"What about this one? To plain?" Abigail asked coming down the stairs in her usual Sunday dress the next afternoon. Kate glanced up from the plate she was washing.
"That looks fine." Kate assured her.
"But I'm going to be in the big city, I want to make sure I don't look like I'm from the country. I don't want to embarrass Cody!"
"Abigail, Cody will be so happy to see you he won't care if you're in rags." Kate chuckled.
"Well I certainly don't want to wear that! Let me see how my dress from your sister's wedding looks, maybe I can press it by tomorrow." Abigail said hurrying back up the stairs as the bell over the cafe door rang.
"Be right with you." Kate called quickly drying her hands. She was just about to go through the curtain into the dining room when Rosemary burst through almost knocking into her.
"Oh Darling there you are! Listen I wanted to talk to you about a rumor I heard." Rosemary said. Kate glanced into the empty cafe and ushered Rosemary into the kitchen putting a cup of coffee in front of her when she sat down at the table. Kate wanted to roll her eyes but she was honestly to happy Rosemary was back to normal she couldn't help but smile.
"What's the rumor?" Kate asked.
"Actually there's two, I heard there's a cattle run coming through town, did Jack say anything?"
"No, but I was gone early this morning so I didn't get the chance to talk to him."
"I heard Ned Yost talking to Bill about it. Something about ordering extra supplies, you mark my words those cowboys are not as God fearing as one might hope. With all the women around Hope Valley and them being so untamed Jack will have to be on high alert as sherif of this town." Rosemary said firmly.
"I'm sure Jack will protect us just fine. Besides they aren't going to run hundreds of cattle through the center of town. Most likely they will be a mile or so away if they make camp here." Kate said.
"Well either way Jack should be on high alert."
"I will make sure he's aware of it." Kate nodded
"Good."Rosemary nodded taking a sip of her coffee.
"What else is new in town?" Kate asked.
"Oh well I also heard Emily saying that you have a gentleman suiter coming by every afternoon, is that true?" Rosemary asked grinning at Kate.
"Rosemary, do you think I can keep track of the amount of men coming in and out of the cafe every day?" Kate sighed. Rosemary's eyebrows shot up.
"Not what I meant." Kate sighed as Rosemary chuckled.
"Well I told her not to be spreading rumors but I will be one of the first to know when there is someone right?" Rosemary asked.
"Of course." Kate nodded.
"Well good." Rosemary nodded as the bell dinged again.
"Be right with you!" Kate called.
"Well I should go, I know how busy it gets around here at lunch time and how that can make you so flustered." Rosemary said finishing her coffee.
"It doesn't… never mind, thanks for the chat Rosemary." Kate smiled.
"Of course darling see you tomorrow." Rosemary waved going out the back door as Kate went into the cafe to start the lunch rush.
"Word is there's a cattle run coming through town. They should be here Thursday morning." Jack said at dinner that night.
"Rosemary said something about that, she said to tell you to be on high alert." Kate said making Jack chuckle.
"Real cowboys?" Will asked his eyes lighting up.
"Real cowboys." Jack smiled at his excitement.
"Can we see them Mama please?" Tommy asked.
"Of course we can go see them! You know when I was little, Uncle Tom and I used to pretend to be cowboys." Jack said before Elizabeth could answer.
"I want to be a cowboy! Sleeping under the stars." Will nodded.
"Sleeping under the stars in the open sky, that is my favorite thing. The fresh air and the freedom." Jack sighed leaning back in his chair as if he were daydreaming. Kate glanced at her sister who was looking bothered by Jack's statement. She carefully cut her chicken eating silently, glancing between Jack and her sister.
"Can we camp out with the Cowboys?" Tommy asked.
"Certainly not!" Elizabeth said quickly.
"Please Ma!" Abby asked.
"Of course not, no one in this house is sleeping among wild men, and animals for that matter." Elizabeth said firmly.
"Your Ma's right. But we can certainly go see them. I have been thinking about buying a bull. Maybe we can have a calf come next spring." Jack said.
"Oh yay!" Will cried.
"Jack, that's not safe" Elizabeth said frowning at him a little.
"Oh sure it is. We can take the wagon, as long as the kids stay in get wagon they are safe from the cattle." Jack nodded.
"Can't we just ride horses like the real cow boys?" Abby asked.
"Yeah!" Tommy nodded.
