Chapter 10: Back to Coal Valley
The next morning, when Jack finally woke up, he still had a headache and he felt nauseous. He figured he probably had both a concussion and a hangover. Jack sighed and slowly pulled on his day clothes, aching all over. "I can't wait to go home," Jack thought to himself.
Jack went downstairs to breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and Emma were at the table. "Good morning, Jack. How are you feeling this morning?" Mrs. Johnson asked solicitously. "We heard about that tussle you got into with that stranger." Jack was surprised. "Stranger? The man said he was giving me some Mountain View hospitality." Mr. Johnson shook his head. "No one seems to know who that man was – he disappeared right after he hit you." Jack rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "Well, I guess it'll have to remain a mystery." Mrs. Johnson offered Jack some coffee and pastries. "I think you could use some coffee and something to eat." Jack declined the food, but gladly accepted the coffee.
"Mr. Johnson, do you think the roads are good enough today to make my way back to Coal Valley?" Jack asked. "It hasn't rained since yesterday, so the roads should be okay, but slow going." Mr. Johnson assured him. Jack was relieved. "Good – we'll start on our way back, then."
Jack continued, "Is Filbert at the schoolhouse today?" Emma perked up and replied cheerfully, "Yes, he left just a little while ago. He said he wanted to prepare his lessons for next week." Jack continued, "Thank you all so much for your hospitality." Mrs. Johnson replied, "It was our pleasure. While you're getting ready, Jack, I'll prepare some sandwiches for your trip home." Mrs. Johnson said kindly.
After breakfast, Jack packed his things and went outside to get his buggy and horse ready. Then Jack entered the inn to look for Rosemary – he didn't have to look far. Rosemary was animatedly telling tales of her acting days to a group of men in the main room.
Rosemary looked up and ran over to Jack. "Jack, it's you. How's that handsome face doing today?" Rosemary reached her hand up towards Jack's wounded cheek. Jack pulled back at the touch of Rosemary's fingers. "I'm fine, Rosemary. Just don't touch it right now, okay?" Rosemary acted surprised. "Oooh, you're grouchy today. Is there something I can do to cheer you up?" Rosemary asked brightly. "Yes, you can get your things together – we're leaving now," Jack replied tersely. Rosemary pouted. "So soon? I'm having such a good time." Jack responded, "Rosemary, you're a grown woman. You can stay here if you wish, but if you want to come back to Coal Valley with me, I'm leaving now." Rosemary turned on her heels. "Okay, okay. I'll get my things." Jack went up to the innkeeper to pay the bill.
Once Rosemary was ready, she and Jack walked over to the schoolhouse to say goodbye to Filbert. Filbert looked up from his desk as they entered. "Leaving today? Your visit was much too quick." Filbert got up to shake Jack's hand. "Please give Elizabeth my regards and remind her to write me. We agreed to exchange teaching ideas by mail. I'm looking forward to receiving hers." Jack nodded. Rosemary cleared her throat. "Rosemary, you shine like a gem everywhere you go," Filbert said graciously. "Good luck to you." Rosemary looked at Filbert carefully and replied, "Good luck to you too, Filbert."
Jack wasn't sure why, but he realized that Filbert and Rosemary had just said their goodbyes for good. "So much for my matchmaking skills," Jack thought to himself.
The return trip to Coal Valley took twice as many hours, as Jack had to guide the horse and buggy carefully through many muddy roads and paths. "We should have waited until the roads were better," Rosemary complained. Jack just ignored her and pushed forward. Between feeling poorly and the bad roads, Jack didn't have much to say. He let Rosemary prattle on during the day, the pall over his heart lifting as he neared Coal Valley . . . and Elizabeth.
It was nighttime when they pulled into Coal Valley. The last few hours of the trip even Rosemary was quiet as she slept on Jack's shoulder with a blanket around her to keep warm. Jack nudged Rosemary as he pulled the horse into the livery. "Rosemary, wake up. We're here." Rosemary opened her eyes and stretched out her arms. "Finally," Rosemary yawned. Jack quickly unpacked the buggy, swung his pack over his back, tipped his hat at Rosemary, and said, "Goodnight, Rosemary." Rosemary was left sitting in the buggy, a confused look on her face, as Jack walked out.
Jack walked briskly across the main road to Abigail's café. He saw that the light was on. He saw that Abigail and Elizabeth were sitting at a table and a few customers were there. Jack pushed open the door and dropped his things on the floor. Elizabeth, startled, rose from her seat with an anxious smile. "Jack, we were . . . . " Before Elizabeth could finish, Jack stepped over to Elizabeth, grabbed her in his arms, and kissed her strongly, ignoring the gasps of the other customers. Abigail hurried to the back of the café, and the customers all cleared out. Jack wouldn't let Elizabeth up for air. He kissed her over and over. Finally, Jack pulled Elizabeth's limp body away from his so he could look into her eyes. Jack pulled out Elizabeth's heart pendant from his pocket and put it around her neck. "Thank you," Jack said to Elizabeth. "You're welcome," Elizabeth whispered, barely able to speak. "I missed you," Jack said meaningfully. "I can see that," Elizabeth replied archly. The two of them laughed and reached in to kiss each other again.
Rosemary watched Jack and Elizabeth's reunion from the middle of the dark street, standing by herself, holding her satchel. The expression on Rosemary's face hardened. "I see," she thought to herself. "Hmm." Rosemary shook her head and smiled determinedly. "Now it's war," she said to herself, as she stalked off.