Chapter 26
Thank you all so much for your review. They keep me going. And as always keep well and safe.
The following morning all was quiet at the breakfast table.
Abby was the first to speak. "I hope you girls have a good day in school today."
"Yes, we will, Mamma," Beth answered for both of them. Mags remained quiet.
Adam could sense their embarrassment from yesterday's trouble and consequences.
"Are you two about finished your breakfasts? We need to make a start to town," he said.
"Yes, Daddy," they spoke together.
"Okay. Let's get going then."
The girls got down from the table, put on their coats and made their way out the door.
"They are going to have a hard day today," Abby told him. I hope they can resolve their differences."
"I'm sure they can. They promised after all." Adam bent and gave Abby a beautiful kiss. "That's all for now. Will see you later for more." He said with a wink. Abby slapped his chest and smiled as she watched him go through the door.
…
They arrived at the school and the girls were stood looking around for Connie and Jenny. Once they had spied them they said goodbye to their father and walked straight toward them. Adam decided to wait a little while to see if anything untoward would happen. Thankfully he eventually saw them all hugging each other. He breathed a sigh of relief and made his way back into town. He had a front window to complete. …
Rachel opened the door of the restaurant and called Adam in for a coffee break.
"I'm almost done, Rachel," he told her.
"It's a wonderful job, Adam. You certainly have grand skills. How on earth can I make it up to you?"
"By making this restaurant a great success. With all the good ideas that have gone into it, how can it fail." He finished up his coffee. "I think you had a great idea in the first place that we all loved and how could we not help out, you being an intimate of Abby's. If it wasn't for you, I might never have met Abby. For that I thank you so much."
"Well, I know it wasn't a wonderful start for you two, but look at the outcome. I'm so happy for you both."
"And what about you?" He asked, with a wink.
"Huh?" She said.
"Don't play coy with me, Miss Evans. Mr John Harvey?"
"Oh, well, we've become friends."
"Friends? I think it's a little more than that."
"Well, who knows. I'm not pushing it and neither is he."
"He's a good man, Rachel, and I can see the way he looks at you. It's not a 'friendship' he's after." Adam smiled.
"You deserve some happiness too, Rachel. I sure hope it comes your way."
"Thank you, Adam. We'll see." She went to stand up and then, "Oh, I nearly forgot. Abby told me she wanted her paintings framed and that you would be happy to do that. Is that true?"
"Well, this is the first I've heard of it, but yes, I can do that."
"Thanks again, Adam. I don't know what we would do without you. You are such a generous soul." They both stood and Rachel pecked Adam on the cheek. "I thank God for your presence in this world."
"Okay," he was now feeling embarrassed. "I'll get back to the window. I should be finished with it very soon." And not waiting for a response he quickly made his way outside and back to the window.
Rachel watched him go. 'How lucky Abby is' she thought. 'Will I be as lucky as she'. ….
That evening at dinner, there was a big difference than at breakfast. Beth and Mags told how they had apologised to Connie and that they were back as good friends.
"Connie had a spanking, Daddy," Mags informed everyone.
"I believe it was deserved." Adam told her. "Her use of language was not acceptable, especially from a young lady." And what about your day, Abby?"
"Well, I was working on my paintings and made decisions of what quotation to use on them."
"So they're all done?" He asked.
"Yes, they are."
"So now all they need is a frame…." Adam gave her a look that was telling her of the omission of asking him first before telling Rachel he would do it. Abby noticed the look and was not looking forward to the approaching danger from him. "I had an interesting talk with Rachel today. Oh by the way I finished the window."
"Oh, that is good news," Abby said trying to put a brave face on it.
"If you've finished your dinner, I think you should go finish your homework. Right." Adam addressed the girls.
"Yes, Daddy." And they both disappeared quickly up to their rooms.
"I'll just clear away the dinner things," Abby said, rising out of her seat.
"Stay right where you are, Madam." And she sat again, fearing a lecture coming up.
"So Rachel thanked me for offering to do the framing. Why didn't you ask me first. You know I would have said yes?"
"Well, it just came up in conversation and then after the problems of last night, it went out of my head. I'm sorry, Adam."
"Okay. Apology accepted. Now as to making it up to me…."
"Oh, I think something could be arranged. But first, I need to clear away the dishes and clean up. And then there's getting the girls to bed. I'm afraid it will take a bit of time."
"I know what you're doing. All this to get out of making it up to me. This time wasting is not easing the situation."
"Whatever do you mean, Adam?" Abby's face was giving him a look of innocence.