"I can make a lasso! I'll catch our cow!" Will cried.
"You know how? I'll set up a target in the barn let's see if you can hit it." Jack teased
"I want to try!" Abby cried.
"I want to catch Gerty!" Tommy nodded.
"Gerty doesn't move she's be easier to catch then the target!" Jack said making the three kids laugh.
"We can skip school to see the cowboys right Pa?" Abby asked.
"Well sure, it's only one day.." Jack nodded.
"Your father and I will discuss this after dinner." Elizabeth said firmly making the table fall to silence.
"But we can still see them right?" Abby asked after a minute. Kate kicked her gently under the table letting her know that was to far for Elizabeth's current mood. Elizabeth shot her a look and Abby dipped her head back down to her plate.
Kate looked up surprised as the door to the cafe kitchen swung open early the next morning.
"Oh Abby! What are you doing here, don't you have school?" Kate asked as her niece looked up at her fiddling with her skirts.
"You left before we woke up today." Abby said softly.
"Well yes, Aunt Abigail wanted to pick up Cody at the train station so I was alone for breakfast I needed to come early. Did you need something?" Kate asked glancing up at her. Abby looked down at her boots not answering.
"Hey, what's going on?" Kate asked putting down the bread she was making and softening her voice. Abby was a lot like herself, it wasn't always easy to open up.
"Ma and Papa were fighting last night after we went to bed, I heard them." Abby said softly.
"Oh, well that happens sometimes, not often but sometimes they disagree and that's ok." Kate said gently.
"Mama was yelling, she said Papa doesn't want to be here." Abby went on, tears springing into her eyes at the thought.
"That's not true, of course he want's to be here."
"He was gone this morning." Abby said and Kate fought to keep her face calm.
"He probably had to work." She said.
"But what if he didn't! I don't want him to leave. I don't want them to fight." Abby cried.
"Hey it's ok" Kate soothed wrapping Abby in a hug while she calmed down.
"I know it's unsettling when they don't get along. But they always figure it out and it's fine. And your father does not want to leave, he changed his life to be able to be home with us all."
"That's what Mama said, she thinks he doesn't like it anymore."
"Oh, this is about the cattle run." Kate said piecing it all together.
"Abigail, he's not going to go off and be a cowboy, I promise." Kate said firmly.
"But Mama was saying he wasn't happy here, what if he wants to be a mountie again?" Abby asked. In the distance Kate heard the bell ringing for school, but she couldn't stand to send Abby off when she was clearly still upset.
"Come on" Kate put her arm around Abby, leading her over to the sofa and sitting down pulling Abby with her. Just the feel of the sitting room was calming, how many times in the past dozen of years had Kate found comfort in this space with Abigail or her sister or Rosemary.
"First let's get this out of the way. You were ease dropping, and you know that is wrong." Kate said raising her eyebrow in a look she knew mirrored one her sister often gave. Had Abby been in a better mood she would have teased Kate for it, but now she just looked down playing with the hem of her skirts.
"This is what happens when we ease drop on conversations we are not invited to be a part of. We don't understand it all and it can leave us feeling confused, and we can't very well ask questions because then people will know you were listening when you were not supposed to be. Your parents fight sometimes, and it's hard when they do because we are so used to them getting along so well. But it happens, and it's not a bad thing, adults don't always agree and it's ok to talk it out, even if it gets loud. Further more, you know your Ma did not get much sleep the night before because she was up all night with the baby, so she was tired and probably feeling short tempered. I promise you, your Pa is not leaving, to be a mountie or a cowboy or anything else. He lived that life, he loved it, but he gave it up when you were born because he loved you and your brothers and sister so much more than that. I know it's hard when people we love don't get along, but your parents will be fine. For all you know they have already made up and your worrying for nothing." Kate said.
"You promise? Because Greorgie's parents were fighting last year and his Pa moved to Mancado after."
"I promise, nobody is going anywhere." Kate said firmly.
"Alright l'm so glad I have you Auntie." Abby smiled hugging Kate clearly feeling reassured.
"You know I'm always here for you, anything you can't talk to your parents about, that's what I am here for ok? No matter what."
"Ok" Abby nodded.
"Good, now, no more ease dropping."
"Alright." Abby nodded. Kate rose going to the table and writing out a note.
