Bill's Reaction – Chapter 9
Little Jack had fallen asleep listening to the story William was reading to him. William was just about to take his grandson upstairs for his nap when Elizabeth came home from her visit with Charles. She was happy to see her father getting on so well with his grandson, but Elizabeth realized it was her job to put Little Jack to bed.
She greeted her father with a big smile, a kiss on the cheek and said, "It's Ok, Father. I will take Jack upstairs for his nap. I have a few things to discuss with you when I return, if you have the time."
Without hesitating, he replied, "For you My Dear, I will always have time." He kissed Little Jack on the forehead and mussed up his hair, as Elizabeth proceeded to carry him upstairs.
Upon her return a few minutes later, William asked, "Did you have a good visit with Charles?"
"Yes, it was a good catch-up visit. It was also very enlightening."
William invited his daughter to sit down beside him. "What would you like to discuss, Elizabeth?"
She replied with, "Before we start chatting, did you have anything for lunch?"
William replied, "No, I'm afraid I am far too used to having my dinner already prepared, resulting in my lack of skill in the kitchen." He chuckled out loud and told her, "I did manage to feed Little Jack some bread and butter. Poor little tyke; I am sure he is used to a better midday meal than that. That's about the extent of my culinary skills!" He gestured toward the dirty plate and crumbs scattered all over the table.
Elizabeth laughed as she cleaned up the crumbs. "That is exactly how I was when I first arrived here. I don't know where I would be today, without Abigail teaching me how to make some simple meals."
"Father, if you don't mind chatting while I prepare, I will make us something for Sunday dinner. I've been told my Shepherd's Pie is quite good."
William smiled and replied, "That sounds like a wonderful treat." William thought back and admitted this was probably the first time he and his daughter had been alone in a kitchen together and he never recalled her preparing anything edible before.
While Elizabeth put on her apron and busied herself in the kitchen, her father casually sat at the kitchen table, to keep her company.
After the meat was in the fry pan cooking, Elizabeth asked her father, "Have you heard anything more about your car?"
William advised, "Yes, Nathan stopped by his house during his rounds early this morning. Since I was up and about, he casually mentioned to me they are close to releasing the car back to me. Why do you ask? Are you getting tired of seeing me, already?"
Elizabeth turned and looked at her father, "Certainly not, Father! Charles was mentioning that once you had the car back, he and Benson would be heading back to Hamilton. I was just wondering what your plans were."
William looked thoughtfully at his daughter and asked, "What would you like my plans to be?"
She smiled as she prepared the potatoes, saying, "Well, since you asked, I thought once Charles and Benson were on the road back to Hamilton, perhaps you could move in here for a few days and we could really visit. You could take over my room and I could share Little Jack's room. I bought him a ¾ toddler bed."
William nodded at her with a tender smile and said, "That sounds delightful. I will need to call your mother to let her know I am taking a few extra days. Where is your phone?"
"I don't have one, Father." Elizabeth said, as she put her Shepherd's Pie in to cook.
"Well, that will be rectified, before I leave." His reply left no room for discussion. A phone would be installed in her home.
Elizabeth looked over at her father and playfully inquired, "About when you leave…. would you like a couple of people to keep you company on your long train ride home?"
William's eyes widened, he looked directly at Elizabeth and pointedly asked, "Are you wishing to return home with me?"
"For a visit, yes." Elizabeth continued on, "I have been giving a lot of thought to your fatherly advice. I do have some life issues to sort out for myself and I think it would best be done in Hamilton. Plus, it has been three long years since I have seen Mother and she has never met Little Jack."
She continued, "Other than some personal business I have to take care of before we leave, I don't have to be back until school starts."
"Elizabeth, you have just made me a very happy man!" William beamed. "After I call your mother and let her know I will be staying on for a few more days, I will need to change the train reservations to a first-class suite, now that you and Little Jack will be joining me on the trip home."
William turned serious, "Elizabeth, as for your life issues that need sorting out, I hope you know your mother and I will be there to help you, if you want."
Elizabeth brought dishes and silverware to the table, and glanced at him with downcast eyes, "Thank you for that, Father. I am very blessed to have such a supportive family. At the moment, I'm more concerned about the personal business I need to take care of here, before we leave."
She got up to take dinner out of the cookstove. She and William sat down at the table and naturally joined their hands. After grace was said, they cut into the pie and resumed their conversation.
William asked, "My Dear, is there anything you'd like to share about the 'personal business'? Perhaps I could help you with something? Is it a financial concern, because….?"
Elizabeth interjected, "For now, I could use your prayers for God's Wisdom as I need to have some important conversations with my Hope Valley friends."
