December 10
Rosemary held a stitch in her side, and took a deep breath as she chided herself. She'd been in too much of a hurry. She'd nearly ran the whole way to the cafe, and in her condition! Lee would be upset, insisting she put her feet up and monitor her every breath, if only he knew. Next time, she would be more careful. This motherhood thing definitely had its limitations and frustrations. Rosemary stifled a groan. Hopefully she'd come early enough to catch Elizabeth before she headed off to school. That was the whole point of her rush after all. Rosemary stepped forward to open the cafe door, but before she had a chance, the door opened spilling Cody into her arms.
"Oh excuse me, Mrs. Coulter." Cody's voice was downcast, his shoulders slumped. Asher slinked out the door behind his master, nudging his master's hand with his nose.
"It's quite alright, Cody." Rosemary noted the obvious lack of energy in one of the most energetic youth of Hope Valley. "Is there something the matter?" Rosemary then noticed the boy was holding a piece of paper he obviously had been reading when he bumped into her.
"I'm sending a letter to Santa."
"Am I wrong in assuming usually that is a cause for delight? Not sorrow?"
"What?" Cody looked confused.
"What I mean is, usually writing to Santa is a good thing, right?"
"I guess so."
"Why does it seem you are so sad?"
"Well, I'm hoping he will answer my wish."
"Doesn't he usually?"
Cody looked at Asher, the answer to last year's Christmas wish. "Yes, I guess so."
"So why don't you think he will grant this year's wish?"
"Well it is sort of a big one."
"Oh I'm sure nothing is too big for Santa. What are you asking him for?"
"Well, it's actually not for me. It's for a friend. Someone who is really sad."
"That sounds very noble of you. Do you mind if I read it?" Rosemary reached for the paper.
"I guess not." Cody released the paper into her waiting hands.
Rosemary's eyes roamed over the slightly wrinkled paper and the child-like handwriting.
Dear Santa,
I have been trying to be very good this year. And I know every year I ask you for a present, something for me. But this year I don't want any presents. In fact, none of us kids from Hope Valley do. All we want is for our Miss Thatcher to be happy. She has been so sad. Could you pretty please bring Mountie Jack back home for Christmas? That for sure will make her smile again.
Sincerely, Cody Stanton
Rosemary swallowed past the lump in her throat. Oh the dear, dear children. Willing to give up all their presents for the chance that Jack could return home for Christmas. Oh he just simply had to come home! Rosemary returned the letter to Cody and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Cody, that is a very nice letter. It is a very big thing you are asking of Santa. I hope and pray it can happen. But what we need to work on is a little Christmas cheer ourselves. Maybe there is a way we can help cheer Miss Thatcher until Mountie Jack comes back."
Cody glanced up at her. "I'm not sure how to."
"Maybe after school we can brainstorm a few ideas."
"Okay." Cody nodded. "I'll see you after school, Mrs. Coulter. Thanks!" Cody must have felt considerably better because he took off running towards the post office, his dog trotting behind him.
What a heart of gold that one had. And to think, all those years he'd been without a real family. It was a blessing he was now officially Abigail's family. Oh speaking of Abigail- the cafe. She'd better hurry if she still hoped to have a talk with Elizabeth and Abigail, the other two leaders of the Hope Valley Christmas Committee. She had the most excellent idea to share with them: assembling care packages for the soldiers fighting in the Northern Territories. But if she wished for this idea to become a reality, she must desperately get a move on. Opening the cafe door, Rosemary spied Elizabeth sitting with her back towards the door. Good, she was in time. Walking past a few tables full of costumers eating their breakfasts, Rosemary approached the table.
"Good morning, Elizabeth. May I have a seat?"
"Sure, Rosemary." Elizabeth gave her a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she folded a letter and set it to the side of her breakfast plate.
"Is that from Jack?" Rosemary inquired.
Elizabeth nodded.
"I bet you miss him." Rosemary sat down across from Elizabeth and nodded towards the letter. "Did he have good news?"
Elizabeth lifted a tissue to her face and blew her nose. Her eyes were weary.
"Oh, this isn't a new one. This is the letter I received on Thanksgiving. I was just…rereading it."
"Oh, Elizabeth. I'm sorry. His next letter must be on its way. Or maybe even he's on his way."
"I can't even think like that right now, Rosemary. It hurts too much."
"It sure does look like you could use some cheering up. Maybe you should start by taking the day off, and spending some time here with Abigail over tea, or reading your favorite book."
At the mention of her name, Abigail came near the table, the teapot in hand. Her eyes fell compassionately on Elizabeth, as if they had this talk numerous times since Jack's departure.
Rosemary smiled up at their friend. "Abigail, I was just trying to talk Elizabeth into taking the day off. She needs time to rest, relax, and have a bit of a reprieve. Every teacher needs a break here and there."
Abigail poured a cup of tea and watched with Rosemary for Elizabeth's response.
"I shouldn't. It's the busiest time of the year with the children. We have so many projects. But I admit it would be nice to have a breather. The kids bring such life to me, usually. I don't know what could be wrong with me."
Abigail 's eyes filled with compassion. "Oh Elizabeth, try to go easy on yourself. What you are going through is challenging. You are suffering from a broken heart, and that is no easy feat."
Elizabeth nodded and blew her nose again. "I just can't imagine what Christmas would be like without him."
Abigail placed a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "It would be rough, but you would make it through. You have the love of all your children and also of the whole town. But let's not think of that now. I think Rosemary is right, you could use a day off. Have another cup of tea with me here. Then you can go home and cozy up with one of your favorite books. Or, if you don't want to be alone at a time like now, stay with me and we will make Christmas cookies."
"That does sound nice. But the children, we have plans to make this our day of Christmas cheer. I can't cancel our project. And who would—"
"Not to worry, I will fill in for you." Rosemary already had her mind made up and no one would be talking her out of it.
"Oh, Rosemary, I couldn't. You, in your—" Elizabeth looked around room and then reduced her voice to a whisper, "condition. You need to be home taking care of yourself."
"Oh pish posh. Just because I am expecting a baby doesn't mean I am an invalid. In fact, I could use a change of pace. This past week I have felt this restlessness— like I need to get busy, to do things. It's like I can't keep these hands busy enough."
"It's called nesting." Abigail said.
"Nesting?" Both Rosemary and Elizabeth looked at Abigail.
"It's when an expecting mother suddenly has a burst of energy and wants to get busy preparing for the baby, or doing projects for the baby."
"That sounds about right. I have been feeling energetic, bored, almost antsy. You'd actually be doing me a favor, Elizabeth. Please?"
"You should let her. And did I mention I have all the ingredients for your favorite sugar cookies?" Abigail lifted her eyebrows as she offered her bribe.
Elizabeth actually laughed. "Okay, you two have twisted my arm. But Rosemary, make sure the focus today is on giving to others this holiday season. We were going to brainstorm a project of what we could do as a class to brighten someone's Christmas. You'll find the notes on my desk."
"Oh I have a feeling the children and I will find just the right idea." Rosemary lifted up her satchel and smiled victoriously. Between her idea for the soldiers' care packages and Cody's idea to cheer Miss Thatcher, why they would inspire a chock full day of projects for the whole class. She couldn't wait to get started.