Lee headed to the train station a bit early to ensure he wouldn't be late. Abigail and Rosemary were at their house with Opal, who was having a hard time. He got there just as the train pulled into the station. He saw Elizabeth step down with Charlotte before turning to help a girl who appeared to be Opal's age. Another older woman stepped off right behind her. Elizabeth looked around and finally spotted him.
After a brief hug, she quickly introduced the others. "How is Opal doing, Lee?" Elizabeth asked. "Where is she?"
"She is at our house with Rosemary and was sleeping when I left. It's been hard for her to be around others, and she keeps asking for you." Lee said sadly. "I think you taking her back to Aberdeen is going to be beneficial to her. Everyone means well, but you know what Hope Valley is like!"
"I do," Elizabeth said. "Let's get going. Is Bill meeting us there or….?"
"He knew that you would need some time with her first, so he figured before dinner. I think he plans on you going to his office to discuss things in privacy." Lee explained, and she just nodded in agreement.
Elizabeth felt anxious as they drew up in front of the house. They had barely stopped when the door flew open, and Opal came running. "Miss Thatcher! Miss Thatcher!" The little girl was sobbing in relief as Elizabeth gathered her in her arms.
"It's all right, my precious Opal. I'm here, sweetheart," Elizabeth crooned as tears began falling down her cheeks. She picked the little girl up and walked quickly into the house. "Where's Brownie," Elizabeth mouthed to Rosemary. Rosemary nodded and grabbed him from the room Opal had been sleeping in.
Charlotte quickly made the introductions and noticed that Allie kept her eyes on the pair. Before anyone could do anything, Allie went over, sat next to Elizabeth, and gently reached over to Opal's hand.
Feeling the soft touch on her hand, Opal looked at the young girl curiously before turning to Elizabeth. "Opal, this is Allie, and that's her grandma Mrs. Grant. They traveled with Mrs. Thornton and me to come here. Allie lost her mother, too, so I thought it might help you to have someone who knows what you are going through." Elizabeth explained. Opal just let out a relieved sigh and leaned over to hug Allie.
With that, it seemed like a bond was formed, and before long, the two girls were sitting together, murmuring. Seeing an opening, Elizabeth decided to go ahead and see Bill; leaving Opal in the care of the others. Thankfully Opal felt comfortable enough to make it possible. Alice walked into town with Elizabeth at her request seeing that Allie was comfortable, and Charlotte remained behind.
"This town is so lovely, Elizabeth. Rosemary said you live in the row house next door?" Alice asked.
"I do live in the row house, but I don't know what will happen over the next year. Opal's family lives in that one. Well, I should say they lived there. I don't know what I am going to do, Alice. I'm so overwhelmed being here and then having to make decisions about her future. I'm still trying to figure out my own life, and now I have poor Opal's worries too. I can't afford to make any mistakes." Elizabeth said as tears began to fall.
Alice didn't say anything but instead gathered Elizabeth in her arms and held her, whispering soothing words of comfort just as Elizabeth had done earlier to Opal. After a few minutes, she pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to Elizabeth before speaking. "My dear Elizabeth, first, no one is perfect, so understand that you will make mistakes. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Because I hate to tell you this but messing up is part of the job. Second, what that girl needs most right now is the love and reassurance that only you can provide. I don't really know her, but it is obvious how she feels about you. From what I just saw, you're her safe place. I'm going to tell you what I told Nathan when he became a parent to Allie. If you focus on loving them and making them feel secure, the rest will work itself out. As for the unpleasant business ahead, take it one step at a time, and know I am here if you need support."
"Oh, Alice, thank you for that. As Charlotte would say, I'm trying to eat the whole cow instead of what's on my plate." Elizabeth said with a chuckle.
Alice chuckled in agreement as she threaded her arm through Elizabeth's as they began walking again. "That Opal is so sweet. My heart breaks for her, and I'm glad she felt comforted by our presence. She and Allie seemed to have taken to each other like a duck to water which does my heart good. Allie has struggled to make friends, and I can tell she was just as comforted by Opal."
"I think so as well, and I'm so glad we brought you two with us. It will make the train ride and leaving Hope Valley easier for Opal." Elizabeth mused.
As they walked through town, she could see the familiar look of sadness on the faces of those she encountered. Alice had seen them too and could see why Elizabeth needed to put some space between her and the town she loved. It would be a good thing that Opal would be able to heal away from that. She and Allie still encountered those who remembered Colleen. The interactions were always awkward because they didn't know what to say.
Elizabeth's first stop was the café where Alice met Abigail Stanton. The two women immediately hit it off, and it was easy to see how loved Elizabeth was. It further strengthened her belief that Elizabeth and Opal were perfect for Nathan and Allie. Bill was out doing rounds, so Abigail filled her in on the details of what happened over tea.
"What should I do, Abigail?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, the arrangements have been made for the Weiss' service. We have it set for tomorrow, with a small reception planned afterward. I think taking Opal away with you for a while would be good. Maybe you can reach out to Jack once you have settled in again. Hearing from him might be of comfort to her." Abigail advised. Turning to Alice, she said, "Opal loves her Mountie Jack though all the children miss him."
