Chapter 25: When Calls the Dance - Part One
Cat Montgomery finished cleaning the dishes from breakfast and put them away in the hand-hewn cabinet that Noah had built for Abigail. She wiped her hair out of her face and surveyed the now immaculate kitchen.
Jack had done well with the biscuits and hadn't made too much of a mess but there still had been things to clean up. And now it was nearly time to start making lunch. Cat was grateful that the café was still closed and that she didn't have to cook food for scores of hungry townspeople and miners. What should I cook for lunch? She thought. As delicious as those biscuits are, it's simply not healthy to have them three meals a day. She spent a moment in thought, pondering what type of meal she could prepare.
"Knock, knock," a gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
She had been so deep in contemplation that she hadn't even noticed anyone opening the door to the café. Startled, she stepped back in haste, bumping into the table in the kitchen.
"I apologize for startling you." Inspector Avery greeted her, a smile crossing his handsome face.
"Don't worry about it," Cat smiled apologetically, "I wasn't paying attention. How can I help you, Inspector?"
"Is Abigail awake?" He asked.
"I believe she's still resting." Cat told him, "I told her to stay in bed until lunch."
"How is her recovery going?" Bill asked.
Cat decided to be frank with him – since Abigail was clearly dear to him and she valued her friend's high opinion of the man. Plus, he had rescued Abigail from a terrible situation – probably saved her life – and that fact alone had lifted Bill up in her opinion.
"Not as well I as could hope." Cat admitted. "I know it's only been a couple of days but she seems listless, not resting well. Granted, I needed to make sure she wasn't in a coma that first evening so whatever sleep she got was broken but she simply doesn't seem to be sleeping well." Bill frowned.
"I don't blame you," Cat said hastily, "you're not the cause of her lack of sleep. And neither am I. But some of those bruises were deep. They'll take time to heal; especially since she's not as young as she used to be."
"None of us are." Bill said, somewhat ruefully. "Aging is both a blessing and a curse."
"A curse definitely in this case." Cat said. "What can I do for you?"
"I would like to take her on a picnic." Bill said. "But given what you've said about her condition, do you think that would be wise? I defer to your expert opinion."
"Hardly expert," Cat laughed, "but I don't see the harm in her going out for an hour or two, just as long as she doesn't exert too much energy. There's a small lake not too far from the town which would be just perfect. It isn't near too many hills so the walk would be easy on Abigail. She's been "stuck" in here – for lack of a better word – during her recovery so some fresh air would probably do her good."
"I think I recall passing the lake in my travels around Coal Valley." Bill reflected. "That might not be a bad idea to take her there."
"She should be up shortly." Cat said. "Would you like me to pack some food for the two of you?"
"That would be most gracious of you." Bill said. "But do let me know how I can assist you."
"You could best assist me by probably staying out of the way." Cat chuckled. "I work best when it's just me in the kitchen. Habit, I suppose."
Bill smiled, "I definitely understand. Just as Abigail isn't much of a doctor, so I am not much of a cook."
"What's your preference for food, then?" Cat asked, taking out ingredients.
"I don't have fancy tastes," Bill said, "I would much rather you make something that Abigail would enjoy."
"I have some ideas." Cat smiled. "I'll try to make them easy for you to carry. Nothing too elaborate."
She took out eggs, potatoes, and bread crumbs and put some butter to the side. She quickly mashed the potato with salt and pepper, added eggs she had beaten well and rolled the mixture into cylinders. She then rolled them in an egg that she had beaten with a tablespoon of water. She then lit up the stove and let the griddle heat up, while she rolled the cylinders in the bread crumbs. To add more flavor, she sprinkled in some basil and rosemary and fried the cylinders in the griddle.1
"Those look delicious," Bill said, "what are they?"
"Potato croquettes." Cat responded. "They're pretty easy to make and I know Abigail loves them. I also have some gingerbread that I made yesterday and I can make you some beans. And I'm fairly sure there are a couple of apples that are still good."
"I really appreciate your efforts, Mrs. Montgomery." Bill said seriously. "It's very kind of you to go out of your way to help both Abigail and myself."
"No need for thanks." Cat said. "Abigail is one of my dearest friends. I consider it an honor and privilege to return to her what she has done for me. Just be careful with her heart. She's been through enough."
"Abigail's very luck to have so many loyal friends." Bill observed. "True friends are rare to find in this world and even harder to keep."
"Indeed you're right." Cat said. "Let me prepare you my own special lemonade." She gave him a quick smile and bent to look under one of the counters. "Ah, yes...Abigail has a basket here."
"I'm assuming you forgot about the picnic basket?" She smiled at Bill, with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
For once, the very self-assured Mountie looked a bit flustered.
"The only excuse I can give," he said, "was that this was an impulse. When I was coming over here to visit, I hadn't planned on asking her to go on a picnic." His face turned a light red in embarrassment. "It was...a last minute decision."
Cat looked at him. "I understand." She looked at him thoughtfully.
Suddenly, the both heard footsteps and Abigail came into the kitchen.
"Bill!" she exclaimed in surprise.
"Good afternoon, Abigail." He greeted her with a smile that transformed his face.
He really was a very handsome man, Cat thought to herself. And a good one. Abigail is very fortunate.
"Abigail, I came to ask you on a picnic with me. We don't have to go if you're not up to it. We could simply have a bite to eat here."
"No," she said in delight, "that actually sounds wonderful. I've been cooped up here the last couple of days and I would very much like to get some sun."
"Bill helped me prepare some food," Cat interrupted, somewhat startling Bill who hadn't helped at all. "He's very good at this, Abigail."
Abigail smiled mischievously. "Oh, yes, he's helped me before."
The two women exchanged a knowing look, to the slight discomfiture of the Inspector.
"Yes, well, should we be on our way then?" Bill asked hastily.
"Let me finish the lemonade," Cat smiled, taking pity on Bill, who was suddenly as awkward as Jack was when he had first started trying to woo Elizabeth.
Abigail smiled at Bill. "How has your morning been?"
"It's been productive. I saw Miss Thatcher at breakfast and got some business done with Constable Thornton." His eyes scanned her face, noting the circles underneath her eyes and the tired, pinched look.
"I trust it was fruitful." Abigail said, hope in her eyes.
"It was. More than you know." Bill told her, understanding what she was asking. He was glad to see a look of relief in her eyes and the easing of the tightness in her expression.
Cat finished preparing the lemonade and put the closed-top pitcher in the basket. "There," she handed it to Bill, "I'm sure you can handle carrying this for the short trip to the lake."
"Of course." He said. "Once again, I'm very grateful to you, Mrs. Montgomery, for everything."
Cat nodded in understanding, getting the unspoken message.
"Enjoy your afternoon," she said, "Abigail, please don't overdo it."
"You have my word," Abigail said, "I don't have the strength to overdo it."
With those words, she and Bill walked out of the cafe and in the direction of the lake nestled outside of the town.
1Recipe taken from The Worcester Family Cookbook on open library . org