January 14

The door rattled and Rosemary's heart just about flew through her throat. Holding a hand to her chest, she inhaled deeply, before the stars could start to form in her vision. She had been nervous all morning, awaiting this moment. Her original thought had been to feign a nap, but Lee, being his sweet self, would come to check on her and press his light lips to hers and she'd have to look into those true blue eyes. She'd been avoiding telling him the news of Harriet's impending arrival, because, well, he didn't know of Harriet or of her involvement, or the "distress" she had caused in her life. She took a deep breath and pasted on a smile while the doorknob turned. Just seconds later, Lee emerged through the door, his hat awkwardly shifting to one side, and his arms full. He gave her a lopsided smile as he struggled through the door.

"There's my Rosie. Mind giving me a hand?" He stretched out his hands, full of newspapers, towards her. She took a few wobbling yet gentle steps forward.

"Oh forgive me, Rosie— your ankle." Lee's eyes looked concerned.

She waved him off, and took the newspapers from him, shuffling through them, anything to avoid eye contact.

"What are these old things?"

"Ah." Lee hung up his coat on the coat rack, straightened his vest, and turned to face her. "That—" he pointed to the stack of papers in her arms, "is your surprise."

"Oh, how charming. I've always wanted a pile of old rotting newspapers." She rolled her eyes.

Lee gave her a lopsided grin. "Hold on. Let me explain. Here, come here." He sat on the settee and patted his lap.

She raised an eyebrow. "Lee, I'm much too— well, you don't want me sitting on your lap… in my condition."

Lee waved his hand, disregarding her argument and patted his lap again until all she could do was come close to him and allow him to pull her—thick midsection and all— into his lap.

"Now, that's better." He placed a kiss on the back of her neck. Then another.

"Lee?"

"Hmm?"

"The papers?"

"I guess we should get to that." He gave the tender spot on her neck one more kiss and then reached around her and snapped open the first newspaper. "Let's see. It has to be around here somewhere…" She could feel his eyes over her shoulder examining the paper. "There!" He flicked the paper, nearly causing her to jump. His arms did feel deliciously yummy snuggled around her.

"What?"

"That. Read it."

"Okay. I still don't know what this has to do with—"

"Read it." He said and returned to snuggling against her neck, causing gooseflesh to rise on her arms.

"Okay…" Her eyes scanned the document. "Dear Dr. Love— Lee? What is this—"

His eyes motioned her back to the paper.

He wanted her to read this pile of rubbish? For what reason? She sighed and continued on.

"Today is our fifteenth wedding anniversary, and I want to do something wondrous to let my husband know he means the world to me. I have thought of travel to Edmonton for a weekend festival or of going into Calgary for a five star meal and delicate French pastry. What is your advice to a common couple of Hope Valley wishing to celebrate their love?"

"Hope Valley Couple?" She turned the paper around and looked at the title. Why it was the Hope Valley Sentinel, dated June 1910.

"How odd! Hope Valley already had an advice columnist?" She harrumphed. "I thought my idea was original. How disappointing."

"What's Dr. Love's answer?" Lee's questioned from behind her.

She turned back the page back around.

"Dear Couple in Love,

My recommendation for the best anniversary together is simply this: enjoy a home cooked meal just the two of you, and a game of cards out on the patio after dinner. Perhaps may I suggest the game of hearts? It was our favorite. And to top things off-have a special dessert- his favorite chocolate cake, or even just a refreshing glass of lemonade. Celebrating your love does not come with a list of "should do's" to prove your love, but rather, love is found in the simple things. Enjoy each other. I wish someone would have said these words to me years ago, before it was too late. This is your advice from an old anonymous friend. Best wishes to you both. Sincerely, Dr. Love."

"Anonymous? She was an anonymous writer too? Who is she? How many of these are there?" She ruffled through the newspapers, nearly three dozen. She glimpsed at the dates. Why it looked like it went from 1907 clear through the year 1910 but then what?

Lee set aside the paper in her hand. "I know my girl always loves a good mystery."

"How long have you known about this?"

"Well, actually, just found out today. I went into the Newspaper Office to get some records about the sawmill, and Mr. Gibson had file box upon file box out. He was doing his five year purge, it seems. He was just going to dispose of them but I said you could use some light reading. Before I knew what was happening, he handed me the whole pile."

