Chapter 6 – Scary Moments
After Nathan walked out of the livery, he took a moment to center himself. He knew that JT was upset and maybe Allie was the best to talk to the boy, but it pained Nathan's heart to see his little girl so grown up. It also made the longing in his heart even more. He wanted nothing to have a bunch of children running around. From the moment he had taken Allie in he knew he had been meant to be a dad.
After taking a couple of deep breaths, Nathan walked back to the office and wasn't surprised that Carol was waiting for him on the porch. He took her hand and led her into the office where he immediately wrapped his arms around her.
"Are you okay?" Carol asked as she embraced her husband.
"I will be." Nathan said. "It was hard to talk to JT and not feel for the boy. His world has been turned upside down this past year and I get why he is angry. I was angry when I was his age because Archie was gone and I didn't understand why. Still he had no right to push Elizabeth like that. Honestly, I hope she is okay."
"She looked okay." Carol said. "I saw Faith and Molly take her to the infirmary, just in case. She might be a bit sore and pretty embarrassed, but those will pass."
Nathan knew he probably shouldn't, but he leaned down and captured Carol's lips with his own. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead on hers.
"Allie has a sleepover at Emily's tonight?" Nathan said. "How about we turn in early as well. I need to do rounds and then I will be home."
"I didn't know about the sleepover." Carol said.
"Cat talked to me at lunch." Nathan said. "I guess it just came together this morning. It is only Emily, Allie and Angela. Opal's family is going to Buxton on the morning train, so she isn't going."
"Okay." Carol said. "I got stuff ready to make chicken pot pots this afternoon. I had just come back into town to get a few groceries and then pickup dessert at the cafe. Abigail was going to make me some of her apple cake."
"Oh!" Nathan said. "I will be as quick as I can on rounds. See you soon."
Nathan gave Carol one more kiss and then walked out on the porch with her. He watched her walk toward the mercantile before he headed to the livery.
…..
Abigail looked at Elizabeth.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Just frustrated." Elizabeth said.
"How about you tell me all about it as we walk home." Abigail said.
Abigail took the basket and then linked her arm with Elizabeth's as they headed down the boardwalk. It took Elizabeth a few minutes to start telling Abigail everything.
By the time that they reached the row house, Elizabeth was feeling a bit better. It helped to talk to Abigail, but she still wanted Jack home. She also wasn't sure how to get through to her son. Abigail had made a couple suggestions that Elizabeth was open to trying.
Abigail was still there when Bill arrived with food and JT. The ladies had settled in the sitting area with some tea. The minute he walked in the house, JT looked up at Bill and then down at the floor. Bill gave him a little push toward his mother.
"Sorry, Mama." JT said.
"Apology accepted." Elizabeth said. "I love you so much. But it hurt when you pushed me."
"Sorry." JT said.
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Just don't let it happen again. You are still going to be early and won't get to ride Sprite this weekend. You can have your Mounties back when your Daddy gets home. Now go to the table and work on your letters while Uncle Bill gets supper ready."
"Yes, Mama." JT said.
JT got some paper and a pencil and sat at the table. The three adults got the food ready. Bill let Elizabeth know that Jack was heading back and probably caught the late afternoon train.
Once everything was ready, the four sat down to eat. They didn't talk about what had happened that afternoon or the new baby, but had a nice conversation about other things. When they were done, Elizabeth sent JT up to get ready for bed. Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Bill and Abigail headed back to town. Elizabeth checked on JT and then went down to grade papers and waited for Jack to get home.
Jack was exhausted by the time he got home but was glad to be back. He promised to talk to their son the next day. So the couple just went to bed.
…..
Things settled down over the next couple of weeks and there were no more outbursts from JT. It helped that Jack had a very serious conversation with JT on that Saturday. He told him how much he loved him, but he was unhappy with the way he acted and if he continued to act like he had been then he wasn't big enough for his own horse and it would go back to Grandpa William.
Nathan had also been busy over the next couple weeks getting as much as he could done on house. He had started to feel the chill some mornings the closer they got to November. With the help of some of the men, they had gotten all the walls framed out on the first floor. Nathan had started doing the flooring on the second story, but probably wasn't going to get the building fully enclosed before the snow arrived. He had done the North and West walls to hopefully keep some of the snow out. The men had attached tarps to cover the rest, as well as the second floor. Nathan knew he was going to have to keep an eye on the structure after each snowfall but he didn't mind.
As he was leaving the new house that last Sunday in October, he rode past Jack and Elizabeth's house. The crew had been able to get it fully enclosed, minus the windows that had not arrived yet. He knew that Jack would be able to work on the house over the winter and it would be better if the windows arrived, but it wasn't absolutely necessary since he had the large fireplaces and the huge cookstove already installed. Nathan was glad that he had the ability to work on his own house. He knew that there were a lot of people that were willing to help him, but he knew it would still probably be late spring or early summer before they were in the house.
