Lucky to be loving you

Chapter 31

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Luckily, the melting snow wasn't as much as the last few springs, but the new dam took care of flooding as hoped while it also provided electricity for the area. Now, that spring had taken over the warm southern breezes brought out farmers working in their fields, animal babies making their entrances into the world, and daffodils peeking out of the ground. It also meant that the children were getting very restless in the last quarter of school.

The boys were excited about the new baseball season and looking outside from their school desks was easily noticed by Elizabeth. Tapping her desk with her ruler, she alerted the boys to bring their focus back inside.

"Cooper, what is the answer to the arithmetic problem I just wrote on the chalkboard?"

"Me?" Cooper asked startled.

"Yes, Cooper, you. Please let us all know the answer."

"Um, let's see," Cooper gulped, then he focused on the problem, said his calculations out loud, and answered, "24."

"Very good, Cooper! I'm glad you know your arithmetic so well. Please try to keep your focus inside," Elizabeth turned and smiled so he wouldn't see it. She knew it was a challenge trying to keep the students focused with all of them catching 'spring fever'.

Erasing the chalkboard, she announced, "I think it's time for lunch."

All the students became alert and looked up. Elizabeth was folding her hands and bowing her head praying a quick grace, "Thank you, Lord, for this food, and all the blessings of this day."

"Amen!" the children replied.

"Girls, you can retrieve your lunch pails, followed by the boys."

As the children sat back down at their desks to eat, Will Malone, who was teaching the older children in the other classroom, came in to talk to Elizabeth.

"Hello, Mrs. Thornton, I hope I'm not bothering you," Will asked.

"No, Mr. Malone, we are having our lunch time now. How can I help you?"

Will smiled at Elizabeth and came by her desk. Some of the children were giggling knowing that the two teachers were courting so they were listening closely.

Will quietly asked Elizabeth if she knew of any boys who might be interested in playing baseball. A few of the boys heard the word, baseball, in the conversation and quieted down to try to hear the conversation better.

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, they're chomping at the bit and it's so hard to keep their attention."

"Well, the older boys are outside now doing stretches, so I asked them what they thought about mixing it up with the younger boys, so we have enough to play a game, and they were eager to try."

"That sounds perfect, Mr. Malone. It just might help them to settle down after recess and pay better attention."

When the boys heard that, they all cheered. Elizabeth and Will laughed.

"All right then, send them outside to the back when they're done eating and I'll send the girls by you, if that's all right?" Will suggested.

His idea worked like a charm so from then on, every nice day, that's what they did. The coaches for the Hope Valley Stallions appreciated the extra practice the boys got at school. This year there were quite a few boys and men who gathered to play. Every year the Stallions got bigger with more players and more volunteers. A few of the mothers volunteered to make a schedule of who's turn it was to bring a few treats for the team, while the guys from the Hopefuls, who were coaches, brought lemonade from Billees.

Since Gunther was no longer there to be the umpire, they asked Andy to fill in. Nathan was glad that they included Andy this year. Andy was still lacking some confidence so every opportunity he had to help out, built up his self-assurance.

Just like Gunther, he went over to the library and looked for books on being an umpire. In fact, that's how Gunther got to know Rosaleen. When Rosaleen saw Andy coming in the library she was surprised.

"I don't think I ever saw you in here before," Rosaleen said quizzically.

Andy took off his Stedman hat and nodded, "No you haven't ma'am.

"Oh, don't call me Ma'am Andy, that would be like me calling you Constable. Just call me by my name."

"If you say so, Rosaleen," he grinned, telling her what he was looking for.

When she pulled out the book and handed it to Andy, she told him, "This is the same book Gunther studied. I'm sure you'll do just fine," she smiled.

"Have you heard from him?"

"Just once, he wrote a short letter letting me know that his mother left back home for the farm. He was busy learning as much as he could saying that Sargent Christopher Herrmann was thorough but patient with him. He added that the townsfolk were friendly and accepting of him," Rosaleen shared.

"That's great. I was hoping he'd write, but I should write him. I'll have to tell him that I'm studying to be an umpire now. He'll probably give me a hard time," Andy laughed.

"No doubt he will," Rosaleen's face quickly dropped her smile, "I sure miss him."

"Me too," Andy nodded sadly.

Just then a few girls came in giggling together and started looking through the non-fiction area.

Andy greeted the girls and said thank you to Rosaleen leaving with the book he would be reading as quick as possible.

"Can I help you ladies?" Rosaleen smiled.

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Tatiana and Alicia both came over during Easter break to Andersson's home so they could help Elsa. Alicia showed her younger sister all that she knew about the twin girls. Tatiana remembered how fun it was to help her sister babysit a short time ago when Elsa and William first went out after having the babies.

