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Chapter One hundred and fourteen
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On the Way to Regina
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A couple of empty trucks from Union City Transport pulled up in front of Elizabeth's row house at eight o'clock on Friday morning. Having heard the rumble, William hurried down the lane with David to meet the movers he had hired. Comparing lists with the foreman, William showed the man the items to be packed for the train and those to be left behind. Since there were three locations in Regina, Hudson had labeled each crate to identify its destination and prevent errors upon arrival.
Walking down to the Thatcher's row house, William explained this was where there were a few labeled crates for the train as well as the furniture to be transferred to Elizabeth's row house. Entering, William introduced Hudson and the foreman immediately complimented him on his organization.
"This move will be a breeze compared to many! Thank you for your careful instructions, Mr. Hudson, as you have helped me know exactly how to load the trucks and the boxcar!" The foreman instructed a couple of his men to drive one truck to this location to load first as William returned to Elizabeth's.
Grace had taken Jack into town for an early breakfast hoping to keep him from getting under foot! William and Elizabeth would stay at her house and Hudson would oversee the other row house, with David overseeing all of the activity. Once the loading was completed in the row houses, David would drive the Thatcher automobile to the station, while William drove Bill's car, dropping Bill at the Livery to saddle Sergeant and ride him to the station. Meeting there, they would all return to town in Bill's vehicle.
Although complicated, David had arranged everything and the move proceeded like clockwork. The horse was loaded and settled in the stable car and the vehicle driven onto a flatbed railcar. All the crates were labeled, organized and carefully stacked so they would be unloaded according to where they would be located upon arrival. The entire operation was accomplished before noon so William was ready to enjoy lunch with the family at the Café.
"It feels odd that there is nothing left to do for the rest of the day! I guess I could write some letters, but I don't think I have the concentration." Elizabeth glanced at her son. "Jack? Is there anything you would like to do this afternoon?"
Thinking hard, Jack's face lit up. "Let's go see Mountie Paul? I can say goodbye again."
"We can do that, but only if he is not busy working, okay? If he is in the middle of something, then we'll only say a quick goodbye." Elizabeth explained as she told her family she and Jack would meet them all at the row house or at the Coulter's for their final dinner together.
Walking to the RCMP office, Elizabeth was actually walking down memory lane. How fitting for her to visit the jail today, when that was where her life with Nathan began!
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Emerging from the RCMP office after a brief conversation and Jack's hugs with the Constable, plus a sweet for Jack, Elizabeth squeezed Jack's hand. "Why don't we go to the dock for a while? Would you like to throw some stones?"
"Yeah, Mommy!" Jack soon began to tug on her hand to hurry his mother's slow and distracted steps.
Explaining the boundaries that Jack shouldn't cross, Elizabeth sat on an upturned tree trunk and stared over the water. As ripples expanded in ever-widening circles from Jack's stones' point of entry, Elizabeth considered how one action affected so many people and things beyond that point. She came to Coal Valley. She had taught and made a difference in the lives of her students. She had met, loved and married Jack. Five years ago she had birthed her son, an unexpected gift from the Lord. Then there was that other gift from God, her Nathan. When he and Allie had entered her life the waves from that first encounter would always be encircling her heart. Absentmindedly Elizabeth played with her bare ring finger as she thought about Nathan's question to her at the pond, so long ago.
"What's in your heart?" Nathan had asked.
As she watched Jack choose another stone to throw, Elizabeth answered Nathan's question with certainty, whispering, "You are, my Love."
Yet, watching Jack, Elizabeth remembered how he had left that brief encounter, saying, "Let me know when you figure it out." She had never actually answered either question to Nathan.
Reaching to take a small, flat stone from Jack's pile, an idea for a card formed in her mind and she began to picture how she could create it. She would assure Nathan that she had figured it out and was now the happiest woman in the world.
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Meanwhile, Constable Paul headed to Bill's apartment and knocked, standing at ease with his hands behind his back. "Hello, Bill."
"Uh, oh… what's wrong?" Bill dreaded an intrusion into his gift-wrapping project this afternoon and was not happy.
Paul laughed at the unwelcoming expression and comment. "Nothing is wrong, Bill! Relax. I have two packages for you to take on the train." From behind his back, Paul revealed two small tins, one blue and the other red and tied with red string. "This one you need to have available on the train, and the other please give to Nathan? I've enclosed a note so he will know the reason I am sending this, so please be sure to keep it in your pocket when you arrive in Regina so that you can slip it to him when no one is looking? He'll understand and, if he isn't already prepared, he will be grateful!"
"Oh? Care to tell me what these contain?" Suspicious, Bill queried.
Lifting the lid, Paul displayed the contents to a confused Bill. "Uh… I don't get it."
