Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".
Note: Steam Alert - not a lot but here's your warning!
By the way Jack will be back soon!
(6/8/2018)
CHAPTER 54
Elizabeth woke the next morning with a start. She could see that the sky had lightened. She inwardly cursed herself. She had never intended to fall asleep on their last night together.
Jack's arm held her in his spot around her waist. She slowly rolled into him until she was facing him. He didn't stir and she stared at him taking in all the little details. She tried to memorise everything about him and the feeling of laying in his arms. She ran a hand through his cowlick and down the side of his face and his eyes opened in response.
They stared at each other for a long time before his hand began moving along her side. He pulled the ribbon below her neck until her nightgown loosened and then he slid it over her shoulders slowly until her chest was partially exposed. His hand reached out to her and their eyes stayed on one another as it moved over her chest gently.
Elizabeth shifted her body closer to him as his hand gripped her neck, wrapping around to the base of her skull. He kissed her gently, his lips gliding over hers. I'm going to miss him so much. Immediately she felt the warmth in her eyes as the tears welled. As Jack drew back from her he must have noticed and she could see the hurt return to his eyes.
"Don't cry" he whispered as he pulled her in closer, hugging her tightly. "It will be okay. I will be back before you know it."
"I know" she sobbed. "Don't you have to get going?"
The sky had lightened and she knew Jack had a hard day of riding ahead of him.
"There is no way that I am leaving my wife like this" Jack said as he kissed her again slowly.
"I love you Jack. I'm going to really miss you."
Jack's lips came back to hers and he showed her just how much he loved her. It was slow and gentle and by the end Elizabeth felt at peace wrapped in her husband's arms.
Jack had tied Sergeant out the front of the house and had finished packing his saddlebags. He had a few days of food and he was hoping the weather would hold out for his journey.
He turned back to see Elizabeth waiting at the door. She was so beautiful. She was dressed ready for the day, but her hair was still not fixed and it tumbled down over her shoulders.
He finished the last tie on his bags before he walked back up the porch steps toward her. He put her arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Write to me?" he whispered into her ear.
"Of course."
He pulled back slowly.
"I think the postal service will be very slow up there, but I will do my best."
"Okay."
Jack hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to say goodbye but he knew he had to get moving.
His hand moved to her face and he held the side of her face as he kissed her gently.
"I will be back before you know it" he said trying to smile. He could see the tears in her blue stormy eyes returning. He looked away as he went to pull away but she tugged him back to her. Her lips found his again, kissing him desperately one last time. He knew he had to leave. One more kiss.
He found it so difficult to pull away again but this time he did. He untied Sergeant and mounted him before he looked back at her. The tears were still there but she was smiling up at him. After one more long look at his wife, he turned his horse around and galloped off down the road.
The first week apart was probably the hardest. Elizabeth had felt lost. She had grown so reliant on having Jack around to talk to that she now felt lost. Thankfully her Hope Valley friends did their best to distract her.
Faith and Shane announced their engagement so immediately Elizabeth and Abigail began to plan an engagement party. They decorated the saloon and made food and a cake. When Faith saw the room, she was overjoyed.
"Elizabeth, how did you do all this in just a day?" Faith exclaimed.
"I've had a bit of free time lately" Elizabeth smiled back. "Plus, it wasn't just me!"
Shane came up to thank her for everything as well.
"How are you going Izzy?"
"Fine, Shane. Just trying to keep as busy as possible."
"You know Jack was supposed to help me with the proposal. Can you write to him and let him know it worked? I ended up having to get Bill to do Jack's job of lighting all the candles."
"I will let him know. I'm sure he was disappointed that he couldn't help you out."
"That's ok. Duty calls."
Faith and Shane had already decided that they wanted to get married in the middle of spring in Hope Valley so the town was excited at the prospect of a wedding. Elizabeth stood beside Abigail watching Faith and Shane dance while the rest of the town milled about them happily.
"What are you thinking about, Izzy?"
"I kind of wish Jack and I could have had this."
"What do you mean?"