Now, the sisters were watching the twins for the week. Today Elsa was on her way to Dotty's Apparel. As she walked to town it felt great to be out and about by herself. Those who saw her asked where Julia and Greta were and when she explained they were happy for her to have the opportunity.

Debra Blakely greeted her, "Elsa, it's so great to see you! How did you manage to come here alone?"

"I have the Lipinski girls watching over my babies," Elsa smiled.

"Wonderful! What can I help you with?"

Elsa opened her bag and pulled out her sketches showing Debra. "I have a few ideas, Debra."

"Lovely! You have very pretty designs. I never knew you were into fashion."

"Remember my mother, Ingrid who stayed with me when the girls were born?"

"Yes, she was quite the seamstress and so friendly," Debra smiled.

"That's my mother all right!" Debra grinned, "Watching her create beautiful dresses and blouses, fascinated me as a little girl. I didn't think about it as something I could do, but when she was here with me and naturally stepped in offering to sew wherever she was needed, it stirred up something in me. So, I started sketching some ideas I had when the girls just happened to be sleeping."

"Are you hoping to talk to Dottie? She's the one you'll need to show these to. She does all of the selecting and ordering."

"Debra, I want to have something already created to show her so if you wouldn't mind, will you please show me any material you have?"

"Ah-ha! Follow me," Debra led Elsa to the bolts of material, "There are lots of different fabrics and colors, so what do you have in mind?"

The two women walked around and talked about which material would work the best for the dress that Elsa wanted to sew.

"It's hard to decide, but this time I'll pick the floral pastel for a summer dress."

"I'll let Dottie know you came and why. She'll be expecting you." Debra said as she wrapped the material, lace ribbon, and thread, "Have fun!"

Elsa practically skipped out of the shop, excited to get started.

As she left, John came in.

"John! What a lovely surprise! Aren't you working?" Debra asked.

"No, actually I injured my wrist, so I'm off for a few days according to Dr. Carson. So, I thought to myself, gee. whatever will I do? Then I thought, I can go see my girl!"

"You did?" Debra blushed, "Aren't you the lucky one. It just so happens I'm not busy right now."

That was just what John needed to hear. He walked up to Debra and pulled her in his arms, "So Miss Debra, are we alone?"

"We are Mr. Russo, but I can't say for how long?"

"Well then, I better make this quick," John leaned down and gave Debra a warm tender kiss. As their lips parted, they just looked into each other's eyes with love.

With her heart still racing, Debra stopped to ask, "What happened to your wrist?"

John shrugged, "Don't fuss. It's really nothing. I tripped and tried to catch myself and my wrist took the brunt of it."

Debra furrowed her brows, "Don't you have to ice it or wear a bandage?"

"Yes, I just finished icing it for about 20 minutes at the infirmary. Nothing is broken, I just have to try not using it as much as possible."

The bell on the door rang, and instantly they pulled apart. "I'll pick you up for lunch later," John whispered. He nodded at Brook as he walked past her and closed the door behind him.

Brook nodded in return than smiled at Debra, "Hello Debra, Flo sent me over to ask you if you needed anything ordered for the shop? She'll be putting in an order in a few days."

Debra asked, "Brook, are you enjoying working at the Mercantile?"

"Yes, I am. I'm learning more and more English and learning who is who in town."

"I know Mom sure is relieved to have you. It gives her a chance to do other things that she hasn't had time for, especially with Paul and Darcy moving to town. I'm glad it's worked out for both of you," Debra smiled.

"Me too. It is just part-time, but I like it."

"Good, tell Mom that I'll check with Dottie, she orders our clothing and such, but I can't think of general goods we need for the shop."

"All right," Brook acknowledged. She didn't leave right away though. The new clothing was attracting her and as she slowly walked to the door she ran her hands over some of the ladies' blouses.

"Do you like those, Brook?"

"Yes, so pretty! I have to ask Carl to come see with me. Maybe he let show him," Brook said wistfully. Then she quickly scurried, "I go to work now. Goodbye."

When she opened the door, they both heard a lot of commotion outside. Debra stepped outside with Brook to see what was going on.

They both saw Constable Andy galloping over to the Livery. "Fire!"

Nathan ran over to the Livery where the fire wagon was stored. "Where is the fire?"

"The old hunter's cabin in the woods!" Andy yelled.

"Go and get Henry now! He's our fire chief," Nathan directed.

Bill hearing the commotion too, ran over to Nathan, "What's happening?"

"When on rounds, Andy found the old hunter's cabin on fire!"

"All right, I'll tell Fiona."

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When Bill ran into Nichols and Dimes to tell Fiona, she apologized to Flo who was in the chair having a spa treatment and asked her to just lay still and relax.

"Relax? How can I relax with a fire going on? Wipe my face and let me go to the Infirmary to tell Dr. Carson in case we have any injuries."

