Saturday, DECEMBER 25,1909
The following day, the four ladies headed for the train station. They left a bit early so that Catherine could send a telegram letting Moira know of their earlier arrival. Faith went with Catherine to the telegraph office so that Agatha and Elizabeth could have some final moments alone.
"Are you nervous, dear?" her aunt asked as they watched the chauffeur hand the bags to their porter.
"I am a bit nervous, Aunt Agatha, but I am excited too!" Elizabeth said with a smile. "I trust you and Aunt Catherine, especially since she knows the family, and I think I'm in good hands. I am worried about what Father will say when he finds out. How are you going to tell him?"
"I'm going to start with you were feeling indisposed and chose to stay in bed for the day. If he decides to look for you, then, of course, I will tell him. Otherwise, I plan to mail this letter before I leave and get ready for the Thatcher Christmas luncheon. By the time he gets it, you will be Mrs. Nathan Grant, and it will be finished." Agatha said. "Just be happy, my sweet girl,"
"Moira seems wonderful from what Catherine says," Agatha said.
"Yes, she does. She told Aunt Catherine not to worry about what I didn't know about taking care of a family. She will help me learn what I need to know before Nathan and I are posted elsewhere. I only wish you were coming with me, Aunt Agatha. Maybe when I get settled, you can come to meet my new family?"
"Elizabeth, sweetheart, I promise I will catch the first train west once you are settled." Her aunt replied. "Remember that Catherine will be with you for the first two weeks, and I am only a phone call away."
"That does make this whole thing less scary. Plus, I will have Faith with me too." Elizabeth said. "I would love to be a fly on the wall when Father finds out about me marrying a Mountie and moving out west.
"Trust me. I will write you a series of letters and mail them once you arrive." Her aunt replied with a grin. "Frankly, I look forward to your mother's reaction even more. I daresay we will need Thompson to have the smelling salts handy,"
Elizabeth giggled and said, "I left letters for them that are more personal when you think they are receptive."
"I shall collect them and keep them safe for you until then. Now before you go, there's something I want you to know. You are not without the means to take care of yourself and your family. I know you weren't aware of it, but you are my heir, although I do have some set aside for your sisters as well."
Elizabeth started to protest, but Agatha settled her. "I have set up an account for you and deposited some money. Elizabeth, consider it a wedding present from Aunt Catherine and me. Once you are married, Aunt Catherine will see that Nathan's name goes on it too. Whether you touch it or save it is entirely up to you and your husband. I want you to know that you can always count on me if you need anything."
"Oh, Aunt Agatha, I am going to miss you so much," Elizabeth said, hugging her aunt.
"Not as much as I will miss you now that I'll be stuck attending endless social events without someone to keep me company." Her aunt said.
Elizabeth laughed and said, "I'm sure Julie would be more than happy to sit with you and make up gossip stories about everyone."
"She isn't quite the storyteller that you are, though, my dear," Agatha said.
They were interrupted by Catherine and Faith returning and the conductor calling for them to board. Elizabeth's heart started pounding, and butterflies formed in her stomach as she realized she would come face-to-face with her husband and new daughter in three days.
The goodbyes were said quickly, and Catherine ushered them up the steps of the train. They paused to look out the window at Agatha and waved as the train departed the station. Agatha stayed there for a few minutes after the train departed to say a quick prayer before climbing into the backseat of the car and going home. After meeting their butler for the trip, the ladies quickly settled in the private family car, promptly took off their shoes and coats, and fell asleep.
Nathan had just finished cleaning up the lunch dishes when there was a knock at the door, followed by Gabe coming in. "Nathan, I was in town finishing rounds, and a telegram came for me from Mrs. Hendricks. They have departed this morning instead of tomorrow, so they shall be here in three days."
"Oh, we must let the pastor know, and then we will need to prepare for their arrival," Moira said, coming out of the kitchen when she heard the news. Glenda mentioned wanting to have a little reception for the four of you after your marriage. Maybe we could have it that evening they arrive on the 28th since that will be your wedding day. That will give you a few days until the New Year celebrations to settle in as couples. Catherine and I can stay home and watch Allie while you show off those wives of yours." Moira said with a grin.
Nathan's heart pounded, and he felt the butterflies that always came when he thought of Elizabeth Thatcher, soon to be Grant.
It still boggled his mind that he would be married on the 28th. Getting married was something a few days ago he thought was beyond him. He smiled as he recalled the peace he felt when he agreed to accept Elizabeth as his wife. Though he was nervous, he was excited too and remembered they needed to tell Allie. When he mentioned it to his mother, she surprised him by saying that she had already done that.
