Chapter 146- What Is It About Young Women and Mounties?

Winter made its presence known in Hope Valley from a series of small snow showers that moved through the area in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Part of Nathan wanted to dislike the snow and cold as it made his regular rounds and chores a bit more cumbersome, but there was something special about a white Christmas that never would get old to him. It brought a bit of magic to this time of year and made everything seem fresh and new.

The town bustled with activity in preparation for the annual Christmas festival. Last year the festival was skipped since Lucas had been away on Elizabeth's book tour and the town still had plenty to celebrate and prepare for with Nathan and Charlotte's wedding.

Since Lucas was still overseas with his father's business, there were again talks about canceling the festival in Hope Valley for a second year in a row. Especially since Charlotte and Elizabeth dismissed classes at the end of last week until mid-January to give Elizabeth and Little Jack time to travel. They were to join Lucas and spend Christmas in Munich, which had been a favorite place of Bouchard's growing up. Many of Hope Valley's residents seemed to understand there was more hinging on the long-awaited reunion for the Bouchards than just celebrating Christmas together, but no one seemed willing to talk about it, even Florence and Molly. They all felt sympathy for Jack and the instability he may be feeling, especially after not seeing his stepfather in almost a year and spending another Christmas away from home.

Rosemary quickly set about squashing any rumors of the festival's cancellation. As the wife of the town's mayor, she rightfully stated that while the festival had originally been the creation of Mr. Bouchard, it really was the community who put it on, and they might as well continue the tradition with or without Lucas in attendance. She and Lee spearheaded the preparations and gave each family their respective assignments.

Nathan helped his dad and Joseph construct various stands and booths for the vendors. With it being a true Albertan winter this year, many of the festivities had been moved inside various buildings along main street, making sure the different activities, like wreath making and cookie decorating, were warm and cozy.

Today, Allie and Charlotte were once again assisting Henry with his duties as jolly, old St. Nick. Having both his girl's occupied elsewhere, allowed Nathan a moment to slip out of his office and down to the mercantile to see if the order he placed a week or two ago had arrived yet from Calgary.

Ned looked up from his place behind the counter when the bell above the door signaled Nathan's entry. "Ned, has my package arrived?"

"Oh, I'll go see," Ned said, disappearing quickly to the back of the store.

As Nathan waited near the register, the bell to the mercantile again sounded, drawing his attention back to the door. "Abigail?"

"Nathan! It's so good to see you."

"Did you just get into town?"

"I did. I arrived on the stage and dropped my things at the café. The town seems to be overflowing with people this year for Christmas."

"You can thank the festival for that. Seems to draw in quite the crowd. Is that why you are back in Hope Valley? To visit for Christmas?"

"Actually, I'm coming back for good and returning to my place above the café. Clara wants to focus more on the dress shop, so she and Jesse are moving to the apartment there. And with both of my children, Becky and Cody, off to school back east and my mother recovered from her illness, I've decided to buy my way back into the café and partner with Minnie. I hear she has done a fantastic job running the place while I've been away. But enough about me..." Abigail waved her hands in a dismissive way. "What about you? I heard you got married. To the town's new teacher. Others have written to tell me how much they adore Charlotte and how handsome of a couple you two make."

Nathan felt himself blush at the compliment. "She is very special to me. We have a daughter together as we adopted my niece, Allie. You never had a chance to meet her, but she keeps Charlie and I on our toes."

"Charlie?"

"Oh, that's one of my nicknames for Charlotte."

Abigail gave an all-knowing smile. "I see."

"We are also expecting a baby this spring."

"Congratulations! A baby is one of God's greatest blessings."

"We couldn't agree more." Nathan knew his obvious pride and happiness was palpable to the woman.

"Your package did arrive," Ned said as he came back to the counter. "Oh, Abigail. I didn't know you would be back in town! It's so good to see you." Ned handed the small box to Nathan and came to offer Abigail a hug. "Does Henry know you're here?"

Nathan noted the change in the woman and instantly picked up on something he had not realized before was between gruff, Henry Gowen and kindhearted, Abigail Stanton.

"No," Abigail shook her head. "Other than my correspondence with Clara, Bill, and Minnie about the café, no one else knew I was coming. I thought it could be a surprise."

"Well, it certainly will be that." Ned commented.

Suddenly an idea popped into Nathan's head. "Abigail, if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to introduce you to Charlotte and Allie right now. They are just down the street, being Santa's helpers for the festival."

Abigail agreed and thanked him for the offer. They didn't make it far, when they were stopped by various townsfolk warmly greeting Abigail and welcoming her return to Hope Valley. First, was the Coulters, who were the ones to break the news that Elizabeth and Jack had already left town a few days prior to her arrival. The obvious sting of the announcement was tempered by the introduction of Lee and Rosemary's two children: Fred and Patricia. The Canfields, Flynns, Nathan's parents, and Bill also quickly congregated around them, making introductions and other pleasantries. Fiona even stopped by and happily explained her change in career from the telephone operator to that of entrepreneur. Carson and Faith greeted Abigail outside the hospital. They were on their way out for an afternoon stroll with their baby girl bundled tightly in the pram. Sweet Hannah Shepherd was just over a month old now, and the doctors were not only proud parents, but also excited that their child was the first to be born in the town's new hospital.

