Lucky to be loving you
Chapter 12
Page 34
When the film, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde ended, everyone heard a scream. That added to the mood from the suspenseful movie causing the ladies to jump out of their seats and the men scrutinizing the people to see where the scream came from.
Then the laughter from Rosaleen took over and she began to hit Gunther on his chest, "Don't ever scare me like that again, Gunther!"
Gunther was glad she was laughing and not really mad at him for scaring her so he began to laugh with her.
"What happened?" Trevor asked.
"Just this goofy guy giving me a hard time," Rosaleen was now embarrassed she caused everyone to look at her.
Gunther enjoyed his time with Rosaleen and was hoping to spend more time with her, so he suggested that the Hopefuls have a bonfire the next night, "The campfire for the children tonight got me to thinking..."
Luke broke out in laughter and warned Gunther, "Don't hurt yourself."
"Ha-ha, very funny," Gunther shot back, "anyways, as I was saying, we need to have our own bonfire. We can't wait any longer as the cold winter will be upon us before we know it."
It seemed like a great idea so as everyone was cleaning up, the Hopefuls talked amongst themselves and made plans for their bonfire.
Meanwhile, Bill talked to Nathan about his time in Benson Hills with Christopher Herrmann, "When we went to talk to Melanie's mother and brother they were very worried about her. We assured them that we thought she was still alive, but most likely kidnapped. What struck me was a question that her brother, Timothy asked that seemed to suggest a different take on things."
"How so?" Nathan asked.
"When we told them both everything we had discovered and suspected, he asked us who was the last person to see his sister. I answered casually the elderly couple that lived next door and I repeated their story. His reply was odd, something we never questioned."
"What?"
He said, "Well, that's what they told you."
Nathan raised his eyebrows as Bill continued, "Christopher and I looked at each other the way you're looking at me right now. When we finished up talking to the Foresters, we continued talking about what Timothy was implying on our way back to Buxton."
Nathan asked, "So, you both never questioned what the couple told you?"
Bill shook his head, "They were outside raking leaves the first time we got there. It was just a casual chat and we had no reason to think more about what they told us."
Nathan smiled, "It happens, just when you least expect a break in a case, you find yourself re-thinking every step you took. Now, this couple, you say were friendly and weren't acting suspicious, so it's easy to understand why you didn't have any alarm bells going off."
Bill spoke up, "The investigator in me knows better. I am upset with myself for being so accepting of what they told me."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up, Bill. Christopher didn't bring the couple back up again either," Nathan said as he patted Bill's shoulder, "besides it might not be anything."
"Christopher is looking into them so we can find out about their background. Hopefully they'll be clear, but we'll have to see," Bill shrugged.
"If you want me to help with anything, let me know," Nathan said, "but I'm going home now to check on Dee. She's so ready to have our baby. I am giving her foot rubs and back rubs every night."
"Good idea. I like that, I think I'm going to snatch Molly and take her home, and give her a back rub," Bill winked.
Fr. Ricardo was going over his homily for the baptisms of Erin Abigail and David Patrick tomorrow. He was thrilled to celebrate his first baptisms in the new church. The dedication of the church was a huge success as far as how many people attended.
His relationship with Pastor Joseph was as good as it gets, especially for pastors of two different styles of worship, but they both knew they were there to bring the lost sheep back home and help the spiritually wounded to know the love of God. They weren't just a priest and a minister, they were good friends. Having shared together the Easter praise and worship, vacation Bible school, and soon the Christmas pagent, it was a unity that they both looked cherished.
Having helped Christy and her family work through the pain of Christy being told to leave at her father's command when she told them she was pregnant with Rick's baby. She was afraid to go back home, so only her older sister, Maggie knew where she was and helped her. After being discovered by Nathan and Bill in the old hunting cabin where she and Timi Anne were both found sick, she stayed with Fiona. Fiona was wonderful, like an older sister to her and let her stay until Pastor Joseph was able to counsel her father and mother bringing about forgiveness and healing between her parents and Christy.
