Chapter 25: Coming Together
Abigail smiled as she stood behind the counter and watched the two families sitting at the long line of tables before her. She felt so happy for Jack and Elizabeth as she watched their families talk and laugh like old friends. She had to admit that she hadn't been sure at first how the impromptu family dinner was going to go, especially after witnessing Mr. Thatcher going toe-to-toe with Viola about Jack. Fortunately, that had been the only moment of real tension.
Abigail wanted to chuckle when she thought back to the shocked look on Viola's face when Mr. Thatcher had informed her that he had indeed accepted Jack into the family. While she had only met Viola briefly during her stay in Hamilton Abigail had noticed right off the bat that Viola had an air of superiority about her that was typically expected of the rich and privileged. When Abigail had first seen the Thatchers' largest estate she had been awed; she had never seen such opulence before. The experience had made her appreciate all the more just how special her best fried truly was. She had come from a world filled with the finest things money could buy yet she was just as comfortable in a small town, teaching in a saloon and living in a room above the café. There was definitely not a pretentious bone in Elizabeth's body.
One of the most interesting parts of the meeting of the Thorntons and the Thatchers had been the introduction of Charlotte Thornton to William Thatcher. It was clear by the expression on Mr. Thatcher's face that the woman, who was wearing a leather coat, man's britches and a cowboy hat, was not what he had expected for Jack's mother. Even Abigail had to admit that she found Charlotte to be very unique. However, the fact that both Jack and Tom clearly adored her was evidence enough that she was a good mother. She remembered Elizabeth saying that Jack's father had died young so Charlotte would have had to raise two young boys on her own. That would not have been easy. Perhaps that's why she became such a tough woman; or perhaps she was always like that. Either way Abigail had to admit she was curious to learn more about this interesting woman.
The front door of the café opened and Lee Coulter and Rosemary LeVeaux came in. Rosemary was talking excitedly about something while Lee was obviously struggling to keep up with her.
Abigail smiled as she watched the couple. Both of them were relative newcomers to Hope Valley but both had become an important part of the town so quickly that Abigail found it hard to believe that they hadn't lived there always. At first Abigail had wished that Rosemary had not set foot into their little town because of all the drama and friction she had caused between Jack and Elizabeth, but now she couldn't imagine the place without her. The woman was so outgoing and carefree that Abigail found herself constantly wondering what was going to come out of the former actress' mouth next. She certainly had a flair for the dramatic.
Spotting Jack sitting at the head of the long table Lee moved towards his friend, a relieved smile on his face. "Jack, just the man I was hoping to run into."
Jack looked from Rosemary to Lee and chuckled slightly. "Is there something that I can help you with?"
"It's more like Rosemary is the one that needs help," Lee said in a stage whisper casting an amused look in Rosemary's direction. "And I don't mean in a physical way."
Abigail had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud at Lee's remark. Fortunately the woman in question was distracted from hearing him when her gaze landed one of the occupants of the long table. "Charlotte Thornton!"
"Rosemary LeVeaux!" Charlotte rose from her chair on Jack's right and wrapped her arms around the younger woman eagerly. "How are you doing?"
"I'm wonderful," Rosemary told her earnestly as she returned the hug. "How long has it been since we've seen each other?"
"You and Jack had just gotten engaged," Charlotte informed her.
"Oh," Rosemary cast an uncomfortable look towards Jack and Elizabeth, who was sitting to Jack's left, before looking back to Charlotte. Abigail was surprised to see the other woman blush slightly as she said, "I'm sorry about what happened after that."
"Don't be," Charlotte assured her easily. "You and Jack are like oil and water; you were never a good mix."
Abigail raised her eyebrows in surprise at the other woman's candour.
"I guess you saw it before we did," Rosemary admitted with obvious embarrassment.
Charlotte shrugged. "Call it Mother's Intuition. Elizabeth is a much better fit for him. I could see that immediately." Then looking over to where Lee was still standing beside Jack she continued, "And it looks as if you may have found your perfect match too."
Rosemary turned to look at Lee. "I have," she confirmed.
