And the greatest of these is Love
Chapter 10
Page 28
After the passengers were all present and accounted for they safely boarded the other train. Gunther invited Robert to grab his suitcase and stick with them so he could get a direct ride home.
The one lady, Miss Campbell, who was held at gunpoint by Bailey was still disturbed thinking about what might have happened, but assured Nathan she just wanted to go home. He reminded her to be seen by a doctor should she have any physical or emotional problems later and let him know.
Nathan and all the other Mounties gathered together at their circle of automobiles off in the distance. Each of the Mounties took their turn reporting what happened in the train car they were in while Sargent Grant wrote notes in his book.
"I'm quite proud of all of you for your quick-thinking and providing safety to the passengers. Not one passenger was lost to those outlaws," Nathan looked confidently at each Mountie one at a time, "your courage was impressive. I don't know about you, but jumping onto a moving train takes guts and you all have it."
Christopher Herrmann was recognized by his fellow Mounties for his quick thinking and shooting Bailey in the arm to release Miss Campbell and later to prevent Bailey from shooting Robert. Having the ring leader down now was definitely a good result.
"Mounties don't shoot to kill unless absolutely necessary and it was needed the second time. Constable Herrmann did exactly what he needed to do," Nathan proudly shook his hand while patting his shoulder.
"Thank you, Sargent," Christopher nodded.
"I'd also commend Constable Burmeister on his decisive action engaging the robber in the train car allowing me to come up behind him, and then assisting me by handcuffing the outlaw," Nathan again proudly shook his Mountie's hand.
"Now, I have a young recruit who happens to be from Hope Valley, and I'm mighty proud of his quick thinking throughout this whole ordeal. Robert Wolf was a major participant in handling this situation. He has been on top of his training and went into instant Mountie preparedness before we even arrived on the scene. I predict Robert will be well known by the time he has completed his studies. Thank you Robert!"
Robert didn't know whether to salute Nathan or shake his hand, but Nathan beamed at him and shook his hand.
"All right men, I will write up the report for Headquarters. As you well know, you'll be contacted for specifics and will have to report in detail. Thank you again. You are dismissed."
As the Mounties all returned to their automobiles, they were finally laughing, letting out all the stress. Turning to Robert, Nathan asked, "On your way home Robert?"
"Yes, Sargent. I'm off for a few weeks before I need to return."
"Listen Robert, I am writing a report to your trainer and letting him know how you acted and helped us with this robbery while in process. I suspect you'll be recognized in an honors class."
"Thank you sir." Robert was smiling in the back seat all the way home. He listened to Gunther and Nathan discussing the whole ordeal and was exceptionally happy to be going back to Hope Valley.
When they arrived, the news had beat them home when Andy received a phone call. Bill came directly over to the office and called Headquarters to verify what Andy just told him before telling his wife Molly who started spreading the news.
As they pulled up, Bill and Andy were outside there to greet them. When the Mounties pulled up, it was quite a spectacle as folks were poking their heads out of the business doors, all rushing over to hear the news firsthand. Lucia Moretti was there too ready to interview them for an exciting article for the Valley Voice.
Nathan laughed holding his arms up to quiet down the folks with all the questions. He told them, "Folks, you should be very proud of our Mountie, Constable Burmeister. He was very decisive and acted quickly. Also, our own home-grown young Mountie recruit, Robert Wolf's, quick-thinking started to get things under control before we Mounties even got there. We will be providing details to our newest reporter Lucia for the Valley Voice," as he smiled and nodded at Lucia, "so you can read more then."
"Was anyone hurt?" Flo asked.
"No, there was a woman held at gunpoint, but Constable Herrmann..." Gunther stopped in mid sentence.
Nathan cleared his throat, "Flo, she was released and not hurt."
"How did you get inside the train?" Rosaleen asked.
"We jumped on the train as it passed through the tunnel!" Gunther beamed.
"That must've been scary!"
"It was, but it was what had to be done," Gunther answered authoritatively.
Nathan looked around and told everyone to wait for the newspaper article. "Look folks, we would like to clean up and let Robert get home. Please be patient and I promise you'll get the full account."
Soon the crowd reluctantly dispersed. Nathan pulled Robert aside, "I know you are keen on Allie, and she you. At first, I wasn't too happy that she was growing up and I might have seemed a bit hesitant about you two going on a date to the New Year's Eve dance. But, now that I've seen you in action, you have proved to have a good head on your shoulders. I won't be standing in your way from seeing Allie, you're a good young man."
Robert looked at Nathan and smiled, "Thank you sir. I'm happy to have your acceptance."
Nathan put his hand on Robert's shoulder, "Allie's mighty precious to me, you respect her, and I'll respect you. Deal?"
"You've got my word sir."
"Great, now go home and relax. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon."
Page 29
With the town all abuzz about their heroes, no one was more excited than Allie! She was tickled from head to toe when Robert came over the very next day to see her. She instinctively ran to the door when she spotted him coming, quickly pattered down the porch stairs, and rushed to him arms wide open.
"Robert, Robert, I'm so happy to see you!" she greeted him with a long hug. Taking in this overwhelming welcome for all it was worth, he regrettably pulled away and looked around seeing if anyone was watching.