"You will when Jack asks on the train. Trust me. Elizabeth will understand for sure." Paul reached out to pat Bill's shoulder. "Have a great trip and a happy Christmas. I would love a report upon your return."
With a shrug of his shoulders, Bill closed the tin and wished Paul a happy Christmas as he turned and, after placing the small tins on top of his suitcase, headed back to his project.
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Nathan knocked on the Collins's door, entering with his usual greeting. "Hello, hello!"
"Hi, Dad." Allie's sing-song voice rang out. "We're in the kitchen."
Coming around the corner, Nathan entered to find Allie concentrating on icing what appeared to be a cupcake laying on its side. "Hi there, Carol." He looked confused by his daughter's activity. "What are you working on so diligently, Allie-girl?" He placed a light hand on her shoulder and kissed her head.
"We're experimenting for Jack's birthday cake decoration." Allie paused to look at her father. "Mrs. Evans gave me an idea and I'm trying to make a locomotive for the top of the cake and we have to decide the best way to make one."
Allie pushed a stray hair from her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a streak of icing behind. "What do you think? Jack likes chocolate, so the engine will be brown, not black, but is it believable? We thought this was a possibility and we could use round chocolate cookies for wheels and peppermint sticks to make those long pieces that attach to the wheels. I don't' know what they're called. The one thing I can't figure out is how to make the smoke stack."
"What about making it out of gingerbread and spreading it with frosting? That way it would be stiff." Nathan suggested. "Actually, you could make the entire engine out of gingerbread. You know? Cut out the shapes just like for a house?"
"Why didn't I think of that? Gramma, could we make gingerbread and cut the shapes? Dad? Can you help me plan the shapes we need? We could do that this weekend, even before everyone comes, and hide it someplace so Jack wouldn't see it."
Nathan looked at Carol. "If you could make the gingerbread I can help figure out the shapes and help put it together. Is that possible? I can always save some pieces to make a smoke stack on this type of engine, just in case." He pointed at the work in progress.
"Allie? What do you think? I can help you make the large squares of gingerbread so you have plenty to experiment with." Gramma Carol added, "It could be really cute!"
"I can see it in my mind. Do you have time though, Dad?" Allie asked, concerned. "You have that other project, remember."
"I think I will get most of that done tonight. Plus, since it will get very busy with everyone around, this would give you and me some time together." Warming to the idea, Nathan looked at Carol. "When could you make the sheets, Carol?"
"Well, if you and Peter can handle the dishes after dinner, Nathan, Allie and I could make it tonight. Peter can walk her down to the cottage if you have your project to work on down there." Carol placed her hand on Allie's shoulder. "Shall we?"
"Let's do it!" Allie answered gleefully, ready to unceremoniously dump her current experiment into a bowl.
Nathan grabbed her hand to stop her. "Whoa! What are you doing? Don't waste that. I can eat that for dessert!"
Laughter ensued and when Peter came into the kitchen to see what was so funny, he added, "I can eat that for an appetizer!"
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Elizabeth held one arm around Jack who stood on the seat as they waved at the friends and townsfolk gathered to say farewell, waving handkerchiefs and pennants and shouting "Godspeed."
It was too cold to open the windows, but Elizabeth and Jack waved as long as they could as the train pulled away from the Hope Valley station. She was grateful for the many people who had come to see them off, yet having held it together while giving the final hugs, Elizabeth now allowed the tears to fall. When the familiar faces faded from view, Elizabeth gathered her son into her arms, burying her face into his shoulder.
"Mommy! You're holding me too tight." Jack tried to wiggle, yet as she released him, he only wanted to turn on her lap to face her and wrap his little arms around her neck. "It's okay, Mommy. I'm here." Jack patted her shoulder. "And we are going to see Daddy Nat'n and Awlie! Aren't you happy? Like me?"
Elizabeth sniffed into her hankie and laughed quietly, grateful for the perspective of her five-year-old. "Oh, Sweet Boy, I am happy. Sometimes change is hard even though the change is good."
"Hey, Jack, my boy! Do you want to explore with your Uncle Bill? We need to see all the good hiding places in this railcar. You want to join me?" Bill placed a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder as he spoke to Jack and gave Elizabeth a sympathetic look.
"Are you okay, Mommy. Do you still need me or can I go?" Jack leaned back to gaze at his mother, clearly hoping he could go with Uncle Bill.
Looking from Jack to Bill and back again, Elizabeth smiled. "You may go, Jack. Just stay with Uncle Bill until we figure out where everyone is sleeping and keeping their belongings, okay?"
"He'll be fine, Elizabeth." Bill assured her. "Hudson will show us around." Bill bent low and whispered. "You just need a little time and you will be fine as well."
