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Chapter One hundred and thirteen
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A Final Telephone Call
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Allie sat closer to the front of the church during choir rehearsal this week. She was hoping that Jared might sit beside her as she knew he was rehearsing his duet with his father again, hoping that this would be the week to sing. Although he didn't join her in the beginning, Jared did sit beside her after his portion of the rehearsal. They didn't converse, but both were very aware of the other's presence.
When Rachel Bell invited Allie to come and join her father for a run-through of their Christmas Eve duet, Jared gave his full admiration and attention. Both his father, Josiah, and Nathan took note!
As the rehearsal finished, Nathan moved to the pew to tell Jared how beautiful his duet was with his father and when Josiah joined them, they exchanged information about how each family would be celebrating the upcoming holiday.
"Elizabeth and her son are expected to arrive on Monday, so we will have our celebrations with them, her parents, sister, a family friend and Bill, our friend from Hope Valley. I think you met him when he visited some weeks back? Judge Bill Avery?"
"Ah yes. I met him at Depot. He must really appreciate you both to return again so soon. I am glad that Elizabeth is going to be with you for Christmas. That will be special." Josiah questioned. "How old is her son?"
"Well, Jack will be five years old on Christmas Eve! So we have much to celebrate! As a matter of fact, we should be going as Allie and I will be talking to Elizabeth this evening since we have some questions about planning a party for him!" Nathan put his arm around Allie. "Are you ready to head home, Honey?"
"Sure, Dad." Nodding, Allie said her farewells. "Good night, Jared. Good night, Sergeant Blake. We'll see you on Sunday."
"That we will! Good night and enjoy all your preparations and your families!" Josiah grinned, happy for both Nathan and Allie. He had seen how Nathan and Elizabeth loved each other and was certain they were destined for marriage and great joy as a blended family.
"Good night, Allie. Your duet was beautiful. I can't stand for a standing ovation in church, but know I would if I could!" Jared grinned. "Good night, Sergeant Grant. See you on Sunday."
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Nathan was hanging his overcoat when the telephone rang. "Oh! We just made it, Allie! Stay nearby so you can talk to Mrs. Thornton first."
"Good evening, Nathan speaking." His voice was happier than happy!
"Hi Nathan! You sound so sweet. How are you?"
"Hello, Lisbeth. I am fine and so glad to hear your voice. Allie is here though and we have some questions for you. I'll let her begin while I put on the kettle. We just walked in the door!"
"Oh! I'm sorry. I just couldn't wait any longer to call!" Elizabeth giggled. "Get your tea and I'll gladly talk to Allie."
"Hi, Mrs. Thornton. I can't wait until you come. Only a couple more days! Are you all packed?"
"Almost! The movers come tomorrow morning, so we have done all we can do for now. Since a lot of furniture is remaining in the house, we will still have beds to sleep on tomorrow night, but all the crates and boxes will be on the train by then. It has been a challenge to organize it all, but I think we are as ready as we can be. Your Dad said you have questions for me?"
"Yes. I've been thinking about Jack's birthday and since Dad and I will go shopping on Saturday, we thought it best to ask you about my ideas." Allie giggled with glee. "I think red balloons would look best since Christmas is everywhere in the house. Oh, we'll have the party at the main house, okay?"
"I think that is our only option so we can all be together!" Agreed Elizabeth. "So red balloons sound great. Anything else?"
"Yes, we need a theme for Jack since he is still little. I was wondering about a train theme!" Allie explained her ideas for the banner the table and the cake. "What do you think?"
"Allie Grant! You are a marvel. That is perfect for Jack! He will love it and so will the rest of us because we know how much he loves trains. My father will love it too, you know." Elizabeth laughed. "Wait until I tell him!"
"Oh! But don't tell Jack, right? Don't you want it to be a surprise for him?" Allie was worried.
"Absolutely, a surprise for Jack! Now, do you have plans for the cake? His favorite is chocolate everything." Elizabeth grinned imagining her son's excitement. "Shall we make it together?"
"Dad and I didn't know if you wanted to make it or have Uncle Bill or Gramma Carol or me? No matter who bakes it, I have an idea for decorating the top of the cake. I just need to talk to Mrs. Evans tomorrow."
"Why don't I talk with Uncle Bill on the train and we can decide who makes it. I think Gramma Carol probably will have plenty to do without that project. You and I can talk in secret once I arrive, okay? Oh, Sweetheart? When does your vacation begin?"
"Our last day is Wednesday this week, so I am excited I'll be home for all the preparations!" Allie glanced up as her father approached with his mug of tea. "I better go, Dad's here. I love you and I can't wait till Monday! Say hi to Jack, please?"
"I will and I love you too, Allie." Elizabeth smiled to herself. "Monday is getting closer every day!"
"Honey, I poured a half a mug of tea for you if you want it." Nathan set his mug on the desk and took the receiver. "Are you okay praying by yourself tonight so I can talk with Mrs. Thornton?"
"Thanks, Dad. I'll be fine." Allie reached to hug her Dad. "Enjoy your talk and I love you."
"I love you too, Honey. Sweet dreams." Nathan hugged his daughter and kissed the top of her head. "Don't stay up too much later now!"
Settled in the chair, he took a long breath. "Hello, my Love! I am here and settled, with my list!" Nathan chuckled. "But first, how are you? And all the packing? And all the goodbyes?"
Elizabeth laughed. "How long can you talk, Nathan? What a day today has been! First though, before I forget, I love Allie's ideas for Jack's birthday! She's so creative! Any supplies you can get in advance would be wonderful. Remember Father will have his vehicle there so Hudson and I can shop on Tuesday or mid-week. Don't worry if you can't get everything! Oh, another thing! I never thought to ask. Can I board Sergeant in the Collins's barn? Is there room for another horse?"