Not seeing anyone, outside at least, he gave in and quickly pecked her with a kiss. "Allie, you sure are a sight for sore eyes! It's great to see you too!"
Allie stood back and gazed at Robert. Did she feel some muscles across his shoulders and arms. Yes! He was filling out his shirt she realized. His hair was shorter and to her he didn't look 'cute' anymore, rather he looked handsome.
"Wow Robert, you've been exercising, I can feel your muscles!" she smiled.
Robert was surprised she noticed, but then why should he be? He looked at Allie and she was not just a thin girl anymore, but blossoming into a young lady. He noticed even her face seemed more attractive than he remembered. "Yea, well we have to do plenty of push-ups, jumping jacks, crawling on our stomachs, etc. so there's no muscle that I haven't discovered lately!" he laughed, then he shyly added,"you look so pretty with her hair so long and such a nice smile too!"
Robert immediately felt that was a lame compliment and would have to think of something better next time. He was finally in good graces with Nathan. He knew Nathan had liked him before, but when Nathan found out he was interested in dating Allie, he became the protective father. It was a relief when Allie's mom, Dee, spoke to Nathan keeping peace between them reminding him that Allie was growing up and noticing other males in the town besides her dad and Uncle Bill.
Allie was grateful for Dee's motherly care helping her to get her dad to see her side of things and how to act like a lady. Dee had also encouraged her music ability which brought the family together for sing-a-longs, concerts, and bonfire songfests. Her Oma had the 'talk' when she lived that summer with her grandma. Oma was her heroine who taught her how to cook and bake, but most of all how to forgive. Her deep faith was a treasure and Allie appreciated that.
Allie and her family didn't know much about Robert's family. They were quiet and weren't seen in town very often. Living out in the country they pretty much stayed to themselves, but not Robert. He was always a fun-loving, active boy in school and smart too. That's where Allie first met him.
As they walked outside Robert described the whole adventure on the train, "I surprised myself how my training just kicked into gear and came naturally. I couldn't believe what I did until afterwords, then I was pretty shook up."
"Dad says you were brave and did just what a Mountie would do, and coming from Dad, that says a lot!" Allie smiled.
"Allie, I was wondering if being a Mountie was really the right thing for me. All the training can wear someone down. Several of my fellow recruits couldn't' hack it and left. I just remembered what Gunther and Andy told me, you go in like a boy and come out a man."
"Look at you now, you were put on the spot and came right through it without hesitation. I know you are my hero!" with that she grabbed his hand. They walked the rest of the way back to her house holding hands.
Inside, Oma, and Archie were peeking out the living room window smiling and watching. "Oh boy, that young man, has it bad for Allie," Archie declared.
"He sure does," Emily giggled like a young girl, "reminds me of my younger days."
Archie stopped to look at Emily, "ah yes, but you were prettier!" he winked.
Emily blushed, but liked what she heard. This was the Archie she had fallen in love with and she was happy.
Dee came walking up behind them holding baby Christopher who was giving out a loud burp. "Shh, baby bun, you'll give your grandparents away!" Looking out the window she confirmed what she thought they were watching ever since Allie went rushing down the stairs and out the door like a bolt of lightening. "Don't you two think you better sit down before they get here?" she laughed.
Archie nodded and went back to the kitchen table, picking up the Farmer's almanac he was reading. Emily scurried to the kitchen where she resumed her bread kneading and Dee just sat in the rocking chair watching Christopher playing on his blanket on the floor in the living room with his little lamb and other companions.
As the two walked inside, Dee called out, "Welcome home Robert! It's so good to see you!"
"Yes, son, how happy we are to know you are all right. You are a brave young man!" Emily gushed.
"Got your eye on Allie, huh? Smart young man too!" Archie beamed.
"Grandpa, please!" Allie retorted but smiled.
Robert turned a deep shade of red, but nodded in acknowledgment to all, "Thanks, it's good to be back even though it's only for a short time."
"Can you stay for supper?" Emily's eyes twinkled.
"Yes Mrs. Grant. I was hoping you'd ask." he grinned. Looking into the living room, he spotted Christopher. "Allie, your little brother is sitting up now! Wow!"
The two of them walked into the living room. Robert got down on the floor and began talking to Christopher who was fascinated with this new person. Christopher got up on his hands and knees from his sitting position and began rocking as if he were ready to take off. "He's been practicing like that day and night," Allie filled Robert in. "At night he winds up banging his head, but he never wakes up."
"That's because he's hard-headed like his father," Archie joked.
Christopher eyes were still locked on Robert. He was giggling while rocking when all of a sudden he put his arm in front of himself, looked down and put the other arm out followed by his knees. Everyone watched as Christopher began to crawl! He was headed right to Robert.
"Well look at that!" a familiar warm male voice boomed. No one had seen Nathan walk inside they were so concentrated on Christopher.
Christopher had just made it to Robert when he heard his daddy's voice. Looking intently at Nathan he reached for him to come over. Nathan walked over, squatted, and held out his hands. Christopher tumbled off of Robert's lap, but that didn't stop him, as he got right back up on all fours and wobbled over to his daddy.
