January 9

Rosemary sniffled into the handkerchief as the forlorn town faded into the rearview mirror. A somber Lee sat next to her, shifting the Model T into gear. The unexpected detour into town and saying good-bye to Jack had been harder then either of them could have anticipated. Lee cast a compassionate look over his shoulder at her.

"I can't believe I forgot today was the day Jack was leaving." Lee spoke as the car gears ground together and he shifted into the next gear.

"I'm just glad we got to say good-bye." She focused her tear-rimmed eyes out the front of the car. Even the skies had clouded up, as if they, too, were crying over the leaving of their dear Mountie. "I just don't know what Elizabeth will do without him."

Silence enveloped the car.

After a moment, Lee spoke.

"I imagine…she'll start planning their wedding. Yes, that's what she'll do. That keeps the ladies really busy, does it not? I mean with all the flowers, menu, wedding dress…" His voice trailed off.

She bit her nail and looked out at the landscape passing them by as she took his words into consideration.

"You are right! How could I be so simple minded? Elizabeth did ask me to help with her dress." Her eyes lit up.

Oh yes, it would be a grand dress. Why, it must be ivory, for it was all the rage… and the lace! Oh, was there time to import the lace from France? Or what about handmade Chantilly lace with pearling? Oh yes, that would be grand. The dress would be flattering, cascading down her slender form. Elizabeth would be a vision.

"There you go. Looks like you got that light back in your eyes." Lee smiled sweetly and reached over to cup her hand with his own. She smiled back at him.

"And just in time." Lee veered right off the road leading to the mill, and followed a newly forged road. Even from the distance she could see the beautiful Queen Anne Victorian house rising in the middle of a prairie, surrounded with panorama views of the mountains she had come to love. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Oh Lee…"

Lee drove the Model T up next to their newly constructed house and parked.

"There she is."

"Oh Lee, it's…" she stuttered as she peered up at the glorious structure before her. No amount of wondrous words could do this place justice. It was beyond imaginable.

Lee placed a kiss on the side of her head then quickly moved out of his seat and jaunted out of the car. She could scarcely draw a breath for the beauty before her, and all around her. A moment later, Lee opened her door and extended his hand to her. Good thing, for her legs felt wobbly with wonderment. It was almost as if she were walking right into a dream, a dream that had been held in the deep recesses of her heart for all of time. A dream she never could have imagined coming to fruition.

"Watch the mud, Rosie. Here, let me help you." He gripped her hand and helped her hop to the driest patch of dirt.

"Oh Lee, it's grand!" Her eyes swept over the view before her.

The home was a Queene Anne Victorian, a popular style on the Ditmas Park district in Brooklyn, a street she adored during her time in the Big City. What a large, wondrous porch. Wait, was that a wraparound porch? And the windows, their panes seas of white glass glistening back at her, who knew a house could have so many? The view must be breathtaking. Newly installed shingles shimmered under a coat of frost, and the siding and trim awaited a coat of paint. Land sakes, the house was already very presentable. More so than she was thinking, anyway.

"Don't let the outside fool you." Lee said, reading her mind. "There is still a lot of work to be done on the inside."

They advanced toward the house. Lee paused and looked curiously at the front of the house. "Well, look at that! Hickam and Jesse did get to it." He motioned to the front door. "I hope you brought your key, Mrs. Coulter."

Her cheeks warmed. She had nearly forgotten the key after Lee's explanation that the front door would still be awaiting installation and sitting in a nearby wagon. She patted her pocket and reached inside it to produce the key. She waved it in Lee's direction. His dimples danced with excitement.

"Shall we?" She smiled.

"Of course, but first, take a look at that—" he motioned to the right of the house. "That, right there, Mrs. Coulter, will be our apple orchard."

She held her hand up to shield her eyes from the rays of sunshine that had just started to peek out from beneath the clouds. On the side of the house was a large vacant spot, just a mound of mud at the moment.

"We will wait until spring, and plant some seedlings. Dozens of them. I hope you have some good recipes for apple pie."

She smiled. "Oh, you know it, Lee Coulter."

He grinned, and then mentioned to the porch. "After you."

She daintily took the few steps leading onto the front porch and then turned and surveyed the land.

"Oh, I can imagine afternoons out on this porch, watching the children play out in the yard."

"Children, huh? We are going to have more than one?" He tossed her a saucy grin.

"Perhaps. Let's take them one sticky child at a time, shall we?"

He placed a light kiss on her lips. "It's a deal."

His eyes exchanged a smile with hers. It was a tender moment she knew would remain in her memories for years to come. At her whimsical look, he stepped back.

"What?"

"I was just thinking, I will always remember this day."

He tweaked her nose playfully. "We haven't even begun. You better hold on, Buttercup, because there is a lot more to see."

She grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.

"I'm holding on." She tossed a flirtatious smile his way.

He returned her grin and led her to the far left of the house. "This was Hickam's idea—the wrap around porch."

"Honestly?"

"Yeah, he's is a whiz with blue prints. I gave him my basic designs and he, well…spruced them up a bit."

