Lucky to be loving you
Chapter 13
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When Christopher pulled up to Melanie's house there was something that seemed off. "Before we go knocking on the Sinclair's door, I want to go inside Melanie's home first," he told Bill.
"I noticed there's a light coming from the back of the house," Bill shared, "Was that on before?"
"That's what caught my eye too. It's daylight out, but I still got a glimpse of it."
The two men cautiously approached the house surveying the area as they went. There looked like footprints in the mud close to the side of the gravel driveway. In the back of the house, sure enough, the outside light next to the door was on.
Christopher, without saying a word, quietly went up the porch steps while Bill had him covered following right behind him. The backdoor was unlocked, so Christopher went right in. Quickly scanning the kitchen and the living room, he nodded for Bill to follow him inside.
"Doesn't look as if anyone has been in this area," Christopher whispered.
Bill nodded as he too examined the rooms. Christopher slowly walked towards the stairs and then turned abruptly as the floor creaked underneath him. Waiting to see if anyone else heard him he hesitated before he took the first step upstairs.
When nothing came of it, Christopher took one step at a time slow and steady.
He quickly looked into the two bedrooms and saw no one. Waving for Bill to follow he entered the second bedroom first where he found everything in order. There was just a single bed, small dresser, and a chair.
Bill entered the bathroom and at first it looked just like he saw it last, but he noticed the basket on the shelf was now sitting in the sink. "What the heck?" he questioned.
Christopher came and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"This. This basket with women's pins and clips, why is it sitting in the sink?" Bill queried.
"That wasn't there before," Christopher nodded. "Someone's been up here looking for something."
Going into Melanie's bedroom, the dresser had a drawer left open which brought both of them in closer.
"You're right, it looks like someone was definitely looking for something," Bill agreed, "all the clothes are messed up and none are folded."
The two men took a mental picture of what they saw and Christopher took notes.
"Let's go over to the Sinclairs and see if they have seen anyone around here lately," Christopher said.
When they left, they locked the door behind them and turned off the back porch light.
Walking next door, the men noticed it was quiet. As they walked up to the front porch and knocked on the door they didn't notice any movement inside. Knocking harder again they waited and then walked further down the porch that covered the whole front of the house. Looking inside, they were surprised to see that the house looked rather empty.
"What do you see?" Bill asked.
"Not much, maybe a table and a sofa," Christopher pulled his face away from the window and looked at Bill, "this looks mighty strange."
Bill took a turn and peered inside, "You're right, it's as if no one has been here. Do you think the Sinclair's left?"
"Could be. Maybe they left a forwarding address, but I highly doubt it. They might be on the run if they had anything to do with Melanie's disappearance. Let's go around to the back."
There was no automobile parked outside either. Seeing the back door, they headed to it only to find it locked. Knocking on that door, they didn't hear a sound. One more time Christopher pounded on the door to no avail. Giving up, they knew they couldn't break inside without a good reason, so they started back to their automobile parked next door.
Bill stopped Christopher as they passed by the side of the house. "Christopher, wait! Do you see a faded light barely shining from the basement window?"
Christopher stopped to look closer. Kneeling down so he could see inside, he crouched enough to peek. There was a curtain valance or some cloth over the window so he couldn't get a good look. "I can't see anything clearly but you're right, there is a light on."
Christopher knocked on the window but all he heard was the window rattling. "Not a sound," he shook his head.
"Try it again, louder this time," Bill encouraged him.
This time Christopher picked up a stone and hit the glass window. That made a louder sound. Both of the men crouched in complete silence waiting patiently. Then they both thought they heard something.
Christopher got up as tightly as possible to listen and hit the glass with the stone a bit harder careful not to break it. Listening with his ear up to the window he waited. There it was again, a muffled voice! Bill heard it too.
"It sounds like someone is trying to say something," Christopher raised his eyebrows. Bill agreed.