"We didn't get to celebrate here in Hope Valley. There was no engagement party and just a rushed wedding ceremony and lunch with Lee and my sister. I kind of wish we had have been able to do the whole thing here with our friends around us. At least Faith will have that" Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth none of that matters. If you had have waited to get married in Hope Valley you probably wouldn't have been married when Jack left. Would you have forgone those memories over the last six weeks?"
"No. Definitely not. You're right. I was just thinking."
Abigail touched her arm. "He's coming back Izzy."
"I hope so."
Jack had finally reached his post. It was a small "town", if you could call it that. His new home consisted of a shack that was practically falling apart. It had boarded up windows and a small fireplace and that was about it. As Jack unpacked his bag, a piece of paper fell to the floor.
Jack picked it up and saw that it was an envelope with Elizabeth's handwriting on it. He pulled it open to see a letter.
Dearest Jack,
I never could have imagined that in six weeks I could feel the way I do about you.
I'm going to miss you immensely. I'm going to miss talking to you. I'm going to miss walking with you. I'm going to miss kissing you. I'm going to miss laying with you. I'm even going to miss arguing with you.
Promise me that you will come back to me. I can't imagine my life without you in it.
I love you, body and soul.
Forever yours,
Izzy
Jack reread the letter again several times before folding it up and putting it in his pocket with her photo, close to his heart.
Elizabeth had moved her class of children into the new schoolhouse. The first morning, the children had been so excited that they had hardly gotten any work done but they settled down eventually. The younger children seemed to flourish by being separated from the older group of children. Opal's reading was improving in leaps and bounds, Emily's maths skills were improving drastically and even Timmy was putting his hand up in class to answer questions now.
Isobel Peters still remained a puzzle. Elizabeth invited her to dinner. She refused. Elizabeth invited her to the ladies' social. She refused. Even just a cup of coffee at the café was too much. So instead, Elizabeth began to bring her a cookie or a scone from the café and leave it on her desk. Elizabeth stopped at the cafe every morning, so it didn't take too much effort.
As Elizabeth walked up one morning, Gabe was walking past towards the church.
"Hi Gabe."
"Hi Mrs Thornton."
"How are your classes going?"
Gabe groaned. "Fine."
"What does that mean?"
Gabe looked around over his shoulder before continuing. "Miss Peters is so boring. She just makes us rewrite things out of our readers or write essays about nothing. When we hand them in, she hands them all back with big red F's on the top saying we all did it wrong. How do 12 kids all get F's unless the teacher is at fault?"
Elizabeth agreed but didn't want to be heard undermining Isobel. "Maybe I will walk up and listen to the lesson at some stage."
"Mom said I need an education but when I showed her the essays she thinks there's no point. She was going to try and find a job at the mill for me."
"But you're barely 16!"
"Yes, but what's the point? Timothy and Ben are talking about leaving too."
Elizabeth was surprised. Timothy and Ben were only 15 years old. They couldn't leave school yet!
"Okay, I will do something about it today. Thanks Gabe."
In her lunch break, Elizabeth asked Abigail to come and watch her students for a little while in the afternoon. Abigail didn't ask any questions but agreed. As soon as the children were settled, with Abigail reading them a book, Elizabeth went next door to the other school house.
Elizabeth walked up the stairs and stood at the back of the room listening. Isobel saw her but didn't pay her any attention. She saw all of the children copying words out of their readers onto their ledgers. Elizabeth walked up and looked over Gabe's shoulder. Sure enough they were just copying sentences.
"Miss Peters, may I have a word?"
"I'm in the middle of lessons here."
"I can see that but you are sitting behind your desk while the children are working. You have a minute, I'm sure."
Isobel stood up and walked to the back of the room.
"What are the children doing?" Elizabeth asked.
"Excuse me?"
"It looks like they are just copying from their readers."
"Yes. And?"
"What does that teach them?"
Isobel looked at her in surprise. "Well, they are quiet now and settled."
"Yes, but what does it teach them?"
"To sit there quietly and copy words as they are told" Isobel replied.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"Excuse me, children." Their heads all immediately turned toward her. "Could you please tell me what you are copying?"
