CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Lee and Rosemary were just pulling up in the sleigh as Nathan and Elizabeth came out of the Cafe with Bill, and of course, Little Jack, who was still sleeping.
Allie had gone with Robert's family to help him make calls to all the children whose parents had phones. They were going to have everyone pass the message along to the children without phones in their homes, via word of mouth.
The Coulters were jubilant, with faces reddened by the cold and huge smiles of love and happiness...
"It was beautiful and so terribly romantic! We loved it. Thank you, Nathan! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Our pleasure Rosemary!" Nathan smiled. "Lee, was the sleigh, okay to handle?"
"Just like you said, Nathan. I finally got the hang of it! Love it!"
"Elizabeth, Rosemary, does Lee need to take you two and Jack back to your homes before we start the rides for the children? It's getting colder out here by the minute."
"That would be great, Nathan. Lee, would you mind? I really need to get Little Jack down for a proper nap, and out of all this cold," concern was written all over Elizabeth's face.
"What about you, Rosie?"
"That would be wonderful for me too, Lee. I need to change into dry and warmer clothes. The falling snow is so beautiful, but I'm feeling a bit damp all over! And don't worry about us. We'll keep each other company, nice and warm as toast, at home!"
"Then Ladies, home it is! Nathan, what time are the children coming?"
"In about fifteen minutes Lee. And it sounds like they're ALL coming!"
Nathan took Little Jack, gave the sleeping boy a soft kiss, and handed him up to Rosemary. He then tenderly kissed Elizabeth, this time directly on her lips, and lifted her into the sleigh.
Elizabeth knew she would never tire of Nathan's kisses or his touch, and she couldn't help glancing back, smiling, and waving to this man she loved. She also couldn't help notice how very handsome Nathan looked, even in his plain winter clothes. She was truly blessed.
"You all stay safe and warm. No idea when we'll get finished with all the rides. So, don't worry about us!" Nathan's smile was full of charm as he called out to them.
Lee guided the sleigh through town like an expert, got the ladies and Little Jack settled at Elizabeth's, gave Rosemary a huge kiss at the front door, and quickly headed back to town.
Lee couldn't remember the school having so many children. Neither could Nathan or Bill.
Children were everywhere, coming from every direction.
The men were starting to think they were in over their heads.
"Okay, guys, stay calm. We can do this!" insisted Nathan.
"But how, how in the world are we going to make this happen?" That gruff question came from Bill.
"We'll take the smaller ones first. Bill, you'll have to ride with them, so you and Lee can protect them from falling out on either side. You'll probably have to put one on your lap, so we can get more on each ride. That way, we should be able to get four little ones per ride while keeping them safe. Is that doable?"
"Well, what are you going to do?" Bill looked at Nathan with a huge frown.
"I'm going to keep order, organize them into groups of four and get them lined up, so they'll be ready to quickly swap out as soon as you return. Maybe even think of some games for them to play while they're waiting. And I'm going to make sure they're safe! Want to trade, Bill?"
"Hmph! Hadn't even thought of all that. Do you always think of everything?"
"Bill, they're kids! We are going to be in the middle of chaos if we don't do something quick! Believe me, if we don't think of what to do first, they will, and it won't be pretty!"
Nathan sounded very sure of that, as he had first-hand experience.
"Don't want that job! I'll be perfectly fine in the sleigh with Lee, thank you!"
"Ready for sleigh rides, everyone?" Nathan called to the children.
There was a roar of emphatic "Yes's" and "Me's" in response! It was good to see them all so excited about something.
"Then, let's get started! Younger ones first! Line up in front of me! Let's have the older kids to stay up on the Boardwalk. Anybody want to start games while you wait?"
"Robert anxiously raised his hand, "Me, me, me please!"
"Robert, you're in charge. Just be careful, and have fun!"
"Yes, Sir!" Robert practically saluted Nathan back.
In fact, Robert was so pleased, anyone looking on would have thought Nathan had just deputized him!
Nathan and Bill lifted the first group of little ones into the sleigh. Nathan then scooped up the fourth one so he could hand her to Bill after he had gotten settled in the sleigh.
"Hang on tight everyone and have a whole lot of fun!" with that Nathan and the remaining kids cheered them off.
Lee was taking each group through town and then around the pond, in order to bring them back through town, unload them and start the process all over again with another group.
There were lots of giggles and laughs because apparently Bill was telling wild stories and keeping them quite entertained!
Nathan quickly noticed the older kids were being awfully quiet. But when he would glance back at them, they were standing there in perfect innocence.
"Well, that's a bad sign!" Nathan said under his breath.
And then he knew. The snowball hit smack in the middle of his back, and it came with a lot of force.