The faint noise from tires crunching the gravel of the road warned them that someone was approaching from down the street. Bill and Christopher ran back to Melanie's house where their automobile was parked. Both of them hopped in and pulled out. Christopher took off his Stetson hat knowing it would give them away and donned his sunglasses before they passed by the other automobile. Going slowly down the road Christopher watched in the rearview mirror as the automobile pulled into the Sinclair driveway.
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As they turned around the bend, Christopher stopped his automobile and looked at Bill, "Did you see the couple in the front seat of the automobile that passed us going the other way?"
"Sure did." Bill nodded.
"They pulled into the Sinclair's driveway. I am considering going back to talk to them."
Bill asked, "Do you intend to tell them that we know they aren't who they say they are?"
"Not yet. I want to tell them we are still investigating Melanie's disappearance and are following up with them. My hopes are that we can make it look like we have a lead so they'll think we want to have a discussion and will invite us in," Christopher explained.
"They probably won't let us in as that'll blow their cover with so little furniture inside," Bill countered, "If they recognized your automobile, then they might be already planning on moving her," Bill shook his head.
"True. Then I'll need a judge who will order a search warrant. Do you know anyone?" Christopher joshed Bill.
"I think I might," Bill gave Christopher a crooked grin. "Let's get back to your office and we'll get this going. I have a high suspicion that the noise we heard coming from their basement just might be Melanie."
"Exactly. We have to get inside and find out as soon as possible."
Back at the RCMP office, Bill telephoned headquarters to explain to him why he needed immediate approval for a search warrant.
"Yes, this is Judge Bill Avery. I know I'm not a nuetral party but I know that a woman's life is in danger. I have just cause to believe that she is quite probably in harm's way. I need authorization to proceed immediately," Bill was drumming his fingers on Christopher's desk as he waited for approval.
"What? A week? No! This needs to be taken care of now," Bill demanded, "Let me speak to your supervisor!"
Bill shot Christopher an angry look shaking his head and muttering, "Damn red tape."
Finally, Bill perked up, "Chief Superintendent Sir, I am sorry to bother you, but..."
Bill gulped. "Officer meeting? Oh, I understand how busy you are, and I..."
Christopher's eyes were as round as saucers as he heard Bill grovel a bit trying to explain his demands. "Yes sir. Of course. I will. Thank you, Sir." Bill hung up the telephone and let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Well?"
"I got a talking to, but the Chief seemed to understand my persistance. If I want the search warrant, I must pick it up myself tomorrow morning in Edmonton," Bill told Christopher.
"After all these years of working with you, I couldn't believe how you groveled. I had to hear it to believe it," Christopher joked.
"Hey, it worked. I just hope and pray nothing happens in the meantime."
"Bill, I'm going to go back at night. I want to keep an eye on that house. Let's grab some dinner before you head off."
Back in Hope Valley, Rick O'Neill took his lunch break to go over to the Hope Valley Bank and talk with Carl about a loan for the land he and Christy spotted.
"Hello Rick, have a seat," Carl said as they shook hands. "How are you?"
Rick answered, "Busy with two little ones," he grinned.
"I imagine," Carl thought about how nice it would be if Brook had been able to carry their baby. Snapping out of his thoughts, he asked, "So, did you find some land to build on?"
"We did. It's a parcel out where the Landoch's built. It's part of Bill's territory," Rick said.
"Did you bring a record of your earnings with you as we talked about last time?"
Rick gave him the information, and he told Carl the price for the parcel.
Carl scratched some figures on paper.
Rick felt he had to remind Carl, "I know our savings is just enough to buy the land, but we asked my father to sign for the loan so we can buy the supplies to build.
"Yes, I have your father's signature as a co-signer of the loan, so it should be approved. However, I have to say, it's your father's signature that is making this possible. I hope you realize you'll have a monthly payment on the mortgage that you will be responsible for, and if you default on it, then your father will also have the responsibility to pay on it," Carl wanted to make sure Rick understood.
Rick swallowed hard, "I understand. It's my debt, and I will own it. My work is consistent so it shouldn't be a problem."
