CHAPTER THREE

To say Allie was excited was quite the understatement. Elizabeth had never seen her so thrilled!

After telling Allie their plans, Elizabeth went back to her house to meet with Laura, whom she had run into at the Mercantile. She helped her get Little Jack settled, and then dressed quickly in one of her best dressy outfits.

Running down the stairs and throwing tons of kisses to Little Jack, Elizabeth grabbed him up for one last hug and kiss. "Little Jack, you be a very good boy for Laura, and Mama will be home real soon!" She reluctantly handed him to Laura and reminded her, "Make sure he eats his snacks and takes a long nap. If he cries a bit, just leave him a minute or so and he'll go back to sleep on his own. And Laura, if you need anything, Mr. Coulter will be home at noon, and he'll be happy to help. Oh, and Laura, I left a new teaching manual on my desk, you might want to look at."

"Everything will be fine, Mrs. Thornton! I promise," smiled Laura, holding on tightly to the squirming toddler.

"Wait, can't leave without one very last kiss from my sweet boy! Love you so much Little Jack!" and she blew even more kisses as she backed out the front door to go get Allie.

Allie was truly elated over their adventure, and she had dressed in her very best dress, as she had said this was her first official Ladies Day out. She was also wearing the charm bracelet her uncle had given her last Christmas. Elizabeth smiled and noticed Allie had even tied her hair back with a matching ribbon, which was an attention to detail rarely made by Allie.

She looked adorable and so excited when Rosemary pulled up in front of Nathan's row house in Lee's car.

Rosemary was dressed to the nines as usual and looked like a fashionista in her new rose-colored ensemble that she herself had designed and made. The outfit reeked of both money and style. Elizabeth had changed into a pale blue day dress with matching jacket and detailed trim, more subtle than Rosemary's choice, but also very stylish and perfect for lunch and shopping.

But instead of the outfit, it was the air of jubilance that swirled about Elizabeth that Rosemary first noticed. There was no doubt about it. Her best friend was utterly, totally, completely in love - and it was a joy to behold!

Rosemary was going to have to be on her best behavior today, without teasing. Allie would be sitting just behind them in the backseat, and Elizabeth had warned her that she wasn't quite sure just what Allie knew about their budding relationship.

So on to other topics, which was never a problem for Rosemary.

As they drove out of Hope Valley, several people smiled and waved at them, quickly figuring out they were off for a well-deserved outing, and knowing Rosemary, it probably involved shopping of some sort.

Elizabeth and Allie waved as Rosemary loudly tooted the horn.

Embarrassingly, Elizabeth thought, Nathan had to have heard all the commotion! But surely, he was getting used to Rosemary's theatrics by now. Everyone else in town had!

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and though a little chilly, their spirits couldn't help but be raised. As Elizabeth turned slightly, she noticed that Allie was suddenly very quiet in the back seat.

When she turned further to check on Allie, she saw a tear form in her right eye. Allie quickly wiped it away. Elizabeth acted as though she hadn't noticed, and instead brightly asked, "Allie, is everything alright back there?"

"I'm so happy we are doing this, Mrs. Thornton! But I'm still worried a little about my Uncle Nathan. He's different. He's reading me "Five Children and It." It's a terrific story about a Sand Fairy who grants wishes. But the wishes don't always turn out like the children think they will. I think it's written by someone called E. Nessit?"

"E. Nesbit. The E stands for her first name, Edith, but she doesn't use it for her books. She lives in England and writes a lot of poetry, too." explained her Teacher. "My favorite quote from that particular book is 'For really there is nothing like wings for getting you into trouble. But, on the other hand, if you are in trouble, there is nothing like wings for getting you out of it.'" Do you know what the 'wings' are, Allie?" (1*)

"I think maybe it's our imagination?"

"Very good, either our imagination or perhaps even our minds!"

