Chapter 122

A Precious Moment

. . .

As he often did, Edward Bradford had a feeling, and right now, that feeling involved his newest granddaughter.

For some odd reason, over the last half hour, he had felt impressed to check on Allie, although he hadn't had a clue as to why.

Yet he had learned a long time ago, the astute businessman that he was, to be very aware of his instincts. He also had learned, over the years, to follow those instincts, especially when he didn't understand them. You simply never knew where they would lead.

That was the one thing that set Edward apart from all others and made him the business giant he was.

He listened to his God-given instincts and quickly followed them, no matter how difficult or unimportant they seemed.

It gave him an edge, both personally and professionally.

'Maybe I'm overreacting here, but if my granddaughter needs me, I intend to be there for her.'

He ran up the back service stairs two at a time up to the second floor, nodding to each of his surprised staff members as they passed.

Then he made the trek down the long hallway to the Children's Playroom, a place he had made it a habit to visit each evening throughout his own children's childhood, even if he had had to go back to work afterward.

Though, each time he was in there, he couldn't help but think of his missing eldest, who, sadly, as a baby, never got a chance to play there.

It mattered not they had lived in their apartment at the time of his kidnapping and not this big rambling home.

Still, wherever the family was, his eldest son belonged with them.

All these years later, his parents could still feel his presence as though it had been yesterday.

Still, if Edward were completely honest, he could always feel his eldest son's presence the strongest whenever he entered this part of the house, just as though his spirit was somehow right there, playing with his brothers and sisters all those years ago.

Now, of course, the room was used for his beautiful grandchildren, for which he was most grateful, as he knew with certainty he would never tire of them being there.

His personal wish was to keep filling the room with more and more grandchildren.

His children and grandchildren together were the reason Holidays were so special to him.

This vast house always seemed to come alive again, with the children present, running through the halls, laughing, and getting into all sorts of mischief, often playfully instigated by him.

Of course, his best friend Archie was also a big help in that area of play! Honestly, the Chief Instigator! What Edward didn't think of, Archie did, creating all sorts of havoc with the children until Victoria or Sophia intervened, catching the men at their own games!

Suddenly, Edward remembered he had promised Allie a tour of a few of his local businesses. They had been so busy there hadn't seemed to be time, although she had thoroughly enjoyed 'counting' all of the names of them with her grandfathers in his office the other day.

Still, he had promised her the tours, and Edward Bradford always kept a promise, no matter how small or large.

He'd have to set a few visits up, and soon, as he needed to do it before all their Christmas activities, which would be quickly followed by all the many Wedding activities to come.

Perhaps Nathan would want to go with them, maybe tomorrow morning, after placing a few calls to his staff just before they left.

Edward loved the young man who was already a son to him, and he knew he would miss him terribly when he, Millicent, and Allie returned to Hope Valley after Millicent's and his Honeymoon.

He would have to remember to discuss their possible outing with Nathan later tonight to see if he and Allie might be available on such short notice...


As Edward reached the Children's Playroom, he paused just outside the familiar double doors, unsure why he was even there.

Still, he remained quiet while cracking the doors open just a bit, so he could listen in.

He heard nothing untoward, just a roomful of elated and enthralled children simply having fun with Santa.

Still, he couldn't shake his concern, yet he was sure more than ever, for some reason, it was for Allie.

He listened as all the excited children told Santa Claus their Christmas wishes, unable to help but smile as each child left a very long, minutely detailed list. *128

He watched as, one by one, the children walked up to sit on Santa Claus's lap and share their many specific wishes with him.

'Oh, to have the innocence of a child again,' he mused, hearing their sweet voices full of hope.

Several times, he had to keep from giving himself away, as the many wishes, running from babies to ponies to tambourines and just about everything in between, elicited sporadic chuckles.

It was clear some poor parents were going to have a more difficult time than others, if not impossible, in filling their children's lists this Christmas. Especially the ones whose children wished for babies and a live kangaroo! And then, too, there was the child who was absolutely sure they were receiving a baby unicorn!

As a grandfather who paid attention to detail, Edward knew Jackson and Maggie so well he wasn't at all surprised to hear the items they dreamed of, most of which had already been purchased, wrapped, and hidden away.

