Abigail walked along a quiet path not too far in the woods. She clutched the basket she was holding closer to her chest as she dodged a giant tree root popping out of the ground.

It was evening and she was going to Henry's with some dinner. Henry had refused for her to cook anything but Abigail was still feeling guilty about what had happened and wanted to nurse him back to health as soon as she could.

She reached a slight clearing which opened up to a little house. Smoke escaped from the chimney on top and she could see a figure moving inside. Henry was in the house.

She got to the door and was about to knock on it when it suddenly opened with force. She was caught by surprise as she dropped the basket which toppled on the floor and to avoid the door hitting on her face, she leaned back, a little too far, only to realise that she was losing her balance and falling over behind. A strong hand grabbed her by the waist while the other held her up from her shoulder. She felt herself being lifted back to her feet, and standing up almost close to a built figure. She found herself face to face with an amused Henry.

"I wasn't expecting you here Abigail." He said, his lips easing into a smile, bringing forth his small dimples. She forgot everything around her for a brief moment when she saw that smile.

"Sorry, I wanted to bring dinner." She blinked and said as she looked at her basket and the food on the ground. Henry followed her gaze to the spilled food on the ground. He instinctively steadied her before he removed his hands off her to lean down to pick up the food. She was strangely unhappy that he took his hands off her. She also leaned down. While picking up the bread, she got a proper glimpse at him. He was wearing a white vest with brown pants. He had not shaved. The stubble on him looked good…not only good, it looked…handsome on him. He smelled of burnt wood. She was surprised at the sudden sweat she felt in her palms, despite the biting cold outside.

"I'm sorry I must have startled you. I heard someone coming through the woods, I was expecting an intruder." He said as they both straightened up and Henry handed over the basket to her.

"Well, I did come unannounced, so I am an intruder." She said as she tried not to stare at his body. He was very well built, strong hands, wide shoulders. How good-looking was this man! At that moment, he realized he was wearing nothing but his vest.

"Oh, I am so sorry. Please come in…" he said as he led the way and rushed in to put on his shirt that was lying on his chair. His back faced her as he buttoned up his shirt. He turned around to look at her as he finally buttoned up the last one. He motioned her to sit at the table as he rolled up both his sleeves and joined her there. "I am really very sorry about the food." He said as he looked at the basket pitifully.

"Oh no, that's alright. I should have informed you in advance that I was coming." Abigail explained.

"Maybe. But not because you bothered me in any way but it would have given me a chance to straighten things up for your arrival." He said and looked around his house. She did too and she liked it. It was generally neat and clean except for a few ashes that had scattered around the fireplace. The fire was warm and welcoming and gave a dim light to the room.

"I like what you have done with your house. It is nice and quaint." She observed loudly and Henry smiled.

"Well, I had made some vegetable casserole. We could have that together. I hope you have not had dinner yet." He said, his voice rugged.

"No I haven't. And I would love to taste what you have made." Abigail said, giving him a big smile.

"Do you not trust me to make a good meal?" Henry asked, feigning hurt.

"Oh, you do not strike me as a "cooking" man…" she said.

"Well then, there is a lot you do not know about me." He said playfully and then went on to a flurry of activities. He brought out plates, bowls and glasses to the table. At one point, Abigail offered to help but was turned down by him. He then finally placed the casserole in the middle with some rice on the side. "Please dig in." he finished off as he sat down.

Abigail was hungry at that point. The casserole looked delicious. She tasted some and while devouring the first bite, she saw Henry eyeing her expectantly. Her expression changed from that of utter satisfaction to a frown.

"Mmmm…" she feigned disappointment. "I don't know…it lacks something." She said.

"Oh you lie! I saw your first expression. You like it, don't you?" he said, almost breaking into a grin and Abigail nodded and laughed. "It's scrumptious, Henry! I didn't know you can cook so well! Why have you never helped me at the café?" she asked as she took another bite.

"Well, it is called Abigail's café. I wouldn't want it to change at all." He said good-naturedly. She smiled at him.

"Maybe we could serve this there then? This really is lovely." She said and Henry nodded. "I will share the recipe with you." Abigail shook her head as she swallowed some food.

"You will teach me how to make it in my kitchen." She said and Henry smiled and nodded.

"Deal!" he said.

"Great! How about this Friday?" she asked. "We could make it a Friday special at the Café." She said and Henry nodded.

"Sure. I will be there." He said and took a sip of his water. They then ate in silence for a couple of minutes.

"How are you feeling now?" She asked, the expression on her face turned to worry.

"I am better, thanks." He said and nodded. "I still get very tired over a short period of time but that is getting better too." He finished.

"It is bound to happen. You did lose a lot of blood." She said.

"This brings me to our discussion that day near the lake." He said and she braced herself for the inevitable.

"Yes it does." She said and leaned slightly across the table towards him. "What is going on Henry? Why are you moving?" she asked.

"It was not a decision that was made in a day, you know. I have a friend at Hamilton who needs someone there to manage his store as he is traveling. He had wired me about a week ago about the same. That was already something I was considering..." He said.

