Chapter 2
Bill was in the kitchen at the café when Nathan poked his head through the curtain the morning of April 5th. "Can I get some coffee?"
"You can get it yourself. I'm kind of busy" Bill was plating eggs, bacon and toast and Minnie was busy taking plates into the dining room.
"Good morning Nathan. Isn't it a beautiful day?" Minnie asked as she breezed by Nathan.
"Yes, it is Minnie, gorgeous day". Turning his direction back to Bill, Nathan asked, "Still can't find anything out on EJ Monteith?"
"No, it almost like he was born yesterday. Or just got his law degree. I cannot find any cases tried by him, where he went to school, nothing. And he is arriving today. For all we know a major criminal is about to arrive in Hope Valley and were putting him up in a rowhouse".
"Aren't you being a little dramatic Bill?"
"I don't know why you aren't being dramatic enough! We have been dealing with swindlers and Pinkertons for at least the last 6 months, and you aren't worried? Who is this guy?"
"I guess we will find out by the end of the day. Time to go do my rounds. Don't stress out too much about it, Bill. I can't come visit you in the infirmary because you've made yourself sick if I have to keep an eye out on the new guy in town". Nathan placed his cup in the sink and smiled his traditional crooked smile as he let himself out the back door of the café.
The view from the train car was stunning, even if the seat was not. Choosing a standard seat in coach probably was not the smartest idea, but it was the cheapest way to get to Hope Valley the fastest. Elise would have loved to have gotten a sleeper car, but not knowing how long it would take to build a clientele had her pinching her pennies.
No matter what, it was worth it. The landscape was amazing, and she felt secure in the decision she made so many years ago to stand on her own two feet and follow her dreams. She would always miss home, but it was not the same after her parents passed. Selling their farm allowed her to follow her dreams – dreams of doing more for the world around her. Unlike her friends from school, Elise did not study to be a teacher or focus on getting married and having children. She wanted more. She always wanted to follow in her fathers' footsteps, minus the small farm he ran with her mother, but that was not appropriate for a woman. So, she decided to do what was the closest to that, which was study the law.
"Next stop, Hope Valley" the conductor announced. Elise could see the mountains off in the distance, and she was excited to step off the train and see what her new home would be like. Imagine waking up to see mountains every day? You do not see those back east. In the distance, she could see a tiny hamlet on the horizon, and she said to herself "Welcome home".
A few minutes later, the train rolled to a stop at the Hope Valley station. Elise quickly secured her hat to her head and grabbed her suitcase and briefcase. She was traveling light. Once she got settled, she was going to contact her college roommate, and the rest of her belongings were going to be shipped to her. She imagined she looked like a wrinkled mess from sitting in the same seat for the last 50 some hours, but she was not there to make a fashion statement. She was there to practice law. She was the new barrister in Hope Valley!
She stepped off the train, and the sun was so bright she had to shield her eyes. The air still had a briskness to it, but it felt good hitting her lungs after sitting on the train for so long. She walked into the station, hoping that whoever had received her letter would meet her there. Several other people had also exited the train and were greeted with hugs and welcomes. Elise silently looked around and approached the ticket counter and inquired on the direction into Hope Valley. Before exiting the station, Elise reached into the side pocket of her briefcase, and pulled out her tinted glasses. They were a small extravagance she allowed herself, and they were a great conversation starter. She once again straighten her hat, and reached down and grabbed her suitcase and briefcase, and headed on foot into Hope Valley.
Nathan and Newton were on the road towards the train station and the new community that housed many of the new factory workers, when in the distance he noticed a figure walking down the road. Seeing walkers come into town was not abnormal, but the vision in front of him was different then what he had seen before. He almost thought it was Fiona, but she was too short, and more formal than the towns free spirit. It was a woman wearing a suit, but the skirt was at the same length that Fiona and several of the younger women had been wearing theirs, her dark hair secured in an updo by the hat on her head, carrying two bags and wearing a pair of sunglasses, a lot like Rosemary Coulter's. As the distance closed between them, Nathan slowed, noticing that he had never seen her before.
"Good afternoon, miss. Can I help you?"
"Good afternoon Constable. I am still on the road to Hope Valley, right?"
Nathan dismounted Newton, realizing that this newcomer was exactly that. Once on the ground, he noticed her stature. She was a tiny little thing. She could not be any more than 5'2", but full of pride and confidence. She was easily the shortest woman in Hope Valley, but what she lacked in height she made up in spunk. Hope Valley was full of ladies with spunk, but he could tell on first sight that this one was different – and he was not sure if that was good or bad.
"Yes, Hope Valley is just about a half mile down the road. I am Constable Nathan Grant, and its my pleasure to welcome you to Hope Valley. And you are?" Nathan removed his right glove as he raised his hand in greeting.
Elise lowered her suitcase to the ground and raised her right hand up to greet the Mountie "Elise Monteith, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Constable".
"Elise Monteith… You wouldn't happen to be EJ Monteith would you?"
"That is exactly who I am". Elise was glad she had her glasses on, as she knew her eyes were twinkling from the humor of knowing that her name had confused the handsome Constable. When he had dismounted his horse, Elise had immediately noticed his tall, lean build. He was easily a full foot taller than she was, and he had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. They reminded her of home, where the sky met the sea, and sometimes you couldn't tell where one stopped and the other started.
"So, you are the new barrister?"
"That I am constable. You seem surprised?"
