Hello! :-) Here is the next chapter which I hope you will enjoy!
Chapter 23
Elizabeth saw Helen talking to Ernie near the bar. She approached them and said "hello."
"Hello, dear," Helen said, giving her a pleasant smile. "How was your day?"
"Fine. How was yours?"
"Busy, but very interesting. Ernie showed me around the Mercantile where I posted my letter, I met Ned and Florence, Gustave cooked a fabulous lunch, and now I am ready to spend the afternoon with you."
Elizabeth smiled. "You accomplished a lot. We can walk to my home. I will introduce you to a couple of my friends along the way, if that's okay."
"Sounds lovely."
"Enjoy your afternoon, ladies," Ernie said and waved.
Once they were outside, Elizabeth pointed out Gowen Petroleum.
"Ernie showed me that, too. I didn't want to disturb Lucas today, but I do want to see that office and meet the man who is helping him."
"Mike Hickam. He is very nice. I'm sure Lucas will show you his office whenever you want to see it."
Helen nodded.
"Across the street is the Infirmary."
"Dr. Shepherd?" Helen said. "Ernie told me he really likes him."
"We all do. He's a wonderful person and doctor. We are fortunate to have him in Hope Valley."
"Now, who is this gentleman standing on that platform? He looks like he is guarding the town."
Elizabeth followed where Helen was looking and realized she was talking about Nathan who turned and entered the jail before he saw either woman.
"That is Constable Nathan Grant. He is Hope Valley's Mountie. He does protect the town and does it very well."
"Nathan Grant."
Helen repeated the name and then realized Lucas had mentioned that name in his letters on more than once occasion. When Helen recalled what he had written, she gave Elizabeth a sideways glance but chose not to say anything more. So that was Nathan Grant. Helen found herself intrigued.
Elizabeth thought she saw a flicker of recognition on Helen's face when she said Nathan's name but she, too, chose not to say anything further. She reasoned it made sense Lucas might have mentioned Nathan in one or more of his letters to his parents or at least to his mother. She wondered, if he had, was it in regards to the way Nathan had sometimes treated him so poorly or was it in regards to her and when he thought Elizabeth had chosen Nathan after the hug? Or it could have been both or for some other reason entirely. She decided not to think about any of that now.
"Here we are at the dress shop," Elizabeth said, trying to keep her voice upbeat.
She held the door open for the older woman who stepped inside and was treated to an array of fashion and accessories.
"Oh, my," she said. "This is lovely."
Rosemary turned around at the sound of the unfamiliar voice and tried to hide her squeal of delight when she saw Elizabeth and the woman who had to be Helen Bouchard.
"Rosemary Coulter," Elizabeth said with a smile, "I would very much like to introduce you to Lucas's mother, Mrs. Helen Bouchard. Helen, this is my very dear friend Mrs. Rosemary Coulter."
"Mrs. Bouchard," Rosemary said, extending her hand, "it is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I have been looking forward to this all day."
"The pleasure is mine," Helen said, observing the effervescent woman with the beautiful smile who seemed to glow. "What a lovely shop you have."
"Thank you. Please. Feel free to look around. With your sable hair and sparkling sea-green eyes, you would look fabulous in many of the colors and styles we have."
"Rosemary makes her own designs," Elizabeth said.
"What a talent and a gift you have been given. I am a bit envious of that, I must admit. I can sew and knit, but that is about it."
"Thank you, but your talent is remarkable, too. Just think of all the books you have helped bring to life and into our lives. That is a special gift, too."
"I have been blessed," she said with a smile.
Just then Clara entered from the back area.
"I thought I heard voices…oh. Mrs. Bouchard?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said. "Helen, I would like you to meet one of our loveliest young women who got married a couple of months ago, Clara Flynn. Clara, I would like to introduce you to Lucas's mother, Mrs. Helen Bouchard."
"It is wonderful to meet you," Clara said. "We are so excited for Elizabeth."
"It's lovely to meet you, too," Helen said. "I am excited for Elizabeth, too."
They all shared a smile.
