And the greatest of these is Love
Chapter 38
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Carl Hutton shook hands with Paul Blakely and Ned Yost sealing the loan that Paul needed to buy the Henderson farm. It was a glorious day for this family as Ned co-signed Paul's loan. Not only because it meant that Paul would now be back home in Hope Valley, but it solidified his relationship with Ned. Flo had hoped that Paul would accept Ned as her husband since his dad, Paul Sr. died in the coal mine tragedy, and through the years, and with the help of his grandfather, Paul Jr. was not only accepting of Ned in his mother's life, but actually enjoying his company. Today cemented their friendship and steps towards a "father-son" bond.
The Henderson's were in the process of buying a town home, one that was Henry's house and now vacant when he married and moved into Dottie's home.
The selling of their farm and moving to a small home in town gave them a decent money cushion for retirement. Mrs. Henderson would continue checking in on Archie weekly so Emily could get away and do her shopping in town or just relaxing somewhere of her choice.
The older folks were often seen together playing cards, church, the men fishing, and the ladies quilting or just chatting. Bertie and Ted Gleixner, Emily and Archie, and now Scott and Blair Henderson were a part of their group. It kept them socially active and helped Emily too talking to folks her age, as well as Archie. They all liked to be with friends and looked forward to their get togethers.
Paul was grinning from ear to ear when they he and Ned went back home. The ladies knew by the looks on their faces that the loan was a done deal and that Paul and Darcy would begin a new chapter in their lives.
"Looks like everything went as hoped!" Flo greeted them with hugs.
"Yes, indeed!" Ned answered with a pat on Paul's back, "you're looking at a new farm owner!"
Darcy was wide-eyed with excitement, "Oh Paul, we are starting a new life soon!"
Paul nodded barely keeping his enthusiasm in check, "I need to talk to your folks as soon as possible," he told Darcy. "I want them to know that I want to ask for your hand in marriage and now I can provide for you."
Darcy beamed at Paul. "We should talk to them in person. They're expecting us back."
"I know, I was hoping Ned, that you wouldn't mind meeting my grandparents half-way like we did when we came. What day would be good for you?" Paul asked.
"After church, Sunday when the Mercantile is closed," Ned suggested.
"Oh, that would be lovely, we could have a picnic together," Flo offered. "Mother and father could have a rest then before heading back to the farm."
"We'll let you two telephone your parents, Darcy and let them know. When you're done, we'll go back out to the farm and visit with the Hendersons to make plans when they will be moving out and you will move in," Ned was taking charge.
"I'll go to the Mercantile now and help out Katie while you three are gone," Flo gave Ned a kiss on his cheek and then left for the store.
Over at the RCMP, Nathan took the telephone receiver from Gunther and heard a voice from Headquarters.
"Sargent Grant?"
"Yes, this is he, how can I help you?" Nathan asked.
"We need to inform you that the Frederick gang is still in custody in Toronto under the jurisdiction of the Canadian District Attorney's office for fleeing the country while under investigation. Once that federal matter is completed then they will transport the criminals to Ottawa at our Headquarters to be indicted for Provincial crimes. When the time approaches, you will be informed within two weeks."
Nathan acknowledged the person on the other end, "Will these men be afforded a public defender?"
"Yes, all citizens have that right."
"Then, I assume our particular case of Ruth and Jake Taylor will need an attorney to represent them, or will they need to appear in court personally?" Nathan inquired.
"It will be determined shortly as to whether there will be a jury or bench trial. Once that decision is made, you will be notified as to further action. Do you have any other questions?"
"No, sir." Nathan replied.
Hanging up the telephone, Gunther watched his boss waiting for an explanation.
As if his ears were ringing, Bill came to the office.
"Hello, Nathan. Gunther." Bill greeted.
"Hello Bill, I just got off the telephone with Headquarters," Nathan said as he turned to look at Gunther, "the Frederick gang is still in Toronto under federal custody for fleeing the country. When that whole situation is settled, they will be transferred to Ottawa for Provincial arraignments."
"I guess that means, I need to get busy!" Bill nodded.
"Yes, it does. We have to throw the book at them, Bill. I want them to be locked up for their lifetime so they can't hurt anyone else ever again!"
"I'll see to that!" Bill assured Nathan as he tapped his shoulder.
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Rosemary was quite happy to get to know Ruth Taylor. Elizabeth had introduced them to eachother as promised. Rosemary loved having her Valley Voice office at home, but she felt torn to also take care of little Grace. Elizabeth had talked to Rosemary suggesting she might be interested in hiring Ruth to work for her as a nanny/housekeeper for her.
"Ruth, please tell me your work experience in Hamilton," Rosemary asked.