While Grace comforted Julie, who had just said goodbye to Brad, William moved to sit next to Elizabeth. Reaching his arm around her, he drew her to lean on his broad shoulder and, for a few moments, they remained quiet until Elizabeth broke the silence.
"Isn't it ridiculous that I should be crying, Dad? My dreams are coming true and I am, finally, on my way to Nathan. I really am happy." She sniffed again. "I don't know why I am weeping."
"My dear Bessie? I've felt the tears too and I haven't lived there near as long as you have. Hope Valley embraces you and you become family, plus with everyone crying as they waved goodbye, it was difficult to remain unmoved. Still, sorrow at saying farewell doesn't diminish the joy ahead of you." Hoping it was the right thing to say at this juncture, William inquired softly, "What are Nathan and Allie doing today? Do you know?"
"They always get groceries on Saturday morning. Nathan said he would discuss menus and plans for meals with Carol last night, plus decide where we would be celebrating and eating. I'm glad I am going to be there early because Nathan will need the help." Elizabeth moved to look up at her father.
"You know when once I told him we would sometimes have twenty people over on Christmas Day, Nathan was shocked. His response was 'That is a lot!'" Elizabeth laughed. Unaware of behind-the-scenes plans, she commented. "I've been counting and we will have at least twelve, maybe even fourteen this year if Claire and Dan join us. Plus, we may add others to our family if Julie courts Brad and Bill gets serious with Adeli. We will be approaching twenty soon enough! I hope Nathan is not overwhelmed." Thoughtfully, she added. "At least Nathan has met all of you except Hudson. That is, if he remembers Julie."
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After a tour of the railcar, an excited Jack returned to his mother and grandfather. "It's big and I get to sleep on top! Uncle Huds said I have to promise to stay there and not try to get down by myself, so I promised." Jack clapped his hands. "It's really high! Just like sitting on Daddy Nat'n's shoulders. It's fun!"
Looking from Bill to Hudson, Elizabeth questioned. "Oh? Do you really think he will be okay on the top bunk, Hudson? Do you mind having him in the bunk section with you? I can keep him in with me."
"I don't mind and Bill and I will keep him safe, my dear. Bill is right across the aisle and the upper bunk is fashioned with an extra fence for the front and side so, when he is tucked in, Jack will be fine." Seeing Elizabeth's concern had not abated, Hudson continued. "We'll tuck him in tightly so there is no chance of rolling out and we'll keep a couple books and his Mountie toy up there as well."
"Can I look out the window?" Jack implored his Uncle Bill, tugging him to one of the chairs a short distance away.
"Of course Buddy. Let's sit on this side." Bill sat and lifted Jack onto his lap.
"Is Jack okay with you for a bit, Bill? I would like to go unpack." Elizabeth inquired as she stood and patted her father's shoulder. "Thanks, Father."
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In the privacy of her compartment, Elizabeth opened her suitcase. Reaching into the side pocket she found a small envelope Nathan had included in his last letter. Seated on the edge of the bed, Elizabeth opened the folded page upon which he had written, 'E, Please save this to read on the train journey back to Regina. N.' She fingered the tiny heart he had drawn then held it against her own heart. She needed to be connected to Nathan right now and she was not disappointed.
'My dearest Elizabeth,
You are on the train and we will be together soon! Remember you are in my prayers and always on my mind. In spite of all the things on my still-to-do-list, I am often shaking my head to corral my runaway thoughts! How I long for you, my Beloved.'
'Leaving may be troubling and sad, regardless of your anticipated joy in our reunion and all our future possibilities. I promise it will get better as I know it did for Allie and for me.'
'Allie and I are getting as much done as possible so that we can spend time together when you are finally here. She is really excited to see Jack since she never said a real goodbye before we left town. She, and I, hope Jack is not hesitant with us? I may have to assure him I won't leave again unless I tell him goodbye first, and never for long. I love that little fella!'
'Please remember to bring the tote of gifts with you to the Collins's? We can keep it in the Cottage, safe from curious little (or big?) eyes and hands! I don't know how patient you are with wrapped packages? I am willing to wait, Allie chomps-at-the-bit, so to say!'
'I want you to know I love you with my whole heart, Elizabeth. You bring me joy every day and often in my nightly dreams. See you soon, Honey.
Yours forever, Nathan'
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Lying in bed later, Elizabeth listened to the repeating clickety-clacks and felt the rocking motion of the train. Letting the emotions of the day sweep over her once again, she let the tears come because goodbyes were hard to say. Yet she also wept because finally she was on her way and would soon be in the arms of Nathan, the one she loved more dearly than she could ever have imagined.
Hugging a pillow, Elizabeth was gently lulled to sleep while thinking of Nathan and praying her thanks.
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