"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
Wednesday, December 8, 1920
Bill had just finished tightening the lid on a thermos filled with his grandma's special hot toddy recipe just as Joseph pulled up to his office with one of the Coulter Lumber wagons. Lee had asked him and Joseph if they would be willing to cut down the tree that had been approved and marked by Rosemary a couple of weeks ago for the Town's Wishing Tree. Lee had to attend important meetings in Union City and Richard and the others were working hard to get a huge lumber contract finished. One that would help the lumber company recoup the losses from the cancellation of the Union City Holding orders so they couldn't say no.
Normally, he would be looking forward to it, but today, the air was full of moisture, making the temperature feel even colder as the dampness seeped into your clothes. It had aggravated his lung condition, and he had begun to cough a bit, though Faith wasn't aware of it. She had enough on her hands from all those coming down with the cold going around and he had already been told to expect issues from time to time due to scarring on his lungs. Days like today always aggravated them, and the hot toddies relieved it. He had already felt better after having one.
Locking up his office, he jumped up in the wagon, greeting Joseph.
"Good afternoon, friend," Joseph replied. "I took a look at the map Lee left, and it looks like it will be a bit of a ride."
"With Rosemary involved, I am not surprised," Bill muttered. He started coughing, and Joseph asked if he was okay.
"I'm fine. The cold air is aggravating my lungs. But it's nothing to worry about. It's why I brought this?" Bill replied, holding up a little thermos. It works to warm the insides, too, when you need it. It's my grandma's secret recipe. Here, why don't you try some. I brought an extra cup for you."
Joseph looked at it and then, not wanting to offend Bill, took a sip. Right away, he could taste the strong hint of whisky along with Honey, lemon, and something else. It did have the desired effect of making him warm, but he suspected that if he finished it, they wouldn't be able to finish the job.
"It's good but a little potent, don't you think?" Joseph asked, taking another smaller sip.
"You think?" Bill said, finishing his off and pausing as if considering something. "It does seem to have a bit more kick than I remember. I guess I had already added the whisky to it. I couldn't recall if I did, so I added a second helping, apparently. You may want to just sip on that."
Joseph agreed wholeheartedly, and he dumped the rest out when Bill was distracted by a hunting cabin.
"Can we stop for a second," Bill asked, looking at the cabin with a smile on his face.
"Sure." Joseph brought the team to a stop. "This cabin brings back some memories?"
"Not this exact one but it is similar to the one that Elizabeth gave birth in. That was such a wonderful Christmas considering the tragedy just before." Bill said, his eyes glistening. "We probably need to get going."
Joseph didn't say anything at first, but after a few minutes, Bill spoke again as he sipped another cup. "It was the first Christmas after Jack died and Elizabeth was pregnant. There was no warning that she was even close to delivering. She didn't even know that she was pregnant a few months after he was buried. She had just returned to teaching the day she found out."
"I can imagine that was a great blessing to all of you. Elizabeth has told me how much Jack's father meant to the town. Nathan has also shared what a wonderful Mountie he was and how he is revered in the Mounties."
"He is what we refer to as a Legacy Mountie because his father served, and should Jack Jr. decide to follow in his father's footsteps, he would be considered one too. Although I know Elizabeth is hoping that won't be the case. I was partners with his father, and The Thornton boys are like my own." Bill finished off his cup and then put it back in his bag. Silence reigned for a few minutes as Bill appeared locked in another memory.
"I knew that Jack was born on Christmas Eve, but I don't know the story. Care to share?" Joseph inquired, breaking the silence and drawing Bill back to the present.
With a chuckle, Bill spoke of the celebrations planned for the town, meeting the sisters from the orphanage and the story of the sisters who were in danger of being separated.
"Thanks to a sudden storm creating blizzard conditions, the director wasn't able to take her," Bill said.
"That was certainly providential."
