message today, Sir. Thank you. Have a blessed rest of your day."
"You as well, folks. May the Lord bless and give you joy and peace. Lovely to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Grant. Good afternoon, Nathan, Allie."