He was, however, a bit surprised when both his grandchildren mentioned to Santa Claus how grateful they were for their new cousin, Allie, being very careful to thank him specifically for giving her to them as they were sure no matter what they got, she would be their very best and dearest gift!

Both Jackson and Maggie were really great children, and he was proud of Richard and Margaret for raising them to be both gracious and respectful.

He was also proud that they already understood family was everything, which was clearly a Bradford tenet that had originated from Victoria and him.

A few of his friend's grandchildren came next, but finally, it was Allie's turn.

His granddaughter was at that awkward age where she understood that Santa Claus was a concept but still wanted to believe in him so badly.

Edward opened the door further, just slightly, to watch Allie confidently walk to the front, and though taller than most of the children, when there, at his invitation, she too sat on Santa Claus's lap, ready to offer her wishes.

Perhaps he simply needed to know what his new granddaughter wished for, for Christmas.

Yet he still wasn't at all convinced that was what was bothering him, as Millicent had already given her mother and father a few ideas.

It was what came next as her grandfather listened to his granddaughter's earnest plea that shocked him while at the same time touching him deeply.

"Hi, Santa Claus. I'm Allie Grant from Hope Valley in Alberta. But now Montreal is my home, too. Jackson and Maggie are my cousins, whom I love so very much. And we're so excited to spend Christmas together, but I've thought and thought, and I just can't think of anything I really need," she admitted matter-of-factly.

"You see, my first Mom, is in Heaven, and she's been there a really long time. Don't get me wrong, I have a super great Dad, who I think the world of, and he thinks the world of me! He's actually my Mom's twin brother, which makes him technically my uncle! But he's always loved me like his daughter, and now he's adopted me, so I truly am his daughter, and nobody can ever take me away. But ever since Mom's been gone, I've prayed and prayed for a new Momma. I thought Dad needed a wife, and I knew I needed a Momma. The truth is just when I had almost given up, I just kept praying, and that's when my beautiful new Momma stepped off the train with her horses. Better than any Momma I could have hoped for. Oh, she even gave me my horse, Cookie, she brought on the train with her. But that's not why I love her. Momma already loves me as much as my Dad, as much as my first Mom, and even though we're getting married in ten days to make it official, we're already the perfect family."

Allie paused a moment, collecting her thoughts.

"And that's exactly what I wanted. I admit I wanted a big family too, since I'm an only child, except I hope that changes soon. But guess what? A big family is exactly what I've already got! Not brothers or sisters yet, but I got a new Grandpapa, a new Grandmama, a whole bunch of new Aunties and Uncles, and I even got four new cousins! I love them all so very much. I mean, how could I possibly ask for anything else? I've thought about this a lot. I really have. And I think my Mom in Heaven would be so happy if maybe I just gave my Christmas wishes to other little girls whose Moms are also in Heaven. Would that be okay? Just for this year because of all my blessings? Could you do that for me, please?"

Edward wiped tears from his eyes, opening the crack just a bit wider to find Santa Claus wiping his cheeks as the bearded man nodded, closing his eyes tightly to stop the tears.

"I think that would be marvelous, Allie Grant, and I will personally see that the little girls with Moms in Heaven are specially taken care of this year. But don't you be mad at me if a few things still find their way under your tree, you hear, Young Lady?"

"Thank you, Santa Claus. Oh, one other thing! If you could especially remember Angela Canfield, too. She's our pastor's daughter back in Hope Valley, and she's the greatest. She happens to be blind, so if you could just be extra nice to her, that would be wonderful! Anything musical will do. Oh, and her little brother too! He's not blind, but he helps her a lot, and his name is Cooper! He likes general boy stuff. But he really, really wants a dog! And I'm pretty sure Angela would like that too."

This little girl was still thinking of others. Santa Claus was so touched all he could do was nod through his smile. That agreement in turn proffered a brilliant smile of relief from Allie.

Edward watched as his granddaughter smiled jubilantly and kissed Santa Claus as she thanked him.

"Thank you, Santa Claus. Thank you so very much! You've made me so happy, and I'm sure my Mom is happy too!"

She then jumped down with an even broader smile on her face, content, knowing she had done what she was supposed to do.

Edward had never been prouder and wouldn't have missed this moment for the world.

Here was his young granddaughter, already listening to her God-given instincts and acting on them.

The two of them were so much alike; it was uncanny. He had first sensed it in Hope Valley right when he first met Allie. And the feeling had never left him.

