Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 31
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Rosaleen was disappointed when her mom called telling her that she and Bill wouldn't be home until Monday. She couldn't believe that Molly had talked Bill into going to the opera. It certainly was not Bill's idea of fun. It turned out that her new lady friends were determined to have Bill and Molly come with them when they knew the Fredricks weren't going to use their tickets. David had called them promptly the next morning and it was all set.
"Well, Molly you will be thrilled to know that David just called and told me we are now going to the opera with the Larkins and them tonight," Bill sounded anything but thrilled.
"Really? Oh Bill, what a wonderful way to finish our honeymoon! What ever will I wear though?" Molly moaned.
"Red, you have some really nice gowns, just pick one."
"Bill, they're nice but old. I want to wear something with the new style. Do you think we can go shopping?" Molly subtly batted her eyelashes and flashed her smile.
Bill never could resist her and when she flirted, he was a done man. "I suppose we could go after breakfast, but we'll pick it out together," he said when he gave her his 'look'.
When Molly saw his look, she knew he was determined to keep the price no more than he could afford. The key was knowing what that amount was. Bill hadn't said much about finances even when Fr. Ricardo had encouraged them to do so. Their priest warned them that quite a lot of arguments centered around money and how to handle it. Molly was used to making decisions when it came to money and Bill too. Now, they had to come to an understanding, but the honeymoon wasn't the time. Bill's look had told her enough to know that Bill was the boss when it came to finances. Lucky for him, Molly was actually happy not to have to worry about money and bills. So shopping for a new gown was a go, but Bill would determine if they'd actually buy it.
Going into Vancouver was so fun for Molly. Being in the big city she enjoyed the sights of the big buildings, the water where ships arrived and left, the noise of the automobiles, and bus horns, the busy sidewalks full of people and the street vendors all blended together making the city feel so alive to her.
Molly knew the store she wanted to go to that she had seen earlier that week.
As the two of them stepped inside, they both were stunned to see how fancy it was. The glass display cases were full of accessories like silk handkerchiefs, pretty hair pins and barrettes, brooches, pearl necklaces, and thin white gloves. Small felt hats were displayed on a hat tree in colors that matched every color of the dresses. Sleek pumps were also displayed in the shoe area. Black patent leather was also a common style of handbags.
Molly was studying what was displayed. The 1920s fashion was in the shape of the silhouette. It was strikingly straight and flat. Slender was the "in" look. The youthful looking frock of all silk flat crepe was made of contrasting color, hand embroidered Georgette crepe to match the narrow cuffs which are also trimmed. A square neckline was particularly chic with a jeweled pin and bow, including a shirring across the front. Tiny buttons, jeweled pins, silk military braids and buckles were just a few of the many different types of embellishments.
Striking young, pretty women were there to take care of Molly showing her this and that completing her look. There was so much to choose from and Bill just kept his eye on what Molly was particularly interested in. As Molly would choose something, Bill kept a running tab in his head.
"Oh Bill, look at these dresses! I've never seen the new styles. Wait until I tell Dottie!"
"Why don't you try on the green dress. You look so beautiful in green!" Bill suggested as he checked the price.
"All right Bill, it caught my eye too," Molly took the green dress in the fitting room and put it on.
When she walked out of the dressing room, Bill was very impressed with how well his wife filled out that dress and whistled. "Now that's what I call an attention-getter!"
"Do you really like it honey? I'm dressing for you." Molly flirted.
"Yes, ma'am you look ravishing!" Bill's eyes twinkled.
"Can we buy it Bill?"
"As long as you stay attached to my arm tonight!" Bill winked.
"One more thing Bill," Molly just couldn't take her eye off of a delicate gold chain necklace, "do you mind if we add this to go with the dress please?" she pleaded.
Bill was getting used to her using her charms, but after all it was their honeymoon, so he gave in. "Oh for the love of Pete, Red, you have found my soft spot. It's not fair. After we get home, I can't be continuing this, hear me? No more girly eyes."
"All right darling, anything you say," Molly nodded.
When the Murphy's came to the hotel to pick them up, Molly was as giddy as a little girl all dressed up. Bill had to admit she looked beautiful and he was quite proud of how lovely she looked. Molly told Bill that she too was impressed with how handsome he looked and was glad he didn't try to kiss her while shaving this time.
The Larkins met them outside and all three couples entered the fabulous Vancouver Opera House. It was so grand that it took Molly and Bill's breath away. The three couples were ushered to their seats in the first balcony.
Bill helped take off Molly's coat and as she stood there in her new green dress and red hair pinned up, Bill could scarcely take his eyes off of her. Carolyn and Laura were dressed up and pretty, but Molly was gorgeous. The ladies chatted for awhile until the lights started to lower. The first act of 'The Naughty Princess' was beginning.
When they left the upstairs balcony during intermission, they enjoyed a cocktail in the lounge and Bill admitted that although he was sure he wouldn't enjoy his first experience of an opera, it was tolerable. By the end, he realized he appreciated the talent and accepted it as fine entertainment.