"Yes, and there is room! I thought of that when I was working with Newton in a class today. It is on my list to discuss so I am crossing it off the Elizabeth list as we speak!" Nathan crossed the item off that list then reminded her. "You will have to help me remember to care for him though as thus far I have not been the one to care for the Collins's horses unless we ride them!"
"Okay. Will they take their horses to Ottawa? With everything going on you probably haven't discussed that yet, right?"
"Right." Nathan agreed. "We'll deal with that in the new year. Now, tell me about your day, Honey?"
Sharing about the farewell gathering, Elizabeth filled in the details and how much the party meant to her. "I am so sorry you didn't have the chance for that type of appreciation, Nathan. I am glad you have the key and the clock, but in-person and heartfelt comments mean so much."
"I had many in-person conversations when I did rounds those final days, so I didn't miss out, Honey. Don't be concerned!" Chuckling, Nathan added. "And, let's remember I have enjoyed more than my share of accolades and appreciation here in Regina!"
"That's true, but I still wish your leaving had included public appreciation. Anyway, the party was just lovely and all those closest to us were present. They gave me two beautiful silver serving plates. They will be lovely to use for serving cookies and candies at Christmas. Plus, a permanent reminder of Hope Valley friends, just like your clock."
"Yet, wait until you see what was given to Jack! Evidently Fiona and Mike compiled a book of photos of Hope Valley to help Jack remember his home town! They included the inside and outside of Coulter's row house, the Mercantile, Café and the Livery. Also, both inside and outside of the jail, the church and the train station. They even included a photograph of the cemetery and Jack's grave. Oh, and a photo of the dock on the pond!" Elizabeth was amazed. "Isn't that incredibly thoughtful? A photograph album is such a precious gift for a little boy. I haven't read all the messages, but it appears there are short snippets of memories and stories that have been included on the back pages. I think all of us will be enjoying this little book!"
"That is extremely thoughtful and unique." Nathan was impressed. "Jack is pretty young, so having this to refer to will remind him of Hope Valley in between visits as he gets older. I look forward to seeing the book myself!"
Continuing to share about the party, Elizabeth summarized the comments made by Florence, Abigail, Bill, Lee and Rosemary. "It was a short walk down memory lane. I just wish you could have been there too."
"You have years of history there before I came on the scene, so that's okay for them to celebrate you by yourself. Plus, Lisbeth, we have our own memories that most people in Hope Valley don't share. We can reminisce about those together…" Nathan spoke quietly. "Well, some of those memories!"
"Nathan? I took Sergeant and rode out to Jack's land today. I told you Dad's interested in building, right? I wanted to survey the property and envision what is possible. We can discuss it after the holidays, but I have some ideas." Elizabeth hinted, then moved to yet another topic. "There is something else I thought of, Nathan. Do you know the arrangement the Collins's have with Irma and Jake Cook? Will they relocate to Ottawa?"
"My goodness! I haven't thought of that, but it is a conversation we will have to plan! I have no idea. Would you want the help, maybe part-time?"
"I'm not sure. I left behind the idea of household staff when I left Hamilton, but the main house is large and having assistance might be helpful…"
"Hmmmm…" Nathan paused thoughtfully before speaking again. "I am still getting used to the idea of hiring painters and now this! I don't know. I'm always willing to assist and housework is good training for Allie, but you are right. It is a big house! Plus, if you take time to write, having assistance might be good, not to mention when you are expecting..." Nathan was silent.
"Expecting, eh?" Elizabeth teased. "I'll keep it on my list. One thing though, do you think we could afford to have the help? We could draw on my funds…"
"I would rather not use your funds and I believe we could afford it. Let me ask Peter and Carol if they have plans for the Cooks, then when you are in Regina we can approach them after the new year? Does that sound good? I am not prepared to consider this now, but we can revisit the idea after the busyness of the holidays, okay?" Nathan inhaled a slow breath. "I feel somewhat overwhelmed, Honey. There is a lot going on and I want to enjoy each day for itself."
"Oh, I forgot! Tim called and told me Zach can have all of the twenty-fourth off, again after his morning chores, and…" Nathan grinned. "Are you ready for this? Because of Christmas falling on the weekend, he told me to take off Thursday through Monday on both weekends! They will only have a skeleton crew of faculty and are recommending writing and research assignments for the Cadets as well as some cleaning assignments to build comradery and test teamwork. Isn't that wonderful, Honey? A real Christmas holiday with the family!"
"We should probably have Tim and his wife to dinner in January, to thank him for all the privileges he has offered to you and to Zach. That is a wonderful blessing, Nathan. A true blessing." Elizabeth's voice caught. "I can't wait, Honey…"
"We only have a few days left, Lisbeth. Three days between now and Monday!" Nathan glanced at the mantel clock. "I better get to bed soon, though I am not sure I can sleep yet! I love you, dearly, Honey, and pray you'll enjoy sweet dreams and all God's blessings. May you have a safe and uneventful day of packing and a special train journey with the family. My arms are aching for Monday's arrival!"
"Oh, my dear Love. I can't wait to run into those awaiting arms. Bless you too and remember you are on my mind, in my dreams and always in my heart. I love you."
"Till Monday, then. Good night, Sweetie." The nickname came unbidden and as he spoke he realized he liked the endearment.
As Elizabeth hung the receiver on the hook, she smiled, liking the term 'Sweetie' from the man who would be filling her sweetest dreams.
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