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Chapter Sixty-eight
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Sharing with Friends
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On Monday morning Wes greeted Nathan when Nathan walked into the office with two cups of coffee. They were now used to each other's schedules although Nathan's was the more changeable one.
"Good morning, Wes." Nathan handed the mug to his office-mate. "How was your weekend?"
"Good. My mother was in good spirits so that made the time enjoyable for me too!" Wes responded. "How was yours? Did you talk to your pastor?"
Nathan gave Wes a confused frown as he removed his cap and coat. "My pastor?"
"Yeah. You were going to call him about the Chaplain's request, remember?"
"Oh!" Nathan laughed. "I never thought of that again once I left the office!" He hung his outerwear on the hook beside the door.
Wes sat up straight and leaned on his desk. "You didn't?" He noted Nathan's laughter and teased. "Well, my friend! What woman had you distracted this weekend? Did you have a dinner date? I sense a story here!"
"Oh, you have no idea!" Nathan sat at his desk. "How much time do you have?"
Glancing at the clock, Wes replied. "Three quarters of an hour. Plenty of time. Spill it, Buddy!"
"That's not nearly enough time for a story like this, but I can start." Nathan looked up at the ceiling. "The problem is where to start?"
"Start with dinner with the lady, then give background!" Wes suggested with a grin. He was going to enjoy this!
"First, it wasn't dinner with a lady, it was coffee at the Victoria Café. Secondly, she asked me," Confessed Nathan.
"Why doesn't that surprise me? I'm surprised you don't have multiple coffee appointments on your schedule!"
"Are you going to keep interrupting?" Nathan laughed. "The woman was the choir director at Knox and Allie's music teacher. She told me she wanted to get my input on some ideas she has for the choir." Blushing slightly, Nathan confessed, "Turns out she forgot all about the reason she gave to meet until I reminded her on the way back to her flat. She wants Allie and me to sing a duet at the Christmas Eve service. She planned on extra rehearsal times after the morning service but I offered to play the guitar instead so Allie and I could practice on our own."
"Ah ha. Mission thwarted! So, do you like her?"
"Like her? Of course. She is a lovely lady, charming and pretty too. But do I want to date her? No. I prefer honesty to subterfuge, Wes, and remember she asked me." Nathan sipped his coffee, staring into the aromatic beverage. "Plus, there were no sparks or nervousness or…"
Looking back at Wes, he began to share about the arrival of Mr. William Thatcher explaining his reputation and wealth. "You've heard of him?"
"All you have to do is read the newspapers and his name or company is bound to show up!" Wes was nevertheless impressed. "So, why did he want to see you?"
"In this short time I can only give you the outline version. He wanted to meet me, and Allie, because his daughter has told him she loves me and I love her." Nathan watched Wes's eyes widen. "He wanted to discuss some of my poems that meant a lot to him and ask some questions about others, and he brought letters from Elizabeth to me and to Allie…"
Wes's mouth was agape and his interest piqued.
"He gave me the letters on Friday, I met with Rachel for coffee at the Café on Saturday morning. William took Allie and me to dinner on Saturday evening but it was cut short by someone who showed up outside the restaurant, having violated an order of protection in place for myself and Allie. That led to me arresting the man and spending a couple hours in the Regina precinct taking statements and preparing the case. The man is known to me as he owned the Saloon in Hope Valley and was briefly engaged to Elizabeth."
"Back up, Nathan. Elizabeth Thatcher is the daughter of the shipping tycoon? And you know her from Hope Valley and love her?"
"Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, Jack Thornton's wife, is the school teacher in town. And, yes, she was Allie's teacher and we know each other…" Nathan blushed again, unable to will the telltale warmth from creeping up his neck and into his cheeks. "We have both confessed our love for each other, including within the letter that William delivered."
"Well, this is incredible, Nathan. Congratulations! You never mentioned this. So William came to meet you and?"
"I told you. He has heard a lot about Allie and me and wanted to meet us in-person." Nathan sipped his coffee again. "Since the dinner was cut short, William came to our home for Sunday brunch and stayed the afternoon to talk." Nathan looked into Wes's very interested expression. "We are meeting him for supper tonight as well… And that brings you up to date, and explains why I gave no thought to Chaplain Thom's request or to calling my pastor friend."
Wes chuckled. "Well, maybe you gave no thought to it, but maybe this very full weekend has answered the Chaplain's question for you?! I guess we don't have time for much more, but I want to hear you out on all this, Nathan. How about lunch today?" Wes offered.
"I'm sorry, I have to reread and pray over my response to Elizabeth's letter before tonight. William will be the courier and take our letters when he departs tomorrow."
"Oh? Well, okay. We'll find time to talk. In the meantime I'll pray that God will guide you, my friend." Wes swigged the last of his coffee, and set the mug down. "Thanks for the coffee, by the way!" He stood, gathered some files from his desk and headed to the door. "Later, Nathan."
