Lucky to be loving you
Chapter 4
Page 10
Being Tuesday morning, nearly all the ladies had gathered at Minnie's Cafe for their weekly Bible Study. Minnie was encouraged to see so many attending now that school was back in session. Which also meant that Elizabeth wouldn't be able to attend.
"Welcome ladies! It's great to be together again. I know we won't be seeing a few of our mothers now. Of course, Christy, Clara, and Elsa are home taking care of their newborns, but we do have Dee still," Minnie smiled warmly at Dee who had brought a pillow to sit on.
Dee laughed! "I'm not sure how long I'll be coming since I'm due to have this little bun by November, but I'm certainly going to try my best! I'd like though to give Emily a chance to come, but one of us needs to be with Archie."
Dee's mom, Bertie, spoke up, "Now Dee, I told you that your father and I could help so just let me know and we'll go over and keep Archie company.
"Thanks, that's so kind of you, Mom. I'll tell Emily so she'll feel good about coming with me," Dee smiled and held her mom's hand.
Margaret asked, "How are all the moms and sweet babies doing?"
Violet answered, "As good as can be expected. The babies all so little, so they're either sleeping or nursing and the moms are adjusting, but very tired."
Joyce was wondering if Clara had any help. "I know that Christy lives with the O'Neills, so she has her in-laws helping and her parents close by, but any help for Clara?"
Violet shook her head, "I know she was hoping to have some help from Christy's parents. The two couples are so close that they've included Clara and Jesse in their family gatherings. When I go there, Clara seems to have help from a few of the Chickadees."
"And how about those two little twins?" Dee grinned.
"They are doing great for being born on the small side. They are tiny but mighty!" Violet continued, "Elsa's mother, Ingrid, is there helping her and soon her sister, Lily and father will be arriving. They want to be here for the christening in two weeks.
"Any other news to share before we begin?" Minnie asked.
Rosaleen held up her hand, "If you don't mind, I'd like to say something."
"Yes, go ahead, dear," Minnie replied.
"Well, I talked to Mom" she said looking at Molly, "and we decided with Bill's approval that we would host another Community Thanksgiving dinner at Billees! Bill offered to cook the turkeys with Lee on the grill, and the Hopefuls are providing the beverages and decorations. Molly included that she spoke with Elizabeth asking the children to participate by making decorations in their art class.
The ladies were all excited about having a Hope Valley community Canadian Thanksgiving together this year too. They started talking with the others nearby and the conversation worked up to a fever pitch.
Dee spoke up, "Now, as you know ladies, I am always more than willing to help with musical entertainment, but like I told Molly, this time I will bow out," she said as she rubbed her big belly. "You know that the Moretti family will sing, right Carlotta?"
"Yes, we are part of the choir at St. James, so for the Easter Praise and Worship, we joined in with the Community Church choir under Dr. Scholl's direction. I'm thinking we could possibly do it together again," Carlotta said in her thick Italian accent.
Heads nodded in approval, and the chattering continued. "What about the rest of the food?" Luciana asked.
Everyone turned and smiled at her giving her the indication that she was more than welcome to take care of that. So, without hesitation Luciana broke into a big grin, saying, "Of course, of course, I will be more than happy to look after the side dishes and desserts, just as long as I have volunteers to cook or bake something!"
She liked what she heard as the ladies all mentioned their favorite recipes and knew it would be a delicious feast.
"Well now," Minnie addressed everyone, "this has been a very productive start to our day! I must say, I love it when all of you come together and automatically start offering to help. It just proves how kind and thoughtful you are!"
Looking over at Brook who had been quiet the whole time, Minnie asked, "Brook dear, is there an Indian dish that you could share with us? I know I would be very curious to try tasting something unique that you can bring. Would that be something you'd be interested in doing?"
Before Brook could answer, there were shouts from the group, "Yes! Brook, we'd love to taste something new!"
That pleased Brook and she smiled, "All right. I'm happy to!"
"Great, thank you Brook, and everyone. This is going to be a wonderful celebration! Are we ready to begin our bible study?" Minnie asked.
Rosaleen stood up, "Ladies, do we want games for the children? I know they might want an outlet for their energy, especially with it being a holiday!"
Dottie remarked, "Well I would think the boys would want to play a football game, but I'd have to think on what the girls would like."
Flo gave Dottie a funny look, "After dinner, do you really think the boys and probably their fathers would want to play football? I mean, there's dishes and cleanup to be done, and everyone should pitch in, right?"
Little did Dottie know that her idea of a football game after Thanksgiving dinner, would turn into a yearly event. Sad to say, Flo's complaint about the women stuck cleaning up was exactly what would happen not only this Thanksgiving, but from that year on!
