And the greatest of these is Love

Chapter 12

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Trevor was anxious to see Lana Peterson. They had written each other while Lana was at nursing school and it what seemed like an eternity she was finally home.

It had taken a bit of persuading for Trevor to convince Lana's family that he would like to pick her up as a surprise and would see to it that she would be home as quick as possible. When he spotted her stepping off the train, he rushed to her as soon as she waved to him. It was true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, as far as Trevor was concerned and it just came naturally that he gave her a big hug twirling her around and then gave her a juicy kiss.

It had been a several days since she came home and Trevor wanted to have some alone time with her. He went out to her horse farm to ask her out. He hoped to entice her to go for a nice quiet Italian dinner in Brookfield at the Morettis for just the two of them, "Would you like to go this Saturday?"

"Saturday? Oh, um Trevor, I think a few of us girls wanted to have a bonfire with all our friends. I didn't know you were planning a date," Lana said sadly.

"Well, that sounds like a fun time and I'll go, but I hope to take a rain check with you for the following Saturday. I was hoping to have some alone time with you," Trevor admitted. Looking closely at Lana he asked a question he was almost afraid to, "do you care about me?"

Lana looked at Trevor and tenderly stroked the side of Trevor's face with her hand and spoke softly, "Yes, I do. I thought you knew that from my letters."

Trevor reached up and grabbed Lana's hand and brought it to his lips and kissed it. "You have been on my mind and in my heart ever since we first met."

"I feel the same way Trevor. Those of us who came out of the war have a common bond. Have you taken the time to talk more with Father Ricardo about your shell shock?" Lana hoped.

"No, I've been busy getting my fueling station and auto repair business started up. I should, I know, but every time I go to mass with Luke, Fr. Ricardo looks at me waiting for me to make an appointment. I just can't."

"Why Trevor? I know it's hard to face this head on, but I'm thinking that the more you talk about it, the easier it will get for you. Fr. Ricardo listens and doesn't judge, so I can't think of anyone better to go to," Lana tried to persuade Trevor.

"I don't want to talk about that now. I feel better knowing that you are home. I wish I could stay, but I closed the service station for lunch to come out here, but I must get back. So, I guess I'll see you Saturday?"

Lana smiled sweetly at Trevor and gave him a long hug. Pulling away slowly, she looked intently into his eyes and told him, "Things will get better. Why don't we just go for a walk tonight after you come here for dinner?"

"Are you sure? Will your folks be all right with that?" Trevor asked.

"Are you kidding? My mom and dad both want to get to know you better. Can you be here around six?"

"I don't know," Trevor was starting to lighten up, "it depends, what's for dinner?"

"Oh, you!" Lana reached up and gave Trevor a quick kiss. "See you later."

Trevor felt so much better after spending some time with Lana. He knew she was right. He had been avoiding seeing Fr. Ricardo because his confusion of why God allowed Buddy to die and not him, is something he wasn't willing to accept. But, he didn't want to live embittered like this either. Having Lana home would do him good in more ways than one.

Dee was outside hitting the house rugs with her paddle as they burst with dust. The harder she hit the cloud of dirt around her got thicker and bigger. She was intent on getting as much out as possible with little Christopher crawling around on the floor now.

When Archie had picked Christopher up from the floor and was sitting on his lap, Dee was mortified with Christopher's black knees. "Dad, look at his knees! Hold him tight while I go get a wet rag to wipe them clean," she had directed.

Now, she was beating those rugs with all her might. Emily swept the floors once the rugs were up and Archie had the best job, that of keeping Christopher occupied while playing with him.

When Nathan came inside his house, he saw the ladies' working diligently with the goal in mind to rid the house of the dirt. Fires to keep the home warm in the winter had left some ash that had blown loose with the strong winds blowing through the windows. Nathan chuckled to himself watching his wife swing the paddle. Enjoying the movement, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

Startled, Dee let out a little yelp and when she turned, Nathan got a little slap of the paddle on the side of his leg. "Oh no! Sorry honey!"

