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Chapter One hundred sixteen
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Heading in the Right Direction
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Jack was watching the scenery from the window when a tall building suddenly passed by. "Look!" He cried to get everyone's attention. "Look! That's really tall. Oh! Another one and another one. What are they Granddaddy?"
Chuckling, William explained as he moved the potted pine tree out of the way. "Those are grain elevators, Jack. The farmers bring their grain and store it there to load onto railcars and take it to sell in big cities far away. How many did you count?
Jack held up his right hand, fingers splayed. "Five. No Six!" He added one finger on his left hand and turned back to the window. Pressing his nose to the cold glass Jack giggled at the foggy circle he had made. He drew some lines then turned back to his grandfather as, smiling, Jack again said, "Look"
"Oh. A 'J' for Jack. That is very good, Son. Can you make a 'W' for me?"
"But you are not a 'W' you are a G. For Grandaddy of course. And Grandmommy too!" Jack was pleased with himself.
"Well, you are correct, although William begins with a 'W.' However, do you know that Mountie Nathan's last name begins with a 'G?' 'G' for Grant." William watched Jack. "Can you write a 'G'?"
William deferred to Elizabeth. "I will let the school teacher show you that!" William laughed as he watched Elizabeth close her hand over Jack's and trace a capital 'G.'
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"Care for a game of chess, Hudson?" Inquired Bill. "William has Jack right now."
"Always ready for chess, Bill." Hudson quickly retrieved the game board and bag of tiles and headed to join Bill at the drop-leaf table Bill had just opened.
"Would you like to draw or practice your letters, Jack?" Elizabeth asked, proud that her son had already learned to write the first twelve letters of the alphabet. He knew the alphabet and could recognize some letters in his story books, but was gradually learning to trace the letters his mother would form on a paper.
"Ummm hmmm. I want to show Awlie and Daddy Nat'n." Jack immediately knelt on the bench and rested his arms in anticipation. He watched his mother trace dashed lines to form fourteen letters on a page before handing him the pencil.
With his little tongue peeking out of the corner of his mouth, Jack concentrated on writing his letters over the patterns. Elizabeth watched him periodically as he made his way through the letters until he reached the new ones.
Thoughtfully, Jack mouthed the alphabet until he got to M. "Is this a 'M' Mommy?"
"Yes it is, Sweet Boy. Do you know the next one, after the 'M'?" Elizabeth watched as Jack repeated from the beginning again.
"A 'N!'" Jack announced triumphantly.
"Do you know whose name begins with the letter 'N?'" Grace interjected, watching from over her husband's shoulder.
"Nuh uhh. Who?" Jack paused in his tracing.
"Nathan. 'N' is the first letter of your Mountie Nathan's name." Grace answered, enjoying her grandson and proud as well!
"Oh." Jack returned to his paper. When he completed the letters. He looked up at his grandparents. "A is for Awlie. B is for Uncle Bill. D is for Daddy. G is for Granddaddy and Grandmommy and Grant. N is for Mountie Nat'n. Wait! What's the letter for Mommy. Mommy?"
Elizabeth paused in writing her thank you letter for Rosemary to post in the Valley Voice and answered her son. "'M' is for Mommy. And 'M' is for Mountie too!"
Jack furrowed his brow. "Mountie two? Why two? Mountie Nat'n is only one."
Chuckling, the adults looked at Elizabeth, who was happily grinning. "You are right! There is only one Mountie Nathan!" Elizabeth explained the concepts of plurals and words as best she could to a four-year-old, proud that he was so interested in learning!
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Having read a couple Psalms and the Christmas story, the traveling family had sung a couple Christmas carols that were easy for Jack to join. Following that mini-Sunday morning service, Bill and Hudson had played hide and seek with Jack, who excelled at 'finding,' but still revealed his hiding places with giggles and excited breaths when it was his turn to hide.
After that game, Jack had settled at a table to play with his green-colored Plasticine (*71) and make animal shapes with his Aunt Julie. Together they built a zoo, although some interpretation of the forms was required for those created by Jack.
"This is a wonderful gift, Mother. Thank you for finding this for Jack!" Elizabeth laughed. "And for Julie!" She added, "Maybe for me as well, as I can envision hours of Jack's imaginative enjoyment with this activity!"
"Wait until Friday, Sweetheart. I found three other…" Grace whispered, "Colors!" She winked. "Even Allie might enjoy this!"
