[Canadian West 02] - When Comes the Spring Read online

  WHEN COMES

  l(Ae

  SPRING

  Books by Janette Oke

  Another Homecoming*

  Tomorrow's Dream*

  CANADIAN WEST

  When Calls the Heart

  When Comes the Spring

  When Breaks the Dawn

  When Hope Springs New

  Beyond the Gathering Storm

  When Tomorrow Comes

  LOVE COMES SOFTLY

  Love Comes Softly

  Love's Enduring Promise

  Love's Long Journey

  Love's Abiding Joy

  Love's Unending Legacy

  Love's Unfolding Dream

  Love Takes Wing

  Love Finds a Home

  A PRAIRIE LEGACY

  The Tender Years

  A Searching Heart

  A Quiet Strength

  Like Gold Refined

  SEASONS OF THE HEART

  Once Upon a Summer

  The Winds of Autumn

  Winter Is Not Forever

  Spring's Gentle Promise

  SONG OF ACADIA*

  The Meeting Place

  The Sacred Shore

  The Birthright

  The Distant Beacon

  The Beloved Land

  WOMEN OF THE WEST

  The Calling of Emily Evans

  Julia's Last Hope

  Roses for Mama

  A Woman Named Damaris

  They Called Her Mrs. Doc

  The Measure of a Heart

  A Bride for Donnigan

  Heart of the Wilderness

  Too Long a Stranger

  The Bluebird and the Sparrow

  A Gown of Spanish Lace

  Drums of Change

  Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie

  Biography of Janette Oke by Laurel Oke Logan

  Canadian West • Book 2

  WHEN COMES

  SPRING

  JANETTE OKE

  Dedicated with love to my patient and peace-loving fourth sister, Margie L. Wiens, and to her equally easygoing husband, Wilf. I love you both.

  JANETTE OKE was born in Champion, Alberta, to a Canadian prairie farmer and his wife, and she grew up in a large family full of laughter and love. She is a graduate of Mountain View Bible College in Alberta, where she met her husband, Edward, and they were married in May of 1957. After pastoring churches in Indiana and Canada, the Okes spent some years in Calgary, where Edward served in several positions on college faculties while Janette continued her writing. She has written over four dozen novels for adults and children, and her book sales total over twenty-two million copies.

  The Okes have three sons and one daughter, all married, and are enjoying their dozen grandchildren. Edward and Janette are active in their local church and make their home near Didsbury, Alberta.

  (?on ten IF

  When Calls the Heart Synopsis ......................... 9

  1. Days of Preparation .................................. 11

  2. Good News and Bad News ............................ 17

  3. Stepped-Up Plans .................................... 26

  4. Preparing ........................................... 34

  5. The Wedding Day ................................... 42

  6. Marriage ............................................ 46

  7. Banff ............................................... 54

  8. Mountain Lake ...................................... 64

  9. Back to Calgary ...................................... 70

  10. The Journey Begins ................................... 77

  11. Onward ............................................ 93

  12. By Wagon .......................................... 100

  13. The Last Day on the Trail ............................. 110

  14. Home .............................................. 115

  15. Making a Home ..................................... 121

  16. Neighbors ........................................... 127

  17. Adjustments ......................................... 136

  18. Teas and Such ....................................... 145

  19. Friends ............................................. 151

  20. Change of Direction .................................. 160

  21. The Storyteller ....................................... 165

  22. Studies ............................................. 171

  23. Winter ............................................. 176

  24. Settling In .......................................... 186

  25. The Storm .......................................... 194

  26. Aftermath ........................................... 202

  27. Village Life .......................................... 208

  28. March .............................................. 213

  29. Nimmie ............................................ 219

  30. Making Do ......................................... 232

  31. The Watchful Eye .................................... 237

  32. Traps ............................................... 242

  33. Spring .............................................. 249

  SYNOPSIS

  foie Yfearf

  When well-bred, sophisticated Elizabeth Thatcher, a city girl from Toronto, agreed to a term of teaching in the newly formed province of Alberta, it was more to please her mother and to become reacquainted with her half-brother Jonathan than from a sense of adventure on her own part. Elizabeth was more than a bit hesitant to leave the comfort and security of her father's house to mix with the rough and uncultured people of the new frontier.

  But upon arrival in the West, Elizabeth soon learned to love her big brother and his wife Mary and their four small children. She also was captivated by families and students of the small, one-room school and by the West itself.

  Then into Elizabeth's life came Wynn, the tall, handsome, and dedicated member of the Royal North West Mounted Police. Elizabeth, previously determined never to marry a westerner, began to have second thoughts. Wynn was the one who now resisted. He was adamant in his belief that the rigors of the Mountie's life were too demanding to be shared by a wife, particularly a woman as lovely and cultured as Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth, feeling rejected and hurt by Wynn's apparent lack of feeling for her, decided to return to Toronto where she belonged. But Wynn knew he could not let her go-at least not without expressing to her his deep feelings of love and giving her the opportunity to respond. A proposal at the train depot brought Elizabeth into Wynn's arms with her assurance that she was more than willing to face whatever the future held-for them together.

  eicaraciers

  ELIZABETH THATCHER-young eastern schoolteacher who loved her God, her family and her pupils. Pretty, sheltered, yet with a mind of her own, Elizabeth was quick to respond to the promptings of her God and the needs of others.

