Bill's Reaction – Chapter 20
Sunday Morning – Thatcher Mansion
The family rose early and had breakfast in the dining room, as was customary. Elizabeth realized despite her parents' being on their own again, many traditions still held true.
Today's menu was homemade Belgian waffles with a choice of either bacon or sausage. The waffles were topped with late season fresh strawberries, whipped cream and Canadian Maple syrup.
Elizabeth had previously gone to the kitchen and prepared a bowl of oatmeal for Little Jack. She wanted him to stick to his routine diet, as closely as possible. The last thing she wanted was for him to have any digestive issues. As a special treat, she put some fresh strawberries on top.
The household staff were appalled that she was working in the kitchen. Elizabeth assured them she was quite capable of preparing special meals for her small son.
Back in the dining room, conversation around the table was light and easy. It was obvious the more time they spent here the more comfortable Little Jack became in his surroundings.
Elizabeth turned to her mother and asked, "Mother, what time does the church service start, this morning?"
Grace replied, "Services start promptly at 10:30 a.m. We will need to leave here no later than 10 a.m. to arrive on time as it would be unthinkable to arrive late. Although our family has grown up and moved on, your father and I still sit in the family pew."
Grace frowned at the functional skirt and blouse Elizabeth was wearing. "What are you planning to wear to church, Elizabeth? Remember, all the women dress properly here, including wearing hats and gloves."
Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip and eventually replied to her mother, "Oh my goodness Mother, I had forgotten that. I am afraid I am not prepared to be that dressed up."
Her mother sighed and then suggested Elizabeth go upstairs and see if anything she left behind in her closet could be made suitable. Grace then looked at her daughter and said, "Tomorrow, we must go shopping for some new clothes."
Elizabeth reached over and touched her mother's arm. "Oh Mother, there is nothing more that I would like to do than spend time with you; however, I really do not need any new city clothes. I am sure between what I brought and what I have left here, it will be sufficient until I return to Hope Valley." She gestured to Little Jack and continued, "Also, a day of shopping will be one less day you have to bond with your grandson."
Grace nodded her head and replied, "I suppose what you are really telling me Elizabeth, in your own imitable way is, you are not returning home to stay?"
Elizabeth gave her mother a genuine smile and confirmed, "No Mother, I am not moving back to Hamilton. However, I am here for approximately a month. So please, let's enjoy the time together."
Almost as an afterthought, she added, "I'm sure Father will confirm the train ride between Hamilton and Hope Valley is most comfortable. While my home is small, you both have a standing invitation to visit."
William confirmed what Elizabeth said and both her parents welcomed the idea of visiting Hope Valley in the future. Elizabeth was delighted as she wanted them both to have an active role in Little Jack's life.
William could not help but wonder if they would be making the trek West sooner rather than later for a 'joyous event', but kept his thoughts to himself. He would not even mention such a thing to Grace, even in private. That would be Elizabeth's story to share, if or when it happened.
After breakfast, Elizabeth thankfully found suitable attire for Sunday Service, but it wasn't easy. She got Little Jack dressed in his suit & tie and then dressed herself.
Both her parents were surprised and pleased when she walked down the front staircase wearing her sister Julie's bluish-grey sleeveless gown with matching bolero jacket and shoes. Finally, Elizabeth found white gloves and a corresponding fascinator in her sister Viola's old closet. Viola had always been the prim and proper dresser.
It came as no surprise she found nothing suitable in her own closet!
Admittedly, she was a little overdressed for church, but better to be overdressed, than not properly attired. Upper society strikes again.
At the moment, she was longing to be dressed in her regular clothes and ready to listen to one of Pastor Joseph's messages. Listening to and applying the pastor's message, after all, was the point of going to church. It was not a fashion show.
Sunday Morning Service
It had been a long time since Elizabeth had been inside her home church. She grew up in this church. If they had lived closer, she and Jack would have been expected to marry here. She couldn't help but think of the school house church back in Hope Valley. Jack had built that for her, so she didn't have to teach classes in the saloon.
She could almost hear Cooper Canfield ringing the church bell, calling the parishioners to service. Silently, she wondered what Pastor Joseph was preaching about today.
As the Thatcher party entered the church, they were greeted by the Right Reverend David Clarkson. He was new to the church within the last three years, so he had never met the Thatcher's middle daughter. He was pleased to make her acquaintance.
