In the spring of 2003,Elizabeth Thatcher sat at the dinner table and pondered, and thought so very wasn't sure how to bring the subject of making her hearts desire known to her parents. Willam and Grace,her parents, were busy engaging in convesation so they really didn't notice Elizabeth staring off into the clouds. She had a dream of becoming a teacher,to leave the city and to be out on her own. She wasn't really paying attention to the delicious dinner of fried chicken,mashed potatoes and Elizabeth's favorite,peas. As her parents were talking about a neighbour,Elizabeth started to think about her other 2 sisters,Viola and Julie. Viola was the oldest and she was married to Sir Lionel,lived in England and was expecting her first child in a few months. Julie was the youngest and she was in Boston in college studying art.
The 3 daughters had all grown up in their own home in Hamilton, father had always done well in his buisness and was a wealthy the family was used to butlers and the time came,the daughters were expected to join the high-class society,get married and have children someday. Although,Viola had fit right in with Sir Lionel and his family and she didn't know how Julie felt,but Elizabeth wanted out. She had gone to teacher college and she wanted to put her talents to good use.
"Pass the potatoes would u please Beth?" her father asked passed him the bowl without even looking at him,staring off into space.
"Beth,is there something bothering you?"her father said. "Your mind seems to be somewhere else, because its certainly not at this dinner table with us
"Well she thought,I guess it's now or never." She then decided to be honest with her parents and just come right out and discuss it with them. After all she was 23 and was able to make up her own mind. She just wanted some input from them and wanted to know what they thought. Her father seemed to understand her desire,but her mother,like any mother was very hesitant to let her child go. So the next day,her father had set up and interview with the school was so very excited that her father actually was going to help her to make her dream come true.
A week later as Elizabeth rumbled along on the train tracks,her mind mind went back to the conversation with . She knocked on his office door and waited for an answer.
She was nervous, as this meeting would determine her fate as to where she would teach,whether it be in the city of Hamilton or right around. A man,she assumed to be Higgins answered the door and shook her hand and tended to hold onto her hand a little longer than usual.
"You must be Miss Elizabeth Thatcher." She wasnt sure if she was imangining the extended hold of her hand or if she was just nervous. She smied at him and nodded
"Yes i am,its a pleasure to meet you,thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me on such short notice." They sat down at his desk and talked about her family, and if she was ready to become the overseer of a classroom of her own. Of course she replied with a grin and a nod. They talked for about an hour.
"Miss Thatcher,its getting late and I haven't had my dinner yet,perhaps we can discuss more about your assignment during supper?" So her suspicions were starting to come to a head."Um,I'm fine,but thank you for meeting with me." She stood and was ready to walk out the door.
"But Miss Thatcher,you have nothing to fear my the teachers here in the city have been seen out with me so there is nothing to fear." He almost whispered the last part as he carassed her cheek. Elizabeth jumped up and said,
"Mr Higgins! This is not what i came her to discuss with you." She proceeded to open the door and he pushed it 's eyes welled with tears as she said
"Will you please just give me my assignment so that I can go home and be with my family?"
laughed and replied" My dear Elizabeth,you are going to be far to busy packing your clothes and belongings to worry about spending time with your family."
Her eyes widened as she asked" Why should I need to pack my belongings if i'm going to be teaching in Hamilton?"
An evil laugh sounded loudly followed by the words,"Because the town of Hope Valley is in Oklahoma!"