Hello! :-) Thank you for your responses to my concerns about the N&E foreshadowing with Elizabeth's novel. I appreciate your thoughts and ideas about what could happen with this insipid triangle. :-) I may have to write my own conversation between Elizabeth and Lucas in this story to have her explain who she was truly writing about. :-) Thank you, too, for your kind reviews and viewings of all of these chapters. My appreciation for your time and kindness continues! :-) I am posting another twofer...just because. :-) Happy reading! :-)

Chapter 25

When Fiona and Mike entered the Queen of Hearts, Ernie immediately greeted them and showed them to the table he had selected. As they walked, Fiona spotted Clara and Jesse nearby, and she and Mike stopped to say hello.

"Hi, you two," Fiona said. "What a coincidence we would be here the same night."

"Hi, Clara, Jesse," Mike said.

"Hello," they both said.

"We are celebrating our two-month wedding anniversary," Clara told them.

"Wow," Fiona said. "I can't believe it's already been two months."

"I can't either," Mike said. "That went by fast."

"We had such a great time at your wedding," Fiona said and then smiled at Mike.

"Yes," he agreed, smiling back at the dark-haired beauty. "We did."

"Enjoy your dinner," she said, looking at their plates. "The food looks delicious."

"We have to get together for lunch soon," Clara said and gave her friend a warm smile. "I think we need to catch up."

"Yes, definitely."

Ernie seated Fiona and then Mike sat across from her. Ernie told them Gustave was preparing their meal and that it would be arriving soon. He said he would also serve them wine that would compliment their meal. They thanked him, and he excused himself.

As Ernie headed back to the bar, he saw Rosemary and Lee enter. He remembered Rosemary from the café and Lee from the card game he had joined with Carson.

"Good evening," he greeted them.

"Hi, Ernie," Lee said.

"Hello," Rosemary said and smiled.

"Would you like me to show you to a table? You looked like you knew exactly where you wanted to go."

"Yes," Lee said. "Rosie and I have a favorite table, and I see it's available near the corner. We'd like to sit there, if possible."

"Of course."

"Where is Lucas?" Rosemary asked, looking around.

She didn't think she had ever been in the Queen of Hearts in the evening when he wasn't there, making sure everyone had what they needed.

"He had to take care of some business, so I'm covering for him. He will probably be here later."

"Oh," Rosemary said, starting to think there was more going on, again, than she knew about.

Once they were seated, she asked Lee if he knew anything about what was going on with Lucas.

"No," he answered. "I hardly see the guy anymore."

"Was he at your card game on Saturday night?"

"As a matter of fact, he wasn't."

"Was he even here?" she pressed.

"No, but if you recall, he was spending time with Elizabeth, and you know that was more important. I'm sure everything is fine. Please decide what you want to eat. I'm hungry and want to order."

Elizabeth sat on the settee embroidering a pillowcase. She had not stitched or sewn anything in quite a long time, but now she found the activity relaxing. Julie entered the room and was surprised to see what her sister was doing. She sat down next to her and asked her if everything was all right.

"Yes. I thought this might calm me."

"Did it not go well with Lucas's mother? You have been very quiet since you got home. I thought you would be working on your chapters."

"Our meeting went all right. I think I am a bit overwhelmed, but I know it will get better. Helen told me not to look at my writing tonight, and I think she's right. I will get up early tomorrow morning with a fresh perspective."

"Don't push yourself too hard," Julie cautioned. "You have a full day of teaching and then we have to go to the saloon in the evening. Are you seeing Mrs. Bouchard tomorrow afternoon?"

"No. She wants me to attend Rosemary's meeting, so we're getting together in the library on Thursday. I have to get the revised chapters ready by then, Julie, so we can review them and move on. I hope Helen is right that I will begin to understand her editing process; otherwise, I will be revising my book for a very long time."

