Chapter 54 – Jack Leaves
Elizabeth went back to the cafe after leaving the food with Jack and went to work on her papers from school. At one point Julie came downstairs.
"Where have you been all day?" Elizabeth asked.
"I was outside." Julie said. "You told me to enjoy the outdoors, so I did. I went for a ride and read a book."
"Don't get mad at me." Elizabeth said. "I was just asking, since you were sleeping when I left for school this morning."
Julie didn't say anything else, but went to the dinning room to have some supper. Abigail just looked at her and shook her head. She looked over at Elizabeth and shrugged her shoulders. Elizabeth understood. Elizabeth figured that Julie was up to something, but she wasn't sure what it was. She had enough on her mind, she didn't need to babysit Julie. Just a little after seven, there was a knock at the back door. Elizabeth quickly got up and went to the door.
"Jack!" She said when she opened.
"Still want to have supper?" Jack asked.
"Yes, please." Elizabeth said.
She stood back and let Jack in the cafe. Abigail overheard as she was picking up the dinning room. She quickly came to the kitchen and started making two plates.
"When are you leaving?" Abigail asked.
"First light." Jack said.
"Do you need anything?" Abigail asked.
"No." Jack said. "Elizabeth brought me some scones earlier. I have packed plenty in my saddlebags."
"Stop by and I can fill a canteen with coffee if you want." Abigail said.
"I might." Jack said.
Jack and Elizabeth sat in the kitchen and ate. Neither wanted to talk about what tomorrow would bring. Instead, they just sat together. Both knew that it was going to be hard, but neither wanted to talk about it. They just wanted to enjoy their supper together. Jack lingered for a bit after he was done, he couldn't bring himself to leave.
"You should go." Elizabeth said. "You need a good nights sleep."
"I don't want to go." Jack said softly.
"We already talked about this." Elizabeth said. "We will find a way, but for now, this is how it has to be. I just want you to be safe."
"I will." Jack said.
Finally, Jack stood. He looked at Elizabeth and she stood as well. They stared at one another for a moment. Elizabeth put her hand on Jack's chest, near his heart.
"Be safe and come back to me." Elizabeth said softly.
"I will." Jack said.
With that, Jack turned and left the cafe. He had wanted to pull Elizabeth into a kiss and just hold her, but he knew that it wasn't the right time. Elizabeth watched him walk away and when the cafe door closed, she took a deep breath. She tried to stop the tears, but they fell anyway. When Elizabeth had been standing there with Jack, all she could think about was how much she wanted him to kiss her. She said a quick prayer that Jack would return soon and they would be able to move forward. She knew that she was going to miss Jack, but she was glad that she had school to keep her busy. After a moment, Elizabeth wiped her eyes and went to help Abigail clean up the cafe. She told herself that she couldn't keep crying.
Elizabeth had a hard time sleeping that night. There was a part of her that didn't want to sleep, thinking it would delay morning and Jack leaving. Elizabeth hadn't even talked to Julie that night. She was still upset about Julie's behavior and Jack leaving wasn't helping her mood. All Elizabeth knew was that by the end of the next week, she was going to see that Julie was on a stagecoach headed back home. Elizabeth loved her sister, but she didn't belong in Coal Valley. Finally, Elizabeth fell asleep. She tossed and turned for quite awhile and it was a fitful sleep.
Elizabeth was up early on Wednesday, even though she hadn't slept well. It didn't help that it had started raining at some point in the night and thunder could still be heard. Part of Elizabeth wanted to see Jack one last time, but then there was the part of her that didn't want to see him ride out of town. Elizabeth knew that she was tired and that it was going to be a long day, but she knew that she would have to push through. By the time that Elizabeth dressed and headed downstairs, she was determined to make the best of the situation. She knew that Jack wouldn't be gone forever and he would be back as soon as he could. She knew that she had to stay busy.
"Morning." Abigail said when she saw Elizabeth.
"Morning." Elizabeth said.
"How did you sleep?" Abigail asked.
"Sleep?" Elizabeth said. "I laid in bed, I closed my eyes, but I don't know if I really slept."
"Maybe you should call off class today." Abigail said.
"No." Elizabeth said. "I need to stay busy. I will just have to try and go to sleep early tonight. I have also made a decision. I don't care what she says, Julie is going home next week. I have about as much as I can stand. I would do it today, but I will give her the rest of the week. Then I will wiring Father and telling him she is on a stagecoach and he needs to make arrangements."
"Okay." Abigail said.
Shortly after Elizabeth came down, Jack came over to the cafe. He knocked on the back door and Abigail let him in.
"I am glad that you came." Elizabeth said as she pour him a cup of coffee.
"I wanted to be gone already, but I was hoping the rain would quit." Jack said.
"Well." Abigail said. "At least I can make you a hot breakfast before you go."
