January 18
She could only hope that by taking her confidant with her, it would give her the measure of courage she was desperately in need of today. The kitten poked her pink nose out of the basket on Rosemary's arm. She gently covered Sidney in the basket, once again, with the fluffy towel. She'd need all the fearlessness she could get, heading into Hope Valley for the first time since she had turned her ankle last Monday. Since then so much had happened: Bill was hunting down Kirill and Fife who had escaped jail, Dottie was holed up at the Jameston's nearby farm for safety until the outlaw's capture, and Lee… She'd opened a portion of her heart to him, revealing a half secret from her past. And he'd responded so beautifully it simply made her heart soar to think of it. And of course, Sidney, the kitten, had come to live with them. It had been a most eventful week, but the one thing that still caused her to shiver in her brown velvet button heeled boots was: the spreading of the news she was to have a visitor come to Hope Valley. She was still not sure how she would face any questions concerning that. In an odd way she was thankful that the church service had been postponed because of the intense brawl yesterday. There hadn't been an opportunity for any questioning glances or probing questions about the details of her visitor, and for that she was thankful. But today she must be brave and go into town regardless of the possibilities of inquires awaiting her.
She rounded the corner and walked onto Main Street, pleased to see that the town looked sparse and sleepy in the morning light. Perhaps she would not run into nary a person at all. She turned toward her first stop: the Dress Shop. How was business at the shop holding up? She sure hadn't meant to leave her partner in such a lurch with the Valentine's Dance approaching quickly. Her boots struck the boardwalk leading to the shop, but immediately came to a halt. It was all boarded up. The window shades were pulled down, and a large sign was nailed on the door: Closed until Further Notice. Of course! She hadn't even considered it. If Dottie was staying at the Jameston's for safety until the capture of the outlaws, the shop would be closed. But how were they to make next month's rent if their shop was shut down?
She turned away from the Dress Shop and walked the other way, bumping into someone in her distracted state.
"Rosemary!" Dottie reached out to steady her.
"Dottie! Oh, Dottie!"
"Rosemary! It's so good to see— oh! Your ankle! Should you be standing?"
"It's right as rain. But you— the shop—"
"Come, let's get a spot of tea at Abigail's. We will sort it all out there." Dottie placed her gloved fingers on the arm of Rosemary's magenta overcoat as they walked together down the boardwalk. The basket on Rosemary's arm moved and Dottie quickly pulled her hand back.
"What on earth?"
She laughed. "Oh, it's just Sidney."
"Sidney?"
"A kitten. My kitten."
"Oh dear, we do have a lot to catch up on." Dottie swung the door open at the cafe and with a nod to Abigail, who was busy with a customer at the moment, they sat at their regular table. Rosemary peeled off her overcoat and hung it on the nearest coatrack, then placed the basket near her feet. Caroline, a new hire at the cafe, brought them a pot of tea and a tray of various meats, cheeses, and crackers. They both nodded their thanks to the server.
"I do have to apologize to you, Rosemary." Dottie said, taking her gloves off and placing them next to the creamy rose place setting on the table. "I asked Lee not to mention the store closing to you until you regained your strength. I knew you would feel badly and more than likely find a way to get into town, but with your ankle, and well, the baby… I thought it would be better if you had the time to recover."
She nodded. Here Dottie was thinking all about her, when she was the one in danger. How did she get to lucky to have such a sweet friend? "You are okay, Dottie? I mean, should you be here, unaccompanied?"
Dottie chuckled. "Should you? After all, you were the last one to see the infamous Adam Fife."
She swallowed. She hadn't thought about that.
Dottie placed a hand on her arm. "Mr. Jameston is just across the way at the mercantile, and the town is full of people who would give their right arm to protect us. We are safe. Plus, I just had to get out of the house. Not that I am complaining. Mr. and Mrs. Jameston have been nothing but generous, but there is only so much mending I can take before I need a break for tea and a chat with a dear friend."
Rosemary reached for the teapot and poured them each a cup of the hot concoction before stirring in a small portion of cream into her own. "So there is still no news on Kirill and Fife?"
"As far as I know, they are still on the run. They could be anywhere between here and Edmonton. That's the direction it was rumored they headed."
"How awful. I hope Bill is able to hunt them down sooner rather than later. This must be costing the shop a fortune! Being out of business and all."
"Yes, well, it certainly isn't an ideal situation, is it? I have been keeping up on the mending in the evenings. We do have quite a few orders for new gowns. I just don't know if it is possible to get them all done in a month's time."
"Oh, I'd be happy to take some work home. In fact, I wish you would have dropped some by earlier. Having a project to look forward to sounds delightful." She took a small sip of the hot tea.