Ruth wrung her hands being nervous as she explained, "Mrs. Coulter, when I left home I was given a place to stay with an elderly couple who operated a coffee shop. They felt sorry for me, and offered me a bedroom upstairs above the shop. It was a small apartment that they lived in, but I was so grateful to have a roof over my head. I worked for them as a waitress for several years. They let me keep any tips I made, but I didn't have to pay any rent or buy food as that was their way of paying me instead of a paycheck."
"Oh my, that was a splendid arrangement, I must say!" Rosemary remarked.
"Yes, it was very pleasant, as they made me feel like family. I couldn't of had a better situation. They did need to retire as it was getting very hard for them to keep the coffee shop going, but they wanted to find me another job before they retired."
"How thoughtful of them. You must've been a very good worker and friend!"
"It was like God was on my side providing through all this time I was trying to keep a low profile. A regular daily customer who was a reporter for the Hamilton Standard newspaper found out that the owners of the Coffee Shop wanted to retire, but were looking for a job for me first, so he told the newspaper publisher, and owner, Mr. Riemann. I was blessed to be hired right away as a housekeeper by Mr. Riemann," Ruth was smiling as she shared part of her story.
Rosemary was listening intently to Ruth's story, "Aren't they expecting you to return?"
"Mr. Riemann saw the ad they wanted him to print in the newspaper with my photo and a picture of what I might possibly look like now, he recognized the girl as me. When I found out that Jake was living in Hope Valley they bought me a ticket to come here. The Riemann family is so sweet. They told me to stay and get to know my brother and sister-in-law. In fact, they sent me my belongings to Jake's home and generously sent me some money to get new clothes and whatever I needed," Ruth explained.
"So, now you need work, while I could use nanny and a housekeeper! This might
be another blessing from God, Ruth!" Rosemary was elated.
"I just finished my studies during the last few weeks that Elizabeth gave me to finally obtain my long overdue high school graduation diploma. I told Jake I don't want to go to college, I just want to be with my brother and Violet and make up for all the lost time we missed. So, I plan on staying here."
Rosemary asked Ruth to come upstairs with her to meet little Grace. "We waited a long time for her, and God surprised us. It's about time for her to get up. She takes two naps one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but she needs to give up the morning nap very soon," Rosemary laughed.
Just then Paul shot out of his bedroom. "Whoa, young man, you know better than to just run past us without a hello. Where's your manners?" Rosemary asked as she stopped him in mid run.
Paul sheepishly looked up at Rosemary, "Sorry, mom, but our team is having one more practice before our last baseball game and I almost forgot!"
"All right, Paul, before you go, you need to apologize to Ruth too."
"Sorry ma'am. It's nice to meet you," Paul said politely hoping he could leave.
"Nice to meet you too," Ruth smiled, "you remind me of my brother when he was young, always on the go!"
"Paul, before you go, don't forget, I need a hug!" Rosemary opened her arms to get her hug saying, "Now, shoo, go, have fun honey."
"Bye Mom! Bye Ruth!" Paul called as he ran outside to hop on his bicycle.
Sure enough, Grace heard her Mommy and brother and woke up. Letting out a little giggle, Rosemary and Ruth slowly walked in the nursery and spotted Grace on her back with her feet straight up in the air. She was reaching for her toes, but couldn't get them, so she flung her legs down in frustration. Then she'd bring her legs back up and giggle. Rosemary and Ruth joined in her giggling.
"Hello, my little precious!" Rosemary beamed as she traipsed over to Grace's crib.
When Gracie saw her Mommy she rolled over and reached over to her Mommy to get up. "Did you have a good nap, sweetie?" Rosemary kissed Gracie with lots of little kisses all over her face.
Ruth got swept up in their joy and followed Rosemary over to Gracie's changing table. She watched carefully where the clean diapers were, the washcloth, the ointment for her bottom, and where all her little outfits were. While Ruth watched the interaction between Rosemary and Gracie memories of her mother taking care of her baby brother, Jake came flooding back.
"I love children and always wanted to be like my Mother. I dreamt of being a Mother myself and having lots of children," Ruth shared.
"Aww, I bet you will, Ruth. God has plans for you!"
Gracie looked in the direction of the new person and with her big eyes stared at Ruth and determined that Ruth needed a big smile from her. Ruth held out her arms and Gracie reached for her!
"Oh! Look at you sweet Gracie!" Ruth was surprised, "come here little one!"
Rosemary handed Grace over to Ruth and watched as Gracie stared at Ruth, pulled her hair, and patted her face, babbling through it all.
"She seems to really like you, Ruth!"
"She's adorable, what's there not to love?" Ruth answered.
Rosemary was thrilled that Gracie warmed up to Ruth right away. "Come on back downstairs in the kitchen, and I'll show you the food Gracie eats and where her toys are. I think this is going to be wonderful for all three of us!"