Nathan grabbed the paddle and was just about to throw it down, when Dee broke into laughter, "You deserved that for sneaking up on me!"

"I just couldn't resist. You were quite a site for my eyes!" Nathan chased Dee back into the house and when he caught up to her gave her a kiss.

Emily stopped her sweeping and handed Nathan the broom. "Sorry son, no dinner yet, I've been busy, but now that you're here, well you can finish and I'll get back in the kitchen."

Archie laughed, "Better mind your mother son!"

Nathan hung up his campaign hat and went upstairs to take off his red serge and boots. After changing, he joined his wife and finished helping to clean the floor with a slightly wet mop. The breeze blew the floor dry in quick order while the dinner was cooking.

Dee, Nathan, and Christopher sat outside together on the porch and watched for Allie. She was riding Penny home from town where she worked at the switchboard for Flo as often as possible. When Penny was at the livery, Kevin took care of her for Allie. This time, Allie had a rider sitting behind her, Robert.

As they dismounted, Christopher saw Robert and started clapping. There was something about Robert that really attracted him. Allie asked if Robert could stay for dinner and Dee told her to ask her Oma and winked. That night sitting around the table the Grant family were all together and in a good mood. Nathan even suggested to Allie to get her guitar, join him and they'd sing a few songs.

It was a peaceful night with the big dipper shining bright in the sky, and a soft breeze flowing down from the mountains. Off in the distance they heard their stream bubbling over the pebbles as they watched a few deer drinking. Another day in Hope Valley was coming to a close.

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Emily was walking around town picking up a few items while Allie was home with her grandfather and Dee was at the infirmary with Christopher getting his 6 month check up.

Stopping at Dottie's Apparel, her favorite place, she went inside to see what was new. Dottie had turned the store over to Debra Blakely who had done such an amazing job with the window dressing and sales while she was on her honeymoon with Henry. Married life had really calmed down Henry so much that his employees were thankful and wished he had married sooner. That was until Dottie started doing strange things that Henry called "her change of life problems." Henry stayed at work a little longer from time to time as he never knew what mood Dottie would be in when he came home.

Today, Emily took her time looking about, glancing about.

"Can I help you?" Dottie asked.

"No thanks honey girl, I'm just looking," Emily replied.

"All right then, let me know if I can help."

While she looked at the new summer dresses, she heard Dottie complain to Debra that Henry hadn't been home at the usual time for dinner. "I never know when to have dinner ready. It's so nice to finally have a husband again, but sometimes I feel left out," she started to sniffle.

"Did you go see Dr. Faith?"

"No. Why, I'm not sick," Dottie questioned.

"Well, please don't snap my head off, Dottie, but you have been a bit short-tempered and sometimes weepy with me at the shop. I just think it wouldn't hurt to ask Dr. Faith, that's all."

Emily smiled to herself, wondering if she should say something or not. Debra was right, and she needed help convincing Dottie. So, doing her womanly duty, she joined the other ladies.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. If you don't mind, may I ask a personal question?" Emily dared.

"You might as well Emily, I don't know how to continue like this," Dottie fanned herself.

"There you be, hot flashes! Sure enough one sign of menopause," Emily confidently said.

Coming in closer to Dottie, Emily whispered, "Are you still enduring monthly cycles dear?"

"Off and on," an embarrassed Dottie answered hesitantly.

"It'll get less and less and soon no more. I just knew it was to be expected, and was lucky that my symptoms didn't last long. Well honey girl, there might be some modern things you might want to ask Dr. Faith about. It wouldn't hurt."

Dottie slumped down in a chair, "Thank you both, I have no other recourse, before my Henry stays away permanently," she whimpered.

Emily winked and changed the subject, "I see a Sunday hat that's caught my fancy," and walked over to try it on.

The ladies complimented Emily and she decided to treat herself with some money from the sale of her bakery items. She also looked for a nice ribbon for Allie to wear in her hair.

