Chapter 10:

Theo took Abigail to a corner he had scouted out of town. It was dark when they arrived. Abigail recognized this place right away. She had spent many hours there, alone, after the death of her husband and son.

"How did you find out about this place?"

Theo turned to Abigail after shutting off the car's engine.

"I found out about this today. I was looking for a deserted place to invite you to. No one ever comes here you know."

"Yes, I know. I spent a lot of time there after the death of my husband and my son."

Theo's smile fell.

"Oh. Abigail I'm sorry. We're going somewhere else." Theo was about to restart the engine when Abigail put her hands on Theo's.

"It's very good here." she told him, looking him in the eyes.

Abigail and Theo got out of the car. Richardson took the picnic basket, and they both headed for the lake which was a little further.

"Why didn't you tell me your investor was in town?" Abigail suddenly asked.

Theo turned his head, startled, to Abigail.

"It was Bill who told me he saw him in town this morning."

"Oh, I… well, I didn't mean to bother you with that."

Abigail stopped to look at Theo who also stopped.

"But I don't get it, you seemed so excited about bringing your exhibition to town."

"Yeah, but you know, it's okay if you don't want to put money in it. It bothers me to ask you that. That's why I'm telling you sincerely that if you don't put money into this exhibition, we'll manage." Theo said.

"But I'm okay with investing, Theo. I would simply like to meet this Mr. Vance."

Theo's face tensed for a moment.

"Very well, I will arrange a meeting. Thank you."

Abigail smiled at him, taking him by the arm, and the two friends resumed their walk towards the lake.

They spent a wonderful evening telling each other what had happened to them for 25 years, remembering the good old days. Theo had pulled out a blanket for the floor and packed a picnic basket with everything they loved when they were young. He had placed candles a little further away to light up the place.

The place where they were was beautiful. A large expanse of grass behind the forest with a view of the large lake behind Hope Valley.

Theo was lying on the blanket with his elbow propped on it so he could see Abigail. The latter was sitting and laughing looking at Theo. They were both eating strawberries that they had balanced on the picnic box.

Theo picked up a strawberry and put it in Abigail's mouth. The latter accepted it and bit into it while looking at him. She did the same with Theo. She picked up a strawberry and put it in his mouth. Theo bit into it and then sat back up. He looked Abigail in the eyes then suddenly kissed her. The latter was immediately caught up in the passion and kissed him passionately in return.

Theo pushed the basket and made Abigail lie down. He got on top of her and kissed her wherever he could. He kissed her neck sensually.

They were outside. But they felt young. Abigail felt young right now. Theo stripped his mistress of her top and kissed her breasts. He took care of it as he had done then. He cherished her. Abigail hooked her legs around her lover's waist, and he entered her gently. They made love and reached heights stimulated by the outdoors. By the exhibition, even if there was no one. Even though it was deserted.

Theo was feeling so many strong things right now. He loved her like crazy, making love with her transported him. Hearing her sigh in pleasure was intoxicating. He accelerated his strokes while stroking her hair with his right hand. Abigail suddenly tensed which thrilled Theo as well. He moaned looking his lover in the eyes. They both sighed looking at each other. Abigail felt disheveled. Her hair was messy, she was hot. Now that she had come, she felt like she was smothered by the weight of Theo's body on hers. She tried to sit down, smiling so as not to alert Theo. He let her go, sitting down next to her.

"It's still exceptional." Theo breathed, still stunned.

Abigail smiled at Theo, nodding her head. She still wanted. She did not understand what she had. She had enjoyed but she felt frustrated. She approached Theo again, who immediately understood. He laid Abigail back, put her head between her legs and kissed her sex passionately. This time Abigail moaned. She grabbed Theo's hair to hold him in place. It was so good. Then, Theo licked her clitoris which sent her immediately overboard. She tensed, holding Theo in place.

