February 7
Rosemary nudged a little closer to Lee as he guided the Model T across the frosty morning plains and toward the morning service at their beloved Hope Valley church. Harriet was beside her, perched on the plush car cushion— her black overcoat, strand of pearls, and white gloves giving her a polished appearance. It was their first time attending church together, making an appearance as mother and daughter and nothing could feel more natural. They'd worked past the initial thoughts and concerns and now, had settled into a special type of reunion. Once Rosemary had let go of the past, realizing she could never change it, and just accepted the present for what it was and what could become of it, the weight had lifted from her shoulders. She sensed the same had occurred for Harriet.
She shifted on the bench, her lower back sorer than she had felt in a long time. The last four days they had feverishly cleaned out the cafe, quite possibly making it better than it had been before. Due to minimal damage, primarily confined to the kitchen, the clean up had been fast and effective, thanks to the people of Hope Valley who always seemed to rise to the occasion when it was needed. What was a little soreness when they could offer such assistance to a friend in need? And oh, Abigail had been pleased. After she'd surveyed the repaired cafe, her smile could have lit up the night sky. She thanked each one of them personally, and also proceeded to invite them to a special supper, which would be served tonight as a thank you for the community's help in her time of need. Hopefully Abigail would see the wisdom in serving Rosemary's own personal world famous buttermilk biscuits along with the announced main dish of turkey and gravy. She could almost smell the oven browning it now, to a golden topped flaky—
The car lurched, emitting more of a burnt smell than a freshly baked biscuit smell. She held her nose, her belly roiling.
"Drat!" Lee called out and then gave her and Harriet an apologetic glance for his choice of wording. He reluctantly hopped out of the car, and after looking around for several minutes he came back inside, rubbing his hands together to warm them from the cold mountain air. He reached over and tapped the gas gauge and sure enough it went from registering full to registering empty, then back up again.
Rosie sighed.
"In all this week's busyness, I forgot to check the gas tank, Rosie. It looks like we are walking the remainder of the way to church." He tipped his hat Harriet's way. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
Rosemary sighed and gathered her reticule after tightening her coat around about her. "It's a mistake anyone of us could make."
In fact, she had made the mistake, numerous times, when they had first married. Despite Lee warning her that the gas gauge gave a false appearance of being full, she'd forgotten to lightly tap it to see the true reading. The worst of offenses had come when she was on a shopping spree in Edmonton with both Florence and Molly in her care when the car had ran out of gas the middle of nowhere. One tap to the gas gauge had confirmed it. Empty. Thankfully, at that time, the extra canister of gas had sat in the back and she had poured it in quickly, and although it had soiled her favorite pair of gloves, they were back on the road in no time. But no such luck this time. With the tank empty in the back, they would have to walk on this early, frosty morning.
Harriet scooted from the rich burgundy car seat and Lee gave her a hand down. Rosemary followed after her, the cool mountain air being even chillier than expected. Thankfully, the church was already within view and they would be able to walk the rest of the way with ease.
Lee offered her his arm, his face contrite. "I'll make sure to ride out to Cape Fullerton for plenty of gas this week."
She leaned into him. "You always take such good care of me."
Lee rolled his eyes and she placed a kiss on his lightly whiskered cheek.
"I mean it, Lee Coulter."
He smiled and led her and Harriet down the road towards the church.
By the time they walked into the church and hung their coats, the service was not far from beginning. Lee led them to their usual spot upfront in the second row, each of them politely greeting a person or two before settling into the pew. The members of Hope Valley streamed down the aisles of the church, scooting into various rows and corners just moments before the service was to begin. A sense of community lingered in the air. Hope Valley's church services always did provide a warm and comforting place to belong…. But since Abigail's cafe fire, the community had come together to help even more so. Although she was sure there were plenty of sore muscles and missed sleep, a downright jovial attitude hung in the air.
Ned Yost walked to their aisle and after pleasantries were exchanged, he gave Lee a slap on the back. "So when are we coming over to help finish that new house of yours?"
Lee chuckled. "Oh, I can't ask for your help, not after all the town has already been through. I'm just glad the cafe is up and running again. I mean… a guy has to have a place to go to when feeling hungry!" He gave her a sidelong glance and she softly punched him in the arm.
"Lee Coulter! You know half of the cafe's recipes are my own!"
Elizabeth walked by at that precise moment and gave her a disproving teacher's look.
Rosemary stuttered. "Okay, so maybe not half… but a good number of them are in use at Delmonico's." She held up her hands rapturously.
Bill, Jack, and Elizabeth scooted into the row in front of the Coulters, and after a round of exchanged greetings, Ned brought the subject up again. "So what do you say, Lee? Will you let the men of the town give you a hand? Help you get into your new home before the baby arrives?"
Bill and Jack turned around to the conversation.
"We've already talked about it. We can have a wagon load of supplies and workers over there at the drop of a hat." Bill said, taking off his own hat for the service.
"I've got some time on my hands now that the Calgary Mounted Police are after Fife. They called me off the trail, and so here I am… with nothing to do." Jack offered.
That earned him an elbow in the ribs from Elizabeth. "Nothing to do except plan a wedding, sir. Do not forget that."
He smirked and then looped an arm around her. "Let's just say it will help serve as a distraction…"
"Oh? From what?" Elizabeth playfully said.
"A distraction from the fact I still have to wait a good four months until I get to marry the love of my life." The sincerity in his voice rang out, causing Elizabeth to snuggle closer to his side.
"Thanks for the offer, guys," Lee looked around to each of the men, "it really means a lot, but you've got your own matters to tend to… the wedding… the store, protecting the town from danger…"
Bill shrugged. "We can each spare a day or two or three. I'm sure if we came up with a rotation we could keep a good three to four hands on deck until the house is completed, hopefully, say… May?"
Rosemary clapped her hands. "Oh Lee, say yes."
Lee shot her a look. But she couldn't help but imagine how wonderful it would be to be in their own home before the baby arrived.
Lee grunted and crossed his hands. "Thanks for the offer boys, but I can't let you work for me for free."
Bill laughed. "Who said anything about free?"
Both Ned and Jack looked at him confused-like.
He continued, "We'd ask to test out Rosemary's famous recipes on a regular basis, wouldn't we, fellows?"
The men smiled and laughed.
"That we would." Ned nodded.
Lee's face was still serious. "I… I just don't know what to say."
"Then say yes." Bill said plainly.
Rosemary elbowed her hunny bunny in the ribs. He sure could be stubborn at the most inopportune moments. She was just about to answer for him when he said,
"Okay… then, if you are sure… yes."
Bill clapped him on the back while Jack shook his hand and Ned Yost nodded excitedly.
"But don't you think I won't be looking for an opportunity to pay you back," Lee said, always wanting to have the upper hand in generosity.
Jack tapped the pew with his knuckles. "We've got some work to do. I'll talk to Jesse and Hickam after the service and see what we can get lined up for tomorrow afternoon."
Bill nodded. "Yes, and as much as I clash with the fellow… I think Gowen could be a good service to us as well."
Rosemary watched for Lee's reaction. Lee and Gowen did not have the best track record and she hoped his involvement wouldn't be a cause for problem. When Lee simply shrugged, she decided to do the same. They would take help in any form they could get it.
At that precise moment, Pastor Frank invited them to stand, hymnal in hand, and turn to page 32, "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul".
She smiled at the irony. Truly 'Heaven had come down' through the deep camaraderie she was experiencing here in her hometown of Hope Valley. And, oh glory, God-willing, she'd have her house by May!