"I'll take this up with Mr. Jensen and the board. I'll be leaving to go out of town with my wife soon, so I'll make sure to take care of this. We'll have word one way or the other by the end of the week." Carl said as he stood up to walk Rick out.
Harper was out delivering the Valley Voice and the mail. He hoped he was going to make some people very happy. When he sorted the mail, he saw letters from Robert to his family and to Allie. He knew Allie had been waiting to hear from him. She happened to be working at the Mercantile Switchboard so he was able to give Allie her letter right away. He waited for her to open the letter to see if his friend was all right.
"Yes! Harper, Robert will be home soon for the Christmas holiday. I can't wait!" Allie let out a "yippee!"
"That's great!" Harper smiled. "It'll be good to see him. I'll talk to you later!"
Next, Harper went to the Peterson farm to give Lisa a letter from Walter Gleixner. Lisa had missed Walter so much since he left for medical school. Every day she would hold up her left hand and twirl around staring at her engagement ring. Now he told her he would be home for Christmas. She was thrilled!
Her parents also got a letter from her sister, Lana. She had been away studying at nursing school and she too would be home for Christmas. Her boyfriend, Trevor got a letter too saying the same thing.
His last stop was at the Gleixner household where he had a letter from Walter letting his parents know he would be home for Christmas. Harper enjoyed his deliveries today. The letters brought a smile to everyone's face brightening their day!
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Dee was stirring in her sleep. She was dreaming that she had come down with a stomach virus and the pressure in her belly was great. She tried to get to the bathroom, but she couldn't get there. This was causing her to panic, why couldn't she get there?
Nathan felt her moving and heard her moaning. Turning over he looked at Dee and knew she was dreaming, so he quietly whispered, "Sweetheart?"
Dee heard her husband's voice in her dream and reached for him to help her, but instead he was hugging her? "Nathan!" she cried when she woke up.
Trying to sit up, she struggled. "Dee, are you all right?" Nathan asked.
Dee stopped and looked at her husband and looked around the room. Realizing she had been dreaming she started to tell him what she was dreaming about. Then she felt it again. "Nathan, I might have a stomach virus! I have so much pain, I think it's gas. Help me downstairs please."
Nathan slipped on his trousers and walked to Dee's side of the bed, "What did you eat?" he questioned.
"Nothing unusual. Your mother cooked her favorite sauerbraten, but I avoided the sauerkraut. I'm sure once I use the bathroom, I'll be much better."
As Nathan held his wife's hand, he steadied her as she walked down the stairs. She winced a few times and even stopped for a minute to wait for the gas pain to subside. "I sure hope this is temporary. I don't want anyone else to catch this," she sighed.
When she went into the bathroom, Nathan waited in the living room for her. He was tired so he sat on the sofa hoping Christopher wouldn't wake up. Before he could stop himself, he dozed off. When he snapped his head down, that woke him up. The clock had just chimed and it was already 15 minutes later. Looking at the bathroom, he saw the light was still on.
Walking over, he knocked and called out, "Dee? Sweetheart?"
"Nathan, I don't know why, but I'm still having gas pains even though I already went," Dee was upset. "I don't want to keep you, just go on back to bed, I'll be all right."
Nathan noticed that Dee was perspiring and was restless. "I'll be right back," he told her.
Going to the telephone, he called Violet and woke her up. He apologized, but she assured him that being a midwife it was to be expected. After listening to what Nathan described, they both felt that Dee was in labor.
"I'll be over shortly. I'll let Dr. Faith know so she's aware, in case I need her. Just try to help Dee with her pain. I don't want her pushing. I want her to relax."
Nathan hung up the telephone and walked back to Dee, "Dee, I telephoned Violet to let her know about your pain, so she agrees that you need to have her check you out."
"Nathan, I hate to bother her in the middle of the night," she sighed.
"Dee, did you ever think that maybe you aren't getting sick with a stomach virus, but instead are in labor?" he grinned watching her reaction.