"I think, given the circumstances, you should start adoption proceedings before you go. That way, Bill can handle them as the Judge much quicker and easier." Abigail further advised revealing she had given the matter a great deal of thought. "As for personal effects, I think you should talk to Opal and see what she needs or wants to take with her. I can oversee the packing up and disposal of items like clothing etc. I plan on having the women make a quilt from pieces of their clothing. Any special furniture, pictures, and heirlooms can be stored until later. A new family arrived in town, so we could let them take over the rowhouse once that is done."
"That sounds like an excellent plan; Abigail and I would appreciate your help. We could leave the day after tomorrow then." Elizabeth said. Hearing the sound of a horse, she looked out to see that Bill had returned.
"Alice, I'm going to go over and talk to Bill about what we just discussed. Will you be all right with Abigail until I return?
"I'll be fine, dear," Alice said reassuringly. "I'll wait here until you finish, so take your time."
"Don't worry, Elizabeth," Abigail chuckled. "Besides, I know Bill is anxious to talk to you and see how you are." With a grateful smile, Elizabeth left after hugging both women.
Alice sat there, bemused by the other woman's hug. "So, Alice, tell me more about yourself and Allie. All Charlotte mentioned was that you were her neighbor and best friend."
"Nothing interesting to tell, really," Alice replied with a smile. "I'm just a fellow rancher, and we have some things in common."
"The fact that you are best friends with Charlotte Thornton says a lot." Abigail said teasingly as she refilled their teacups, then added, "so spill it!"
Sharing a laugh, she began to talk about life in Aberdeen. "Well, I lost my girl not too long ago, and Allie came to stay with me until my son Nathan finishes his Mountie contract."
"You have a son who is a Mountie?" Abigail observed, a knowing look in her eyes.
"I do," Alice confirmed with a twinkle in her eyes. "In fact, he will be coming for a visit next weekend. Between you and me, Charlotte and I have hopes."
"Well, you can add mine to yours because I would love nothing better than for her to find love," Abigail said.
"Abigail, that girl is so special, and how Jack Thornton let her go is beyond me," Alice observed. "Though given that it brought her to Aberdeen, I'm glad he did. I think that she would be a perfect fit for them. The change she brought out in Allie from the moment they met is a miracle. Before Elizabeth, Allie was sad and didn't interact much, but now she laughs and lights up whenever the girl is around. I wish you could have seen how Opal and Allie connected immediately."
"Elizabeth does have a way around grieving children. Between her and Jack, they changed the entire town. They arrived within a few days of each other, three months after we had a mine explosion back when we were Coal Valley. A total of 47 men lost their lives that day, and many children became fatherless. I lost my husband Noah and son Peter that day. Though they fought with each other, Elizabeth and Jack worked together and changed sadness and grief into joy. Though I think some of it came as the sparks flew between the two. Jack was brought here to watch out for Elizabeth at her father's request. He lost out on an assignment in Cape Fullerton chasing pirates and whisky runners." Abigail giggled. "Needless to say, Jack was not happy having been brought here to babysit. Nor was Elizabeth planning on allowing him to do it, and she didn't take kindly to his assumptions about her. She even went into the mine with me and some of the widows when we were threatened with eviction. We were given an option after approaching the company of keeping our homes. We had to clear and retimber one of the caved shafts. Ironically it was one of the ones where our husbands had been trapped and killed. The time frame given to complete the job was two weeks, and if successful, we got to keep our homes. They were evicting the widows to make room for new miners, you see. The men were not allowed to help us in any way because it was so dangerous. When she entered the mine standing with us, all the other women in town joined us. We worked round-the-clock shifts and met the terms much to the annoyance of Henry Gowan." Jack, of course, wasn't happy that any of us were in there but especially her. She kept proving him and the hardcore skeptics in town wrong and won their hearts, including the confirmed bachelor Town Constable."
"Abigail, I'm not asking you to break a confidence, but can I ask one thing?" Alice said.
"Sure, I'll answer if I can, but I can't break confidences," Abigail said, having an idea of what concerned the older woman.
"Is there any chance that Jack or Elizabeth could one day decide to reunite as a couple? I only ask because Nathan has been hurt before, and I don't want to encourage anything if that possibility exists." Alice explained.
"Don't worry. I understand your concerns." Abigail said before pausing to ponder the question for a moment. "As far as answering your question. I believe I can safely say the answer would be no."
Alice smiled at that as hope rose in her heart.
"However, you must understand that those two have a very close bond. Though she was hurt, I think love will always be there, but not the romantic kind but more of a deep-abiding friendship and closeness. Their siblings are also courting, and from what I see, it will lead to marriage. There will also be a shared concern for Opal because she is special to Jack too. They courted for four years until he broke it off. It would have already happened if they were meant to be married." Abigail answered truthfully.
Then with a wink, she said, "I would caution you to tread lightly and not be obvious in your intentions because she can be obstinate when she wants to be. However, I want to add that your son is leaving the Mounties to honor a promise to his sister and the bond between Elizabeth and Allie, and now Opal would suggest a high probability of success."