  JONATHAN, MARY, WILLIAM, SARAH, KATHLEEN, BABY ELIZABETH-Elizabeth's western family. Jonathan was a halfbrother from her mother's first marriage. The West had drawn him from Toronto as a young man. There he met and married the redhaired Mary, and their home was blessed with one son and three daughters. Little Kathleen was especially fond of her Aunt Beth.

  JULIE-the attractive, rather flighty, but much-loved younger sister of Elizabeth.

  MATTHEW-Elizabeth's younger brother. Matthew was the youngest, rather pampered member of the Thatcher family.

  Elizabeth's Toronto family also included two older married sisters, Margaret and Ruthie.

  WYNN DELANEY-nicknam
ed "Dee" by Jon's children. Wynn was a dedicated, competent member of the Royal North West Mounted Police. He had already spent some time at a northern Post and knew the difficulties and loneliness that such a Post presented.

  ¶ays of ✓~`reparafion

  "Is it done yet?"

  It must have been at least the tenth time that my young niece, Kathleen, had asked the question in the last few days.

  "No," I answered patiently, "not yet."

  She stood silently beside me, her favorite doll dangling lopsidedly from her arms.

  "How come it takes so many times to make a wedding dress?" she asked again.

  Much time, the schoolteacher in me silently corrected her. Aloud I said without lifting my eyes from the needle moving smoothly in and out of the creamy white satin, "Because a wedding dress must be perfect."

  "Per-fect?" queried Kathleen.

  "Um-hum. That means `just right'-for the man I'm going to marry."

  "Dee's not gonna wear it." Her voice boded no argument.

  I lifted my head and chuckled softly at Kathleen's perplexed look. It sounded as if Wynn's nickname was still firmly in place.

  "No, be won't wear it. But he is going to see me wear it, and I want it to be just right."

  Kathleen stood there stubbornly, now a look of frustration on her pixie face.

  "He won't care," she said with feeling. "Daddy said that Mama would'a looked beau'ful in an old 'tata sack."

  I laughed and drew Kathleen to me. "Maybe you're right," I said, pushing back a soft curl from her forehead. Her eyes told me that something else was troubling her. I decided the dress could wait for a few minutes. Checking to see that I had left the sewing machine foot in proper position and the precious folds of satin material carefully placed on the tissue paper spread beneath them, I rose from the chair. My back ached and my shoulders felt cramped. I needed a break. Perhaps I should have done as Mother had suggested and arranged for Madam Tanier to sew my dress after all. I had wanted to sew my wedding gown myself, but I had had no idea what a big job it was going to be. I took Kathleen's tiny, somewhat sticky, hand in mine and led her to the door.

  "Why don't we take a little walk around the garden?" I asked her.

  The shine in her eyes was her answer. She wedged her flopping doll under one arm and skipped along beside me.

  We walked through the garden together. The early flowers were already in bloom. As I looked at them, I found my mind rushing ahead to the wedding planned for the first part of September, and I wondered what flowers would be available. That was another decision that had to be made. Oh, my! Was there no end to them? It seemed that ever since Wynn had asked me to become his wife, I had been making one decision after the other-some big and some not-so-big. As my thoughts turned to Wynn, I smiled to myself. How.fortunate I was to be engaged to marry such a man. He was everything a girl could ever desire-his height, his bearing, his smile, his quiet self-assurance, his caring. And he loved me! I would have `gone on and on daydreaming but Kathleen interrupted me.

  "Mamas gonna make my dress."

  I nodded.

  "Have you seen the color?"

  I nodded again, remembering the hours Mary and I had spent poring over materials and styles, debating and deciding. Both Kathleen and Sarah were to be in my wedding party.

  "It's gonna be perfect, too," insisted Kathleen.

  "Yes," I agreed. "With your mama doing the sewing, it's going to be perfect, too."

  "Mama is already done Sarah's dress."

  There was silence while I studied the soft shades of a garden rose. These colors would be just right, I was thinking, but will they still be blooming in September? I must ask Mary.' But again Kathleen interrupted my thoughts.

  "How come I'm last?"

  "Pardon?" My busy mind had not followed Kathleen's line of wondering.

  "How come I'm last? Sarah's dress is already made, but Mama has just started mine."

  I looked at her anxious face. It was an honest question but, for such a small girl, a troubling one.

  "Well," I stammered, reaching for some satisfactory explanation. "Well ... your dress will be ready in no time. Your mama is a very good seamstress and a very efficient one. It doesn't take her long at all to sew a dress-even a fancy dress like she will be making for you. Your dress will be ready long, long before September gets here. In fact, your dress will be ready long before mine will, I'm sure. So yours won't be last ... mine will."