It was a hard goodbye for Bill not knowing when he'd see his friends David and Gregory again, but Molly and him invited the couples to visit any time. "We always have a lot of activities going on in our little town!"
Molly agreed, "It's not so little anymore. Please do come see us, we'd love to have you."
Sitting on the edge of the bed that night Bill and Molly talked about their honeymoon and how quickly it had gone and the new friends Molly made in Laura and Carolyn. "Tomorrow we head back home," Bill said.
"Yes, but right now we're still on our honeymoon tonight, let's make it last a little longer," Molly said as she slipped out of her satin robe.
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Rita welcomed all who wanted to help sew a quilt for the Thanksgiving raffle. Dottie had donated scraps of fabric and that's all they needed as there was plenty of thread among them. To make it easy and quick with the celebration a week away, the ladies spread out and worked in stations. There were several cutting the squares, several more sewing the squares together, others adding little touches like buttons and bows on some of the squares, and others laid out the squares to make a row. Rita had her iron set up and so all the steps were completed quickly.
The work was much more fun with help and of course friends. Being such good friends the Chickadees could accomplish most anything once they put their mind to it. Some ladies took the squares home to work on and bring back later.
They decided to meet in the next day to see what was finished so they could start pinning the rows together, laying out the squares to make one complete block.
"Ladies, this quilt is really coming together nicely!" Rosemary complimented them all the next day.
"It's so colorful, anyone who wins this will be able to use it and enjoy this winter!"
Cheryl said with a smile.
"Any ideas for the batting and the backing?" Kathy asked.
"My mother taught me to use old blankets," Brenda suggested looking around for approval.
"That should work, I have a few you can look at. I can bring them next time," Kaye offered.
"As far as batting goes, I have an old bed sheet still in good condition I think we can use," Sherri added.
"All right, sounds like we have all the materials!" Peggy clapped.
The ladies decided to meet to put the backing inside and sew the back on. Then they would sew the quilt and finally bind it.
It was hard work getting the quilt put together but the end result promised to be a sheer delight.
"Whew, this is definitely keeping us so busy that it's a great help Luciana is overseeing the side dishes for the dinner with Sam and Maggie." Nancy sighed.
"We're helping bake with Emily," Debbie and Kathie shared. "We love to bake!"
Andy Roberts was happy to be paired with Gunther. They had worked together in strategy sessions at the academy building a good camaraderie. Now that they were not only working together, but also bunking together, they started learning more about each other.
Andy was not as neat as Gunther. It perturbed Gunther to have to remind Andy to pick up his boots out of the way of the door, or to rinse off the food on his dishes, or hang up the towels.
"Andy, just because you're not in boot camp any longer doesn't mean you can just be sloppy here," Gunther grunted.
"Who cares what the house looks like as long as we do our jobs?" Andy retorted.
"I care, Sargent Grant cares, and so does Mrs. Emily. So, try harder please," Gunther answered.
When the young men were retiring to their bedrooms, Gunther decided to write up a few rules and discuss them with Andy in the morning. He liked Andy and wasn't trying to appear bossy, so that's why they should work this out together Gunther thought. Gunther had found the Grants to be like a second family to him with a bonus that Emily cooked some fantastic German dishes like he grew up on.
Andy sat in a chair and looked out the window. He wasn't sure why, but he missed his family at that moment. He had only briefly talked to them after boot camp before he was stationed to Hope Valley. So far he thought Nathan Grant was going to be a great Mountie to learn from and work for. Yet, he would never tell him anything about how much he missed his family. He had met some really nice people here in Hope Valley and felt as if they were the kind of folks a young man like him would help him with his loneliness, but he didn't want to let on to Gunther either.
The alarm woke up Andy and he groaned as he forced himself to get up. He definitely was not a morning person. As he stood up, he heard Gunther already up and making the coffee. As he plodded down the stairs he yelled "hello" as he cruised past Gunther and rushed to the outhouse. A few minutes later, he came back in relieved and grabbed a mug to pour himself some coffee.
"Good morning, Andy!" Gunther greeted him. "Do you want some eggs with me?"
"Sure, if you don't mind."
"Butter the toast and grab the jam," Gunther instructed.
As they sat at the table Gunther started saying grace. Andy not expecting that, stopped, put his fork down and bowed his head. "Amen." he answered.
"Look Andy, we need to talk over some things all right?"
Gunther and Andy went over discussing some of the adjustments they would have to make in order to live together. Andy agreed working together is one thing, but living together is quite another and they both wanted to be friends in both situations.
There was a knock on their door. Andy opened it to find Robert standing there.
"Come on in Robert," Andy motioned to the kitchen.
"We only have a few minutes before we have to report to the town office, what is it you want?" Gunther inquired.
"Sargent Grant sent me here. He told me to find out from both of you about boot camp," Robert said.
"Why? Are you thinking of becoming a Mountie?" asked Andy.
