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Chapter 7

"Good morning, my darling detective," Lee said, bounding down the stairs. "Did you find out if that itty-bitty girl next door is cooking up a matchmaking plot?"

Rosemary yawned and set a plate in front of her husband.

"What time did you come to bed?" he inquired.

"Not until Elizabeth finally took that child upstairs. The constable hadn't left, but I couldn't stay up a minute longer."

"And did your eavesdropping produce any results?"

"A little. I can't be sure I'm right, but I don't think I'm wrong."

"So the bet is on?"

"You bet it's on!"

"Then it's only fair that you share what you know before we settle on the terms."

He watched as a devious gleam in her eye came and went.

"Rosemary. Be honest."

"Oh, all right." She gave in. "Here's the scoop. First little Miss Betsy got them all to say their goodnight prayers together — you know, like a family." She nodded, as though that said it all.

"Go on," he said.

"And then — you won't believe this — she tried to get Elizabeth to join them on a picnic after church today! Thankfully, our friend had sense enough to decline the invitation."

"I'm not seeing a grand romantic plot here," he said, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"A picnic among the wildflowers."

He shrugged.

"Oh, Lee. Don't you see? Picture it — the two of them lost in a field of flowers, the breeze blowing through their hair, their horses grazing nearby, the sound of children laughing and playing." Her hands gestured wide, as if in front of a movie screen. "It's a textbook tale of peace and tranquility, and maybe even love — a perfect romance."

Lee reached out and took one of her gesturing hands. "Honey, I'm so sorry."

She scowled. "Why are you sorry?"

"You're clearly hungry for romance, and I'm not living up to my responsibilities."

"What? Oh? Hmmm." Her scowl turned into a faint smile. "What do you plan to do about your terribly neglectful behavior, my dear husband?"

"Why don't we take a picnic lunch and go enjoy the wildflowers this afternoon? We can spend some quiet time, just the two of us, and I'll pick you the biggest bouquet you've ever seen."

"Why, indeed! It sounds like a splendid plan, darling."

"And if we motor out in my car, we won't risk running into the Mountie and his niece."

"Thank you. I'm not sure I can stand that child slaughtering our name again."

"She only did it once, and then corrected herself thereafter."

She tipped her head in an "I'll give her that" manner.

"Let me think about what to pack for our picnic," she said. "We have a full larder, so you have your choice of what to bring."

"Anything you choose, my love. But please, no more of your 'emergency biscuits.'"

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"Are you sure you can't go with us, Mrs. Thornton?" Betsy asked, as she and her uncle were set to depart on their afternoon adventure.

"No, but thank you again for the invitation," Elizabeth said. "Jack had a fretful night, as you well know, so we're spending a quiet day together. Go and enjoy yourself with Uncle Nathan."

Her eyes twinkled as she exchanged a glance with the uncle in question, who barely contained a smile of his own.

"I'm sure Betsy will bring back a nice assortment of flowers," he said, tipping a Western-style hat that matched his casual clothes.

"That sounds lovely. I look forward to seeing what you discover, Betsy."

"See you when we get back." Betsy waved.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Thornton," Nathan said with a wink, urging his mount on toward their destination.

She waved them off and entered her home, closing the door behind her.

"Now, to settle in with the man of my dreams," she whispered over her sleeping son.

"Elizabeth!" called a familiar voice from the front door.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and hurried to answer.

"Rosemary, please keep your voice down." She glanced behind her to see if Jack was stirring.

"I'm so sorry," she hushed. "I was wondering if you and little Jack would like to drive with us to see the flowers this afternoon."

"Oh, I thought you and Lee were going alone."

"How on earth would you know that?" Rosemary quizzed.

Elizabeth smiled apologetically. "Our thin walls?"

"Is that all you heard?" her neighbor asked quickly.

"Maybe something about a picnic? Sorry, I wasn't trying to snoop — I was getting breakfast ready and couldn't help overhearing."

"Oh, did Constable Grant happen join you for your morning meal?"

"He did not, which you already know because I saw you peering out your window when he stopped by afterward to walk Betsy to church."

"Lovely sermon, wasn't it? 'Love thy neighbor.'" Rosemary put on a look of rapture.