"I'm going to tell Miss Green I needed your help so she doesn't keep you after school for being late. Don't tell your Mama I covered for you, promise?" Kate smiled handing Abby the paper making her laugh.
"Promise" Abby giggled tucking it into her pocket.
"Head off to school, I have to clean all this up, I'll see you at dinner ok?"
"Ok, bye" Abby smiled letting herself out and Kate watched in the window as she skipped to school.
"Morning Kate, Abigail back yet?" Clara asked coming in as Kate was collecting the dishes.
"No, I don't expect her back until this afternoon, she wanted to do some shopping in the city before Cody's train came in." Kate said as Clara started helping her clean up. It was the usual lull between breakfast and lunch and Kate enjoyed the break.
"I can't wait to have Cody home for the summer." Clara smiled.
"Me too, I can't believe he kept it a surprise for Abigail, she was in tears when she read his letter. Becky and her husband wrote as well, they will be coming up for a week of two to visit as well." Kate nodded.
"Oh we can meet Becky's new baby! Abigail is sure to have a full house." Clara smiled.
"Just the way she likes it." Kate agreed making Clara laugh.
"And how's Rosemary?" Clara asked as Kate started drying the dishes.
"Getting stronger and stronger everyday. Yesterday she was shooing Lee out of the kitchen so she could cook, she said she couldn't believe the state he let her kitchen get it."
"Sounds like she is good as new."
"I don't know who was more excited, Rosemary to be back on her feet or Lee that she was bossing him around again." Kate laughed with Clara.
"Good old Lee."
"How's Jesse? Did he say anything about the mill?" Kate asked.
"Just that he was glad Lee was back. Though Eric did a fine job of running things. I'm hoping now that Lee is back Jesse and I can take a vacation somewhere. Maybe go camping for the weekend." Clara sighed. Kate glanced up at her giving her a little smile. Clara and Jesse had been married five years and both wanted children but had never had any, it put a strain on their marriage making it hard for both of them.
"Well let me know if you need me to look after the house while you're gone." Kate said gently.
"Thank you, I will. I should go, I told Rosemary I would stop by with some fabrics for her to look at. I just wanted to pop in and say hi." Clara said picking up her basket.
"Here, bring this for her, left over from breakfast." Kate said putting a few muffins into the basket.
"I'll see you later" Clara smiled letting herself out.
"Oh hello Elizabeth!" She smiled as Kate looked up and her sister walked in Lily tucked in her arms and Tommy by her side.
"My it's like grand central station in here." Kate smiled greeting Elizabeth as she came in.
"Are you busy?" Elizabeth asked gently placing Lily in the basked Abigail kept for her as Kate bent to kiss Tommy's head as he rushed off to the back porch to play with the old baseball.
"Not really, you need me to watch them?" Kate asked smiling at the baby who grinned up at her.
"No, I was just looking for some company." Elizabeth shrugged handing Lily her rattle to play with and opening the curtain so she would watch Tommy playing in the yard from her seat by the table.
"Would this have anything to do with the fight you and Jack had last night?" Kate asked playing some dough on the table and starting to roll it out.
"Did you hear us?" Elizabeth asked surprised.
"No, but some other little ears did."
"Oh no, I knew something was bothering her, she wouldn't talk to me about it. I should have known." Elizabeth sighed.
"She was fine, a little concerned, but I talked it out with her, she's fine." Kate said firmly.
"Never the less I don't want to send her to school upset." Elizabeth sighed.
"To be honest with you she was a little late to school today. She won't tell you because I told her it was our little secret. But I didn't want to send her to school upset either. But we talked and I assured her you and Jack would be just fine and she seemed fine when I sent her off." Kate said with a little shrug pulling a tray of cookies from the oven.
"Thank you Katie, you didn't have to do that." Elizabeth gave her a little smile.
"Of course I did. Besides, that's the best part of being the aunt. I know you want them to come to you, but sometimes they just can't. And when they can't, I want them to come to me."
"I want them to go to you too. I'm glad as Abby gets older she know that she can, every child needs that person in their life." Elizabeth agreed gently taking a warm cookie and taking a bite.
"I can make you some real breakfast." Kate chuckled.
"Who knew one day you wold be making breakfast for me?" Elizabeth smiled as Kate put some toast on a plate handing it to her.
"Who was your person to talk to?" Kate asked.
"Abigail of course."
