Chapter Twenty-One
"Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow,
it only saps today of its joy."
~Leo Buscaglia
Later that morning, Abigail was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when the kitchen door opened and Jack walked in. "Oh! Good morning, Jack!" she called.
"Morning, Abigail," he replied as he looked around the kitchen and living room. He craned his neck to peer into the dining room. "Ummm... is Elizabeth still upstairs?" he asked, shifting his attention back toward the stairs.
"No," Abigail answered. "She headed to school early this morning. She said she had a lot to do to prepare for the Career Day activities later today."
Jack looked disappointed. "Oh, I was hoping to help her carry the signs and things she'd made last night," he told Abigail.
"Well, if you hurry," Abigail advised, "you might catch her before the students arrive." She smiled as she watched him, expecting that he would take her advice and head to the school. Instead, he remained planted in place staring down at the floor. "Is there something wrong?"
He looked up and started to answer but stopped before saying anything.
Abigail studied him, noting his worried expression. "Perhaps something about that question you've been wanting to ask her?" she prompted.
He shook his head in frustration. "I just can't seem to find the right time, ever!" he said with exasperation. "Every time I plan to ask her, something happens."
She stopped her breakfast preparation and stepped towards him. "Jack, you know that the right time can be whenever you make it the right time. It doesn't have to be some contrived, special thing. You could ask her on the porch or when you walk her home from school." She looked at him before asking, "So what's really stopping you from asking?"
Jack's eyes widened with surprise at Abigail's pointed question. He looked away, uncomfortable. Finally, after several awkward moments, he replied, "Charles."
"Angry that he had the gall to propose to Elizabeth? Or that he beat you to the proposal?" she asked,
He started to disagree but realized she was right. He exhaled slowly, knowing that he needed to tell Abigail the truth. "Both," he admitted through gritted teeth. "But, he said something after Elizabeth turned him down that's been bothering me."
"What's that?" Abigail asked, concerned.
Jack hesitated a moment before answering, "He said that her family would never accept me." He stared down, a pained expression on his face.
Abigail's mouth fell open slightly, appalled that Charles had said such a thing.
"He said her family would shun her, cut her off," Jack continued.
"And you believed him?" Abigail asked, surprised.
Jack looked up at her. "When we were at her home in Hamilton, her father told me he feared Elizabeth might pass up the life she deserves." Those words didn't come easily from him as it was the first time he'd told anyone about the worrisome conversation he'd had with William Thatcher. "It was clear to me that he thought Elizabeth and Charles should be together. That she should live in a mansion in Hamilton not a Mountie's shack in Hope Valley."
Abigail considered Jack's admission before replying, "Well, Elizabeth made her choice and it wasn't Charles. So, her parents will have to accept that."
"But will they ever accept me?" he asked in a low voice. "Abigail, I don't want her to have to choose between me and her family. It might come to that and I don't want her to have to make that choice."
Abigail exhaled slowly and took a step toward Jack. She placed her hand on his arm. "Jack, I met Elizabeth's parents when I was in Hamilton. Yes, they are proper, society people and very wealthy. And I agree that they probably hoped that Elizabeth would choose Charles. She's their daughter and they'd like her back in Hamilton with them."
Jack nodded once and looked away.
"But," she added as she nudged his arm, prompting him to turn back to her. "Parents want the best for their children, but we, also, want our children to be happy. The Thatchers might want Elizabeth back in Hamilton, but I don't believe that is what she wants. So, they will have to accept her decision. Now, as for whether you should propose or not..."
Jack looked at her, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"You better propose soon, Jack," she cautioned. "She is aware of the ring. So, if you don't ask her, then she'll start drawing her own conclusions."
She exhaled with frustration. "I don't want her to..."
"Jack, you can't know what the future will hold. Worrying about what the Thatchers might say is not helping the situation. You and Elizabeth can face her parents together. If you do that, I believe that they will come to realize, as we have, that you two are meant to be together. You have to ask yourself can you imagine your life without her."
That sentence forced him to look away, his face revealing how much it afflicted him.
