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Following the move into their new home, everyone was eager to try out the new bathtub, so only the ladies had dibs before church, the men could shave in there, but with everyone getting ready, it was very hectic.
"I think we're going to have to figure out a better way of doing this next Sunday," Dee suggested.
"Perhaps, Allie and I could bathe the night before," Emily offered.
"Now wait a minute, Ma. When will dad and I get to use the bath?" Nathan protested.
"You'll have to flip a coin for it, ya!" Emily laughed. "Can you run me out to the O'Neill's for mass son? Your father wants to come with me."
While Nathan drove his Ma and Dad to mass, Allie and Dee cleaned off the breakfast dishes. Allie asked, "Mom could I wear a little lipstick?"
"Allie, honey, not at church. I know you want to look more like a young lady than a schoolgirl, but let's save the lipstick for fun occasions like Molly and Bill's wedding. That way, your father won't be upset," Dee said gently.
"Oh, can I get my hair styled for the wedding too?" Allie pleaded.
"I don't see why not. Let me ask your dad, all right?"
"All right, you have a special way of getting him to agree," Allie grinned. Dee blushed, clearly Allie was growing up.
They both heard Nathan honk the horn, so they joined him in the car. It was much easier for Dee now to ride in the car then walk as little bun was growing faster now and seemed to settle in close to her back.
Pastor Joseph was preaching today on Luke 10:27: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and your neighbor as yourself."
Like last Sunday, he asked the children to come up front and sit around him. Slowly looking at them one by one he asked, "What do you think this passage means?"
Emily raised her hand right away, "Well that's easy Pastor Joseph, Jesus wants us to be kind to eachother. Not argue, share, and act nice."
"Right, that's a good answer," Joseph replied, "anyone else have more ideas?"
Timmy spoke up, "If I love my neighbor as much as I love Jesus, than I will do anything for them."
Joseph nodded than asked another question, "Children, how do we show Jesus and others that we love them with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind?"
Opal answered, "We pray to Jesus and tell him we love Him. He sees us and knows what we do."
Benjamin raised his hand, "I think Jesus knows we love Him when we follow the 10 commandments, but also when we say we're sorry. I have to say that sometimes because I did something I shouldn't have. It's hard to do."
Pastor nodded with a big smile. "You all are right. Jesus knew we couldn't save ourselves from sinning, although we should always try, so he gave His life for us. That's how much He loves us!" Joseph stretched his arms out as wide as he could.
"When you see Him on the cross, always remember how much He loves you."
Dee asked the children to sing with her a hymn, "What a friend we have in Jesus."
Over at the O'Neills, Father Ricardo before offering Mass he welcomed a new family, "Today, we have a new family joining our parish, the Morettis. Please stand up so I can introduce you."
As they stood up there were five children with the two parents. "Gino, why don't you introduce your family and tell us a little bit about yourselves, please?"
Gino was a bit shy, but looked fondly at his wife, "This is Carlotta, my dear wife, and our sons, Giovanni and Vincent. Our daughters, Maria, Lucia, and Natalia. I work for Mr. Lee Coulter and we have been very fortunate to obtain a loan and bought a new row house. It has been a long road to this moment. We thank you for your kind welcome."
It was getting very tight in the O'Neill farmhouse, and since the new church wouldn't be completely built until next summer, they all decided that they would need to find a barn or have two masses.
That's when the O'Neill family offered their barn. "Right now, we don't have the help we need, with Timothy passed and Rick working for Mr. Coulter, I've decided to retire. Now, I have to get the barn cleaned out, but it has much more room. The problem is, it's not heated."
"We might be able to fix that," Dan Peterson spoke up. "I've got an old wood burning stove, that we don't use, it just must might work to heat up the barn as it used to heat up our home."
The parishioners were nodding in agreement and decided that next Saturday they would all work on cleaning out the barn and pouring a concrete slab to place the stove on. The wood stove would be connected to the chimney with a metal stove pipe. As the men talked among themselves, they developed a plan as to who would do what. It was going to take them at least a month, but they had to get it done before winter.
Molly asked Fr. Ricardo, "Bill and I will still get married in the town church, right?"
Fr. laughed, "Yes of course. It's all reserved."
When the Grants gathered back at their new home, they had the lovely curtains Dee had sewed and pictures to hang, rugs to throw down, and the last of the unpacking to be done. Nathan promised Allie that they would bring Penny and Newton to the stable that week.
That evening as they all sat outside on their new wicker chairs watching the sunset over the Rockies they were blissful. It had been a long, busy weekend and as they enjoyed the sun setting, Nathan and Allie played their guitars and Dee led them in song starting with Some Sunny Day and ending with Let Me Call You Sweetheart. A perfect ending to their day.