Elizabeth frowned, and with a heavy sigh, she tossed aside her project. Julie empathized with her and pulled her close into a sisterly hug.

"I'm sure it will be fine."

"I hope so."

"I think you are very tired and have been for a while, Elizabeth. I know you are up so early every morning. Do you sleep at all?"

Elizabeth raised her head and looked at her sister. "You hear me?"

"Every morning."

"I'm sorry. I thought I was being quiet so I wouldn't wake you and Little Jack."

"I go back to sleep, but I hear you, and I know you are not going back to sleep. Do you think it's wise to tackle your chapters first thing tomorrow morning before you even head to the classroom?"

"I have to. It will be fine. Just sitting here and embroidering, I have been able to think of how I can rewrite the chapters. With Helen's notes guiding me, I should have some solid ideas once I start the process. I just have to refocus."

"I know it would help if Lucas were here right now, wouldn't it?"

She sighed again. "I did miss not seeing him today, only because I've come to love our daily chats about our days, hectic though they may be, but it's okay. I'm assuming he will be at the meeting tomorrow night. At least I'll get to see him, and we can say hello."

"I know you're looking forward to that."

Elizabeth nodded. "I am. Speaking of saying hello, have you been in contact with Geoffrey since you've been here? I would think you two are missing each other or at the very least, he is missing you. "

"I called him today. Rosemary let me use their phone. He's fine. He did want to know when I will be returning."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said maybe in another week or so. I would like to help with getting things organized for the festival. That sounds way more interesting than what I have going on in Hamilton."

"Including spending time with your suitor?"

Julie sighed. "I know. I should either give him a real chance or let him know I do not believe he is the one for me."

"That would be the kind thing to do," Elizabeth said.

"If you'll let me, I would like to stay one more week, just to help get things started, and then I will return home to figure things out."

"I think that's a wise decision. I will miss you very much, but your life is not here. You need to return to Hamilton."

Julie nodded even though she already dreaded the thought of having to leave.

"This was so nice of Lucas to set up dinner for us," Fiona said to Mike, as they enjoyed Gustave's French version of Beef Wellington and the wine that made the meal complete.

"I know. He's been so good to me. I can't believe I was worried about working for him."

"You never told me that. Why were you worried?"

"You know, you hear things. I know a few people who don't seem to trust him, and I had been used to the way Henry operated. I knew what to expect. I had no idea what Lucas's expectations were, but he appreciates the work I'm doing so that makes me happy."

"As he should," Fiona said. "He would be lost without you."

Mike lowered his eyes and took a sip of his wine. "I don't know about that, but he did tell me there is opportunity for me to grow with the company. Once he gets everything figured out, of course."

"Mike, that's wonderful. I hope you accept whatever Lucas offers you. I'm sure it will be a promotion of some sort."

"I want to. I think I need to do some coursework, though, to learn more about management."

"That is not a bad idea. I myself have been leafing through medical journals at the Infirmary."

"Are you getting interested in medicine?" Mike asked, thinking Fiona was definitely smart enough to be in the medical field.

Fiona sighed. "I don't know. I don't think it's my calling, but I'm really not sure what I want to do long term. Working for Carson has been great, but I know I can't stay there."

"When Faith comes back, it sounds like they will both need assistance if Carson is going to mentor her. Maybe you could do something long term at the Infirmary."

"Maybe, but what, I don't know. I don't believe medicine is what I want to do. I'm actually more like you. I like being in the business world. I still miss being at the switchboard and all that went along with it. The work was interesting. I liked being involved with something that was new to the town and that I could help people learn how to use and keep in operation."

"You know," Mike said, "maybe once Lucas figures out how he wants to run Gowen Petroleum, there would be some kind of position for you. Or maybe even here at the saloon. He's going to need help, I know that."

"I don't know anything about oil or working at a saloon, although I did tell Lucas I had been a waitress, but I don't think that's what I want to do either."

