Chapter 5
It was Friday, and the train with Elise's possessions were finally arriving. The day before she asked Lee if she could borrow one of his wagons to move everything from the station to her rowhouse and office. He said, "I've got one better for you". He offered to have two of his workers help move her in, on his dime. Elise was touched and made a note to make sure she repaid him in kind when he and Rosemary were in need of her services.
When she arrived at Colter Lumber to join Lee's guys, she was introduced to Jesse Flynn and Martin Smith, the gentlemen who would be helping her out. Also there was Jesse's wife, Clara. Elise took Clara in, and noticed that she was a beautiful brunette, who was expecting. She laughed as she rubbed her belly. She normally works in the dress shop, but Dr Carter had said that she needed to stay off her feet a little more, so she had been taking it easy. So instead she had been busy getting her and Jesse's new home organized. It turns out they are also in one of the rowhouses.
"When you aren't busy, you will have to meet Fiona."
"Fiona Miller?"
"Yes, that very same one. It said in the article in the Valley Voice that the magazine article about Fiona inspired you to come here. Fiona is an amazing person, and a truly wonderful friend. I really think you would like her."
"I would love to meet her!"
The ladies finished chatting, so Elise, Jesse and Martin heading to the train station. The train pulled in moments after the wagon came to a halt. As soon as the conductor exited one of the passenger cars, Elise was speaking with him about unloading her possessions. He guided her to the box car, opened the door, and the small group started moving the boxes and furniture from the designated area that brought Elise's things to her. Just as they were almost done, the conductor led Elise to the animal car. He pulled the ramp down, and they both walked inside. Moments later, Elise walked out of the car leading a gorgeous black horse, with a patch white on her chest and a white star above its eyes. When Elise had her off the ramp, she spent a moment rubbing the horses head and kissing its nose. It was obvious to Jesse that Elise and the horse were very familiar with each other. When the reunion was over, Elise led the horse over to the wagon, and tied it to the back.
"All set?", Jesse asked.
"Yup, let's go! We need to stop at the livery first, so I can drop her off, then the office, then home!"
The team quickly unloaded the boxes at the office, and then proceeded to go out towards the rowhouses. Jesse and Martin unloaded the furniture, and Elise worked on the boxes. The men were taking her final piece of furniture in, her dresser. The only thing left was a trunk. Elise was able to get it off the back of the wagon and was starting to drag it up the stairs. She heard a horse come up, and she looked up, and the constable was there. He looked striking in his red serge, like a man who could do anything he set his mind out to do.
"That trunk is as big as you are".
"Excuse me, Constable"? Elise's face contorted and turned red, as the comment almost made it sound that she was as big as the trunk – not a flattering comment at all! Nathan thought for a moment, then quickly said, "It wasn't supposed to come out like that".
He dismounted Newton, and came over and picked up the opposite end of the trunk from Elise. "You don't need to do this alone you know," and together, they carried it into the rowhouse.
"It needs to go upstairs". Nathan followed Elise's lead, and a few moments later they were placing the truck in her bedroom. Nathan was looking around uncomfortably, which she noticed, and said "Thank you". They walked back down the stairs and joined Jesse and Martin outside.
"Thank you so much for your help. I am sorry that Mr. Coulter took you away from your work, but I am so appreciative. I never would have been able to do all of that on my own".
"It was no problem. You have a wonderful day", and with that, Jesse and Martin left on the wagon back to the lumber office.
"Thank you, Constable. I appreciate the help".
"It's no problem. That's what I am here for."
Elise walked up to her door, shut it, and walked back down the steps.
"Are you walking into town?"
"I am. I need to make a couple of stops, but I need to swing by the livery first".
"Well, I'm heading into town. Back to my office. Do you mind if I join you?"
"You don't want to ride?", nodding towards Newton.
"He likes to take a break once in a while".
Elise smiled and turned in the direction of town.