"What was her response?" Nathan asked.
"She didn't quite understand it at first, but then, when I explained that she would be her aunt and help you. It was a bit funny, though, when she asked if she would share her room."
Nathan turned red and squeaked, "What did you say to her?"
Moira didn't miss a beat and said, "I told her that she needed to ask you where her aunt would be sleeping."
"You didn't! MA!" Nathan said, horrified at the prospect of having to explain things to his niece. His face and ears turned beet red as he pictured the conversation.
"Yep, I sure did right after I told her that Elizabeth would sleep with you, and Allie asked me why?" Moira teased, enjoying her son's embarrassment.
Nathan looked like he was about to pass out, so his mother took pity on him and said, "Relax, Nathan, my boy. I told her that aunts and uncles share rooms when they marry." Nathan let out a huge sigh of relief and just shook his head at his amused mother.
"We need to prepare the guest room for Catherine to stay in, and then you will need to clear space in your room for Elizabeth's things. We also need to help Gabe fix up the cabin for Faith to have room for her things too. We don't want to dawdle because the 28th will be here before you know it." Moira advised.
The next few days went by in a blur as Moira had Nathan and Gabe running around in a mad dash to get things ready. It had been good, though, because it kept their nerves at bay.
MEANWHILE ON THE TRAIN
Catherine, Faith, and Elizabeth spent a quiet few days just visiting and enjoying each other's company. Faith had never been on a train and was fascinated by it. Elizabeth spent a lot of time in quiet contemplation of the events prior to her leaving and journaling her feelings. On the final night before they arrived, Catherine had the girls pack up everything that wasn't needed in the morning and ordered dinner for them to be brought to their cabin.
"Girls, I think we need to talk about what will happen tomorrow, and I want to see if you have any questions or concerns."
"When will we be married?" Faith asked.
"As soon as we leave the train station, a private ceremony will be conducted by the pastor at the church. Then afterward, we will be going to the Grant's ranch, where I will be staying for the first two weeks in case you need help adjusting."
"Do you know what is expected of us tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sweetheart, nothing is expected that you aren't willing to do. I would urge you to be honest with your husband about your feelings. Knowing these particular gentlemen, I wouldn't be surprised if they require more time to get to know you as well. Gabe and Nathan are very good, kind men and trustworthy."
She answered their other questions, and although it had been a bit shocking for the girls, by the end of the evening, they felt comfortable with what tomorrow could bring for them.
BACK IN ABERDEEN
On the night before the women arrived, Nathan went to his dresser to get his pajamas. Seeing the empty drawers where his wife's clothing would soon be kept unnerved him a bit. Then he looked over at his closet, saw the open space, and imagined what it would be like when his wife's things were hung beside his.
It was hard for him to grasp the more he thought about it. When he left his room to head to the station tomorrow, it would be the last time he would be alone. What will it be like to have someone share a room with me? Nathan pondered. I wonder if she snores or if I snore and it will keep her awake?' Nathan finally got settled in bed and reached for the book that he had kept there. But gave up after he discovered he had read the same paragraph 3 times and still couldn't recall what it had been about. Finally, he just closed his eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.
He was brought out of sleep when he felt a presence beside his bed and discovered that Allie was there beside the bed in tears. "What's the matter, sweetheart?" He asked as he sat up. She just climbed up on the bed and into his lap. Usually, Nathan would have taken her back to bed, but for some reason, he just laid down and settled her beside him after wrapping her up tight within her blankets. However, he wasn't sure why; when she struggled with her fears wrapping her up tight seemed to be the only thing that brought comfort to her. Surprisingly both of them fell into a peaceful sleep within minutes and woke up to the sun streaming in the window.
Nathan looked up as he heard his door crack and saw his mother peeking in. "I wondered where she had got to." Then she walked over and picked her sleeping granddaughter up, and headed back to Allie's room. Nathan rose and quickly got dressed before heading into the kitchen. Looking at the clock, he saw that he didn't have much time left before he had to be at work. After quickly going over the arrangements for the day with his mother, he quickly saddled Newton, and he and Gabe headed into town. He spent most of the few hours he had left trying to keep his nerves at bay, knowing that the next time he went home, it would be with his wife beside him.
Once Allie woke up, Moira quickly got her fed and dressed. Soon they were also on their way into town. She needed to talk with the Pastor's wife about the ceremony and the reception planned for afterward before heading to the station to meet up with Nathan and Gabe.