Minnie and Bill were standing by the stove talking. Upon seeing Elizabeth and Henry sitting together, he immediately joined them. Minnie followed shortly after Bill and brought breakfast specials and coffee to them. When they looked at her questioningly, Minnie smiled and said, "Compliments of Bill." Before returning to the stove.
"Henry, how are you doing," Bill asked.
"Tired! Bill, I promise I didn't do this on purpose. I haven't gone back…."
"Henry," Bill interrupted. "I know you wouldn't. We do have a problem, however. Why don't we eat and go to my office and devise a game plan together?"
Ned poked his head in, looking for Elizabeth. "Florence said there's a call for you,"
"I'll be right there, Ned," Elizabeth said.
As she was leaving, she accidentally collided with Nathan as he entered the door. Elizabeth felt herself start to fall, but Nathan reached out to steady her, and their gazes locked for a moment. Instantly they felt the familiar sparks and feeling of home that had always come when they touched. Ned called out Elizabeth's name again, breaking the spell. She quickly excused herself and followed Ned.
Bill didn't miss the interaction between the two and filed it away to ponder later. A glance at Henry revealed that the older man had picked up on something too. Nathan just walked over and sat at the table without saying a word. Bill and Henry stared at him, amused at the dazed look in the Mountie's eyes.
"Nathan, did you need something?" Bill asked, chuckling.
"Oh, I just …. umm …. wanted to know if you found anything. Faith told me that Elizabeth and Henry were heading over here." Nathan answered sheepishly.
"After we finish eating, we will head over to the office. I'd rather not discuss it publicly and possibly prematurely reveal our hand. I would like you to attend, though, as town constable." Nathan just nodded. The door opened, and Elizabeth came in with a huge smile, her eyes twinkling, clearly excited by something.
Elizabeth took the chair across from Nathan, giving him a full view of her. He was enraptured by how beautiful she was and couldn't recall seeing her this animated before.
"Good news?" Bill asked.
"Very good news!" Elizabeth said. "Molly, Florence, and Cat will meet us at your office in 15 minutes," Elizabeth said. Then she stood up abruptly and headed for the door, abandoning her breakfast.
"Where are you going, Elizabeth?" Bill asked, confused. "You haven't finished your breakfast."
"I'm finished, and unfortunately, I have a public apology I need to make," Elizabeth said, looking over at Minnie. Then she turned back to the table and said, "But it won't take long, and I'll meet you at your office." Then Elizabeth squared her shoulders and walked out the door.
"Did she just say she had to apologize publicly?" Nathan asked. "Did I hear right?"
"Yes, you did, Nathan. I'll be back shortly, Bill," Minnie said, leaving right after Elizabeth.
"Eat up, gentlemen. I think we are going to want to see this apology." Bill said.
"I'm done," Henry said, standing up. Nathan was already moving toward the door.
"I guess I am too!" Bill said, standing up as they headed in the direction Minnie and Elizabeth went. It hadn't been hard to figure out the direction because they could see people looking towards the saloon. They saw Elizabeth had gone up to Lucas, who was standing outside the saloon.
"Lucas, can I talk to you for a moment," Elizabeth said. Nathan noticed that people appeared to be going about their business, but he knew they were serving as witnesses. Elizabeth flinched when she saw the faint imprint of her hand on his cheek.
"Sure, Elizabeth. Why don't we go to my office?" Lucas said with that smarmy smile as he reached for her.
"What I need to talk to you about won't take long." Elizabeth took a step back before he could touch her.
"Oh," Lucas said, crossing his arms. "What about?"
"I just want to apologize for yesterday." Lucas smiled and began to reach for her again. A look of annoyance crossed his face as Elizabeth stepped back and put an arm up to prevent him from attempting it again.
"I'm not apologizing for what I said. Make no mistake; I meant every word." She paused before continuing. "I'm apologizing for raising my hand to you when I slapped you."
Lucas said, "Why is it so important to you, Elizabeth? Are you trying to impress someone?"
"I teach my students that using their fists is not the way to handle disagreements. I have to practice what I teach; otherwise, it means nothing. I'm sorry for hitting you, but I have no desire to be in a relationship with you again."
Lucas just smirked and spoke with derision. "How noble, Elizabeth," Elizabeth just rolled her eyes.
"If there is nothing else, I have important things to do." He said mockingly before turning his back and reaching for the door to go into the saloon.