"Well, Uncle Nathan says it's important to read a lot of different authors. Anyway, it was almost like Uncle Nathan wasn't even there last night. Like the words were just coming out of his mouth, without him even hearing them. And he barely touched his dinner. I think he's worried about what happened to that Mountie and maybe his family? I think he has to go talk to them."

"Oh, Allie, I know your Uncle is dealing with a lot because of all this. If we just give him some time and space to work through it, he'll get back to his normal self. He loves you so much, Allie, and would never want you to worry. I think we're just going to have to use our imagination and minds to believe he is going to be himself again, real soon, just like in the book. He was thrilled about our outing today. What do you say, let's enjoy today for him - can you do that, Allie?" asked Elizabeth tenderly.

"But do you think Uncle Nathan will really be himself again?" Allie asked quietly and doubtfully.

"Look at me, Allie. I promise you he will. We just have to believe it!" Their eyes met for a moment in understanding, and finally, that beautiful smile returned to Allie's pretty face.

It was at that very moment that Rosemary broke out singing one of her favorite songs! Elizabeth and Allie quickly joined in. Thank goodness, it was a show tune they both knew.

Rosemary turned to see Elizabeth's face and noticed a tiny bit of worry that no one other than Rosemary would ever pick up on. But true to Elizabeth's positive nature, she was smiling through it.

And in that instant of seeing Elizabeth's deep resolve, all fears about Nathan's job were erased in Rosemary's mind. "Nathan truly belongs with Elizabeth, and Elizabeth truly belongs with Nathan." she thought silently. "And they will tunnel through any obstacles together, just like Lee and I do."

Rosemary also realized in that instant that she and Lee would be gaining two new family members in Nathan and Allie because Elizabeth and Little Jack were already indeed family. That filled Rosemary with anticipation and joy. The merging of this beautiful couple was going to expand both Elizabeth and Nathan's Families and the Coulter Family as well!

Back in Hope Valley, Nathan stood and turned from his desk. Running his long fingers through his dark hair, he felt as though he needed a moment of air. So, he walked to the doorway, leaving Bill and Constable Latham to continue the conversation.

Constable Aaron Latham was the former partner of Constable James Crawford, the deceased Mountie. He had been assigned to stay in Hope Valley and help in the aftermath of the shooting.

Nathan had anguished over his ongoing dilemma all through his sleeplessness last night.

Looking out over the town Nathan had come to love, he knew at once what he had to do. He had to protect the reputation and legacy of the Mountie, who had given his life in service.

Turning and looking directly at Bill and Latham, he gently said, "This report isn't going to work the way we've written it. I don't condone lying, but..."

Bill cleared his throat loudly.

"Point taken, Bill. With one exception," remembering his ploy to get Lucas out of the way so that he could spend a little time with Elizabeth at the Saloon. "But don't they say 'all is fair in love and war?' Granted, that wasn't my finest hour! Besides, it was either that or I would have decked him, and I didn't want you throwing me back in jail again!"

Nathan was pointedly staring straight at Bill, through narrowed eyes.

Bill chuckled at that, and poor Aaron was just looking at them both puzzled, not having a clue as to what they were referring to here.

"Judge Avery threw you in jail?" he asked, nonplussed!

"Well, not my finest hour either," Bill said, laughing. "I guess we're even, Nathan!"

"No, Bill not even. Not even close! Not till you've spent a night on that thing you call a bed, behind those bars for the whole town to see! Then, maybe we'll be even."

"Still a little touchy, aren't we?"

Nathan gave Bill an exasperated look.

"Bill, back to the matter at hand. Focus! If we return this report as we've written it, think about what it does to the reputation of Constable Crawford. That's to say nothing of the impact on his family and friends. He's already given his life in service. The Constable's reputation is all he has left on this Earth, and it's all his family has left, along with their memories."

