January 20
Rosemary stepped out of the Hope Valley Newspaper Office and surveyed the town before her. She just had to track Mr. Jameston down before the clues in the paper quite literally went up in smoke! She looked up and down Main Street, searching for any sign of the Jamestons. Why, what was that? Wonder of all wonders, Mr. Jameston's wagon was parked at the mercantile! She lifted her skirt and stepped off the boardwalk with confident and quick strides towards the wagon. She had just stepped on her tippy toes to see if her precious newspapers were resting inside, when she heard her name called from across the street.
Peeling her eyes from the wagon, she looked around. Oh,— "Dottie, Hello! Did you by chance come to town with Mr. And Mrs. Jameston?"
Dottie stepped off the boardwalk, a neat package in her hands. "Mr. Jameston, yes, but Mrs. Jameston is quite occupied cleaning house. She's hosting the quilting bee tomorrow."
"Oh?"
Dottie nodded. "I volunteered to help with the errands, you know the ones menfolk often can't quite carry out." She motioned to the box in her hand. "Such as securing the last pecan pie from Abigail's. It wouldn't be a quilting bee without Abigail's pecan pie."
It was true. Abigail's pecan pie had been present at the one and only quilting bee she had been to in Hope Valley. That was back in the days many in the town saw her as a threat to Jack and Elizabeth's relationship, and she'd found the reception quite rude, to say the least. She hadn't been back since and had found other outlets for her many talents. It was their loss, after all, since she was such a whiz with needle and thread.
She observed the box in Dottie's hands. Well, it looked as if Lee was out of luck. She had been hoping to stop in and nab the final pie to bring home for dessert tonight. Oh well. She let out a sigh, finally able to relax now that she knew Mr. Jameston was still in town and her papers most likely intact. They must be around her somewhere. She peered over the edge of the wagon as Dottie approached and placed the pie in a secure wooden box near the end of the wagon. Next to the box was a pile of newspapers. The archives were safe. She must have released her breath louder than she thought for Dottie put an arm on hers.
"Rosemary, are you alright?"
"Oh quite alright. Relieved is more like it." She explained the story of the 'Greatest Mystery of Hope Valley' and Dr. Love while Dottie listened, her eyes as round as saucers.
"Oh yes, I remember that quite well."
Rosemary blinked. In all her busyness, she hadn't even thought to ask Dottie. My, her sleuthing skills were getting sloppy. Of course Dottie had been present in Hope Valley when Dr. Love was writing her articles. She would have to do a thorough interrogation. But it would have to wait for another time, as right then Mr. Jameston exited the Mercantile with a wooden crate filled with necessities.
He nodded a greeting.
Although nothing but gentle, his size always seemed to intimidate her. But not today. Nothing would get in her way. Her eyes sparkled. "Mr. Jameston, I would like to ask you something."
"Yes?" He placed the wooden crate on the buckboard and closed the tailgate of the wagon with a bang.
"Might I have the papers you picked up from the Newspaper office?"
With large, meaty hands, the farmer rolled his shirt sleeves then motioned to the papers nestled in the back of his wagon. "These here? They are nothing but old papers. Sure make a fine kindling."
"No sir. These ones are not. In fact, these papers hold the key to the 'Greatest Mystery of Hope Valley'."
He tipped his hat, a lock of his more salt-than-pepper hair escaping. A curious look came over his face. "Is that so?"
"Yes, and if you would kindly hand them over, I will make sure I credit you properly when I solve this case."
At this his eyes rounded. "Honestly? Like a credit in your own column?"
She groaned. Even Mr. Jameston knew she was the author of the current advice column? This was ridiculous! Obviously she was not in contention with Dr. Love for holding the 'Greatest Mystery of Hope Valley'.
She peered at him through her lashes. "Perhaps." She held out her hands, ready for him to deposit the newspapers in her arms.
He cracked an ornery smile. "No."
Her face fell. "What? But Mr. Jameston, I must insist! They are the property of Hope Valley filled with history and—"
"No. I refuse to let a lady— in your condition" his face reddened and he looked down, "carry these home on your own. They are much too heavy."
Her cheeks colored at that. She hadn't thought about carrying the heavy stack all the way home, but just wanted to secure them. "Oh."
"Ma'am, if you'd hop in we will deliver both you and the papers home." He gave her a hand up to the front of the wagon where Dottie was already seated. There was just enough room for the three of them to perch on the wooden seat.
Dottie linked arms with Rosemary. "Well, isn't this just dandy?" Then she leaned forward to address Mr. Jameston. "Now it is my turn. I hope you do not mind, but I too, have a favor to ask?"
He simply nodded as he took up the reins. Rosemary imagined he must be groaning on the inside.
"Might we make a stop at the Dress Shop? I have something I want to give Rosemary."
After a detour to the Dress Shop, Rosemary was perched back on the wagon, this time on the other side of Dottie. She glanced back, barely believing what she saw: Dottie's 1910 Singer treadle sewing machine rested in the back of the wagon, covered by an old quilt. Dottie hadn't truly given it to her per se, but instead was lending it to her to help get more work done from home. Mr. Jameston had been a saint and had only mumbled once or twice as he worked the machine from the shop to the back of the wagon with the help of Doc Carson, who happened to be passing by. Now they would be able to catch up on the Valentine's Dance dresses in no time, both with Dottie using Mrs. Jameston's machine and her using his one. She'd use it during the evenings as Lee was reading the paper or working around the house—
"Oh!" She gripped her midsection. Immediately both Dottie and Mr. Jameston's eyes widened and went to her belly.
She shrugged. "Sorry, I… I just remembered something."
Relief crept into both their eyes.
"I was hoping to use the machine in the evenings when Lee is home, but the only problem is he's just started a project at the new house. It will simply take him weeks to complete. I couldn't imagine being home all alone those evenings. Would you, Mr. Jameston, mind very much bringing the machine to my new home? We can leave the papers there as well."
She waited for his answer, fully aware that they were testing his patience with all their requests. He merely grunted and turned the horses the other direction, toward her new home.
She smiled.