Lee smiled back in return as Jack introduced, "Mom, I'd like you to meet a very good friend of mine and my best man, Lee Coulter. Lee, this is my mother Charlotte Thornton and my brother, Tom."
Tom rose from his seat between Charlotte and Julie to reach over and shake Lee's hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too," Lee acknowledged before turning his attention to Charlotte. "It's a pleasure, Mrs. Thornton."
"The pleasure is all mine," she assured him. "Jack has told me about how you almost single-handedly kept this town from closing up after the mine operations were shut down. According to Jack you're the town's hero."
Lee gave her a mildly embarrassed look. "I'm no hero. Jack's the town hero. He's the one who protects the town from harm."
"I'm no hero, Lee," Jack dismissed modestly. "I'm just doing my job."
"And when I set up the sawmill I was just doing mine," Lee added. "It's the men of Hope Valley who were willing to learn how to be lumberjacks and mill workers that are the heroes. They're the ones who kept the town going by being willing to adapt."
Once again Abigail found herself smiling feeling her heart almost bursting with pride for the two young men before her. Either one of them could have found reasons to boast over the things they had accomplished in recent months, yet neither one of them had allowed those achievements to go to their heads. Instead they were each willing to put the other forward, praising their friend's achievements above their own.
"Would you and Rosemary care to join us?" Charlotte offered, gesturing to the table.
"Of course," Rosemary eagerly agreed as Lee was politely declining. She gave him a scolding look to which Jack laughed.
Slapping Lee on the back he said knowingly, "You might as well just give in and join us; this is one argument you won't win."
"One of many," Lee replied as Charles and Sir Lionel added a couple more chairs to the table.
As the occupants of the table returned to their previous conversations Abigail turned to grab the coffee pot and approached Lee and Rosemary to take their order.
"You should join us, Abigail," Rosemary told her eagerly.
Abigail smiled as she poured Lee a cup of coffee. "I would love to, Rosemary, but somebody has to serve my customers."
"Oh, If you need help…" Rosemary began to rise from her chair but Abigail assured her that she was fine.
"Clara is helping me," Abigail informed her.
"Are you sure you don't need my help? After all Clara…"
"Is doing just fine." Abigail smiled before moving off to fill Lee and Rosemary's orders.
Upon entering the kitchen she spotted her daughter-in-law drying some dishes. "Clara, would you mind checking if the Williams need anything else. They looked as if they were about ready to order dessert."
"What do we have for dessert?" Clara asked as she set aside her dishtowel.
"There are a few pieces of cherry pie left and a full apple pie in the cupboard," Abigail told her as she dished up two plates of food.
Clara moved towards the cupboard to retrieve the apple pie. "Are you sure you didn't serve the apple pie at lunch?"
Abigail looked at her daughter-in-law with a slight frown. "I'm sure. I just put it in there this morning."
"Well it's not here now," Clara informed her.
"That's strange," Abigail said as she moved to examine the cupboard for herself. She turned to look at the table in the middle of the room to make sure she hadn't left it there. "I'm positive I put it in the cupboard."
Confused Abigail gathered up Lee and Rosemary's plates and carried them into the dinning room.
"Elizabeth, did you happen to see the apple pie I made this morning and put in cupboard?" Abigail asked her friend, still puzzled by the missing pie.
Elizabeth shook her head. "No. You were in the middle of making it when I left for school this morning."
Abigail frowned again. "Well, either I am loosing my mind or we have a pie thief in our midst."
Jack grinned at her teasingly. "Would you like to file an official report?"
Abigail chuckled. "I appreciate the offer, Constable, but I'll hold off for the time being."
"If you're sure," Jack replied in a solemn tone. "But promise me, the minute they touch your cherry pie you'll call me."
Abigail chuckled again. "Deal."
As she moved back to the kitchen the back door opened and Frank walked inside carrying a wicker fishing basket.
"I hope I'm not too late for you to make use of these for dinner," he told her as he showed her his catch.
Abigail smiled broadly. "You are just on time. I expect the diner rush to happen any minute."