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Ned looked around with a huge smile at his expanded Mercantile. Now he finally had room for more food, kitchen, and dining items, throw rugs, cleaning supplies, blankets, pillows and other bedding, toys, gifts and more. Flo and Katie had helped to unpack the boxes and display the items.
It was such a big help to have Katie there now with her accounting degree. She oversaw the ordering, invoicing, and payments of not only the Mercantile but the recent opening of a vacant building. Ned was using it for outdoor and garden supplies, tools, appliances, paint, hardware and the like. Kevin Townsend was the manager and now he was stocking shelves and arranging those materials. This new job provided for his income with the livery now losing customers to automobiles. All Kevin needed to do was put out the sign of the new Hardware and Garden Store and the customers were eager to come and see the new store.
A new automobile mechanic, Trevor Donahue, was starting up his business when he bought the gasoline station. Fresh out of automobile school in Detroit, he knew he could find a job just about anywhere, but he liked the spirit of community in Hope Valley. He first heard about the town growing and building from a friend, Luke Polnicki who had been there after coming home from the war and working for Henry. Luke was one of the Hopefuls so he shared the plans for a monthly movie night and dancing. The way Luke described the group, Trevor was counting on meeting young ladies. Saying goodbye to his folks in Michigan, was tough as he too had returned to the States after the war. He enrolled in the mechanic school and decided to try Canada and then join his friend Luke, he had met in the War. A large number of United States citizens enlisted in the Canadian armed forces while the United States was still neutral. Having to say goodbye a second time in a short while was painful for the family, yet Trevor was excited to spread his wings.
When Trevor stepped off the train at Hope Valley station, Luke was there to greet him. "Hey Trevor, over here!" he called.
Trevor turned to look and saw his buddy in the crowd. "Luke my man, it's so good to see you!" Trevor said as they hugged.
"How was the trip?" Luke asked.
"It was really something. Getting near the mountains and seeing all the land ready for hunting and fishing really got me excited," Trevor answered.
"But not as much as seeing my pretty face, right?" Luke laughed.
Grabbing his duffle bag, Trevor joshed, "Yeah, just as pretty as an old dog!"
The two friends walked to town as Luke didn't have an automobile. "You're still roughing it, I see," Trevor grinned.
"Not for long, there's a couple of us guys staying at Billees in town, but we've been saving to get our own house. Once we get the bank loan, hopefully any time now, we will get a motorcycle. Our boss, Lee Coulter, has one and his wife wants him to sell it. They finally have a baby on the way, so he won't need it any longer," Luke explained.
"This Billees, does it serve food too?" Trevor asked.
"Sure does, it's right around the corner. We'll grab some grub there tonight," Luke assured him.
Now that Minnie's Cafe was completely expanded, they were busy getting the place opened again with a grand opening. Adding walls between the kitchen and the living area with the sofa, made the kitchen bigger with cabinets now hanging on the new walls. They had just received the shipment of new tables and chairs for their enlarged dining area too. The Cafe needed a new coat of paint and Joseph was busy brightening up the place.
The living quarters of the Canfields was almost complete. Minnie and Joseph had their own bedroom on the main floor off the back with a bathroom providing them indoor plumbing. Angela's piano was in the living area behind the kitchen, but left the door open as often times she would serenade the customers with her lovely piano playing for their enjoyment.
Rosaleen was super excited about the money she collected at the Family Fun Festival. Opening the door, she stepped inside the bank humming and walked up to Ben Carmon.
"Hello there Ben!" she cheerfully greeted him.
Returning her smile he asked, "How are you doing today Miss Rosaleen?"
"Just peachy, Mr. Carmon," she giggled. "Would you be so kind as to count these pennies for me please?"
"Oh, wow Rosaleen, you have quite a lot here!" Ben was surprised at how heavy the bags were, "This will take me awhile."
"All right then, I'll come by after lunch," Rosaleen offered.
"Wait, Rosaleen, would you like me to take you to lunch, maybe at Minnie's Cafe?" Ben asked as he squirmed behind the bank counter.
"Sure, that would be great Ben!" Rosaleen bit her lip as she was thrilled, but she didn't want to sound too enthusiastic.
"Great, let me check with Mr. Jensen, I'll be right back."
Ben was relieved that Mr. Jensen agreed to let him go. He told Mr. Jensen about the bags of pennies and Mr. Jensen assured him, he would count them while Ben was out to lunch. Ben couldn't believe his luck, and offered his arm to a waiting Rosaleen and off they left for the Cafe.
Meanwhile, Rosemary was home packing up her kitchen. Dottie closed the Apparel shop for a few hours to help her.