"No, I mean before Hope Valley" Kate said taking a seat next to her and munching on some toast herself. They didn't often talk about their past anymore. They had so many years between today and when it had been just the two of them. Part of Kate didn't even like to remember the part of their life before they had come to Hope Valley. Before Jack and Abigail, Rosemary and Lee and everyone else had become their family. But sometimes, when it was just her and her sister, Kate liked to remember the days when it was just the Thatcher sisters against the world.
"Oh, well It was Viola when we were little, then she got older and would tattle on me. But by then Julie was old enough to share secrets with, and she always kept them much better." Elizabeth said with a little smile, Kate smiled thinking of her two older cousins.
"And then there was you, you were always the best secret keeper. Though your advice was not always the best, sometimes it was just nice to tell you my secrets and have someone listen, even if you were just a toddler and didn't understand them" Elizabeth said giving Kate a warm smile. Kate returned it, Elizabeth had not grown up with an easy life. Though their wealthy grandmother raised them and they wanted for nothing material. She was not warm or comforting, the girls had always had to find that in each other. While Elizabeth had always been Kate's comfort, Kate was so much younger than her and she knew the early years had been hard on her sister, losing both their parents and being responsible for an infant.
"I got better at the advice part though." Kate said with a smile.
"You did for sure." Elizabeth agreed.
"So what did you and Jack fight about?" Kate asked.
"It was my fault. I accused him of being bored here, of not being happy because he wasn't off chasing gangs. I know it's not true, but he was so excited talking about the adventures of the cattle run, I think I got a little self conscious." Elizabeth sighed.
"Well it take two to argue." Kate said gently.
"It does, but it's much easier when one was up all night before with the baby and not listening to reason. I'm afraid this one was my fault."
"Well, I love Jack, but you're my big sister so I'm always on your side. Jack was excited about the cattle run. I don't think he wants to be a cowboy, but I picked up on him missing the adventure too. When he was talking to the kids, his eyes just lit up. He does miss it, even is he likes being home more." Kate said causing Elizabeth to give her a little smile.
"I know how he feels, just like I miss teaching, but love being home, it's still a part of me. I know it's a part of him, but when I bring it up he says it's not. I think the fact that he doesn't talk about it makes me worry even more than if he did. And I know he doesn't talk about it because he knows it will make me worry." Elizabeth sighed.
"Sounds like you two are in a bad circle." Kate raised an eyebrow.
"We are, there's just so much going on since Lily was born then Rosemary was sick and Aaron was with us… I feel like we are two ships passing in the night sometimes. Between putting the kids to bed, the baby awake so much at night still and early mornings, lately we're lucky if we get five minutes alone to just catch up on the day."
"Well, why don't you go home and make your husband a nice lunch, Tommy can hang here with me, hopefully this little girl will take a long nap." Kate cooed at Lily who still played happily in her basket.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! That's what I am here for, putting out these family fires left and right today." Kate smiled making Elizabeth laugh.
"Thank you Katie." Elizabeth smiled.
"I'm going to go bring Jack his coffee I'll tell him to go home for a long lunch, and don't forget Abigail is having dinner here tonight." Kate said as Elizabeth stood putting her plate in the wash bucket and gathering Lily in her arms again.
"You are my favorite sister." Elizabeth smiled giving Kate a hug.
"That's just because I'm your only sister" Kate smiled.
"Well if i had more sisters you would still be my favorite." Elizabeth teased.
"Let me say bye to Tom" Elizabeth said as Kate took Lily.
"Oh little girl, what are we going to do with them all huh?" Kate said as Lily smiled at her again. The older the baby got, the more fun she became able to smile and coo at everyone who talked to her.
"Hi Lily Pad, What's this mess huh? What are your Mama and Papa doing? They are being pretty silly if you ask me." Kate said making faces as she talked as Lily gave a toothless grin reaching for her nose.
"Don't worry, Auntie has this all under control." Kate laughed.
"Hi Papa!" Tommy called swinging open the door to Jack's office letting himself in as Kate followed behind.
"Hey little man! What are you doing here?" Jack smiled catching Tommy up and tossing him over his head before setting him down.
"Mama went home and I'm staying with Auntie this morning" Tommy smiled proud that he was old enough to not have to go home like his little sister.