She looked appreciatively down the long porch.

"I think it suits the house. I mean we got to capitalize on all these gorgeous mountain views, don't you think?" Lee stood close behind her.

She leaned against him, taking in the view and inhaling the cool, invigorating winter air. "I think there couldn't be a better location for our home."

After a moment of soaking in the mountain view, Lee shifted behind her.

"Come on, I can't wait any longer." She waved the key under his nose then took the necessary steps towards the front door where she placed the key in the lock.

"Hold it, not so fast—" He extended his hand.

She reached for his hand and before she knew what was happening, was swooped up into his large, strong arms.

"Oh— Lee!" She giggled as he stepped over the threshold with her in his arms.

"I've been dreaming of doing that since the first nail went into this place." He gently dropped her to her feet, his eyes roaming over hers. She could get lost in the depths of love in his eyes. His eyes flickered down to her lips.

"Lee, you most wonderful man, you." She put her arms around his neck and met his soft lips with her own, drinking in the familiar feel of him. A moment or so must have passed, so lost they were in one another. If it were a summer evening, the fireflies would have danced around them, so magical was their kiss. But today, snow flurries were more a possibility than fireflies. Despite their warm kiss, she felt a shiver run up her spine.

Lee, sensing her slight quiver, pulled her closer.

"It is a mite chilly in here. I wish there was a stove ready. Ah, I do have the fire place—"

"It's okay. Most days this baby keeps me warmer than any furnace could."

Lee took her hands in his and blew on them and rubbed them in an effort to warm her.

"Thank you, dear. I'm fine, really."

He didn't let go, but instead folded her hand into his.

"There we go. Are you ready?"

She nodded.

Hand in hand, he led her to the first room.

"This here's the living room."

Rosemary gasped. A living room it sure was! The room was enormous, with a large built in fireplace framed with bricks, a door way leading to what she assumed would be the dining room, and three windows which would let in the cool mountain breeze as well as natural light. She could already imagine hosting gatherings in this very room. There would be plenty of space for their settee as well as a few armchairs. Couple that with the warm, intimate fireplace and the room would be downright cozy. Lee walked to the fireplace and placed his hand above it.

"The mantle will go about here."

"Oh yes! My hand painted glass French vase will go perfectly there. Oh, and over here—" she moved to the corner near the window, "the victrola on its stand. And here—" she danced swept over to the wall near the stair landing, "our dear old grandfather clock."

Lee smiled and playfully shook his head. "I knew you'd have the finishing touches. As you can see the drywall still needs to be textured, then you can pick out paint colors to your heart's content."

"Oh yes, a warm beige could be nice, or perhaps something more daring? Such as a daffodil or a lemon chiffon?" She swept her hands up, envisioning the room in a new color.

Lee simply shrugged. "I have some crown moulding and a custom trim to spruce the room up a bit. And that window—" he pointed to a rectangular window above where she imagined the settee would be, "will eventually be a stained glass window I'm having imported from up North. When the sun hits it, it will light up the room in color."

Rosemary looked to the spot and smiled her appreciation.

Lee picked up a long piece of wood near the fireplace.

"Here's a bit of the sampling of the hardwood floors to be installed. I was hopeful that we'd be heading towards that by the end of the month. But now, with Kirill…" his sentence trailed off.

My, it was a bit of a predicament losing such a jack-of-all-trades. Kirill was a criminal, but a hard worker… suddenly, she snapped her fingers.

"Speaking of criminal… why not hire Gowen? He's stuck around town until after the trial, and surely much in need of a job. Why not use him to finish up this place?"

Lee's eyes rounded. "Gowen? Here? Oh, I'm not so sure, Rosie. Remember his attempts to utterly ruin my business? Gowen doesn't have the best track record I'm afraid."

He rubbed his jaw and looked at the unfinished room.

"Okay, well, that it up to you. I just think he could be an asset to help us finish our beautiful home." She, too, glanced around the room.

Lee was quiet. Then he grunted. "Perhaps."

He rested a hand on the small of her back and led her to the next room, the dining room. She couldn't help but sigh with contentment upon viewing the room. It was mostly finished, just awaiting texturing and flooring. The room simply drew one's eyes upward. She could already imagine a sparkly crystal waterfall chandelier, perhaps ordered clear from Buxton, hanging over a large mahogany dining table. The table would need to seat at least twelve. Anything less was impractical for the dinner gatherings they would host.

Lee began to say something, but she was already half way through the dining room. What on earth was this door over here? Surely there wasn't space for another room? She opened the door and peered in. Why, it was a large storage pantry! She'd be able to store all their food goods, her multiple tea services, and all of her linen dining tablecloths from back home, with room to spare. Every detail of this house was fit for a queen. And, like quite the queen, she felt.

Next, she wandered into the large kitchen, where the drywall was half way installed. Large gaps in the walls showed the framing of the room. Loose cabinets littered the floor amongst other supplies and tools. Lee gave her a sheepish grin.

"Looks like you won't be cooking in here anytime soon." He shrugged.