"As for my finances, I still have the Thatcher Trust that you gave me access to when I turned twenty-one. It is comforting to know The Trust is there, however, my teacher's salary is more than enough to provide Little Jack and I a most comfortable lifestyle in Hope Valley. Although Jack was aware of the money, he was adamant he would be the primary breadwinner in the family."
William remarked, "It is most admirable for a man to want to take care of his family. I do hope you find that quality of a man in your life, again."
He then continued with, "If you don't mind my asking, what did you do with Jack's pension money?"
"Well," she started, "It was far more money than I had anticipated receiving. So, I paid off the lien on the land Jack had bought for our future home. I'm not sure what will become of that land, but I am not ready to part with it, just yet. The balance of the money has been set aside for Little Jack's future. So, you see, Jack is still taking care of us, even though he is not with us."
William nodded and seized the opportunity to express his delight at the meal before him. "Your cooking skills have certainly come a long way in the past eight years!"
After eating dinner, William said it was time for him to go back to the Grant home. He kissed Elizabeth good night and left. As he was walking back to Nathan's, he took comfort in knowing the Town Mountie was only a few doors down from his daughter's home.
The Following Day
Monday proved to be a busy day for Elizabeth. Her itinerary was full. Thankfully, Laura arrived a bit early, leaving Elizabeth free to go about her day. After kissing Little Jack goodbye, she set out on her way with purpose.
Her first stop was the Queen of Hearts.
As she entered the saloon, she was reminded of the year she taught school in this very room. Today, she had different business here.
When she saw Gustav, she inquired where Lucas was.
"He's upstairs in his private office. I'm sure he'll let you in, just so long as what happens inside the office remains private." Gustav replied, suggestively.
Elizabeth shuddered and thought, 'Had there always been a disgusting undertone to Gustav's comments? Did anyone else think she and Lucas were having a torrid affair? Her reputation must be in tatters!'
This wasn't the first time she walked up the stairs to Lucas' private office, however, it was the first time she felt very uncomfortable. She silently said a prayer for God to give her the strength to say what needed to be said, the proper words to use and the ability to make a quick exit, should the need arise. Suddenly, Nathan's face flashed before her eyes. She instantly knew that despite everything that had transpired between them, if he was aware she was in trouble, he would protect her at all costs. She found that comforting.
She knocked on the door of Lucas' office. He opened the door, looked surprised to see her and said so.
"I was not expecting to see you." Lucas continued, "Ever since I was given a public dressing down by someone claiming to be your father, I haven't even seen you around town."
"I thought that man must be holding you captive." He said smugly. He smirked and said, "I briefly thought about sending out a search party, but then realized Nathan would like that too much!"
Elizabeth glowered at him and said, "You can say whatever you want. I came here to tell you something and then, I will be on my way." She took a deep breath and stood as tall as she could.
"Lucas, I am calling off our courtship. I have had some time and space to reflect on our association and have come to the shocking realization that, while we have had some pleasant excursions, we do not know each other as well as we should."
When he said nothing, she continued, "When two people are involved in a courtship, they should know each other at a very deep level, as courtship leads to marriage. Upon reflection, I only know you on a very superficial level. I am sorry if this is not what you want to hear, but ultimately, it is better to part ways now."
Lucas just sneered at her and said, "Who have you been seeing on the side? I received a report back that you had a rather long walk around the pond with a tall, good-looking, well-dressed man. This man was even permitted to kiss you at your door. Who is he? Perhaps that was your father?" He sarcastically said to her.
Determined to take the high road, Elizabeth said, "I have said what I came to say. Good-bye, Lucas."
As she turned to exit the room, he put his hand on the door, "Not so fast, Elizabeth! We are in a courtship and we will be married. I make the rules in this relationship! Do you understand?"
Elizabeth retorted, "Yes, I understand all too well. Since we last spoke, I have become very familiar with how you operate. Now then, I suggest you move your hand and let me leave."
"I don't take orders from any woman. You will leave this office when I say so and not one minute before! You promised yourself to me! You owe me!" His face was red with anger.
Elizabeth, never one to back down and feeling strengthened by her new realizations, turned to him and said, "How much do I owe you? Since I have come to realize you only love yourself, you must mean I owe you money. Do I owe you more or less than Victoria Lockwood?"
At the mention of Victoria's name, Lucas' face went from fiery red to ashen white and he sat down out of necessity. Elizabeth saw her opportunity to leave and took it, leaving a stunned Lucas behind.
Special thanks to MamaBethany for beta reading the story and for her suggestions.