Chapter 2

"Faith makes things possible,

not easy."

~Author Unknown

Very early the next morning, Jack knocked on the back door of Abigail's Cafe. Abigail answered, peeking around the barely opened door. "Jack! Do you know what time it is?" Abigail asked, wrapping the shawl more tightly around her against the morning chill. Jack looked very solemn."I know it's early, but I couldn't sleep. How's Elizabeth? And her aunt?"

Abigail sighed. "It was a long night. Her aunt seemed a little better after the third plaster, so I thought we should let her rest. I went to sleep in Elizabeth's room since she refused to leave her aunt's side. I found her there this morning, sleeping in the chair."

Jack nodded and was clearly concerned. "I'm sure Elizabeth will want to stay near her aunt until she's well." Abigail sighed and added, "I just pray her aunt will wake up soon. We need that fever to break." Jack nodded sternly before saying, "Shall I make some breakfast for you ladies?"

Abigail's eyes widened in surprise and she glanced back toward the kitchen. Jack noted her reaction and quickly recanted, "I'm sorry! Is that too forward of me? I just want to help." Abigail shook her head. "No, no... that's very kind of you, Jack," Abigail reassured. "It's just... well, I'm not really dressed for the day, yet." Jack looked down at his feet, clearly uncomfortable that he'd caught Abigail in her nightclothes. Abigail quickly continued, "But just give me a minute to get upstairs, then you can come in and prepare breakfast. You are welcome to anything in the kitchen, of course. It'll be nice to have someone serve me for a change." She smiled, clearly wanting to ease Jack's discomfort. "I will be happy to," Jack agreed and smiled back.

Abigail shut the door and Jack waited two minutes, just to be sure Abigail had enough time to get up the stairs, before opening the door. He located food for breakfast: eggs, ham, milk, and bread.

Meanwhile, Abigail hastily dressed after finding Elizabeth still sleeping and her aunt still fevered. Abigail checked Olivia, who coughed deeply several times, her cheeks slightly red. She was still perspiring, though not as profusely as last night. Abigail noted that Olivia's breathing was a bit labored this morning. She thought that more mustard plasters would be needed today. If she'd wake up, Abigail would prepare some broth and tea for her. Other than those treatments, she had no idea what else to do. The aspirin from Jack's kit would help Olivia's fever, but she needed to be awake to swallow it. Abigail prayed Olivia would rouse out of this soon.

She gave Elizabeth's shoulder a squeeze to wake her. Elizabeth quickly sat back up, blinking away the sleep. She looked to her aunt and reached for her hand.

"She seems a little better this morning," Abigail shared, hopefully. "How are you doing?" "I'm fine..." Elizabeth answered automatically. Then, turned quickly towards Abigail, she asserted, "Abigail, we need to get the company doctor back here! Can you think of any way we can get Mr. Gowen to send for him?"

Abigail nodded, "I know. But I'm not sure how we can do that." Elizabeth frowned and looked back at her aunt. Abigail hated seeing Elizabeth so upset. "I'll ask Mr. Gowen," Abigail told her, trying to sound hopeful, again, but she sincerely doubted Gowen would be helpful. His already unpleasant disposition had gotten worse during the trial. "Elizabeth, you need to get cleaned up. Jack is downstairs making us breakfast."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm not leaving Aunt Olivia." She was emphatic. Abigail continued to try to get Elizabeth to take a break from sitting with her aunt, all to no avail. She headed back downstairs and found Jack finishing up his breakfast preparation. On the table was a basket of sliced bread, a pitcher of milk, a bowl of butter, and a plate of very crisp bacon. He was adding a plate of scrambled eggs when he looked up and saw Abigail coming down the stairs alone.

"Where's Elizabeth?" he asked. Abigail shook her head and frowned slightly. "She won't come down. She refuses to leave her aunt's side." Jack frowned and glanced up the stairs. Abigail sighed. "And I promised her I'd speak to Henry Gowen about sending for the company doctor." She sat down at the table, continuing to frown. "That should go well."

Jack looked back at Abigail, concerned. "Gowen won't be in the mood for helping anyone, especially with the trial continuing soon." He sat down at the table across from Abigail. "I know Gowen's attorneys asked the judge for more time and wanted to put off resuming the trial for a couple weeks. I had to leave town before the judge ruled. Is Judge Black still expected back at the end of this week?" he asked. Abigail nodded. "He'll be back over the weekend," she answered. "Bill will be back Thursday or Friday."

Jack considered that as Abigail prepared a plate for herself. He moved to the sink to clean the pan and utensils he'd used to cook the eggs. An uncomfortable silence fell over the kitchen for a few minutes. Jack finally broke the silence. "I'm going to go talk with her, alright?" Abigail nodded and smiled as Jack headed to the stairs.

Jack took the stairs two at a time and then stopped in the doorway of Abigail's room. He saw Elizabeth wiping her aunt's fevered brow. She stopped and clasped her hands together. She whispered, "Please, dear Lord, heal her. Please let her wake up." Jack smiled, closed his eyes, and added his own silent prayer.

"Jack!" Elizabeth called when she saw Jack was in the room. His eyes snapped open as she'd startled him out of his prayer. "Elizabeth!" he answered back quickly. "How are you? And how's your aunt?"

"I don't know... Abigail seems to think she's doing better. I'm still so worried, Jack. I just wish she would wake up and talk to me!" She turned back to her aunt and wiped her forehead. "I know. I know," he agreed as he walked over and knelt beside her. He reached for her hands and cupped them in his. "Elizabeth," he began in a hushed, soothing voice. "You have got to take care of yourself." She started to interrupt him with a protest, but he continued on. "I know you don't want to leave her side. But you need to get something to eat. You didn't eat any dinner last night. You need to have some breakfast."

"What if she wakes up and I'm not here?" she asked. Jack considered this for a moment. "What if I sit with her? She wouldn't be alone and I'll call you if she stirs at all." He looked at her, his eyebrows raised in a plea.

Elizabeth looked at Jack for several seconds and finally nodded. "Okay." She stood up and started for the door. Jack slid into the chair she'd vacated and surveyed Olivia. Elizabeth stopped before leaving the room and walked back to Jack. She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you!" she breathed into the side of his face. Jack smiled and watched her leave the room.