"I recall my son writing to us about your wedding. He said it was a joyful occasion. I am very happy for you. Congratulations to you and your young man. You radiate happiness."
The brunette blushed. "Thank you. It turned out to be such a special wedding, thanks to Elizabeth and Lucas. We wanted an outdoor ceremony, but the weather did not cooperate, so we ended up having it at the Queen of Hearts with an outdoor theme. I could not have asked for anything better. It was a wonderful day."
"I remember Lucas telling us that and how Elizabeth and her ingenuity made it all possible. What a kindred spirit this town must have."
"We absolutely do," Rosemary confirmed. "You will see that while you are here I am sure."
Helen looked at the two charismatic women standing before her and saw the affection and friendship they had for Elizabeth.
"I believe I already have."
Lucas sat at his desk, writing and then balling up yet another piece of paper and throwing it away.
"Are you okay over there?" Hickam asked.
"Yes. I am trying to compose a note to send to someone, but I can't seem to find the right words."
"What is it for? Maybe I can help."
"It's business-related but actually personal if that makes sense."
Hickam shrugged. "Not really, but let me know if you need help. Or want to talk."
Lucas looked at Mike, who he had come to consider a valued friend. He just didn't know if he wanted to bring someone else into this situation with his father. He knew he needed to send the wire. Why couldn't he write what he knew he needed to say?
"Thanks, Mike. I will. I think I will work on this tomorrow. I'm sure what I need to tell this person and how I need to present it will come to me."
"Okay."
Hickam waited a moment and then he asked Lucas a question that had been on his mind.
"Speaking of tomorrow," he said.
"Yes?" Lucas said, when Mike did not continue.
"Well, Fiona mentioned…I mean, we were wondering…"
Lucas smiled. "You and Fiona were wondering what?"
"She told me you had said if we wanted to have dinner at the saloon…"
Lucas thought he knew what Mike was trying to say, but he wanted to hear him say it.
"Yes?" he said again.
"Well, you said Gustave would make us a special dish?"
"I did say that to Fiona."
"We…we would be interested in having dinner there tomorrow night, if that's okay."
"Mike, that's great," Lucas said. "I'm happy for you and Fiona. This will be your first dinner together, right?"
Hickam smiled. "Yes, it will be."
"All right. I will talk to Gustave. He will make you and Fiona one of his most popular dishes. I guarantee you will both enjoy it. We will serve a special bottle of wine for the two of you, too. I'll let my uncle know."
"That would be nice. Thank you, Lucas."
"No problem. It's the least I can do, believe me."
"You know, I really wasn't sure about working for you, but even with everything swirling around you, you have made this a very good place to work. I appreciate that. I know you want to be at the Queen of Hearts, but would it be so bad if you stayed here and continued running Gowen Petroleum? Of course, if you did, I would think eventually you would have to change the name."
"Mike, I have enjoyed getting to know you better. I consider you a trusted friend, and I hope you think of me that way, too. I truly appreciate everything you have done and what you bring to this place every day. Your work ethic and attention to detail are fantastic. But to answer your question, no. I do not want to be here any longer than I absolutely have to. I could have been in an environment like this with my father, but it's not what I want. I want to be around people, helping them have a good time and relax and making their lives more enjoyable, at least for a little while."
"Like you did for everyone last year with the festival. I get why Rosemary wants to make it happen again. Everyone had a great time, and you liked that, didn't you?"
"I did. I'm just sorry I probably won't be as much a part of it as I would like to be."
He recalled Elizabeth's firm stance on the subject and knew she was serious. As much as it disappointed him, he also knew she was right.
"I understand. I wonder what will ultimately happen to this place. It doesn't sound like Henry will be returning to Hope Valley, at least not for a while."
"Mike, I will not abandon Gowen Petroleum. I will make sure this is a viable and well-run company before I step away. Depending on what happens, I'm sure I will still be overseeing it in some capacity. I am hopeful Henry can somehow take his company back and run it the correct way, but you're right. That will not happen anytime soon, but I will make certain this company remains in business."
"That's good to know."
