Bill's Reaction – Chapter 18

Train – Day 3

As the train traveled through Ontario on its final approach to Hamilton, William offered to stay with Little Jack in their stateroom so Elizabeth could have some solitary time in the lounge. William made a good point that Little Jack, who was experiencing a lot of change in a short amount of time, would benefit from spending time one-on-one with Grandpa, without his mother present.

Elizabeth took her journal and went to the lounge area on the train, where she could watch the scenery, as the train sped through Ontario. The last few days had been informative and emotionally cathartic and she wanted to relax and reflect on all she had learned.

Elizabeth found a solitary seat in the lounge, and reviewed the events of the trip by using her journal as a point of reference. She thought about how she hoped to move forward.

She definitely intended to address her unanswered questions with both Bill and Chief Superintendent Collins; however, Elizabeth had decided to protect the identity of Constable Michaels. People had a way of responding in a negative manner when criticized and she presumed the Mounties were no different.

Elizabeth felt beholden to the young Mountie, who had compassionately trusted her with sensitive details about the day her beloved Jack lost his life. To disclose his identity to his superiors in her quest for more information about Jack's death would be like being disloyal to a friend.

Late Saturday afternoon - Hamilton arrival

The train came to a smooth stop at the large train depot in Hamilton. As always, first class passengers exited the train before anyone else. The porters quickly retrieved the Thatcher party luggage. Benson, the Thatcher chauffeur, was waiting to take all the luggage from the porters and put it into the trunk of the car.

Elizabeth was transported back in time. Exiting the train station reminded her of a similar scene several years ago, when she had returned to Hamilton with Jack. She recalled meeting up with Regina Allin who was on her way to meet an Austrian Count with a castle and a huge moat. Elizabeth recalled a sweet moment when Jack asked if she was a friend of hers. Elizabeth had said that might be stretching it. She giggled when Jack had quipped that Regina judged men by the size of their moats! It was good to remember the fun times with Jack.

Now she marvelled how, just a decade ago, she had household servants available to meet her every whim. After eight years away, she was surprised at how foreign this now seemed to her.

She might enjoy it again for a short while she was home, but she had changed. She was no longer 'the spoiled princess' that could do nothing for herself. She had grown away from this lifestyle. This realization made her initial choice to court Lucas even more bizarre.

She knew Jack Sr. had never fit into this world. She tried imagining Nathan living this lifestyle. No, Nathan was his own man and took care of himself. She found the notion so ridiculous, she giggled at the thought.

William looked at his daughter and asked, "Something funny, Dear?"

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Not really, Father, I was reminiscing and a random thought made me laugh. All is well."

As the car approached the Thatcher home, she was looking forward to seeing her mother. It had been three long years since she last saw her when Jack had just passed away, so it was not the best of circumstances.

Elizabeth and her father were connecting on a deeper level than ever before. She had always felt closer to her father than her mother, but now she hoped to develop the same connection with her mother also.

Thatcher Mansion

As Elizabeth entered the family mansion, she took hold of Little Jack's hand. She knew from experience a curious little child could get easily lost and there were a number of breakables for little hands to want to touch and break. She wanted neither to happen.

Household staff had gathered formally to welcome them and Grace Thatcher stood positioned in a well-lit area of the living room. As her mother was never an overly demonstrative woman, it was left to Elizabeth to approach and give her mother a one-armed hug.

Then, the moment that Elizabeth had been waiting for three years finally came. Just like back in Hope Valley, she positioned Little Jack directly in front of her mother and said, "Mother, I would like you to meet your grandson, Little Jack."

Elizabeth knelt down to her son's eye level and said, "Little Jack, please say hello to your grandmother." Once again, her small son hid his face in her skirt.

Grace sat down in the chair and reached out to her grandson. Little Jack was overwhelmed with the size of the house and this new person before him. He didn't know what to do. Elizabeth was startled at what her son finally did – he ran to the only other person he knew, Dampa William!

William was startled when Little Jack grabbed his leg and tugged on the edge of his coat, but he recovered quickly with a beaming smile, and led Little Jack by the hand over to Grace. As had become the custom, William got down low to meet Little Jack at eye level and introduced him to Grace. "Little Jack, this is Gramma Grace. Can you say hello to her?"

Little Jack looked at the woman before him and shyly said, "Hello."

Grace reached out to shake Little Jack's hand. She wasn't sure he was ready for a hug from her, yet.

William looked at her with a big smile and politely said, "Don't worry, Grace. Before you know it, you and Little Jack will be great friends. I have had the advantage of spending quite a lot of time with him lately, and we're already good friends."

Grace nodded at her husband. She would need to make more of an effort to get to know her grandson, on his level. To be fair, she was not used to dealing with little boys.

Elizabeth, in an effort to smooth her mother's ruffled feathers, knelt down and gave her a really big hug. Then, she reached for Little Jack and included him in a warm hug between the three generations.

Grant Row House - Hope Valley

At long last, Allie was home. Nathan had missed her.

Hope Valley was the first place he was stationed where Allie had developed really good friends and didn't rely on him so much for companionship. Make no mistake, he loved having her around him, but a young girl needed friends her own age and he was so glad she had them here.

They had a fun supper of beans and bacon with toast – the kind they rarely had anymore. Just a simple meal quickly thrown together and full of fun conversation. Sometimes, they even ate dessert first, but not tonight.

Allie had just finished telling him about Opal's birthday sleepover and thanked him again for letting her stay over.

She asked him, "By the way, Uncle Nathan, who were those people that stayed in our house and why were they here and not at the saloon?"

Nathan replied, "The men who stayed here were from Hamilton. The one gentleman was the owner of the stolen car that was found in Hope Valley. The other two men were his employees. I was instructed by Mountie HQ to make them comfortable, as they are used to staying in the very best accommodations. In this case, our home was the most appropriate choice, instead of the saloon.