Abigail made them both bacon and eggs. She packed some extra sandwiches for Jack to take with him. The same as the night before, Jack and Elizabeth didn't talk while they ate, but just took in as much time as they could with each other. Before either wanted, it was time.
"I am going to ride north." Jack said. "I want to go through Calgary. I will make my official appeal there. I will let you know where I am when I can. It should take me the better part of a week or so to get to Cape Fullerton. When I stop for supplies, I will wire you."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Be safe."
"I will." Jack said.
Abigail handed Jack the bag she had packed for him.
"Take care and come back to us." Abigail said.
"Thank you for everything." Jack said.
Jack closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then opened his eyes before walking out of the cafe to his horse. Abigail and Elizabeth went to the front door and watched Jack ride off, they saw him stop and talk to Patrick for a moment.
Jack went back to the jail after leaving the cafe.
"Patrick." Jack said. "Before I go. I want you to know that I left a file on the desk about some safety violations at the mine. Please look into it. I have done what I can."
"I will." Patrick said.
"Also." Jack said "Abigail Stanton, she can be an ally to you. She's been a confidante to me in the matter. Her late husband was the superintendent when the explosion happened."
"Understood." Patrick said. "You have a safe journey, now, Jack."
"Keep this town safe, Patrick." Jack said.
"I will be sure to keep her safe, too." Patrick said.
"Thank you." Jack said.
Elizabeth shead a few tears before turning and hugging Abigail.
"It will be okay." Abigail said. "He will be back before you know it."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "How about I help you get set for breakfast, before I head over to the saloon."
"You don't have to." Abigail said.
"I need to stay busy." Elizabeth said. "It will help."
"Okay." Abigail said.
Elizabeth went about making sure each of the tables were set. She then went upstairs and gathered her stuff for school. Julie was still sleeping when she left. Elizabeth wondered what Julie was up to for a moment, but figured that she would stick to close to the cafe with the rainy weather.
Wednesday morning was busy at the cafe despite the rain. Julie woke and saw that it was rainy out. She was worried about Nathaniel, but she couldn't say anything. She took her time at the cafe that morning. The rain had let up by mid-morning, though thunder could still be heard in the distance. Julie decided to go for a ride and check on Nathaniel. Abigail was able to get Mary Dunbar to help her so she could meet with Gowen. Abigail headed over a little early for her meeting. When Abigail got over to the office, Pinkerton Richardson showed her inside.
"I can come back later if Mr Gowen if busy." Abigail said.
"No ma'am" Richardson said. "Mr Gowen will right pleased with your visit. He's just out, but he should be back soon, ma'am. Care to wait?"
Richardson pointed to a chair by Gowen's desk.
"Yes, thank you." Abigail said taking a seat.
Richardson went into the back room, leaving Abigail alone in the office. She looked around and knew that this was going to be her chance. She quickly started looking at papers on the desk and opened a few drawers. She kept and ear out for Gowen or Richardson. She heard a car and went to check and saw that Gowen had just pulled up, so she went back to sit down.
"Good morning." Gowen said a little surprised when he walked in.
"Good morning." Abigail said. "I am here for our lunch."
"My chef should have it ready in a few moments." Gowen said.
A few moments later, Gowen's chef came in the back door with Richardson helping him carry stuff. It didn't take long for them to set up a table for Gowen and Abigail to eat. As soon as they were served, Richardson and the chef again left.
"Please." Gowen said indicating the food. "Have a seat over here and let's eat."
"Thank you." Abigail said.
She got up and took a seat across from Gowen. She started eating, waiting for Gowen to talk. She wasn't going to bring up business first. The less that she actually told him, the better. She would only tell him what he needed to know.
"So." Gowen said. "How has the cafe been going? You have been open almost three weeks now."
"Good." Abigail said. "Breakfast is still the busiest. Although supper is starting to pick up."
"I noticed you aren't open on Sundays." Gowen said.
"Well." Abigail said. "I have decided that is going to be my catch up day for now. I might find a time when being open on Sunday mornings might be a good thing, but with people not coming into town for services on Sunday, why open?"
Gowen didn't say anything, but filed that piece of information away. He knew what she was driving at and he wasn't going to build another church. He knew if he did that, he wouldn't be able to get rid of Miss Thatcher because then they would have another place to hold school. They finished their meal and talked a little more business. After half an hour, Abigail looked at Gowen.
"I need to get back to the cafe." Abigail said. "I left Mary Dunbar there. She is good, but I want to be able to get ready for supper."
"Fine." Gowen said. "And you will get the books done soon."
"Yes." Abigail said. "I will bring you your share soon."
With that Abigail stood and left without another word. Gowen wasn't happy. He was hoping for so much more. He wasn't that he really liked Abigail Stanton, but he wanted something that he could use to ruin her. He wanted to be rid of her, Elizabeth Thatcher and that annoying Mountie. Abigail went straight back to the cafe. She had customers to deal with.