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Chapter One hundred and eleven

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More Surprises

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"Nathan! Bill here."

"Well, hello, Bill! How are you? Did you finalize your plans?" Nathan explained. "I need to know so I can meet your train."

Chuckling Bill responded. "That won't be a problem. You will already be there, although I doubt you will even notice my arrival!"

Confused, Nathan confessed. "I don't understand."

"I mean I will be on the train with Elizabeth and Jack and all the family. I expect you won't even see me though!" Bill chuckled again. "Not that I mind this time."

Understanding, Nathan laughed. "Ah ha! You may be right. Between seeing Elizabeth and Jack, I may be a little distracted. So you'll ride in the Pullman, eh?"

"I may never get another chance so this will be fun!" Jack explained. "How are you doing, Son?"

"I am smiling constantly and can hardly believe all that has transpired." Nathan thought he better share the latest news with Bill now. "Ah… I have some news. I'll explain the details when you are here, but it appears that my next promotion may be to Superintendent and I will be assisting Tim Stewart while he mentors me. I will apply soon to be ready when there is an opening." Nathan was still incredulous. "When Tim retires he wants me to replace him. Isn't this amazing?"

Bill paused momentarily. "It is wonderful, Nathan, but I am not surprised. That would suit you wonderfully. I mean the Mounties would miss your investigative and tracking skills on the tough cases, but you would be training others to follow in your footsteps so I think this sounds wonderful."

"Really?" Nathan was surprised to hear Bill's support. "You think this is the right direction for me? You think I deserve it and would be good at it?"

"Of course. You are questioning this direction, Nathan?"

"Not so much questioning, as getting used to the idea. I am just surprised at your reaction."

Bill laughed. "Well, I will still find ways to tease you, Son, but I am one hundred percent in agreement with this opportunity. Unlike an Inspector position, it means you wouldn't travel much too, right? That would be important to Elizabeth and the children."

"That's correct. There may be some, but only limited trips and short ones too!" Nathan gulped determined to finish his revelations. "Bill, there is something else. I need you to promise you will keep confidence on this, please?"

"You know I don't like making a promise until I know what it is, but I trust you, Nathan. I will keep your confidence." Bill added. "So spill it, Son. Are you proposing? Or?"

Nathan chuckled. "I have a house."

Bill gasped and sat up straight in his office chair. "A house? Already?"

"This is the secretive part, Bill. Peter and Carol are giving me the house and property. They meant to leave it to me in their will, but now that I'll be needing a home for a larger family, they decided to give it to me rather than wait. Evidently I am the heir they named a decade ago. Can you believe it?"

"They are giving you the house?" Bill was flabbergasted. "That is almost unbelievable. They must love you very much, Nathan."

"Oh, I am blessed, Bill. This is all beyond what I could have dreamed but I see God's hand in it all!"

"And how!" Bill used a phrase he had recently learned from Cooper Canfield. He planned on surprising Allie with his updated vocabulary, but for the moment, Bill was struggling to find words.

Nathan continued to share his news. "The renovations should be completed by the end of February, so the house will be ready in early March. Bill, do you know what this means?"

Completely missing the significance of Nathan's question, Bill responded. "Sure. It means you have been recognized, Nathan. Recognized, honored, and rewarded… And gifted with a home!"

"Yes, I am giving thanks every day for all these blessings, but I am talking about the date." Nathan chuckled low. "Bill, it means I can marry Elizabeth far sooner than I expected! We don't have to wait till summer, which was the possibility I've had swirling around in my head once Elizabeth and I began to court! Everything that I've waited for, for so long is happening. Sometimes, I am awestruck. That and very thankful!"

"Ah ha! Now I get your meaning!" Bill grinned. "So have you and Elizabeth settled on a date?"

"I haven't proposed yet, Bill! I plan to ask her on New Year's Eve, then we can look at the calendar. However, just knowing this house will be ready fills me with hope, and happiness!" Changing the subject, Nathan mentioned Jack's birthday. "By the way, can you tell me how Elizabeth celebrated Jack's birthdays in the past? I know she said the day was Jack's and then they transitioned to Christmas with the evening service, but any other ideas you can give me?"

"How about doing the same as you did for Allie? Balloons and swags and a special cake and…" Bill exclaimed. "Hey, since I will be there I can make a cake!"

"Well, Bill, if it was just Allie and me, I would say let's go for it, but our family has grown now. Why don't you present your offer to Elizabeth and discuss it on the train? She might want to bake his cake or Allie might want to help, or even Carol! You two did such a masterful job on Allie's birthday cake. I don't think we have any shortage of bakers in the family now." Nathan chuckled. "Of course that makes me very happy!"