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"I can't wait for our party tonight, James!" Fiona's eyes sparkled. "I feel like we really need to celebrate, don't you?"
James gazed at Fiona and watched her dimples deepen with her smile. She was such an amazing woman and he felt extremely grateful she said yes to his proposal.
"For sure, especially after that horrific storm a few weeks ago. I think everyone is ready to have a night out on the town!" James agreed as he wrapped his arms around his fiance, and sealed his words with a kiss.
When James kissed Fiona he could hardly contain himself. She was not only a beauty, but was a truly good human being who cared so much for everyone in their town. Her kindness and empathy came naturally for her and made her stand out just as beautiful inside as she was lovely to look at. He respected her wishes to continue as mayor and actually was attracted to her because of her independence. Yet, she allowed herself to be wooed by him and he enjoyed doing so.
James' family came back to town for the party and were already settled in Billees for the weekend. Fiona gave James a kiss as he headed over to Billees to visit with his family before the engagement dinner. Meanwhile, Fiona was headed over to Nichols and Dimes where Christy was going to give Fiona a manicure, pedicure, and hairdo for the party tonight.
Fiona offered to do Christy's hair in return as Christy was so nervous about attending her first fancy dinner at Benson Hills Clubhouse. Even though she was going to be Fiona's Matron of Honor, the two of them felt like sisters. She loved the feeling of Fiona being her 'big' sister and Fiona, never having a sister, was thrilled to have one.
Christy got to work on Fiona right away, letting her relax with her finger nails soaking and cucumber slices on her eyelids. Fiona finally took a deep breath and settled into the chair enjoying the pampering. The manicure was long over-due and her pedicure helped her tired feet feel alive again.
Christy and Fiona tossed around colors for Christy's dress and finally decided since the wedding was going to be in January.
"Let's go with Christmas colors! We will still be celebrating the 12 days of Christmas and the town is always so festively decorated," Fiona suggested.
"Sounds merry to me! But I will have just had our baby and I have no idea what my figure will look like. I'll probably be full of milk and still have a pouch in front!" she pouted."
"That's all right, we can ask Dottie to help us find you a fuller cut dress. You'll still look just as beautiful as you are today, sweetie!"
"Who else are you going to ask to stand up?" Christy wondered.
"I do have a good lifetime friend from San Francisco, that I would love to ask, but I don't know if she'll come up to Canada. She's quite a busy secretary for a shipping company president. I'll have to telephone Barbara next week," Fiona said. "Now, what color do you want to wear my dear?"
"A Christmassy red! I mean a soft red. I just don't want to look like an ornament ball," Christy laughed.
"You know what, I just remembered that the Mounties usually have a very elegant Christmas Ball. Dee and Nathan didn't go last year because she had her baby, and she was disappointed she missed it. Now, she's pregnant again, but due in November, so I wonder if she'll be going. I would love for her to stand up for our wedding! Hmm..." Fiona wondered out loud.
"Who is James asking?"
"He asked his brother to be his best man already, and I think he wanted to ask Nathan Grant too. He and Nathan are good friends. I have three brothers, but Lord knows where they all settled. Charlie was a real rebel rouser and took off to explore the world! I don't know if my folks know where he even went. Steven works with my father for the telephone company, and the oldest, Adam studied to be a barber and that's where I learned to cut hair."
Christy finished Fiona's pedicure and was beginning to start her manicure. Taking off the cucumbers, Fiona sat up. Christy kept asking her more, "So, you had three brothers and you were the only female?"
"Yes, I had to prove myself around the boys. I didn't want to be a prissy little girl. So, I played baseball with them, rode on my scooter as fast as I could to keep up with them, and climbed trees as high as they did. My mother was always worried about me being a tomboy, but my father just brushed it off telling my mom, I was just spunky!" Fiona laughed.
Christy laughed too, "I bet you were a force to be reckoned with, as my dad would say."
"You bet, until I hit the teenage years, I was still sassy, but not as bold. I quickly learned that the power of female persuasion also worked. So, when Steven got a job with father, I was determined to get one too. Dad didn't even know I applied, but I did, and proved I was worth hiring to install switchboards. A little flutter of my lashes and a demure smile helped too," Fiona giggled.
"How did you start to like Dr. James?"
"Christy! Have you seen him? What single lady in their right mind would not swoon over him?" Fiona said smiling, "besides, he's more than handsome, he's quite the gentleman, caring, and treats me like a queen!"
"That's because you are!" Christy broke out laughing.
When Christy got done making up Fiona's hair, it was Christy's turn to get dolled up. Christy couldn't hold still as her baby was kicking up a storm and the ladies' had to stop to feel the kicks.
Fiona looked out the window thinking to herself, maybe James was right. Maybe, just maybe her time as mayor might end sooner than she thought. She wasn't getting any younger, and it just possibly might be time for her to have her own baby next year.