"You know exactly what I mean, so don't play the innocent with me."
"Well if you were to help me with the chores, they could be done all the quicker."
So without further ado, Adam got busy washing the dishes, while Abby cleared off the table and joined him in the kitchen.
"Will you wipe the dishes as well, Adam?" She asked with a great smile on her face.
"I don't think that would be sharing the chore, do you?"
"Well you could leave me to do it while you see how the girls are doing and maybe get them ready for bed. What
say you?"
"Good idea, Madam." And as he turned and gave Abby a good swat on her bottom. She squealed. "That's for not asking me first," he said, and continued out of the kitchen with a grin on his face and up to the girls' bedrooms.
Later, once the girls were in bed and asleep, Abby wasted no time in 'making it up' with Adam. …..
It was now the middle of December and all things were now back to normal. Adam had finished the front window at the Dickensian Restaurant, Sam had completed Connie's bedroom and Abby was fixing her paintings into the frames that she had paid Adam for, most generously.
….
The winter weather was beginning to come in and Abby worried that the opening of the restaurant would have to be postponed until Spring. So it was at 2 o'clock in the afternoon that Abby was making her way into Virginia City in the buggy to see Rachel.
"Oh, Lord, Adam's going to love me for doing this," she said to herself as she entered the town.
"What are you doing here, Abby?" Rachel cried with concern. "Should you be travelling ALONE in your condition?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
"Does Adam know you're here?" Abby shook her head no. "Oh my. He won't like this."
"That's my worry, not yours. Now how about a cup of coffee and I'll tell you why I'm here."
"Okay." Rachel went and got coffee and returned with a pot and two cups. "Now tell me why you're here."
Abby got straight to the point. "I think you should have your grand re-opening soon, like now," she stated. The weather's changing and quickly too, and the plans for New Year's Eve, I fear, are not likely to take place."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Abby answered. You're ready. We're all ready, so let's make a date and get the Enterprise to print up some leaflets advertising the opening. What say you?"
Rachel was silent but knew Abby was right about everything.
"You're right, Abby. The weather certainly is changing and it would be sad not to have the opening as planned."
"So you're happy to a change of plan?"
"Yes, fine, alright."
"Okay," Abby said, finishing up her coffee. "Then let's write up the advertisement. "You got some paper and a pen?"
"Sure. I'll go and get some." Rachel left her while she rummaged in her counter drawer and returned with said requirements.
"Now, it's your restaurant. You decide what to say."
So together they made out the advertisement and made their way across to the Enterprise Office in the buggy.
Dan DeQuille was surprised to see the two ladies walk into his office.
"Dan," Rachel began, "we're needing a favour to be done quickly."
"Oh, and what might that be?" He said, hoping trouble was not coming his way.
"Nothing to worry about, I promise. I have need of a leaflet to be printed and several copies made, say twenty. Only I need them today."
"Today! Madam you are asking too much. I can't manage that in what a couple of hours."
"It's just a small advertisement for the re-opening of the Dickensian Restaurant for this coming Saturday."
Then Abby butted in with, "Rachel will provide you with a free meal at the opening." Rachel gave Abby a quick look of thanks, for not having thought of that herself.
"Well that sounds fine, ladies. Okay, just for you, but don't let on about this as I don't want to be inundated with lots of urgent cases," he told them.
"Oh no, not a word," Abby promised.
"Okay then. Let me see the wording of the advertisement."
Rachel handed over the paper and Dan examined it and nodded yes. "Come back in an hour and a half."
"Thank you Dan. I'll return with the money. So how much will that be?" She asked.
"Um….twenty copies…..my time….paper and ink….let's say three dollars."
"Oh that's fine. I can give you that now to show you how much I trust you." Rachel searched in her bag, retrieved the money and handed it over to Dan. "Thank you Dan, very much appreciated."
"My pleasure. But be sure I'm the first one through the door and the first to order."
"Of course. I didn't see it any other way."
"Very good. Maybe I can write up an article about the restaurant for next weeks newspaper."
"That would be wonderful," Abby said. "You're so kind to think of that."
"Thanks again, Dan," Rachel said, as the two ladies left the office.
"That's like getting a second advertisement, but free this time." Abby stated, laughing.
"Oh no!" Rachel suddenly stopped walking.
"What?" Abby looked at her wondering what Rachel had forgotten.
"No, look," she said, pointing down the street.
Abby turned to look at what Rachel was staring at. "Oh, Lord, he's early. Probably going to have a beer first before picking up the girls."
"Go home right now, Abby, and he'll never know you were in town."
