Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 2, Page 16

Allie brought the catalog home from the Mercantile when she was done working Saturday, but she hadn't found a time to show Oma yet without her Dad or Dee close by. Now though after church, Dee had invited her Dad over to Faith's house to write up invitations to their wedding. At home, Emily was in the kitchen preparing their Sunday dinner.

"Oma?" Allie called.

"Down here angel." Emily answered.

Allie came down the stairs with the catalog she borrowed from Mr. Yost. "Oma, here is the catalog you asked for. Mr. Yost said that if we ordered now, we might not get it in time for the engagement dinner party, but there are some nice things. I did see some things at the Mercantile though that might be a good gift."

Emily wiped her hands on her apron and sat at the table with Allie to look through the catalog. "Ya, there are some very nice items in this catalog, but instead maybe I can order something for Christmas from this catalog. I think I need to walk over to the Mercantile tomorrow and see what they have now for the party."

"Oma, look at this," Allie said excitedly as she opened the page to the beautiful tablecloths, serving plates, vases, silver, china, and candy dishes just to name a few items.

"You like Allie? I have so many of these in my handsome mahogany hutch that your Dad built me. It's back at the farm. I told Jack I'd be back for it sometime when I have my own place should I decide to stay here," Emily shared with Allie.

"You are going to stay here aren't you Oma?" Allie looked lovingly at Emily.

"I don't think you can get rid of me that easy, ya?" Emily laughed as she hugged Allie.

"I remember that hutch. I loved to look at all the knick-knacks you have in there, especially the wind-up ballerina." Allie said.

"I will give some of those items to your Dad and Dee, so they will be yours someday." Emily promised. "Most of them came over on the ship with my family and me from Germany. They are heirlooms and to be treasured."

"I will always think of you and treasure them all Oma!" Allie reassured Emily.

Over at Faith's home, Nathan and Dee were busy working on their wedding invitations. Their friends in Hope Valley, of course, already knew about the wedding. Nathan had a few Mounties to invite and some of his mother's relatives from the Toronto area. Dee had a few friends from college and a few relatives from the Alberta area. Dee was writing the invitations and Nathan was addressing the envelopes. Being the wedding was in February, and the distance for travel to Hope Valley, neither Dee nor Nathan actually expected out of town guests, but they would be invited regardless. Nathan and Dee were able to finish them just in time to go by Emily for a early Sunday dinner. Emily never failed in pleasing them with her delicious German dishes.

In Brookfield, Rosemary let Dorothy know that her folks were not coming to the dinner engagement party this coming weekend. "I don't know what the problem is for sure, but all Dee said was that they couldn't afford travel down to Hope Valley for both the engagement dinner and the wedding, and a trip to Brookfield for Christmas."

"Oh no, I didn't know. I should have thought about that." Dorothy said sadly.

"So, I had an idea. Judge Bill Avery in Hope Valley, and Nathan's best friend, is a retired Mountie. Lee asked him to make telephone calls to the other Mounties en-route to see if they knew anyone who had an automobile that would be willing to drive the Gleixners from Brook Springs to as far as they could. We hope that it could be done with only one or two drivers. Lee and I would pay for any cost of the petroleum." Rosemary happily shared as she leaned into Lee's shoulder.

"Oh Rosemary, how kind of you! I hope this works out. Actually, George and are traveling by stagecoach and have our tickets, but it's not far." Dorothy said.

"It seems saving for an automobile is going to be very important soon!" George nodded.

"Nathan and Dee already reserved a room for your family and we will make sure your folks have a room free of charge for both the dinner and the wedding too," Lee added.

"So, you see my dear, it'll be a wonderful time for all! Wait until you taste the scrumptious food planned for the dinner!" Rosemary declared excitedly. "Oh, and please stop by the dress shop before the party, we have some ideas of lovely gowns for you and your mother for the wedding. I'd like to get your measurements so hopefully, we can have any alterations done by Christmas so Dee and Nathan can bring the dresses to you then."

"You have really thought of everything!" Dorothy was impressed. She was beginning to realize just how special of a friend Rosemary was to Dee. Rosemary and Lee are very good people and they were blessed to know them.

As they left for the orphanage, Dorothy prayed they would find Paul to be the answer to their hopes and dreams.

Lillian was just getting the children to clean up from their lunch. They were still in their Sunday church clothes and were just about to go to their rooms to change when Rosemary and Lee arrived.

"Hello Rosemary!" Lillian greeted, "what a nice surprise." Rosemary introduced Lee and Lillian welcomed them inside. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit for?"

"Lillian, are you busy? We would like to talk with you." Rosemary informed.

"Sure, the children are just going upstairs now. They want to say hello first though." Lillian nodded for them to greet their visitors.

The children all knowing Rosemary, came running in to see her. "Hello Mrs. Rosemary!"

"How is everyone today? This is my husband, Mr. Lee. I wanted him to meet you all and see what a bunch of cute children I get to help teach!" Rosemary said as she hugged them all.

Paul lingered in the back, so Rosemary went to him and Paul's face lit up when she gave him a long hug. Rosemary introduced all of the children to Lee. When Lillian directed them to go upstairs and change their clothes, Paul stayed a little longer than the rest and hung on to Rosemary's hand. Lillian had to tell him twice to go upstairs to change. Rosemary looked lovingly at Paul and then at Lee.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Lillian asked.

"Well, Lillian it's about Paul..." Rosemary shared about their difficulty having any of their own children and how Paul had caught her attention. She wanted to know his story.

"It's somewhat sad as he had a father and a big brother that bullied him when his mother passed away when giving birth to him. The father took his grief out on Paul because he blamed him for his wife dying in childbirth. His older brother saw how his father treated Paul and did the same." Lillian shared sadly.

"Oh, how cruel!" Rosemary spoke up and Lee agreed.

"The only reason he was taken out of that situation was when he finally went to school they found he was withdrawn, thin, and neglected. The school filed a complaint, his father never fought it, and the judge ordered him to be removed. He's only been with us for just under a year." Lillian explained.

Rosemary and Lee's hearts sank for his past but Lee wanted to get to know him, so he asked what they could do next. Lillian suggested they stay for awhile to

talk and play with Paul and the others. If they wanted to take him somewhere in town that would be a good first outing, but they'd have to fill out papers first for the child's safety. Lillian would ask Mountie Gabe to check their background and if all was well, they could proceed with visits.

"How exciting!" Rosemary piped up. "You'll have no problem with our background so be rest assured."

"I am looking forward to getting to know this young lad," Lee smiled.

"Here come the children now." Lillian smiled.