Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 2, Page 18
Rosemary and Lee were tired but so happy from their trip to the orphanage. Lee had played ball outside with the boys, including Paul. He was little, but willing to try. That's all Lee could ask for. Inside Rosemary had fussed with the girl's hair, giving them all fancy hair dos with ribbons and bows. The afternoon was so much fun that the Coulters didn't want to leave.
Now, the next morning they couldn't help thinking about the children there and hoping that the paperwork they filled out would give them a chance to get to know Paul better. "Lee darling, how long do you think it'll be before we hear from Lillian when we can treat Paul with a personal visit?" Rosemary asked.
"I'm confident our background is good and it should take very little time." Lee reassured her. "There's so many children there that I think it'll be hard to leave the rest."
"I know, it'll be hard, but right now, I want to scoop up Paul and bring him here. Maybe I should get some toys and clothes for him now so we're ready." Rosemary was already planning.
"Dear, let's just focus on the engagement party right now, it'll be here before we know it!" Lee kissed his wife before he left for the lumber office.
"Of course, you're right, I best be double-checking with Sam about the food menu." as they both left for town.
Dee could hardly think of school lessons, but she had to focus on getting the Christmas carols and songs picked out and ready. Checking with Elizabeth, they decided to keep the message of the Gospel of Luke with distinctly religious songs for the Pageant, and the others for the Lighting of the Wishing Tree and caroling. That meant Dee had to update her lessons plans right away, not only for the school children, but for both church choirs.
Elizabeth helped her get the sheet music ready to hand out and Robert distributed them to the adults with his mail delivery.
Rosemary came by to talk with the ladies after school to see what all had been decided since she had left to go to Brookfield after church.
"Dee, Elizabeth, I am so sorry I left you Sunday after church without my help, I do hope you'll forgive me, but Lee and I had a very important trip to Brookfield so Lee could meet Paul." Rosemary started. "Oh, it was wonderful! Lee felt like I do, he knows that Paul needs us as much as we need him!"
"That's just great." Dee said, "tell us how did Paul react to Lee?"
"You know how withdrawn he is, so at first he was shy. So, Lee took all the boys outside to play ball and he made sure that Paul, even though the littlest one, was included. He said Paul was having fun and really relaxed."
"Now what is next?" Elizabeth asked.
"Seems we are in for a background check, which is good. So, I don't foresee any problem, and then we can take him out. The poor thing has been mistreated and no one knew until he went to school." Rosemary continued to explain his background.
"That's just awful!" Dee said angrily. "Why blame a child for the death of his mother?"
"It's not rational" Elizabeth always the practical one said, "but grief can do a lot of things to people."
"Well, hopefully that'll change quickly" Rosemary smiled. "So, tell me, what did I miss?"
Dee and Elizabeth went over plans for the pageant and what Rosemary would need to make for costumes and props. Pastor Joseph was smart in choosing these three ladies to see that the pageant and Christmas Tree lighting would work out just right. It was the rest of the town he wasn't too sure of.
"Now Dee, do you have everything you need for the dinner party?" Rosemary asked.
"I think so, I have Fiona scheduled to do my hair and Emily's. Faith offered to help Allie. You are working on fixing Emily's and my dress, I bought new shoes and a handbag from Dottie. I'm all set except I don't have any jewelry to wear." Dee said.
"Of course, you do," Rosemary answered. "I've got plenty to choose from, it's your choice!"
"What color did you choose?" Elizabeth asked.
"My favorite, sapphire blue, it's lovely!" Dee's eyes danced with delight. "I felt like a princess wearing it."
"You'll look like one too!" Rosemary nodded.
"I'm so glad Dorothy is coming." Dee said happily.
"I talked to her when in Brookfield. How nice of her and George to welcome Lee and I in for lunch." Rosemary started, then stopped.
"You were at Dorothy's? What made you stop there?" Dee inquired with a furrowed brow.
"Well, I wanted to make sure that she stops by Dottie's this weekend so we could find her a dress to wear as maid of honor for your wedding. I told her that I needed to measure her so any adjusting would be done before Christmas, then you can bring her dress to her when you visit for Christmas." Rosemary covered her tracks very well, after all that was part of the truth.
"I just wish my mother could get all fancied up being the mother of the bride." Dee said wistfully.
"I'm sure she'll look lovely." Elizabeth tried to comfort Dee. "She has several months to prepare yet."
"I know, I'll just miss my family at the party." Dee sadly said. With that, Rosemary changed the subject to how sweet Dorothy and the little ones were which did the trick and made Dee feel better as the three of them walked home.
