Bill's Reaction - Chapter 25

Hamilton

As Elizabeth and her mother were winding up their day together, Grace suddenly recalled a charity event being held at the Children's Orphanage.

"Oh dear," she expressed her concern to Elizabeth, "I usually prepare a basket to be raffled off to raise money to support those poor orphans. I was so happy to see you and Little Jack, I totally forgot my responsibilities."

"Mother, why don't we arrange to have a basket or two prepared? There is still time to drop it off. Either that, or a simple financial contribution could be made this year." Elizabeth suggested.

Grace was dumbfounded. "My Elizabeth, you have been gone for far too long. A mere financial contribution, regardless of the amount, would be a societal faux pas; very gauche."

Grace continued, "Well, as soon as we get home, I will arrange for a basket to be put together, quickly. If you have time, perhaps we could both take it over to the Children's Orphanage. We used to do that when you were younger, remember Elizabeth?"

"Of course, I remember Mother. In fact, we have an orphanage near Hope Valley, in a small town named Brookfield. Two sisters who were orphaned and separated as children have been reunited and are now running the orphanage together. It's a remarkable story." Elizabeth's eyes brightened as she thought of an idea. "When I get back to Hope Valley, I believe I will suggest we start doing something similar in Hope Valley as we do in Hamilton."

Grace looked appreciatively at her daughter, "Well, that would be wonderful to take some of your Hamilton upbringing back with you to Hope Valley."

Before long, Benson had taken them back home and Grace had requested a basket or two be quickly prepared by the household staff. Given the time constraint, the baskets were smaller than usual, however, there were two baskets prepared and ready to be delivered by late afternoon. William ensured a monetary donation was made for each basket, and gave the donations to Grace for delivery, as was the custom.

Elizabeth was happy to accompany her mother to this worthy charitable cause.

As they entered the orphanage, Elizabeth took the two baskets over to the assigned table, while Grace looked around the room.

Just across the room, she recognized a woman she hadn't seen in some time. Grace walked across the room purposefully, and spoke to the woman. "Why Ruth Lockwood! It has been quite a while. How have you been?"

Ruth simply replied, "Grace, yes it has been a while. We are keeping well, thank you for asking. I hope all is well with your family?"

Grace smiled and replied enthusiastically, "Yes, we are all well. We are so thankful to have Elizabeth and our small grandson, Jack, visiting us. Elizabeth is on summer break from teaching. It will be so hard once they leave for Hope Valley again." She was saddened at the thought of having to say goodbye to them.

Ruth looked very sombre as she replied, "We were all so sorry to hear about Elizabeth's husband's passing. So very sad, especially when she was left with child."

At that moment, Elizabeth returned from dropping off the baskets.

"Elizabeth, this is Mrs. Lockwood. I'm sure you remember her children, Philip and Victoria?" Grace took the opportunity to introduce the women and then excused herself to present the chairwoman with the Thatcher monetary donation.

Elizabeth was delighted and surprised to see Ruth, and her face showed her pleasure. "Why Mrs. Lockwood. How very nice to see you. It has been such a long time. I hope you are keeping well?" In her heart, Elizabeth marveled again at the Lord's provision and leading. She had been wondering how she could get in touch with the Lockwood's again.

Ruth took Elizabeth's offered hand and greeted her, "My Dear, we are all adults here – you may certainly call me 'Ruth'." She smiled at Elizabeth before going on, "We are all well."

Elizabeth then specifically mentioned the girl she had known so well growing up, "It has been so long since Victoria and I were debutantes together. If possible, I would love to see her again, before I return to Hope Valley."

Ruth pressed her lips together and winced, before replying in a hushed voice, "Elizabeth, I'm afraid Victoria does not see too many people." She paused as she considered whether she should say more. Something in Elizabeth's eyes made her continue. "Without getting into a lot of detail, several years ago Victoria had her heart broken. It was a terrible situation because she had fallen in love with a young man from the bank and they were courting. He turned out to be a conman and swindled her out of most of her trust fund. We were able to keep it out of the society papers but, well, Victoria just never got over the embarrassment."