"Well that sounds like fun." Jack smiled turning to Kate as she put his coffee cup on his desk. Kate could see past his smile into his preoccupied eyes and knew he was just as distressed about the argument as Elizabeth was.
"Here's your coffee and Tommy picked out a muffin for you." Kate said.
"Thank you, such service I get." Jack smiled sitting back down at his desk taking Tommy into his lap letting him draw in his notebook with a pencil.
"I can watch him for a few hours if you're busy" Jack offered.
"I'm not, breakfast rush ended and Clara is coming to help with lunch since Abigail is gone, it's a nice day he can play out back or in the kitchen. Actually Elizabeth came by this morning." Kate said.
"Everything ok?" Jack asked and Kate could tell he was trying not to sound worried even though he clearly was.
"Yes, she asked me to send you home for a long lunch, she wanted to talk to you, hopefully the baby sleeps through and I'll keep this guy until the kids are out of school." Kate said softly though Tommy didn't seem to be listening to them.
"Yeah, I can wrap up here and take the rest of the day off." Jack nodded quickly.
"Great, that sounds like a good plan to me." Kate gave him a smile which Jack returned looking a little more relaxed.
"Papa can we go for a ride on Sergeant?" Tommy asked.
"Sure bud, how about a quick ride and I'll bring him back to you so I can finish up here and go home?" Jack asked Kate.
"Great, see you soon." Kate smelled heading back across the street to the cafe finally enjoying some quiet after a busy morning.
"Excuse me Ma'am, I was under the impression that the cafe was open?" Eric smiled standing in the dining room as Kate went inside.
"Hi" Kate smiled happy to see him.
"Hi, I saw it was empty, I thought I would stop by and see how your morning was."
"Busy, and I don't mean the cafe." Kate chuckled making a cup of tea.
"It seems it, what's going on?"
"Jack and Elizabeth had a disagreement which I know doesn't sound like much but it doesn't happen often so it's a little upsetting when it does. For the kids I mean. I know it's something they will work out."
"You sound very sure."
"Oh I am."
"So are you a believer in true love, you know the ones you read about in books?" Eric asked taking a sip of his coffee. Kate smiled sitting down across from him with her own cup of tea. Very few things about her childhood stuck, but one was that her Grandmother had always said ladies only drink tea.
"I think it's rare, but yes. I do believe in it. If you saw Jack and Elizabeth from the beginning you would too." Kate smiled.
"Well I would like to meet them."
"Believe me Elizabeth is saying the same thing. Tonight is a big family dinner for Cody but maybe in a few days."
"Great, I don't eat anywhere but here and the salon so my nights are free. Not many supper invitations for the new man in town." Eric said making Kate laugh.
"How is it staying over the Saloon? I know Jack used to hate it, he ended up living in the Jail until they got married."
"Luckily this town doesn't seem like it gets to rowdy, The only people there are the other unmarried men at the mill, and we all have an early morning so no complaints."
"It was a lot worse when we were a mining town." Kate agreed.
"I should get going, Mr Coulter was wondering if we could get some sandwiched around noon time for the office lunch?"
"Sure, Lee, you and Jesse?" Kate asked.
"Yes, ham if you have it, turkey if you don't. Oh and something about not telling Mrs Coulter because Dr Shephard said something about Mr Coulter cutting back on salted meats and apparently Mrs Coulter can't find out." Eric added making Kate laugh.
"Tell Lee his secret is safe with me. I'll bring them by before the lunch rush." Kate smiled.
"Ok, have a good day." Eric smiled drinking his last sip of coffee.
"You too." Kate smiled clearing the cups.
The sun was high in the sky as Jack made his way home. In a few more weeks the walk home in the middle of the day would be hot and sticky, but spring was still lingering and there was a nice breeze making it more enjoyable. He was glad Kate had taken Tommy for the morning so he and Elizabeth could have a chance to talk. He loves his family and all his children dearly but sometimes he missed the days when it was just him and Elizabeth. Kate had always been old enough to know when they needed time alone to talk. But it was harder with four small children, especially when there was a demanding newborn in the house. Not that Jack would trade Lily for anything. Willow sat on the front porch guarding the house as she always did when Jack was away during the day. If Jack had been a stranger she would have barked alerting Elizabeth someone strange was coming. But because Jack was Jack, she just lifted her head and wagged her tail as he climbed up the steps.