"Dottie, my goodness, how will I ever get this done?" Rosemary seemed flabergasted.
"Take a breath Rosie, and pack one box at a time. Where do you want to start?" Dottie inquired.
"Upstairs, let's do the bedrooms first. We'll leave a few changes of clothes, and pack the rest, and Paul's toys and books."
"Good idea, then we will move to the kitchen and do the same, leaving just a dish setting for each of you and one pot and one pan," Dottie suggested. "That should do the trick."
"Oh Dottie, I am so excited! Lee has been planning this beautiful house for us and now we will be a family of four! I just can't wait!" as Rosemary trotted across the room.
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"All right ladies, the Clearwater Club House is booked for Molly's bridal shower. There is a show we will be attending, which is quite popular and getting rave reviews," Rosemary smiled exuberantly.
"Have you made a reservation for us?" Brenda asked.
"I did, and we are lucky to get in with such a large group. This show is so popular and most of them are sold out. So, ladies, we are all set for Friday night. Those of us who have automobiles can drive and take a few with us.
"Oh, I can't wait!" Rita clapped her hands.
"I can't remember the last time I had a night out on the town with the girls!" Donna grinned.
"This is going to be so fun! Who is the singer?" Carole asked.
Rosemary shook her head, "All I was told was that he is a local person."
"Oh now that's interesting!" Janice added.
"A mystery man! I wonder if we know him?" Kaye pondered.
"I doubt it, we'd know by now. Wouldn't we?" Lucianna looked around at the rest of the ladies.
"Is this a swanky place or can I wear my Sunday best?" inquired Margo.
"I don't know what I'm going to wear. My dress from Dee and Nathan's wedding I'm saving to wear again for Molly and Bill's wedding, but I don't have a dress for going to the Club House," Kenda seemed disappointed.
"The wedding dresses for Flo and Rosaleen are spectacular, but Molly's dress is breathtaking! She has a gorgeous emerald green dress and will wear a soft cream color shoulder wrap. Wait till you see her in it, Bill won't be able to take his eyes off of her!" Dottie gushed.
"Now ladies, all you who still need dresses for the wedding, you should come over to my shop and look for a dress as I just received a shipment of marvelous dresses in all different beautiful colors! As far as out night out on the town, the new styles now are shorter, showing a little leg, so it is a great time to try a new design," Dottie invited. "There will be plenty to choose from!"
"I would love to get a new dress, but with the last two weddings, I've spent enough," Lisa sighed. "So, you'll see me in a dress I've already worn."
"I wouldn't mind checking out the new dresses," Fiona remarked, "especially with the shorter hem. I'd like to wear a new style, maybe I can catch someone's eye," she winked.
Nathan and Lee were also busy planning Bill's bachelor party. "Do we need reservations for the show in Clearwater?" Nathan asked Lee.
"It's taken care of. I've put in our reservation, so we are all set," Lee replied.
"Does Bill think it's going to be just a regular party at Billees?"
"No, he knows we're planning something different, but he hasn't guessed what just yet!"
"We might have to kidnap him," laughed Nathan.
"I've got to find out who will drive. Seems the ladies are going out that night too."
"Let's just ride our horses," Nathan joked.
"Who's the entertainer?" Gunther asked.
"I've never heard of her, but she has quite the following. From what little I know, she leaves the men wanting for more!" Lee grinned.
The men looked at each other with hopeful grins as their eyes lit up. Lee had their full and focused attention.
"This is intriguing," Nathan was a bit hesitant though, "I just don't want to get Dee's ire up, especially being pregnant."
"Neither do I with Rosemary, but I highly doubt it's anything provacative. I don't think Clearwater would permit that. I just want to enjoy a good time out with the boys."
"Did you remember to contact the retired Mounties that Bill worked with?" Nathan was double-checking.
"Yes, but Nathan if you would, please double-check as I want to make sure the reservation is accurate." Bill requested.
"Oh great!" Gunther added, we'll get to see the Mounties that were here helping us with the Toliver gang? Constables Callahan, Meyer, and Palmer?"
"Yes, and you'll meet Christopher Herrmann and John Michaels. They were here helping right after the war. They were a big help tending to the wounded solidiers. They and Bill had some pretty hilarious adventures and it was really a laugh a minute when they shared their stories. But, they also went though some harrowing mishaps that could've cost them their lives too."
"That is what I want to hear. I appreciate the experiences of these men,"Gunther nodded.
"Anyways, I've got to get busy and make sure the crews are doing good and have all their supplies. Let the others know the time is set. Talk to you later," Lee chuckled as he left the RCMP office. This should prove fun he smiled to himself.