Lucky to be loving you

Chapter 25

Page 73

Fiona and James were having the time of their life! They were on a whirlwind tour of Europe in which every day was a new adventure they enjoyed. Fiona kept a journal of all the places they went and their activities. Fiona was like a little girl in a candy shop, fascinated with all the different shops, architecture, and fast pace of England. Liverpool kept them quite interested and they enjoyed the famous fish and chips Fiona had heard about.

Of course, James made it a priority for them to tour Buckingham Palace which was his wife's main request for England. The tour was amazing.

"James, it's so enchanting here! I feel like Cinderella with her Prince Charming arriving at the Palace!" Fiona giggled.

"Don't run away to your carriage, I don't want to lose you!" James whispered in Fiona's ear as he kissed her forehead.

Fiona smiled, "No way, you're stuck with me!" she assured him as she put her arm through his.

The two spent most of the day walking the beautiful gardens even though it was February since London didn't have any snow, so they warmed up while inside enjoying the tour. Inside they were given a cup of hot tea and biscuits.

James pointed out the designs of the entranceways from room to room along with the paintings. The décor of marble, chandeliers, and huge fireplaces presented a grand appearance.

"This is quite elegant, but to tell you the truth, it's too formal for me," Fiona admitted, "but it's appealing to see!"

"Would you like to go to the gift shop?" James inquired.

"Yes, silly, need you ask?"

As they continued the tour and finally reached the gift shop, Fiona was immediately thinking of Christy O'Neill, her matron of honor, who grew up living in the old drafty Lipinski farmhouse in the country of Hope Valley. She wanted to bring her back something elegant and hoped to find something at the Palace.

Looking around at the souvenirs, Fiona and James picked out some postcards to send back home. James found one for his parents right away as if it wasn't for them their wedding reception and this incredible honeymoon wouldn't have been so nice. Fiona looked for a lighthearted one for her father and brothers. It had been so heartwarming to see them after so many years that she was almost sad to leave on her honeymoon. She vowed to them, that she would visit later that year. Never again would she let so much time go by without contacting or visiting her family.

Fiona spotted the jewelry and led James over to look.

"Are you looking for something in particular?" he asked, following her eyes.

"Nothing gaudy for Christy, but delightful like her, for sure," she replied.

Glancing through the rings and the necklaces, she stopped by the bracelet case. She spotted a charm bracelet with one charm of the Buckingham Palace already attached.

While looking for the price, James asked her, "Is this what you want for Christy?"

"It certainly is, but I don't know how much it is yet," Fiona answered.

That's all James needed to hear, as he waved for the attendant to help them.

"But James, we don't know how much it is," Fiona started to protest.

James patted her hand, "It doesn't matter, honey. If this is what you want to get her, it's perfectly fine. In fact, I'll ask them to gift wrap it for us."

Fiona looked up at her husband. This man was as kind as he was handsome, and she felt she married the most handsome man in Hope Valley.

Just like Lana had hoped, Trevor drove her home after the Valentine's Dance, but before he would let her out of his automobile, he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. He stared into her eyes. Lana sensed he was excited and was setting the stage for something important he wanted to tell her. She in return caught the thrill in the air.

Lana was anxious and excited waiting in anticipation as to what he wanted, hoping he wanted the same thing as she did.

He was so handsome, especially in the moonlight. Trevor too was captivated by her eyes that sparkled when the light hit her face. "Lana, I hope you love me as much as I love you."

Lana nodded, "I do, I love you too, Trevor."

"When I'm with you, I am overjoyed, but I dread having to leave you. So, I've come to realize, now that you're back from nursing school, I can't live without you any longer, I want you to be my wife." Trevor gulped. "Will you do me the honor and marry me?"

"Yes! Trevor, yes!" she answered with no hesitation.

Trevor reached in his pocket and brought out a box. He lifted the top and inside was a small diamond engagement ring. Quickly, he said, "I know it's not much, but I promise to get you a bigger one."

Lana shook her head, "I want this one," she answered with a huge smile as she held out her left hand.

Trevor grinned and placed the ring on her finger. As they both looked down at the ring together a tear of happiness slowly trickled down Lana's cheek. In an instant, Trevor was kissing it away.

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Peter was very grateful to his cousin, Bill for providing such an incredible fun dance at Billees causing Melanie and him both to become more comfortable with each other. When he drove Melanie home, he escorted her to the door. Melanie hesitated before going inside giving Peter a chance to say goodnight.

"Thank you very much for taking me to the dance tonight. I really enjoyed myself, Peter!"

Looking at Melanie, he recognized that she was indicating that she was thinking of him as possibly more than just a friend. He could see it in her smile.

