Chapter 23 A Letter to Mom

Elizabeth brought some stationary over to the table and handed it to Lucas and Michael as she leaned down and gave Lucas a quick kiss on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you too. I am going to write this letter to Janette and then I will make breakfast." He answered.

"Darling, Julie and I will make breakfast. You just worry about Michael."

"Thank you! I will repay your kindness later." He winked.

"I can't wait!" She teased in return as he began to write and speak out loud.

Dearest Janette,

I am writing to let you know that I have Michael in my custody. The man you sent him with was no good. He is with us now. Elizabeth and I feel blessed to have him and will take care of him to the best of our ability. I am upset that you did not call me to let me know what was going on. Maybe I could have helped. Anyway Michael is safe and he misses you so much! We found him outside our cabin hiding in the bushes this morning crying for you. I hope you can get back to him soon. He really needs his mother. Please Janette, write back to him. He needs to hear from you and says he loves you!

Best Wishes,

Lucas

Lots of love,

Michael

"Michael, what do you say we go get breakfast?"

"Okay."

Lucas and Michael venture into the kitchen where Lucas steals a piece of bacon out of the pan. Elizabeth smacked his hand and it made the boys laugh. He playfully just dipped her and gave her a playful kiss making the boys laugh again. "Mr. Bouchard better keep his hands out of my pan if he wants to keep him." Elizabeth said teasingly.

"Is that right?" He teased in return with a very handsome dimpled smile.

"Darling, can you get the boys cleaned up. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Absolutely!" He responded as he chased Jack and Michael down the hall to the washroom pretending to be a wild animal. The boys were running and screaming.

"Elizabeth you really hit the jackpot with this one!" Julie smiled.

"I did. Didn't I. Lucas is so wonderful. I have no idea how he has remained alone all this time. He is such a catch." Elizabeth replied with a huge smile.

"Be grateful and hold on to him with everything that you have. I hope someday to find the same thing for myself." Julie remarked.

"I'm sure you will Jules."

Lucas and the boys returned to the table and Julie and Elizabeth got their plates ready. Lucas pulled out their chairs and helped the ladies to sit.

"Darling you really are a gentleman. How are your feet today?" Elizabeth asked.

"They are sore but I'll live. I hope you can stomach another boat ride on a moonlight dinner cruise. I already have the tickets."

"I don't know Lucas! The last boat ride may have done me in." Julie remarked.

"Come on! It will be fine." He responded assurance in his voice.

"Okay."

"Ladies this breakfast is wonderful. Thank you both for putting it together for us. Say thank you boys." Lucas said trying to teach the boys to be gentlemanly.

"Thank You momma and Aunt Julie."

"Thank you!" Michael repeated.

"Elizabeth, my love, why don't you and Julie take the wagon into town and get some groceries for the rest of the week and maybe do some shopping? I think I will take the boys salmon fishing." He recommended.

"Darling, that sounds like an excellent idea." Elizabeth agreed.

"The boys and I will clean up the dishes you two go ahead."

Elizabeth gave Lucas a sweet goodbye kiss and Jack. Then they got into the wagon and headed into town.

Lucas and the boys did all the dishes. Lucas washed, Michael rinsed, and Jack dried. Then Lucas would put them away. Once everything had been cleaned up he took them on a short hike to a place called the fishing hole where you could rent fishing gear. He got them each a pole and was going to teach them how to fish not getting one for him. He figured it would be too demanding just trying to help them.

He took out a worm and showed them how to put it on the hook.

"Daddy that is gross. Do I have to touch it?" Jack asked making a sour face.

"You do if you want to catch a fish son."

Michael was the opposite. He was all into it. He was so excited when he threw his line into the water. "Now just be patient Michael and wait for your line to tighten." Lucas taught.

It was not long before Michael was screaming. "Lucas, Lucas! I got something."

Lucas helped him bring it in. The boys got all excited when the fish started flopping around. They were jumping all around it, until Lucas showed them how to clean it. Michael loved it, but fishing was not Jack's thing. He got instantly sick and threw up all his breakfast. Lucas threw all the fish they got into a bag. They had caught three good size salmon and Lucas figured they would have it for dinner one night. They returned their fishing gear and headed back to the cabin to wait on the ladies so they could share stories about their fishing trip.

Elizabeth and Julie pulled up in front of a souvenir shop where there was the most beautiful dress. "Elizabeth you should buy that dress. Lucas would love it."

"I don't know Jules! It is a little bit low cut for me."

"Come on Beth! Get with the times. You are on your honeymoon, spice things up a bit." Julie grabbed the dress and made her go try it on.

"You know what! You're right. I'll buy it." Elizabeth said excitement in her voice as she thought about Lucas's reaction to the dress.

Lucas was very generous with his money. He had more than enough for him and his family and gladly gave it for Elizabeth to buy what she wanted. Since they got married he considered all his assets theirs and all his money theirs as well.

Julie and Elizabeth stayed out until almost 5:00 and then headed back to the cabin knowing Lucas had plans for dinner. They made the grocery store the last stop before heading back.

Lucas and the boys came out to greet them as they pulled up. "We will carry in your things and the groceries if you two want to go get ready to go on the dinner cruise." He told them, kissing his wife softly on the lips.

"Thank you darling." Elizabeth returned his sweet kiss as she took the dress she bought inside to change.

The boys had already gotten cleaned up and they looked sharp wearing their fancy evening attire. They were both dressed just like Lucas and ready for another fun adventure.