"Lee, I'm just amazed at the work you have done. And imagine, it was all without me knowing!"

At that remark, he smiled like the cat who ate the canary. She suddenly was filled with relief that she didn't solve this surprise. After all this work, he deserved to have at least that satisfaction.

"These cabinets will go over on that wall, and I have a nice stove I ordered in from Edmonton coming in on the next shipment. Oh! And look at this—" She followed him to the corner of the kitchen where a spicket was hooked up over the largest washbasin she'd seen to date. He pumped it up and down and ice cold water gushed out.

"Running water? So soon?" She glanced at the large washbasin. "I sure hope you don't expect us to overflow that with dishes every night."

"Not right away, but once our family grows, it might come in handy." Lee pushed the handle down and rubbed his hands on his pants before reaching for her hand again.

Lee led her back to the entry room next to the staircase leading upstairs.

"Ready for more?"

She took the lead, tempted to take the stairs two at a time. "Need you ask, darling?"

Once she reached the top of the stairs, she paused, panting. Confound it all, this pregnancy sure was putting a cramp in her exuberance. Lee graciously waited as she caught her breath. She straightened once her breathing returned to normal.

"Close your eyes."

"What? Lee Coulter, I—"

"No arguments. Close your eyes."

She pouted, but then complied.

"This next room is my favorite and the furthest along. Here, take my hand, steady…" He led her forward a few steps. She heard the door lock click as he turned the knob.

"Okay, open your eyes."

She opened her eyes to see the grandest room of them all in front of her. Why, this just had to be the master bedroom. Ahead of her, was a trio of tall windows. She walked up to them and peered out, the mountains standing tall and strong in all their abundance before her. Why, the view stole her breath away! She swept a finger across the walls, already textured and awaiting a coat of paint. Beneath her boots, the hardwood floor shone under a light coat of dust. The room boasted two large closets, plenty of room for all her fashionable dresses and accessories. Just off the bedroom, a smaller room was lit naturally with a nice large window.

"I thought this area might make a good work space. With that view, and a nice desk, you could type to your heart's content for that column of yours."

"You've simply thought of everything, Lee."

"Just the best for my Rosie. So, what do you think?"

She put a finger to her lips and surveyed the room. "I think… this room ought to be a beautiful blush pink."

"Pink?" His face visibly paled.

She laughed and tweaked his nose. "I'm jesting you, dear husband. What this room needs is a rich jewel tone, or perhaps a cream complimented with this wondrous Burgundy bed set I saw in Edmonton, or royal purple could be a vision…"

"Well, I'll leave that up to you, except, ur… the pink."

She laughed.

He smiled awkwardly, then softened. "There's something else I want to show you."

Again, he took his hand in hers, which was quite charming, reminding her of their first days of courtship. He led her to the first of two bedrooms off to the side of the house. She caught her breath when she opened the door, for there sat a hand carved rocker next to the crib he had presented her at Christmas.

"Oh Lee." She went over and caressed the soft wood. The tears began to form in her eyes.

"Well, if I ever doubted your love for me, you've given me reason never to doubt again."

Concern flashed in his eyes. "Have I ever caused you to doubt my devotion?"

She squirmed. "Oh, no, not really."

Lee rubbed her hand with his thumb, silently inspiring her to share more.

"I guess…it's more likely that I convince myself I am not worthy of all this… of you."

He remained silent.

"I just don't know how I got so lucky to end up with you, Lee Coulter."

He smiled and reached over to cup her cheek with his hand.

"Oh, Rosie, don't you know… I'm the lucky one?"

She couldn't help the tear that trickled down her cheek.

"I never want you to doubt that my heart, my life, they are yours. Forever."

He placed his forehead on hers. "Got that?"

She nodded and his soft lips dipped close to hers, sealing the deal.

Although she didn't dare analyze it this moment, the sincerity in his words caused an intense, swirling tsunami to occur inside her, threatening to break down the barriers that she'd held up for so long.

Lee moved close to the rocker, one of his hands smoothing over the wood. "Just imagine, a matter of months and the little girl—"

"Or boy—"

"Or boy, will be here. I hope she has your smile."

"And your eyes."

They both exchanged a long look, then took a few steps out of the room. Lee pulled the door closed behind them.

Next, Lee led her to the indoor bathroom with the beginnings of indoor plumbing. A beautiful ivory claw bathtub sat on the tiles, awaiting a first soak. Oh, that was the tub Jesse and Hickam had mentioned with Kirill. She stifled a giggle. Oh, if they only knew she was imagining the mill with a clawfoot bathtub. She had to admit, this definitely made more sense.

Leading her back down the stairs, she could scarcely breath for all the wonder of it all. Why, he had thought of simply everything. It was to be the biggest, grandest house in all of Hope Valley and it would be theirs.

Looking around she felt tears develop in her eyes all over again. Never had she felt so loved and cared for, not even under her father's roof. Lee accepted her just the way she was, treasured her in fact. This simply had to be one of the best days in her life. Resting her hand on her midsection she began to feel a new excitement coursing through her. They were entering a new season: first a new home, followed by a new life.