Chapter 28
Hope for Tomorrow
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Minnie was happy that the ladies came to her Cafe that morning. She knew that Dee was hopefully going to start taking her maternity leave next week and they only had this time to gather without her and make plans for her baby shower.
"This is going to be a wonderful party for Dee and she'll never suspect with everyone there celebrating Thanksgiving!" Rosemary declared. All the ladies nodded in agreement.
"I'm so glad she is finally going to be staying home now," Faith injected. "She's been so tired with her back hurting and her feet swelling. So far, she's holding her own, so as long as her blood pressure stays within the normal limits, Dee should be fine."
"Those last few weeks seem never-ending," Clara recounted, "but it's so worth it!"
"She'll be able to rest now." Rosemary shared that Elizabeth told her that Mr. Landis happily agreed to step in and help out for as long as he was needed.
Oohs and ahhs spread around the room knowing full well that was an excellent outcome. "Wonderful!" Mary O'Neill clapped with the others.
"Just think, our very own Mountie becoming a daddy!" Brenda giggled.
"If it's a boy, I hope he looks as handsome as his daddy," Margaret added.
The ladies were all abuzz about Nathan's good looks when Minnie interrupted, "Our music teacher, Dee, is as pretty as Nathan is handsome, so either way they will have a good looking baby I'm sure, but that's not what matters. I'm praying for a healthy baby!"
"Yes, indeed!" the ladies chorused together.
Faith added, "her baby is growing and the heartbeat is strong."
"Oh, another gift both the parents have is musical talent. Perhaps baby bun will too," Dottie thought aloud.
Rosemary clapped her hands, "We must make plans ladies. Any thoughts?"
Dottie shared that Dee had already been sewing curtains for the nursery and Emily was making a baby quilt. However, Dee needed baby gowns, burp cloths, diapers, booties and the like.
"Well, I knit," Gail offered, "so I can make some booties!"
"I like painting, so I'll make a cute painting of baby animals to hang in the nursery!" Nancy added.
Maryann offered to bake cakes as did Marge. There could never be too much baking especially with the children and men for the community Thanksgiving.
Dottie spoke up, "I know you were thinking of raffling off a quilt. I have lots of spare scraps of cloth. If anyone wants to sew a quilt, I have the material."
That perked up a lot of ears, and the chatting was full steam now. Chatter ensued about a pattern. Rita invited everyone interested to come over to her house the next morning and they'd get started.
Minnie walked over to everyone and handed them each a piece of paper and pencil. "What?" they looked puzzled.
"All right, let's get some order, shall we? First ladies, we have a Thanksgiving potluck to put together. We know, at least we are pretty sure, that Bill will roast us turkeys. Luciana has offered to help make some side dishes. So, we won't need as many as last year. We will need help though with decorating and serving."
"No problem," Katie volunteered, "the Hopefuls are planning on it already!"
"Great, now last time we met we decided to have our second annual talent show. Think about who wants to do what. We need ideas ladies. Let's take a few minutes and discuss what we did last year and if you want to participate this year. I have to give Elizabeth the names. She will be running it with my help," Rosemary reminded all.
"That was so fun!" Donna laughed.
"It really was!" Kaye grinned.
"Can we talk to our family and let you know tomorrow Rosemary?" Peggy asked.
"Sure, but no later than tomorrow."
Minnie took it from there, "After the talent show, we will have the hayrides for the children. Several men will be providing the rides. I told Joseph about Dee's surprise shower, and he suggested that the men either go with the children or play horseshoes. I thought that was a great idea, so I'm leaving that up to him."
"That is a great idea, my Sam loves to play horseshoes!" Jane laughed.
Joyce asked, "So besides presents for the baby, are we going to play any games?"
"Oh, that gives me an idea, I can make Baby Bingo game sheets for us to play!" Debbie offered without any hesitation.
"I'll help you Debbie," Teresa smiled. "I love making things like that!"
As the morning went on the ladies all had everything arranged for the Town Thanksgiving celebration and baby shower. There was nothing these women of Hope Valley couldn't do.
As they were about to go home, Flo spoke, "One more thing ladies, there are new fragrances arriving this week. Lotions, candles, and sachets, perfect Christmas gifts to keep in mind!"
"Lovely," Jane grinned, "just what we need for our Secret Santa exchange!"
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Dottie immediately stopped in her tracks and reached for Flo's arm. Clasping her arm through hers, Dottie pulled Flo aside when she heard about the lotions, sachets, and candles.
