Chapter 52 – Coming to Terms

Monday night after Abigail had closed, but before she locked the door Gowen showed up. She had been folding napkins and was surprised when he entered the cafe.

"Good evening." Gowen said.

"Good evening, Mr Gowen." Abigail said. "I'm sorry, but we're closed."

"Yes." Gowen said. "I thought now might be a perfect opportunity to discuss how things went the first couple weeks."

"I don't think it's appropriate that we're here alone." Abigail said.

"It's certainly not my intention." Gowen said. "To cast any kind of aspersion on your character, we are business partners."

"And yet." Abigail said. "You come in here after close. If you want to talk business, you can talk to me during business hours. These are not those."

"It's a shame." Gowen said. "I think people who do business together should be able to be friendly. What if I were to ask you for lunch?"

"Well." Abigail said. "I would very politely, and with as much grace as possible, turn you down."

"Well." Gowen said. "I would only ask again. I am not use to taking no for an answer."

"Well." Abigail said. "Then, this will be a new experience for you."

"One lunch." Gowen said. "I will have my chef prepare it for us, we only speak of business and it will be strickly professional."

"Well." Abigail said. "I suppose I could be amenable to that."

"Very good." Gowen said. "I'll pick you up noon Wednesday."

"No." Abigail said. "I think I am quite capable of finding my way to your office."

"As you wish." Gowen said. "I like a woman who know her mind. Good evening."

After Gowen left, Abigail let out a harsh breath. She didn't like being in business with Gowen and even more so after she had learned from Jack that Gowen was most likely responsible for the mine explosion. She also realized that this might just be what she needed – a way into Gowen's office. Then maybe she could find something to help Jack prove Gowen was dirty. After Gowen left, Elizabeth came back down. Well, actually she had come downstairs and heard Gowen talking to Abigail so she stayed in the kitchen where she couldn't be seen. When Elizabeth came into the dinning room, Abigail made her some tea and encouraged her to sit and talk.

"This is my fault." Elizabeth said flatly. "He told me the truth from the beginning. He told me Mounties don't marry. I shouldn't have let him into my heart. I always knew he was going to be leaving. He didn't want to be here. I should have known that he would be transferred sooner or later."

Elizabeth was numb, she had cried and now she was just numb. She couldn't believe she had let herself fall for someone that was going to hurt her. She had told herself, that she didn't need a man and it would just hurt. She was angry at herself for allowing Jack in and then him hurting her again. She was also angry at herself for telling her uncle and not just letting things happen. Elizabeth understood why she had always kept suitors at arms length – it hurt when you got your heart broke. Elizabeth also knew that she had only talked to her aunt and uncle because she needed advise. She didn't realize what was going to happen.

"I have to believe." Abigail said. "That Jack wasn't expecting his transfer to come. I know that he would have never asked you out or pursue you …."

"I was a diversion." Elizabeth said. "Something to keep him occupied before he left. I have to believe that, otherwise it hurts too much."

"You're correct in thinking that he had no plans to stay." Abigail said. "Or … or to fall in love … but I believe he did. Anyone who looks at you two, know that you have feelings for each other. I saw that the first week you both were here. I just hope that you aren't angry with him. Try to work things out. He loves you and is worried about you. He wants to come back and be with you. You have to know that."

"If he leaves." Elizabeth said with new tears. "He could get hurt, or killed or … or find someone else. I might never see him again."

"I can tell you that there is no one else for Jack." Abigail said. "You two were meant to be together. This is just something that you have to over come. People who are meant to be together, nothing will stand in your way."

Elizabeth thought about what Abigail had said. She still felt like it was her fault. She wishes that she had never said anything to her uncle, but what was done was done. She knew that nothing she did at that point would change anything. She also knew that it hurt so much because she actually loved Jack. She knew that no matter how much it hurt, she had to let him go. Elizabeth debated for a moment whether or not to send an urgent wire to her uncle, but then she realized that it was too late and the orders had been issued. Jack had to leave, at least for a bit. She would send a letter to her uncle and tell him to let Jack come back if he wanted. She knew that she had to write it and get it posted the next day. After talking to Abigail, Elizabeth felt a little better, but she knew that it wouldn't be good until Jack returned unharmed. As she wrote her letter, her fear for Jack grew. She knew that would be something that they would have to deal with in the future, but if he was there then they could. Elizabeth finished her letter and she was feeling better. She knew that she was going to have to say good-bye to Jack for a bit, but that he would be back if he really loved her. She had to believe that.

Tuesday morning, Elizabeth was up early. She got ready for the day and headed downstairs. She had a quick breakfast and then headed to the mercantile to post her letter. She then headed to the saloon to get ready for the day. Jack had been up early as well and saw Elizabeth head to the saloon. He knew that he didn't want to upset her anymore, but he didn't want to leave things the way that they had. He hesitated for a moment, before heading over to the saloon. He got to the door and then turned around and headed back to the jail. Jack wasn't sure what he could say to make things right with Elizabeth, but he had to say something. He knew that he was leaving in the morning and he didn't want her to be upset with him when he left. Jack was sitting on the steps of the jail kicking himself. He was thinking, pretending to drink a cup of coffee. He knew that he needed to pack and head out, but he didn't want to.

"Mornin', Mountie Jack." Gabe called on his way to school.

"Morning Gabe." Jack said. "I just wanted to thank you for all your help on Saturday night. You're going to make some young lady very happy one day."

Gabe stopped and went back to stand in front of Jack and talk to him for a moment since he had time.

"Oh, I already know who I am going to marry." Gabe said. "I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her."

"Well." Jack said. "You may surprise yourself. Your first love is rarely your last."