Allie sighed and said, "Some people! They think they're better than everyone else, just because they have money!"

Nathan pointedly looked at Allie and corrected her, "Be careful about making assumptions about people, Allie. Yes, these people are wealthy and used to the very best of everything, but they were nice people who came to Hope Valley under less than pleasant circumstances. In fact, Mr. Thatcher was initially quite concerned about putting us out of our home." He sighed and continued, "Before he left, he made a point of coming to the jail to thank me for the use of our home and wanted to give me some compensation for my trouble. He did not have to do that."

Allie was still not convinced and replied with sarcasm, "I suppose you had to call him 'sir' and kiss his ring every time he wanted something?"

Nathan threw back his head and laughed. "Allie! Where do you get these ideas?" His eyes still twinkling from laughing, he continued, "As a matter of fact, we came to be on a first name basis. I told you, they were very nice men. They just have a different lifestyle than ours. That's all. Generally speaking, people are people. Sometimes you find people who have an over-inflated sense of self-worth because of their position or wealth. Most people are genuinely nice."

Allie replied, "Well, I'm glad these were nice people. Opal and I ran into Mrs. Thornton when we came into town for breakfast. She asked a ton of questions when she found out I was staying with Opal. Boy, was she curious when she found out some men from Hamilton were staying here. She asked me who they were because she was from Hamilton and thought she might know them. If you ask me, she should have asked someone else her nosy questions."

Nathan addressed her last comment, "Allie, I know you are upset with Mrs. Thornton, however, you need to remember your manners at all times – including when it is just the two of us. Now, I don't want to hear you show any disrespect to anyone else. You were taught better than that. Do you understand?"

Allie sighed and said, "Yes, Uncle Nathan. But why did she have to ask me all those questions?" Allie shook her head and said with a smirk, "Although, she sure did get a funny look on her face when I told her one guy was called Mr. Thatcher!"

Nathan was trying hard not to laugh, "You don't say! I didn't know that. When did this happen?"

Allie said it must have been Saturday, because that was the only day she and Opal came into town by themselves.

Nathan thought it was funny and decided to explain why. "Allie, the reason I'm laughing is, Mr. Thatcher is Mrs. Thornton's father. She did not know he was coming to town, so it was quite a surprise for her."

Allie didn't see the humour in it. In fact, this made her angry! "You mean to say after the way she treated us, we had to leave our home, so her father could be comfy-cozy?"

Nathan had hoped to just have a fun night reconnecting with Allie on her first night at home, but now he realized he needed to have the discussion he had planned to save for later. He prayed a silent prayer that this difficult conversation would go well and invited her to sit next to him in the living room. He reminded her again about not disrespecting adults.

Allie rolled her eyes at him as only Allie could.

"I wasn't planning on having this conversation tonight, but…there is something else we need to discuss about Mrs. Thornton. Allie, while you were still at Opal's, Mrs. Thornton came to see me and apologized for some mistakes she's made in her life, including how she treated us. I won't go into the details because it was private; however, I need you to understand that I have forgiven her for her hurtful actions toward me."

Before Allie had a chance to speak, Nathan held up his hand and continued, "She knows she was wrong and asked for forgiveness. Do you remember Pastor Joseph's sermon on forgiveness?"

Allie nodded her head and said, "Yes, Sir."

Nathan looked at her and said, "Okay, now you know I have forgiven her. She has gone home to Hamilton with her father, for a visit until school starts. She did tell me she would like to apologize to you as well when she gets back, but only if I agree. I would like to be able to allow her to apologize to you; however, I won't until you are ready to offer forgiveness."

Allie dropped her gaze with a confused expression and asked, "How could you forgive her? She really hurt both of us!"

Nathan looked pensive and answered "Allie…sometimes, life changing events happen – no one knows why – they just happen. When these life events occur, sometimes not even adults handle them very well and they don't act like themselves. Later on, they realize their error in judgement. They can't ever take back what they said or did or how they made you feel at the time, but a sincere apology goes a long way. I can tell you, Mrs. Thornton's apology was very sincere and I know it was not an easy thing for her to do. I have accepted her apology; I hope you will, too."

"It is the right thing to do, not because I say so, but because God says so. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them for you."

Allie looked directly at Nathan. "Uncle Nathan, even if I forgive her, it will still hurt to see her with Mr. Bouchard every day."

Nathan sighed deeply. He understood how Allie felt; it had hurt him to see them together, too.

"Allie, Mrs. Thornton is no longer courting Mr. Bouchard. You do not need to know the reasons why. I told her I forgave her and I meant it."

"Uncle Nathan, if she's not courting Mr. Bouchard, what does that mean for you?" Allie asked with a glimmer of revived optimism.

Nathan did not want her getting any ideas. He quickly explained, "Nothing has been decided one way or another. We did agree to leave the line of communication open, but that was it. She left for Hamilton the next morning."

In an effort to change the topic, he smiled and said, "That's enough for tonight. Let's get back to our fun. What would you like to do?"

Allie was quiet for a while, and he could tell she was processing the details.

Finally, she looked at him sideways and said "You're keeping the line of communication open? While she's in Hamilton?' She started to get a sparkle in her eye and he could tell she was biting the inside of her lip to keep a smile from appearing. Her head tilted to the side and looked at him, knowingly.

Nathan felt a smile rising too, but suppressed it and cleared his throat loudly. He rose to grab their checkers game off the shelf and said "I've been waiting to beat you at checkers again. Red or black?"

Allie rose to the challenge and said "I'd like to see you try! Red!"

As always, thanks to Mamabethany for her time and efforts. So very happy she is on this journey with me. :)