Elizabeth shook her head and discreetly took Ruth over to one side. "Ruth, believe me when I say 'I understand', because I do."

"Oh Elizabeth, that's very kind of you to say, but you lost your husband in a training accident. A terrible tragedy, but hardly the same thing as Victoria experienced."

"Ruth, I owe a deep debt of gratitude to Victoria and her story. You see, I was in a courtship with the same man."

Ruth looked at her doubtfully, so Elizabeth mouthed the name "Lucas Bouchard" silently to Ruth so there would be no doubt. Ruth could not contain her shock. She gasped and her eyes widened as she raised her hand to cover her gaping mouth. Elizabeth gave her a moment, placing her hand supportively on Ruth's arm.

Elizabeth elaborated. "If Father and Charles Kensington had not come to Hope Valley, I may have met the same fate as Victoria or worse. I was not aware of what had happened to Victoria, until after Charles alerted the Mounties. I was in such a state of denial, I didn't even believe the Mounties when they tried to tell me the truth about him. Only after Charles – my wonderful childhood friend – laid it out for me, did I begin to see the light."

Ruth shook her head at the incredulity of it all. "Oh, my goodness!" she said when she could finally speak. "Do your parents know?"

Elizabeth put a finger to her lips and shook her head. "Father does, because he was in Hope Valley. I do not believe he has shared that information with Mother, so please I ask you not to say anything to her. At least not yet."

Ruth assured her she had no desire to speak of this matter to anyone.

For emphasis, Elizabeth asked her again, "Ruth, may I please speak with Victoria. I understand how she feels and I want her to know she is not alone. She has nothing to be ashamed of – she did nothing wrong. I mean it when I say, Victoria's story saved me."

As Grace reappeared on the scene, Ruth merely nodded her head to Elizabeth and said, "I am sure Victoria would love to see her old friend. Elizabeth, please come for a visit while you're in town."

As they exited the orphanage, Elizabeth promised Ruth she would call and arrange a suitable time to visit.

Hope Valley

Nathan was eager to complete his rounds. It was Wednesday afternoon and he was looking forward to catching up with Elizabeth after work. Sunday seemed like it was so long ago and if he was honest with himself, he was looking forward to hearing her soft, sweet, feminine voice. He was hopeful she was looking forward to talking to him too. He was thankful she wasn't trying to push him away anymore.

In light of Bill's reported 'potential incident' from Tuesday afternoon, Nathan planned to make his last stop at the saloon to ensure all was well. He didn't like Lucas Bouchard, but Nathan was keenly aware he was sworn to protect all citizens, whether he liked them or not.

As Nathan entered the saloon, it was eerily empty. There were usually no patrons at this time of day – the dinner crowd arrived later on - but usually Gustav, if not Lucas, were at least visible.

Something about the unexpected, stone cold silence heightened Nathan's instincts. He unlatched the strap on his firearm, and silently proceeded around the perimeter of the large dining room back to the kitchen area.

Upon entering the kitchen, he found Gustav blindfolded, gagged, and tied to a chair. As he released Gustav, Nathan inquired what happened.

Gustav seemed unharmed, but shaken. In broken English, he replied, "Some well dress men come. They said from San Francisco and want Mr. Bouchard. Say he work at bank there. Say he swindle young ladies out of trust funds. They keep secret then. No file charges. No want publicity." Gustav was grasping for the right words after the fright.

Gustav paused and took a breath, then continued, "They leave me like this. They take Mr. Bouchard. I cannot see, but I hear sounds. I think they hit him until he...er... knocked out. I hear struggling sounds. Dragging. Scraping. Perhaps they put him in – how do you say – gunny sack? It has been long time already. They could be anywhere by now." Gustav said, gesturing with his hand toward the great unknown.