"Okay I'll do that." Bill acquiesced. "I mean Elizabeth has to decide the guest list now as there are so many in the family! Who would have thought that a year ago?!"

Excitedly, Nathan added, "Oh, another thing, Bill? Zach will be with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Isn't that amazing? God is so good!"

"Amen to that, Son. For Jack's birthday, why don't you enlist Allie to help? She will come up with artistic ideas I am sure!" Bill grinned. "Give a hug to that dear girl and tell her I can't wait to see her!" Suddenly wondering if Nathan knew, Bill added. "Has anyone mentioned to you that Rosemary has organized a surprise farewell party for Elizabeth at the Hotel? It was last minute, but she has worked her magic!" Bill laughed. "You know Rosemary!"

"Ah, no one has mentioned anything, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised! I am glad they are doing something for her after all her years in town. When is it?"

"Thursday dinner, so we are cutting it close! I better go now, Son. I have another call to make and then some packing to do. I only hope I can get everything wrapped too!" Bill chuckled. "Anyway, Nathan, I will be seeing you soon!"

"Not soon enough, Bill! Godspeed."

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Elizabeth had chosen a corner table and was just placing her napkin on her lap when Rosemary arrived and scanned the Café in search of Elizabeth. Waving, Elizabeth grabbed hold of her napkin and stood to hug Rosemary before they both were seated.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to see me for lunch, Rosie. I figured we both had to eat, so it shouldn't impact your schedule too much. Is Lee watching Patrick?"

"I'm glad for every moment with you, Elizabeth, and yes, Lee and Patrick are having male bonding time! I am blessed that my husband is so invested in fathering little Patrick. Sometimes we almost fight for who gets to read the bedtime story!" Rosemary giggled. "Don't tell him I said that. I don't think he thinks I am any competition whatsoever!" She laughed again as she glanced at the menu posted on the board near the doorway. "What are you having?"

"The soup and half-sandwich looks good to me." Elizabeth pointed discretely at a nearby table and Rosemary followed her gaze to see Fiona and Kevin at lunch.

"That looks good to me as well." Smiling, Rosemary inquired as she sipped her water. "So, what do you have to share, my friend?"

"First, I have something for you." Elizabeth handed the gift-wrapped earrings to Rosemary. "Please open it now? This is a goodbye gift so you don't forget me!" Elizabeth whispered as Rosemary untied the ribbon and carefully removed the wrapping paper. "You will see these around town as I am gifting identical sets to many of my friends here. You'll be a constant reminder whenever you see each other!"

"Oh, how lovely. Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm afraid that, although I am prepared to send you off with birthday gifts and Christmas, I don't have anything to offer you as a farewell." Rosie admired the silver earrings. Looking up she searched her friends face. "Thank you so much." Noticing something in Elizabeth's eyes, Rosemary continued. "I don't think this was the only reason to meet for lunch though, was it?"

"I didn't tell you what Nathan shared this week." Elizabeth looked down at her hands before continuing. "He has been given a house."

"What? Given a... house?" Rosemary exclaimed then. quickly glancing around, she quieted. "Sorry. You said given a house? Tell me…"

Clara interrupted, ready to take their order.

When Clara departed, Rosemary continued. "Tell me everything!"

Elizabeth carefully explained the transfer of ownership to Nathan, leaving out the details of the source of the gift. She suddenly realized that her wording meant she might have to reveal more than she had intended. She would have to write down some options to better explain to others, but shrugging her shoulders, Elizabeth figured she could share the entire truth with her best friend.

"But who would do such a thing, Elizabeth? Nathan only moved to Regina a few months ago. Was this from someone he has known in the past? Or from distant family? Or?" Reporter mode revealed itself as Rosemary began to allow rapid-fire questions to escape.

Laughing, Elizabeth spoke softly. "Whoa there, Rosemary! I am telling you very private and confidential information, friend-to-friend. Okay? Confidant-to-confidant." She nodded at Rosemary to encourage her to understand.

Slightly deflated that she wouldn't be able to broadcast such momentous news, Rosemary nevertheless nodded her consent. "Okay. I will be quiet, but please tell me how did this come about?"

Divulging about the relationship that Nathan and the Collins's shared, Elizabeth explained what she knew of Peter's appreciation for Nathan through the years and his watchfulness over Nathan's career. "The Commissioner was here in Hope Valley during that awful inquiry that Nathan had to endure after the prisoner transfer. As it turned out, the Mountie who instigated the Inquiry had past interactions with Nathan, but, in my interpretation, the man was jealous of Nathan and the excellent reputation he held. The man's accusations were ill-founded though and the case dismissed and expunged from Nathan's record. Anyway, I understand the property was gifted to the Collins's and now they have given it to Nathan. They don't want outsiders to know this, thus the need for discretion, but isn't it amazing?"