"You'll have to do me a great favour, Rachel."
"What is it?"
"Go back and warn Dan not to mention my being here, or I just know Adam will find out."
"Okay. Now just go. I'll go see Dan and then walk back to the restaurant."
"Right. I'll be back early on Saturday morning to hang the paintings up where you want them."
"Thank you, Abby. You're such a good friend. Now all I have to do is find a couple of young girls to serve the tables."
"Fine. I'll leave that to you. I must be off before he sees me."
They hugged and kissed and went their separate ways.
….
While Adam was enjoying his beer, he thought over his day. First the fencing then the clearing of the dam and without John's help he would still be working at it. John Harvey had become the best hand he had seen in a long time, and would hate to lose him. He sipped his beer. Then his mind turned to something he wasn't sure he'd seen. 'Was it our buggy I saw outside the Enterprise office' he thought, 'and if so, what was it doing there? There's only one explanation, Abby had driven it to town, after he'd expressly forbidden her to do so on her own.'
He arrived home with the children and could see that Abby hadn't finished getting supper ready. 'Hmm' he thought.
"Okay girls, go get started on your homework." And they scurried off after saying 'Hi Mamma' to Abby.
Adam turned to Abby in the kitchen. "Had a good day, sweetheart?"
"Very good, Adam," she replied. Why did she have the feeling he already knew what she had been up to.
"You're a little behind with the supper tonight. What have you been up to today?" He asked.
'Yes,' he definitely knew, she thought. She could tell by the tone of his voice, pleasant but aware of something she had done. "Okay," she turned to face him. "I can tell you know something, so I'll confess and get it over with."
"So you went into town?"
"I did. How did you know?"
"I saw our buggy outside the Enterprise office."
"Oh, damn. Oh, sorry."
"Well, tell me what's going on and why you disobeyed me about riding into town on your own."
"I can tell that the weather is getting worse and I went to see Rachel to ask her to change her plans for the opening of the Dickensian as I am sure the weather will turn too bad to wait for New Year's Eve."
"I see, but that doesn't excuse your disobedience. I would have taken you or carried out what you wanted to say to Rachel."
"I know, I'm sorry. It was just a spur of the moment thing, and I thought…"
Adam interrupted her. "You'd get home before I got into town to pick up the girls, and I'd be none the wiser. Am I right?"
"Yes."
"If you were not in your condition you would have found yourself over my knee."
"I know." Abby bent her head in shame. "I promise I won't do anything like that again. Please forgive me."
"This once only. Don't you ever put yourself in danger again. Anything could have happened and the thought of you being hurt and the baby….. well I won't think about that. Can you assure me that you are well and that the baby is okay?"
"Oh yes, Adam. Nothing happened. I'm fine and the baby is fine."
"Alright. Now tell me what happened in town that you were in the Enterprise office."
"Well, Rachel and I had a long talk about the opening, and to cut the story short, we decided, or I should say, Rachel decided, that we bring the re-opening to this Saturday, and we went over to see Dan to ask him to print out twenty leaflets advertising the re-opening of the Dickensian."
"I see. But that doesn't leave much time; just a few days."
"I know, but everything is ready and it would be such a disappointment to Rachel if the weather prevented her opening up the restaurant as planned."
"And don't forget on Friday, the school is having their 'Project' Day. Beth is going to read her assignment for judging."
"I bet she'll be nervous, but I just know it will be brilliant," Abby said, grateful for the change of subject.
"Right, okay. I'll leave you to finish preparing our late supper."
Abby recognised the sarcasm. She deserved it. But she quickly turned and got on with the supper.
…
Friday morning came round quicker than expected, but everything was in place. Adam had taken all of Abby's paintings in to Rachel who decided where to hang them.
"They are masterpieces," she said. "I've marked the spots for you to hang them." Then she had to know if her dear friend was okay. "Adam, is Abby okay. I've been worried about her, driving into town and home again on her own. And you, how mad are you?"
"Everything is fine, now. We're good." Adam answered. "Now I should get on with these paintings."
"Fine and thank you. I'll go and make some coffee for you when you're done."
"That would be nice, thanks." So Adam started the task in hand smiling the whole time. Each painting was approximately ten inches by ten inches with a separate section that held the quotes. He enjoyed this task very much as he thought of the amazing talent his wife had, and so many. 'Abby has outdone herself,' he thought.
