Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 5, Page 46

Rosemary was back in the planning stage for Billees. Being a natural event coordinator, this was the perfect job for her. It allowed her to use her talent, and advertise in the Valley Voice with the upcoming events at the same time! She made a list of new events coming soon. There was the New Year's Eve party, a bridal shower for Dee that Dorothy was hosting in Hope Valley, a Christening party for baby Michael Flynn, and a surprise engagement party for Faith and Carson hosted by Molly and Bill, all before Nathan and Dee's wedding on Valentine's Day! Whew! She was so glad Sam had Rick to help him.

She knew the official adoption for Paul would probably take a month or so, so then they could celebrate Paul's adoption. Being the ever thoughtful friend she was, she wanted to include Allie in the party. Nathan and Allie never really celebrated and Allie deserved special attention too, especially with her Dad marrying Dee. Dee would soon be a mother figure for Allie, so including Dee in the plans would make it more special. But, that could wait.

Having a son meant adjustments for Rosemary. Happy ones. She wanted to find help with the newspaper. Robert was already delivering when he delivered the mail, but next year he'd probably go off to trade school or work in a full time job. Perhaps she should ask Harper to run the off the papers, and Robert could show him the route. Yes, that would go on her list too – talk to Robert and Harper.

Right now though she had to go to Billees and talk to Sam about the New Year's Eve Party.

Paul was able to play with some of the other children he met at the tree lighting and at the Christmas pageant. In fact, Cooper asked him to come over and play. Lee drove him to the Canfield cabin where Cooper and Paul played outside in the snow for a little while. Cooper showed Paul a cabin off in the woods that was all by itself.

"Look over there, sometimes, I see smoke coming out of the chimney, but I never see anyone clearly because it's too far, so I don't know who lives there." Cooper told Paul.

"Maybe it's a ghost!" Paul said wide-eyed.

"No, my dad said there's no such thing," Cooper said firmly.

"I hear something." Paul was listening intently.

"Oh, that's a meow. That's the stray cat. He wanders around but doesn't come inside, Mama won't let it. But, I give him some food because I think he's hungry." Cooper admitted as he called the cat.

"What's his name?" asked Paul.

"I call him Scratch. He's always scratching on the door or the tree, so I thought that was a pretty good name for him."

"Hi Scratch!" Paul held his hand out and motioned for him to come over. Scratch came and rubbed up against Paul's legs. Paul giggled.

"Rub his back, he likes that." Cooper told him.

Cooper and Paul were busy playing with Scratch when Minnie called them inside for lunch. "I'll bring you out some food in a little bit." Cooper whispered to Scratch. Off in the distance, Cooper thought he heard someone call, "Here kitty-kitty."

Inside they warmed by the fire and Minnie gave them hot chocolate and soup.

Angela was happy to talk to Cooper as they were eating, "Are you going to go to school at Mrs. Thornton's class after Christmas break?"

"Yes, that's what Mrs. Rosemary said. I think I know some of the children already." Paul felt a sense of belonging. "Cooper is the first one to ask me over to play."

"You'll like it there. This was my first year and everyone supported me coming to school even though I'm blind. All the families walked with us to school on the first day! Superintendent Landis saw all of them and realized that Hope Valley residents were a tight community and approved me for education at Jack Thornton School!" Angela grinned proudly!

"Is it hard to be blind?" Paul asked sheepishly.

"Sometimes, but I'm getting around more and more on my own. I hope someday to go to music school and be a professional pianist."

"What's a pe a nist?" Paul was confused.

"That's just a fancy name for someone who plays the piano." Cooper explained.

The rest of the day there Paul was really having a good time getting to know the Canfields. Pastor Joseph thought he would ask Rosemary and Lee if Paul was ever baptized. If not, he just might be doing a double baptism this month!

When Rosemary got over to Billees, she found Sam and Rick both playing cards. "Sorry Mrs. Coulter, but business is slow now after Christmas." Sam apologized.

"Well men, it won't be for long!" Rosemary rattled off the four events she just listed. "Get a calendar and let's plan dates and times."

As they discussed the month of January's events it became quite evident that they would be very busy. The New Year's Eve party was coming up the following weekend, so they had to discuss the time, the menu, the entertainment, and the party decorations.

"Looks like it's time to put the cards away and get busy" Sam told Rick.

"Don't forget, in February, we have Nathan and Dee's wedding on Valentine's Day!" Rosemary happily reminded them.

"No rest for the weary!" Rick laughed.