The store bell tinkled and in walked Dee with Christopher in her arms. "I knew I would find you here!" she greeted Emily.

"I can't imagine why," Emily laughed, "How did little bun's check-up go?"

"Wonderful, he's on target with his height and weight, and new teeth coming in too," Dee nodded, "I was wondering about that. His nursing has been off and on lately. Dr. Faith said that's because he's teething. She showed me the tips of his teeth breaking through his gums."

"You'll be dealing with some crankiness now," Emily warned.

"Ah, but Dr. Faith said he's ready for some oatmeal and soft mushed up fruit and vegetables, so that should help," Dee added.

Emily couldn't hold back, "Dee, I'm sorry, but Archie has already been feeding him his oatmeal in the morning from time to time, when you're busy. Seems he likes it though."

"Hmm, are you still shopping, or are you ready to go?" Dee wasn't too happy that she wasn't told about that and thought to bring it up to Nathan later. Maybe she shouldn't be upset, they were such a blessing in so many ways.

Little Jack was having a fun time with his mother walking around the pond picking dandelions. Just like so many children, he gathered enough to make a bouquet to give to his mother. Elizabeth hugged Jack and thanked him. He skipped ahead of her looking for frogs now.

A few older boys, Timmy and Cooper, were fishing from the pond and waved at their teacher and laughed at Jack. Afraid he'd fall in chasing a frog Elizabeth stayed close to him watching his every move. He settled in next to the boys and watch them putting the wiggling squirmy worms on their hooks.

"They're slippery!" Jack said emphatically.

"Yeah, so you gotta' hold them tight," Cooper told him.

"Can I hold one?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth shrugged when Cooper looked at her with questioning eyes. "Okay Jack. Come right next to me. Here ya go. Open your hand."

Jack did as Cooper instructed, "Now grab it with your two fingers like this," Cooper showing Jack how. "Okay, good. Don't let him go. I'm going to bring my line back by us. It has a hook on it, so let me put the worm on. Okay?"

Jack nodded with his eyes big as saucers full of excitement. He watched as Cooper hooked the worm and stood up to cast his pole into the pond.

Timmy told Jack, "We have to watch our fishing poles very carefully to see if the end of the pole bobs down in the water."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"That's how we know we have a fish nibbling on the worm. If we snap up the pole just right, we'll catch the fish," Timmy explained.

Elizabeth was sitting on the bench that was placed there in memory of Timothy O'Neill. The last time she sat there was when Harvey Toliver had met her to pick up the ransom money for release of Tom Thornton, her brother-in-law. If it wasn't for the quick action of the Mounties under Nathan's command, she might have been shot or captured, who knows. She shivered when she thought about it again. Nathan was the town's hero and it was well deserved for all that he's done to protect Hope Valley. She sighed, knowing what a huge mistake she made for turning him away. Right now she was ever so grateful to be alive and enjoy this warm, sunny summer day with little Jack.

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While Dottie was waiting to see Dr. Faith she had a chance to meet Violet Taylor.

Violet worked at the infirmary part-time helping with check-ups for pregnant mothers. Her patients were Christy O'Neil and Clara Flynn so far, but there were rumors floating around about another woman that just recently moved in from the tent city.

No one had met her yet, as she kept to herself, but they had seen her about town and sometimes at church. She was quiet and extremely shy so she clung to her husband, William, otherwise know as big Will. He was quite the biggest, strongest lumberjack that Lee had the fortune of hiring. A young Scandinavian with white-blond hair and sky blue eyes. A very muscular, tan, handsome man that turned many a woman's eye. Whenever he was with his wife, Elsa, who was also white-blond with crystal blue eyes, they made quite the handsome couple. The ladies though noticed a little bump in the front of her skirt so that's how the rumor started.