As Clara brought their lunch, the women both thanked her and Elizabeth offered to pray the blessing on the food. She added her gratitude for her best friend and asked God to protect and support their relationship in the years ahead, requesting they always maintain a connection and be a blessing to each other. With moist eyes, Elizabeth and Rosemary opened their eyes, locked their gaze and reached to clasp each other's hands as Rosemary whispered, "Amen."

"Everything about these last months is amazing, Elizabeth." Rosie continued their conversation. "From Nathan and Allie leaving, your breakdown and recovery, Lucas leaving town, Nathan accepting your letters and then your amazing visit. Now, there is your courtship and your house and your future before you. I hope there is room in your house so that we can visit?"

Giggling Elizabeth realized Rosemary had no idea of the size of the house, the Cottage and the property. After her description, much to Rosemary's additional shock, Elizabeth concluded. "There will be more than enough room for you to stay with us, after we are married that is." Whispering, she added an explanation. "I cannot speak for Nathan if he moves in first, however my father has reserved numerous rooms at the hotel and one will be reserved for you Coulter's for the wedding."

"Any idea of a wedding date?" Whispered Rosemary in return.

Elizabeth laughed quietly. "We have to be engaged first, but the house will be ready at the end of February, so…." She let her voice trail off, but smiled and raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, this is so exciting and I really am happy for you, Elizabeth. You will leave behind an enormous void, but we'll adjust, just like you will."

After chatting about Hope Valley and Regina, the friends finished their lunch and declined dessert, determined to maintain their figures. Before paying the bill, Elizabeth had one more question for her friend. Reaching out and placing her hand on Rosemary's Elizabeth began. "I hope you can be at my wedding, Rosie? Would you do me the honor of standing up with me and Julie? I think Allie will be my maid of honor, even though she is young, but I still want you and my sister. Would you, please?"

Giggling, Rosemary whispered her answer, "I would love to, Elizabeth! But you do realize you aren't even engaged yet, right?"

Laughing, they departed the Café arm-in-arm as Rosemary whispered one final question. "Will you tell Nathan you are already planning the wedding?"

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While all the goodbyes and excited anticipation circulated around Elizabeth's friends and family in Hope Valley, Peter and Carol had another talk which resulted in a telephone call to Calgary later in the afternoon.

"Hello, Archie? Peter Collins here. How are you?"

"Oh! Peter! I am fine as is Ruthie. How are you and Carol?" Archie sat at the telephone table. "I hope everyone is alright?"

"Oh, my goodness, yes! Our excitement for the holidays is increasing daily. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Let me explain." Peter shared about the early arrival of Elizabeth and the entire family, plus Zach's expected presence and how they would be celebrating Jack's birthday and Christmas. "Is there any way you could come for the weekend, or better yet for the week?"

"Land of Goshen, Peter! The entire family will be present?" Archie hesitated. "I don't know. I've been counting on visiting for Zachary's graduation in February so I never asked my boss about the holidays. If we could come though, where would we stay? It sounds like you will have a house full!"

"William Thatcher has obtained apartments in a new hotel downtown, so we are not hosting everyone! However, there is a studio apartment here in the main house that is available for you and Ruth. If you come, I will try to provide that same wheeled chair to make it easier on Ruth and we would all be together! Could you ask? Please? I would like to surprise Nathan and Allie with your presence. Speaking of which…" Peter laughed. "You could bring your Christmas presents to open with the family. It will be a tremendous day!"

Getting more enthusiastic by the minute, Archie decided to have a chat with his boss in the morning. "There isn't much time, but I will talk to Ruth and my boss and call you tomorrow, okay? I'll also have to check if there are any tickets available at this last minute!"

"Let me look into that, Archie. Between William Thatcher and me, we can arrange something I imagine. Now, go have your discussions and we'll talk tomorrow!" Joyfully, Peter signed off with, "Merry Christmas, Archie!"

"Oh yes! Wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas?" Archie grinned. "Thank you, Peter."

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Opening his leather tool packet, Nathan laid it on the dining table that he had covered with an old tablecloth. He carefully unwrapped his project, grateful for an evening to concentrate on his gift for Elizabeth while Allie read beside the fire.

Glancing up as she turned a page, Allie examined her uncle. "Do you think you'll get it finished in time now that they are coming earlier, Dad?"