"You may not have to know anything about oil or the saloon for Lucas to hire you, but," he said, "if you worked at Gowen Petroleum and needed help, I would, you know, gladly assist you."

"Why, Mr. Hickam," Fiona said with a saucy grin, "that is mighty gentlemanly of you. I may just have to take you up on that offer."

They shared a playful laugh as they each took another sip of their fine wine.

Even though he could see the Queen of Hearts from where he sat, Lucas forced himself to remain behind his desk to try to get some work done, but as the sky grew darker, he finally gave up. He could no longer concentrate. He locked up for the night and began to walk towards the back entrance to the saloon, which he had decided to start using for his own sanity to avoid seeing everyone and wanting to be a part of the crowd, when he remembered Elizabeth had told him library books might be returned by her students. Needing a diversion, he headed that way. He wouldn't want Elizabeth and his mother to see a stack of books on the table while they were trying to work.

Entering the library he saw not one but three stacks on the table. He smiled, thinking this would definitely occupy his thoughts for a while. He began checking them in and then counted the number of books.

Whiling working together to catalog, mark and shelve more and more books to help the library's offerings expand, Lucas and Elizabeth had thought of a fun and friendly competition. They decided to keep a tally of how many books were checked out and checked in during the course of a week and then do a final count at the end of each month for comparison. They wanted to see which months were more popular than others. They both had their beliefs about which months would win and why, and neither one could be swayed. All in good fun, they would make certain the other one knew when the numbers changed in his or her favor. They had also decided it would be interesting to keep track of the genres that seemed to be the most popular, with the children as well as the adults.

Lucas sadly noted the adult tally had gone down considerably since Fiona now worked at the Infirmary. He missed her asking for recommendations and giving her thoughts to both Elizabeth and him about not only the books she had read and enjoyed but also about the ones she had not particularly liked. He hoped Fiona and Mike were having a good time at the Queen of Hearts, and then he quickly changed his thought pattern. Being at the library was supposed to be a good distraction, not a painful reminder he was not at the saloon.

Once he had checked in the final book and had put the cards in the filing case on top of the desk, he opened the drawer underneath where he and Elizabeth kept their tally sheets. He smiled when he saw a folded piece of paper with a heart drawn on it. He knew the only person who could have left a note was Elizabeth because they were the only two people who knew about their use of that particular drawer. When he unfolded the piece of paper, his smile grew wider as he read her words.

Hello, my darling Lucas,

If you are reading this, know I am happy if I brought a smile to your handsome face the way you always make me smile. I miss you, and I love you. I was here with your mother. We were trying to work on my revisions. I confess I don't believe our first session went well. I am feeling quite overwhelmed. I wish I could talk to you about my writing. You bring me such comfort when I am troubled, but I know this will work out. I just have to be…patient.

I hope your day went well. I'll miss hearing about it. I miss you. Wait. I already wrote that, but it's true, so I don't mind repeating it.

Be well, my love.

Yours always,

Elizabeth

P.S. I am sure I am in the lead.

Lucas chuckled as he read that last line, but he wished he could have spoken to her. He planned to visit his mother once he returned to the saloon, but now he wasn't sure what, if anything, he should say.

He decided to leave a note for Elizabeth, hoping he could offer her the comfort and reassurance she needed.

"Is Lucas here?" Helen asked Ernie.

She had eaten an early dinner and had once again read through a few more of Elizabeth's chapters, which she found to be quite well written. She felt confident once they got past making the first two chapters as solid as they could be, Elizabeth would begin to relax and see how the editing process worked.

Helen soon realized, after their time in the library, Elizabeth had not expected she would have to rework her very first chapter. Helen hoped she explained herself well enough to let Elizabeth know the first chapter was the most important one. If she didn't catch and keep the publisher's attention beyond the first chapter, her book would never be anything more than a dream. Helen vowed to do everything in her power to make sure that did not happen, but the beginning of her story needed to be better.