"Flo dear, would you like to present these feminine toiletries in my Apparel Shop? I could display them next to the ladies accessories which I believe would be a lovely bonus to provide. What do you think?" Dottie suggested with great enthusiasm.
"Well, that's a point well taken. Ned's been letting Katie do all the inventory and ordering which has been a huge help. Let me talk with Ned first though. I don't want to get him upset with me," Flo explained.
"Upset? Whatever for?"
"He's just been busier than usual with opening the hardware and garden shop. The expansion has taken it's toll on him a bit, I must say. I'm just so grateful that it worked out that Kevin has taken over control of that addition. We're not getting any younger and I don't want to see Ned working so hard."
"Then it is a good thing Katie is here now to take some of the burden off his shoulders. Let me know about the toiletries. Just so you know, I'm thinking of having a gift corner in the shop," Dottie started.
"Why? We have a gift area in the Mercantile."
"I'm talking about homemade items. So many of the ladies here create things that others might like. You know this way they could make a little pocket money for themselves!" Dottie smiled while thinking out loud.
"Yes, we do have some mighty gifted women in this town, that's for sure. Sewers, knitters, painters, decorators, embroidery and more. That's a wonderful idea, Dottie!"
"I'll see what we come up with for the Secret Santa exchange. I'm sure the hidden talents will be fun to see. I better run, Rita was coming by the shop to pick up the material scraps for the quilt. I'll talk to you soon Flo," Dottie turned to walk to the Apparel shop as Flo went the opposite way to the Mercantile.
Dee was feeling bittersweet about stepping away from her position as music teacher. She had grown to know and love the children and would miss their eagerness in learning the musical notes, breathing techniques, and listening to some of the older boy's voices drop once they reached the age of puberty. Plus, those that shown interest in learning to play instruments were very dedicated and that helped them develop learning skills in academic subjects too.
When Mr. Landis arrived, Dee welcomed him and re-introduced him to the children. After explaining that Mr. Landis would be taking over the music education, at first there were many sighs and frowns until Dee reassured them that she was going to let Mr. Landis know what they had been doing in hopes of continuing.
"Children, Mr. Landis also has his own methods that will be new, but fun and exciting to learn, so just enjoy the music and keep doing what you've been doing for me. We're going to ask him to observe us today so he sees how we've been learning together," Dee explained.
In the beginning of their class, the children were not too happy with the news that Mrs. Grant was leaving, but they eventually cooperated because they loved her as their teacher, and wanted her to be rested and ready for her baby who they were anxiously waiting for.
Dee showed Mr. Landis that the expansion of the church/school provided more room which was sorely needed with the new children from the tent city moving into the new row houses. The children now had a spacious room in the back where they could do activities without worrying about messing up the area used for church.
"This has been such a wonderful addition that we needed even all along!" Dee said.
"Yes, I can see what a difference just one additional room helps. Hopefully, next spring they'll break ground for the new school. You'll need it." Mr. Landis affirmed.
"I'm sure Pastor Joseph will be thrilled with a bigger sanctuary too!" Dee smiled.
"I understand Mr. Malone, the new Superintendent is staying here in Hope Valley," Mr. Landis asked for clarity.
"I'm not sure, but I think you're right. I wonder why Hope Valley though," Dee said a bit puzzled.
"His jurisdiction is a big area. Maybe he just felt the hospitality of this town," Mr. Landis shrugged.
"Most likely," Dee smiled while looking at Elizabeth.
"This town has a very promising future!" Mr. Landis remarked as he looked around the room and the children.
After Mr. Landis left the school, he headed over to the Dentist office.
"Hello James!"
"Hey, Landis, it's good to see you. What are you doing here?" James Scholl asked.
"I just got done talking to Dee Grant, I'll be taking over for her now that she's going on maternity leave. It's just a part time position, so I'll still have time to play at the Benson Hills Clubhouse."
"Great! Hey, by the way, you could use a haircut," James laughed.
"What?"
"Well if you go down to Nichols and Dimes. Ask for Fiona. She's also our mayor, who you probably already met. Anyways, she's my date for this Saturday!" James grinned.
"Hot dog! She'll be swooning over your singing like the rest of the ladies do."
"I'll be swooning over her too!" James winked.
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When school let out, Robert was waiting to walk Allie home. Allie was completely surprised but happy that was for sure. She and Robert had been friends for quite a while, growing from young schoolmates and friends to young teenagers.
