Chapter 26
"Absence is to love as wind is to fire:
it extinguishes the small
and kindles the great."
~Roder de Bussy-Rabutin
The next morning, Bill was at Abigail's Cafe early, well before opening time. Abigail was in the kitchen, packing food into a canvas bag. They both were a bit bleary-eyed after last evening's impromptu potluck get-together at Abigail's Cafe. It was "The Best Thanksgiving Ever," as Emily Montgomery had dubbed it. Most of the town had taken part, celebrating the judges's ruling and commemorating the end to a dark chapter in their lives. It had continued well into the night. In fact, the last people left so late that Abigail, Elizabeth, and Olivia had gone to bed, leaving the remnants of the festivities to be cleaned up in the morning. Now, Abigail surveyed her cafe and frowned, wishing she had cleaned up last night, after all.
She turned back to Bill. "I hope this will be enough to last until you get to the prison. How long a ride is it?" Abigail asked. Bill, who was just finishing his coffee, yawned widely, triggering a chuckle from Abigail. He set the coffee cup down on the table and chided her, "What? You mean you aren't tired?" She nodded. "Yes, but you're the one who keeps yawning!" Then, she found herself fighting a yawn. "Oh dear, it's catching!" she teased.
Bill laughed and grabbed his canteen, "I guess I better fill this thing with coffee so I stay awake on the ride." He raised his eyebrows, asking her permission. "Help yourself," she told him before asking him again, "how long is the ride?" He started filling the canteen with coffee as he answered over his shoulder, "It takes about four days to get to Medicine Hat."
Abigail nodded as she grabbed a loaf of bread and started slicing it. Bill walked over and stood next to her. "Abigail, I won't be coming back after I deliver this prisoner to Medicine Hat. I have orders to report to headquarters in Regina." Abigail stopped suddenly and looked at Bill. "In Saskatchewan?" she asked, shocked. Bill nodded. "Yes, I have to find out where my new assignment will be. I received a telegram a couple of days ago that I was not to return to Cape Fullerton."
Abigail dropped her gaze, clearly upset by what Bill had said. She felt tears building in her eyes. Bill continued. "So, I don't know how long it will be before I can get back here to Coal Valley."
Abigail walked over to the other counter and began to pick some cookies from the jar. Her back was to Bill and she took the opportunity to gather herself after she was surprised by Bill's news. After a few moments, she was composed again and turned back with her hands full of cookies. "Well, then I better pack you as much as I can for your long trip."
"Abigail, I'm so sorry..." he attempted to soothe her. Abigail turned and looked squarely at Bill. "No," she said sternly. "You have your job to do. I completely understand." "Abigail," he said as he reached for her hand. "I will be back as soon as I can," he assured. Abigail stared at her hand in his. She smiled mildly. "I know," she whispered to him.
Bill gazed at Abigail and then boldly leaned toward her. He gently kissed her cheek and then pulled back to look in her eyes. After several seconds, they closed their eyes and their lips briefly touched. Bill hugged her once more before leaving the cafe, the canvas bag of food in his hand. After he left, Abigail closed her eyes against a new onslaught of tears.
Bill walked over to the front of the jail, where Jack was assisting Burns onto his horse. Bill showed Jack the canvas bag. "Some delicious food from Abigail for the trip." Jack smiled. "Good. Should taste a lot better than a can of beans and hard biscuits." He turned and saw Elizabeth walking across the road from the cafe. Turning back to Bill, he said, "I'll be right back." Bill smiled as he spotted Elizabeth. "Sure," he assured Jack.
Jack met Elizabeth halfway across the street. "I was wondering if you were going to sleep in and not come to see me off." Elizabeth smiled. "Oh, I'm awake! I was just wondering if you were going leave without telling me bye." Jack scoffed. "No, ma'am! You had about five minutes before I was going to rush into your bedroom to wake you up for my proper farewell!" Elizabeth gasped and gave him a scolding look, "Jack Thornton! You wouldn't dare!"
Jack laughed and took both of her hands in his. His laugh mellowed into a smile as his eyes met hers. He then spoke in a low voice, "I'll be back as soon as I can. It'll probably be four or five days. I'm only traveling as far as Lacombe where another Mountie will continue on to Medicine Hat Prison with Bill."
Elizabeth looked down at his hands holding hers and nodded. "I know it'll seem like forever but it won't be. I just have to remember that." She looked up and smiled at him. Jack smiled back, beaming at her. Then, he slowly scooped her into his arms. They held each other tightly for several moments. As they broke their embrace, he kissed her forehead and then gently kissed her on the lips. She kissed him back but, as their lips parted, she mildly rebuked him with her eyes.
"I keep telling you that I'm courting you in public. And this is definitely in public," he told her, smiling mischievously. Her stern look melted into a smile. "Hurry home, Jack," she urged. "Yes, ma'am!" he assured her as he turned to mount his horse. He tipped his hat to her as he led Burns out of town, with Bill following them.