"So how is Hope Valley treating you so far?"
"It's a wonderful place. The people have been so welcoming. I was not sure what to expect, being an outsider and all. I think Rosemary's article really helped."
Nathan noticed Elise's appearance. Her hair was wrapped up in a scarf to help hold it back. She was wearing a loose-fitting blouse, tucked into a pair of jodhpurs, and finished up with a pair of riding boots. The outfit accentuated Elise's petiteness. Nathan felt like he towered over her. He felt the need to protect her, but knowing what he knew of her so far, he doubted she would welcome that idea.
All to soon they arrived at the livery. Elise made her way to the stall next to Newton's and Nathan saw what brought Elise into town. A beautiful horse was patiently waiting. She immediately started petting the creature, who was soaking up the attention.
"Wow, what a beautiful horse. Is it yours?" He took his Stetson off his head and hung it from the hook just outside Newton's stall.
"Yes, she arrived today with my belongings. This is Storm. Storm, this is Constable Grant, and his companion Newton" she gently told the horse.
"Storm is an interesting name". He came up to the side of Elise and started to pet the animal.
"The last summer I was home from Queens she was born. Right in the middle of a spring storm. Dad and I helped bring her into the world. Other than her mother, I was the first thing she saw. She has been mine ever since. When I sold the farm, I did not have the heart to sell her, so I moved her to Toronto with me. The boarding fees was worth every penny."
She looked up at Nathan, and he saw the pure love that she had for the animal in her eyes. The depth of them spoke volumes. He suspected that it was moments like this, just her and her horse, were she felt the most at home.
Nathan turned to take his saddle off Newton and brush him down, while Elise started to brush Storm and saddle her up. "It's been a while since she has been ridden, not to mention being on the train for a few days, she needs a good stretch. Where is a good place to take her Constable?"
"There's a nice meadow just about a half mile going south out of town. I can saddle Newton back up and show you…"
"No Constable, that's ok, but thank you. Storm and I are good on our own".
Nathan thought she sounded sad as she spoke, but maybe it was just him wishing she would have said yes to joining her. He thought she was intelligent and kind, and easy on the eyes. She was not a stunning beauty like Elizabeth, but she was very pretty, and the more he was around her, the more he found himself happy to be in her company.
Elise quickly saddled Storm up. Nathan was surprised at how easy Elise made it look considering she was so much shorter than the animal. She finished tightening the cinch just as Nathan closed the door to Newton's stall. They walked out of the livery together in silence. Just outside the door, Elise quickly raised her left leg to the stir-up, which amazed Nathan because it was half as high as Elise was tall, and with one little bounce of her right leg, she expertly swung herself up into the saddle. He thought she must have amazing leg and arm strength to make it look that easy.
Just as she was starting to say, "Constable, it has been a pleasure", Nathan interrupted and said "Do you have plans for dinner?" Elise looked stunned, so Nathan quickly added, "You've been working hard all day, and I'm sure the last thing you want to do is cook. I am not the world's best cook, but Allie and I make do. Well, we haven't died yet…." Elise chuckled and smiled. "And I know Allie would love to see you. She has not stopped talking about you. If not, that's ok too…" His eyes fell to the ground, nervous she would say no. He was absentmindedly fidgeting with his Stetson, which Elise did not miss.
"That would be nice. Thank you".
Nathan's head shot back up, surprised that she agreed to dinner. "How does 6:30 sound?"
"6:30 sounds perfect. Can I bring anything?"
"Just yourself".
Elise nodded. "OK, I'll see you at 6:30".
Nathan put his Stetson back on his head, looked up, tipped his hat to her, and said, "Enjoy your ride". She turned and trotted down the road in the direction that Nathan had sent her.
Nathan headed to his office to work on his daily reports. His step was a little lighter then normal, a little more pep in it. He had the nerve to ask the girl to join them for dinner, and she said yes. Things were starting looking up!