"Thank you, Melanie, for coming with me. I didn't know what to expect, as I'm not much of a dancer at all," Peter shuffled his feet and laughed.

Joining in his laughter, Melanie replied, "Your cousin, Bill, and his wife, Molly were so nice to me and so were Sargent Grant and Dee! I can't believe she asked me to join her and Molly on the dance floor and taught me the Charleston."

Peter whistled, "Yeah, you gals were kicking up lots of fun on the dance floor!"

Melanie grew quiet and said, "Peter, it was a wonderful night!"

Peter nodded, "It was, wasn't it?" Peter stepped closer and a bit awkwardly he leaned down and kissed Melanie. As soon as their kiss ended, he wanted to kiss her again, but instead stepped off the porch, "See ya soon!" Then he smiled and turned to walk to his automobile.

"See you soon!" Melanie waved and went inside. Her mother and brother had already gone to bed. She stood with her back against the door and grinned. Letting out a little giggle, she waltzed her way upstairs to her bedroom.

Taking off her earrings, she looked into the mirror and said, "Miss Melanie, I think you better not wipe off your lipstick or you'll wipe off Peter's kiss."

She closed her eyes and waltzed around the room reliving the evening and smiling. The last horrible months held captive in that basement were starting to fade from her memory being replaced by sweet thoughts of her future, hopefully with Peter.

Peter drove silently back to his place but he couldn't shake off that smile that was stuck on his face. He was so glad Bill had convinced him to bring Melanie to the Valentine's Dance. It was a good breakthrough for both of them and he felt they might have a future together after all.

Elsa and William had come home to find Alicia and her sister, Tatiana asleep on the sofa. Their heads touching together in the middle they had snuggled up with the quilt Elsa's mother had made for her family. When Alicia heard them, she stirred and nudged her sister to wake up.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we fell asleep reading after putting the twins down," Tatiana apologized as she sat up.

"There's nothing to worry about. We didn't expect you two to be awake, it's late," Elsa reassured the girls. "How did it go tonight?"

Tatiana spoke, "It was fun. Greta and Julie enjoyed watching my sister and I sing to them and making faces."

Alicia added, "Well, of course, it was after we fed them and bathed them first. When I tried to read a story to them, they were more interested in playing with the book than listening to the story."

Elsa smiled, "They will someday soon enough. I'm glad they were good for you!"

"We rocked them to sleep," Tatiana shared.

Just then William came down the stairs and smiled, "They're still sound asleep. Great jobs girls!"

"I checked with Katie Yost, and she will let us start our babysitting group. Other girls in our Girl Guides troop want to join and we can earn badges too!" Alicia said.

"That's wonderful. I'm sure there will be more parents that would like your help. Thank you both again. William will drive you home. Good night girls," Elsa said as she hugged them.

The next day after the dance, Trevor was invited to the Peterson farm for dinner. Lana knew Trevor wanted to ask her parents for their blessing on their engagement, so she asked if they wouldn't mind if Trevor came. She had been excited all day but didn't say a word to anyone in her family, not even her sister, Lisa.

When she heard the knock at the door, she rushed to get it. Dan, her father laughed, "Slow down Lana don't break a leg, I'm sure Trevor isn't going anywhere."

As Lana opened the door, she practically leapt into Trevor's arms, but he was holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hello, Lana! These are flowers for the dinner table."

"Come in, come in," she smiled fondly as she took the bouquet.

Dan shook Trevor's hand, "How's business, son?"

"My automobile shop is doing great. The work has been steady, and Kenny has been a great employee. Folks like his work and are asking for him so we've been getting more business from out-of-town," Trevor said proudly.

Lana found a vase and put the flowers in it placing it on the dining table which was all set for dinner. Lisa and Walter came inside from the stables and joined them.

Gail offered them a cup of coffee, "This should help warm you up." Looking at Trevor, she asked, "Can I get you a cup, Trevor?"

"No thank you," he answered nervously.

"Come and sit down, it'll be half an hour or so before dinner is ready," she waved to everyone.

Grabbing Lana's hand and giving it a squeeze, Trevor sat down next to her. He looked at her and nodded with a huge smile.

Trevor cleared his throat, "Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, Lisa, Walter, we have something to share with you all. When I brought Lana home last night from the Valentine's Dance, I asked her to do me the honor of marrying me, and she said yes."

Trevor gulped and waited. Watching everyone's positive expression, he felt relieved and continued looking directly at Gail and Dan, "If you would please give us your blessing, we both would be very happy."

There was silence for just a few seconds when Gail and Dan jumped up so Gail could hug Trevor and Dan shook his hand. Then they turned their attention to their daughter.