At the same time, Pastor Joseph had also consoled Rick's father who was so miserable having lost his eldest son, Timothy to the Spanish flu before he could make it home from the war. Joseph definitely had met the challenges with God's help. Now the families were together and Rick and Christy were even living with Rick's parents. Rick had a good job working for Coulter Lumber Company and Fiona taught Christy how to cut hair and give ladies spa treatments so they both saved money to build their own home. Now, they were eagerly looking forward to having David baptized.
Fr. Ricardo put down his pen and telephoned Joseph.
"Hello Joseph, how are you?"
"Good morning Father, I'm fine. What do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"Joseph, I need your help. Tomorrow little David O'Neill is being baptized along with Erin Flynn," Father started.
Joseph laughed, "I think you can manage two babies."
Father chuckled, "Of course, but I think you should give the homily. You were so involved with both Christy and Rick's situation and brought the famiies together. You should be the one to welcome them to God's family. I know you have to leave right after to take care of your flock, but what do you say, are you willing to give the homily?"
Joseph asked the time and thought it just might work out. "Yes, Father, I would be honored to. Thank you for including me."
"Of course, there's no one better. It's my pleasure. Thank you." Fr. Ricardo hung up the telephone and smiled, then bowing his head, he prayed, 'You always give me the answers, Lord."
Page 35
Clara was trying to put her hair in an up style for a change so that she looked presentable for her daughter's baptism. Jesse hugged her and said all the right things but she complained, "Oh, Jesse, I look like a tired old lady. Every time I try to fix myself up, I have to stop to take care of Michael or Erin."
Jesse didn't see what was the matter, to him she was his queen, "Clara, don't fret. Today is Erin's special day, so no one cares if your hair is up or down."
Clara stared at Jesse, "You don't understand. I care!" and with that, she slammed the bathroom door behind her.
Jesse could hear her crying, but he also heard Michael crying to. Choosing to tend to Michael, Clara allowed herself to let out her frustration. After a good cry, she took a deep breath, washed her face, and put on lipstick and rouge. After brushing her long brown hair softly as to not disturb her curls, she looked through her bag of clips, bows, and barrettes and found a clip that would pull her hair back and match her blouse.
She quickly started to feel upset as she thought she couldn't fit into her good dress right now, but she had to be patient knowing someday she would be back in shape. Having two children only a year apart she hadn't been able to lose her baby tummy, plus nursing her newborn added more on the top, so the dress would have to wait. Right now, she wore a pretty blouse with a lace collar and a full skirt to hide her tummy. Jesse told her he liked her curvy look, so when she remembered that, she had to chuckle and that brought a smile to her face.
When Clara opened the door, she looked around and saw Jesse changing Michael's diaper and getting him dressed. Her heart softened as she approached him, "Jesse?"
Jesse turned around, "Yes? Oh, Clara you look beautiful!"
Clara smiled. "I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm just anxious to get to the church on time and still do up my hair."
Jesse returned her smile, "Clara if you really want a hair-do, why don't you ask Christy? She's your best friend, and I'm sure she'd be happy too. But if you ask me, I like your hair down flowing across your shoulders."
"You look rather dapper this morning yourself, Mr. Flynn!" Clara said as she tiptoed up to kiss his cheek. "I'm going to get Erin nursed, and then we should be ready to go."
Over at the O'Neills, Mrs. Lipinski had brought over some food for the christening party that Sean and Mary were hosting. After mass, their good friends and family were invited over for a little celebration. Seeing as how Clara and Jesse and Christy and Rick were best friends, and both had their babies on the same day, they would have two baptisms to celebrate.
