Granting a Family - Chapter 5: Christmas Spirit

“When are we going to get a Christmas tree?” Allie asked impatiently. “Our holiday break from school starts on Friday, and Christmas is next week!”

Nathan was in no mood to discuss holiday cheer right now. “Why don’t you finish up your homework. Do you need help with your math tonight?”

Allie sighed, “I am all finished, and you are avoiding my question. Isn’t there anything you are looking forward to? I mean, this is the first year we are an official family, Dad.”

“I’m sorry about my mood tonight, Allie girl. How about on Saturday we go to our special spot and find the perfect tree?” Nathan wanted to care about the holidays this year, but the Christmas Spirit hadn’t found him yet. 

Mostly, he was too tired to enjoy anything. Since the Saloon had opened back up, there had been nonstop brawls and bar fights. That, mixed with other crime happening in the new developments, was keeping Nathan working double time, and the jail was constantly overflowing. He was bogged down with paperwork, and this growth would require another Mountie sooner rather than later. Nathan started dozing off while trying to read his book.

“Dad, I think we better get you up to bed,” Allie said after hearing Nathan start snoring softly. She wished he had someone besides her to help take care of and love him. He was her hero, and she didn’t understand why more people didn’t appreciate the way he kept the town safe and protected. She shook Nathan awake enough to get him upstairs and tucked into bed. She would just have to pick up some slack for now.

Allie went downstairs and finished washing the dishes, then got ready for bed. She prayed for her Dad to find a way to feel the Christmas Spirit this year, and to eventually find his one true love to complete their family. She drifted off to sleep dreaming of having a real family someday with a Mom and a brother and...

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“Dad, I’m going to be late for school!” Allie yelled.

Nathan shot out of bed. “What time is it?” he asked, flustered as he pulled on his uniform. 

Allie was ready to go and handed him his gloves as he finished buttoning his serge. “Nice hair,” she laughed as she looked at his disheveled bed hair.

“At least I have a hat to cover it,” he said as they ran out the door.

Elizabeth was ringing the cowbell just as they arrived at the school. “Have a good day, Allie,” Nathan said, tipping his hat to Elizabeth. He was running late and needed to meet Bill before his rounds to discuss the mysterious Saloon sale document.

“You’re late,” Bill said gruffly as Nathan entered the jail.

“And you are sitting in my chair,” Nathan responded, pushing Bill’s feet off the desk. “I assume you have some news for me about that document?”

“I finally heard back from the county, but they wouldn’t give me much. Lucas sold the Saloon to the corporation Wyman Walden is representing called Frontier Estates,” Bill explained. “The confusing part in the fine print on that page of the document you found, is that Lucas was listed as both the buyer and as a contact for the seller. Now maybe someone made a mistake, but it is worth looking into, and we still need to figure out what papers the Pinkertons were burning.”

Nathan rubbed the stubble he hadn’t had time to shave this morning, as he thought about what Bill had discovered. “Thanks for deciphering that document and checking with the county. Why would Lucas sell the Saloon to himself? Something isn’t adding up. I’ll have to give this more thought, but I better get to my rounds. I appreciate your help on this. Would you mind keeping an eye on the Saloon while I’m on my rounds? I’ve had to break up too many brawls there since it reopened, and I already have my hands full with crime at the new housing developments.”

“Will do,” Bill said. “Have you relayed your concerns to Mountie Headquarters?”

“Yes, but they don’t want to send help until the spring when the factory opens and there is enough tax revenue to pay for extra law enforcement.” Nathan hoped he could survive that long. Instead of helping with security, the Pinkertons were contributing to his stress.

After his rounds, Nathan stepped into the Coulters’ shared office. “Rosemary,” Nathan greeted her a bit apprehensively, “I need to see if you can help me solve something.”

“Well hello there Nathan! You know I love a good mystery. What kind of information can I help you with?” Rosemary asked excitedly, with a gleam in her eye.

“I’m looking for more information about Wyman Walden, and a corporation called Frontier Estates,” Nathan began. “Maybe we can work together to find out who is behind all this.”

“Wyman Walden is a scoundrel,” Rosemary said disgustedly. “I want nothing more than to get to the bottom of who is behind his little land-owning scheme. Let me make some calls, and I’ll let you know what I find out.”

“Thank you Rosemary. I’m sorry I have been a little distant lately. I want you to know I appreciate your honesty, and what you do for our community.” Nathan smiled at Rosemary and added, “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Nathan,” Rosemary said softly, putting her hand on his arm. “You should know how much you mean to all of us in Hope Valley. I love Elizabeth dearly, and want her to be happy. But I also want you and Allie to find your own happiness as a family. When Jack died, I didn’t think our town would ever get a Mountie we would all love and trust again. You are NOT Jack Thornton. But you, Nathan Grant, have won the hearts and trust of this entire town. I hope you know that.”

Nathan looked down, embarrassed. “I’m just doing my duty, but I appreciate your kind words. I better be going. Thanks again for your help.” He left the newspaper office with new resolve to be the best Mountie he could be for his town.

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At sunup on Saturday, Allie burst into Nathan’s room and jumped on his bed. “Dad! Time to get a tree!”

Nathan groaned, “Allie! Can’t I get some sleep on my day off?”

“No sleeping allowed. Today we need to get a tree, decorate…”

“Ok, ok. How’s the fire? It feels cold in here,” he shivered as he got out of bed. “You go figure out breakfast and I’ll get more firewood.”

Nathan stepped outside and looked across the way. He saw Elizabeth in her backyard trying to chop wood. He shook his head and in a split-second decision, started walking over to her.

“Elizabeth,” he said while approaching her, “Is everything ok?” It was then she turned and he saw tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Here, let me do that for you.” He grabbed the axe and began chopping wood for her without saying a word.