"Well, they are all ready to go," he assured her. "I cleaned them before I came over."
Abigail gave him a grateful smile. Even though she was very capable of gutting a fish, it certainly wasn't her favourite activity. "Thank you. Would you like me to cook some up for you too?"
Frank smiled at her. "If it isn't too much trouble."
"Not at all," she assured him. "Why don't you go out and grab a table."
He did as she suggested and Abigail set to work preparing his fish.
When she carried his food out to the dining room she was surprised to find that he had also been included in the Thatcher/Thornton reunion. Another one of her tables had been added to the line leaving a small path between the wall and William Thatcher for her to get through to serve the other customers.
"We're sorry to be taking over your café like this," Grace Thatcher apologized as Abigail set Frank's food in front of him.
"It's perfectly alright," Abigail assured her good-naturedly. "Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Did your pie thief leave any desserts behind?" Jack asked in a teasing tone.
"As a matter of fact he did," Abigail assured him. "There are a few of pieces of cherry pie left as well as a chocolate cake."
"I'll have some pie," Jack informed her. Charles also requested a piece as did Tom and Lee. The rest declined but requested a cups of tea.
"Coming right up," Abigail said and moved back to the kitchen as she heard Grace Thatcher say,
"So, Jack, I understand that you are building a house for you and Elizabeth."
Abigail smiled as she heard Jack begin to describe his plans for the house. Elizabeth had proudly shown her the sketch that Jack had drawn depicting the house and his dream for their future. She was so happy for the young couple. She couldn't think of anyone who deserved to be so happy as Jack and Elizabeth. They made such a wonderful couple; and it was clear that they were crazy about each other. She had never seen such a strong bond as the one that they had. Not even the temptations of Hamilton could keep Elizabeth away from Jack's side. Not even fear of her family's disapproval prevented her from promising to spend the rest of her life with the man that she loved. Abigail wished them all the best that life could bring.
After dishing up the remaining pieces of pie Clara helped her to serve their special guests.
"We're all going to walk over to the building site," Elizabeth told Abigail as she set a piece of pie in front of Jack. "Would you like to come with us?"
Abigail gave her friend a sad smile. "I wish I could but the dinner rush will be happening soon and I really should be getting ready for the onslaught. Then afterwards I'll have to clean up since Lee's millworkers have a bad habit of tracking sawdust all over my floors."
"You should do something about that, Lee," Rosemary told the sawmill owner reprovingly.
Lee frowned at her slightly. "What am I supposed to do about it?"
"I don't know," Rosemary admitted, "but there has to be something." Then snapping her fingers she turned to look at Abigail and suggested. "Perhaps you could get them to take their shoes off at the door."
Abigail exchanged an amused look with Lee and then Frank.
"I doubt their socks would be much cleaner," Frank informed Rosemary.
"I suppose you're right," Rosemary agreed thoughtfully. "But there must be something that can be done."
Abigail exchanged another amused look with Frank and Lee before assuring Rosemary that it was alright, she'd deal with the sawdust like she usually did. She then moved off to serve some of the aforementioned millworkers.
A few minutes later the group at the long table began to rise.
"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Elizabeth asked Abigail again.
"I'm sure," Abigail assured her. "But you run along and have fun."
Elizabeth gave her a wistful smile before turning and accepting Jack's hand. The couple then followed their family as well as Lee and Rosemary out of the café. When Abigail turned to begin clearing the tables she was surprised to find that a lot of the dishes had already been removed. Glancing towards the kitchen she found Frank setting a stack of plates beside the sink.
Abigail smiled and grabbed several glasses. "You don't have to help clear the table, Frank," she told him as he passed her on the way back into the dinning room.
"I know," he assured her, "but I want to. You're heading into one of your busiest times and you already have a lot of dirty dishes and tables that need to be rearranged. I thought you might appreciate another set of hands."
"I do," she told him gratefully.
"Great," he said with a smile. "Do you want to wash or dry?"
Coming soon:
Chapter 26: Love Changes Everything
William Thatcher reflects on Elizabeth's life in Hope Valley and how different it is from Hamilton