Fiona grabbed a towel and quickly wiped Flo's face, "I owe you one! I need to go to the school and ring the bell for help!" Grabbing her light jacket she hurriedly ran straight to the school.

Luckily, Will Malone was there setting up for returning students from Easter break when she arrived. "I'll be ringing the bell, Will let others know there's a fire emergency," Fiona yelled as she whizzed upstairs to the bell tower.

Startled, Will shouted after her, "Where?"

"Hunter's cabin!"

After several big tugs of the bell, Fiona saw she had help arriving as she watched from the tower. Henry had asked a few of the young men in town to go to fire training with him. As taught upon hearing the bell, Kevin Townsend, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all were released from work and sent off to answer the toll of the bell hoping they would be able to help. Gathering outside of the church/school, Fiona ran downstairs to fill them in on what was going on.

Will came over to the group, "Can I help?"

"I'm not sure if you should go. You're not trained," warned Kevin.

Will shook his head, "I'm coming too, more hands make for lighter work," his voice trailed off as he jumped in his automobile.

Dr. Carson came in the ambulance ready to follow the men. As soon as they left Pastor Joseph came.

"I heard the bells ringing, so I got here as quick as I could. What is going on?" he asked.

Right behind Joseph were others from town, all asking the same question.

When the commotion began to slowly quiet down, Joseph asked everyone to pray.

"Let's keep our thoughts on the good Lord. He told Peter to keep his eye on Him when he left the boat, so let's do the same." Holding each other's hands Joseph led them in prayer.

Arriving all together, the men rushed to join Nathan and Andy hooking up the hose to the tank in the firetruck. Henry was checking the property around the cabin and spotted an upside-down wooden crate near one of the windows. Peering inside through the hot window he saw the fire was coming from the stove, where flames were blazing through the windows close by. The cabin was filled with smoke so Henry couldn't see for sure if anyone was inside.

Henry ran to the front of the house and directed Kevin to take the hose and shoot the water through one of the windows that had flames pouring in. Mark had his gloves on so he went to the door of the cabin finding it wasn't locked and cautiously went in covering his face with a scarf. That caused the fire to flare up. Fires feed off of oxygen, so the more oxygen fires have, the more quickly they spread, and he knew he was taking a big chance.

The heat and smoke hurt his eyes. He looked around and called out, "Is anyone here?"

Hearing no response, Henry yelled, "Get out! Now!"

Mark came out sputtering and coughing, "No one is in there."

Sitting down on the ground, Will gave him a drink of water and poured the rest over his head. Dr. Carson came over and checked him out. Mark's hands were slightly burned, and he had minor smoke inhalation.

"Stay put and rest, we've got enough help," Dr. Carson instructed.

Kevin maintained the surge of water aiming it through the window but was getting tired. Andy went over by Kevin and took over the hose so he could rest long enough to catch his breath.

Bill and Lee came driving up with buckets from the Hardware and Garden shop giving everyone a bucket to fill up from water at the nearby stream. Will snapped right to it and quickly a bucket brigade formed. The men worked hard and fast. After a half hour or so, the fire was finally out.

Nathan and Henry walked inside and inspected the charred floors, walls and ceiling. Planks of wood were damaged if not by fire, by smoke.

"Looks like this pot of grease on the stove was the culprit," Nathan told Henry.

Bill and Lee came inside too, while the rest of the men were sitting down outside resting. Thankfully, no one else was injured, as that was the main concern for Nathan.

Bill always the inspector, looked around carefully thinking out loud, "Who was in here and why is a pot of grease on the stove there?"

Nathan suggested, "Could be anyone working for a loan shark looking for a gullible victim who wants to invest in the new development out this way."

Keeping his eyes squinted from the burn in the air, Bill walked around for a few more minutes, spotting a small piece of cloth in the corner of the room. He picked it up and realized it was a handkerchief. Turning it over he saw two embroidered initials on it, "CH".

"Hey, Nathan, look at this," Bill called out.

The two men nodded and walked outside. Andy was waiting for Nathan and the rest of the men were slowly getting up.

Nathan addressed the group, "Thank you for all your help! I think we saved the cabin for future use, but I'll leave that up to Lee for inspection tomorrow. We couldn't have done it without everyone pitching in."

Henry picked up where Nathan left off, "I never wanted to have to use this fire wagon, but I'm so glad we had it. It was a great investment and now I hope we never have to use it again. Again, thank you men for your help."

Carson drove his ambulance back to town as Henry drove the fire wagon and the others followed. When they arrived in Hope Valley, they were greeted by the townsfolk with clapping and cheering. Mayor Fiona was teary-eyed with relief and pride as were others as they hugged the men wet and dirty welcoming them back home.