Chapter 10: A Peek Into the Past
*Disclaimer: I don't own When Calls the Heart
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The next morning, Abigail woke up early, as usual, to find little Iris still snuggled next to her. Abigail was rather tired. The baby had woken up three times during the night, and although Clara had been up with her twice, both of them were still lacking sleep. Abigail crawled out of bed, got dressed, did her hair, and came back to the room to check on the girls. Frank was just waking up, much to her relief, and she was dying to know what had happened yesterday. Deciding that Iris would be fine with Clara nearby, Abigail went downstairs and started breakfast. A few minutes later, Frank came downstairs.
"Good morning Darling!" Abigail said, giving him a kiss.
"Good morning!" He replied.
"Before the girls get up, could you tell me what happened yesterday?" Abigail said eagerly.
"Alright. First, I need to start with what happened many years ago. When I was an outlaw, West, Beau, and Ned were my partners. One day, we robbed a stage with some very rich businessmen on in. We got thousands of dollars, and shortly after that, I was shot and captured. Before being caught, I had buried the money, and I was told if I gave the Mounties information on where the money was, I could go in two years. So, I told them where it was. Somehow, after the Mounties took the cash, the rest of the gang found out. We were splitting it equally, and they felt that I had cheated them. So, they came back to get revenge. They also brought West's wife Louisa, who's also wanted for theft, to lure you over for tea. They never actually told us what they wanted to do to you, but I know it was nothing good. Now, all four of them are in jail." Frank said quietly.
"Oh Frank! That's terrible that they've held a grudge all these years!" Abigail replied, then remembered what he had said about Louisa. "Frank! What is going to happen to these poor little girls! Both their parents will be imprisoned!" She exclaimed.
"Jack's going to see if they have any family. I know West doesn't, but maybe Louisa does. For the time being, they'll stay here, if you're up for it." He replied.
"Of course they'll stay here! They're really sweet little girls! And Frank, I don't think Louisa was treating Iris right. Some of the things she said last night didn't sound right." Abigail said.
"I wouldn't doubt it. Thankfully they're here now." Frank said, giving her a hug.
Just then, Abigail and Frank heard a little cry and little feet running down the hall. Then, Iris appeared at the top of the stairs, a tear running down her cheek.
"Oh, honey! What's the matter?" Abigail said, rushing over to the little girl.
"I got scared!" Iris sniffled, running into Abigail's arms.
"Shhh…it's okay. I'm sorry I didn't stay with you until you woke up. I just wanted to get breakfast ready." Abigail said, comforting the little one, and leading her downstairs.
"Are there biscuits?" Iris asked eagerly, sitting down at the table.
"Yes!" Abigail chuckled.
Frank watched them, smiling. Abigail was a natural with kids. He hoped he could be the same. Sitting down at the table, he decided to try to talk to little Iris. Just as Abigail was placing breakfast in front of them, Clara came downstairs, and back upstairs, little April began to wail.
"Mother, I'm so sorry I can't get her; I'm doing a dress fitting in a half hour!" Clara said frantically, grabbing a biscuit as she headed out the door.
"No problem. Have a good day!" Abigail called after her as Clara rushed out the door.
As soon as Clara left, Abigail went upstairs to get April, leaving Frank and Iris alone.
"Did you sleep well Iris?" Frank asked.
"Yes. Except April woke me up!" the girl replied shyly.
"Oh no! Well, I guess babies tend to do that." He said, smiling.
"Yes. What's your name?" Iris asked, realizing she had never really met this man.
"My name is Frank. I'm the pastor in town. I guess we haven't officially met." Frank said.
"Are you Mrs. Hogan's husband?" The little girl asked.
"Yes I am. And I'm sure she would be fine if you just want to call her Abigail." Frank said, smiling.
"Okay!" The little girl giggled.
"It sounds like you two are having fun!" Abigail said, coming downstairs with April.
"Yes! Frank said I could call you Abigail!" The girl giggled again.
"Did he? Well that's fine! What's so funny?" Abigail asked the giggling girl.
"April's middle name is Abigail!" Iris said, smiling brightly at her.
"Well isn't that funny!" Abigail chuckled.
"Sorry to leave you two-er- three ladies, but I need to go call on the parishioners!" Frank said, taking a last sip of coffee and heading out the door.
"Goodbye!" Abigail and Iris called after him.