Page 11
Bill arrived in Buxton by 8:00 promptly the next morning. As he pulled up in front of the RCMP office, he got out of his roadster and looked around. Everything in town was the same, except there were more streets. It definitely looked like they had a growth spurt too. More industries were being built here too it seemed.
He walked up and knocked on the office door. Constable Christopher Herrmann stood there and grinned.
"Hey Bill! C'mon in and set yourself down," he welcomed him with a warm handshake.
"Good to see you, Chris. How's everything going here?" Bill asked.
"Fine, as you see, we're getting bigger and the more people there are, the more there is to do. I could use some help, but Headquarters says they will send me someone from the next graduating class."
"Oh," Bill thought out loud, "We have a great young man from Hope Valley in Mountie school right now. I wonder where he'll be stationed. If you get him, you'll be just fine."
"Good to know, would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, sounds good."
As Chris set a cup in front of Bill he asked, "Black?"
"Yes sir always leaded for me," he said with a half-smile as he took blew on his cup and then took a sip. "Ah, that hits the spot. So, you got the papers for me?"
"Yes sir," Chris said as he slid the envelope with the papers across his desk to Bill."
As Bill reached for the packet, Chris interjected, "Ah, wait, sign this form first."
"All right, give me your pen." Bill signed the release form and picked up the packet of papers from his cousin, Peter's arrest. As he skimmed through them he realized that it wasn't going to be as cut and dry as he was hoping. The details provided information about the saloon where Peter worked as one that they were keeping an eye on.
"Bill, working for the saloon and claiming that one doesn't know about the bootlegging, just doesn't hold water. It was a booming business, so Peter most likely did know according to the arresting officers."
Bill sighed, "I don't know these officers very well since they are Mounties from different provinces. I'm going to have to contact them and get the details. I need to do my research before I can promise Peter anything."
"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know," Christopher reassured him.
Bill laughed, "Can I get a piece of your wife's apple crisp?"
Christopher joined in laughing, "C'mon, let's stop over to the bakery so you two can say hello, Quinn was hoping to see you. Besides, you need something to help you wash down that coffee," he joked.
Henry and Dottie decided to take a few days off and go visit his son, Christopher, Rachel, and little Henry. Of course, Dottie picked out quite a few outfits for their newborn grandson at her apparel shop. Knowing, that they might not see them again during Christmas, she also set aside some clothing and accessories for Rachel and for Christopher.
Dottie asked Debra if she would be all right by herself and she told her confidently, "I handled it when you two went on your honeymoon, I can do it again."
"Thank you, Debra, we want to see our grandson before the winter snows blow in. Besides, Henry is anxious to go, the sooner, the better."
Henry checked with Mike about the oil supply and refinery too. "Someday Hickam when I retire for good, you'll be running this place, so now's a good time to show me what you're worth."
"No problem, Henry. I'll make you proud. We've got a good crew here and I know that I can count on them, just like you can count on me." Hickam held his hand out and the two of them shook hands.
They were packed and ready to go the next morning. Henry filled up their automobile at Buddy's garage and they took off to the state of Washington. It was going to be a full two-day trip to Spokane, but they decided they'd stop along the way there and back.
"We'll stop in Calgary overnight. I'm sure we'll see some beautiful scenery along the way and I'll be needing a good night's sleep," Henry suggested.
"That sounds wonderful, Henry. You're the driver," Dottie said as she snuggled close to her husband.
Autumn was stunning in Canada so their drive was very enjoyable. As they drove they sang a few songs together and just relaxed taking in their time together.
Henry had already telephoned ahead and made reservations for the two of them at the King Edward Hotel. They were looking forward to a bath and a good steak dinner. They weren't disappointed.
"There's so much to see. What we don't see on the way there, we'll see on the way back home," Henry suggested.
"I'm really glad we decided to do this," Dottie said when back at their hotel suite, "It's so nice to travel and see places I've never seen before."
"Yes, it is indeed, Mrs. Gowen. Yes, it is!" Henry replied as he snuggled up close to Dottie.
Page 12
Rosemary and Lucia were busy finishing up their latest edition of the Valley Voice. Their headline was, "Local author's new book a huge success!"
Lucia wrote a flattering piece about Elizabeth's new book and how she came about writing it. She shared that her husband, Mountie Jack Thornton was the first person to encourage her to write and bought her a typewriter. The two of them worked as a team together. As Elizabeth wrote, Jack drew the illustrations. She continued on how she wasn't able to write for a few years after he passed and then was inspired to write about being a single mother in a frontier town.