"Absolutely! Anything artistic is a treat for Allie. Maybe I should get a set for her when we go downtown?" Elizabeth commented.
Grace gave a wide smile and another wink. "Already taken care of, my dear!"
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Following a hearty and delicious lunch, Jack made the rounds, getting each adult to read him a story until the droning voice and rocking train lulled him to sleep in his grandfather's arms.
When Elizabeth suggested her father put him on top of her bed, William declined. Holding this little boy had become one of his favorite activities over the past few months. As a matter of fact William thought he would have withdrawal symptoms while Elizabeth and Jack were staying with the Collins's!
In the quiet, everyone was either reading or napping, so Elizabeth rested her head against the back of a wingback chair and stared at the miniature fir tree with its red ribbon. She knew this would be a meaningful gift for Nathan and Allie as she pictured it planted on the Collins's property. She hoped Nathan would continue the tradition this year to mark their first Christmas spent together. It was that vision that allowed Elizabeth to drift into dreamland, smiling in her sleep. When she awakened, everyone was whispering and it was dark outside the window.
"I'm so sorry!" Elizabeth sat up straight, shaking her head and scrunching her eyes. "I didn't mean to fall asleep and cause you to have to tiptoe around!"
"No problem!" Julie explained as she watched Jack who knelt beside her. "A few of us dozed a bit, then Jack awakened and he is busily drawing pictures to send back to Mountie Paul, Auntie Rosemary and Miss Laura."
"You packed a great tote of activities for a little boy on the train." Grace complimented her daughter.
"Years of experience keeping children busy in school and at home I guess." Elizabeth stood and stretched a bit. "Did they already come to take our order for supper?"
"They did so your father ordered a variety of sandwiches we can mix and match! I think he ordered soup, fruit and, of course, c-o-o-k-i-e-s!" Grace spelled out the dessert.
"Come sit beside me, Elizabeth? Julie? We don't often have unscheduled time for us ladies!" Grace patted the seats on the sofa on either side of herself. "Tell us about the projects you have planned for the coming months in your classes, Julie?"
Julie shared her plans and then turned to her sister. "How do you feel about not teaching now, Elizabeth? Won't you miss it?"
Laughing, Elizabeth responded. "I don't think I will have time to miss it! After Christmas and New Year's there will be so much to explore with Jack, meals to prepare for Nathan and Allie, and decorating ideas to plan for the main house." She lowered her voice. "Eventually there will be a wedding to plan, so I probably won't miss teaching for a long time." Elizabeth spoke in a normal tone again. "Plus, I have my children's stories, of which I have many ideas in different stages of development. And I don't know if they are leaving it behind, but the Collins's piano might be delightful to play once again!" Elizabeth paused, thinking of Jane, Claire, Ardis and Johanna. "Also, there are lovely ladies I have met that I want to get to know better. I will not have a spare moment to be bored!"
Grace and Julie looked at each other, thrilled for the excitement they saw in Elizabeth. This was similar to what she had been like in her youth, just a more mature and maybe a sweeter version!
"You make me wish I could be here longer, Elizabeth!" Blushing Julie qualified her statement. "That was before I met a certain Doctor though. I will be happy to return to Hamilton now."
Grace patted the hands of both of her daughters, silently giving thanks for their future possibilities.
A shaft of morning light played across the pillow and awakened Elizabeth with its brightness, at one moment bright against her eyelids and another shadowed. Grabbing the extra pillow, she covered her face until a realization hit her. It was Monday!
Instantly wide awake, Elizabeth sat up in bed and hugged the pillow to herself as she whispered her prayer of thanksgiving. "Today I see him, Lord! Nathan! Oh, thank you for him, for the privilege of knowing his love and of loving him. Thank you, thank you and thank you...again!"
Thinking her 'Amen,' she quickly moved to the edge of the bed and found her slippers. Grabbing her robe she crossed to the mirror over the built-in drawers and laughed. "If Nathan could see this mess of wild curls right now, he might have second thoughts! Actually he might like them and bury his face in them…" She shivered with delight but didn't allow her thoughts to go any further, though she did allow the tiniest of squeals to escape!