And then Nathan's voice grew more forceful, "It appears to me, God has entrusted the Constable's reputation on this side to us. How do we make this right, Gentlemen, without sacrificing our ethics and morals? Can't we just state the facts and leave everything else for the Oversight Committee to fill in as they see fit? Sure, he made a move that shouldn't have been made, but he was young, and he has given his life in payment for that mistake. He shouldn't have to give more. And is that even our judgment call to make? I just can't live with myself if we destroy his reputation as well."

There was stillness, then a look of relief on the Mountie's face who had been the partner of the deceased. Bill sat silently in consternation, and Nathan wasn't sure just how he would react to what he had just said.

Then Bill spoke gruffly, "You know, Nathan, that may be the smartest thing I've heard all day," his eyes were pensive, and he paused a moment. Then suddenly, he lifted the pages they had worked on all morning into the air and forcefully ripped them to shreds. "Let's take a break, grab some lunch at the Saloon, and come back with a fresh perspective. Maybe then we can look at all this a bit differently. We'll still stick to the facts, but perhaps we can be a little more creative in how we present them."

Nathan looked at Bill gratefully and suddenly felt as though he could breathe again. Bill had been a Mountie and once a Mountie, always a Mountie. He knew precisely the anguish Nathan was going through over this.

As the three of them headed out the door for lunch, Nathan slapped his hand across Bill's back, thinking about how he had never before had a partner like this, or a friend.

Unknown to Nathan, although he was hoping so, the afternoon was going beautifully for the ladies.

The Buxton shops were full of beautiful things, many handmade dresses, that were fashioned in the latest style. And oh, the hats! Rosemary was particularly fond of the magnificent hats! She even found one that perfectly matched the outfit she was wearing, and of course, added it to her stack of purchases.

Lee was going to have to pay dearly for this little excursion because Rosemary wanted everything she saw and grabbed most of it to take home.

Although Elizabeth couldn't help but notice that Rosemary was the happiest when she was looking to find something special for Allie.

Allie initially leaned toward the more understated pieces, but Rosemary wasn't having that.

"Oh, look at this pattern, Allie. It's precious, and the color is perfect with your eyes! She'll try that! Oh, and these also…" she announced to the Sales Clerk who was helping them as she lifted the hangers that held three of the most beautiful frocks for a ten-year-old child, Elizabeth had ever seen, except of course those she had grown up with, in Hamilton.

Buxton had come a long way in their fashion choices, Elizabeth even caught herself eyeing a purple dress and coat that were stunning in their detail, and she couldn't help wonder what Nathan would say if he saw her in them.

When she held the dress up to herself in front of the long mirror, Rosemary let out a little shriek, "Oh, Elizabeth, that could not be more perfect for you. Here try it on now, before I have to try it on, myself! You do that, and I'll check on Allie!"

And Rosemary was right. When she tried the dress on in the tiny but elegant dressing area, a feeling came over Elizabeth that she realized she had not felt since Jack. She knew she was trying this dress on and hoping to please Nathan, just like she had tried dresses on hoping to please Jack.

And for the first time since Jack, instead of sadness, the thought of the two most important men in her life, Jack and Nathan, made her face break out in a broad smile, and her heart warmed just thinking of them both.

Elizabeth also knew that wherever Jack was in Heaven, he was happy that she could smile that same smile she had smiled for him, again: a genuine, joyful smile, instead of those tight, constrained ones she had forced after Jack was first gone.

Why had she fought this for so long? She had been drawn to Nathan from that first day. Elizabeth knew she had to be sure, not only for her sake but for Little Jack's sake as well. But deep inside, she knew the biggest reason was that she had to be sure of herself, that she could love another man, again, completely and fully. She had known it wouldn't be fair any other way.

Every day she had experienced after that first introduction with Nathan, had brought her closer to the realization that she could love again and that Nathan was the one. The one for her and the one for Little Jack. And now she was sure, without any reservation or hesitation, about everything. She not only loved Nathan, she loved him completely.

