February 14
Thirty minutes later, Rosemary watched as a crowd gently trickled into the schoolhouse for the Valentine's Day Dance. It was the first time the town had made such a big hub-bub about the holiday, usually leaving the busyness to the cafe with the extra sweets the day required and the extra meals to be served for a nice dinner out. But this year, they'd come to a consensus and it was: the bigger the better.
A few couples from the farms out east came in the door followed by a very put-together Ned Yost and his daughter, Katie. Jesse and Clara entered next, and Rosemary made a note in her mind to ask them of their engagement. Oh, she knew they were not officially engaged but perhaps she could inspire Jesse towards taking a step closer to tying the knot with his perfect match in Clara. She looked to the door just in time to see a very dapper Hickam entering the room with a beaming Nurse Carter on his arm, sporting a red rose corsage. She wasn't the only one to have noticed for there was a cat-call whistle across the room from Jesse and Murphy and a few of Hickam's other workmates who had already arrived. A pink blush crept up Hickam's cheeks but with a gentle squeeze from Faith, he relaxed and smiled. Florence and Molly came next, followed closely by a well-dressed Dottie. My, was that a new dress of silk she flaunted? It was downright lovely and the emerald green brought out her eyes just so. She looked down to her own outfit. Lee had insisted she go into Union City for a new dress, but with all the commotion around Harriet and her arrival, not to mention the fire, she'd found herself too busy. But she had managed to let out the waist of her favorite velvet maroon dress, and although it did not bring her such the joy as a new gown could have, she appreciated a good dress that fit and made her feel confident. Speaking of confident, here came that most incorrigible bachelor, Doc Carson. Would he have a date on his arm? Her view was blocked by the rest of the crowd, and she scooted around to see. It did seem Carson was doting on someone on his arm and smiling his very charming smile. Could it be true?
Just as the crowd parted so she could see, Carson approached her with… Opal along with Brownie, her favorite stuffed animal, on his arm.
"Mrs. Coulter," He shook her hand politely, "how nice to see you. Thank you for throwing this wonderful event for the town. I know my date is extremely excited for a dance." He looked down to the seven year old on his arm.
Opal curtsied in a most awkward way, one arm holding onto Brownie. "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Coulter for this opportune-i-ditty."
She smiled at the girl's mispronunciation. Carson gave Opal a wink and led her on to the refreshment table where he served her a cup of Abigail's famous red punch.
Well, that was not what she had imagined when she insisted he bring a date, but Opal was awfully cute and excited for the day. If that was how Doc Carson wanted to spend his Valentine's Day, then she would let him. But not for one moment must he think she abandoned her goal of matching him up.
Her eyes roamed over to Lee who was talking with Pastor Frank, both men with a cup of punch in hand. The two men had been so helpful in setting up the tables and decorations. Abigail was by the food table, assisting people in loading their plates with fried chicken and mash potatoes, while Harriet handed out punch and served up slices of freshly cut cake and heart shaped cookies. Cody was nearby snacking on a cookie, the crumbs dropping unceremoniously to the ground with Robert by his side looking warily at the long line of girls seated along the wall, awaiting a dance.
She clapped her hands together. Conversations continued to flow.
She stood up on a chair and clapped her hands again.
Lee flew to her side. "Rosie! Careful." He held his hand out to support her.
"Thank you all for showing up for Hope Valley's First Annual Valentine's Day Dance. As you have noticed, there are plenty of refreshments, please do help yourself. Momentarily the Hope Valley Band will be taking the stage and let the dancing begin!"
People murmured in delight and went back to their previous conversations and plates of food and desserts. She took Lee's hand as he helped her step off the stool.
"I wish you wouldn't do things like that." He motioned to the chair she had stood on.
"Oh, it's nothing." She tossed a curl over her shoulder.
"Rosie, it isn't nothing. You have got to be careful, for yourself and for the baby." The protectiveness was evident in Lee's eyes and even though she did not think standing on a chair constituted such a serious reaction, she smiled sweetly at him.
"You are right, Hunny Bunny. I will try to be more careful in the future."
He looked surprised at her lack of objection. "Rosie, are you feeling okay?" He swept a hand to her brow.
She gently pushed his hand away. "I'm just fine. Why?"
"You didn't have a comeback. Usually that is when I get an earful of your sass about how you are capable and all."
She smiled. He was right. Usually she did bite back on his comments like that. "Well, maybe I am coming to understand your concern."
"Well, I hope that's all, I wouldn't want you giving up all your sass. You know it is part of what drew me to you when I first came to town."
"Oh, I know, Lee Coulter. And just because I gave in about this little thing… well, that doesn't mean I don't have a plentiful amount of sass packed away."
"That's my Rosie. I wouldn't have it any other way." Lee took her hand and gave it a gentle kiss. "Save a dance for me?"
She nodded.
"I've got to go warm up," he said motioning to the trumpet awaiting him on the stage.
She nodded and watched as he went and began to unpack the borrowed trumpet from its case.
"He really is a good man." Elizabeth came up next to her and followed her gaze to Lee.
"Yes he is. I don't know how I would have gotten through that whole ordeal with Harriet without him." She reminisced for a moment and then focused her attention on Elizabeth. "Speaking of good men, where is yours?"
"He rode out Tuesday to assist the Mounties in Calgary. I'm hopeful he is on his way. He requested this day off, but you know the police force… there is always important work to be done." She sighed, her eyes sad.
The door opened and they both held their breath looking for a man in uniform. Instead, it was Henry Gowen entering the schoolhouse, a partial scowl on his face.
"I cannot believe my eyes! Gowen at the Valentine's Day Dance?" Rosemary said.
"I guess everyone has a wish for acceptance and love." Elizabeth remarked kindly. "I'm going to go check on the cookie supply. I will talk with you later?"
Rosemary nodded and decided she too ought to perform a check-in, but hers consisting with the band. Someone had to make sure the song selection was ready and appropriate.
Sure enough, the band, complete with Lee on the trumpet, Ned Yost on the tuba, Wilma Lawson on the trombone and her own mother, Harriet, on the piano, was ready. After giving them a go ahead nod, the room erupted into lively music. Perhaps it was not exactly on tune, but live music was better than no music at all. Slowly couples gathered out on the floor: Faith pulling a reluctant Hickam, Jesse holding Clara tight, and even Carson leading an excited Opal and Brownie to the floor. Before long, the dance floor was full, not so unlike Rosemary's heart.