"It was. But unbeknownst to me, Carson, and Lee, Rosemary had borrowed Henry's car and driven Abigail and Elizabeth to Benson Hills to pick up a roast and a baby buggy that Elizabeth had her eye on. There would have been no reason to think there would be an issue either with Elizabeth or a storm. When Henry let us know, Lee, Carson, and I set out on horseback, heading towards them, not knowing that Rosemary had slid off the road and Elizabeth went into labor.
Of course, they abandoned the car and headed out on foot through the snow to a cabin that Abigail had recalled. We found the car, but any tracks that were made were obviously covered up. We separated as we began searching the woods but eventually were drawn by the smell of smoke. By a miracle, we all arrived at the cabin like the three wise men just in time to hear Jack's first cry." Bill's voice cracked with emotion as he finished up the story as he was swept up in the memory.
The beauty of the story and one similar to that of the Savior, brought tears to both men and warmth in their hearts.
"Well, no wonder he is such a sweet little boy," Joseph said. "I'm sure his father would be very proud of who he is becoming."
"I have no doubt. I see so much of his father in him." Bill said. "I'm so glad that everything is scaled down and simple this year. It's like everyone is more focused on the reason for the season."
"Well, I can tell you that focus makes this humble pastor very happy and proud of his flock," Joseph said. "Minnie and I grew up in the States in the city, and it was always very busy and commercial. People always running here and there, occasionally throwing out a Merry Christmas as they passed if you were lucky. We swore that we wanted something different for our children."
"There are a lot of places like that here too." Bill mused.
"You are right; there are, and we have lived there. But Minnie and I have only had one other Christmas here, and while it was nice with the festival and everything, this year seems to be more filled with heart. There's something about this town that draws you in and makes you feel at home. I have never been anywhere else like it. It's the first place where we feel fully accepted and valued."
"I know what you mean, Joseph. As an inspector, I traveled around doing investigations but never settled down in one place, especially after Martin died and Nora left. Jack brought me here to investigate the mine, and Henry Gowen. I kept finding my way back here until finally, I never left."
He and Joseph had already discussed his son and ex-wife a few times when he had accompanied Joseph and Nathan on trips to Eagle Creek, so he didn't comment knowing that it was a tough subject for Bill. It was their mutual love for Nathan that acted like the bridge that brought him and Bill to become close friends.
The discussion waned, and before long, Bill began singing a Christmas song, encouraging Joseph to join in. Finally, they reached their location and, after grabbing the axes, headed to where the tree was located.
MEANWHILE
Nathan had just left the Mefford farm, the last stop on his rounds for this cold December day. The three children had been playing outside with their dog Licorice. As he left, they had to call the dog back to them as Licorice wanted to follow him and Newton. He also told the dog to "Go home," in the most commanding voice he had. The dog didn't obey at first, but with more commands from him and more coaxing from the children, Licorice finally went back into the yard.
Nathan sighed and shook his head in disgust. "Dogs, they don't listen at all. They seem to be where I want to be and eat what I want to eat. Or follow me everywhere until they disappear chasing after squirrels instead of bandits. Then I feel bad if I don't go after him even though I know what he is going after."
Newton shook his head and let out what sounded like a snort. Even though Nathan's words were just meant for himself, he realized that Newton was listening, encouraging him to continue.
"I know you probably think not all dogs are bad but where are the good ones?"
Newton snorted again Nathan thought for a minute and then had to agree with his trusty steed. "You're right, Newton. The Johnsons, Campbells, and Andersons all have well-behaved dogs, as do several others. Licorice is the only dog who follows me out of the yard and needs coaxing to return. So only he and Scout are the troublemakers. Even Licorice is trained well enough not to jump up on me when I visit. His only downfall is trying to follow us home but it's because he likes me so much unlike a certain Mountie dog." Newton nodded his head and nickered.
Nathan was impressed. It seemed like Newton was having a conversation with him. "You are so much better than that dog I was assigned, Newton. You have manners and he doesn't. You come when I call. You go when I ask you to go. You stop when I ask you to stop. You eat the food I give you without complaint. You never eat my food unless I offer it to you. That so-called Mountie dog doesn't listen to me. He won't sit or follow me. He sits in my chair at my desk and this morning, he ate my muffin before I even had a bite. The audacity!" Once again, Newton tossed his head and snorted.