"Hey Willow, good girl." Jack scratched her ears before she lay back down and he opened the front door.
Jack softly leaned against the door frame as he let himself into the house. The afternoon sun shown through the window, casting a soft light and warming the room while the soft spring breeze blew the courtins. He watched silently as Elizabeth gently rocked in the rocking chair Bill had made before Abby was born. She rocked softly humming as she fed Lily, running her fingers through the baby's soft dark hair lightly.
"Hi beautiful." Jack said softly. Elizabeth looked up, not all that surprised to see him.
"Beautiful is almost asleep." Elizabeth said softly running her fingers over the baby's soft cheek.
"No she's adorable, you're beautiful."
"Hardly." Elizabeth sighed touching her hair that was pulled into a loose braid.
"No truly Elizabeth, you are beautiful all the time, especially when you're taking care of our babies. You just glow." Jack whispered. Elizabeth blushed looking down at the baby again not saying anything. Jack went to her side kneeling on the ground as Lily finished eating and Elizabeth gently cuddled the sleeping baby in her arms.
"I'm sorry I was accusing you of being bored." Elizabeth said softly.
"I'm sorry I ever gave you a reason to think I was unhappy." Jack reached out taking her free hand and rubbing his thumb over the back of it.
"I hate when we disagree." Elizabeth sighed.
"Me too."
"I was so short with you."
"I wasn't any better with you, I know your tired and your days are long, I should have been more aware of that. I'm sorry."
"We both are, let's just call it a bad night and move on?" Elizabeth asked.
"Deal" Jack smiled raising up to kiss her deep and long taking her breath away.
"Do you have to go back to work?" Elizabeth asked.
"Nope, I'm all yours until we go to Abigail's." Jack smiled.
"How about some lunch together?" Elizabeth asked.
"That sounds wonderful, and then I'll take this little girl for a walk and you can have a nice bath and a nap." Jack offered.
"I love you." Elizabeth grinned as Jack kissed her gently pulling her up from the chair.
Kate closed the Cafe when the bell rang dismissing the kids from school. Though she doubted anyone would come, Abigail had been telling anyone who would listen for more than a minute that Cody was coming home today.
"Come on Tom, let's go find everyone." Kate smiled as Tommy jumped up from where he was playing with his trains around the kitchen table. He slipped his hand into Kate's as she lead him out the door onto main street as Abby and Will came racing down the road with their books in their hand.
"Is he here yet?" Will cried.
"The stage isn't due for another ten minutes." Kate laughed.
"Willy wasn't paying attention all day he was so afraid to miss it." Abby said.
"That's not true!" Will made a face at her.
"Did you talk to Mama?" Abby asked glancing up at Kate.
"Yes I did, Your Pa went home for lunch and they should be on their way here as well." Kate nodded as Abby let out a sigh of relief.
"There's Mama and Papa!" Will cried as Kate turned to see Jack and Elizabeth walking hand in hand down the road, Lily tucked into Jack's arm.
"Mama!" Tommy yelled as they kids took off running to them. Elizabeth tried to gather all three in her arms.
"Hello, did you all have a good day?" Jack asked.
"Yup, and now Cody is coming!" Will cried.
"Really, I can't say I heard that news." Jack teased.
"Can we wait for them at the stage stop?" Abby asked.
"You bet, that's why Mama and I were coming down to meet you all." Jack nodded.
"Come on we can't miss it!" Will cried grabbing Jack's free hand and pulling him over to the little porch on main street where the coach stopped to let people off.
"Did you have a good day sweetie?" Elizabeth asked running her hands through Alb's long curly hair.
"Yes Ma'am, did you make lunch for Papa?" Abby asked.
"I did, we had a lovely afternoon." Elizabeth gave her a smile. She knew Abby had been worried, but she didn't what to tell her Kate had talked to her this morning. Somethings should just be special between the little girl and her aunt.
"Good." Abby smiled taking Elizabeth's hand and skipping along beside her as Tommy held her other one.
"I bet that's the stage" Kate said nodding towards the dirt path leading out of town where dirt was starting to blow. A second later the horses and stage coach appeared.
"They are here." Elizabeth smiled as they made it to the little porch just as the stage coach pulled up. Kate took Lily as Jack stepped up opening the door and offering a hand to Abigail as she climbed down.
"Goodness look at this welcome party!" Abigail grinned as Tony gave her a warm hug.