When Dr. Faith was alerted by Molly about her, she was trying to find a way to politely ask her if she was indeed pregnant. So, she asked Violet to make a call to her home some day soon. This seemed like an easy way, as Violet was assigned to go through the infirmary files and compare them to the citizen roster that Fiona had of Hope Valley. If she found people who were not listed in the Infirmary files as expected, Violet would go visit the family and take notes and health records. Violet was very anxious to get started so she could meet new people. Today, she was getting her bag packed with her files and notebook at her desk in the office when Dottie came in.

"Hello Molly," Dottie greeted her, "I'm here for an appointment with Dr. Faith."

"She's expecting you," Molly replied, "but she's stepped out for a brief moment. Have a seat and tell me what's new in your shop!"

"Oh heavens, there are some delightful new dresses coming out in a shorter skirt length now and Debra is busy doing the window dressing this week. You should come Molly and look for something to dazzle Bill," Dottie encouraged her.

"I'm sure I will! How does Henry like the newer short skirt length and silhouette style?" Molly asked.

"You'll have to ask him dear. He's always busy working every night. I think it's because I've been going through some hot spells and from what I've been told, a bit on the moody side. That's why I'm here. I hope Dr. Faith can help me," Dottie sighed.

Violet walked out ready for her house calls but had to stop to talk to Dottie. "I'm Violet Taylor, the new doula. I'm training in midwifery."

Dottie smiled and looked up at Violet, "I remember you from the town meeting! I'm Dottie Gowen from Dottie's Apparel shop. How are you?"

"I'm just great Mrs. Gowen. Pleased to meet you."

"Just call me Dottie, please, although I won't be needing your service," she laughed.

The door opened and in walked Dr. Faith. "Forgive me Dottie, I hope you haven't waited too long."

"No, it's fine, I just arrived and had a chance to meet Violet."

"Great, I'll be right with you," Faith assured her and walked to the back office. Violet was right behind her and closed the door. Faith gave her a questioning look as she was putting on her white doctor coat. "What's up?"

Violet knew her boundaries. "I hope you don't mind me suggesting something, but I heard Dottie and Molly talking about Dottie's menopausal symptoms. In my studies on women's' health, it has been found that black cohosh works in reducing symptoms of menopause," Violet quickly spoke, than waited hoping Faith wouldn't be upset.

"Black cohosh? What does that do?" Faith inquired.

Violet had a book in her bag that she took out to show Faith, "Read this."

Black cohosh (Actaea racemose) is a woodland herb native to North America. The root is used as medicine and is often used for estrogen-related conditions.
People commonly use black cohosh for symptoms of menopause, premenstrual symptoms, painful menstruation brittle bones, and many other conditions.

"Yes, yes I remember this now," Faith remarked nodding her head. Thank you, Violet for bringing it to my attention. I think Dottie just might benefit from this. Also, exercise and dairy products with calcium will help with her bones as preventive measures too."

"Oh, I'm so glad I could help."

"We women must stick together!" Faith laughed.

When Faith called Dottie into the examining room, she let her voice carry, "Dottie, how are you doing? From what I know, I think you might be going into menopause. Thanks to Violet, I am reminded about something that should help you."

Violet went out the door with a big grin of satisfaction across her face. She almost ran into a few of the boys in town rushing to get to the baseball field for practice.

As they zipped past her mumbling, "Excuse us!" she continued on through the town. Walking towards the row houses, she saw the baseball field past the school house and stopped to watch for just a few minutes. The Hope Valley Stallions had some darn good coaches that were teaching them not only the rules of the game but good sportsmanship.

She continued on and then a group of girls caught her eye. There they were decked out in their Girl Guides scouting uniforms. Flo Yost and her daughter Katie were there teaching the girls about making a fire for cooking outside. They were gathering rocks to make a circle and sticks of wood. Flo struggled with the older girls to keep their attention on what they were doing and not on the boys at baseball practice. Katie wasn't much better, watching the coaches flex their muscles.

Violet giggled to herself. This was Hope Valley and she was so glad that Jake brought her here. Jake and her had been through a rough time and she was praying that they would find peace and happiness right here.