After writing a few notes regarding the later chapters she had read, Helen had decided to see if her son was in the saloon.

"I haven't seen him," Ernie replied. "He did tell me he was going to start using the back entrance, so I may have missed him, but I think he would've stopped by the kitchen. Let me check with Gustave."

"No need. I'm sure my diligent son is working late. When you see him, can you let him know I have turned in for the night, but I hope to see him in the morning?"

"Of course. I will make sure he knows."

"Thank you. Goodnight, Ernie."

"Sleep well, Helen."

As Rosemary and Lee were eating their desserts, she looked around. "Don't you think it's strange Lucas has not appeared? I think there's something going on with him."

"Rosie," Lee warned, "please don't start with the Lucas theories again. I can't handle it."

"No, Lee, I mean I'm worried about him. I've run into him several times since we patched things up, and he just seems tired and worn down. I don't know. I don't see the same spark he used to have. I worry about him with that oil company. I want him to be able to keep it open."

"I'm sure he's doing everything he can to ensure that happens. I'm sure that's also why you think he looks drained. It's a lot of responsibility. Believe me, I know. If I hadn't gotten these last two big contracts, I could have been where Lucas is. But he'll figure something out."

"I just wish Henry hadn't been so stubborn. Elizabeth told me Lucas tried to negotiate with him, but Henry wouldn't compromise."

"That's an excellent point about Henry being stubborn, and I agree. But there's nothing we can do about that except wish Lucas and Henry the best."

"I suppose you're right. Well, at least we had a wonderful dinner and dessert. Thank you, Lee. This is just what I needed. Seeing Clara and Jesse and Fiona and Mike enjoying themselves has made me happy. I'm sorry things didn't work out between Fiona and Kevin, but I like seeing Fiona and Mike together. They both look so happy. I hope they continue to get to know each other better."

"Do you want to say hello to the others?"

Rosemary patted Lee's hand and smiled. "Let's leave them be. I want you all to myself, Leland Coulter."

Lee returned her smile. "Sounds good to me."

Lucas used the entrance to the saloon nearest the kitchen and was surprised to see not only Fiona and Mike enjoying a tasty dessert but also Clara and Jesse and Rosemary and Lee.

Looks like I missed a fun and busy night.

But he was happy for them since they all seemed to be enjoying themselves, which was his only goal.

Unobserved, he entered the kitchen and asked Gustave to make him a turkey sandwich.

"That is all you are having for dinner?" Gustave questioned, his thick French accent revealing his displeasure at his employer's choice of an evening meal.

"If you have any house salad left, please put some on the plate. That's all I want. Thank you, Gustave."

The chef shook his head but did as Lucas asked.

"Are you going to see your uncle?"

"Not now. Maybe I'll come down at closing time if I am still awake. I'm going to my room."

"I will let your uncle know. He told me if I saw you I should tell you your mother has retired for the night. She said she hopes to see you in the morning."

"Thank you for that, and thank you for letting my uncle know about me. Goodnight."

"Let me at least put some potatoes on that plate or give you some dessert. A sandwich and a side salad are not enough for you to eat."

Lucas shook his head. "It's fine, Gustave. Trust me. I am not hungry, but I know I have to eat. This will be fine."

"Okay. If you say so. Bon appétit."

Lucas gave a slight bow as a thank you to his chef, even though he knew Gustave had said those words in jest, and then he used the stairs nearest the kitchen to get to his room.

Once inside, he turned on the lamp that sat on the nightstand next to the bed and then set the plate down on a small table near the window. He allowed himself a grateful smile when he saw the tawny liquid in the brandy snifter. He picked up the note that lay underneath and recognized his uncle's scribble.

In case I don't see you, and you need something to help you relax after a tough day. Enjoy. P.S. When I do see you, I want you to tell me you sent that telegram.

I did, Uncle Ernie. And now I wait, hoping and praying I did the right thing by asking my father for help.