Lucky to be loving you
Chapter 27
Page 79
Fiona had prepared a pot roast so when James came home to what was her home before the wedding, but was now their place until their new home would be built on the land that James and Fiona had fell in love with. The deed to the land that James had given to Fiona at Christmas was safely tucked away in their safety deposit box at the bank just waiting to be used.
When he walked in and smelled Fiona's cooking he walked up behind his bride and put his arms around her waist. Nestling his lips on her neck, he gave her a kiss and big hug.
"What smells so good?"
"Your favorite, my pot roast. I always can count on it to bring the best out in you," she giggled.
James released his wife and left to grab the plates and set them on the table. "You're right hon, and I can't wait to eat!"
The couple sat down and relaxed after a long day of work for both of them catching up with work from their long honeymoon. James led them in grace and then quickly reached for the roast and the fixings.
"Want a freshly baked roll to dip in the gravy? I picked them up at Minnie's earlier."
"Sure, pass the butter please," As he spread the butter on half the roll he stopped to ask, "What's this I hear about a new development going just west of here?" James asked.
Fiona looked up from her plate with a questioning look on her face, "What did you hear?"
James relayed the information Matthew had shared with him at the dental office, "He said something to the effect that he didn't know if he should say anything because it was just the word going around work."
Putting her fork down, Fiona wiped her mouth with he napkin, looking somewhat surprised, "I'm not quite sure. There was mention recently at the local gathering of mayors before Christmas about more folks heading to our province with the railroad now out this way."
James furrowed his brow, "So this is not widely known now from what I'm gathering?"
"Oh, it is becoming more serious now. There are big investors ready and willing to start a new community. They see potential out here with dollar bills. The problem is vetting these investors and making sure they're on the up and up and not some fly-by-night swindlers."
"Huh, so that's why it's not common knowledge yet," James followed.
"Obviously, it will be soon, if Matthew talked to you openly about it. I'm going to make some telephone calls to verify the status of this tomorrow now that you brought it to my attention."
After dinner, James poured a glass of wine for each of them from a bottle they brought home from France.
Snuggling up in her husband's arms Fiona let out a sigh, "You know we had such a wonderful time in Europe and I hate being back to reality, but I am glad to be home. It's so nice to have you here with me!"
"Yes, and I don't have to leave and go back to that small apartment above the dental office. I swear I could still smell the scents of the office up there," he chuckled, "Now, I get to smell your cooking, and your perfume, and..."
Over at the Taylor house, Violet and Jake had been spoiled with Jake's sister, Ruth making them dinner. Because she enjoyed working as the nanny and housekeeper for the Coulters, she often made dinner for her family while cooking for the Coulters since Rosemary didn't mind at all. But tonight she was out to dinner herself with Luke Polnicki.
Ruth was still very shy, but keeping company with Violet and Jake she had relaxed enough to around their friends. Every time the Hopefuls had an event to host, she enjoyed planning and helping with the activities. At the Valentine's Dance, she had been asked to dance by several of the guys and she enjoyed dancing quite a lot.
Luke had his eye on her ever since they first met, but he too was on the shy side. He had dated a girl or two, but it nothing was serious. His dad had dwelled in
him, "Don't forget there's always more fish in the sea," hoping his son would develop a career before a woman took over his life.
However, now he was stuffing his dad's caution down as he started to see that he might be missing out on more than just work. He found himself dancing with Ruth more than the other girls so it followed that he just burst out asking her out for dinner. After he did, he was embarrassed, but her positive reaction brought a smile to his face and when she agreed he was glad he asked.
Tonight was finally the dinner date. She hadn't said anything to them earlier, because she wasn't sure he meant it. So, when he telephoned earlier to confirm a good time, she ran a quick bath, styled her hair, touched up her dress, and wore a pretty necklace that she had taken from her mom's things that Jake had kept when their parents had passed away. She never wore it out because she didn't ever want to lose it, but tonight was special.
Luke had picked her up before Violet or Jake had returned from work. She quick wrote a note telling her them to warm up the leftovers and promised them a hot dinner the next day. She just said, "Out to dinner!" and signed it with a hug and kiss.
"Hey, Jake, look at this! I think your sister is out on a date!" she squealed.
"Let me look at that," Jake took the note from his wife, "Well, I'll be dog-gone!"
The two of them looked at eachother grinning from ear to ear and hugged.
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Spring had come in like a lion to Hope Valley. West winds fought with the southern winds trying to making an entrance. Old man winter didn't want to give up it's grip and made such a struggle that the skies were angry. The folks were still wrapping up with scarfs and gloves, but when the southern winds broke through there were storms as the northern winds were furious as they retreated.