Gabe's hand went up.
"We're copying from the reader Mrs Thornton."
"Yes, but what are you copying? What is the content that you are copying?"
They looked at her puzzled but Elizabeth saw a few of them look back down and reread what they had been writing.
After a minute Laura put her hand up. Elizabeth nodded to her.
"It's about grammar."
Elizabeth turned back to Isobel. "They don't even know what they are copying. That is a waste of time. They are not learning anything from copying words" she said to her quietly.
Elizabeth walked to the front of the room.
"Can you all please turn to page 130 of your readers? Gabe, can you please read the first line?"
The children shuffled back a few pages and Gabe's strong voice filled the room. He read the definition of a synonym.
"Right. Do you all understand what a synonym is? It is a new word but with the same meaning?"
Elizabeth saw some nods from the group.
"Okay, now wipe your slates clean." Elizabeth went to the board and began to write words on the board. Small, strong, happy, smart, forward, eager. Next to small she wrote, for example tiny.
"Now I want you to all write down two synonyms for each of these words. Once you are done, I want each of you to come up to the board and write a new word over this side. Then go back to your seats and write the synonyms of the next twelve words."
Elizabeth moved back towards Isobel who was standing there surprised. The children all dropped their heads in concentration. Slowly they began to move to the front of the room and write new words on the board.
"That is how you could teach children grammar, Isobel. Copying text teaches them very little. Unfortunately, if children aren't challenged they will begin to act up and I have already heard that some of the boys are considering leaving."
Isobel stood there speechless. "If you need help with your lesson plans, I'm available any time" Elizabeth said before she walked out of the classroom.
At the end of the day, Elizabeth saw Isobel's class leaving a few minutes early. Elizabeth was surprised. That rarely happened. Elizabeth had seen how Isobel held the children back for the smallest thing. None of it made any sense.
Isobel seemed to dislike children and yet she held them back on detention more times in a week than Elizabeth had ever done in her entire career. Come to think of it, she had never held them back on purpose but rather she and the children all lost track of the hour until a concerned parent had knocked on the door.
As the last of the children ran down the steps, Elizabeth watched as Isobel emerged and walked toward her classroom. Elizabeth quickly dismissed her children, helping them to put their coats on and collect their lunch pails.
Isobel stood there quietly waiting until the last student left. Elizabeth tidied up the last of the chairs before looking up.
"Is there a problem Isobel?"
"I believe I owe you an apology."
"Okay …"
"I'm sorry I have been so rude to you. Honestly I have been jealous of you for a long time. I knew of you back in Hamilton and I assumed you were a wealthy socialite that had no place in a town like this. As soon as I got here, everyone raved about you. When I began teaching, everything I did was compared to you. The students would complain if I didn't do things like you and I had parents asking why I didn't teach like you. Instead of asking how I could improve things myself, I put up a wall."
Elizabeth listened intently, not exactly sure what to say.
"You're young Isobel. Teaching has a big learning curve. I learnt that first hand when I came here. I was much like you are now … trying to find my way."
Isobel smiled. That was the first time Elizabeth had seen her do that.
"The children really enjoyed your lesson this afternoon. Seeing their enjoyment made it easier for me to expand on what you did."
"Glad to hear it."
"I was wondering if … maybe … that's if you have time …"
Elizabeth watched her stumble over her words.
"… maybe if you would like to have dinner tonight, I could show you my lesson plans for the rest of the week."
"Of course. That would be fine. Abigail's at 6?" Elizabeth offered.
"Yes. Thank you, Izzy."
As Isobel left the classroom, Elizabeth watched her go smiling to herself. She'd done it.
Elizabeth immediately went home to write Jack a letter. She had been writing to him every few days whenever something of news came up. This was definitely news.
Elizabeth had a meeting on Wednesday night with the town council to discuss avenues of expansion. Florence, Molly, Cat, Sarah and Abigail all sat in the closed café with some tea and cookies in front of them.
"Alright, let's get started. We need to find ways of bringing more revenue into the town. I had a few ideas" Abigail began.