Dottie put her tea down with a clatter. "Oh, listen to me just going on about myself, when you, Rosemary, have a big guest coming soon!"
She swallowed the burn rising in her throat, was that from the tea or, more likely, the dreaded topic? How should she approach this with her best friend? She wasn't quite ready to tell the whole truth. Silence hung in the air between them.
"Did I misunderstand that?" Dottie picked up her teacup and took a dainty sip.
As much as she wanted to lie, she knew that the truth would come out eventually. "No, you heard right. It's just I'm not sure about her arrival."
"Oh, is it indefinite? Depending on the circumstances?"
"Something like that." She shifted in the chair, realizing she was growing increasingly warm. What she needed now was a distraction. A slight mew came from under the table.
Dottie's eyes rounded.
"Oh! I nearly forgot about poor Sidney!" She lifted the tablecloth, and addressed the kitten who had climbed out of the basket and was weaving in and out of her legs. "I bet you are hungry, girl, aren't you?" She couldn't help her voice coming out high and light. Boy, was she relieved for the diversion. She pinched a piece of meat from the tray at the table and held it down to the little creature. She deserved a treat for her impeccable timing! After re-situating the kitten in the basket with a little more to snack on, Rosemary brought her attention back up to the table. Just in time to see a vision in purple heading their way.
"Florence, how good to see you." Dottie reached up and hugged Florence who was clothed from head to foot in a deep shade of purple, while Rosemary took the opportunity to load her plate with delicacies from the platter.
She peered at Florence from under her lashes. Hopefully Florence had left her big mouth at home this morning. She could only hope that something else had caught the attention of the busy body this morning.
"Have you both heard?" Florence pulled a chair out and sat down, reaching for the extra place setting.
Dottie proceeded to pour her a tea, but Rosemary bet that having a spot of tea was the last thing on Florence's mind.
"The brawl, yesterday, at the church? It was between two men of the Clergy Board of Western Canada and our very own Pastor Frank." Florence's eyes shone. Of course, only the latest bit of gossip would pass Florence's lips.
"Oh, you don't say?" Dottie clicked her tongue.
"Rumor is the two men rode into town in a frenzy, nearly knocking over widow McCormick. Their purpose? To make sure Pastor Frank did not set foot inside of the church Sunday morning. They said his license was revoked."
"Oh dear." Dottie nibbled on a cracker.
"Lee said the men were very hostile. Not even open to letting him give a last message." Rosemary lifted her own cracker to her mouth and took a bite.
"Hostile was the least of it. I heard the one man threw a punch at Pastor Frank after he refused to leave the church and chaos ensued after that. Half the town ended up in jail after that fiasco, including the two clergy men who confronted Pastor Frank." Florence placed her napkin on her lap, and held her hands out to receive the meat and cheese platter.
"What a shame. It seems ridiculous this couldn't have been settled in a more amicable way." Dottie said as she passed the tray.
"But what of Pastor Frank?" As Rosemary spoke she felt a nudge on her ankle. Sidney must have finished her snack. She pinched another piece of meat and lobbed it under the table.
Florence held a cracker laced with ham and Swiss cheese. "Last I heard, he got a doozy of a black eye. But the man didn't lift a finger. It was Jesse, Carson, and Gowen who threw punches in his defense."
"Gowen?" Rosemary had a hard time believing that.
"I'm as surprised as you." Florence patted her lips with the napkin.
"Oh, he's not all bad." Dottie's eyes were soft.
"I just wonder why they thought it was of such importance to come to town and enforce that Pastor Frank's license has been revoked? The Board claims they sent a notice weeks ago that Pastor Frank's license was nullified. Pastor Frank denied receiving a letter. They said a man with a background such as his is not trusted to be a minister." Florence clicked her tongue.
"But shouldn't they have thought about that before issuing the license?" Bless Dottie, she was always defending the humble.
"That's what I say. I mean, why just now, years after his licensing, is this becoming an issue? He's been nothing but honorable in his position as Pastor to Hope Valley. Something sounds suspicious to me." Rosemary tapped a finger to her chin.
"Well, I, for one, would like to get to the bottom of this. If our Pastor is truly unfit for ministry, I would be the first to send him on his way." Florence tapped the table to emphasize her point.
"But if it is a case of manipulation or tomfoolery… it would be good to get to the bottom of it and clear our good Pastor's name, wouldn't it, Florence?" Dottie's look was stern.
Florence harrumphed. "I guess so. I still am holding out for a handsome new intern to come our way."
Rosemary's eyebrow rose. "But what of Mr. Yost? The other day you mentioned—"
"Certain men are not willing to be caught. Well, I must wish you all a good day."
And with that, Florence stood up and walked out of the cafe.