And the greatest of these is Love
Chapter 23
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Nathan left Ruth and Jake that morning feeling heartbroken for their family. It was more difficult for Ruth than he had hoped. Having to recount what happened not only cut her to the core, but for Jake, having been tied up and unable to help her left Jake feel like a failure and enraged. He couldn't imagine living with that emotional scar for either of them.
Talking with headquarters he knew that this was going to be hard to prove. It happened so long ago, and Jake was Ruth's only witness. So, he didn't say anything to either of them until he knew how this was going to handled.
"This is Sargent Grant and I was hoping you had news for me regarding the Frederick brothers. Have you any news?"
The constable on the other end of the telephone call, reassured Nathan that everything that could be done, was being done, but they had nothing new to report, "If I hear anything, I'll be sure to telephone you right away."
Nathan slammed the phone down in disgust. Those men have to be hiding in plain sight. All three of them had distinguishing signs: one walked with a limp, one had a face scar, and one stuttered. With all of the provinces on alert and wanted posters how could they not be sighted? Surely they were all together somewhere and no one had seen them? He knew that Ruth and Jake needed closure so they could get on with their lives. For now though, he was going to call over Minnie's Cafe and talk with Minnie about a deeper wound they were struggling with.
"Hi Minnie, how are you?"
"Doing good Nathan, but I'm having the ladies here for our Bible Study, so I'm not able to stay on long. What can I do for you?"
Nathan told Minnie to ask Joseph to go over to the Taylor home, meet Ruth, and try to get Ruth to open up to him about the burden she'd been carrying around by herself and help Ruth and Jake both to start healing spiritually and emotionally.
"I'll make sure he gets the message," Minnie reassured Nathan.
Minnie was welcoming the Chickadees and the rest of the ladies in for their Bible Study, so she waved them inside and they knew to help themselves to coffee, tea and Minnie's famous muffins. As they gathered inside they were busy talking about what a great success the Bible Camp was.
"I want to personally thank you all for such dedication and help. The parents and most of all, the children, were telling me how much they enjoyed the week. As usual ladies, you have outdone yourselves!" Minnie smiled proudly.
With that, the ladies clapped knowing all their hard work had been appreciated.
Minnie continued, "We have some news to share before our study begins, so I'd like Mayor Fiona to take the floor please."
Fiona smiled and addressed all the ladies, "Thank you all. I too must share my appreciation for your success. Now, I have some fantastic news to share, if you haven't heard already."
Flo immediately beamed, "You and Dr. Scholl are finally engaged!" she annouced loudly.
"Let's see your engagement ring please!" Molly prompted.
Fiona was not going to announce her engagement just then, but seeing how excited everyone was for her, she allowed herself to relax and show off her teardrop diamond while the ladies oohed and ahhed.
"Lucky you!" Dottie piped up.
"Lucky him!" Christy countered.
"Thank you everyone, I am flattered and I am thrilled, but what I was starting to say is that our new ambulance and fire pumper will be heading home to our town by freight train very soon."
"Lee made the arrangements," Rosemary added grinning broadly.
"Yes he did, thank you," Fiona nodded, "we are expecting them to be here before the Hope Valley Family Festival. It was Christy's idea that we should have a parade!"
Before Fiona could say anymore the ladies all began to talk. Chatter was building and no one could hear what the others were saying, so Fiona put her fingers up to her mouth and let out a loud whistle!
"Ladies, please. I know this is exciting, but let's talk one at a time." Fiona saw hands waving in the air. "First I want you to hear out Christy's suggestions and then we'll explore more ideas. Christy, please share the list of thoughts you wrote down."
Christy stood up, "Well ladies, these are just our initial ideas, but we were thinking we could have a parade with the new ambulance and fire pumper with their lights flashing and their sirens blowing followed by tractors, children on decorated bicycles, the school band, the baseball team – the Hope Valley Stallions, the Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts, and at the end would be a wagon with a King and Queen of Hope Valley!"
Christy's announcement prompted immediate discussion all over again. Fiona whistled again. "This is exciting, but we need to talk about this one at a time. We also have the games, dunk tanks, bake-offs, baseball game, food, pie-eating contest, and a dance to plan!"
Rosaleen raised her hand, "I think I can speak for the Hopefuls and say we will host the dance or a movie night if that will help. I also will volunteer the coaches again for the dunk tank," she laughed.
Marge raised her hand, "Last year, Brenda and I worked on the games, but we certainly can use more help now that we've grown so much!"
Joyce jumped in, "Debbie and I volunteered getting donations for the food, but we too, will need help!"
And so it went around the room, with those that headed up or helped in an activity agreed to help with it again. "Now, we do have some new ladies like Brook, Elsa, and Violet here today so let's welcome them to join in wherever they feel they would like."