Elizabeth sat there listening to the council women discuss their options. They were all good ideas but nothing stood out that would be a long-term solution for expansion.
Abigail turned to Elizabeth. "You are the business woman. What do you think?"
Elizbaeth didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings but she knew business and those things wouldn't work.
"Sorry to disappoint you all, but I don't think any of those ideas are feasible as a long-term solution to this problem."
"Oh." Abigail's head dropped, as did Sarah and Molly's.
"But …" Elizabeth continued, "I do have an idea. It would take a little while to setup and I'm going to need to find help but I think it will be the answer that we're looking for."
"Okay" Abigail was eager once again.
"A paper factory. It would link directly in with the saw mill but it would be its own entity."
"How are you going to do that?"
"I will need to seek out investors, but the biggest problem is going to be electricity. We need electricity for the machines. We will need to be closer to the railway line as well. I have already bought some property between the mill and the railway station for the proposed site but Abigail I need you to work on getting electricity there. We can then move it into town not long after."
The women all stared at her.
"I realise its not an immediate solution but we can move a lot of the women from the mill to the factory. It will be less labour intensive work for them, but I will need a lot more workers in the future."
"I think it sounds like a great idea" Abigail exclaimed before all the other women agreed with enthusiasm.
Elizabeth was in the mercantile the next morning and happened to glance at the newspaper that was left lying open on the counter. An advertisement got her attention.
Canadian International Exposition, Toronto - for industry and technological innovations
Elizabeth though that would be perfect to find out more information about the paper mill. It was at the beginning of the following week. She should take James and Beau with her. They could learn so much.
As she walked towards the school, Isobel called out to her.
"Izzy!"
"Hi Bel. How was your class yesterday?"
"Great. The children responded well to the changes you suggested."
"That's great. I was going to ask if you would mind combining the classes again next week. There is an expo in Toronto that I think would be good to go to."
"Of course that would be fine."
"I was thinking of taking Gabe and Jenna as well since they are the oldest. Like an excursion."
"That will be fine."
Elizabeth waited until the class was about to end before she slipped in to Isobel's classroom. After Isobel dismissed them, Elizabeth spoke up.
"Gabe and Jenna. Can you stay back for a moment?"
Gabe looked guilty of something, although Elizabeth wasn't sure what. Clearly, he thought he was in trouble.
Isobel left the room as Elizabeth sat down nearby.
"What is it, Mrs Thornton?" Jenna asked.
"I have decided to go to an international exposition next week and I was going to offer to sponsor both of you to come with me."
Elizabeth watched as Jenna's face lit up. Gabe still looked uncertain.
"What is an international exposition?" Gabe asked.
"People from all over the world come to discuss improvements in industry and technology. I'm interested in investigating some options for expanding the mill but I thought you both might like to come, along with James and Beau."
"I would love to go, Mrs Thornton" Jenna said eagerly.
"How long would we be gone for?" Gabe asked.
"About five or six days."
"I'm sorry. I can't come" Gabe said. "May I go now?"
"Of course, Gabe."
Puzzled, Elizabeth watched as Gabe raced out the door. Emily and Miles were waiting for him on the stairs.
Of course, he won't want to leave his family.
Elizabeth turned back to Jenna. "How about I walk you home and I can ask if it would be okay with your parents?"
Jenna nodded and jumped up to grab her coat.
Jenna's mother was so excited and grateful for the opportunity. Although Jenna would miss out on helping with all the chores, Jenna's mother could see the opportunity for the advantage that it would be for her daughter. Most of the mothers had seen how Elizabeth had mentored Beau and James and they were eager to see if Elizabeth would provide similar opportunities to the other children.
Elizabeth began to walk home. As she passed the row houses she decided to stop off at the Montgomery's house, hoping to speak to Cat. Thankfully Cat opened the door after her knock.
"Hi Izzy."
"Hi Cat."
"Would you like to come in?"
"Sure. I just had to speak with you for a moment."
Cat welcomed her in. Emily was sitting at the kitchen table but Miles and Gabe couldn't be seen.