"Yes, Constable."
Hope for Tomorrow
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Andy asked Robert if he wanted a cup of coffee. Robert not sure if he would like it, but not wanting to appear as if he never had it before, nodded yes and accepted the mug, but not taking a sip.
"I want to ask you if you felt that being a Mountie was a calling?" Robert asked pensively.
"A calling? Well, I thought a calling was for a religious vocation, so no, not a calling, but a definite tug in this direction. Are you thinking twice about pursuing studying to be a Mountie?" Gunther questioned.
Not sure how to explain himself, Robert just stopped and throwing caution to the wind said, "All I know for sure right now is, I want to do something valuable with my life. I don't want to go to college as I want to work with my hands. The only trades here in Hope Valley are either the oil business working for Mr. Gowen, or the lumber business and carpentry work for Mr. Coulter."
"You could go to a trade school like Trevor Donahue, to learn about automobile mechanics," Gunther thought out loud, "that business is growing!"
"I could, but I've always admired the Mounties here. Not only Judge Avery and Sargent Grant, but Constable Thornton. I know you two never met Jack Thornton, but he was a hero here in Hope Valley. Everyone liked him. He was a friend to all and even wed Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton, the school teacher. Her son, little Jack is named after her husband. He died in a landslide when training others, while trying to save others he himself was crushed to death," Robert looked down and sighed.
"Wow! He was truly a hero!" Andy agreed.
Gunther cleared his throat, "Are you a bit fearful of the dangers of being a Mountie might bring?"
"Yes, aren't you? I mean, it didn't stop you though from following through. How did you feel knowing you wanted to be a Mountie, but could also die in the line of duty?" Robert was truly conflicted.
"For me, I just knew for as long as I remember, that I wanted to be a Mountie," Andy answered. "I realized it would be dangerous, but I guess you could say I felt a 'calling.'
Gunther watched Robert's reactions carefully and felt he needed reassurance. "Robert, you know what I said to myself when I had doubts? Go to boot camp, and find out what it's all about. If for any reason a commander or myself felt it wasn't a good fit, I would leave. But, if you don't at least try, you'll kick yourself for overthinking and talking yourself out of it."
That brought a smile to Robert's face and he felt better. As he was getting up to go, he turned around and looked at Gunther and Andy. "Did you have any friends you hated to leave?"
Andy and Gunther looked at each other and laughed, "Do you mean a girlfriend?" Andy asked.
Robert felt awkward and knew he couldn't get out of it, "Yes, like a girlfriend."
Andy burst out, "Lots of them!" still chuckling he continued, "but I think they like writing to me. I tell him that I'll see them when I get home next time, but no one in particular."
Gunther was quiet, but as they looked at him he felt he better fess up. "Yes, I did not want to leave Heidi. Heidi and I were looking towards the future together, but she was going off to college to study medical science so we both left knowing that if it was meant to be, we'd be together again someday." Gunther stood up, "All right now that we've finished confessing, don't worry Robert, you'll do fine, and Allie will support you."
"Allie? How did you know?"
"Who doesn't know?" Andy slapped him on the back.
Molly and Bill had enjoyed their honeymoon immensely but it still felt so good to be home. Rosaleen was thrilled to see her mother and welcomed her home with a home cooked dinner she had prepared for the three of them.
"You're getting to be a fabulous cook, Rosaleen!" Bill praised her.
"Thanks, Bill, or should I say Dad?" she laughed.
"How about Judge?" Bill teased back.
"Rosaleen, Bill and I brought you a little souvenir gift from Vancouver for you," Molly smiled warmly as she handed Rosaleen the box.
Opening the box, she found the gem-decorated barrette for her hair. "This is lovely! How sweet of you to think of me, really. Thank you!" Rosaleen gave her mom a kiss on her cheek and hugged Bill.
During the dinner they shared with Rosaleen quite a bit of their experiences on their honeymoon.
"You would have loved the shops there honey," Molly started.
"Mom, wait, I went off to college remember? I've lived outside of Hope Valley!" she giggled.
"Oh, that's right, you're a woman of the world, pardon us," Bill quipped with a smile.
Molly continued without missing a beat, "The bay was so interesting with all the ships docking, unloading wares or passengers. The hustle and bustle of the city with the horns of the automobiles and busses and street vendors was thrilling, but it's so nice to be home for peace and quiet."
"What was nice was seeing my friends from years ago. Their wives were so nice to your mother too, so we all had a great time together!" Bill added.
"Don't forget, about the opera!" Molly shared excitedly. "Bill took me shopping for a new dress so I had something a bit nicer than my old dresses to wear."
"Oh! I can't wait to see your new dress!" Rosaleen clapped her hands and giggled.
Molly proceeded to tell her all about the opera and how 'they' enjoyed it very much. After Molly excitedly shared that the opera house looked so regal and elegant, Bill reminded Molly, "Don't forget to tell her about the cow!"
"Bill!" Molly kicked him under the table.