As they were ushered to the family pew, Elizabeth marvelled at the church building's architecture and stained-glass windows. The building was exquisite, but it did not feel like home to her.
Not for the first time this trip she realized Hamilton was no longer her home. It was a place that held many memories from a privileged childhood. Home was in Hope Valley.
The sermon topic was on The Prodigal Son from Luke – chapter 15. As Elizabeth listened to the familiar passage, she found herself wanting to be welcomed home to Hope Valley, just like the prodigal, into wide open arms waiting for her. Not just any arms. She was thinking about one specific pair of arms, in particular. Something to pray about, for sure.
Immediately following The Benediction
Upon the close of services, the congregation began to disperse. Elizabeth looked up and could not believe her eyes. She now knew why God had brought her to this particular church service. Across the church sanctuary, in her direct line of vision, was none other than Chief Superintendent Sam Collins. Beside him was a woman she presumed to be his wife.
Elizabeth turned to her parents and excused herself, leaving Little Jack with his grandparents. She walked over to the other side of the church.
Upon reaching Collins, Elizabeth greeted him, "Good Morning, Chief Superintendent Collins."
He looked up and his expression gave away how surprised he was to see her. He replied, "Mrs. Thornton! I must say this is a surprise. May I introduce my wife, Edna?"
Elizabeth was pleased that he had immediately recognized her. She acknowledged Mrs. Collins with a respectful, "Very nice to meet you, Ma'am."
Collins replied, "I'm surprised to see you in Hamilton. Have you left Hope Valley?"
Elizabeth replied, "Actually Sir, I am visiting Hamilton for a short while. While I am here, would it be possible to meet with you to discuss a matter of some importance?"
Collins inquired, "What might that be about, Mrs. Thornton?"
Elizabeth looked at the Chief Superintendent and answered with a softer voice, "Well Sir, in order to find closure, I am in need of some answers regarding my late husband. Answers I am hopeful you can provide. May we set a time and place to meet?"
Instead of a reply from the Chief, Elizabeth was surprised when Mrs. Collins, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. Addressing Elizabeth, she said, "Was your late husband a Mountie, Mrs. Thornton?"
Elizabeth looked at the woman with very sad eyes and replied, "Yes, Ma'am, he was."
Elizabeth was shocked when Edna Collins replied, "My first husband was also a Mountie. He was killed in the line of duty. We had been married for three years, but we were never blessed with any children. May I ask, how long were you married?"
Elizabeth was startled, yet managed to answer the older woman, "We had a lengthy courtship; however, we were only together as a married couple for twelve days. Instead of going on our planned honeymoon trip to Chicago, Jack accepted a last-minute assignment to Fort Clay. Sadly, he never returned home."
Elizabeth sadly continued, "My husband never even knew I was expecting our son."
Edna Collins looked at her husband with love in her eyes. He excused himself and stepped aside, understanding his wife wished for a moment of privacy.
She reached over and touched Elizabeth on the arm and shared in an intimate voice, "We have a bond, you and I. We both lost our first loves in the line of duty."
Elizabeth was overcome with emotion and the two women grasped hands in a shared strength. Then, Elizabeth marvelled, "Yet, you still married another Mountie? If you don't mind my asking, how did you ever cope when assignments took him away from home?"
Edna nodded with a faraway look in her eyes. She reminisced, "Sam was a dear friend of my late husband. After my George died, Sam protected me and was my shoulder to lean on whenever I needed it. Before you know it, Sam and I fell in love and got married. Then came the children. Every time Sam left the house, I was terrified I would be widowed again, only this time I would be left with four children to raise."
Elizabeth gasped. This was exactly how she felt. "How did you ever overcome that feeling of dread?"
"Well Dear, you don't overcome it; you learn to live with it. I spent a lot of time talking to God – praying for safety and praying for strength should He allow the unthinkable to happen again. The rest of the time you love your husband all the more when he's safe at home and never allow anything important to go unsaid. You live everyday as if it is your last day together so there are no regrets. I was raised to believe in God; however, my faith has deepened so much more since marrying Sam."
By now both women had tears in their eyes. Elizabeth reached out to the older woman and replied, "Mrs. Collins, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I needed to hear it more than you know."