"Pleasantly so. I think most of us were expecting a man."
"I would like to say that surprised me, but unfortunately, it does not."
The sound of a wagon was approaching, and Nathan turned to see who it was and move Newton out of the path. He also used his other arm to help guide Ms. Monteith out of the road. He noticed it was Lee, running behind since he should have already picked up his passenger.
"Nathan, I'm late to the train station. Jesse had the wagon and Rosemary took the car to Buxton to meet up with a source, and I'm sure the new "barrister" is growing more impatient by the minute" Lee stated animatedly as he sometimes does. He noticed the young woman standing next to Nathan and realized that he did not recognize her. "I'm sorry miss, please forgive me." He jumps down from the wagon to introduce himself and reaches out to greet her. "I am Lee Coulter, Mayor of Hope Valley and owner of Coulter Lumber. And you are?"
"Elise. Elise Monteith", her arm reaching out to his.
Lee's eyebrows shot up and is rendered speechless for a moment.
"She's the new barrister" Nathan piped in.
Lee looked over to his friend, and said "I can see that", quickly lowered his eyebrows, regained his composure, and turned back to the newest citizen of Hope Valley. "I need to apologize miss, I inserted my foot into my mouth, and for that I am truly sorry."
"There is no harm done Mayor. I maybe a woman, but I am much stronger than I look. It takes a lot to rattle me."
"Well, in that case, I think you may fit in here just fine. Well, why don't we let Nathan get back to his rounds, and I will get you into town. Let me take your bags. Is this all you have or is there more at the station?"
"The rest is going to be shipped from Toronto within the next few days, thank you". Lee turned with the bags to put them in the back of the wagon.
Elise walked over to the wagon and as she started to lift herself into it, she felt a hand on hers and another hand gently land on her back to help lift her in. She turned her face to see the Constables was mere inches from her own. Once she was seated, she lowered her glasses, and looked at the gentleman who assisted her. She got a good look of his face and eyes, and she thought to herself, he was probably the most handsome man she had ever met.
Nathan had noticed that the wagon was taller than Ms. Monteith was, and he immediately felt he needed to assist her up to the seat. It was not planned, and seconds after making the decision, he touched her hand, and through his glove, he felt a twinge of electricity shoot through his body. It rippled through and intensified as he laid his hand on her back. He looked at her once she was in the seat, only to see her lower her glasses and he was able to take in the surprise that filled her eyes, and notice that they were a deep, dark chocolate color.
Lee clapped his hands and broke in "Well, lets get you into town". He lifted himself up on to the seat and grabbed the reins. "Nathan, lets meet up after your rounds".
Nathan mentally shook himself, turned and mounted Newton. He quickly turned the horse back towards the wagon, responded "Sure." He looked back towards Miss Monteith and said "Welcome to Hope Valley", tipped his hat, and turned back in the direction he was heading earlier.
Lee pulled the wagon in front of the office that had been pinpointed for the new barrister, pending that she felt it would work for her. It was right next door to the Office of Judge William Avery. Lee helped Elise down from the wagon, handed her the key to the door, and allowed her to enter.
"I know its not fancy, but it hasn't been used in a while. We did give it a good cleaning, but there is room for improvement."
Elise entered the room, and immediately took in the many windows that allowed light to filter in. There was a desk and chair in the middle of the room, bookshelves along one wall, but the space was good. There was room to create a small waiting area, possibly a reception area, if the practice did well, and the walls were easy enough to spruce up with a little paint.
"It will work just fine Mayor. There is a lot of potential here."
Lee smiled. "Good, I'm glad".
Just then, footsteps were heard coming up the steps, and none other then Bill Avery walked through the open door.
"I thought I heard voices over here." Bill noticed Elise, peeked around to look for the barrister, and his eyes slowly rested back on Elise.
"Judge Bill Avery, I would like to introduce you to Elise Monteith, our new barrister".
Bills mouth slightly dropped, and he whispered, "It's a woman".
Elise, with her keen sense of hearing, reached out her hand and said, "Yes I am", and smiled in amusement.
Bill stepped forward and shook Elise's hand. "I am very sorry about that. With as progressive as out little town is, it still surprises me sometimes. Plus, I am really good at speaking before I think and putting my foot in my mouth".
"That must be a trend around here" Elise joked. Bill looked at Lee as he snickered. She was new, but she was a quick learner.
"Let me make it up to you, Miss Monteith. Why don't I cook dinner, to welcome you to Hope Valley? Just a small dinner party. I own the café at the end of the street, so we can do it there. Lee, are you and Rosemary available to night?"
"We are. And she already met Nathan. Maybe he and Allie could join us" Lee suggested.
"That sounds like a great! Would that work for you?"
At the mention of Nathan and Allie, Elise quickly realized that Allie must be the constable's wife or significant other. Of course, the good looking constable would be attached. Unless he turned out to have no personality or was just not a pleasant person in general, how could that handsome man not be lucky in love?
"That would be wonderful. Thank you for being so welcoming. I am sure this is a change for you, but I appreciate all that you have done" Elise said, her voice full of emotion. "This has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and" her voice slightly broke, "You have no idea how much I appreciate your kindness. Even if I am not a man."
Both Lee and Bill laughed, glad that the awkwardness was finally broken. Lee then said, "Why don't we get you out to your row house so you can get settled and refreshed before Bill amazes you with his culinary skills." He gestured towards the door, and the three of them stepped out into the street.