Fortunately for Nathan, Aaron and Gabe had heard all the sleigh riding commotion and decided they wanted to get in on the fun.
Nathan headed to them, motioning back to the makeshift fort the children had made.
"Snowballs, keep them soft, guys! Don't hurt the kids!"
All three Mounties quickly started to scramble and scoop up the snow around them, building a mound of snowballs, but being careful to not pack them too hard.
"Time out!" Nathan yelled across the street to the kids.
"Here are the rules:
#1) The little ones are off-limits to both sides. Robert, have them sit on the bench in front of the Cafe.
#2) Everybody aim low enough that no windows are broken.
#3) No snowballs allowed to hit above the neck.
#4) All snowballs stop when the sleigh is back in sight."
"Everybody got the rules? Everyone agree?"
A chorus of "Agree's" from both the kids and the Mounties rang out amid the excitement! It was going to be war! Albeit, a much gentler version, of course, than the Mounties would typically have had with each other.
Although the Mounties would have been ashamed to admit it, their experience went way beyond their childhood expertise, as the Mounties were always getting into snowball fights during the winter months. It was their way to let off steam during training.
Essentially these three Mounties prided themselves on being professionals, who were going to have to tone it way down for the kids!
Little did they know Hope Valley kids knew their craft, their snowball craft that is, and they were beginning to show a down-home ruthlessness that might just match the Mountie spirit!
"Hey, what's that? They've got a launcher!" yelled Gabe incredulously.
"Calm down, Gabe, we got this! Nathan, you cover me, and I'll make more snowballs!"
"Got it, Aaron!" called Nathan as he ran to move in front of Aaron.
Nathan and Gabe were taking quite a few hits.
"Boy, these kids can throw! Did you teach Allie?" Gabe was beginning to regret his friend had been such a thorough parent.
"Of course I did, Gabe! And she's pretty good!"
"Well, this is going to go downhill fast if we don't get us a launcher! What have you got in the Office, Nathan? The adults are starting to watch, and this is getting downright embarrassing!"
"Gabe, for Heaven's sake, must you win everything? They're kids wanting to have some fun!"
"Yes, I must! We're Mounties, Nathan! How is this going to look? Beaten by a bunch of kids," Gabe mumbled.
"Oh, alright, Gabe. I'll go inside the Office and find something. Can you please hold the fort till I'm back and watch the children. Their safety, I mean, Gabe!"
"Of course!" Gabe retorted, sounding none too happy about it.
The Parents were already laughing at the Mounties' confusion, and they thought somewhat hasty retreat. But they'd seen nothing yet.
Never challenge a Mountie to anything!
Finally, Nathan returned with his arms full. There was a boot cleaner with a long handle that he turned sideways for Gabe to use as the base for his precious launcher, with a thin rubber strip of material to tie on as the sling. Nathan had refused to bring the heavy-duty strip as it could have done some serious damage. He was also carrying three relatively large panels to take the place of the snowball fort the children had built.
Gabe shrieked his approval, "We're back, kids!"
Because quite frankly, the kids had been in control. But that was going to change if Gabe and Aaron had anything to do with it!
The kids were laughing and whispering, then suddenly everything got very quiet.
"That's not good!" whispered Nathan, then added, "You guys better be ready for anything! Keep making the snowballs."
The Parents had gone inside, mostly to the Cafe, as it had gotten really cold outside, just standing on the Boardwalk. They waved and shouted to the Mounties: "Good luck!" "You guys just might need it!" "The kids are having a blast!" "Thanks for doing all this!" "Thanks for the sleigh rides!" "Thanks for including our children!"
The Mounties waved back their acknowledgment.
Suddenly, Robert yelled out, "One! Two! Three! NOW!"
Instantly, barrages of snowballs were hitting the Mounties, as though they had just suddenly taken flight on their own from behind the kids' fortress.
It was quite the flurry, but the Mounties knew how to hold their fire and take the hits, something the children had not yet learned!
There was laughter all around, and early chants of victory from the children!
But, the Mounties knew, if you were going to throw a snowball blitz, to always make sure you're throwing last!
In fact, that was one of the few things a Mountie would want to be last in.
Nathan, Aaron, and Gabe took the first hits and then hid behind their panels, all the while making three huge stacks of snowballs, which were all hidden from the children's view.
You had to be strategic to win, a good life lesson for all.
Nathan was content for the children to just have fun, and maybe learn a bit of a lesson or two in the process.
But not Aaron and Gabe. They were in it to win! This was War. It didn't matter that they were grown men, and their competition included eight-year-olds!
"Time out!" yelled Nathan suddenly, as he looked up and knew the sleigh would be front and center in a matter of moments.