"My Dear, please call me Edna." Suddenly, she felt moved to extend an invitation to Elizabeth. "Mrs. Thornton, since you will be in Hamilton for a while, would you like to join me for afternoon tea? I sense we may be kindred spirits."
"Please call me Elizabeth and I would be delighted to accept your kind invitation. What day and time would work best for you?"
Edna replied, "Why don't we meet at my home for a private tea tomorrow afternoon. I know you would like to meet with my husband first." She winked at Elizabeth and said, "we ladies can finish our chat, afterwards."
Elizabeth gave her a bright smile that reached her eyes and told her she was looking forward to it. She was thankful her parents were so committed to spending time with Little Jack, she did not need to worry about finding someone to care for him.
Edna looked over at her husband and as she smiled and nodded her head, he came back and rejoined the women.
Sam Collins nodded his head at his wife. Then, turning to Elizabeth, he commented in his gruff voice, "Mrs. Thornton, for reasons I do not wish to go into right now, I would prefer to meet somewhere other than my office. Would you be able to meet me at Bayfront Park around 9 a.m. tomorrow morning?
Elizabeth confirmed the park was not far from where she was staying and she would have no trouble making the meeting.
Sunday afternoon - A Telephone Rings
Elizabeth was nervous. When she had given Nathan her parents' phone number, she had not thought things through. She never thought about who would initiate the calls and what they would say once they were connected. All she had thought about was she could not let a month go by without hearing his voice. Now, after her talk with Edna at the church, she did not want to wait another day, no not even another hour.
She missed him.
They loved each other - or at least he had loved her once and they both knew she loved him. But after all their struggles, and the way she had hurt him, would their mutual love tempered with forgiveness, be enough to sustain them? Elizabeth prayed that it was. Otherwise, she was like a woman without a home.
She no longer fit into Hamilton high society and her life in Hope Valley was complete only if Nathan was in it. That much was obvious to her.
She had never considered initiating a call to a suitor before – it went against every form of etiquette she had ever been taught. A proper lady always waits for a gentleman to make the first contact. Then again, this wasn't exactly their first contact.
However, she also knew Nathan. He was not about to make the next move. After everything that had transpired between them, Elizabeth knew if any communication was to develop, she must be brave and make the phone call.
She needed to show Nathan she was overcoming her fears and becoming the person he needed her to be. She needed to show him she was the person he could trust with his love.
She kissed Little Jack on the forehead as she put him in bed for his afternoon nap, before moving downstairs to her father's study. After making herself comfortable again in the overstuffed office chair, she placed the call to the Hope Valley switchboard. When Florence answered, Elizabeth opted not to identify herself and simply asked her to ring Constable Grant's home.
After three rings, Nathan answered with his deep voice saying a simple, "Hello?"
She closed her eyes and let that simple word wash over her; it felt like she was calling home.
"Hello Nathan. This is Elizabeth calling. I hope you are doing well."
"Oh, hi! I am doing fine. I am glad to hear you arrived safely. It's been four days since you left. How are you and Little Jack enjoying big city life?"
Their connection was crystal clear and it sounded like Nathan was right in the room with her despite the fact that he was 2,000 miles away. Her misgivings melted away.
"Funny you should ask. I was just thinking how much my life has changed since I have been away from the trappings of high society. I feel like a foreigner here even though this used to be my home town. Even something as routine as attending church, is a big production. I had to raid my sisters' closets to find enough of their cast-off clothes to properly dress for church!"
Elizabeth paused to take a breath, and realized that detail may have been a little personal, but she didn't regret it. She could sense Nathan's smile through his silence on the line. She hoped she didn't embarrass him with her talk about female attire.
" I've only been here a day and a half but I am already missing the quieter life in Hope Valley." She laughed and continued, "As for Little Jack, he is overwhelmed with everything. At least he is starting to finally warm up to my mother."
Nathan was relieved. He had suspected that once she was there, she would return to her Hamilton lifestyle and not return to Hope Valley.
His reply was simple and sincere, "Yes, peace and quiet is a blessing."
He chuckled as he thought about Little Jack, "As you know from being a teacher, children are resilient. He will soon be his normal self. It will just take some time."
Elizabeth noticed how stilted the conversation was. They might as well be talking about the weather! Time to jump in with both feet.