Dee shook her head. "This isn't at all what I experienced with Christopher!"
"Don't I remember," he chuckled. "We were at the town Christmas tree lighting and I lost track of you, but finally, I found you at home with Dr. Faith."
Dee smiled, "Yes, but you got there just in time to see Christopher born! I'll never forget," she closed her eyes thinking of that time so preciously guarded in her heart.
Nathan added, "I was so worried about you. Your labor was hard and fast that time. Christopher was determined to come as quickly as he could!" Nathan grabbed Dee's hand, "Sweetheart, let me take you back to our bed. Violet should be here any minute."
It took a few minutes and one long wait as Dee waited out a contraction on one of the stairs. Once up in the bedroom, Nathan helped her back in bed. He then put on his shirt, socks, and shoes just in case they would need to leave for the hospital.
Violet was there quickly as promised. When she came, Emily heard her and stepped out of her bedroom. When she saw Violet, she looked questionilly at her son, "Is baby bun coming?" she smiled.
Nathan answered, "We sure hope so!" Violet nodded and went upstairs by Dee.
Emily put on the tea kettle, thinking Nathan would appreciate a hot cup, while he waited downstairs with his mother. Nathan was pacing, so anxious for the baby to make the arrival. When Emily had his tea ready, they sat at the table together and talked.
Emily grabbed Nathan's hand and reassured him that Dee was in good hands. "You were my second baby, you know. Your father was all worked up just like you are now. We were on the farm and even though I had a midwife, there was a snowstorm and she wasn't able to get to our home. Your father was a fret. He knew he had to help deliver you."
"What? You never told me that!" Nathan was shocked as he leaned forward.
"Yes, your father was trying to calm me down even though he was scared too. He rubbed my back and made me as comfortable as possible. When it was time for me to push, he knelt down next to me and watched and waited. Little by little you came, but the last push you flew out and right into your dad's welcoming hands."
Nathan was fascinated and tried to imagine what his mother was telling him.
"He quickly dried you off with a towel, and you let out a very loud cry that woke up your sister, Colleen. Dad laid you on me and you were content for a bit. He cut the cord and cleaned me up. We were exhausted but thrilled," Emily had a few tears trickling down her cheeks.
Nathan just sat back and shook his head, "Mom, thank you for sharing this. I love you, Mom."
Emily smiled warmly at her son.
"Nathan," Violet quietly called.
Nathan got up and kissed his mom on her forehead and rushed upstairs to be with Dee.
"I want you to rub Dee's back. She's been in labor for a while. That she slept through the first phase is a first for me and her! She's fully dilated, so it's just a matter of time."
"Honey, I'm so glad you called Violet. I never had back labor with Christopher, so this was quite different." Nathan wiped Dee's face with the wet cloth and gave her a tender kiss.
The contraction started and she had the urge to push. Violet told her to go ahead and she did. Falling back on the bed, Dee moaned. Nathan offered to sit behind her and support her. Instead, Violet suggested, "I think you better let me handle this now, Nathan. You might join Emily."
Dee smiled at Nathan and soon another contraction came. Nathan hesitated, but went down by his mother. "I only rubbed her back for a few minutes before the contractions started. Violet sent me down here. I just want to stay with my wife."
Emily bowed her head, "Good Lord, please give Dee strength and bring forth a healthy, beautiful new little one. We ask in Jesus' name."
Nathan added, "Amen."
Their prayer was answered immediately with a soft cry from the bedroom. Nathan wasted no time, taking the stairs two by two. When he looked in, there was Dee holding their baby.
"A girl, sweetheart!" she grinned.
"A girl? Oh honey!" Nathan rushed over and looked down with such love at his daughter. "She's just as beautiful as her mother!" he said as he kissed Dee.
"You want to hold her?"
Nathan held his arms out and looked carefully at this precious baby that Dee and him had created. He brought her close to his cheek and whispered. "Welcome to this family little one. You are so loved!"