He had one last comment for her as he noticed for the first time that there was an audience. "When you come to your senses, you know where to find me. Though I wouldn't take too long because I may not feel as charitable later, Mrs. Thornton."
"I wouldn't wait because you would be waiting for nothing," Elizabeth replied, highly insulted.
Lucas looked over and saw Nathan standing beside Faith; he smirked and said, "Well, if you're thinking you're going to take up with our constable, he's already taken." Then he gestured to where Faith and Nathan were standing together.
Though inside her heart was hurting, Elizabeth looked to where he indicated, gave the pair a wobbly smile, and then turned back to Lucas, seething inside. "Nathan is not a consolation prize Lucas. If I'm being honest, that would apply to you." Elizabeth crossed her arms and continued, "I would never insult him by doing as you suggested. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
Elizabeth walked away, heading towards Bill's office, hoping for a minute to regroup before everyone descended.
As she walked by, Bill and Henry turned and followed her. Bill put a comforting arm around her as Henry heard sniffles and handed her a handkerchief as they walked up the steps.
"Elizabeth, why don't you go in and take a moment to collect yourself while we wait for everyone else," Bill said.
Thank you," Elizabeth said softly, going inside, her voice shaking.
Nathan stood beside Faith, glaring at Lucas' retreating back. He had locked eyes with Bill for a moment, and they exchanged looks before Bill left with Elizabeth. People began to return to normal business.
"The gall of that man just really gets to me," Faith said. "Nathan, I know we talked about keeping up the pretense, but I don't think I can."
"Faith, I had already been thinking about it myself. I don't know how." Nathan said.
"I think you should start by talking to Elizabeth, and I think the answer will come to you. I can also mention something to Rosemary, but I think Elizabeth should know first so there are no more misunderstandings. I can see that she still has feelings for you but based on her words, I think she truly wants your happiness over anything else. Her poor attempt at a smile at us confirms that. Elizabeth will understand that you're seeking friendship and abide by that.
Thanks, Faith. I really appreciate the encouragement." Nathan said.
"You are coming to the meeting, aren't you, Nathan?" Molly asked.
"I'm not sure." He replied hesitantly. "I don't want to make it harder for Elizabeth."
"You wouldn't, and we will need you when Lucas finds out," Molly said. "I'll be back soon, Faith." Before leaving them alone.
"Molly is right, Nathan," Faith said. "You need to go to that meeting. May I offer one last piece of advice before you go?"
"Absolutely, Faith," Nathan said. "Please do,"
"While you are setting up the ground rules for repairing the relationship between you and Elizabeth? Make sure you also clarify that there's the possibility of wiggle room down the line." Faith said with a wink before going back into the Infirmary. Nathan chuckled and headed towards Bill's office.
When he arrived, Elizabeth, Bill, Henry, Molly, Florence, Cat, Rosemary, and Lee were assembled. He elected to stand near the door to prevent unwanted visitors from arriving. Not that there was any room left for anyone else.
"Elizabeth, why don't you go first," Bill said.
"Well, I spoke with Samantha Madison this morning; as you know, she is the attorney of record. She said she would obtain a copy of the final judgment and look at it. She called me to say she would be arriving here in Hope Valley to meet with us. I will have her stay with me so that Lucas and his investors don't get an advanced warning. I've hired her to take on the town as a client to fight Lucas and those wanting to reopen the mine. She will also file an action to close any loopholes left by the judge."
"I also spoke with Abigail last night and this morning. She and Cody will arrive for good at the end of the week. Abigail had also spoken with Clara and Jessie. They are coming to help her move and will be here too, as long as we need them to be."
She looked over at Bill and said, "I hope you are not offended, but I thought since Samantha was the prosecutor, it would help to have her on board, Bill. I think it could help with getting our case before the right judge. Especially since you would obviously be recused because of your prior connection as the expert witness."
"I think it was a brilliant move Elizabeth and I think that the team you have assembled will be a formidable team for Lucas and those investors. I can't wait until he finds out what is happening." Bill said, standing up to hug her. "Now, Henry, can you tell us how this took place and what you know?"
"We have been having trouble with the derricks and the company finances lately. I know that my mismanagement and greed caused a strain. Then when I left Lucas holding the bag out of pride, he ended up paying people for a time out of his pocket. I'm not disputing any of that. Anyway, things were looking up, especially with the Foundry coming in. For the past six months, we have had issues constantly with wells drying up, exploding, or pumps breaking down. I have been working steadily, trying to find others to help finance the idea that Mike and Fiona have been working on. Unlike Lucas, I have experience with how shady people can move in. We all can remember how the town almost fell prey to Joshua Baxter when the bank became insolvent." Everyone nodded.