"You're welcome." Nathan raised his coffee mug. "See you later." Momentarily Nathan debated about calling Joseph, but decided he would wait on that and wrote a reminder on his desk calendar for mid-week. Right now he had some training manuals to work on so he pulled his typewriter toward the center of his desk, pulled out some files and got productive.
Meanwhile in Hope Valley, Judge Bill Avery finished his letter to Adeli Foster, sealed it and decided to walk to the Mercantile to post it right away. On the way back to his office, he stopped in at the Coulter Lumber Office and home of the Valley Voice to find Lee and Rosemary. "Good morning!" Bill greeted the Coulter's as he entered. "Not here to interrupt, but wondering if you need anything for this afternoon's big event?"
"Oh!" Rosemary and Lee looked up from the papers they were studying. "Hi Bill. I'm not sure. I think we have it all covered, don't we, Rosie? If everyone does as promised that is."
"I think we are okay, but you know, Bill, if you could bring us some lunch later?" Rosemary suggested. "I'd be grateful for that because that means we can concentrate on all the details at the school. We are heading over there shortly."
"I'd be happy to. Meet you at the school at lunchtime!" Bill waved his hand for them to get back to work and departed.
Having no pressing cases needing his attention, Bill headed to the livery to saddle Hero and ride over to Elizabeth's. As he walked he considered the two vehicles he had looked at in Union City the previous week. After realizing the convenience of owning an automobile when visiting Nathan, Bill was on the verge of investing himself. It would be great in the winter and especially when Adeli came to visit Hope Valley. Lee had promised to drive him to the city this coming Saturday once all the work on opening the new school was completed.
Bill stood knocking on Elizabeth's door and was pleased she answered.
"Hello, Bill! Please come in. May I offer you some coffee or tea? I can easily make more when my parents come." She held out her hands to take Bill's coat. "Jack? Look who is here!"
Jack was already on his way to hug his Uncle Bill, all smiles and open arms.
"Hello, little man! How are you? Busy setting up your train?"
"Mmm hmm. Grandaddy gave me trees before he left. Come see." Jack pulled Bill's hand.
Looking up at Elizabeth, Bill grinned. "Coffee please if you have it?" He followed Jack and sat on the chair leaning forward to get the tour from his godson.
Carrying in a tray of mugs and a plate of scones with jam, Elizabeth set it on the coffee table and handed a mug to Bill. After all these years she knew she didn't need to ask about milk or sugar as Bill liked his brew black and strong! "So, how may I help you, Bill? Or is this just a chance to chat!" Elizabeth laughed warmly.
"Well, chatting is great, but I did come for a reason. I'm checking in. How are you about speaking at the opening this afternoon?"
Elizabeth smiled as she took a sip of her well-creamed coffee. "I think I am fine. I mean it is the first time to speak in public or even see some of the students after my collapse, but I have prepared a short speech and I believe it is appropriately worded. Do you want to hear it?"
"Only if you want to share it, my dear. I can wait for a few hours!"
"I think I would like you to read it, Bill." Elizabeth stood and found the folded page on her desk. "You know my history, Jack's and all that has happened recently. I don't plan to formally resign, but I will hint that I will not be returning to teach." She handed the paper to Bill who set down his mug to read her speech.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and students. This is a special day, isn't it? Some of you remember that when I first arrived, in what was then Coal Valley, school classes were held in the Saloon. When my husband, Constable Jack Thornton, built the school building that is now our church, we never dreamed we would require a larger space than that! But here we are and this new school is splendid.
I want to take a moment for a personal word. I had a health crisis a couple months ago and was unable to teach this semester. My personal thanks to Mrs. Cat Montgomery for stepping in at the last minute and for Miss Katie Yost who arrived a few days later to accept the teaching position and to do a wonderful job from all I have heard.
Thank you to all of you students, parents and townspeople who gave me the grace and the space to heal. I confess that for many months I was not myself and neglected friendships and responsibilities while thinking of little more than myself. I also recognize I was not the best example over the past year. I am ashamed to admit that, but grateful for God's forgiveness and that of many of you as well.
I am recovering and finding some new purpose. Although I will not return to teaching right now, please know my time here at the Jack Thornton School has been very special to me, especially as I have seen so many children mature and find their places in the world. My heart is happy about each of you special young people! God bless you all.
In closing, I want to thank the school board and especially the president, Lee Coulter, for his unwavering support of education in our town and of me personally as well. Thank you to the Town Council for approving what has been best for the children and for those in town businesses who have generously supported the school and our many events. Many of you do not know how Ned Yost has contributed over these many years, but just know he has done so! Special thanks to you, Ned, for your generosity. Thank you to all the parents, past and present, who have supported me and my ideas to creatively educate and grow their and your children. They are treasures I dearly love.
