A Peek into Christmas Day
Christmas Day dawned, bright and new. The snow that had quite threatened the arrival of Mountie Jack had calmed during the night leaving a fresh, untouched blanket of snow upon the small mountain village of Hope Valley. Celebrations were beginning in each of the homes. It was a day of true jubilation at the remembrance of what gift God had given all those Christmases long ago through His son, Jesus. It was a day of celebration of family, both reunited and expectant. A day filled with hope even for the most hopeless.
Elizabeth's Row House
Jack knocked on the outer door of the row house. It had been hard parting last night after he had finally made it into town. They had stayed in each other's arms until a minute before midnight. Jack knew for propriety's sake, he must go. But soon there would be a day there would be no separating them.
The door opened a sliver, Elizabeth's light blue eyes meeting his. "Jack! You are here so early."
"Not too early I hope."
"Never! It's just after being here so late last night I didn't imagine I'd see you a quarter until six this morning."
"Well, I can come back in an hour if you wish."
Elizabeth threw open the door. "Don't you dare. Come on in."
Elizabeth shivered and pulled the shawl over her outfit: a short waisted blouse and floor length blue skirt.
"Looks like you need help starting that fire back up." Jack placed a package on the table and then knelt down by the stove, prodding the fire with an iron rod and throwing in an extra log. "There, that should do it."
He stood up, all six feet of him, filling the row house. Her hands longed to touch him, to feel him, to never let go again.
"It's just so unbelievable that you are here. Tell me again how you managed to get through all that snow?"
Jack started to shrug out of his coat as he explained the story once again. "I was supposed to be home in plenty of time, my orders released me officially December 21st. Even with the slowest train this side of the Rockies, I should have been able to make it home, but with the snow, the train was derailed right outside of Red Deer. From there I walked on foot with a buddy of mine until we reached the nearest town. We convinced the livery to rent us out two horses, and we rode side by side until my buddy's stop in Calgary. That's where the blizzard got really bad. He tried to convince me to stay with him for Christmas, but as you know, that wasn't going to happen. From there I rode on until my horse was injured. I left him at a farm on the side of the road. I had to walk the last six miles on foot, over snowdrifts. Every step I was thinking of you, Elizabeth."
"And I thank God you made it, Jack Thornton. You know the story could have ended differently. You could have been injured, gotten frostbite, or even been attacked by wild animals."
"But I wasn't. I made it home to you."
Elizabeth smiled and fell into his kiss.
"So, are you ready for breakfast? A fresh batch of Abigail's famous orange rolls are ready. I just have to warm them up. And I can whip up some eggs."
"That sounds wonderful, but can we exchange gifts first?"
Elizabeth laughed. "I don't see why not."
Jack reached for her hand and led her to the settee next to the Christmas tree where he sat down while Elizabeth went to the tree and took a small gift off one of the top branches. She brought it with her and sat next to Jack. Any closer and she'd be sitting on his lap.
"Let me tell you, this is what I have been dreaming of all those days I was away from you. Being here, with you, for Christmas."
Elizabeth smiled. "It's what's gotten me through the hard days too."
"Here, let me go first. This is a little something I brought back for you from up North. It's something I've owed you for awhile now."
Elizabeth cocked any eyebrow and took the daintily wrapped package from him. Slowly, she unwrapped it, revealing a silver teacher's bell. Engraved on the side were the words: To The World's Best Teacher. Elizabeth clasped it to her chest and smiled through her tears.
"It's perfect, Jack. But…you know, I don't think I can part with my cowbell."
"Well you could bring it home. You can use it to call me in for supper once we are man and wife." Jack smiled his crooked smile.
They both laughed, then grew serious, giving each other a long, lingering kiss.
Jack leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "And when might you let me make you my wife? I've been just as patient as I can, but a man's patience can only last so long."
Elizabeth intertwined her fingers with his. "Is your stint up North completed? When do you have to go back? What is our time frame?"
"I do have to go back briefly. They said I report January 9th. Hopefully, if all goes as planned, I should be back by the end of January. Then I am all yours, Miss Thatcher."
"Maybe you should start practicing calling me Mrs. Thornton."
"Oh that sounds nice doesn't it? So, what do you say, can we elope tonight? I have a good two weeks off of work."
"Jack!" Elizabeth's eyes widened and she swatted at him.
"Well it was worth a try, wasn't it?" His brown eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Jack, you know I will want my family to be here. I have to give them a proper invitation, I have to have my dress made, not to mention the flowers. I want to have fresh flowers. That would mean the spring, summer or start of fall."
"Okay, my vote is the start of spring—If you are saying no to my idea of elopement that is."
Elizabeth smiled. "Spring. That does sound nice. I've always wondered what it would be like to be a June bride."
"Really? June sounds perfect."
"Are we really doing this? Are we really deciding our wedding date?" Elizabeth couldn't contain the excitement rising in her.
"Believe so, Mrs. Thornton-to be." Jack leaned over and clasped her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it.
"Okay, how about the first Saturday in June. By then Hope Valley should be beautiful! The green meadows filled with wild flowers, oh they'd be perfect for a wedding. The mountains would still have snow on them, what a beautiful backdrop. Travel should be easy for my family- your mother too. I can't think of a better time."
"Let's make it official. Elizabeth Thatcher, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife on the first Saturday of June this next year?" His shoulder was rubbing against hers.
"Why, Mr. Thornton, I'd be honored. That sounds like heaven itself."
"It does sound like heaven- speaking of heaven- let me get lost in one of those famous Elizabeth kisses." Jack looked at her lips.
"Oh famous are they?" Elizabeth laughed.
"Yes, I told every soldier who wished to hear about what a kind, generous, loving woman I was engaged to, and what a wonderful kisser she was." Jack smirked.