Abigail suddenly relaxed, relieved. This time she felt satisfied. Theo lay back on his back and Abigail put her head on his chest. They stayed like that for another twenty minutes, before getting dressed and tidying up. It was late and Abigail had to get up early the next day to open the cafe. They drove off.

Henry sat at his desk at Gowen Petroleum. He had stayed a little later than usual. He had seen movement outside Abigail's cafe and had been able to see Theodore Richardson and her drive away. Seeing this, Henry immediately felt a pit in his stomach. He was about to go home, but in the end, he stayed at his desk. He wanted to see them back.

He waited for hours, he even despaired of seeing them return. He feared that they would not return because it would mean a lot. This would mean that they were spending the night together and that what he had heard at the mercantile was true.

Then he saw them come back. He was relieved. He watched them get out of the car and noticed how lovely Abigail looked. How pretty she had made herself for her date. He still felt that emptiness when he saw that. They talked for a moment and then he saw them kissing passionately. He lost all the color in his face. He suspected they were intimate but seeing it was different. He could see Theo kiss Abigail on the neck, and he pulled her towards the car. Henry realized then that it really was not just a rumor. They had sex. Richardson was trying to drag her into the car to take her home and he saw that Abigail wanted it. Henry was really upset. This man disturbed her. It prevented her from thinking clearly. He was hurting her.

He saw Abigail push him away gently. She kissed him one last time then pulled away from him. She entered the cafe through the kitchen door and closed it behind her. Theo looked at the door for a few more moments, got back in his car, started the engine, and drove off.

Henry realized his fists were clenched. He was sitting at his desk, fortunately, otherwise he did not know if he could have stood up to these achievements.

As in a trance, he opened the front door of Gowen Petroleum and walked towards the cafe in which the light was still on. He opened the door without even knocking. Abigail jumped when she heard the door slam open. She turned around and saw Henry.

"Henry?!" she exclaimed. "What is happening?"

Henry did not answer. He was really on edge. He felt restless, he was hot.

"Henry?"

Henry approached Abigail.

"I saw your friend leaving."

"Yes, we had a date."

"Are you sleeping with him?"

Abigail turned red.

"Who do you think you are?! Get out of my cafe!" Abigail raised her angry voice.

Henry moved even closer to Abigail until he was close.

"Does he make you happy?"

"Henry!"

"Do you love him, Abigail?" Henry insisted.

"But Henry, stop!"

Abigail was beside herself. She did not understand what was going on.

"Because I love you, Abigail." Henry said without flinching.

Abigail stopped breathing. She could not do it anymore. Henry Gowen had just told her he loved her.

"I'm in love with you, Abigail. Madly. For so many years."

Abigail took a step back in complete shock.

"Stop Henry please. I know that's not true." She could not believe it. She must be sleeping, having a dream. "Why are you telling me this."

"Because it's the truth."

Henry moved closer to Abigail, gently cupped her cheek, and suddenly kissed her. He kissed her very gently. When he pulled away from her lips, Abigail looked at him stunned and with tears in her eyes. What she had just felt when Henry had placed his lips on hers was indescribable. She had never felt this.

Their noses touched. Abigail put her hand behind Henry's head to pull him closer to her. He kissed her very softly again. Henry had imagined this moment so many times. But his imagination was too limited compared to what it was. The sensation, the feelings… It was magical. He could not imagine once that she would kiss him back, how wonderful that would be.

They parted slowly with their eyes closed, their noses and foreheads stuck together. Henry kissed Abigail on the cheek. He had seen her begin to cry. He knew she was not crying because of the kiss. She was crying because she felt bad about herself since Theodore came. She put her head on Henry's chest and cried. Everything she held deep in her heart seemed to be pouring out right now in Henry's presence.

Henry let her cry as long as she wanted. After about ten minutes, Abigail calmed down and she lay in Henry's arms. He cupped her face and kissed her face several times. He surprised himself. He had never been so kind to anyone. Not even with his ex-wife or his son.

Henry looked into her eyes, caressing her cheeks.