"Of course. You know, Mike. Have you ever thought about furthering your career in business management? Maybe take some courses to learn more about decision-making in management. I'm not entirely sure what the structure will be once we get everyone in place, but there would definitely be a higher paid position for you with more responsibility if you want it."
Hickam's eyes grew wide. "Seriously?"
"Absolutely. Why not? You are an asset. If you want to pursue that path, let me know."
"Thanks, Lucas. I'll definitely think about it."
"Good."
And I will definitely figure out how to ask my father for help so we can make this happen.
When Elizabeth and Helen walked into her home, they saw Julie and Laura near the playpen and could hear Little Jack's squeals of delight and laughter.
"Hello," Elizabeth said, setting down her basket near a chair. "Helen and I are here."
While Julie quickly made her way to her sister and Helen, Laura lifted Little Jack from his playpen and walked the short distance to greet them. After Elizabeth had removed her coat and assisted Helen with hers, she reached for her son and said "hello" to him.
"Julie Thatcher, Laura Campbell, I would like you to meet Mrs. Helen Bouchard, Lucas's mother. Helen, Julie is my younger sister and Laura takes excellent care of my son while I am at school and basically, whenever I need her. She has been a godsend."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Julie said.
"Yes, it truly is," Laura agreed.
"Thank you. You are both beautiful young ladies. I am happy to meet you."
"Please make yourself comfortable, Helen," Elizabeth said, motioning towards the divan. "I think it would be easier to meet my son if we are seated."
"Of course."
After they had situated themselves, Elizabeth sat Little Jack on her lap facing the older woman and introduced him to her.
"Jack," she said, talking to him from his right side and holding each of his hands in hers, "this is Mrs. Helen Bouchard. Helen is Lucas's mother. You know who Lucas is. This is his mother. Can you say Lucas's name for his mother? Say Lucas. Lu-cus."
Jack stared at the older woman and then smiled. She reached for his hand and shook it when Elizabeth slipped her hand to his arm.
"Hello, young man. You are a very handsome boy. I can tell your mother loves you very much and takes excellent care of you."
He giggled and patted her hand and then squirmed in his mother's lap.
"I'll put you down in a minute. I want you to visit with Lucas's mother. He started saying Lucas's name," she told Helen, "and it's really very cute. I'm hoping he will say it while you are here."
"That is very cute. He will probably say it when he sees him."
"I hope so. Lucas and I were so pleased when Jack said his name the other day. It just sounded so natural."
"I can imagine my son was thrilled."
"He was. So was I."
Helen nodded and patted Little Jack's hand again.
"I am very happy you and my son get along so well. I admit I had concerns when Lucas first wrote us you had a…."
Helen stopped when she realized three pairs of eyes were staring at her.
"A son," Elizabeth finished for her.
"Yes," Helen admitted. "But it's not what you think."
"I think I know why," Elizabeth said, trying to sound empathetic, even though hearing Lucas's mother voice that she had concerns about her having a son troubled her.
As if I wasn't already anxious about all of this.
"Why?" Julie asked, not understanding at all and not appreciating what had been spoken about her nephew and godson.
"We don't need to discuss this now," Elizabeth said, her eyes on Julie. "Helen, would you care for a cup of your favorite tea?"
"Yes. I think that would be nice. Thank you."
"We brewed a pot," Laura said, "and baked some cookies. I'll get everything ready to serve."
"Thank you, Laura. That was so thoughtful of you and my sister. Julie, please help her. We will be in the kitchen soon."
"Do you want me to take Jack?" Julie asked.
"No," Elizabeth said, holding him close and kissing the top of his head. "I want him with me."
Julie nodded as she tried to make sense of what had happened; Laura was relieved to be able to remove herself from the uncomfortable situation.
"Elizabeth, please accept my sincere apology," Helen said, once they were alone. "I should have never said I had been concerned. I hope you know I couldn't be more pleased Lucas and your son have been able to form a bond. I do not begrudge you or Lucas or your son that pleasure. I know Lucas told you about Catherine, but before his father and I knew that, we were surprised when he wrote he had met a widow he truly liked and enjoyed spending time with. When he went on to say this widow had a baby boy, well, we didn't know what to think. This situation seemed so unlike what we had imagined our son wanted or was looking for. I knew he wanted to make it on his own and do things his own way and settle down somewhere, but so much of what he was doing seemed out of character. I worried about my son, but there was nothing I could do. He had his own life to live, and his father and I knew that, even if we didn't always agree with or understand his choices.