Sean and Rick had set up extra tables and chairs they brought in from the barn that were used when Fr. Ricardo held Mass in their barn while St. James was being built. The grandmothers had divided up the menu so neither would have to cook for an army. A few of the Chickadees had offered to bring a dish or dessert, which helped too. Once the tables were up, the ladies quickly wiped them off and put on a tablecloth. It was decided to be a casual help-yourself buffet, so all they had to do was warm up the hot dishes and serve the food.
Rick went in to check on Christy and Patrick. Christy was so tired; she had laid down with Patrick after nursing and was dozing off. Rick walked up quietly and softly whispered in her ear, "Honey, you better get ready or you'll miss your son's baptism."
That got Christy up and moving. Luckily, Patrick stirred but kept sleeping. "Where's Timi Anne?" she asked.
"With her grandmothers, enjoying all the attention without her brother!" he laughed quietly.
"Is she dressed?"
"Yes, and all dolled up with her grandmothers doting over her, and fed too."
Christy and Rick both changed out of their clothes and put on their Sunday best. Christy heard a whistle as she put on her blouse and skirt. "Rick, don't get your hopes up for later honey, I'm already tired," she winked.
St. James was warm and inviting when they arrived. In the vestibule were Clara and Jesse who just arrived a few minutes before them. "Hello! It's going to be a happy day!" Jesse greeted them.
"Yes, it is. I will be even happier after we get through the baptism," Rick nodded.
Fr. Ricardo stepped over to the couples and explained that he would baptize their babies after the Gospel reading but before the homily. On cue, Pastor Joseph walked over. Father continued, "I've asked Pastor Joseph to give the homily. I thought that you would like to hear from him as he was your spiritual advisor before I was assigned here and he was the one who helped you both, Christy and Rick, to reconcile and heal with your families."
Christy and Rick were delighted. "Yes, this is perfect. Thank you, Pastor Joseph!" Joseph hugged them and then talked to both the babies and the toddlers.
The rest of the family all arrived so they could walk up to the front and sit in the pews that were reserved for them. Joseph sat up front next to the Flynn family. The funny looks from the parishioners when they saw Pastor Joseph almost made Fr. Ricardo burst out laughing, but they'd soon realize why he was with them.
During the Mass, the babies were both sleeping after having been nursed earlier. It was the one-year-olds who were a bit fussy, but there were enough adults to keep them occupied.
Fr. Ricardo read from the Gospel of John the story with Nicodemus emphasizing the verse "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Now, I just have one thing to say,
according to the Bible, baptism is a marvelous grace—a great gift from God, which we do not deserve in the least and which washes away our sins, bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, and grants us new life in Christ. Today Clara and Jesse Flynn have brought their daughter, Erin Abigail, and so have Christy and Rick O'Neill brought their son, Patrick David to be baptized. Will you, Christy, and Rick step over to the baptismal font with Patrick's Godparents?
Christy and Rick stood around the font with Christy's older sister, Maggie the Godmother, and Jesse Flynn, the Godfather. Baby Patrick stirred when the cool water dripped on his head three times and then anointed with oil while Maggie held a white candle.
Following Patrick's baptism Fr. Ricardo asked Clara to step up to the baptismal font with Erin Abigail joining Jesse, Christy and Rick, who were the Godparents for Erin. When it was Erin's turn to be blessed with the holy water three times, her eyes opened wide and she squealed which caused some quiet laughter. After being anointed Christy held a white candle.
It was then that Fr. Ricardo asked them to take their seats and invited Pastor Joseph up. "This good and gracious man needs no introduction. Before I came here, Pastor Joseph was instrumental in helping a lot of you with spiritual direction, so he has kindly agreed to give the homily today. We are blessed to have him here with us."
Page 36
Gunther was on top of getting a bonfire going for the Hopefuls Sunday night. The rest of the gang could've waited one more week, but not Gunther. His motive was having another chance to be with Rosaleen. Gunther was just too shy to ask her out on a date, so this was his best chance of being with her. Andy had been encouraging him to just ask her out for lunch, something easy at first, but Gunther just didn't have the gumption in him to ask.