"Tell me what's happening to you." she whispered to him.

"I… My children are growing up…"

Henry nodded to encourage her to continue.

"I had the chance to be a mother for the second time. However, I had the misfortune to lose my son Peter. Sometimes when I look at Cody, I see Peter and I wonder what would have happened to him if he hadn't been in that mine that day. I lost my husband. Bill and I…it was a disaster. Frank is gone. I'm getting old. I am alone, I feel alone. When Cody leaves the nest, I'll be all alone."

"Abigail..." Henry sighed with emotion.

"As a teenager I spent a lot of time with Theo. He was my pillar. He was everything to me, I loved him like crazy. He broke my heart when he moved out without a word. Seeing him again takes me back to my past. I feel young with him. But then I feel bad. I feel like I'm using him and that's not what I want Henry."

Henry nodded in understanding again. He gently kissed her forehead.

"You are not old."

Abigail laughs falsely.

"How old are you, Henry?"

"48 years old."

Abigail huffed and Henry frowned at her reaction.

"How old do you think I am. »

"45 years old? 46." Henry said without flinching.

"You are nice." laughed Abigail.

Henry shook his head.

"I am 54 years old."

Henry was totally surprised at her statement. Abigail certainly did not look her age at all.

"You see…I'm old." Abigail said upon witnessing Henry's surprised reaction

"But no!" Henry huffed. "You are not old; it is only a number. You look 10 years younger I think."

Abigail laughed a little and Henry smiled at that. He had succeeded in making her think of something else.

"You look younger too." smiled Abigail.

"You see. It's just in the head."

Abigail nodded.

"I'm here for you." Henry said kissing Abigail on the lips. "I love you."

Abigail looked him in the eyes. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to tell him that she loved him too. She felt it. It totally overwhelmed her. She had tears in her eyes. But she could not.

Henry saw in her eyes what she wanted to tell him. He exploded with joy secretly deep inside him. He understood that it was very sudden and quick. And that there was still Theodore. So, he smiled lovingly at her. He felt so different tonight. Being with her, kissing her and having her return her feelings was exceptional. Forgetting her intimate relationship with Mr. Richardson, Henry was on cloud nine.

"You don't have to tell me, Abigail."

"But I…I…" Abigail hesitated.

"But you think so."

Abigail nodded slowly. She hesitated, then stroked his cheek gently. Then she gently stroked his hair. His salt-and-pepper hair, which over time was turning whiter and whiter. She could not help but smile. Henry looked at the dreamy look of the one who made his heartbeat.

"I have often wanted to touch your hair. It looked so soft and silky." Abigail whispered.

"You can touch them all you want." smiled Henry. "I too have always wanted to caress your hair. My dream finally came true."

Henry grabbed Abigail's hand that was in his hair and kissed inside. Then he put his forehead against Abigail's keeping her hand in his between them. They closed their eyes and stood like that for a few moments before Henry spoke.

"You must go and rest." Henry said looking into Abigail's eyes.

"You too."

Henry kissed Abigail quickly on the lips before letting go of her hand and stepping back towards the door.

"Good night, Henry." smiled Abigail still emotional.

"Good night, Abigail." Henry winked at her.

Henry closed the door behind him and sighed happily with a genuine smile. He was happy. What had just happened had been totally improvised and had exceeded all his expectations. Now his only obstacle was Theodore Richardson. Henry had no idea how the future would unfold. He hoped this would work out in his favor and that Abigail would speak with Theodore once and for all.

Note: Henrigail! What do you think could happen next? So just to clarify, Gowen Petroleum is near the saloon in my story so Henry can see Abigail's cafe from his office. I know that in the series the two companies are not at all in the same place.

Another small clarification, in the original episode 7 of season 6, I saw images where Theo and Abigail had a date. And when they come back in front of the cafe, they kiss, and I understand that Henry surprises them while he is in the street. And he displays an angry and jealous face. So, I inspired myself from this scene.