Nathan swept him up and proudly said, "Look at you now! That's my little man!"
Page 30
Now that the children had cleaned out their desks and were dismissed for the summer, the school was being emptied so the parents worked together to transfer it all to a storage shed behind the Community Church.
Today was now the first time that Pastor Campbell finally felt that his congregation had enough room. "Praise the Lord with the addition to the building and the chalkboard gone, along with all the school materials, I can finally fix the church up proper!"
As he walked around eyeballing the room, he whistled and thought about what he might do to make the sanctuary more appealing. Not that he minded sharing the same room with the school, but now with all the new citizens of Hope Valley they were bursting at the seams whatever role the room had taken on. Both he and the school teachers, Elizabeth and Dee, were happy that the new school would be finished before the next school year started. Luckily, they had been able to pour the footings for the school before winter, so now Lee had to begin the actual building ahead of schedule.
Minnie walked over to the church and joined her husband. "Well now Joseph, look at you all smiley and whistling. What is that grin all about?"
Joseph turned to see his wife walking through the doorway, "There's my sunshine!" he greeted her, "do you like what you see?" he asked with a hug.
"I do, I do. Praise be the Lord!"
Grabbing Minnie's hand he walked her over to where the chalkboard had been. "Looks like I have a place to put up our church cross, lectern, and a baptismal font! What do you think?"
Minnie nodded in approval, "Oh, I can see it now Pastor Joseph! I can see you preaching on the Good Book, and over on the side a piano with Mrs. Grant leading the choir, and the pews filled with Bibles and the good folks!"
Smiles were plastered all across both their faces as they got excited with their vision of the Community Church. "I thought I'd better check on you when Lee came looking for you at the Cafe, seems he needs your help. So, as much as I want to stay here with you and rejoice to God above that we are but one thankful family, I best get back to the Cafe for our Tuesday morning ladies' Bible study, and you my handsome husband can report for duty!"
As they locked up behind them, Lee spotted Joseph and called, "There you are, I've been looking for you. I see your wife knew where to find you."
Minnie scurried back to the Cafe. Clara had been watching it herself while Minnie had left to look for Joseph. "Thank you Clara, for clearing up after the breakfast customers. We still need to set up for Bible Study now."
"I hope I see Christy. She was planning to come today. She's so lucky to have a mother and mother-in-law both to watch Timi Anne," Clara shared.
"Now with the girls out of school, who did you find to watch Michael?" Minnie asked.
"I was lucky enough to hire Emily. She is so good with Michael, so I don't have to worry about him missing me," Clara answered relieved.
The bell on the door tinkled and in walked Flo. "Do you need any help? I came over early as Allie is working the phone board."
"Yes, let's get the Bibles out on the tables please, thank you!" Minnie directed.
Soon the room was full of the ladies' all happy to be together. Dee brought little Christopher and asked if Clara still had the playpen in the closet. "Seems now that he's crawling, if I want any peace, I rely on that playpen." she laughed.
"No morning nap now?" Molly asked Dee.
"He's growing out of that too," Dee shrugged.
The ladies were elated to see Elizabeth come with baby Grace. She was dressed adorably as usual. "I tried to put a little bow in her hair, but it's just a little too thin to stay put," Elizabeth sighed.
"Aww", Christy O'Neill said admiring how pretty Grace was, looking like her mama.
Minnie tapped the table she was sitting on after all the ladies were seated with their cup of coffee or tea, and a muffin. Let's begin with a prayer. When ending, everyone concluded with "Amen."
"Today we are going to open to the book of Proverbs. We can continue with Proverbs 31, as it seemed to spark a lot of conversation last time. Let's dive into it more," Minnie suggested.
As expected the Bible study caused a lot of discussion. Realizing that the women of the homes really are the heart of the home, it was clear to most that whatever mood the woman was in the children picked up on it. Those who are single are also called to be wise and have a gentle spirit.
"That sounds like all of you," Rosemary thought out loud, "you all are such great sisters in the Lord coming to my assistance and I thank you so much!"
Elizabeth spoke up, "Yes, when Jack died and I was alone and pregnant with little Jack, I couldn't have asked for better friends."
"Or when Rick had his accident," you all prayed for him and we believe your prayers are what got us through.
Dottie acknowledged when the mine collapsed and how so many of them became widows, "It was so hard, very hard, and I just have to say that Henry has been fighting forgiving himself over it."
Molly reassured her that that was in the past and "We've all have had changes of heart, that's what is so wonderful living in Hope Valley, knowing we make mistakes, but we learn to forgive and stick together!"
"Speaking of which," Fiona stood up, "we need to start planning our Summer Family Fest, and now's a good time as ever!"
That remark sparked more busy conversation. What worked well last year, what not so well, committees assigned, who would do what, then finally what date! After all discussion was written down in Fiona's notebook, it was getting late, so she had to rattle off what she wrote and said, "I'll type this up and have a town meeting. We'll see if any of the new folks will help out, and what the men have to contribute. Expect a town meeting in a few days. Now, I have to open Nichols and Dimes ladies," and off she left.
