1934: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Sunday Morning

Sunday morning dawned with a blanket of snow on the ground.  Hope Valley had missed the brunt of the blizzard, so the townspeople were able to attend church that morning.  Elizabeth and her son found their place in their usual pew.  The pews were packed, and the wood stove burned warmly in the corner, heating the small church.

Two rows ahead of them, Jack noticed a familiar face.  As if she felt his stares, Jane turned a shot him a dazzling smile, blushing slightly, then turned her attention back to the minister as he opened the service.  Hymns were sung, and the sermon evoked warm emotions from the crowd.  By the time the service had ended, the sun had begun to shine and the snow to melt.

Folks crowded around Jack, welcoming him home as others had the night before.  He flashed a smile and muttered his thanks, all the while searching the crowd for a lovely face.  He saw her as she exited the church house doors.

“Excuse me,” he murmured, pushing his way through the gathered crowd.

Standing nearby, Elizabeth noticed her son’s behavior and wondered to herself what was so urgent.  She watched as he rushed outside the church and positioned himself in front of Jane as she made her way back to town.  Ah, she thought.

“Hi, Jane,” he said, putting on his handsomest smirk.  She flashed her eyes at him, then redirected her gaze forward and kept walking.  Jack had placed himself in front of her, so this put him in the awkward position of walking backward at a quick pace.  His confident expression became one of fear as a rock, hidden under the snow, found its way in his path and down he went.  She chuckled as she looked down on him, sprawled in the snow and looking sheepish.

“Need some help?” she asked, and he gladly took her hand as she helped him to his feet.  Taking advantage of the situation, he held on to her hand a little longer as he gazed into her eyes.  What was he going to say again? “Umm, are you working at the café today?” he asked.

She glanced down at their gloved hands, still joined, and cleared her throat.  “I am, and I’m going to be late.”

“Can I see you later?” he asked, smiling.

“You can,” she stated.  “At the café.”  Pulling her hand away she turned to go, but not without stealing a glace back at the handsome Mountie who stood, still covered in snow, looking at her like she was a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out.