Hope Leads the Heart
Chapter 4 Busy Lizzies1
"Now that members and our guests, are seated, I'll call this meeting of the Hope Valley Council to order. I'm glad to see such good attendance as we have many important topics to discuss," said Mayor Hickem as he looked over the filled pews of the church and other residents standing in the rear.
"First, Rosemary Coulter has an announcement to make! Rosemary, you have the floor…"
Never one to shy away from a captive audience, the effervescent Rosemary was delighted to have all eyes on her.
"Everyone, this is just a reminder that the Open House at the new Hotel Le Veaux will begin at noon, right after the conclusion of this council meeting! On behalf of Lee, Fiona, Gustave, and the entire staff we are honored to welcome you to our gathering place for comfortable lodging, gourmet meals, and great entertainment. We are excited to show you all the new décor and space renovations that we have worked so hard on. Of course, Gustave has prepared some delectable pastries for us to enjoy with our punch. Um, I apologize in advance, but we won't be able to serve tea yet as there was a slight accident with the tea cups and saucers.2 Please join us to take a look and celebrate. The Queen of Hearts is no longer a scourge on our community," Rosemary giggled.
A raucous cheer almost lifted the rafters of the small church, for it was a great relief to turn the page on the recent past. No one in Hope Valley would miss the gambling, hard drinking, spending, shady men Bouchard had brought to town to gather at the Queen of Hearts. Without demolishing the entire existing structure, a new hotel with a different look and feel, was just what the town needed. The renovations had created employment for many and a spirit of renewal and excitement. Without a doubt, the citizens of Hope Valley were grateful the Coulters had come to their town and the Coulters, in turn, had embraced the community wholeheartedly. Lee owned the mill, Rosemary was Editor in Chief of the Newspaper, and they were now owners of the Hotel Le Veaux.
"Thank you, Rosemary. Next, I'd like to move on to a proposal to convert the present library into a community center. Henry, this is your idea. You have the floor," said Mayor Hickem.
Henry Gowan, the owner of Gowan Petroleum, stood up to address the attendees. "Mr. Mayor and All. I think we can agree that the current library has served us well but now is a constant reminder of someone we would rather forget. You may not know this, but I purchased the building as well as all of its' contents at the auction. As you recall, the library building is located in close proximity to the medical clinic and near the center of town. It is a good amount of square footage, and along with the small storage building next to it that I own, could easily be converted to a community building to hold meetings, provide extra space for the school to use for science fairs and plays, and for whatever else the town might need it for. Holding these events in the old saloon is no longer an option and I for one, welcome the opportunity to have a dedicated space for us to use as needed. Let's not forget, if we ever have another tragedy like the epidemic, we could easily convert the building to a small, temporaryl hospital to care for the sick. I would be happy to donate both buildings to Hope Valley."
Before he could go any further, several people started talking simultaneously, and the mayor had to call for order. When things settled, Nathan was the first to stand and speak.
"I can see that you've thought about this, Henry, but we need a library far more than we need meeting space. Besides, what's wrong with holding meetings here in the church? They don't interfere with Sunday service, do they Pastor Joseph?"
"Not at all," Joseph Canfield replied.
Before Henry could respond Bill chimed in suspiciously, "You just want to GIVE the space to the town? What's in it for you, Henry, and what would we do for a library?"
Henry interjected, "If you would just let me explain further without interrupting me!"
"Go ahead, Henry," said Mayor Hickem.
"I was thinking that we should move the library to the site of my current office. It is about the same size with a storage room, too, and would provide ample space for additional books, tables, and chairs. Now that I have a telephone in the small building out by the pipeline, I use that space for most of my business and the office in town is just sitting vacant. It's costly for me to maintain it all. As to why I want to donate the buildings, well, this town has meant a lot to me. I didn't always deserve your friendship, but you have stood by me and I would like to give back and help us grow."
After further discussion, a vote was taken and the proposal to move the library and establish a community center was carried. Hope Valley Town Council would hold their future meetings in the newly named Faith Carter Community Center, and readers would be borrowing books from the Main Street Library.
Moving on to the next topic, Florence Yost brought up the subject of the old bridge. It was a sore spot with her and many of the townspeople. "Something has to be done about the old bridge. It is in a state of disrepair, becoming dangerous and rickety from all the weight of cars, wagons, and horses crossing from one side to another," she said. "And then there is the issue of some of the young people carrying on and spooning after sunset, no thanks to the example set by our former schoolteacher", she added indignantly. "It is not the safest place for our young women, even though Nathan has arrested all of Spurlock's gang."
There was enough money in the town budget to tear down the old bridge and rebuild a wider, sturdier one to accommodate the increase in automobiles. The council voted to start the project immediately and included a provision to add lighting to increase safety after sunset. Florence and other volunteers decided they would plant beds of Impatiens on the river banks around it, to give it a fresher look and soothing appeal. A sign, "Bridge of Impatiens" was to be added at the entry and exit points. Nathan and young Mountie, Robert, pledged to step up their patrols of the site to discourage loitering and spooning.
"Well, we've done some good work here today, and it's almost time to head over to the hotel for the Open House. "I did want to introduce you to our two guests, as they've been waiting patiently to meet you while we have conducted our business," said Mayor Hickem. "They just arrived by train yesterday."
"First, I would like to introduce you to our new teacher, Mr. Thomas Doyle, who comes to us from Quebec. He is a specialist in teaching Mathematics, Science, and is certified to teach the blind."
A sandy-haired man with deep blue eyes who was sitting in the front pew, stood up and turned around to wave at the group. He was extremely tall and slender, with a pleasant smile, who Nathan judged to be about 30 years of age. In a deep, clear voice he said, "I am happy to be here in Hope Valley and look forward to a good, productive year teaching your students!" After a short round of applause accompanied by many smiles in the group, he returned to his seat.
"And lastly, may I introduce our new physician and surgeon, Dr. Joanna Bryant. She will be reopening the clinic in a few days. I am delighted, as well as very relieved, that she has chosen to bring her skills to our community!"
In unison, there was an audible gasp from the group as the young doctor stood and turned around to wave and take a quick look at her future patients. To say that she was a strikingly beautiful woman was the worst understatement imaginable. Joanna was about 5 and a half feet tall, with almost black, long, wavy hair. Her skin glowed like the finest porcelain and she had deep, emerald green eyes with long lashes and rosy, full lips. Her hands were small, slender, but with long and delicate fingers. She was dressed in a very businesslike green skirt and jacket which still couldn't hide her feminine curves.
As she smiled, her eyes wandered around the church taking in her patients, until her gaze suddenly locked on a man dressed in suspenders and simple clothes. A tall, blue-eyed man with an unruly loose tendril of dark brown hair brushing his forehead was staring right back at her as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. His handsome features were frozen in awe at the feminine vision in front of him. Two pairs of eyes locked. It was as if the rest of the church was suddenly empty and only their aura filled the space.
1 A Busy Lizzie is a term used to describe a certain variety of the annual flower, Impatiens. These plants are known to be hardy, strong, and easily rebound from the most challenging, harsh conditions in their environment. Remove the harsh conditions and they quickly blossom.
2 Gustave, celebrating Bouchard's arrest, managed to "accidentally" drop the entire crate full of tea settings from the top of the saloon stairs. Completely shattered, they would never again be used by anyone watching from a balcony.