“I’m so sorry, Nathan,” Elizabeth began, wiping her tears. “Lucas will be back tomorrow. He was going to try and chop wood for me before he left town on business, but we all know how well that might have even gone.” She slightly giggled as she said it, then looked distressed again. “Little Jack is sick, and our house was getting cold. You don’t have to chop wood for me, I’m sure you have better things to do.”

Nathan kept going, and in no time had a pile of wood that should last her through the holidays. He grabbed a stack and headed to the house. He hesitated at first, but Elizabeth opened the door and let him inside. He set the stack down and got the fire going again for her. He looked around the room and asked, “Where’s your Christmas tree?”

Elizabeth looked down and responded, “I was going to take Jack to get one today, but with him sick, I can’t. I guess we’ll go without this year.”

“Listen, Allie and I are going to the spot you showed us before, to get ourselves a tree today. Why don’t we just cut down two trees, and we can bring one over later for you and Jack to decorate together?”

“No, it isn’t necessary,” Elizabeth refused.

“It’s Christmas, Elizabeth,” said Nathan. “That is what the holiday is all about, right? Giving to others? Let us do this simple thing for you.”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” she asked quietly.

Nathan never knew Elizabeth to be so down, and for the first time this season, he felt the Christmas Spirit at the thought of bringing her a tree. “Elizabeth, just focus on getting little Jack feeling better. Now you don’t have to worry about keeping your fire going, and you can spend the evening making Christmas memories with your son. Get your decorations ready, and we’ll have a tree here by early afternoon.”

Nathan left her staring after him, as he headed back home where Allie had breakfast on the table. “Where were you? I thought you went to get more firewood.” 

“Oh, right. I’ll be right back.” Nathan headed to grab more wood for the fire, and when he got back, he told Allie his plans to get two trees. She liked the idea, and was even more excited to get going.

Searching for trees was more enjoyable than either one of them expected. Allie found the perfect tree for the two of them, then made sure to find another just as perfect for Elizabeth and little Jack. They first delivered and set up Elizabeth’s tree, and the Spirit of Christmas was strong.

Allie went over to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Thornton,” she began, “I’m sorry I haven’t been very friendly to you this school year. I was mad you hurt my Dad, but I think it’s time we are all friends again.”

Nathan walked over and added, “I couldn’t agree more, Allie.”

“Thank you both for the tree. Allie, I’m glad we can be friends again.” A tear fell down Elizabeth’s cheek, but they were happy tears this time.

“We’ll let you get ready to decorate when Jack wakes up from his nap. Is he feeling any better?” Nathan asked with concern.

“He seemed better before his nap, so I’m hoping he’ll be ready and excited about the tree when he wakes up. You both have fun decorating your tree tonight,” Elizabeth replied then paused, remembering the time she helped them decorate their tree. She looked at Nathan and flushed a little remembering the closeness they shared back then.

Nathan sensed her discomfort and shooed Allie outside. “Merry Christmas, Elizabeth.”

“Merry Christmas Nathan and Allie.” Elizabeth closed the door and heard little Jack talking to himself in his crib. She brought him downstairs where he excitedly danced around the tree, and she helped him carefully place each decoration on the branches. It was a magical night for both mother and son.

Meanwhile, a few houses down, a father and daughter laughed as they strung popcorn, made new decorations, and trimmed the tree while singing Christmas carols joyfully. 

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A few days later, the entire community gathered for a very special Christmas Eve service at the church. Pastor Joseph gave a beautiful message on keeping the Spirit of Christmas throughout the entire year, some of the kids acted out the Nativity, and the school children sang Christmas songs. After the service, Nathan and Allie finished reading A Christmas Carol together, just like they had every Christmas Eve. They dressed in their pajamas, sang Silent Night, then headed to bed.

Christmas morning, Allie ran down the stairs and looked out the window to see a fresh coat of snow outside. She started making Nathan’s favorite breakfast to surprise him, and smiled at the gifts under the tree, wrapped as good as her Dad could do without help.

“What is that incredible smell?” Nathan asked, walking down the stairs. He smiled when he saw the nice Christmas meal Allie had made. They ate together, then settled in to open presents.

Allie gave Nathan new gloves, suspenders, and a new fishing lure she made herself. He got her a new dress made by Rosemary, new hair ribbons, a new fishing basket, and then he pulled out a small box from his pocket and handed it to her. She looked surprised, but excitedly opened the gift. Inside was a new charm for her bracelet Nathan got her their first Christmas in Hope Valley. The charm said Daughter, and on the back Allie Grant was engraved in small letters.

“I LOVE IT!” Allie squealed and hugged Nathan tightly. “I have a surprise gift for you too.” She grabbed another neatly wrapped gift she had hidden behind the tree and brought it over. “I hope you like it, I had a little help making it for you.”

Nathan was truly touched when he saw a wooden frame with DAD carved on the top. Inside the frame was a picture of the two of them from Ned and Florence’s wedding. “Allie,” he said with emotion, holding back tears, “I will treasure this forever.” He hugged her again and planted a kiss on her forehead.

“This has been the best First Grant Family Christmas ever!” Allie exclaimed.

“It sure has,” Nathan agreed. “And before we forget, I do have one more thing.” He uncovered a pot of soil and Allie smiled. They started this tradition two years ago, planting pine cone seeds from their Christmas tree, then planting the tree in their yard to symbolize putting down roots. She found a pine cone from their tree and dropped some seeds in the pot, covering them with soil.

“Can we go outside and play in the snow now?” Allie asked.

“Let’s do it,” Nathan laughed. 

Even though the year had not been an easy one for the Grant Family, they counted their blessings that they were together, healthy, and moving forward with hope for brighter days ahead. The Christmas Spirit was once again felt in a simple row house in Hope Valley.