Hope for Tomorrow
Chapter 34
Page 100
The smell of potato pancakes and coffee waffled through the house as the Grant family was slowly waking up. Allie stepped on the cold floor. Feeling the stinging floor under her feet, it jolted her to her senses. She snapped her legs back into the bed as quick as lightening. Grabbing her comforter and pulling it snugly around her up while covering her face, she slowly peered over to look at the window. It was frosted up and she could see snowflakes gently falling. It was the first snowfall of the season and looked so pretty, but, "Brr! she told Ginger, "I'm waiting for dad to get the fire going before I get out of bed!"
Downstairs, Nathan was already up and, on his way, out the door to get some firewood. He couldn't believe his Ma was already up and baking! "Ma, this snow caught me by surprise and so did you. Why are you up so early?"
"Can't be late with the potato pancakes today. I have a lot to prepare!" Emily explained.
"But, Ma, that's not for a few more hours. You have time!"
"Never you mind son of mine, I know these will be filling lots of bellies this day, and I've barely been able to keep up. I'm counting on Allie to take these over to the Christkindlmarket for me later, ya!"
"Are you serving them with your home-made apple sauce?" Nathan started smiling as he knew what a hit they were with everyone.
"Nathan, of course, but I also have some apple butter for the choosing."
When Nathan came back in with an armload of logs, he walked over to the fireplace and got the fire stoked from last night's embers. As he was watching the fire come back to life, he rubbed his hands together and looked back outside. "The snow is easing up a bit now. I don't think it'll be any bother for the Christkindlmarket. I do have to go on rounds first though so I think I'll take Newton out for a ride."
"That'll do him good. He has to share his time with your automobile," Emily winked. "I'll get a plate of these potato pancakes ready for you."
Nathan nodded appreciatively and went back upstairs. He talked to Allie who was awake but trying to stay warm in her bed. "I'll help Oma, as soon as it warms up in the house, I promise," she sleepily smiled at her dad as he gave her a kiss on her forehead and tucked her in.
"Thank you, Allie girl, I love you. Thank you."
Nathan walked quietly to his bedroom and peeked in on Dee. His wife looked so peaceful sleeping. He couldn't resist walking over to her and gently kissing her on her cheek. She stirred in her sleep and a slow smile tried to take over her face, but soon gave in to shallow little breaths. He was glad she was resting as she had been having a very hard time trying to sleep lately, as he closed the door behind him.
After enjoying the hot pancakes his Ma had served up for him, he began to dress for the outside. While wondering if Gunther and Andy were awake yet, he heard stirring and then his father's voice calling, "Em? Em? Where did you go?"
His ma, wiped her hands on her apron and rushed past Nathan to Archie's room, "Guten Morgen!" she greeted him as she went inside his bedroom. Nathan smiled.
He trudged through the light snow to check on Penny and Newton. Both were inside the stable keeping warm and greeted him loudly with whinnies. Picking the driest hay, he put it in the feed bucket for the two of them. Finding the blankets he had just brought into the stable,he put one on Newton before saddling him. Newton seemed ready for a ride. The cold air snapped him from a walk to a canter as they rode into town. Many a morning, when it wasn't time for the Christkindlmarket, he had come into town and not a soul was stirring. Today, all throughout main street the tents and booths were being decorated and prepared for the afternoon and evening event. Stopping at the NWMP office, he was the first one inside. He got the stove fired up and placed the coffee pot on. It wasn't long when the two young Mounties, Andy and Gunther entered.
"The fire is started and the coffee is just about ready. Who wants to go on rounds with me this morning?"
"I will," Gunther volunteered.
As soon as Gunther had a cup of coffee in him, he went over to the livery to get Sandy, his horse ready, while Nathan went over the plans for the Christkindlmarket with Andy. "The town here, you will find out first-hand, is always ready to work together. There are many folks from different heritages that will offer a display of their ancestors' traditional recipes and items for sale."