Elizabeth chuckled. "We already love you to pieces, Rosemary. But sometimes we love you a little less when you announce yourself at our door so loudly."

"I'll try to remember to keep my voice down," Rosemary said. "But didn't you once say Little Jack can sleep through anything?"

"Almost anything, but I don't want to tempt him to prove me wrong."

"He's always so enthusiastic to see me that I forget he still sleeps a good part of the day."

"You're his favorite visitor when he's awake, of that you can be sure."

"He's a precious child. Speaking of children, I don't see Betsy around. Is she spending the day with her uncle?" Rosemary pretended ignorance.

"They're off wildflower hunting, too. You might run into them if you're lucky."

"Oh, wouldn't that be the best luck," Rosemary enthused. "Well, I guess I'll be off with my sweetheart. Sure you won't change your mind?"

"Thank you, but no. I'm looking forward to our day of rest."

"As you wish, my dear neighbor. Ta-ta!"

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"Look, Uncle Nathan — a motorcar!"

Betsy turned to gaze at the noisy beast roaring up behind them. Nathan reined his steed to the shoulder of the road and halted, watching the vehicle with his usual cautious attitude.

The car slowed well before approaching the two on horseback, and came to a stop alongside them.

"Beautiful day for an outing, constable," Lee greeted.

"Indeed, it is, Mrs. Coulter, Mr. Coulter."

"Please, call me 'Lee.'"

Rosemary nodded pleasantly.

"We're going to pick flowers," Betsy happily informed. She was well shaded under her bonnet, and her flower-print dress looked as though it had been freshly plucked from the field.

"Why, so are we," Rosemary said, smiling. She waved her hand at knee level to urge Lee onward.

"I assume we're traveling in the right direction?" Nathan inquired, pretending he didn't see her motioning to her husband.

"Yes," Lee confirmed. "You're very close to the turnoff where they're blooming quite beautifully. It's up ahead, just beyond those trees at the bend."

"Thank you," Nathan lifted the brim of his hat and nodded.

"Maybe we'll see you there," Betsy said cheerfully. "Save some flowers for us! I want to bring some to Mrs. Thornton."

"We surely will," Rosemary said. "Goodbye now."

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"I'll just bet she's bringing flowers back to Elizabeth," Rosemary muttered after they continued down the road. "I wouldn't put it past her to tie them up in a bow and put her uncle's name to them."

"I don't know why you get so worked up over that child. She's quite delightful once you get to know her."

"We don't know her at all!" his wife countered.

"Maybe we should."

"You just want to win our bet," Rosemary challenged.

"Aren't you curious why she came to live with her uncle? That's highly unusual."

"Oh dear. She did mention something after her bedtime prayers." Guilt pinged her conscience. "She asked if her parents could hear her when she prayed."

"You know what that means," Lee said somberly.

"I'm afraid so," she said softly. "I wonder what happened to them."

"When we get back to town, I'll ask Bill if he knows anything," Lee suggested. "I hate to bring up what could turn out to be a painful subject."

"Poor child," Rosemary whispered and then gasped. "Oh, Lee! Look at that field. It's breathtaking. Let's stop here."

"Of course, darling. But I'm not sure we're far enough way that Betsy and her uncle won't catch up to us."

"I don't care if they do. This must be the most vivid wildflower patch in the entire valley, and everyone should enjoy them. I almost want to go back for Elizabeth."

"What? And risk throwing her and the Mountie together?" he teased.

She laughed. "At least I'd have a front-row seat when Miss Betsy puts her plan into action."

"Or prove I'm right that she has no such intention at all."

"One day, my love, you'll have to admit that I'm almost always right. Now, help me with this picnic basket and our blanket."

"You have no idea how much comfort I find in the word 'almost,'" he said under his breath.

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See Chapter 8

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Thank you to all who have offered enthusiastic reviews of my story!

My heart goes out to those who prefer to read stories about Elizabeth and Jack.

I know that his loss will forever be felt.

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If you enjoyed this story, please check out my fan fiction about "Chesapeake Shores."

Search fanfiction . net for writer "Annette Zoaps."

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