"I sure hope so. I may need every spare moment between now and next Monday. I mean I can work on it once everyone has retired to bed next week, but I would rather not have to do that." Nathan had begun to carve along the outer edges of his penciled pattern and spoke without looking up. It was a talent he had perfected over many years of living with Allie. If he was to get any carving done, he had to listen and respond while keeping the tools working on his project.

"Is there any way I can help you, Dad?" Allie offered.

"I hate to even ask you, Honey." Nathan replied.

"I'm offering, Dad, you aren't asking. What do you have in mind?" Allie bookmarked her page and went to her father, resting her hand on his shoulder as he worked on the carving. She loved watching her Dad create an image from a piece of wood. It grew, almost coming to life in his hands and she knew his work was beautiful. It wasn't just Allie, everyone said so!

"There is a piece of velvet draped over my bedroom chair. Could you put the kettle on and hold it over the steam to get out the wrinkles? I have never had any luck ironing velvet, even between layers of thick Turkish towels. Would you mind doing that for me?"

"Sure. I've watched you do that before so I can give it a try. Could I use tongs to hold it, or drape it over a wooden spoon?"

"Try whatever you think will work, Allie-girl, just wear both oven mitts please! You can get a bad steam burn and they hurt."

"Okay. I'll figure it out!" Allie patted her Dad's shoulder and disappeared into his bedroom. Bringing the forest green velvet back to show her father, Allie held it up, asking. "How much of this do you need? It's a big piece."

Laying his tool on the table, Nathan brushed his hands on his work apron and pointed to the shape he would need. "About that much."

"Here I go! Do you want some tea since I'm boiling the water?" Allie giggled. "Of course that would prevent me from making the velvet look perfect. Oh well, no tea for you tonight!"

Nathan chuckled as he took a sip of the mug before him! "Aren't you funny, Allie!"

Returning to his carving, he hummed one of his favorite Christmas carols while he completed the second image. Holding the carved cover closer to the light, Nathan considered if it was finished or not, thinking. 'That is always a challenge with artwork. You have to decide whether something is finished or you need to keep tweaking it.' Nathan knew if you went too far you could ruin all your efforts and need to scrap it! He had done that in his youth. Fortunately though it was no longer a common occurrence, yet he always held an internal debate before he declared a work was completed.

Nathan stood and brought the cover to show Allie. "What do you think? Do you think this is finished? Does it look realistic to you?" Nathan held the carving for Allie to examine as she was both his biggest critic and most ardent supporter nowadays.

"Here, hold the velvet, Dad." Exchanging items, Allie rubbed her finger over the carving. "It's a little sharp here, Dad. You don't want Mrs. Thornton to cut herself on it. Otherwise it is perfect and she is going to love it!" Allie tilted the carving to examine its various facets and shadows as the light hit the highest sections of the relief. "A-plus, Dad!" Allie giggled and handed it back as she took the fabric back. "How does this look?"

"That's coming along great. Can you just work on that area a bit more?" He pointed out a couple subtle waves. "Thank you, Allie-girl. We make such a good team, eh?" Nathan kissed the top of her head and basked in the bright smile she gave him.

"We sure do! And Mrs. Thornton is going to love this gift!"

Carefully sanding the raised spot that Allie had pointed out, Nathan rubbed his finger over it again. Finally satisfied, Nathan brushed off the sawdust, then wiped it with a tacky cloth. Satisfied that it was clean, Nathan began to wax and polish the cover until the shine matched the base of the box which he had previously fashioned. He had originally created the piece when in Hope Valley, but when Elizabeth had chosen another suitor, Nathan had put the work aside. He recalled his deliberation when preparing to move to Regina and gave thanks to the Lord that he had packed the unfinished work so he could give it to Elizabeth this Christmas. Nathan grinned as he thought of the inspiration for the cover image. He knew she would love it!

"Dad? Will you please come check this? I think I am finished." Allie called from the kitchen.

"Coming." Nathan hurried to Allie. "That is perfect, Honey. You are so patient with tasks like this. Thank you. I will be sure to give you credit when we talk with Elizabeth about her gift!" Nathan reached to carefully take the velvet. "Here, let me drape it over the chair near the fireplace. It should dry well there and be ready for me to form it around the compartments on Friday evening." Nathan grinned at Allie. "Maybe I will get this done in time!"

"You will, Dad. I think I will get dressed for bed now. I'll call you when I am ready for prayers." Allie reached up and kissed her father on his cheek. "This is going to be a beautiful surprise, Dad. I know it!"

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