In the depths of her heart, she knew that Nathan was also the one Jack would want for them both, the only one he would want for them. And more importantly, she knew Nathan was the one God had brought to her. Somehow, she knew all of this was meant to be. That there was a Grand Plan, and she and Nathan were meant to be, just as surely as she and Jack had been meant to be.

As she made her way out of the dressing room, Rosemary gave a little gasp, and Elizabeth turned to see Allie modeling a purple printed frock with a sweet purple coat that looked like it had been made to go perfectly with Elizabeth's outfit.

"Allie, you look beautiful!"

"Mrs. Thornton, you look beautiful."

They said it precisely at the same time, and they laughed and started to giggle together.

Rosemary laughed too and rose from her chair to join them in a hug, 'You two look perfectly stunning! I don't know who is more beautiful. All I can say, Nathan is one lucky man!"

She turned to the Clerk. "These two are my treat! Just put them on my tab and if we can tear these two "models" out of their gorgeous outfits, box them up with great big bows, please!"

There had been no arguing with Rosemary. Elizabeth knew better. Instead, the trio headed off to lunch as the two purple dresses with matching coats were wrapped into big 'boxes tied with great big bows,' per Rosemary's instruction, along with all the other things Rosemary, Elizabeth, and Allie had purchased.

Rosemary found a little French Bistro just down the street, that was charming, and there were the most delicious aromas coming from inside. Allie was fascinated by watching all the elegantly dressed customers as they entered and exited.

There were white linen tablecloths with matching napkins embroidered with the name of the Bistro and a cut-glass vase of baby pink roses in the center of each table. Everything about it was perfect for their Ladies Lunch.

After they were seated by the Maitre D, who was particularly charmed to be seating the three beautiful ladies, they all quickly turned their attention to the elegant menus in front of them, not realizing how hungry they had gotten. Shopping was hard work!

Most of the menu was in French, so Elizabeth and Rosemary interpreted for Allie, and finally, they had all made their decisions.

Rosemary ordered her favorite Salmon in Papillote, Elizabeth ordered a Crab Quiche with Salad and Allie decided on a Fried Fish Filet with Creme Sauce and Frits. The lunch was lovely, and there was no shortage of girl talk, along with a lot of laughter.

Elizabeth and Rosemary couldn't help but notice how comfortable Allie felt in this environment and that she was on her best behavior. Both wondered how Nathan had managed to teach her the ins and outs of fine dining. But teach her he had, and truth be told, they were quite impressed!

They told stories and laughed over their lunch, not forgetting to eat, for their food was delicious. Rosemary had outdone herself in her selection of restaurants.

But when the waiter came for their Dessert order, Allie was looking a bit wistful, and they remembered their promise of a visit to the Ice Cream Shoppe they had noticed as they entered the town.

They quickly thanked the waiter, paid him, and excused themselves. Then they headed down the street to collect all their new purchases, promising Allie they would stop to get Ice Cream just as they left town.

But on the way, Allie noticed a leather pouch in a shop window, some sort of tool pouch it seemed.

Allie turned to explain with a knowing look, "It's a Woodworker's Pouch, and Uncle Nathan doesn't have one. I wonder how much it is, I've been saving my money for his Birthday, but I didn't know what I could get him in Hope Valley. Do you think we could step inside and ask?"

"Of course!" offered Rosemary, as Elizabeth realized she didn't even know when Nathan's Birthday was.

On second thought, Rosemary was getting a bit nervous because she knew how to sum up a shop, and this particular shop was an expensive one, a most expensive one.

'Rosemary,' she thought, 'when are you ever going to learn to think before you speak? The child is going to be devastated.'

Inside, the shop's heady mixed scent of rich supple tanned leather and fragrant aromatic tobacco enveloped them.

The Clerk was a tall, good looking man who appeared to be in his late 40s, and Allie headed straight toward him on a mission.

In a very adult voice, Allie formally asked, "Sir, could you please tell me how much the leather Woodworker's Pouch in the window costs?"