Nathan also knew that Jack had hopes of being in the house by Christmas, but it was not looking like it because he had been gone more than they had planned. Nathan had offered to help, but Jack had told him to focus on his own house and the things that he was building for this family. It wasn't that Jack didn't want the help, but it was that he didn't want to give Elizabeth the wrong idea. It had been difficult enough thinking she could continue to insert herself into Nathan's life. Nathan understood and let Jack know that the offer was there if he changed his mind. The other advantage that Jack had was that William insisted on paying for a crew for a couple of weeks and that was why the house was enclosed and the windows were due any day. Once the windows had been installed, it would be easy to work on the inside, even if snow fell.
As Nathan headed back to his home at the moment, he looked up at the mountains and knew that they would be getting snow sooner rather than later that year. He could already make out a clear snow line on the mountain and it kept creeping lower and lower.
…..
On Tuesday, the second of November, things changed for the Grants. Carol once again woke up with a really bad headache and feeling sick. Nathan immediately got up when she woke him. He tried to make her comfortable and went to call Faith. Once Faith had checked over Carol, she left Carol resting and headed downstairs. She took a seat at the table and Nathan handed her a cup of coffee.
"What is going on?" Nathan asked.
"I don't know." Faith said. "She seems worse than the last few times. I normally wouldn't do this, but I am going to suggest that you take her to Union City. You have time to catch the early morning train. I will call the head and let the hospital know that you are coming."
"What do you think it is?" Nathan asked.
"I honestly have no idea." Faith said. "Her symptoms could be so many things. I am concerned about her headaches and the frequency that she has been getting them as of late. I don't know if you know but this is the fourth or fifth in just a couple of months."
"No." Nathan said. "I didn't know. I am usually up and gone before she gets up. And she hasn't said anything."
"I am sure that she didn't want to worry you." Faith said.
"I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse." Nathan said.
"It is a woman thing." Faith said. "Just try to be there for her and don't focus on what happened before."
"Okay." Nathan said.
"Do you need me to stay here until Allie wakes?" Faith asked. "Or anything else?"
Nathan looked at the clock.
"Can you call the train station and make sure there are two tickets for us?" Nathan asked. "Maybe a private car if possible."
"I can do that." Faith said. "I will also call Lee and see if he can drive you."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I am going to go get Carol ready and wake Allie. She can go to the Canfields."
"I will call them as well." Faith said.
Nathan nodded as he headed up the stairs. It woke Allie and quickly explained things to her and asked her to get a bag ready. He then went to his bedroom and did the same for him and Carol. He then dressed in his serge and helped Carol get dressed. He took the bags downstairs and then went to help Carol downstairs. Allie was coming down about that time as well.
"Colton has a private car for you." Faith. "Lee is on his way and the Canfields are expecting Allie. Joseph also said he would keep you all in prayer."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "Can you let Jack and Bill know what is going on so they don't worry. Tell them I will be in touch when I can."
"I will do that." Faith said. "If you don't need anything else, I will go and call the hospital and make sure they know what is going on. Call if you need anything."
"I will." Nathan said as he walked to the phone himself.
As Faith left, he picked the phone and placed a call to headquarters in Union City to let them know and have a car waiting to take them to the hospital. Once that was done, Nathan looked around and tried to think of anything else he would need. He grabbed his Bible, journal, a Zane Gray book and some paperwork, putting it all in his messenger bag. It was about that time that Lee knocked on the door. Allie got it as she was headed out the door to the Canfields.
"Sorry about the early hour." Nathan said.
"No problem." Lee said. "I was up with Goldie anyway. It only took a few minutes to get ready."
They helped Carol to the car and left. Nathan was worried, but he knew that there wasn't much he could do other than get Carol to Union City. Nathan just knew that it was going to be the longest train ride of his life, even if it was only three and a half hours. Lee dropped them off and promised to check on Allie and keep an eye on the house.
Nathan helped Carol to their private car and got her settled. He then went back and made another call before the train pulled out. He needed to talk to Joseph for a moment. Joseph assured Nathan that it wasn't a problem and that Allie was welcome as long as needed. He said he would take care of things and to call when he could. With that, Nathan hung up and went back to his wife.
It felt like forever to get to Union City, but when they did pull in, Nathan saw two Mounties standing there and was relieved just a little. Carol had gotten worse on the train, so Nathan had to carry her off the train. The steward had grabbed their bags and when they stepped off, he handed them to the Mountie who reached for them.
"Corporal Grant." The young Mountie said. "I have been assigned to drive you to the hospital and make sure you have everything that you need. I am to stay with you until you either leave or check in at headquarters."
"Lead the way to the car." Nathan said.
"Yes, Sir." He said.
"What is your name, so I know what to call you?" Nathan asked.
"I am Constable Anthony and my partner is Constable trainee Parker." Anthony said. "He just arrived last night and I was supposed to be showing him around. I was told to bring him with me and show him how we help our brothers."
"Very well." Nathan said.
They got to the car and Nathan sat in the back seat of the roomy car with Carol still in his lap. When they pulled up to the hospital, they were greeted by a team of doctors. Nathan had been surprised to see Carson standing there. He gave his friend a weak smile.