Trusting that her parents, sister, Bill or Hudson would take care of Jack for a while, Elizabeth carefully prepared for the day. She braided her hair and wound it into a low chignon to control the curls, then pulled her chosen outfit from the closet. She was wearing her navy blue traveling suit with a white silk and lace blouse and simple pearl earrings. She found her pearl hair-comb and tucked it into the top of her chignon, then spritzed a light perfume into the air and leaned into it. Patting her skirt and pulling at her fitted suit-jacket, she turned to survey herself in the mirror, unable to clear the smile from her face.
Grateful she had packed the previous day, Elizabeth had only to collect her nightclothes and accessories and tuck them into her suitcase. Tightening the buckles, she left it beside the bed, double-checked the closet and drawers and went to join the family for their final morning onboard.
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Nathan could not sleep so he pushed off his covers even though he rose before the sun on this special Monday morning. Quietly he dressed in preparation for his day, made his bed and laid his serge on top, ready to put on after breakfast. Glancing around his room, he was thankful that he and Allie had done a thorough cleaning of the Cottage late Saturday afternoon. The place was spotless.
Not even aware of the morning chill, Nathan built a fire before making coffee and collecting his Bible and journal. His long legs stretched in front of him as Nathan leaned against the back of the chair and surveyed the Christmas tree with its shining lights. As had become his habit, Nathan focused on the red cardinal ornament near the top of the tree and began to pray, giving thanks and making supplications for Elizabeth and Jack, Allie and Zachary, his parents, the Thatcher's, Bill and the Collins's. He asked for a safe arrival and for the Regina side of the move to go well today. He prayed for God to guide and bless the coming days, the schedule, conversations and celebrations. He prayed for everyone to have a renewed grasp of the Savior's birth and that they would all have a song on their hearts. When he heard Allie moving about her room, he closed his quiet prayer with thanksgiving and praise.
Opening his Bible, Nathan's eye caught a confirming Scripture. "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth' shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (*72) Looking into the flames, Nathan recalled the previous time he had been led to that verse, when he had departed from Hope Valley. Taking to heart what the verse said, Nathan thanked the Lord for all the amazing new things that had transpired in these past months. Then, with a deep breath, he whispered his thanks and trust as he chose to look to the Lord for their future. With that promise on his heart, Nathan rose and began his day.
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"Will I come home with Uncle Jake and meet all of you here, Dad?"
"Yes, Honey. Well, with him or with Aunt Irma. You'll meet us either here or in the main house. I don't know how long we will need to remain at the station since this is a moving day for everyone and all their belongings! I imagine William has it all organized and will have trucks and movers to facilitate what comes to each different location. I know he rented a warehouse for Elizabeth's furniture and household goods since there won't be a place for any of that here until after the renovations. Still I don't know the plans yet, so it is best if you return to the main house to see everyone there."
Nathan continued. "Gramma Carol and I prepared the food last evening while you were at Youth Group, so she only has to place the stewpot on the stove and simmer it all day. She promised to make the rolls and I brought our carrot cake up last evening, so dessert is there. We also set the table and covered it with a sheet, so there won't be much to do for the meal and the evening! Also, Irma Cook said she would help each morning this week, so I imagine everything will be beautiful and squeaky clean!" Nathan chuckled and as the anticipation grew, confessed, "I can't wait, how about you?"
"Me too! I don't know how I will concentrate on anything today!" Allie sipped her latte. "Thank you for this, Dad. You knew I would need this extra boost, right?"
"You are welcome, Allie. I thought the coffee might help."
"You won't forget to get the flowers, right?" Allie double checked as she buttered her warm scone, then glanced at her father.
"On my list, Honey. I have the afternoon off, so will take my time to make sure everything is ready. Not least of all, me! I am so excited I can hardly eat so you know that means 'Excited' with a capital 'E'!"
Nathan laughed. "I know I won't be able to concentrate on the manuals so today is a day to observe classes and maybe assist with horsemanship for the newest Troop, that is if I can even handle that!"
As Allie finished her scone, she observed her father thoughtfully. "Dad, you are even more fun than you used to be when I was little! I love how happy you are now."
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(*71) Plasticine: Patented in 1899, the modeling substance (technically not a clay) was commercially produced in England and sold in four colors for children at home and for teaching art in schools. Plasticine remained soft and pliable, so offered hours of creative possibilities for those old enough to refrain from ingesting!
(*72) Isaiah 43: 18-19, King James Version, Public Domain
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