"Sounds very intriguing," Andy remarked.
"This is the first time we are hosting a totally outdoor market with an international theme and the townsfolk are very excited about it," Nathan started.
"in fact my Ma is making German potato pancakes now as we speak. You don't want to miss those tasty treats!" Nathan winked.
"How can I help?" Andy started to get excited about the day.
"Just walk around town and see that everyone who signed up has a booth. I'm sure Rosemary Coulter and the Hopefuls will be on top of it, but always offer a hand. I expect there will be traffic from local nearby towns once the market opens, so we'll have to find parking for them behind the stores off of main street." Nathan informed Andy.
"I would think the closest place would be off of Ash Street right behind Main," Andy suggested.
Nathan nodded in agreement. "There will be people coming from the train station too, so we'll need places where people will need to sit. We can help usher them to Minnie's Cafe or Billees where I'm sure they will be glad to warm up there too. Ask Maggie or Minnie Canfield if they have it all taken care of or if they need your help. Let me know the developments when we get back."
"Yes sir, Sargent Grant," Andy nodded.
Newton was literally chopping on his bit when Nathan mounted him and joined Gunther on Sandy. "Gunther, I want you to head west, while I go north. Let's meet back at the office as soon as we can. It's going to be a very busy day today!" Newton was anxious to go out in the country and galloped away.
Fiona was closed for the day and was practicing her speech to welcome everyone, especially the visitors, "Inspired by the 16th century Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, one of the first outdoor markets of its kind, the Christkindlmarket is well-known for its' vendors' high-quality unique gifts and food, holiday cheer, and for being the ideal place for families to make special memories. We in Hope Valley warmly welcome you to enjoy this beautiful day at our first Christkindlmarket!"
Since James's dentistry was also closed, he walked in to see Fiona, "Bravo, great welcoming speech!" he beamed while clapping. "How's the mayor doing on this cold and somewhat snowy day today?" he greeted her lighting up the room with his dazzling smile.
Fiona turned around and was immediately enraptured with his charming ways and stunning good looks. "A bit nervous for sure, but I'm really looking forward to it."
James handed her the hot-off-the-press copy of the Valley Voice. Fiona took the paper in her hands and saw her picture as mayor with a headline, "New Christkindlmarket opens in Hope Valley! Come one, come all!"
"Perfect!" they both said in unison.
Hope for Tomorrow
Page 101
When Nathan and Gunther met back at the NWMP office the town was alive with activity. Christmas decorations were being added to the booths. Andy was out in the middle of town observing as several Hopefuls were bringing in the town Christmas tree that Lee had his crew pick out and chopped down. Katie, Lisa, and Rosaleen were there ready to help with the large ornaments and big bright red bows. The Christmas tree lighting always included traditional Christmas caroling, so they could hear someone humming a Christmas carol from time to time here or there. Andy was watching them getting it set up until he spotted Nathan and Gunther.
Nathan turned to Gunther, "I see Henry Gowen out there and I have to talk to him about the German booth as Ma will be bringing her potato pancakes. Why don't you talk to Sam in Billees and Minnie Canfield at her cafe to see if they are helping to keep any food hot in their stoves for the booths. I'll check with Bill about the outside pit grill and make sure he has plans to keep that going."
"Yes sir," Gunther answered.
Andy spoke, "Sargent Grant just so you know I checked out Ash street and made sure arrangements would be made for any traffic parking there. Ben Carmon was already on top of that so it should work out well. I told him I would help direct traffic with him, if that's all right with you."
"That's good. Thanks Andy," Nathan agreed. "Did you talk to Sam about the visitors coming in from the train station?"
"Yes, he said that Luke and Trevor will work together with a wagon borrowed from the Canfields and the Lipinskis to shuttle the folks from the station. Just like you said, Mrs. Coulter has been working hand in hand with the Hopefuls so it's been thought about and taken care of," Andy said proudly as he was now the newest member of the Hopefuls.
