Chapter 4:

Note: So, what do you think Theo is going to tell Abigail about her absence?

Once out of the saloon, Theo led Abigail a little further into the darkness. Theo then looked at Abigail. He did not know where to start. It had been so long since he had seen each other.

"What happened to you?" It was Abigail who first asked the question that had been burning her lips since noon. "Why did you leave without telling me?"

"I'm sorry Abigail. I know I promised you things. And I meant it all. I would never intentionally hurt you." Theo whispered as softly as possible.

"I never told you. I had another little brother besides Joel. His name was Jason." Theo paused to find out if Abigail was still open to follow what he was about to say. When she nodded, he continued. "We left him in France when we came to live in Canada when I was 12. He was in a boarding school. But he got sick. My father had known this for a long time, but he hadn't wanted to tell us so as not to worry us. He made all the transactions, all the payments, and overnight we left to join my brother. My father knew that my brothers, my mother, and I would be sad to leave. So, he didn't tell us anything in advance. It was very sudden."

Abigail was speechless. She did not know what to say. Theo had tears in his eyes as he spoke.

"My brother died slowly. More than a year later, when Jason died, I felt like I had the right to go back. To detach myself from my family. With my brother dying, I had not allowed myself to come back to see you in Canada. After that when I came back." Theo paused to control his emotions and said in a shaky voice, "You were gone."

Abigail turned away from Theo so he would not see the tears flowing unintentionally. But Theo turned her around and gently took her in his arms.

"I have long dreamed of this moment, Theo." Abigail whispered into her former lover's arms.

"Me too." he sighed. "I had a hard time finding you. But here I am finally."

Theo and Abigail separated.

"I do not understand. Why didn't you write to me when you were in France? You knew my address. And how did you find out that I lived in Hope Valley?" Abigail asks completely confused.

"I wrote you. I never received anything back. I thought maybe your father should intercept my letters?"

"It is surely true. I never received any. So what? How did you find me?" Abigail insisted.

Theo suddenly looked uncomfortable. He hesitated and then replied:

"I… I read an article…. On the town of Hope Valley." Theo paused, twisting his fingers mechanically.

"An article?" Abigail frowned, noticing Theo's already younger tic of twisting his fingers when nervous.

"Yeah, you know about…about the mining disaster. And you were quoted in it. I wasn't sure it was you but… but there you go." Theo looked away for a few seconds before meeting Abigail's gaze again.

Abigail understood that Theo was embarrassed to remind her of this past disaster.

"But enough about me. Tell me about yourself Abigail. You have a son?"

"Yes, and a girl."

"Oh." Theo huffed. "With your late husband then."

"No."

Theo looked at Abigail surprised. But before he could ask her any more questions, she told her story. Even though he had read this article, she explained everything to him from the beginning. Her husband Noah, her son Peter. The mine. The Café, her role as mayor. And finally, the meeting of these orphans whom she adopted later.

"I feel sorry for your husband and your son Abigail." Theo said after her story.

Abigail nodded emotionally. Her throat was lumpy since she had seen Theo in her cafe that afternoon.

"I… I'm glad to see you again." Abigail stammered.

Theo, too moved, could not answer but took Abigail in his arms. The latter laid her head on Theo's chest, while the latter wrapped his arms around her. She looked so fragile in his arms. As if, if he squeezed her too tightly, she would break into pieces. But she was no longer the teenager he had known. Today she was a woman, who had had more movements and trials in her life than many people. She was mayor to begin with. That said a lot about her mental strength and character.

Elizabeth was heading for the saloon. She knew Carson was there. She wanted to make an appointment for baby Jack who had been sneezing a lot lately. She wanted to check that everything was okay and had a slot tomorrow so she could take him to Carson's herself.

She walked down the main street to the saloon with a shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She had dropped Little Jack off at Rosemary and Lee's quickly, only a few minutes to be able to run her little errand. She had not planned on bringing a coat. She had not realized it was so cold outside.