Nathan and Abigail found Charlotte and Allie in the front clinic room preparing for the children who would be coming to see Santa later that afternoon. Nathan made the introductions between Abigail and his wife and daughter. Abigail asked Allie about her schooling and listened to the girl talk about her plans to study law in college to help children like her in the future. Then the conversation turned to Charlotte and how her pregnancy was developing. Abigail shared sympathies for some of the harder parts. She understood the struggles from her own pregnancy with her son, Peter. They also discussed their mutual acquaintances with Brookfield and the New Hope orphanage. Abigail had been unaware of the struggles it had gone through with its licensing but was happily surprised by Tess stepping forward to provide housing for the children. Abigail even had to laugh, finding out that when Grace was so overcome by Mrs. Stewart's generosity, she proposed right then and there to Chuck. The boy was flabbergasted to say the least but had been holding on to a ring for some time and ended up proposing right back to Grace. They had a short engagement and were married in an intimate ceremony in October out at the Stewart Ranch and now lived in a small cabin on the property so they could be near the children.

As the conversation again turned back to Allie, Nathan took Charlotte's hand and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Follow my lead, okay?"

She gave him a quizzical look but nodded her head in understanding.

"Charlotte, I have an idea," he began. "Since my shoulder is telling me there is another snowstorm coming in this evening, what if Abigail took your place helping Santa? That way, you and I can run some errands in town and head home early so we don't get caught out in the worst of it."

"Would you?" Charlotte asked Abigail. "With Elizabeth and Lucas out of town, I have so much to get ready for the dance in a few days. I love helping Santa and seeing all the children's faces filled with excitement, but this would be a way for you to get fully immersed back into Hope Valley life."

"Oh, well…" Abigail seemed to ponder for a moment.

"Please, Mrs. Stanton." Allie spoke up. "I help Mr. Gowen with the children's names and then Mom always talks to the kids in line and hands out the candy canes. It's not too difficult."

"Henry is Santa?"

Allie nodded her head. "You can even wear an elf hat like I do, if you want."

Abigail chuckled softly. "Well, if I get an elf hat…"

"Great!" Nathan chimed. "I'll let you ladies get everything squared away… And I will see you soon." He leaned over and gave a loving kiss to Charlotte, stirring a strong blush to her cheeks at his public display of affection in front of Abigail. Charlotte took in a deep breath as she watched her husband twirl his hat in his large hands before placing it back on his head at the door, tipping it in their direction as he left out the front entrance whistling a cheerful Christmas tune with his departure.

"What?" Charlotte asked, seeing the expression on Abigail's face.

"Oh, I know that look." Abigail smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"What does that mean?"

"What is it about young women and Mounties?"

As Nathan predicted, another snowstorm built over the mountains and swept down into the valley late that afternoon. Allie told them on the drive home all about the children's' visits with Santa that day. She also explained how shocked Mr. Gowen was to see Mrs. Stanton back in town and dressed as one of his elves for the afternoon.

Nathan winked at Charlotte across the front seat of the car. He had filled her in on his belief there was something more between Henry and Abigail than just being longtime friends and community members. Charlotte, in turn, teased him mercilessly about giving Rosemary Coulter competition for the title of 'town matchmaker'.

With the snow coming down heavily, the family settled in for a cozy evening at home. While Nathan did the evening chores in the barn, Charlotte and Allie worked in the kitchen. Charlotte was at the stove tending to the chicken noodle soup for dinner, as Allie began slicing some of the oranges they were going to dry and hang on the Christmas trees they planned to get in a day or two up at the meadow.

When dinner was finished and the dishes washed, Allie, Nathan, and Charlotte played a few rounds of 'Old Maid' at the dining room table before retiring to the living room. Charlotte picked up a new book at the library that afternoon, 'The Gift of the Magi', and now sat reading it aloud to her husband and daughter. Allie was relaxed across the overstuffed chair. Her head resting on one arm of the furniture, her legs across the other, swinging idly back and forth.

Charlotte sat on the floor, her back resting against the couch. Nathan settled beside her, but as she began to read, he moved to lay down, placing his head on her lap. While Charlotte told the story of 'The Gift of the Magi', she held the book in one hand and lazily threaded her fingers into Nathan's hair with her other. Getting lost in the feel of the thick, silky strands sliding through her touch.

Suddenly a loud knock on the door made Charlotte jump and Nathan holler. Fortunately, the book landing in his face had done no damage.

Remi arose from her place on the rug in the corner and looked towards the front entryway. Her head cocked to one side. Allie sat up straight in the chair and looked over to Nathan and Charlotte who were exchanging their own shared glance and thoughts.

No one should be out at this time of night and especially in these frigid conditions.