Although there were times when the storms kept families in the cellars nothing major was destroyed like the time that the O'Neill barn was blown down. Nathan, Gunther, and Andy kept a close eye on all the older barns and silos in the country and were relieved there was no destruction or close calls this year.
"Well, there was a chicken coop that was blown apart," Andy sighed.
"If that's all that happened, we're mighty lucky," Gunther assured him.
"Men, we do have a situation that happens early spring most every year, and that is the swelling of the river. When the snow melts and starts running swiftly joining the river, that's when the spring storms come at the same time, and the river overflows flooding the farmland," Nathan informed them.
"Wait, didn't they build a dam to help control the water from flooding the land?" Andy questioned.
"Yes, you're right, Andy. It is working as well as we expected. So far, so good. However, we always double-check the area to keep the folks content. That's what we will be doing later today," Nathan said as he pushed his chair from his desk and stood up.
Andy asked cautiously, "Sargeant, have you heard any news if I'm being transferred too?"
Nathan stopped and cocked his head, putting his hand on Andy's shoulder he said, "Andy, believe me, if there was any news on that regard, you would be the first to know. As far as I'm concerned, you're staying here unless I hear otherwise."
With a sigh of relief, Andy returned Nathan's reassurance with a big smile. He knew he could relax now. He had watched Gunther gathering his clothes and personal items packing them up as soon as they were washed and dried. Gunther had accepted his new assignment with resignation at first, but now he was actually getting excited. The two of them had fallen asleep talking every night and promised to keep in touch.
Hannah, Gunther's mother, was coming in the very next day to see Gunther off to Buxton. She had wanted to say thank you to Nathan herself, as she was very impressed with Hope Valley when she visited, especially the Grant family. Not knowing if she'd see them all again, she wasted no time in buying a train ticket to Hope Valley. She was also extremely proud of her son being promoted. Nathan had invited her to a small but important ceremony honoring Gunther's promotion. Both Sargeant Grant and Staff Sargeant Christopher Herrmann would be there as well as Judge Bill Avery formally congratulating Gunther, and Mayor Fiona Scholl and good friends would be celebrating too.
Knowing Hannah and Gunther enjoyed cooking, and eating too, there would be a dinner served at Billees with all the country fixings. Bill was already planning on grilling pork ribs on the outside brick roaster along with fried-in-butter potato slices. The rest of the meal would be provided by whoever was willing to bring dishes. As usual the Chickadees were happy to provide various menu items. Of course, Emily and Allie were baking Emily's popular apple strudel which was one of Gunther's favorite desserts.
When Paul and Darcy moved into the farm the Henderson's sold them, they could hardly believe that they were the owner's of their own farm. Grandpa and Grandma Blakely followed through on their promise and sent to them the animals they wanted to stay in the family.
The barn was ready for all the additions. Old Betsy and Mabel, were the heifers that came together like two old ladies who not only chewed their cud, but chewed the fat. Gloria and Myrtle were the prize pigs that had won several contests at the local fair. They checked out their pen, and it met their approval, so they seemed content.
"Paul, look, we have Miss Penelope and Queen Victoria too!" Darcy laughed as she watched them peck around the coop.
"Of course, do you think Grandpa and Grandma would forget them? Never! These all are their babies. This way they know they will be loved."
Darcy went up to Paul putting her arms around her husband, "I hope we enjoy a long life together on this farm."
Paul turned and looked at his new wife, "Darcy we will. I can't wait for Grandma and Grandpa to come here this summer. I want to have a big picnic in our yard with hamburgers, potato salad, watermelon, chocolate brownies, and lemonade. I want to play horseshoes, and have my young cousins, climb that oak tree," he said as he looked around.
"So, do I. I can't wait for that, and may I add someday for our own children to climb that tree too," she smiled broadly.
"You do, do you?" Paul teased, "Maybe, we better start practicing," he winked.
"Paul Blakely! We just got up. It's morning for heaven's sake," Darcy blushed.
Paul scooped up Darcy, "Who cares, Mrs. Blakely? We don't have to answer to anyone," they laughed as he carried his wife back to the farmhouse.
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Fiona took a few minutes in between customers at Nichols and Dimes to make a few telephone calls. Her discussion with James about a new development east of Hope Valley prompted her to check with other local mayors. Her first call to Benson Hill's Mayor Litchfield didn't really shed much light on her question since he too had been busy with Brookfield's own situations, but he agreed that the word was getting around his town too with lots of speculations.