"Did he mention Dr. Love's column?"

"Actually, he did. He said you might be interested in the 'Great Hope Valley Mystery'. Even after all these years, no one knows who was writing as 'Dr. Love'. Well, that made my ears itch, because if there is anyone in this town who could solve a mystery, it would be you."

He gave her a kiss and she shifted off his lap, still dumfounded at this news. Imagine that. No one in the town knew? How did "Dr. Love" keep such a secret? How many articles did she write? Was this the sum of them or just the last of her writings? Why did she stop the column? Someone must have known her secret, must have they?

Lee pushed off the coach and gave her a smile. "I know that look. You have a million questions swirling through your head, don't you?"

She smiled back up at him. "No. Just a million and one."

He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "If there is anyone good at mysteries, it is you, Rosie." He left her to walk over to the kitchen, his words sinking into her heart. Her— good at mysteries? Suddenly the excitement of the mystery before her was shaded by the mystery secret she was keeping. Was this is a subtle hint that he knew about the mystery she was keeping from him? Had he heard about Harriet's arrival? Had he put two and two together and knew she was hiding something? Her heart beat faster than hummingbird wings in flight.

Lee poured a cup of water and drank it slowly as she gripped onto the side of the settee, the suspense swirling in her midsection, causing her to want to run and hide. Far away.

Lee cleared his throat causing her heart to jump. "Oh, I almost forgot. While I was out and about today… well, I managed to hear something."

"Oh?" All the blood drained out of her face and her heart stopped. He knew.

He walked near her, his eyes serious. From where she sat, he looked tall, strong, and… intimidating. It reminded her of the time when she was eight and had stolen penny candy from the mercantile and her Father had approached her about it. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Listen, Lee, I was going to tell you—"

Lee whipped out a box from behind his back and offered it to her gently.

Her breath froze, then her heart started to beat again.

"I heard that the stage brought in my latest order and on it— this, especially for you. It took a long time coming. I was hopeful it would arrive today. I meant it as celebration present for this little one when you first told me the news. Sorry it took so long to arrive. Here, open it up."

"What?" She sat there dumbfounded.

"Here. This is your surprise. You didn't think a pile of silly old newspapers was what I promised you when I left off to work this morning was it?"

"Oh, no, I guess not." She felt as if she needed reviving after that scare. She took in a deep breath. Then, sensing Lee's eyes on her, she proceeded to open the box. The feelings of guilt barraging her. Here, she was harboring a secret while Lee was showering her with his love and attention. What a rotten wife she was.

She opened the box, revealing— another box. She gave him a questioning look.

He took it quickly from her fingers, his excitement evident. "It's a song box. For the baby. Listen."

He cranked the handle and soon the sweet melody of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" echoed into the room.

The sob caught in her throat.

"We can play it anytime she can't sleep or— Rosie, are you okay?" Lee put the box away off to the side, concerned, his warm arms quickly wrapping around her.

The sob she had struggled to keep down came out as a gasping, a panting, followed by numerous tears dashing down her cheeks.

"Rosie. I'm sorry. Did it upset you? Maybe I should have—"

"No… Lee… it isn't… you. I'm just…."

"There, there. It's okay. Take a few deep breaths."

She relished the smooth pats of his hand on her back, even though she knew she did not deserve them. She was a wretched woman keeping such secrets from the only one who truly loved her. She should tell him everything. Now, her heart seemed to gently whisper to her.

She swiped at the tears running down her cheeks.

"Is it the box? You don't like it?"

The tenderness in his eyes stole her breath away. She didn't deserve such kindness.

She managed to shake her head. "It's…good."

Her breaths were still coming uneven and darn those tears that continued to stream down her cheeks and land on the neck of her shirtwaist.

Lee smiled softly, and held onto her hand. Such sweet, tender hands.

"There, there. Doc Carson said some of this was to be expected. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Just a surge of emotions. Everything is okay. I'm here. Nothing will ever change that."

A rise of tears, new and fresh prickled the back of her eyes. He was much too kind. What would she do? To tell him would mean she would have to open Pandora's43. box- all the way back to her childhood. It would be shocking, disturbing, and more than a little uncomfortable. It was time to do it, but she just couldn't bring herself to it. But if not now, when?