"The Woodworker's Pouch? Most certainly. But may I ask, how did you know that was a Woodworker's Pouch? Not many people do, you know."

"Oh, my Uncle Nathan loves to work with wood in his spare time. That is if he gets any spare time, he's a Mountie, you know, and they stay pretty busy…" as she scrunched up her nose.

"I see… well, just how much were you thinking to spend?"

"I've saved $1.84 from all my chores and some extra babysitting through the year. I have the cash with me if that's enough," Allie spoke directly to him in a very business-like tone, much too knowing for her age.

"Well," he said, studying her carefully. "That's funny… that's exactly what it costs, including wrapping. Shall I wrap it for the young lady?"

Her eyes lit up! "Oh, yes, please! My Uncle Nathan will be so happy. I've never been able to give him such a good surprise!"

Allie's face was radiant! Elizabeth and Rosemary smiled apologetically at the Clerk from over Allie's head with gratitude. Both knew that $1.84 barely covered the cost of this magnificent item, much less the price.

The Clerk simply nodded back and said to Allie, "You know a Mountie saved my life once. I can't imagine a better home for it, or a luckier Uncle." he smiled. "You have exquisite taste!"

Rosemary didn't doubt that for one minute! This Pouch was an exquisite piece of handiwork, and as she had deduced before, they were standing in a very high-end luxury shop.

The gentleman took several minutes to write a somewhat lengthy note on the shop's formal stationery. He then placed it in an envelope embossed with what appeared to be a crest, tucked it inside the box, finished the wrapping, tied it all up with a leather cord, and handed the masterpiece down to Allie, then knelt to her level.

"Young Lady, you are something special, and I want you to thank your Uncle for his service when you give this to him. You tell him that Mr. George W. Lawrence made that himself. It's an original and fairly rare. You see, I know for sure that he only made two of these. I'm his son, George A. Lawrence, and I have the other one. Will you be sure to tell your Uncle?"

"Oh, yes, Sir!" Allie enthusiastically answered. And her smile was jubilant as they turned to go out the door. But no more triumphant than the Clerk who had just made this somewhat miraculous or some would say unwise 'gifted sale.'

Both Elizabeth and Rosemary looked back at him with incredulous, but knowing smiles. He gave them a wink in return and held the door open for them as they left his shop.

"Ladies, you must visit again whenever you are back in town, and please bring the young lady."

Not recognizing the gentleman's name, Elizabeth and Rosemary didn't have an inkling that he was the heir to a company that was a mainstay in the leather industry for all of North America. Or that he would soon be returning to their massive headquarters in Portland. Still, the smile Allie had brought to his face persistently lasted all afternoon.

When the car was finally loaded (and it was fully loaded), Rosemary headed to the Ice Cream Shoppe, where they all got out and bought Ice Cream Cones.

Allie was so happy, and through the licks on her Cone, she managed to say "I've never had a Ladies Day before, but this is the happiest day I've ever had, away from Uncle Nathan, I mean. Thank you, Mrs. Coulter, thank you, Mrs. Thornton," With their free arms they both hugged Allie, and both wished it could have been a bigger one. But all three had double-dipped Ice Cream Cones to balance! They were laughing as they did so.

It had been a perfect day, and exactly what all three of them had needed.

They finally headed out of town toward the road to Hope Valley and chatted with giggles and laughter all along the way.

It was starting to get dark as they arrived in Hope Valley, but Elizabeth noticed Nathan was still at his office.

"Rosemary, why don't you let Allie and me off here, and we'll walk home with Nathan."

"But Elizabeth, what about all these packages? Just what am I supposed to do?" wailed Rosemary

"Oh, just leave them in the car till we get there, and we'll do all the unloading, even yours. I promise!"

'Well, this driver's not going to refuse that. See you two in a bit. It's been so much fun, Ladies!" to which they all agreed, with thanks all around. Rosemary waved goodbye as she took off toward her row house.

(1*) E. Nesbit, Five Children and It, 1902, Public Domain