And, lastly, thank you, Students, for your willingness to try new things, for going the extra mile with assisting your classmates, for diligence in your studies and for your love and patience with me. I appreciate you all and carry wonderful memories of our life together.
Now as we look to the future, there are countless possibilities to explore and dreams to discover. I pray all God's best for each of you and his blessing on this lovely new school.
Thank you."
Elizabeth looked at Bill whose eyes were glistening. He stood and wordlessly held out his hand as he stepped to engulf Elizabeth in a hug.
When Bill could speak, he whispered, "Beautiful, Elizabeth. Just beautiful."
As they parted, Elizabeth searched Bill's face. "You don't think it is too much about me? I wanted to publicly acknowledge my failings and yet thank everyone for understanding. Is it really alright?"
"Your speech is perfect. After all it is a personal speech, so of course there is something personal included, but I think you expressed yourself very well." Bill added. "You really are an excellent writer Elizabeth."
Elizabeth blushed. "I haven't told you what my new purpose is have I?" As Bill shook his head and let go to return to his chair and his coffee, Elizabeth sat and shared about her children's stories. "After all I have a readymade audience, right?" Noticing Jack was carefully watching her, Elizabeth opened her arm to him. "You want to come give mommy a hug too?"
As she nuzzled Jack's blond head against her, Bill spoke quietly. "The stories sound wonderful. I think you should consider the teenage population too, by the way." Returning to her speech, Bill questioned. "Do you plan to send a copy of your speech to a certain Sergeant in Regina? I think he would appreciate reading it since he cannot be present."
"Oh! I wasn't planning on sending it. I'm not sure…"
"If you don't, would you please give me a copy and I will send it to him? He is one of the former parents after all."
"Ahh… That I can do. I think it would be better for you to send it right now. I'll make a copy for you." Elizabeth patted Jack's shoulder as he moved away and returned to his railroad project on the floor. Looking up at Bill she added. "Thank you, Bill."
The Hope Valley Central School opening ceremony and celebration was a success. Students had prepared a recitation and a song, both Angela and Timmy played piano solos, and Pastor Joseph led a prayer of dedication. Refreshments from both the Café and from parents were delicious, and Abigail had plated the food and made the tables look beautiful with dried grasses, pods and gourds as decorations. Rosemary had hired Mike to take official, staged photographs while Fiona was hired to take candid shots throughout the celebration. Flitting about, Rosemary made certain everything went as she had so carefully planned!
Inside, students had decorated the hallways with banners and ribbons, and there were a few bulletin boards with essays displayed. Four bulletin boards were dedicated to the seasons, one board to each and contained student artwork representing each time of year. However, Grace Thatcher discovered a surprise bulletin board and waved Elizabeth over to take a look.
Taking Jack with her, Grace nodded and spoke quietly, "Go ahead and read it, my dear."
Draped with ribbons in shades of blue, the display was entitled: "Things I learned from Mrs. Thornton." Slips of paper in varied sizes contained comments about learning to read or to write, to add and subtract, or being introduced to a favorite author, along with remembrances of school lessons and events. One comment made Elizabeth chuckle. 'We learned that skunks were not a good animal to bring for show and tell!'
Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote, pinned front and center caught Elizabeth's attention, making her gasp. "The only way to have a friend is to be one." Memories of quoting that to Allie Grant and her father came flooding back. Briefly closing her eyes, Elizabeth could picture Nathan's clear blue eyes looking up at her, maybe admiring? Maybe grateful? Maybe interested? That had been an important moment between the three of them and from that moment on Allie had begun to reach out and make friends. Yet another thought soon invaded Elizabeth's mind. Here she was requesting a renewed friendship with someone that had exemplified that sentiment all along. Nathan had been a friend to her since his arrival even though she was undeserving. In spite of offering the advice to Allie, Elizabeth had not followed it herself. This was a revelation to contemplate later.
Elizabeth was still reading the many messages when Katy Yost joined her. Glancing at her, Elizabeth reached her arm around her former student, whispering. "Was this your idea, Katy?"
Nodding, Katy replied softly, "It was. You have been an unforgettable teacher, Mrs. Thornton, and I think all your students are grateful." Seeing the tears fill her teacher's eyes, Katy continued. "I hope you are feeling better? We include you in our opening prayer every morning."
"You do? Oh…" With a gulp, Elizabeth responded. "I am improving every day, dear girl, and thank you for the prayers... And for this."
"You are welcome. When I take the messages down, would you like to have them?"
"Oh, Katy, I would love that. Thank you."
School tours impressed all in attendance, including Grace Thatcher who, carrying Jack, caught up with her daughter once again and accompanied Elizabeth and Jack in examining the remainder of the new space. She happily planned to address an idea she had when her husband returned later in the week.
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