"But, please, let me assure you with every letter he wrote, he sounded happier and happier and seemed to be settling into Hope Valley just fine, which eased some of our fears. He wrote about how much you and he had in common and how he enjoyed helping you get Hope Valley's library ready for its opening. Every time he wrote, he asked me to send more books and more of his favorite books, which I was thrilled to do. This Lucas I understood. Who were his father and I to question his life choices even if we, for our own various reasons, had concerns?"
Elizabeth nodded. "I guess I can understand that. For a while, my parents didn't understand the life choices I was making and had a lot of questions and unease. Now that I have a son, I, too, want only what's best for him, so it's hard to hear someone say they have concerns when it involves your child. And it is especially difficult when that person is the mother of the man you love."
"Elizabeth, please understand me. I have no worries now about Lucas and you and your son. I was trying to protect my son, too, but I knew I couldn't. And that hurt me. You probably noticed my reaction when you said the name Nathan Grant. I know some about that name and what he represents to you and my son. My personal concern, and I do not know if Lucas's father shared this concern because I could never bring myself to ask him, was that Lucas would open up his heart to you and your son, and it wouldn't end well. I know you will feel the same way about your son when he is of a certain age. I know Lucas shared with you his father's lengthy courtship of me, and I knew Lucas would follow in his father's footsteps in that regard if he thought he had found the woman he was meant to spend his life with. But if this had not ended well before your courtship even began, I truly think my son would have been devastated. Maybe I shouldn't have shared that with you, but it's honestly how I felt at the time. I knew, from his letters, how much he had grown to care for you and your son. And, like I said, I wanted to protect him but knew I couldn't. Now that you and my son are courting, it is up to the two of you to decide the course for your lives. Lucas knows what is at stake and has chosen to take the risk because I know he realizes how great the reward would be, so whatever happens; he will have to be okay with it. And so will his parents."
"I love your son very much, Mrs. Bouchard," Elizabeth said, feeling the need to address her formally as she hugged her son close, "and the last thing I want or plan to do is break his heart."
"Do you want something to calm your nerves?" Ernie asked his nephew, who leaned against the bar and checked his pocket watch for the fifth time in the last ten minutes.
"No, I'm okay."
"Why don't you just go to Elizabeth's?"
"Because I don't want to intrude. I want to give my mother and Elizabeth enough time to talk."
"Elizabeth picked up your mother over two hours ago. I'm sure they have finished drinking their tea. You told them you would be there after work. Work is done for the day, son. They are probably expecting you."
"I guess that's true. I will take my time walking there just in case I'm too early."
Ernie chuckled and shook his head. "What are you going to do if and when you won't be allowed to walk to Elizabeth's house to see her?"
"I don't even want to think about that. Okay. I am heading out. You're okay here?"
"Everything is fine, son. Go. I'll see you and your mother later."
Elizabeth answered the knock on the door, happy and so relieved to see Lucas standing there. After the emotional but well-intentioned, she hoped, conversation with his mother, seeing him was the balm she needed. His presence never failed to reassure her and calm her fears, real or imagined.
"I thought it might be you," she said with a smile as he stepped inside.
"Am I too early?"
"No. It's fine. Your mother and I are in the kitchen, looking at my manuscript. Julie is upstairs with Little Jack; Laura left."
"How is the manuscript review going?" he asked, definitely interested and surprised they were already looking at Elizabeth's writing, although he knew with the way his mother worked he shouldn't have been.
"Not bad. Very preliminary. Come on. Let's go see your mother."
She reached for his hand and led him into the kitchen where he greeted his mother.
"Hello, son."
He waited for Elizabeth to be seated next to his mother and then he sat across from them.
"Did you enjoy your day in Hope Valley, Mother?"