He walked across the street to get the next round of kids ready to board. And couldn't help but see a mound of extra snowballs off to the side, just waiting to be propelled. These kids were smarter than they were being given credit for!
Nathan grinned at their savvy, and couldn't help but be proud of them. But fair was fair. So, Nathan was not about to snitch and let Aaron and Gabe in on the secret.
He unloaded the children from the sleigh and helped the next group of smaller kids in.
Everyone was squealing with delight. The children getting off the sleigh were just as excited as the ones getting on.
It warmed his heart that Bill and Lee were taking time to make these rides possible for all the children. Elizabeth spent a large portion of her time working so hard to teach and mold them into productive young adults. It was only right that the men contribute something, as well!
From all the laughter, it was clear the men were making the rides full of fun, ensuring a great time for all! The children were obviously having a blast, and apparently Bill and Lee were having just as good a time as the kids!
Nathan once again ensured that the little ones were secured safely away from any possible peril, as he loaded them into the sleigh. Then he quickly ran across the street, back to his "team."
It didn't take Nathan long to realize that Aaron had gone back into his Office and made another makeshift launcher, so he and Gabe could man one on each end. Nathan would have to throw his the good old fashioned way, with lots of arm action. That wasn't a problem for him at all, as he had thrown many a baseball in his day!
Without saying a word, Gabe was goading Robert, in particular, to throw more and more snowballs in rapid succession by positioning himself as an easy target. Aaron caught on and did the same for the rest of the kids, taking the hits as if he were just completely wiped out!
Of course, after Gabe and Aaron figured the kids had to be low on snowball stock (without a word from Nathan), they aggressively pumped their launchers, firing both at the same time, in rapid progression.
The kids were being torpedoed, and Nathan felt so bad for them, he stood back and just threw an occasional snowball, so Aaron and Gabe wouldn't attack him for bailing out on them!
Finally, Robert waved his white handkerchief in defeat. But the kids had had so much fun, and they were also very proud of themselves that they had held their own against their revered Mounties!
Being the honorable sportsman, Nathan crossed the street to graciously shake Robert's hand and congratulate him and the other children for putting up such a strong fight. You had to be proud of both their savvy and their tenacity. He would definitely have to compliment the children to Elizabeth.
But on the other side of the street, you would have thought Aaron and Gabe had won the Gold Medal at the Olympics, the way they were carrying on! But after a not so gentle reminder from Nathan, they came over to also congratulate the kids on a job well done!
After a few minutes, the children and the "Mountie Children" were all playing together, cutting up, teasing, and in general, having a blast while waiting for the sleigh to return.
When Lee actually did glide up with the children in the sleigh, Bill immediately lurched from the sleigh and exited in quite a huff, making a beeline to his house!
"Don't say a word...not a single word!" he threatened the guys with more gruffness than anyone had seen as of late. And by the looks he was giving them, he meant it!
"What's wrong with him?" asked Nathan.
Lee was laughing so hard, he couldn't answer.
"Lee, what's wrong?"
When he was finally able to point to his pants, Nathan understood and couldn't help but burst out laughing!
Lee scooted over, so he could enlighten Nathan on the details without alerting the kids.
"The worst was that it happened...just after we...pulled out! The poor little girl was so bundled up, I don't even think she realized it!"
Lee was still laughing hysterically, and all Nathan could do was join in!
But not before he shared Lee's classified info with Aaron and Gabe, who also fell into hysterical fits of laughter!
"Alright, guys, we've got sleigh rides to give," but the Mounties were laughing so hard and slapping each other on the backs, that the children started laughing, not even knowing why.
Nathan tried to use his sternest voice, "We've got to get ourselves together…before Judge Avery gets back!"
But it still took a few minutes for the men to pull themselves together.
"Okay, the rest of the middle-aged kids next! Line up here in front of me," and Nathan waved his hand toward the sleigh for emphasis, and hopefully speed.
And so, the rides continued, but without Bill.
Nathan dared Aaron and Gabe to say a word to Bill, "If you do, you've got to work with him at least through the next week. And I'm telling you from experience, you'll regret every single moment of it, if not second!"
Lee led everyone in another round of cackles, hoots, and laughter before he pulled the sleigh out for the next ride, proceeding without his partner in crime.
But an hour or so later, Nathan heard Bill's footsteps coming and sternly hushed his men!
"Not a word!" he warned.
Bill finally did saunter back out to the Boardwalk, but in a full change of clothes, and after Lee had made several rounds with the sleigh. So obviously there had been a bath involved!
'What a town,' thought Nathan to himself. 'What a town!'
And then he laughed out loud, "Only in Hope Valley!"