"Have you seen Gabe this afternoon?" Elizabeth asked.
"Just briefly when I got home. Was there a problem at school today?"
"No. I have offered to sponsor him and Jenna to come to an exposition with me in Toronto next week but I think he's worried about leaving you. I just thought I should let you know."
"An exposition? In Toronto?" Cat said in surprise.
"Yes. It won't cost you anything. It's okay if you'd prefer him to stay here."
"Oh no. He will go" Cat said eagerly nodding.
"I will let you discuss it with him. We will be leaving next Tuesday on the stage."
"Gabe will be there!"
Elizabeth smiled at Cat's eagerness. She left the row house and went home to write Jack another letter.
The following week, Elizabeth departed with James, Beau, Gabe and Jenna on the morning stage coach. They were all so excited. Elizabeth was fairly certain none of them had even been on the stage before. It was a lively start to the trip and their enthusiasm soon spread to Elizabeth as well.
After a day and a half they arrived in Toronto. Elizabeth hired a car to take them to the Four Seasons Hotel where Elizabeth had booked two rooms. The four of them hung out the sides of the car staring at the city while Elizabeth smiled at them.
Once inside the hotel, they stood there in awe as Elizabeth got their keys. The boys carried their bags upstairs and Elizabeth led them to their room. She handed one of the keys to Beau before taking her own bags and leading Jenna to the other room next door.
Elizabeth walked in to the room and went to the bedroom, putting her bags down. She turned around to see Jenna standing in the middle of the room awestruck.
"Jenna? You okay?"
"Yes, Mrs Thornton" she said in a far away voice.
"Why don't you wash up and get dressed for dinner?"
"Okay" she said moving slowly toward the bedroom.
"The bathroom is through there" Elizabeth said pointing.
Jenna drifted into the bathroom and stood at the doorway.
"Jenna? Everything okay?"
"What are those?" Jenna was pointing at the taps.
"They're the taps for the water. You've never seen running water before?"
"No" she said softly.
Elizabeth walked around her and showed her how to use the taps in the basin before she left her to it.
When Jenna emerged later ready for dinner, Elizabeth noticed that Jenna was wearing the same dress.
"How many dresses did you bring with you?"
"Just three. But this is my best dress."
Elizabeth looked across at her. It was nowhere near suitable for the restaurant.
Elizabeth went to the closet where she had hung up her dresses and pulled out a plain white blouse and soft pink skirt.
"Here, put this on."
Jenna's eyes went wide. "They're too nice for me."
"It's fine. Please?"
"Okay."
Jenna left and returned five minutes later looking very happy with her new attire.
"You look lovely, Jenna. Let's go find the boys."
The five of them had dinner together in the restaurant. The venue, the menu, the waiters – everything fascinated them. Elizabeth was beginning to see everything in a new light as she watched her students taking everything in. They talked about the exposition that would begin the following day and Elizabeth instructed them on what they should do.
"Please stay together though. I do not want to go back home to Hope Valley and have to tell one of your mother's that I lost you!"
James laughed. "I would love to see my mother's face when you tell her that!"
"James" she said sternly, although she couldn't help but smile thinking of Florence's reaction.
The exposition went really well. Elizabeth obtained a lot of information about a paper mill that had been opened near Maine. As she stood talking to one of the manufacturers about paper machines and the like, a man that stood nearby caught her attention. He was standing there listening but he looked familiar. Elizabeth finished her conversation and walked toward him.
"Elizabeth Thatcher."
"Hello" she looked at him puzzled. "Sorry, I don't recall …"
"Michael Hampton."
"Micky?" she asked in surprise. Her childhood friend from Hamilton was standing in front of her. As she remembered her friend, she realised that this was indeed the grownup version of her best friend.
He smiled. "Hi Beth" he stepped forward to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I've been looking for an investment but so far nothing has caught my eye" he said. Considering he had been so short when Elizabeth knew him, she was surprised that Micky was taller than Jack. He had jet black hair and blue eyes and a nice kind face. Micky had always been a gentle soul which was why he and Elizabeth had gotten on so well until his family moved away when she was 14.