She had been full of endless curiosity and inquisitiveness, not to mention the millions of questions peppered throughout their conversations.

He had seen his younger self in her, as those same qualities had, in fact, defined his own childhood.

'Thank you, God, for this beautiful granddaughter you've given us, who is already your child following your teachings. She's an old soul with more compassion and understanding than most adults. How very blessed we are as a family to have her join us! She's already doing great things in her own innocent, heartfelt way, caring for others, thinking of others, and doing for others, this being a prime example. Bless her, Lord, I pray. Her father has raised her brilliantly with a love for You. Guide me to also help mold her and make her the very best she can be for your glory. Help all of us to be the first-hand example she needs. Amen!'

Suddenly, Edward knew precisely what he and Allie would be doing tomorrow, and thankfully, because of his caring granddaughter, it involved a slew of little girls that neither had yet met.

Thanks to Allie, many motherless daughters throughout Montreal were going to have a Christmas like none other, with their educational futures also securely assured.

He might not be able to give them mothers, which he was sure was the one thing they wanted most, but he could, at the very least, see that their present and future were educationally and financially as sound as they could be.

After the party, he would also discuss the matter with Victoria tonight, when they would further ponder the whole situation together to see what else was truly needed…


Downstairs, as the foxtrot ended, both Nathan and Millicent were laughing at their hastily improvised steps to match the ever-increasing tempo.

"That was so much fun! I haven't danced so fast in ages!" chuckled Nathan.

"I'm ready to do it again!" giggled Millicent.

"Darlings, so sorry to interrupt," winked Victoria as she placed her hand gently on Nathan's elbow. "Nathan, this is the famous architect Le Corbusier, also known as Monsieur Charles-Édouard Jeanneret. He is very accomplished and is from Paris, having just arrived back in Montreal this evening from a working trip there. Though much too humble to tell you himself, he is a great pioneer in Modernism and has already created many impressive buildings worldwide. Charles-Édouard, you know my daughter, Millicent, but this is her fiancé and my already beloved Son, Chief Inspector Nathan Grant." *129

"A pleasure to meet you, Sir!"

"I have been quite anxious to meet you, Monsieur Grant, as well. I understand you have purchased the Toussant Estate?"

"Yes, Sir, we'll be moving in officially this spring. Are you familiar with the place?"

"Very much so. You see, Monsieur Toussant is my brother-in-law. I rushed here to offer my services if you wish to add any necessary buildings, as I'm very familiar with the various French building techniques used throughout the estate."

"That would be extraordinary, Sir, and so very kind. We do indeed need to add a few structures throughout the ranch. And it is of utmost importance to us that everything is done authentically to blend with the same style of the current buildings. Everything new has to look old."

"Ah, vous comprenez! I am so very relieved and pleased to hear you say that. The architectural gods are smiling. But, Sir, did my brother-in-law perchance mention my cottage on the far northern end of your property?"

"No, not that I recall. What cottage is that, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Not at all, Monsieur. After all, it is your land now. But I must admit my home is a bit more than a cottage. My sister saw that it was my personal home away from home when I was in Montreal versus Paris, you see. If possible, I would like to maintain that arrangement, as, alas, there is no space with them for me in the city."

Nathan glanced at Millicent, who smiled and nodded her consent.

"Do you ride, Monsieur Jeanneret?"

"Mais oui, Chief Inspector Grant. Quite proficiently. But please, it's Charles-Édouard!"

Nathan reached for the gentleman's hand.

"Please call me Nathan. So it seems you require lodging, and we require new buildings. As you are a world-class architect, I'm sure we can work something out, Charles-Édouard. Welcome to the Grant Estate, as well as the soon-to-be Grant Family!"

The tension immediately evaporated from the architect's face, replaced with pure joy!

"Much appreciated, Sir! You will not regret this! I give you my word…"

. . .

128. Santa Claus was the typically chosen nomenclature in 1918 Canada, as evidenced by the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto of that same year, Public Domain Information

129. Le Corbusier, Monsieur Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, Famous Parisian Architect, Father of Modernism with Famous Works Around the World, October 6, 1887 – August 27, 1965. Note: On July 17, 2016, seventeen projects by Le Corbusier in seven countries were inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as "The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement," Public Domain Information