After some more discussion while Christy wrote down volunteer names and activities, Minnie took the floor again. "Ladies, let's make sure we take the time to pray and to study the Lord's word, shall we?"
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Dee reluctantly was going to see Dr. Faith. She wasn't sure just why she missed her period but she did have a bit of nausea. Checking in with Faith had Molly suspicious but after the warning she got from Dr. Faith about sharing other's health issues, she tried to ignore the conversation going on behind the curtain. Faith and Carson finally were having the Infirmary renovated with an addition out back. That meant, each room would have doors and not just curtains. That hopefully would curtail anyone overhearing, especially one lady in particular.
"Dee let's check your weight, blood pressure, heart, and a lady's physical. I want you to change into this robe and sit on the table. I'll be back in a few minutes, all right?" Faith requested.
Dee admitted to herself that she was a bit concerned about the outcome. She was busy now with Christopher and wondered how she would manage teaching music if she had two little ones to take care of. Allie's hadn't decided what she was going to do now, so she couldn't depend on Allie for help as she was becoming a young woman now with her own plans.
"Ready?" Faith asked before returning inside the curtain.
"Yes, as ready as I'll ever be," Dee answered hesitantly.
As Dr. Faith did her internal exam, she saw the signs of pregnancy that she suspected. When finished, she helped Dee sit up and then quietly told her, "Dee it is what you thought, you are indeed pregnant. Congratulations!"
"I am for sure? I thought that when you breastfed, a woman couldn't get pregnant?" Dee said, "That's why I didn't come sooner to see you."
Faith asked, "Is Christopher still nursing?"
"Yes. Morning and at night before bedtime. I love my private time with him," Dee smiled.
"But, he is eating foods now, right?" Faith questioned.
"Yes."
"Well, my dear, your milk supply is diminished, and your body is adjusting, so you absolutely can get pregnant now. It's a good thing isn't it?" Faith asked concerned.
"Oh, of course, I love that Nathan and I are growing our family, I'm just wondering how I will manage working with two babies?" Dee shrugged.
Faith patted Dee's shoulder and gave her a hug. "Mothers have been managing for years, sometimes though, you might have to put other things on hold for a little while."
Dee knew in her heart that family always comes first. Teaching would be secondary. There's no way that she could think otherwise she told Faith.
"All right then, you'll continue with Violet for check ups. Of course, if anything out of the ordinary comes up, I'll always be here. I'll have Violet call on you so you don't have to make an appointment with Molly, this way, it's yours, Nathan's and my business only for now."
Dee left the infirmary realizing that she had to tell Nathan promptly. He deserved to know before anyone in the family knew. Walking briskly to the RCMP office she was beaming by the time she reached Nathan.
She found him sitting in his chair trying to decide what more he could do to find those brothers who had ruined the innocence of a young girl and her brother. Shaking his head he was drumming his fingers on his desk when his beautiful wife walked in.
"Hello there daddy!" Dee greeted Nathan.
"Hello there mama, come here and give daddy a kiss," he said as he pushed his chair away from his desk and patted his lap.
Dee knew he didn't realize what she was starting to say but she played along and sat on his lap kissing him sweetly. "I see something seems to be bothering you when I walked in, did my kiss make you feel better?"
"It's just the frustration of not finding those scoundrels, but you're here and my day just brightened. So, tell me, why am I so lucky to deserve a visit and kiss from lovely bride?" Nathan kissed Dee's forehead.
"Sweetheart, I have good news that I hope will make your day better." Dee blurted, "I have a new bun in the oven!"
Nathan grabbed Dee and looked at her closely, staring in her eyes. "Dee, we are having another baby?" he gulped.
"Yes, Dr. Faith just confirmed it. Are you happy?"
"Happy? Happy? YES, I'm happy!" He stood up with Dee and hugged her tightly. "I'm thrilled!"
Dottie was laughing when she told Henry that his wish to be sitting up high on the new fire pumper waving at everyone was actually going to happen with a town parade, she saw Henry's face light up and he joined in the laughter.
"When was this decided?" Henry questioned.
"Over at Minnie's we talked about the upcoming Family Festival. It was Christy O'Neil's suggestion and it took off from there. Fiona was the one who told us and with her being the Mayor, it's confirmed and now it's being planned. We're going to have the school band, the Stallions baseball team, the Girl Guides, the Boy Scouts, children riding decorated bicycles, tractors..." Dottie was saying.
"All right, all right, I get it. But, I don't know about riding in the pumper. Who's going to drive it?" Henry wondered.
"Does it matter? Maybe Fiona!" Dottie suggested.
"Ha!" Henry grinned, "hot damn!"