Abigail patted his arm before returning to the kitchen. She picked up the coffee pot and glanced back just in time to see the door closing as Jack exited. She shook her head and said a silent prayer for him and Elizabeth before heading into the dining room. She stopped at the table where Florence and Molly were seated to refill their coffee. "Is there anything else I can get you?" she asked.
"No, thank you," Florence answered. "It was very good, as usual."
"Your biscuits were delicious!" Molly effused.
"Thank you, Molly," Abigail replied as she moved on to the next table. She was surprised to see Dottie Ramsey seated there. Abigail guessed that Mayor Gowen's assistant must have entered the cafe while she was speaking with Jack. She wasn't happy to see Dottie, particularly since she hadn't seen her since she'd all but threatened her weeks ago. "Good morning, Dottie," she greeted, mustering as much pleasantness as possible. "Coffee?"
"Yes, thank you," Dottie answered.
"Can I take your order?" Abigail offered as she poured the coffee.
Dottie nodded. "Two eggs over easy and a biscuit."
"Coming up," Abigail called as she headed back to the kitchen.
As soon as Abigail walked out of the dining room, Dottie remarked loud enough for the other ladies to hear, "She should be ashamed of herself!"
Florence and Molly looked at her, astonished. "What?" Molly asked.
"The way she's keeping company with Pastor Frank," Dottie replied. "First, she's spending time with Inspector Avery. Now she's chasing our minister!"
Molly was aghast but it was Florence who spoke. "How dare you say such things about Abigail! You know she has unwavering character! And, really Dottie? I'm shocked to hear such gossip from you after Pastor Frank warned us about such behavior just last Sunday!" she soundly scolded.
Dottie looked away and inhaled sharply, perturbed by Florence's admonishment. Then, she stood and headed into the kitchen. She found Abigail at the stove preparing her eggs. "Abigail," she called her, startling Abigail.
"Dottie!" Abigail exclaimed, surprised to see Dottie in her kitchen. "Can I help you? Do you want to add something to your order?" she asked, confused.
"I notice you've been spending time with Pastor Frank," Dottie told her plainly. Abigail opened her mouth to protest but Dottie didn't give her a chance. "There's something I think you should know about Pastor Frank."
Recovered from the initial shock of Dottie confronting her in her own kitchen, Abigail countered, "Pray tell what is that?"
"He's not the man you think he is," Dottie offered. "He's not the man any of us think he is. He may not even be a minister."
Abigail scoffed, "And what makes you think that?"
"Mayor Gowen has been checking into Frank Hogan's past," Dottie shared haughtily. "And it seems Frank Hogan did not exist three years ago. He hasn't been able to find a trace of him." She looked to Abigail for her reaction, but was surprised to find Abigail's expression to be placid, almost defiant. "You don't seem as shocked as I expected, Abigail..."
"Dottie, why are you spending time with Henry Gowen?" Abigail inquired. "We all know what a wretched man he is and we are the company we keep, after all."
Dottie frowned at Abigail's insinuation. "It's only a matter of time before Henry discovers Frank Hogan's secret. I dare say you would want to have anything to do with such a man. After all, Henry has already made his intentions known about you and this business. Consorting with a man of low character who may very well be masquerading as a minister..." she trailed off, letting that information settle on Abigail.
Abigail's jaw set and her eyes flared. "Are you threatening me, again, Dottie?" she asked.
"Not threatening," Dottie corrected. "Just cautioning." She turned on heel and quickly walked to the door. Before she walked out, she turned back to Abigail. "Henry will find out the pastor's secret. I'd hate for you to be caught in the middle of something unsavory," she advised before heading outside.
Abigail stood watching the door, her face revealing her astonishment and anger.
Author's Notes: Dottie Ramsey is still behaving very strangely and continuing her odd association with Henry Gowen. That women is more twisted than a Twizzler candy! Also, after Florence's public humiliation last season, I had to have her redeem herself, defending Abigail to Dottie. I love Florence! I really don't believe she's malicious, just filter-less! Hope you enjoyed it! Keep reading... there's a lot happening in Hope Valley! Thanks for your reviews!