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.
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