"Jack! You did not!" She pushed his shoulder.
"I did so. Maybe not to every soldier but at least to the few roommates I had up there."
"Jack- you are making me blush!" Jack reached up and stroked her flushed cheek.
"Well, something had to get a man through those hard days and long nights. So how about it?"
"How about what?" Elizabeth countered.
"How about a taste of one of those heavenly kisses?"
Elizabeth smiled and leaned into him. Her lips brushed his. He kissed her back and pulled her in for more, her lips parting slightly. "Oh Jack."
He pulled back and looked at her eyes, the color of a clear blue morning.
"Elizabeth, you are my treasure, my love."
He once again bent towards her, gently prodding her to let him taste heaven once more.
The Coulter's Home
"Face the tree. Wait here. I'll be right back." Lee walked behind her, his hands holding her sides until he deposited her in front of the small tree.
Rosemary glanced over her shoulder at him. "Okay."
"Don't look, Rosemary. I mean it." She heard his boots stomp out onto the back porch and felt the cool outdoor air drift into the room.
She lifted her arms to her sides and rubbed them as she gazed at the mini tree before her. Okay, so she'd changed her mind. Nothing was wrong with that, right? Always before she'd loved the pizzazz and hub-bub of a large tree or two or three in her home adorned with electric lights and every single fine ornament of her collection. But this tree had changed her mind. It was simple. It was not very elegant, but something spoke of home and family with this tree. She only had enough room to display her very favorite ornaments along with a few from Lee's childhood, and the golden star that sat on top. Candles adorned this tree instead of lights, and it was oddly satisfying. For the one time in her life, she preferred the old fashioned way. What was happening to her? She reached up and gently touched the crystal heart ornament Lee has surprised her with a few weeks ago. Perhaps she was learning the value of things that came from the heart, how priceless they could be.
A scuffle sounded behind her and Lee grunted. "Not yet. Just a minute more."
Rosemary smiled to herself.
"Okay, ready."
Rosemary turned around to see Lee standing next to a…
"A cradle! Oh Lee, it is just perfect." Rosemary rushed to the side of the cradle and ran her finger over the smooth finish. It was made of pine, stained with a nice warm honey color. She gently pushed it with her finger watching it flawlessly rock back and forth. Tears sprung to her eyes. This was their baby's cradle. He'd one day actually be welcomed to this world, placed in this cradle, a part of their lives forever. She choked back the lump in her throat.
"It's beautiful, Lee. Thank you."
Lee stepped in front of her and placed his hands on her waist. She lifted up her arms and locked her fingers behind his neck. He dipped his chin, his lips seeking hers, over and over again. After a moment or two his crystal blue eyes looked into hers.
"Do you like it?"
"Do I like it? I love it! Where did you find it? I've never seen anything like it."
"I made it." Lee's eyes shone with a depth of love.
"You… made it? Oh, so this is the surprise you have been working on for me! I thought it wouldn't be ready in time for Christmas?"
"Well, actually, this is the surprise I have been working on for the baby. There still is another surprise in the making: A surprise for you. That's the surprise that won't be ready for a time yet."
Her eyes gleamed. "You know what? I think I can actually wait this time. I'm seeing how wonderful a real surprise can be, especially when it comes from the man who holds my heart in his hand."
"Oh, I hold your heart? Is that right?" Lee teased as he moved closer.
"Yes, Leland Coulter. You always have and always will." Rosemary dissolved into a giggle as he tickled her sides and lowered her next to him on the settee. He continued to tickle her for a moment, then propped himself up on his elbow, his eyes searching hers.
"You really are something, Rosemary."
Rosemary tucked into his side on the settee. His fingers danced over her belly, caressing the babe within.
"Oh!" Rosemary jumped causing Lee to bolt upright.
"I'm sorry, Rosemary, was I too rough with—"
She grabbed his fingers, gently laying them on her stomach.
"It was right here. I felt something. It was like a flutter of a light little butterfly wing. Right here! Could it have been our baby? It's early, but I promise I felt something."
Lee held his hand soft on her belly and smiled. "Imagine that. What a Christmas present! Merry Christmas, Baby Coulter."
Main Street
He stood on the corner of the street. The stubble on his jaw clean shaven. His hair a tad grayer than last time he's been here. It felt like a life time ago. He hadn't expected anyone to welcome him home. Oh sure, he'd gotten out early on accounts of being willing to testify against that scoundrel, Ray Wyatt. He'd wrestled with himself every hour in the prison cell. He wouldn't, no he couldn't return home after he'd let them down. Yet, here he was, all his belongings in hand. The lure of Hope Valley, and of her, had brought him back. He'd arrived early yesterday on the last stage coach to make it through the snowy conditions, and knew he could have walked up to the church and found the whole community celebrating. But what would he see on their faces at his entrance? Shock? Dismay? Hatred? He deserved them all. He'd never be worthy of them again. Perhaps he never was worthy of them. He truly had started out on the right track, back then. He had been a leader in Hope Valley for years, and for the right reasons. But he'd started down a slippery path, letting the truth take the back seat, a little fib here, a little fudging of the funds here, and before he knew it, he was in an all out mess. Was there ever a second chance for a man like him? Maybe in a different town, but not in the town he'd beat down with his own two hands. Not in the town he had betrayed. If there was one ounce of light, one ounce of hope, it was beaming from Abigail's cafe. He knew if there was one place he would be accepted, or at least tolerated, it would begin with her. But he couldn't do that to her. She'd be inside, celebrating her first Christmas with Cody and Becky as her official children. Pastor Frank would be there. Now that's the type of man Abigail deserved, if not better. No, he couldn't even think of barging in and ruining her special day. She deserved a special, peaceful Christmas. This is what he deserved. Christmas alone. Christmas with his past. Henry hoisted the suitcase up and sighed.