"I know you think I'm foolish." Gabe said. "Thinking I know who I am going to marry since I am so young, but I will tell you what my father told me – sometimes it happens, sometimes you see a girl and your whole future is clear is a bell. My father said it was love at first sight for him. I know that it is for me. When it is right it is right. If it is meant to be, then it will happen."

Jack just nodded and Gabe went off to school. Jack sat there and realized that Gabe was right. Jack knew that his future was with Elizabeth and he would do what he had to get back to her. Jack knew that he had to try and make things right. During lunch, Elizabeth couldn't hold the tears any longer. She had dismissed the children to eat and play. She sat down and let the tears fall. She had to try and be strong in front of the children, but it was hard. She knew it was hard, because she loved Jack so much. She was surprised when she heard his boots on the wooden floor. She wiped her tears and looked up at him. She was surprised to see him and at that moment, she didn't care if he saw her cry. It hurt to see the look on his face. He wasn't smiling and if Elizabeth had to describe it, she would say he looked pained.

"Jack?" Elizabeth said.

"I'm not going to do it." Jack said walking up to the table she was sitting at. "I am not leaving Coal Valley."

"Wait, but …" Elizabeth said. "Patrick is already here. They're not going to station two Mounties here."

"I don't know what they're going to do." Jack said. "But I can't leave you. I am going to put in an official appeal to stay."

"But that could mean …" Elizabeth said.

"I know." Jack said taking a seat facing Elizabeth. "I don't care. Elizabeth, I know what the risks are with my superiors and I am willing to take them … for you."

Jack took ahold of her hand. Elizabeth gave him a weak smile, but she knew that she couldn't let Jack throw away his career. As much as it hurt, she knew that she would have to let him go, at least for a little bit. Jack watched the small smile fade from Elizabeth's face as she thought about things.

"What?" Jack said.

"Jack." Elizabeth said with tears. "I can't … I can't let you do that."

"No." Jack said. "See, this is what I want."

"But I can't be that person." Elizabeth said. "The one who keeps you from following your dreams. I can't. You'd only end up resenting me."

"Elizabeth." Jack said softly.

He took a deep breath before he could continue. He wasn't going to cry. It was breaking his heart to see her hurting. Not only was he hurting, but he was hurting for her. He thought he had it figured out and that Elizabeth would be happy again.

"That is not true." Jack finished.

"You may not think so now." Elizabeth said. "But you will. Trust me. It will be like I how resent my father for trying to stop me from my dream of teaching or coming out here to go after my dream of teaching where I was needed. I can't have that between us. I care about you and I have to believe that if we are meant to be, it will happen. As much as it hurts and no matter how scared I am to let you go, I have to right now. Please trust me.

Don't get me wrong, I love my father for everything that he has provided for me, but our relationship has changed since he tried to stop me from teaching at every turn. I don't think that we will ever get back to the way that things were before. I don't want that to happen to us. I care to much about you to let that happen. Please, you have to trust I know what I am talking about."

Jack just looked at her and shook his head. Elizabeth placed her hand on Jack's face.

"Jack." Elizabeth said. "I know it hurts, but you have to do this. I will wait for you. You can put in a request to come back, but please you have to do this. Being apart for a time is what has to happen. I am not going anywhere. As much as it hurts, I know it in my heart. I am crying because I know how much I care about you, that is why this is so hard. I can see it in your eyes, you know that this is the way it had to be right now."

Elizabeth dropped her hand from Jack's face. He looked at her and his heart was breaking, but he also knew that she was right. After a moment, Jack took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it.

"I will be back as soon as I can." Jack said.

"When are you leaving?" Elizabeth asked.

"First light tomorrow." Jack said. "I will wire you when I get to Cape Fullerton. I will have you send my stuff. I am only taking what fits in my saddlebags. Everything will packed and in the back room of the jail. The crates will ready, you just have to put an address on them. I will also pay you back for whatever it costs."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Supper tonight at the cafe?"

"I will try." Jack said. "I have to get everything packed. I have to ready my saddlebags. I also need to talk to Patrick about things."

"Then go." Elizabeth said. "I should call the children back anyways."

"Take a moment." Jack said. "They will understand."

Jack gave her a sad smile and then left. Elizabeth took a moment to wipe her face and calm herself. She then went to the front door. Just as she stepped out to call the children, she saw Jack talking to a couple of them. She could tell by their body language that he had told them that he was leaving. She took another deep breath and looked at Jack. He gave her another sad smile before heading back to the jail.

"Children!" Elizabeth called out. "Time to come in."

The children started to come back to the classroom. Elizabeth knew that she was going to have questions about Jack's leaving, but she wasn't sure that she could handle it at the moment. She knew that the children would also be sad. As soon as the children were seated, the questions started. Elizabeth took a deep breath, walked to the front of the room and faced the children.

"Children." Elizabeth said. "I know that you are sad that Mountie Jack is leaving. He got new orders and he has to go. Constable O'Reilly is going to be staying. I don't know what else I can tell you. Mountie Jack will do what he can to come back here, but right now, he is leaving in the morning. I know that he wouldn't want us to be sad. It will be okay to miss him, but we also need to continue with our schoolwork. So lets do that then, please."

Some of the older children could see that Elizabeth had been crying and that she was having a hard time.

"Mountie Jack." Gabe said. "Well he said that he would let us know when he gets to where he is going and we can write him."

"That sounds good, Gabe." Elizabeth said.

After another moment, Elizabeth started the children on a geography lesson. It was a hard afternoon, but she was able to get the children to focus on schoolwork. By the time that she let them go for the day, she was exhausted. Elizabeth knew that it was going to be a couple long days, but she would do her best to get through them.