Robert had graduated before Allie and had been helping around town with delivering mail for Ned Yost and the Voice newspapers for Rosemary Coulter. He wasn't really happy with these odd jobs as there wasn't any future for him. Robert wanted to further his education, but he felt he wasn't cut out for an office job like a teacher or banker. He needed some action during the day. Yet, he didn't want to work in the lumber company for Mr. Coulter, or the oil business for Mr. Gowen either. After thinking quite some time on what he wanted to pursue as an occupation, he kept feeling drawn to learn more about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Lucky for him he had two fabulous town heroes to watch and learn from.
Robert had grown up as an awe-struck little boy admiring Mountie Bill before he became Inspector Avery. Mountie Bill was his hero. Often times when Robert was in town he would sit and watch Mountie Bill when he wasn't horsing around with Harper or Cody. The three of them would be playing and once in a while got themselves in trouble. Robert was the smooth talker who usually could talk anyone out of being mad, but Bill would have no part of it. He knew when Robert was trying to pull a fast one over him and saw right through his shenanigans. Truth be told Bill's halo was on crooked as a young boy himself, so he could read the boys like a book.
Through his tough exterior though, Bill was a kind and good man who enjoyed playing baseball or tossing a football around with the boys. Some of the boys in town had lost their fathers in the coal mining collapse and he could only try to fill in as an adult male presence in their lives from time to time. Sure, he liked to work hard, but Bill also liked to play hard too.
When he started an informal scouting program he taught the boys how to chop wood and make a fire. When Bill had another man, like a boy's father who would come with him, they'd take the boys out for a camping weekend. Learning to fish, filet a fish, and then cook it over the fire was fun for the boys. At night over the fire they could roast hot dogs on a stick or put jam between two slices of buttered bread for a quick fry over the fire as a dessert. Often times Bill would bring his guitar and they'd have a sing-along around the fire.
Robert remembered one particular time when they were all sleeping in their tents and he heard noise. He grabbed his flash light and bravely peeked out of the tent by himself as the other two boys were sound asleep. He slowly walked around in the night using his flashlight watching for someone to jump out of the woods. They had fallen asleep telling ghost stories and his imagination was getting the better of him. He heard a loud snap and whipped around flashing his light into the woods to find the source. He saw two beady eyes glowing at him and he let out a loud gasp. He thought it might be a bear so he ran back to the tent.
As he was running, he nearly tripped when Bill caught him in midair. "What's going on here Robert?"
"Um, there's a bear over there!" he barely could speak pointing to the woods.
"A bear?" Bill seemed doubtful. "Go back to the tent. I'll go check this out."
As Robert skedaddled as fast as he could back inside the tent, Bill walked over to where Robert pointed. He knew there were no bears in the area, as he hadn't seen any evidence on his rounds, but he also heard the snapping and now crunching. Peering into the darkness, he spotted beady eyes, actually 3 pairs of eyes. There were the culprits. Raccoons were feasting on leftovers the boys hadn't cleaned up as they were told to. "Have at it you pests, I'm going back to sleep."
The next morning, the word was out that Mountie Bill had saved them all from a bear! It was exciting and Bill let them think that for an hour or so before he told them the truth. Robert never forgot that first weekend camping with his hero and thought of it fondly.
Now, with Mountie Nathan, who he admired just as much, he knew in his heart that he wanted to be a Mountie just like them. He realized it could be dangerous, but he also knew how satisfying it was for these two men he revered.
The only thing holding him back a little was leaving Hope Valley, especially Allie. As she walked out of school, he walked up to her and offered to walk her home.
"It's out in the country now, Robert. Are you sure?" Allie asked.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't," he smiled. "So, how was school?" he asked as they headed to the Grant home.
"We're going to have Mr. Landis teach us music now as Mom is going to take a maternity leave as she waits on little bun to decide to show up," she laughed.
"Mr. Landis? That doesn't sound fun at all!"
"He's much happier now, Robert. He never liked his job as a superintendent mom said, so teaching music was what he always liked as a teacher, " Allie explained.
"That's good Allie. I know you love music."
"I was wondering if you would like to go to the moving picture this Saturday. The Hopefuls are hosting "Alias Miss Dodd," a comedy," Robert told her.
"Oh, that'll be fun! I really enjoy moving pictures. What time?"
"I think it starts at 7:00. Can you be ready around 6:30?" Robert had his fingers crossed behind his back.
"Well, I need to check with mom and dad, so I'll have to let you know. I sure hope so. Are any other friends going?"
"Yes, Harper was going to ask Karen. Maybe that'll make it easier for your parents to let you go. I'll check with you tomorrow after school," Robert said.
"All right, thanks for walking me home. I'll see you tomorrow," Allie grinned.
"Bye Allie,' Robert grinned too, smiling all the way home.