Painting No. 1: The Old Curiosity Shop, which the Dickensian had been designed to represent. It was a picture of the interior of the shop showing a multitude of items placed haphazardly around the shop with Grandfather and Nell standing with Quilp sitting on a table top, in the middle of it all. And then underneath are the opening words of the novel:
'In the summer I often leave home early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or even escape for days or weeks together, but saving in the country I seldom go out until after dark, though, Heaven be thanked, I love its light and feel the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any creature living.'
Painting No. 2: Grandfather and Nell, walking silently away in the night to avoid Quilp. Underneath is written:
'Forth from the city, while it yet slept, went the two poor wanderers, they knew not whither.'
Painting No 3: Richard Swiveller and Duchess just as they first met in Swiveller's dowdy office. Underneath is written:
"What the devil is this then." "Only me, Sir. I don't me no 'arm, Sir. It's so lonely downstairs. Please
don't tell on me."
Painting No 4: Was from Nicholas Nickleby: A scene from Dotheboys Hall 'School' of the boys lining up for
daily dose of 'medicine'. Utter misery all round. Underneath is written:
"Don't think, young man, that we go to the expense of flower of brimstone and molasses, just to purify them; because if you think we carry on business in that way, you'll find yourself mistaken, and so I tell you plainly".
Painting No. 5: Nicholas and Smike showing how abused Smike is and how Nicholas befriends him: Underneath is written:
'You need not fear me,' said Nicholas kindly. 'Are you cold?' 'N-n-o.' 'You are shivering.' 'I am not cold,' replied Smike quickly. 'I am used to it.'
Painting No. 6: David Copperfield: The painting depicted David and Mr Micawber walking along the street: Underneath is written:
"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds and six pence, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds and six pence, result misery."
Painting No. 7: David and Uriah Heep, sitting in Uriah's office showing his desk and his instructing David of the business. Underneath is written:
"I am very humble to the present moment."
Painting No. 8: Oliver Twist: The painting showed the workhouse and all of it's inmates watching in terror as Oliver approaches the Beedle: Underneath is written:
"Please, Sir, I want some more."
Painting No. 9: Shows The Artful Dodger introducing Oliver to Fagin, Bill and Nancy. It's the inside of Fagin's current 'home'. Dark and dirt prevailed with Bullseye in the background. Written underneath:
"We are very glad to see you, Oliver, very. Dodger, take off the sausages and draw a tub near the fire for Oliver. Ah, you're-a-staring at the pocket handkerchiefs! Eh, my dear. There are a good many of 'em, ain't there? We've just looked 'em out, ready for the wash, that's all, Oliver, that's all."
Painting No. 10: A Christmas Carol: The painting depicted Scrooge at home sitting uncomfortably by his fire as he beholds his partner in business, Jacob Marley, deceased, clad in chains. Once again the room is gloomy and sparsely furnished. Underneath is written:
"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us!"
Painting No 11: A scene at Bob Cratchett's house all happy and smiling as Mrs Cratchett brings in the turkey. The room is pleasant to look at even though there is nothing of value on show, everyone is dressed in their best clothes. Underneath is written:
"God bless, everyone."
Painting No. 12: A Tale of Two Cities: The scene shows buildings that portrays two cities. London and Paris. Written below is the opening line:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.
Painting No. 13: Sydney Carton is mounting the steps to the guillotine, hands tied behind his back with no view of the guillotine. Lots of faces looking up in the crowd. Written below is the closing line:
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."
Painting No. 14: The last painting depicted Charles Dickens sitting at his desk, writing, right in the centre of the painting surrounded by some of his characters from his novels. Underneath is written:
Mr Charles Dickens, a celebrated patron of the arts. We give thanks.
Adam was almost in tears as he finished, just as Rachel came in with the coffee.
"Something wrong, Adam?" she asked, pouring out the coffee.
"No, not at all. I just find all this very emotional. You have both worked so hard and…"
"Abby's drawings are just remarkable," Rachel finished for him. "I understand how you're feeling. I feel the same way, how many friends have helped me to achieve my goal. I'll never be able to thank them enough. Now come, sit, and enjoy your coffee."
Adam did so, and for once couldn't come up with anything to say. They drank in silence and when they were finished, Adam got up and hugged Rachel and kissed her on the cheek.
"Time to get home and return for the afternoon presentation at the school. We'll see you Saturday."
"Yes, I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Thanks once again for all your support. Bye, Adam, safe journey home."
"Bye Rachel. I think I'll give John the afternoon off. I think he needs to see your achievement."
"Oh," she blushed. "Well it would be nice to see him."
Adam laughed. "Bye again." He mounted Sport, tipped the brim of his hat and rode away.