She decided to make one more telephone call before her next customer. This time she called Mayor Fitzgerald of Brookfield. Sarah Fitzgerald was the only other female mayor in the area. She and Fiona prided themselves in representing their towns and were quite the exception in that time period in that part of the country. East near Toronto, there were other females in government, but more as the exception than the rule.
"Hello, Sarah? This is Fiona."
"Yes, Fiona, you're back! How was your honeymoon?" Sarah asked joyfully.
"Amazing! The train and the ocean liner trips were quite experiences themselves, but Europe was fabulous. Why don't you come to my shop, and while I give you a spa treatment I can tell you all about it," Fiona suggested.
"Yes! I'd love to. I'll come by next week, probably Monday. Do you have a time available?"
After making arrangements, Fiona asked Sarah if she knew anything about the new development.
"Yes, in fact, our town is anticipating quite a few new arrivals looking for work. Seems that the province has finally allowed word to go out and there are prospectors scouting the area," Sarah announced.
"This sounds like the cat's out of the bag now that spring has arrived. I imagine Lee Coulter's Lumber Company knows about this since one of his employees mentioned it to James. How about up by you? Any business inquiries?"
"Yes Fiona. Our bank has been approached by a possible investor. Right now, we're checking on his background and working with Constable Gabriel Kinslow. I want to make sure anyone that wants to work on this development is on the up and up."
"Absolutely. When you come Monday, let me know any updates. In the meantime, I'm going to talk with Lee and see what he knows. I'm sure with me gone, he hasn't said much to anyone yet. I suspect we'll be holding a town meeting soon," Fiona thought aloud.
"Don't forget to circle the second Wednesday this month for our Mayors meeting. There will be plenty of discussion then for sure. It'll be here in Brookfield," Sarah concluded.
When Fiona hung up the telephone, she welcomed Rosemary and invited her to have a seat. "Come on in, it's good to see you!"
"Hi there, Fiona!" Rosemary said as she hugged Fiona, "I'm so excited to be here and get the scoop on our Mayor's honeymoon trip to Europe!"
Fiona laughed, "There's only so much a bride can share."
As Rosemary sat, she hardly took a breath, "Fiona Scholl, you are talking to the editor of the Valley Voice and I have exclusive rights to tell your story before any other local newspaper tries to cut in on my territory. So, c'mon spill the beans!"
Fiona stood stunned, but not surprised, "Rosemary, there's so much to say, I don't know where to start."
"From the first morning of your married life, silly!" Rosemary giggled.
After pumping up Rosemary's chair, Fiona literally put her foot down. "That's not to be shared, not even to you. However, I will fill you in on our train ride across Canada to New York, and who we met on the ocean liner, to our whirlwind adventures through Europe. This will take awhile, so let's get your facial going first."
Rosemary sat back and let Fiona do her magic with the facial. As Rosemary allowed the massaging to slow her down, she listened to Fiona's stories from the honeymoon. Rosemary oohed and aahed through it all.
"Well, I know that I have a lot of material to report, but don't you worry, I will not tell all. I know when to stop and say enough is enough, it'll be exciting! I must get busy!"
"Wait, Rosemary, I have to ask you something. Did you or Lee hear anything about a new development starting up in the area?"
Rosemary stopped and looked directly at Fiona, "Why, yes Fiona," Rosemary seemed surprised, "Haven't you?"
Fiona shook out Rosemary's cape and lowered her chair, "Not much. It was mentioned at our local mayor's meeting before Christmas, but I've been so busy with the wedding and the long honeymoon, I've been out of the loop. I hate feeling like this."
"Oh of course, I can imagine, with you being the Mayor and all how left out you feel," Rosemary started back in high gear, "Well, dear, there's definitely plans for a new community, just east of here with quite a few prospectors, surveyors, architects, and the like who have been busy figuring, wheeling, and dealing! Lee has already been contacted about how fast he can provide lumber."
"Whoa, wait, what about roads, electrical, telephone lines etc.?" Fiona was a bit dumbfounded.
"It's already in progress now. Once the snow melted and the ground started thawing, everything started happening. It's so exciting!" Rosemary squealed.
Fiona stepped aside to let Rosemary get going to her job at the Valley Voice, "Thanks for the update, I need to get more information. I think I'll stop by to talk to Lee later, is he in the office today?"
"Yes, up to his neck in lumber quotes," Rosemary laughed.
"Well, I don't want to bother him," Fiona hesitated.
"No problem, Fiona. You know you're welcome any time," Rosemary flashed Fiona a big smile as she rushed back to the Valley Voice office.