Shortly after Frank had left, the breakfast crowd was coming in, and Abigail had no idea what she was going to do with Iris and April. Iris didn't want to be left alone, and April really couldn't be left unattended, so Abigail was up to her ears in work and playing mother to the girls. She made a fake playpen for April out of some chairs, and gave Iris some cookie dough to shape and play with, and tried to work. However, April hated the playpen and was crying after five minutes, and soon, Iris had tired of the cookie dough. Thankfully, just as Abigail was beginning to think running a café and being a mother was a lost cause, Elizabeth came in.
"Elizabeth! Boy am I glad to see you! Could you watch the girls?" Abigail said, picking up April and handing her over to Elizabeth.
"Of course. Abigail, you look like you're at your wits end!" Elizabeth observed.
"Just about!" Abigail called as she took a pot of coffee out into the café.
Elizabeth managed to keep the girls occupied for the morning, and finally, the breakfast crowd left.
"Oh my goodness! I've never had such a hectic morning!" Abigail groaned, sitting down on the sofa.
"Abigail, do you think you should cut back on your work? I mean the doctor did say to take it easy." Elizabeth said.
"Probably. I just don't want to close the café!" Abigail confessed.
"Well, what if you hired a couple people? Or even better, a couple young people, like my students! I'm sure they'd love to work for you, and you could pay them in cookies and baked goods!" Elizabeth suggested
"Elizabeth, that's a wonderful idea!" Abigail exclaimed. "Who would you suggest?"
"Probably Rachel and Gabe, or any of the older ones. Gabe could probably serve, and I know Rachel enjoys cooking." Elizabeth offered.
"Wonderful! I'll talk to their parents today!" Abigail said, smiling.
"Abigail, may I have a snack?" Iris asked.
"Of course! Would you like some apple?" Abigail asked, leading the little girl over to the table.
"Yes please!" Iris said.
While Iris ate her apple, Abigail and Elizabeth chatted for a bit.
"Abigail, the main reason I came over here was because I just had to tell you some exciting news!" Elizabeth said, grinning.
"What is it Elizabeth?" Abigail asked.
"Well, I think I felt the baby kick last night!" Elizabeth said excitedly.
"That's wonderful! It feels strange, doesn't it!" Abigail said, hugging her friend.
"It really does! I've heard it can keep you up all night! Although I'm really more concerned about actually delivering the child" Elizabeth replied quietly.
"Yes, but don't worry, you'll be fine!" Abigail reassured her. "Women have survived it for years!"
Elizabeth smiled and picked up little April, who smiled happily.
"I'm surprised she's such a smiley baby! Most little ones aren't this happy away from their parents!" Abigail said, smiling at the happy baby.
"I know! She wasn't very happy last night though! After you and Iris went to bed, Clara and I discovered she had a pretty bad diaper rash. Is it any better today? We put some ointment on!" Elizabeth said.
"Yes, I believe it's much better today! See Elizabeth, you'll be just fine with a baby." Abigail replied, happy that Elizabeth and Clara had taken care of the situation.
After Iris had finished her apple, Abigail and Elizabeth read the girls books, one holding April, who had fallen asleep, the other reading. They played with dolls, after Elizabeth had gone across to the mercantile and purchased a few, much to Iris' delight. After playing for a few hours, Abigail got started on lunch which consisted of a hot turkey sandwich on fresh bread, or turkey soup. Soon the kitchen smelled wonderful, and the lunch rush began. Thankfully, Elizabeth was able to feed the girls while Abigail attended to the customers. After the lunch crowd had gone, Abigail and Elizabeth cleaned up, and were about to sit back down, when Abigail realized it was probably time for Iris' nap. The little girl looked very sleepy, so, Abigail took her upstairs and put her to bed.
"Abigail, will you stay with me again?" Iris asked.
"Of course, for a little while. But if you wake up and I'm not in the room, I'll be right downstairs and you can come get me." Abigail said, tucking the little girl in and kissing her on the forehead.
"Okay." Iris replied, snuggling into the covers. "Abigail, if my mommy doesn't come back, will you be my new mommy? Iris asked.
The little girl just about broke Abigail's heart. "Of course honey. But don't you miss your mommy?" she asked tenderly.
"Yes, but I like you. You're nice, and you give me hugs and kisses. Mommy never gave me hugs and kisses." Little Iris responded, snuggling up against Abigail, who smoothed back her hair.
Anger rose up in Abigail. How could someone not love this innocent little child? Gaining composure, she replied, "Well thank you Iris. I like you too, and I hope you're happy here."
As she watched Iris fall asleep, tears streamed down Abigail's face, thinking of how little love the sweet child must have had. She was determined to show this little girl what a loving parent was.