Henry began recalling a conversation he had had with Lucas. "This was after Fiona got back from her trip to San Francisco. He told me how happy he was that things would improve and even mentioned the possibility of selling the company to one of the investors and leaving Hope Valley."
"Lucas was talking about leaving Hope Valley?" Elizabeth said, shocked by that revelation.
"He was Elizabeth," Henry said. "Lucas spoke of leaving after you and he were married."
"Ugh!" Elizabeth said, feeling sick and covering her face with her hands. "How can I have been so stupid." Before looking up at those dear to her, she said, "I never had any intention of leaving Hope Valley, and I am completely unaware of any talk of marriage. He won't spend time with Jack." Elizabeth said this last as tears began to fall. Pulling out the soiled handkerchief Henry had given her; she wiped them dry. Then steeling herself to hear more, she indicates to Henry to continue. Molly went over to sit beside her placing a hand over hers.
"When I found out that Fiona had returned with a banknote from Jerome, I went to Lucas. His name seemed familiar to me, and I later remembered him from when we did business with Pacific Mining. I decided to test him first to see if I could figure out what he wanted because I had a bad feeling about him. It didn't occur to me initially that reopening the mine was even possible. Like all of you, I was under the impression it couldn't be reopened.
"How did Fiona end up making contact with this investor," Nathan asked, becoming part of the conversation for the first time.
"I tend out of habit to play things close to the vest, but I wasn't making progress fast enough for Lucas. Anyway, I should have talked to Fiona and Mike and explained what was happening, but I didn't. She made contact through a friend with Jerome. I don't blame her for this because she had no way of knowing. I also suspect, though he said he didn't, Lucas sent her to throw me off what he was doing."
"I even told Jerome that the number two well had run dry to gauge his reaction. He didn't seem to be concerned about it. Which to me is highly suspicious."
"Wait, Lucas mentioned before he left for the meeting that if all went well, he would be wealthy beyond his dreams. He also mentioned bringing another employment opportunity to Hope Valley." Elizabeth said, suddenly remembering the uneasy feeling she had gotten from his words.
"Before you ask Bill, Fiona says they never mentioned the mine in conversations with her. But then they wouldn't have tipped their hand like that," Henry said. Having been on the other end of Bill's investigations, he was familiar with how the man worked. Bill nodded as that was where he was going next in his musings.
"Were you able to take a better look at everything, Bill?" Lee asked.
"Now that I've looked at it, even more, I agree that it is ambiguous. Since it specifies that Pacific Mining Company can't reopen it, it leaves the door open for another company. We would need a judgment that specifically only includes the mine reopening." Bill said. "Which Elizabeth has already anticipated and hired Samantha to do.
"Can we block the sale?" Lee asked.
"Unfortunately, no, because both parties have already offered and accepted the money. All that happens now is to finalize the details. Henry said. Bill nodded in agreement.
"Are Mike and Fiona in any danger, Henry, once the Investors realize that we are on to them?" Elizabeth asked. It had been the very same question Nathan was about to ask.
"No, because they don't really know anything that would make eliminating them beneficial. Now that I have spoken to you and the evidence is all in your hands, they would try to sabotage things during the legal processes." Henry said.
"What about Elizabeth or the widows, who are very familiar with the conditions at the time it shut down," Nathan said.
"We aren't going to show our hand until after we are ready to pull the trap," Bill said. "If you ladies are all right with it, I think we resume letting Rosemary publish that information publicly. In private, we will begin to prepare the fight." Looking around the room, they all nodded, determined and satisfied that all bases were covered.
"Then Rosemary, I lift the injunction, and you may proceed," Bill said. With that, everyone trickled out with an agreement to meet again once Samantha Madison arrived.
Elizabeth decided that she needed some space, and Sargent needed a run. Since Jack was at the Campbells, there was plenty of time later to do the housework that was waiting. "Henry, will you be all right?" Elizabeth asked. "
"Of course, Elizabeth, I'm heading home, I think to rest," Henry said with a tired smile.
"Don't worry about Henry, Elizabeth," Florence said. We will watch over him the rest of the day."
She just nodded and accidentally brushed Nathan as she walked out. The subtle fragrance of Lavender and Lily wafted to him on the light breeze.