She saw the lights in the saloon and walked over to it. She was only a few meters away when she could distinguish in the dark, a couple kissing passionately. Elizabeth blushes. Going up the stairs to head for the door, the couple was bound to hear it and be disturbed. But she could not stay outside waiting for the end of the intimacy of this couple.

She did not know if she should announce herself, clear her throat, or just walk up the stairs. Seeing this couple kissing so passionately made her blush. They were in the dark and it was the middle of the evening, they certainly had not expected to be surprised. But Elizabeth was embarrassed. She had never seen people kiss passionately in public. People were generally quite quiet.

Elizabeth then climbed the stairs in a confident manner, which startled the couple who turned to her. Elizabeth's eyes widened at the sight of the woman who had previously been in the passionate embrace.

"Abigail!"

Abigail did not know where to stand. She blushed deeply. She walked hesitantly towards her friend while Theo stood there stunned by the sudden interruption and especially by the passionate moment he had just had with Abigail.

"Elizabeth. It-it's not what you think." Abigail hesitated. She did not know what else to say to justify what Elizabeth had just seen. "Theo is a friend… Theodore Richardson."

Abigail waved at Theo to introduce him to Elizabeth. Theo reached out uncertainly towards Abigail's friend. Elizabeth grabs it.

"I am Elizabeth Thornton. Nice to meet you, Mr. Richardson."

Elizabeth did not know how to react. She was completely surprised by what had just happened.

"Please call me Theo."

She nodded at Mr. Richardson's request. After letting go of Abigail's "friend's" hand, Elizabeth turned to her.

"I had come to see Carson. Is he inside?" Elizabeth asked quickly, still embarrassed.

"Yes, he plays cards with Jesse and Henry. »

"Very well thank you." Elizabeth rushed to the saloon doors when she heard Abigail speaking to her.

"Is everything alright? Are you sick?" Abigail asked worriedly.

"Oh no, I'm just a little worried about baby Jack who's been sneezing a lot lately. I wanted to make an appointment at the infirmary for tomorrow."

"Okay, I hope it's nothing."

"Do not worry. We'll talk tomorrow." Elizabeth said emphasizing the "talk" to make it clear to her friend that she did not want to discuss baby Jack but this Mr. Richardson.

"Oh, yes, of course, come see me at the cafe. I'll be there all morning."

"Perfect." Elizabeth opened the saloon doors for good this time and turned to the couple.

"Good evening to you both."

"Thank you." replied Theo. Abigail nodded nervously at her friend.

Moments after the saloon doors closed, Abigail turned to Theo.

"It's getting late, I'm going to have to go home, my son is waiting for me, and Clara has to get up early tomorrow." Abigail said as she started down the saloon steps.

"Who is Clara?" Theo asked with interest.

"The widow of my son Peter."

"Oh Yes." Theo looked at Abigail waiting for her next move. When it did not come, he continued, "Well, then I guess I have to tell you see you tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Perfect." Theo hesitated. He wanted to kiss Abigail, but he had the feeling that she had mostly let herself be overwhelmed by emotions. She seemed to regret having kissed him twice now. "You know, I understand very well that you were not ready. That you got carried away. I understand. Take all the time and space you need. I searched for you for 25 years. I can wait a little longer."

Abigail laughs heartily at Theo's comment.

"Thank you." She looked at him one last time before turning away from him. "See you tomorrow, Theo."

"See you tomorrow, Abigail." Theo answered with a smile.

Theo turned back to the saloon, pushed open the doors and entered. Inside, he passed Mrs. Thornton, who eyed him suspiciously. Eventually, on his journey to his room, he realized that it was almost the entire saloon watching him suspiciously. People must have really loved Abigail to create such a buzz about a simple childhood friendship. On the other hand, who could not appreciate Abigail? All this attention was certainly not helping him.

Note: So? What did you think of Theo? Do you think he's telling the whole truth? Maybe the city can trust him.