"And then the conversation with Bill convinced you fully that you should leave Hope Valley?" She asked, her eyes fiery once again.

"He wasn't wrong in whatever he said…" Henry said and shrugged.

"How do you know that?" She asked.

"Abigail, my actions robbed you off the love of your life and your only son. How could you even get over that and in fact help me mend my ways?" he asked.

"I have told you before and I will tell you again, I know that there is good in you." She said.

"I will still be the same man, who was selfish enough to risk the lives of the loved ones in Hope Valley. How can I ever face them?" Henry lamented.

"And again, I say, you are making this decision due to your guilt and not anything else." She maintained.

"I am doing this for you too, Abigail." Henry said and put his hand lightly on hers that was on the table.

"Me?!" she said and removed her hand from under his. "How does your moving to Hamilton help me?" she asked, placing her hand on her chest. Henry sighed. "Wait a minute. Did Bill put this idea in your head?" she asked, her voice rising.

"Abigail…" Henry started saying but Abigail raised her hand to quiet him down.

"And Bill thinks he knows what is right and wrong for me?" she asked, her eyes depicting anger.

"He probably didn't…" Henry began to say.

"And did you not feel the need to consult me on this? Or just like Bill, you too decided that you knew what would be right for me. Because I have no say in whom I want and not in my life?" she asked, her eyes boring into his.

"I am sorry, Abigail. I just felt that I need to do the right thing for you." Henry explained gently.

"You will do the right thing for me? When have you ever?" She said and got up from the chair. "Are you not the one responsible for the death of Noah and P..." she started saying and stopped suddenly, realizing that she had said too much, not meaning to do so. She put her hand on her mouth in disbelief.

Something inside of Henry shattered and she saw it in his eyes as they fell to the ground. His shoulders hunched.

"Henry, I am so…sorry. I didn't mean to…" she struggled to explain but Henry got up from his chair and shook his head.

"It's alright. What you said is the truth. And as much as I try to avoid it, it is a very big and ugly part of the man in front of you. This is why my decision to leave Hope Valley stands." He said. She shook her head and struggled to explain herself but was quietened down by Henry's hand on her cheek. "It's really alright." He said and picked up her basket and looked at his watch. "It is getting late. I will walk you home, alright?" he said gently and again, gently nudged her to the door. Once they were out, he closed the door behind him and walked with her on her side, in the woods, towards her house. She would steal a glance at the sometimes hardened look on his face and at another moment, she would see the face of a man, bogged down by guilt. She hated herself at that moment. For the first time ever, anger got the better of her and she regretted every word that came out of her mouth. However, she could not take them back. They walked in silence. Henry did not look at her even once. They approached the porch of her house and she turned to look at him.

"Goodnight Abigail. Thank you very much for the food." He said before she could speak, and started to walk away but Abigail held on to his arm and gently leaned towards him, their faces inches apart.

"I do not know why I am drawn towards a man whose actions caused the death of my husband and child…" she said, her voice shaking. "All I know is that I am not ready to see you go." She said, her voice almost a whisper but faltering. Her eyes teared up. He looked into her eyes, wanting to wipe the tears bordering the eyes but he stopped himself. "Please do not leave before we talk about us." She said, whispering and a tear now trickling down her cheek. She wiped it fast. He blinked. She gently let go of her hand and leaned back. He wanted to grab her and kiss her and hug her but that would make things much more complicated than they were at that time. Instead, he chose to walk away without a word. She watched his back as his figure became smaller and smaller in the distance and finally disappeared around the corner.

Tears flowed more freely now as she slowly turned towards the porch of her house. She dragged her feet to go up the stairs and walk into the house. She gently dropped the basket near the door inside her house and slowly went up the stairs. She walked into her room and wandered around her bed, turning to look at herself in the mirror on the dresser. Her eyes were swollen and her nose was pink. She tried to straighten her mouth but the more she tried, the more the hurt took over her and she burst into tears once again, gently lowering herself on her bed. She curled up into a ball at the edge of her bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

AT HENRY'S HOUSE

Henry entered his house and saw that the fire was slowly going out. He grabbed some firewood on the side and tried to revive it but in vain. He sighed. He was too tired to light another fire. He was cold. He scanned the room for his sweater but could not find it.

He slowly turned to the table and looked at it briefly. The table filled with smiles and laughter moments ago looked abandoned and gloomy now. He picked up the utensils and the food and stowed them away in the kitchen. He was too tired, both emotionally and physically to wash and clean and he decided to leave the kitchen as it was. He felt a throbbing headache which got worse with every minute.

He limped up the stairs to his bedroom and as he passed the dresser, he too looked into the mirror. He saw a man deeply filled with guilt and disgust for himself. How could he atone for his sins? The best thing to do was to be out of Abigail's sight. He was hurting inside at the thought of being away from her. He sat on his arm chair, deep in thought.

That night, his heart was shattered, a little more than usual.