"Of course, you both have our blessing! We are thrilled! Lana, why didn't you say anything?"

"Dad, Trevor wanted to ask for your blessing first. We wanted to both ask together."

Lisa was clapping her hands, "We should have a double wedding!"

Walter clapped Trevor's shoulder, "Very good! I expect a discount on my automobile maintenance," he laughed.

"Put down the coffee, this calls for a glass of wine!"

Page 75

As Gunther strode into the RCMP office, Sargent Grant was sitting behind his desk waiting for him.

"Good morning, sir," Gunther greeted Nathan.

"Good morning. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat," Nathan said as he pointed to the chair across from his desk.

As Gunther poured his coffee, Andy followed right behind and entered the office.

"Good morning, sir," Andy said cheerfully, "Looks like a grand day today!"

"Yes, it does. Help yourself to a cup of coffee, Andy," Nathan offered.

When their cups were full, the young Mounties waited for instructions from Nathan.

Having put the latest letter from Headquarters on his desk, he was ready to share the news.

"Men, you two have been very good Mounties while here in Hope Valley. I said it before and I'll say it again, you both make me proud!"

"Thank you, Sargent!" Andy spoke up.

"Yes, thank you. Living in Hope Valley makes it easy," Gunther added.

Andy teased, "Having a crush on a certain redhead in town does make it easier indeed!"

Gunther gave Andy a scornful look who in turn was chuckling.

Nathan grinned. These two got along just great and he felt fortunate to have both of them together but now things were going to change. He wasn't happy about that in the least, but it was needed.

"Gunther, I received a letter from Headquarters and just got off the telephone confirming their correspondence. Your name was brought up concerning the time you were honored for your swift and brave conduct while on the train during the robbery. It seems that impressed a few of the Superintendents."

Gunther sat waiting in anticipation of what his Sargent was leading up to. Thinking back to the train robbery, he acted quickly and saved the passengers on board who were relieved when the crisis was over. In fact, one of them, a businessman who had carried a large amount of money with him on a trip to complete a deal, was especially grateful. When he followed up with a written letter full of gratitude, Headquarters kept it in Gunther's file but not before several officers read it.

The timing had arrived for Gunther to be transferred. It was bittersweet for Nathan. He had come to know Gunther's mother when she visited, and he knew he would miss having Hannah around on the holidays. She had hit it off with his folks and the other seniors in town and was quite the happy-go-lucky lady whom the town had come to love.

But what was Nathan's sorrow most of all, was not having Gunther himself here. He knew he could count on him, and he knew that his assistance with all the events of town, like coaching baseball for the young boys here or helping to host a dance or holiday festivity with the Hopefuls would be missed.

Nathan cleared his throat, then looking at Gunther directly he spoke with his eyes as well as his voice, "Gunther, not only your quick thinking during the train robbery, but the way you handled yourself with courage when the Tolliver gang were here threatening Elizabeth, has been recognized. So now you are being rewarded and transferred to a new town." With that, he handed Gunther his letter from Headquarters.

"What town is this?" Gunther shook his head in confusion when he finished reading.

"Buxton," Nathan answered watching Gunther's reaction closely.

"Why Buxton?" Gunther asked.

Andy was all ears wondering if he was going to be transferred too. Gunther was in the class ahead of him and was honored for his bravery, so he deserved a new position, and he was happy for him. But it was going to be lonely without him.

Nathan leaned forward and explained, "When Judge Avery worked on his cousin, Peter's case, he worked with retired Staff Sargent, Christopher Herrmann in Buxton. The town hadn't assigned any Mounties there at that time yet, so Christopher was called back to duty, which he accepted. He's been filling in there until the position is filled."

Gunther stared at Nathan and then at Andy with a look of shock across his face, "So, I'm going to be the new Mountie there?"

"Yes, I received a letter too, followed by a telephone call confirming your transfer. Staff Sergeant Herrmann will be there to help you get established and guide you."

Gunther sat back in his chair and thought quietly. Rosaleen! What was going to happen to them?

Andy in a different train of thought quickly asked, "Will another Mountie be coming here?"

"I haven't heard anything like that at this point. However, if I do, you will be the first to know."

"When do I leave for Buxton?" Gunther wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Nathan stood up, "I will telephone Staff Sergeant Herrmann and we will make arrangements. I know he will be anxious to have you on board so he can finally enjoy his retirement."

"So, what should I do now?" Gunther wondered.

"Just go about your rounds for now. Enjoy the day together. I should have an answer for you later today," Nathan smiled. With that, he shook Gunther's hand, and Andy's too. "Make me proud!"