Andy challenged Gunther to a bet. If he asked Rosaleen to lunch then Andy would pay for it. If he didn't ask her to lunch then Gunther would have to pay for Andy to take Katie to lunch. Gunther gave in as he didn't want to look weak, so he agreed and they shook hands.
After church that day, he had gone home and attempted to bake oatmeal cookies to take to go with the hot cocoa. Having never baked before he wound up throwing out his first batch because the oven was too hot so they burned.
Andy watched him mix up a second batch following the receipe in the cookbook his mother had left with him. It all seemed to be right, but Andy wasn't sure as he had never baked either. Luckily, the second batch was not burned and actually turned out great.
"Hopefully, this will impress the ladies!" Gunther grinned.
"In particular one specific one, Rosa leeeeen!" Andy sang her name and and acted faint as he fell into the sofa. "My heart is all yours Rosa leeeeen!"
"Keep it up and you won't get any cookies!" Gunther chided.
Asking Lee for wood scraps and collecting more twigs, he got the bonfire going after dinner. Bringing a big pot and filling it with milk, he warmed it on the fire to make hot cocoa. Andy brought the tin of oatmeal cookies that Gunther baked.
After about a half hour Gunther shook his head and sighed. He was dissappointed, "I thought they all agreed to come tonight?"
"You know it is Sunday night and we all have to work in the morning. They probably don't want to go out again," Andy suggested.
Gunther and Andy talked by themselves while they waited a little while longer. "Hey, Andy, you mentioned asking Katie Yost out, so what's that all about?"
Andy just kicked the dirt and shrugged, "Nothing really, I just think she's really nice."
"And pretty!" Gunther grinned.
"Yea, can't deny that," he chuckled.
"Then, ask her out," Gunther dished out the same advice that Andy had given him earlier.
"I don't know," Andy remarked, "she's got guys dating her all the time."
Gunther laughed, "So my friend, you could be the one that makes her heart go pitter-patter!"
"Shut-up and eat a cookie, and pass me the rest." Andy poured some hot milk in two cups and added the cocoa and sugar, handing a cup to Gunther.
"Cheers for being losers!" Gunther raised his cup.
"Cheers!" Andy replied as he clanked his cup to Gunthers.
Monday morning the two friends heard why no one came to the bonfire. Apparently Kenny Conner and his son, Jason moved from Billees to their own home and some of them were helping with the move.
When Trevor heard that the Landochs' had built a new home and were leaving their row house, he let Kenny know right away. Kenny had stored the little bit of furniture he had brought with him in a trailer and was able to leave it parked in the livery. Kevin met them there and Kenny hauled the trailer over to the row house.
"Dad," Jason asked excitedly, "Is this going to be our new home? Are we going to stay in Hope Valley?" Jason stopped and watched his father's face turn into one big grin.
"Yes sir, looks like it'll be perfect, don't you think?" Kenny answered his son.
"Hot dog!" Jason laughed, "Come out to the backyard and see Frisky has a place to run and play!"
Kenny watched his son run around the backyard and smiled, giving a nod to the man above.
Without delay, Bill was back in Buxton ready to go to work trying to look under stones to see if he and Christopher missed anything. When he arrived, Christopher was on the telephone and waved for him to come into the office.
Bill saw the coffee and grabbed a cup then sat down waiting.
When Christopher hung up he broke into a big smile, "I think we're onto something. You know the elderly Sinclair couple that live next door to Melanie? Well Bill, there is no record of an Ed and Agnes Sinclair!"
Bill almost choked on his sip of coffee, "What? No record in Buxton, or like no record at all?"
"Headquarters worked on it all weekend and didn't find those names anywhere. The most populated provinces of Quebec and Ontario they are still going through, but it's quite probable this couple is not who they say they are," Christopher shared.
"Do we want to take a trip over there?" Bill stood up.
"Yes, we do," Christopher said as he grabbed his Stetson hat, "Let's go!"