"Nathan." Carson said. "I will personally come talk to you later, but for now your wife is in the best possible hands. My nurse has already spoken to Faith and gotten the rundown. Miss Laurie here will show you where you and the two Mounties can wait. I will also make sure she gets you some coffee and breakfast."
"Thank you." Nathan said, as he laid Carol on the gurney they had waiting.
Nathan gave Carol a kiss on her temple and told her that he would see her later. She squeezed his hand and held on until the distance made it impossible.
"Come this way Constable Grant." Miss Laurie said. "I have some paperwork for you and then I will get that coffee and food."
Laurie led the three Mounties to a private waiting area. She handed Nathan a clipboard and asked him to fill out as much as he knew. She then left to get some coffee and food for the three Mounties. Parker and Anthony each took a seat close, but far enough to give Nathan some space. Anthony bowed his head in prayer, so Parker did the same. Nathan worked on the paperwork. He was able to fill out quite a bit of it. He gave it to the nurse when she came back and then gladly accepted a cup of coffee and grabbed a muffin.
"Do you need anything else?" Laurie asked.
"Do you have a Catholic Church here in Union City?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Laurie said. "Do you want me to call the priest for you?"
"Please." Nathan said. "I am not Catholic, but my wife was raised Catholic. I think it would be a comfort to her."
"I will do that." Laurie said.
With that she left the three men to carry out her tasks. It was about twenty minutes later that Laurie showed the priest in. Nathan introduced himself as well as his fellow Mounties. The two men went to one corner of the room and started talking. Nathan shared about meeting Carol and what was going on. The priest promised that if possible he would talk to the doctor and go see Carol himself. He prayed with Nathan and agreed to sit and wait with them. Nathan thanked the man.
…..
While Nathan sat in a hospital in Union City worrying about his wife, most of Hope Valley had taken time to pray as word spread that Nathan and Carol had taken the early train to Union City so that she could be rushed to the hospital.
After Lee had dropped them off at the train station, he went home, hugged his wife and daughter and then sat Rosemary down.
"I think we should go to Brookfield today." Lee said. "I know that we have Goldie, but you said you want a large family and given the trouble that we have had, I don't want to put it off any longer."
"Are you sure?" Rosemary asked.
"I have never been more sure that we need to do something right away as I am right now." Lee said. "I was sure when I asked you to marry me and I am sure we need to go to Brookfield today. I can't explain it, but when I saw the fear in Nathan's eyes, something in me said to stop wasting time."
"Then how about you get some breakfast together." Rosemary said. "I will go get dressed and get a bag ready for Goldie. After we eat, we can pack the hamper together."
"Thank you." Lee said, giving Rosemary a kiss.
An hour later, Lee and Rosemary were heading to Brookfield with Goldie happily sleeping in the backseat. When they got there, they explained to Lillian why they were there. She invited them to come sit and have some tea. As they were heading to the dining room, Rosemary stopped and looked at the children playing in the sitting room in front of the fire. Mrs Winters was watching them. One child more than the others drew Rosemary's attention and without thinking, she went into the room and sat on the couch. The little boy that she had been watching picked up the book he had been looking at and toddled over Rosemary waving the book.
"Ead, Mama" The boy said, slapping the book down in Rosemary's outstretched hand.
Rosemary picked up the little boy, sat and started reading to him. Lillian and Lee had turned around when they heard Rosemary's voice. They went over and saw her reading to a blond-haired little boy. Lillian looked at Mrs Winters and saw the shocked look on her face. Lee glanced over and saw it as well. Mrs Winters got up and walked over to the duo.
"What happened?" Lillian asked.
"He walked over to Rosemary and asked her to read to him." Mrs Winters said. "He also called her mama."
"He spoke?" Lillian asked, confused.
"What is going on?" Lee asked.
"The little boy." Lillian said. "He came to us about two weeks ago. We were told he knows how to talk, but hasn't said a word. His father dropped him off and relinquished all rights to the child. Apparently, he lost his wife to an illness and couldn't care for the child. He was on his way to work in the mines in Canmore. He said he loved the boy, but without his wife, he was unable to care for him. He just asked that we send a letter he wrote to whoever adopted the child. He said the letter explained about his mother and what happened and why he couldn't care for him. He also said that there were a couple pictures of them in there. As per protocol, I had to open the letter and verify it. Now that I think about it, Rosemary looks an awful lot like the boy's birth mother."
"Then I think we have an answer to why we are here." Lee said. "If we can ever tear Rosie away from the boy, we can do the paperwork."
"Why don't you and I go get it started." Lillian said. "I have a feeling that your wife won't object."
Lee smiled at his wife and then went to follow Lillian.
By the time that Lee and Rosemary left Brookfield late that afternoon, they had completed all the paperwork and once it was signed off on, they would be able to take their little boy home. They were both so excited, but were going to wait to announce it. They wanted to wait and see what happened with Carol first.
…..