"Very much so. I met several very nice people, visited a couple of shops, had the immense pleasure of meeting Little Jack, Julie and Laura, and now we are discussing Elizabeth's work to set up a schedule."
"Sounds like a very productive day," Lucas said. "I would expect nothing else."
"Would you like something to drink?" Elizabeth asked Lucas.
"I'm fine. I have something I want to run by both of you that I thought of yesterday after talking to Rosemary, but I will wait until you are finished."
"We are almost done," Helen said. "Elizabeth, I marked a couple of areas in your first two chapters and wrote some notes I would like you to consider. If you are available tomorrow after you finish teaching, we can meet, and I will bring my overall notes. I did not want to burden you with those today, but as we continue to review your novel, I can apply my notes, and we can discuss. Does that work for you?"
"Yes, that's fine. I was thinking," Elizabeth said, looking from Lucas to Helen, "maybe we could work in our library? I think it might make things easier to be there while we first go through my book. After that, as I revise, we can be here if that works better."
"Whatever is comfortable for you is fine with me."
"I'll talk to Laura and Julie. It should be fine."
"Don't forget about my son. He can help with Little Jack, too."
Elizabeth smiled at Lucas. "I know. But this should work out well."
"All right," Helen said. "I think we have a plan."
"Thank you. I will review the first two chapters tonight and read your notes very carefully."
"My one suggestion is to think about those notes in terms of your entire book. They are very general and can apply to other chapters as well where you have written similar dialog or description. Reading those notes will give you a sense of what I look for when I edit. Of course, we can and will discuss any issues or concerns you may have. As the writer, always remember you have the final say, especially if you can convince me why you wrote a scene or a chapter the way you did."
"This is all new to me, so I appreciate any help and advice you give me."
"We will work together. You will have a better sense of what this process is all about once we go through your work in earnest."
Elizabeth nodded.
"Son, you had something you wanted to say?"
"Actually, now I have two things. The first is: did you see our library, Mother?"
"No, now that you mention it, I did not."
Elizabeth looked at Lucas and smiled. "I decided the library is one place we should show your mother together."
Lucas returned her smile. "I understand. We can show my mother when we leave, and then I will walk you home after we return to the Queen of Hearts, if that works for you."
"It does," Elizabeth said, happy she would have more time with him. "What is the second thing you want to tell us?"
"Rosemary saw me as I was leaving here yesterday, and she mentioned Lee hasn't received a film for us to show for movie night."
"That's disappointing."
"I know, but I had an idea. Since most of the town shows up at the saloon on movie night, I told her not to say anything because I was thinking: what if we used that night to announce your book publication? I know you haven't said much about it, and now with my mother in town, I could introduce her, and you could announce your publishing contract. What do you say? I think everyone would love to hear some good news, and they would be so happy for you. We could make it a mini-event and have food and drinks and maybe even some music."
"Lucas," Elizabeth said, "that sounds wonderful, but I don't know if I want to be the one to do that."
"Not even if I took the lead and told them I am stepping away from the Queen of Hearts and introduced my uncle, too. What about if Rosemary and Lee decide it's time for them to say something? It could be an interesting but fun night of celebrating some good news. At least think about it?"
"Okay. I will. I love the idea, sweetheart, I do. I just don't know if I want to be the one standing there making that kind of announcement."
"Mother, if Elizabeth decides to mention her book being published, are you okay with me introducing you as her editor?"
"I would be fine with that. I think it sounds wonderful to have the people you are closest to all in one place to hear such exciting news, but I also understand if Elizabeth does not want to be in the spotlight. It is your choice, dear."
Elizabeth lowered her head slightly as she looked in Lucas's direction. "You could be standing next to me," she said, her voice soft and her blue eyes filled with love, "and then we could formally declare our courtship, too."
Without hesitation, Lucas smiled and readily agreed, his brown eyes shining bright with love for the woman sitting across from him.
"Absolutely," he said, reaching for her hand to hold in his, thrilled Elizabeth had made the decision to take this step and appeared to have no misgivings about doing so. "That idea sounds….perfect."