"Can you believe that? I put my muffin down and then checked the locks on the cells, and when I went to sit down, the muffin was gone. Scout sat there in my chair staring at me with those puppy dog eyes. You would never do that to me." Nathan patted Newton's neck with affection for his obedient horse.
"Mountie dog, what a joke." Nathan laughed derisively. "I still can't figure out why Hargraves sent him to me. To make it worse I am stuck because Allie is already attached."
The pair rode in silence for a time as Nathan continued to think about Scout. Finally shaking his head as if to clear it, he said, "Now, Mountie horses! I can expound on that topic!" Newton snorted again.
"Look at you! You are here doing what I ask, and even having a conversation with me. You come when I call. You even came back and found me when Allie's dad hurt me. I bet that dog wouldn't do that. You make the best partner!" Newton, sensing he was the topic of conversation, just nodded his head a few times whenever Nathan stopped talking for a bit.
"Don't get me started about trading you in and doing rounds in a car. Can a car go here?" Nathan nudged Newton and Newton heeded the signal and climbed the slight embankment to the trail through the woods. Going this shortcut would get them back to Hope Valley 5 minutes quicker than following the road.
"No, a car can't go here. Can you imagine? A car would get stuck, and all scratched up by the tree limbs because it is too wide. Its bottom would get caught up on this rock." Nathan maneuvered Newton around a large boulder.
"I do admit a car can be faster. I can drive to Eagle Creek in half the time it takes to ride you there. And the hills there are gentle and rolling. Not like the more mountainous area here." Newton snorted again.
"Don't worry Newton, I would never give you up. Can you imagine chasing a bad guy in a car? How do you shoot and drive at the same time? Especially in an enclosed car? No, I'd take you any day over a car to chase bad guys. You're a good partner, Newton." Hearing the praise in Nathan's voice, Newton nickered happily.
They were about to rejoin the main road into Hope Valley when they heard singing. As they got closer, Nathan recognized the song as Joy to the World. He thought he knew the singers, too. Nathan found the trail he thought they were down. It was too narrow for Newton, so he quickly dismounted.
"Stay here, Newton. I need to see what my friends are doing out here." Newton nodded and Nathan started off on foot, following the singing. Rounding a bend, he was able to verify that it was Bill and Joseph, so he joined them, singing the last stanza.
And wonders of His Love, And wonders of His love, and wonders, and wonders of His love.
"What brings the two of you out here?" Nathan asked.
"Well, me and our wonderful pastor are on a mission of mercy."
Nathan looked over at Joseph with a brow raised.
"We are cutting down the wishing tree for Lee and taking it back to town. We were just about to cut it down."
Bill started coughing, so Nathan offered to take over for him, and before long, the tree was down, and the three of them carried it back to load onto the wagon.
Newton wasn't far away, so Nathan called out as they secured it to the wagon to prevent it from falling. As Newton approached, Bill grabbed his thermos and poured the last bit into his cup. Nathan and Joseph chuckled as Bill attempted to offer Newton some. When the horse shook his head as if answering, Bill then offered it to Nathan, revealing the older man was definitely not thinking clearly. Nathan could smell the alcohol in it and immediately gave it back with a chuckle, thinking back to the cough syrup.
While Bill was distracted talking to Newton again, Joseph let Nathan know that Bill had accidentally doubled the whisky and had managed to drink the entire thermos.
"Let's get back to town then because if that thermos were full, he would need a couch soon," Nathan said with a chuckle.
They sang some Christmas carols, and as they arrived back in town, they were finishing up Deck the Halls. It was obvious Bill was beginning to feel the effects, and his eyes were drooping. They stopped the wagon at Bill's and ushered him up to his apartment to sleep it off before continuing on to where the Wishing Tree would go.
Richard had been keeping an eye out and sent a couple of Lee's guys to help get it set up and ready to go for the next day. The box for the ornaments had already been placed in position by Joseph earlier that day.