Nathan slapped his gloves against Andy's chest, "Good to hear. Anyone needing help with their booths?"
"No, not that they told me, so far so good." Andy went back to his duty of checking the event set-up.
After Nathan confirmed with Bill that he would be tending to the outside pit, Bill said, "Maggie and Sam are doing a phenomenal job of overseeing the use of the kitchen stove to keep food warm, tables decorated with Christmas berries and evergreen branches, big pots of hot chocolate, fire in the fireplace, mistletoe hung, and Christmas records to play on the Victrola! Bill added happily, Molly was thrilled to make Irish soda bread for the Irish booth."
"That's what I like to hear, everyone has the Christmas spirit!," Nathan answered, "I'm going to check on Ma to see when she needs me to take any of her potato pancakes to town,or how else I can help. Catch you later!"
Hope Valley was really becoming a hub of festivity. This was their first Christkindlmarket and everyone was participating with glee. The Chickadees even had a booth, run by Teresa, where all their crafts they made were on display. They hung strings of popcorn across their booth interlaced with berries. They made a much larger string of popcorn that was strung on the town Christmas tree as were red, green, and white paper hoops garland.
The food the Chickadees made was added to their own heritage booth, but this booth was strictly for items. Most of the homemade items were lovingly created together but some were made at home. The Chickadee booth was a blend of many different customs being they were from different backgrounds and heritages. Some of the items were crocheted, some were embroidered, and some were painted and other crafts. It was all made from the heart and beautiful to behold.
When Nathan arrived at home he found Allie in the kitchen helping her Oma with the pancakes. She had been slicing potatoes with Archie at the kitchen table.
"How's my family doing?" he beamed.
"Aww, we're just fine, ya. I think I'm just about done before our hands wear out!" Emily answered.
"Yea, dad, this is tiring work, I can't wait to stop and go see the Christkindlmarket!" Allie complained.
"It's not ready yet Allie girl. It's getting there, but if officially opens at noon, so we're almost ready. Where's your mom?"
"Upstairs." Allie answered.
"Sleeping?" Nathan wrinkled his face, "I'm going to check on her."
Nathan took two stairs at a time and burst into their bedroom, "Dee?"
Dee was sitting on the edge of the bed, "Good morning honey!"
"Are you all right?" Nathan sat down next to her.
"Yes, honey, I really needed to sleep. I feel better now, but I think the baby dropped." Dee patted Nathan's hand.
"Where did it drop?" Nathan wasn't following.
"Lower, silly, lower. Just getting ready to meet us soon I think. I hope this little bun waits just a bit longer until after the tree lighting. I so want to see it!" Dee smiled.
As Dee slowly stood up, she groaned. "Now, I have to go downstairs and find the bathroom, before I can't hold it any longer," she laughed as she hurried as fast as her waddle would let her.
Nathan watched her with deep admiration. How his wife could carry a baby for nine months was a miracle to him. Their little bun was darn lucky to have Dee for it's mommy. Nathan swiftly walked next to Dee making sure she didn't lose her balance as she was rushing down the stairs. Squeaking out a fast 'Good Morning' to those in the kitchen she headed straight for the bathroom.
The three in the kitchen started to laugh. "Well, it's still morning for a little while," Allie quipped.
"Ma, I'll take you and Allie to town with your scrumptious potato pancakes and apple sauce and apple butter in a little while. I just want to make sure Dee gets dressed and feels all right first."
"Fine with me, this is the last batch, at least for now. Allie, please start packing up what we have ready," Emily directed.
"Do you want to come with Dad?" Nathan asked.
"Of course, someone has to take care of your mother!" Archie declared.
When Dee came out much relieved, she went upstairs with Nathan right behind her. Dee looked at Nathan, "I'm fine. Really, I don't need a shadow," then walked right into his arms holding him tightly and whispered, "I love you sweetheart, now take your family to town and I'll get ready."
"Love you more!" Nathan kissed Dee and winked before he left to go downstairs.