This piece showed the town not only how delightful Elizabeth's book was, but also how enjoyable Lucia's writing was. More townsfolk looked forward to her articles increasing the Valley Voice circulation. Although Lucia would love to take journalism classes, she didn't want to give up her job with Rosemary. When she would go home after work, and sit around the dinner table she'd share what happened that day.
"You should have seen Mrs. Coulter scurry around the office today, making arrangements for the Thanksgiving Community dinner! She was on the telephone making calls, sending Harper into town to call on someone who wasn't answering their telephone insisting on an answer and checking off her list!"
"How does that woman have so much energy, especially with a little baby and a young son?" Gino asked his daughter.
"Oh, she hired a nanny, Ruth Taylor. She is a sweet girl about my age, but she's been through a lot. It's so sad. I talk with her on my lunch break and we've become good friends."
"Is she pretty?" Lorenzo asked.
"Eh, you are too young for her. Eat your pasta!" Gino directed.
"What do you mean, she's been through a lot?" Carlotta inquired.
"Mom, it's best if I tell you later," Lucia answered then suggested, "Maybe we can have her over for dinner sometime?"
"Of course, ask her when's a good time, and we'll set an extra plate," Carlotta smiled.
"Good, then we can see if she's pretty," Lorenzo laughed while Gino gave him the look to just eat and his sisters rolled their eyes, especially Lucia.
"You know mother, the saying, children should be seen but not heard, might be what we need to start at the dinner table," Gino winked at Carlotta as he scooped his pasta up with a piece of bread he tore off the loaf.
Giuseppe, the oldest son, didn't say a word, but he hoped that Ruth would come and would be pretty! Giuseppe had been a studious and quiet young boy, but now that he was older, he was discerning if he wanted to be a priest, so he quickly shut that thought out of his mind, for now anyway. He'd have to bring it up when he met with Fr. Ricardo next. The two of them had talked after mass several times, but discernment was something that couldn't be rushed through Fr. advised. "Keep seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, and take it to prayer."
Meanwhile, Carlotta spoke up, "At the Tuesday Bible Study the ladies asked if our family would like to sing at the Thanksgiving celebration. I suggested we work together again with the Community Church choir as we did for the Easter Praise and Worship under Dee Grant. However, Dee is bowing out as director as she's due with their second one soon."
"Papa, you could do it, can't you?" Rosa, the youngest, asked with her big brown eyes looking anxiously at him.
"Well family, that's a tall order. Working for Lee, he's had us working long hours before winter, so I must admit, I'm not getting any younger, and the thought of directing two choirs is just a bit challenging I'm afraid."
"But Papa," Natalia added, "You can do it."
Carlotta intervened, not wanting to put any more pressure on her husband, "Papa is right. He is a hard-working man for our big family. We have another option, Dr. Scholl was suggested. He's the one who combined both choirs together at Easter time and did a fine job!"
It was Lucia who whispered, "And very handsome too!" which made all the girls giggle and this time they got Papa's look.
Rick O'Neill was talking to his dad about building a house for his wife and two children, "You know Dad, Christy and I deeply appreciate you opening your home up for us, but we have a family of four now. We would like to buy some property and start building a home of our own next spring."
Sean studied his son and raised his eyebrows, "Rick, are you not comfortable here?"
"Oh, yes! You and Mom have been very loving and understanding. It has nothing to do with you both, but everything to do about us." Rick said while bouncing Timi Anne on his knees. She was giggling and squealing with delight.
"That's good. We've enjoyed having you here and the grandchildren of course. It's been wonderful for us, and makes your mom and me feel young again, although I must admit, when the day is done, I feel old too!" he laughed heartily.
Rick grinned, "We enjoy our time here, and believe me it's been such a convenience having grandparents in the same home and knowing that when Christy goes back to work, we can rest assured the children will be not only taken care of but loved too."
Christy heard Rick talking with his dad and walked in after nursing Patrick and sat next to him. "Do we want to go look for land today?" she asked cautiously.
"I don't know. I have some money saved, so I was talking to Dad about what we want to do and I haven't asked him yet," Rick answered. Then looking at Sean he asked, "Dad, we were hoping you might co-sign a loan with me. I don't know if Mr. Hutton will require it, so I wanted to ask you first before we apply."
Sean looked up and saw Mary standing in the doorway. "C'mon in honey, this includes you. Mary joined them. "Rick and Christy want me to co-sign a loan for them to buy land, so what do you think about that?"
Mary smiled, "You know what I'd say, so I'll defer to you."
Rick spoke up, we haven't even found land yet, but we didn't want to look if we can't get a loan, so that's why I'm asking now, first things first" he explained anxiously.
Right on cue, baby Patrick let out his burp and broke the silence.
"All right, since Patrick asked, how can this grandpa say no?" they all laughed in relief not only for Patrick but everyone else.