"You can't leave us for more then a few hours and not expect to be sorely missed." Elizabeth laughed hugging her friend.
"Well look who it is." Jack grinned drawing their attention back to the coach where Cody was climbing out. Kate grinned as Jack shook his hand warmly before Elizabeth gave him a warm hug and all the children jumped around him. Cody must have grown almost a foot while he was away at school, his once blond hair was turning darker and he wore a suite and greeted them all like such a gentleman. He was not the kid they had sent off when the semester started, he was a man now.
"It's so good to see you." Kate smiled hugging him with one hand.
"Oh look at you, I have heard a lot about you little one." Cody smiled letting Lily grab his finger waving it.
"The newest little Thornton." Jack beamed.
"What are you up to now 7?" Cody teased.
"Jack wishes." Elizabeth muttered just loud enough for Kate and Abigail to hear making them laugh.
"Let me take these" Jack took their suitcase from the road.
"Cody can we play catch before dinner?" Will asked at the group started in the direction of the cafe.
"Do we have time?" Cody asked turning to Abigail.
"Tonight is all about you, we can make time." Abigail smiled.
"Come on!" Will cried pulling Cody towards the back field.
"I want to go too!" Abby cried.
"Go on, take Tommy, I'll send Aaron out when the Coulters come maybe you can start a team." Elizabeth said as Abby and Tommy ran after them.
"Sweetie do you need my help?" Jack asked.
"No, you go on and play too." Elizabeth laughed. Jack set the bags down the the cafe porch kissing Elizabeth's cheek quickly before running off calling out to the kids."
"Children." Elizabeth shook her head laughing at them.
"Let me see this little girl, I missed you today." Abigail smiled taking Lily from Kate and cuddling her as they went inside.
As the sun went down the cafe became full of all the people Kate loved most happy to welcome Cody home. After dinner she sat in the sitting room chatting with Abigail and Rosemary. Lily was asleep in the basket at her feet and Elizabeth was beside her with Tommy in her lap his eyes growing heavy. Lee had pulled out the chess board and he and Bill were in the middle of a game, Aaron perched on Lee's knee watching. Jack and Cody were trying to teach Abby and Willy how to play poker around the table by the stove.
"It is good to be all together again." Elizabeth sighed contently running her fingers through Tommy's dirty blond hair.
"It's going to be a wonderful summer." Abigail agreed with a smile.
"What do you think should we get this crew home?" Jack asked glancing at Tommy who now seemed to be fully asleep.
"We probably should." Elizabeth nodded as Jack gently took Tommy from her and the boy stayed asleep on his shoulder.
"See you all tomorrow, it's so good to have you home Cody." Elizabeth smiled as they said goodbye to everyone and started home. Abby and Will ran ahead catching fire flies in the dark. Tommy was asleep on Jack's shoulder and Lily was tucked in warm in Elizabeth's arms.
"How's Friday sound?" Kate asked breaking their comfortable silence.
"Friday for what?" Jack asked.
"For Eric coming to dinner?"
"You mean you are finally going to bring him for us to meet?" Elizabeth asked grinning.
"Don't act like I have been hiding him from you!" Kate shot her a look making Jack chuckle.
"Friday sounds lovely." Jack nodded.
"I'll see if Abigail can keep the children." Elizabeth agreed.
"Actually, maybe they should be there, He wants to meet my family, they are my family." Kate said.
"That's very brave." Jack chuckled.
"Just no humiliating stories, nothing about when I was a little kid, or that time I flipped the boat over in the lake, or anything else." Kate said firmly.
"What about that time…" Jack started.
"Not about when I got stuck in the tree either!" Kate said making Jack and Elizabeth both laugh.
"Fair enough." Jack agreed as they came to the clearing where their farm was. Willow barked a greeting hurrying over to them.
"Can we play on the swing?" Willy asked when the adults caught up to them.
"It's bedtime now, you will have plenty of time tomorrow." Elizabeth said gently.
"But the sun is still out." Abby said pointing to the setting sun that was just light enough to not require a lantern to walk home.
"That's because summer is coming, but Ma's right it's bedtime and you have school tomorrow." Jack said opening the door.
"You coming in?" Jack asked as everyone went into the house past him.
"In a minute, I just want to enjoy this." Kate smiled leaning against the porch railing as the sun was going down.