Nathan was in full Mountie mode. He looked at Gustav, "First of all, are you hurt? Do you need to go to the infirmary?"

"No, I am fine. My pride only hurt." He replied.

"Good." Nathan continued, "Do you have any idea what time this happened."

Gustav answered, "No, happened too fast. I have blindfold on, so can't see time."

Nathan nodded in understanding and continued with his instructions, "After I leave, I want you to lock the saloon doors and then go home and stay there. Should either Judge Avery or I need to speak with you, do you have a telephone?"

Gustav nodded. "Yes, Mr. Bouchard make sure I have telephone so he can call me."

Nathan said, "Fine, we will call you if we need you. Now, please do as I asked. I will leave through the front door."

As he left the saloon, Nathan heard Gustav lock the deadbolt behind him.

Nathan immediately ran over to Bill's office, where he found his friend processing paperwork. Nathan knew it was his least favourite thing to do, so Bill would welcome the interruption.

Nathan entered and locked the door behind him – he did not want to be interrupted. He explained to Bill what had happened at the saloon.

When he told Bill that Gustav thought Bouchard was stuffed into a gunny sack, a strange expression came across Bill's face. He pressed his index finger tightly over his upper lip and closed his eyes. His shoulders began to tremble with laughter.

The corners of Nathan's lips twitched, but he got control of himself and said sternly, "Bill, need I remind you that a citizen of our town has been kidnapped? I don't like Bouchard anymore than you do, but the fact remains he was taken from Hope Valley under suspicious circumstances. Stop and think - would this be funny if it were anyone other than Lucas?"

Bill suppressed his laughter, returned to his usual sober-faced expression and replied, "Nathan, I know Bouchard has been kidnapped and I don't want any harm to come to him. But, you must admit – the thought of 'Mr. Prim & Proper' stuffed into a gunny-sack and carted off like a sack of potatoes does present quite a visual."

Although he agreed wholeheartedly, Nathan refused to give in to levity. A man's life could be at stake and they needed to make some calls to surrounding Mountie depots and investigate for clues.

Nathan was about to leave for the jail to make those calls, when he remembered – it was Wednesday. He was supposed to call Elizabeth at 5 p.m. Hope Valley time. He was never going to make it, with all the work he had in front of him.

Nathan turned around to Bill and said, "I've got to get going on this case. Will you do me a couple of favours?"

Bill looked at him and gestured to him, palms up. "How can I help?"

Nathan said, "First of all, Allie cannot stay alone. Will you see if The Weise's or The Canfield's can keep Allie for the night?"

Bill replied, "Let's make it easy. Why don't I stay at your place tonight? That way, Allie won't be alone in the house and I won't have to explain what is going on in town to anyone else."

Nathan was very appreciative and said so. Bill just waved it off as if it were no big deal. The truth was he always liked Allie. He loved her spunk. Allie was mature for her age and did not require constant supervision. Even still, an adult was required to be present in the house during overnight hours.

Nathan grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down a phone number. "I was supposed to call Elizabeth tonight, but it won't happen at the scheduled time. Will you please call her and let her know I'm okay, but I got tied up with Mountie business? I hope to call her later on tonight, as long as it is not too late on her end."

Bill took the paper from him and told Nathan he'd be happy to set Elizabeth's mind at ease. Nathan thanked him and was on his way out the door when he stopped and said, "One more thing, after you call Elizabeth, please sketch the men you saw in the saloon on Tuesday afternoon. They may have been involved." Nathan looked directly at Bill from the doorway, "You do realize if the two men you saw on Tuesday are involved, you may be the only witness?"

Bill nodded his head in understanding. The thought of potentially being the only witness in a kidnapping case was sobering indeed.

After reminding Bill for the third time to call Elizabeth, Nathan left to start his investigation.

As Bill began dialing the Thatcher residence, he considered Nathan's repeated reminders to make this call and he mused to himself, "Hmm, that sure sounds like love to me!"