January 9
After the quickest meal she could think of— a bowl of hot breakfast porridge served with butter, brown sugar, and raisins, Rosemary set the utensils in the washbasin with the intent to clean them later. Today was the day! Oh wonder of all wonders! She walked to the front door, slipped her feet into her brown button boots, and promptly leaned over to begin the lacing process. Here lately, reaching her feet was proving to be a bit of a challenge, stealing her breath away every time, but today, with her breath already shallow from excitement, she nearly passed out before the last lace was secured. She took a deep breath and straightened. She still couldn't believe her luck! Today she'd finally know what her husband had been so painstakingly working on the last several months. She was in the process of shrugging one shoulder into her overcoat when Lee gently called her name and motioned her back to the table.
"Not so fast. I want to talk to you first." He looked quite amused at her haste.
"Oh Lee, really! Can't we talk on the way?" She slid the other shoulder inside her overcoat and her fingers quickly fastened the round brass buttons.
"I promise it won't take long. Here, come sit with me." He patted the spot she had just vacated at the table. She pouted and walked over to the table, sitting down with her large overcoat puffing up around her.
"Rosie," his eyes met hers and he stroked her hand with his, " I just want to take a minute to say you are the love of my life, and no matter what, I will always love you."
She was tempted to rush him, but realized he had his official "sweet" talk voice on. She needed to hear him out. After all, it was the least she could do after his devout labor of love. She willed her breathing to calm and smiled her encouragement.
"This surprise, well, I have been planning it for a long time. I was originally going to wait until your birthday when it was complete, but someone," he wiggled his eyebrows at her, "started nosing around, so I thought I'd present it to you before you go figuring it out on your own."
"Well, it wasn't entirely my fault—"
Lee held up his index finger, causing her to pause.
With one swift movement, he retrieved a small box from inside his coat jacket, beautifully wrapped in shimmering red paper with a small gold ribbon wrapped around it and handed it to her.
"Go ahead now, open it up." His face became serious and his sapphire eyes shimmered, deep pools of love and trust.
She bit her lip and with all her might tried to savor the moment. A truly dignified lady would carefully clear the seam of tape and delicately fold the specialty paper before proceeding to open the box. To do so would show ultimate sophistication and grace. Pish posh! She, for one, would not be found wasting precious time on a day like today. She ripped the beautiful paper, tearing it away impatiently. She did have enough presence of mind to pause before opening the box and revealing its contents. Whatever could be in here could be quite life changing. At least she hoped so. She lifted her eyes and met Lee's, offering him a shy smile before opening the box. He nodded his encouragement. She lifted the lid to reveal… a key? At her puzzled look, Lee smiled.
"The key to our new home."
"Our new home? As in…a new house?" She picked up the ribbon and let the key dangle from her finger. Lee nodded.
"Oh Lee, how wonderful! I never could have imagined!" She jumped up into his arms.
"Well, if you want to be particular about it, the key only opens the front door which at this moment is still on the wagon on the site, but I'd say by mid-February we will be ready to move in." He grinned.
"Oh Lee! What a wondrous surprise!"
"Now you know why I wanted to wait till your birthday. I wanted it to be completed and perfect for you, Rosemary. But someone couldn't keep her nose out of my surprise."
"Well what was I supposed to do? You were gone long hours, making up business meetings, coming home with mud strewn trousers and boots. A wife is surely going to be suspicious…"
Lee quirked an eyebrow. "I did want it to be a surprise, Rosemary."
"But it was— it is! Oh Lee, can you imagine, not only will be have a new home but together, with this baby, we will have a sweet family." She wrapped her arms around his torso, his heart beating steadily under her ear.
"Oh you darling, darling man!" She smothered his face with kisses. "What are we waiting for? Let's go see it!"
Moments later, she rushed Lee into his overcoat, the tartan red plaid one he loved more than life itself. She tried not to watch the seconds tick by on the grandfather clock as he sat down at the settee and carefully tied up his old work boots. She was so jittery, it felt as if she had a downed a whole pot of Bill's secret blend of strong, black coffee. She was about to grab the keys to the Model T herself when Lee finally arose and offered her a smile.
"Are you sure you want to wear those? The building site is still riddled with mud." He pointed down to her nice brown button up boots.
She affectionately looked down at last fall's prized fashion trend. Lee had spent a pretty penny on them when she had ordered them from Eaton's Shopping Catalogue. Even after such a wet winter, they still held their soft, sophisticated shape. She wouldn't risk being caught with her rubber carriage boots on, especially on such a monumental day of viewing her new home for the first time. So she really had no other option but to wear them. She'd just try to avoid the mud as much as possible, and if necessary, she'd give her prized boots a good scrubbing afterward to get them back into their fashionable condition.
"They will do just fine." She nodded. Not one confounded thing was going to put a damper on her day. Not even the thought of mud caked onto the sides of her plush beauties. Today was the day she'd revel in Lee's love and devotion for her. Oh how he loved her—to build her such a grand, new house.
"Ready?" Lee offered her the crook of his arm. She excitedly looped her arm in his and walked out into the chilly January air towards their Model T, parked in front of the house. Lee opened the passenger side door for her and waited until she was seated to close the door behind her. After pulling the start up of the engine, the car started to hum, and Lee settled into the driver's seat beside her. He entered the car, blew on his hands and rubbed them together to warm them.