"Oh really?" Elizabeth said, grinning. "I might have something in mind for you."
Micky grinned back and held out his arm. Elizabeth took it and they walked toward a seating area.
Elizabeth told him all about Hope Valley and the success of the saw mill but the need for expansion.
"So you want to try paper?"
"Yes, if I can sort out the electricity problem, I think it would be successful."
"I could help you with that."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"That would be fantastic."
"I like the sound of this Beth but I would like to come and visit the town and see your proposed site and the surrounding area."
"Anytime."
"When are you heading home?"
"Tomorrow."
Micky nodded and was about to say something when James, Beau, Gabe and Jenna came bounding up.
"Mrs Thornton, we found out what you needed!" Gabe said excitedly.
"Thank you Gabe" she said as Gabe handed her the sheet of paper where she had listed her questions. Jenna handed her another piece of paper. "Thank you Jenna."
Elizabeth glanced to Micky. "I'm a school teacher as well. These are my students, Gabe and Jenna. And these are the Thatcher's Mill site managers James Blakely and Beau Smith. This is Mr Hampton."
Micky stood to shake all of their hands, including Jenna, who blushed in delight.
"It was nice to see you again" Elizabeth said standing to leave. "Please contact me if you don't find anything of interest here."
"It was good to see you too, Elizabeth" Micky said, nodding to her.
As she followed her students towards the door, she could feel his eyes on her. Don't be silly Elizabeth. She glanced over her shoulder and sure enough he was watching after her.
They got onto the train the next morning. James and Beau were talking about some new exhibit that they had seen the day prior. Gabe was deep in conversation with Elizabeth about his career options for when he finished school. They were all interrupted by a knock at the door before Micky appeared.
"Micky" Elizabeth said in surprise, rising to her feet. "Where are you travelling to?"
"I decided I am interested in your business proposal Elizabeth. Can you fit one more traveller in your compartment?"
Elizabeth watched as Jenna immediately scooted over closer to Elizabeth to make room. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile.
"Please" Elizabeth said motioning to the now available seat.
Micky sat there quietly while the conversation resumed.
Elizabeth turned back to Gabe. "You can do anything you want. I can help you apply for a scholarship to college if that's what you want to do."
"No, I don't think so. I want to be a Mountie, like Mountie Jack."
"Really? You would have to be away from your family though. Can you handle that aspect of it?"
"Yes. Mountie Jack is so brave and I saw how he wrestled that counterfeiter last year and he punched Bob Smithers in the face when he robbed the bank and he always looked out for my Ma and all the other widows."
Elizabeth cringed a bit at some of his stories. "Yes, that does sound like Jack."
"You have a permanent Mountie assigned to the town?" Micky asked. Elizabeth had nearly forgotten that he was there.
"Yes. Well we did until he was reassigned due to trouble they are having in the north. He will be back though."
"I have heard about the drama up there. They have had a lot of Mountie fatalities already."
At that both James and Beau ceased talking. Elizabeth could feel their eyes on her.
"You can't believe everything you read in the papers" was all Elizabeth could say.
"You can when you read the death notices. There were fifteen just last week."
Elizabeth could feel herself going pale. This was why she had not been reading the back few pages of the newspaper. Elizabeth felt uncomfortable, almost like she was going to be sick. She turned her attention to outside the window.
James spoke up. "I'm sure Mountie Jack will be safe. He's really good at his job."
Elizabeth automatically fingered the rings on her hand. He's going to be fine. He's good at his job. He will come home soon. The fact that I haven't received a letter is not a bad sign it's just a terrible postal service.
"Mrs Thornton, Mountie Jack will be okay. He will be home soon" Gabe said gently from the seat across from her.
Elizabeth glanced to him with a small smile.
"Oh Elizabeth, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise" Micky said apologetically.
"It's fine" Elizabeth said, waving his comments away.
They sat quietly until Beau began asking Elizabeth questions about how the timber needed to be prepared to turn it into paper and with the best of her knowledge she explained what they would need to do.