"Nathan, it is so nice to hear your voice. Are you and Allie settled back home?"
"Thanks, Elizabeth. It is good to hear your voice, too. Yes, we are all settled in."
He paused, trying to decide if he should tell her about Allie. This felt strange; he had to talk on the phone frequently for Mountie business, but rarely used it for personal conversations. He pressed forward.
"Um, Elizabeth, about Allie…I told her that you and I chatted before you left town and we parted on good terms, with everything being forgiven. Of course, I didn't share any details."
Elizabeth replied with a hopeful voice, "Thank you for that, Nathan. How is Allie?"
"Well Elizabeth, Allie is a typical teenager – sometimes still a young girl and sometimes wise beyond her years. She is still trying to come to terms with everything and learn what true forgiveness means for everyone, moving forward."
He hesitated slightly before continuing, "I think she's coming along, but I'm still praying for her."
Elizabeth replied, "Oh Nathan, I've been praying for her too and I will continue to do so. I hate that Allie is struggling because of my poor judgement and behaviour.
An idea sparked in Elizabeth's mind. "Nathan, how is Allie doing with her riding lessons? Would you like to take her out on Sargeant? Gunther at the livery has agreed to exercise him every few days, but maybe Allie would like to ride him with you and Newton?"
Nathan wasn't too sure about this idea, "She would love that but are you sure? Sargeant..."
Elizabeth quickly replied, "Nathan, yes, I just want a connection with her and maybe Sargeant can be my intermediary peacemaker for the time being, until hopefully things are better between her and I. Besides you'd be doing me a favour because Sargeant needs the exercise."
Nathan answered with a bit more enthusiasm, "Elizabeth, if you're really sure, I am beginning to like the idea. Allie and I have some of our best conversations outdoors. We could go riding this week."
Elizabeth was pleased and continued, "I could also write her a letter if you think it's a good idea."
Nathan decided to think about that one.
There was a lull in the conversation until Nathan asked "So, Elizabeth, will you be seeing old friends while you're in Hamilton?"
"Ah, yes, well Nathan actually I'm hoping to visit with my old friend Victoria Lockwood. I think you know her name?"
"I am familiar with her name because…," he coughed, "well, uh….how do you know her?" He had seen Victoria's name in the report but the information was confidential so he hesitated to say more.
"Nathan, I understand you can't say too much. Charles Kensington told me all about what happened between Victoria and Lucas. I can hardly believe that Charles knew them both personally when Lucas was working here a number of years ago. But that's beside the point. Charles told me that Victoria has never really recovered from the incident and I'm hoping perhaps I can offer some support. If it weren't for you and Charles and my father arriving when they did, I could be in the same awful situation that she was."
Nathan continued listening.
"Nathan, we haven't talked about all that and I'm not really ready to yet - at least not over the phone, but Nathan thank you for helping to reveal the truth about Lucas. I know I've escaped something truly horrible."
"I was just doing my job, Elizabeth, but I can't deny this was more personal. I never would want harm to come to you, and I was especially motivated when I thought you were at risk. I was glad I could do my part, but you did the rest."
Elizabeth felt awkward because she knew he was referring to the fact that she had taken the step to finally break it off with Lucas. "Yes, well, I…" she paused mid-sentence, unsure what else to say. She chose to deftly change the topic, "Um, Nathan, I hope you have a good week."
"Yes, you too Elizabeth."
Now, how do they say good-bye?
Nathan got a sudden burst of courage and asked "Elizabeth, may I call you on Wednesday night?"
Elizabeth smiled her old smile. "Yes, Nathan! I would like that. I'll be waiting to hear from you. Would you be able to call after Little Jack is in bed, around 7 p.m.? Oh, I just realized, my 7 p.m. is your 5 p.m. Will that interfere with your work?"
Nathan quickly responded, "Don't worry. Actually, five is usually a pretty good time, unless I have unexpected Mountie business to attend to. If for some reason I don't call, I'll try again on Thursday. Is that okay?"
Elizabeth agreed.
"Well, until Wednesday then. Good-night Elizabeth…"
"Good-night, Nathan. Be safe."
Special thanks to Mamabethany for her help writing this chapter. I think I would have been stuck in dry-dock without her wonderful input. Thanks so much!