"It sure is a chilly day."
"It's a most perfect day." She sighed as she looked out the window.
"That it is. Are you ready, Lady Rosemary?" He winked at her.
"As ready as I will ever be, Sir Leland."
"Let's go!" They said in unison and she would have hung her hat out the window so excited was she, except for the frosty air kept her window up and in place.
"Now Rosie, I have to warn you again, that our, umm… house, is definitely not complete."
"I heard you mention that."
"Okay, I just don't want you disappointed,"
"Oh, I never could be— Oh!" Rosemary held her gloved hand to her lips in the sudden realization. "But how ever will we finish? With Kirill soon to be indicted?"
"God will provide, Rosemary." He kept his hand on the wheel, his face straight ahead.
She puzzled his words over and over in her mind. That was something the Lee she married would have never said. He would have analyzed, stressed, and figured out a solution. This must be a part of the change that occurred when he gave his life back into God's control. But she wasn't so trusting. God would provide? But how? But when?
Her thoughts were full as she glanced out at the shops of Hope Valley as they drove past.
"Lee- stop!" She tapped the windowpane as they passed the heart of town.
"What? Why? Are you okay?"
"Look, over there." She pointed to the stagecoach station where Jack was standing, formally dressed in his red serge. The straps of a simple traveler's bag crossed his broad chest. He was talking intently with Elizabeth who looked like she was struggling to hold her emotions in check.
"Oh, how could I have forgotten? Today is the day Jack returns up North." Lee pulled the car over next to the station, idled the car, then pulled the key from the ignition. "Come on. Let's go wish him farewell."
Rosemary barely heard his last words, for she was already half way up the stage.
"Jack!" She yelled breathlessly as she leapt up the stairs.
Elizabeth and Jack looked up from the stage where their heads had been bent together as they must have been talking intimately.
"Excuse me, Elizabeth. I didn't mean to intrude." Rosemary rested a hand on Elizabeth's forearm. Lee came up right behind her.
She shifted her attention to their Mountie.
"Jack, I hope I am mistaken but you look as if you are leaving town. How can that be? I thought we had you back for longer than this."
Jack gave her a little smile and nodded to Lee. "Not yet, Rosie. I'm sure Elizabeth would take me back now, but I got to finish up some business up North."
"For how long?"
"That's just depending on my orders. It could be as soon as the end of the month."
She clapped her hands in delight. "Then you will be home…for good?"
He nodded. "We are hoping so." He linked arms with Elizabeth and gave her a tender smile. "At least long enough to get married. As you know, a Mountie's job is never complete. But we knew this going into our engagement, didn't we, love?"
Elizabeth looked a little less than enthusiastic at that last remark, but bravely put on a smile. "Yes, we did."
Lee extended his hand to Jack. "Well, god-speed to you, then, Jack. Know we are all praying for your quick and safe return. And this time, perhaps you won't have to make it through a blizzard to come back home safely to us."
Jack shook Lee's hand and they exchanged a smile.
"Jack." She called out softly. His blue eyes swiveled to hers.
"Take care of yourself. And come back to us soon." She gave him a hearty hug.
"I will. Take care of yourself and that wee one, Rosie."
Her cheeks colored at the mention of the babe that grew within her. She merely nodded.
Jack glanced back up at Lee. "Take care of Elizabeth for me?"
"Sure thing." Lee nodded.
Jack took his time and slowly turned towards Elizabeth. "It's time."
Lee grabbed for her hand and in unison they backed up a step to allow the young couple their privacy. She couldn't help if she was still close enough to overhear their good-byes.
"Jack, make sure to write, every week if not every day." Elizabeth's voice was thick with emotion.
"I promise I will. Stay strong, my love. It won't be long. I'll come back and make you my wife." He kissed Elizabeth passionately, as if they never wanted this moment to end. He eventually pulled away slightly and placed Elizabeth's hand within his own. Together walked to the edge of the stage and Jack addressed those who had gathered to see him off, which had actually accumulated to quite a crew in the last few minutes.
"Just so everyone knows, I am hoping to return to Hope Valley soon and when I come back, I am making this beautiful woman my wife. Mark your calendars for our wedding: June 6th. You are all invited. It will be one memorable event!"
The crowd reacted with whistles, claps, and a few cheers.
Rosemary squeezed Lee's hand. What better than to witness a wedding of dear friends before the birth of their sweet baby? She'd have it no other way.
Jack winked at Elizabeth, who leaned forward and gave him one more kiss good-bye before he stepped into the coach and pulled the door closed behind him. She pressed up against the side of the stagecoach and held his hand through the window.
"I'll be back." His deep voice held both conviction and passion.
"I'm counting on it." Her voice cracked.
Elizabeth squeezed his hand one last time before letting go. Her tears started to flow slowly down her cheek and then rolling off her chin before the coach had even made it out of Main Street.
Rosemary, along with Abigail, Molly, and Florence— immediately huddled around Elizabeth, conveying support for their dear friend. Elizabeth had already made it through so much, Rosemary knew she could make it through a few more weeks. She just hoped, with all her might, there was no delay.