Chapter 4 – In need of a book

The following days were busy for Elise. She loved sitting on her steps in the morning, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, and watching the sun rise over the valley. In the evening, if she had time, she ended her days sitting on her back steps, watching the sun disappear behind the mountains. She was enjoying the simple things, the things there were no time for when she was in Toronto.

She had contacted the friend who was going to send her belongings on the train, and everything would arrive at the end of the week. In preparation of everything arriving, she scrubbed her rowhouse and office down and came up with the design of where she wanted everything placed. She knew that would make things so much easier when her things arrived. She was visiting the mercantile daily, picking up cleaning supplies, paint, and groceries. She thought Ned and Florence Yost were a sweet couple, and as they were recently married, they were interested in sitting down with her to make sure their affairs were in order since they both had children from their first marriages, and they wanted to make sure everyone was protected in the event something happened to one of them.

She was starting to make the rounds to the other businesses in town. She ventured into the dress shop one day and was excited to discover that they offered some of the newer trends she was able to find in Toronto. She decided to have a couple of new suits made for her, along with some more casual outfits. The girls in the shop were ecstatic to have someone come in that would be interested in modeling the latest styles, and they were ready to get to work to customize what their customer wanted.

The story that Rosemary had written about Elise was thoughtful and tasteful, and when it was published, she was pleased that people were curious about her and the services she was going to be able to offer to them. After less then a week, things were looking up for her and her venture.

Elise was planning on eating at the café that night for dinner, but before heading there, she decided to stop by the library and see what it had to offer. When she entered, she noticed that it was small, but charming. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books, and a table in the center. Directly across from the door was a beautiful wood plaque that quoted Emerson - "Always do what you are afraid to do". She was looking at it, when she heard a noise off to the right, and she realized she was not alone.

Playing on the floor with his toys was a little blond head boy. Elise bent down. "Hi little guy. You playing with your horse? And your… doll?" Elise thought it looked a great deal like a Mountie but didn't want to confuse the little boy.

"Na'tan", he said, waving the doll/Mountie at her.

"Oh, hello", said the most beautiful voice Elise thought she had ever heard. As she stood up, she was able to take in the woman that the voice belonged to. She was one of the most striking women she had ever seen. Everything about her was perfect - her hair, her clothes, even if they were more conservative then what Elise wore. She could tell that style and grace came naturally to her, and in comparison, Elise felt like little a shadow of herself.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in. Can I help you find something?"

"I'm just looking for something to keep me occupied this evening. My things haven't arrived yet, which includes all of my books."

"Well, if you would allow me to make a suggestion, this is a new book, you might find it interesting", and the woman handed the book to Elise. She looked at the title, "A Single Mother on the Fronter", by Elizabeth Thornton.

"Isn't the schoolteachers name Elizabeth Thornton?"

"Yes, it is. And I am her. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss?"

"Elise Monteith. It is also a pleasure. I've heard wonderful things about you".

"And I you! Allie came to school earlier this week so excited because the new barrister in town is from the same town that Anne of Green Gables is about. She hasn't stopped talking about it". Elise noticed that Mrs. Thornton was studying her. She felt her insecurities start to rise, but she just smiled, trying to cover up the fact that she felt like half a woman.

"Yes, I am from Cavandish. It truly is a magical place." Trying to change the subject, she turned back to the little boy. "Is this your son? He's very handsome".

"Thank you. This is Little Jack. Jack, can you say hello to Miss Monteith?"

"Alo Miz Mon-tith," Jack said while continuing to play.

"Well, I will let you get back to doing what you were doing. I look forward to reading this. Have a good evening". Elise escaped the library as quickly as she could. She took a couple of big breathes, then made her way to the café.

She entered the café and found a table in a corner. Her appetite had disappeared after her experience in the library, but she knew she needed to eat something. Minnie came over with a glass of lemonade, and Elise requested a bowl of the chili and some corn bread.

Against her better judgement, she opened the Mrs. Thornton's novel and started to read.

Elise wasn't able to put the book down. She was captivated by it, but it wasn't because of the story.

It was because the hero sounded like and resembled Constable Nathan Grant.