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Not to be outdone, when Rosemary entered the Coulter Lumber Company office, she was glad to see Lee sitting at his desk.
"Lee!" she loudly called as she burst inside the door.
Lee was on the telephone and looked at her with his finger to his lips.
Rosemary was befuddled, and made motions with her hands to hurry and hang up, "Don't shush me."
Lee rolled his eyes and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Conroy, we have your order and will meet you at the church site in 30 minutes. Thank you."
As soon as he hung up, Rosemary was practically on top of him. "Lee this is important, you are going to be in the first-ever Hope Valley parade driving the new ambulance! Isn't that thrilling?"
Lee sat there dumbfounded. "Rosie, take a breath and start over. What are you talking about?"
Rosemary stared at Lee, "You know the ambulance and fire pumper are coming, because of you making arrangements for them to arrive by freight train, so when Fiona heard about it, she was at Nichols and Dimes and Christy O'Neil suggested Hope Valley have a parade!"
"A parade, whatever for?"
"Oh Lee, don't be silly," Rosie chuckled, "anyways, they shared their ideas with us at Minnie's this morning and we'll have the school band, the Hope Valley Stallions, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, tractors, wagons and oh yes, a King and Queen of Hope Valley! It's going to be the big new event opening up our Family Festival!" Rosemary practically swooned in her typical dramatic style.
"Why do I have to drive the ambulance? Can't Faith and Carson?" Lee was bewildered.
"Lee, you bought the ambulance for the town, so it's your turn to shine! Oh, I can't wait to write an article for the Valley Voice!"
"Rosie, I don't want any special attention. Let the doctors ride it," Lee countered.
"Now, Lee, don't you want the spotlight for just a little bit? Henry will be driving the fire pumper. You are a pillar of the community, so be proud!" Rosemary said.
Lee sighed, he knew his wife wouldn't take no for an answer. "All right, all right. I have to meet Mr. Conroy at St. James, so I have to go. We'll talk later Rosie," Lee said as he gave his wife a kiss on her cheek as Rosemary was already at her desk typing away.
Nathan couldn't stop grinning all day. He was going to be a daddy again early next spring. He and Dee decided they would tell the family that night together at dinner. Then, they'd telephone Dee's parents and let them know. This was going to be a fun night.
When Dee returned home, she thanked Allie for helping Oma keep an eye on Christopher then off Allie went to relieve Flo at the Mercantile. Before she left though Dee filled in both Allie and Emily about the parade. Dee knew that Flo would be sharing this with everyone so Allie might as well here about it now.
Emily spoke quietly, "I miss those meetings at Minnie's. I used to help her out in the mornings too."
Dee studied her mother-in-law's face and saw that taking care of Archie was wearing her down. Her wrinkles seemed deeper. Dee was concerned that with her heart condition she wasn't enjoying herself like she should. "Mom, have you had a check up lately?"
"No, I've been fine," Emily smiled brushing it off.
"I'd feel a lot better if you did. We've been so worried about Archie and his senility and cataracts, that I think your health was put aside. I'll telephone Molly and make an appointment for you to see Dr. Faith this week."
"Dee, I'm fine. Don't bother Faith," Emily protested.
"Let's see what Nathan says," Dee said firmly, "your his mother but I'm sure he'll agree with me."
Back at the RCMP office, the telephone was ringing. Nathan was just outside in the rocking chair on the porch still beaming about what his wife just announced while Andy and Gunther were on rounds. When he finally heard the ring, he rushed in and answered, "Sargent Grant here."
The smile that was plastered on his face all day was taken over with a look of shock. As he absorbed what he was hearing he didn't know what to think. Headquarters had news that was both upsetting but might help to find the Fredrick brothers. At least it was a crack in the case.
Nathan hurried over to Bill's office. "Bill?" he knocked.
"Yes, come in."
"Bill, I think we've got a break in the case. I just got a call from Headquarters. They told me that with all the Wanted posters someone came forward in Edmonton and spoke with the Mountie there."
"Have they been seen?" Bill looked up.
"No, but the person who spoke up was a woman," Nathan's eyes went down, "she was scared, but she felt she had to tell someone. Those same men had raped her too."
There was a deafening silence in Bill's office.
Nathan spoke quietly, "This woman felt that she could come out of hiding and press charges knowing these men were being hunted. I wasn't told her name or any details, but this just happened to her within the past month so we know they were in Edmonton just like we figured. Unfortunately, now we have two victims."
"She must've been threatened to be quiet too. Damn," Bill said angrily.
"The good thing is, she did go to her doctor for an exam. It was confirmed that she was brutally raped. It was her doctor that encouraged her to go to the RCMP office in town to try to help catch these men before they raped more women," Nathan informed.
"If they haven't already," Bill slammed his fist on his desk.