  Kathleen's eyes had not left my face as I spoke. She seemed to relax with my final words. Her breath escaped in a soft little sigh.

  "You're slow, all right," she agreed solemnly. "I'm glad Mamas fast."

  Then her thoughts turned in another direction.

  "Why is Mama making the dresses so quick?"

  "So soon? Because your mama has so many things that she wants to do, and the dresses are one thing that she can do now."

  "What things?"

  "Well, she is planning the reception dinner. And she wants lots of time to get ready for Grandma and Grandpa. And she has some redecorating she wants to do. And she plans to give the house a thorough cleaning. ."

  I continued thinking of poor Mary and all of the work that my coming wedding was causing her. How I loved her! It wasn't one bit necessary for her to fuss so, but she insisted. After all, it would be the first time her in-laws would be in her home and she, too, wanted everything to be perfect.

  "Is Grandma fuzzy?" asked Kathleen seriously.

  "Fussy?" I smiled but did not let Kathleen know her word had come out wrong. "Well, yes and no. Grandma likes nice things, and when she is in charge she tries very hard to see that everything is just right. But she does not judge other people by the same rules she uses on herself."

  "What's that mean?"

  "It means that Grandma loves people as they are. She doesn't ask for everyone to be perfect or to live in perfect houses."

  "It's gonna be fun to see Grandma," Kathleen enthused.

  My eyes misted and I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yes, it will," I said softly. "It will be just wonderful."

  But it still seemed such a long way off. The folks would not be arriving in Calgary until just before our September tenth wedding, and this was only the middle of July.

  "Would you like to swing for a minute?" I asked the now quiet Kathleen, to get my thoughts back to safer ground.

  She grinned at me, and I took that for her answer. Kathleen loved the swing.

  "The tree swing or the porch swing?" I asked her.

  "The porch swing," she quickly decided. "Then you can sit by me."

  We settled on the porch swing and set it in motion with the rhythm of our bodies. Kathleen cuddled up closely against me and rearranged the dangling doll into a more baby-like position. I realized then that she had been missing personal attention. With my thoughts all concentrated on the upcoming wedding, and even Mary wildly involved in the preparations, we had both subconsciously pushed the youngsters aside. I determined that in the days ahead I would be more sensitive and considerate. I pulled Kathleen closer to me and held her-such a precious little thing. We swung in silence for many minutes. My mind went to the other children. Were they feeling the strain of the busy household as well?

  "Where is Sarah?" I asked Kathleen.

  "She went to Molly's house. Molly's mama is letting them make doll dresses out of the scraps from Sarah's new dress."

  Good for Molly's mama, I thought, but no wonder Kathleen has been wandering around feeling left out.

  "And where's William?"

  "Daddy took him down to the store. He's gonna help pile things. He even gets money for it." Kathleen squirmed to look at me, her envy showing on her face. "William thinks he's big," she said with some disgust. "He's gonna save the money and buy a gun that shoots little roun' things."

  Kathleen curled up her short fingers to demonstrate the little round things. Then she ventured some more information. "An' Baby 'Lisbeth is sleepin'. She sleeps most all the time. An' Mama is
sewing. Not for me-for Baby 'Lisbeth. An' Stacy said that the cookie jar is already full, so we can't bake any more cookies."

  My arm tightened about her. Poor little dear, I thought, but I didn't say it. Instead I said, "How would you like to take the streetcar uptown and stop at the ice cream parlor?"

  The shine was back. "Could we?" she cried. "Could we, Aunt Beth?"

  "I'll ask your mama."

  Kathleen clapped her hands in her excitement and then threw her arms around my neck. I felt the combs holding my hair in place being pushed all askew

  "Let's go check," I said. Kathleen jumped down and quickly ran ahead of me to find Mary.

  By the time I had entered Mary's sewing room, Kathleen was already there and had excitedly posed the question. Could she go with Aunt Beth uptown for ice cream? Mary looked at me with a question in her eyes.

  "Have you finished your dress?" she asked pointedly.

  "No. I have quite a ways to go yet," I answered honestly, "but a rest will do me good." I didn't add that I thought Kathleen needed some special attention, too.

  Mary nodded. "A little break would do me good, too," she said, pushing back from the machine. "Come, Kathleen, I will clean you up." Mary rubbed her tired neck and led Kathleen from the room.

  I went back to my own room to change my dress and repair my hair. My eyes wandered to the pile of lustrous satin. Part of me ached to be there at the machine. I was so anxious to see the final product of all my labors. But I pushed the dress from my mind. Kathleen was more important. Besides, I had been so busy with details of the wedding that I had felt myself becoming tense and edgy. I had not even been able to relax and enjoy Wynn's company, and he would be coming to call in the evening. An afternoon in the pleasant company of Kathleen might be just the thing to put me in a more relaxed frame of mind. I picked up my small brocaded purse and left the room, shutting my door on all the satin and lace. I took a deep breath and smiled as I went to meet my excited niece.

  ~000✓V 2Cl7J" L7/7L7