It was now the night before Thanksgiving in the little Haitian village of Hope's Landing. The little idea to bring a dinner of appreciation and thankfulness had grown into a large scale operation.
Inside the dining hall, Elizabeth and Faith were busy with some of the older students, hanging up all the decorations her students had made over the past couple days. The goal was to make the basic school dining hall feel like an authentic New England Thanksgiving. It wasn't easy of course. Especially since instead of maples and evergreens Hopes Landing was filled with palm trees and other warm climate vegetation. It didn't matter though. They let their creative juices flow.
Jack had been a big help. He'd drawn a number of maple leaves on cardboard for the children to trace. The children created as many as they could. Now Elizabeth and Faith were turning each of the small pillars within the dining hall into tall, beautiful maple trees.
"There!" Elizabeth said stepping down off the ladder. "Another one done. Only four left."
"I think this is really coming together!" Faith bounced. "I can't wait to see everyone's faces when they see this."
"It will be perfect!" Elizabeth smiled. "You mind working on the next couple 'trees'? I want to make sure I got of the kids writing projects."
"Go for it."
Elizabeth left Faith to it and walked over to one of the tables where she'd laid out a project she had the kids work on the day before. Each of the children had made a turkey hand art piece that would be hung on the wall. Each piece went with a half piece of paper in which she had helped the children write what they were thankful for.
"Well, well, well," Jack said as he entered, still in his work clothes. "Look at what's going on in here. It's really starting to look like a fall."
"It is!" Elizabeth hurried over to him. "I think we're doing a pretty good job."
"I think you're doing a great job." Jack then whispered, "I really want to kiss you right now, but some of your students are here."
"I guess we should be patient then huh?" she flirted, biting her lower lip as she stared at his perfectly inviting lips.
"Patience is so overrated," Jack groaned.
Elizabeth giggled. "Maybe we can sneak away later?"
"Later it is."
"Hey you two," Faith called out from high on a ladder. "Less flirting more helping. Turns out I'm too short for this. Ladder or not!"
"Faith!" Elizabeth scolded, glancing around at her students.
"Is okay, ma'am," one of the older boys, Jacob said with a laugh. "We all know you and Jack are together."
"Oh… well still." She could feel her cheeks burning.
"Again guys! Help!" Faith laughed.
"I've got ya!" Jack hurried over and took her place on the ladder. "Hey where's Carson? I thought he was coming to help?"
"He was but we got a truckload of patients, and I mean a literal truckload. He said he'd come as soon as he could."
"Gotcha. Duty first."
Elizabeth watched Faith's usually upbeat happy expression fade at the mention of Carson. The past few days had been a struggle for her. As the days leading up to their trip back home grew nearer, Faith kept hoping Carson would say or do anything to make it clear how he felt about her, but nothing happened. Everything was as it had been. Their friendship seemed to grow all the time. But was there anything more to it? Would he even miss her when they were apart? She knew she would.
With Faith busy helping the students, Elizabeth went to the base of the ladder and tapped Jack on the leg gaining his attention.
"What's up?"
"Please tell me I'm not just setting my friend up for heartbreak every time I encourage her to be patient with Carson."
Jack sighed and came down the ladder. "I hope not. I tried to encourage him the other day to do something. Anything!"
"And…"
"And time will tell." He leaned in kissing her lips briefly.
"Jack!" she scolded with a laugh.
"What? Jacob already said everyone knew."
She rolled her eyes and walked away. Faith laughed as Elizabeth approached her. "Too cute, you guys. What were you talking about so intently?"
"Oh nothing."
"Sure…" she teased.
…...
After breakfast the next day the four friends went into the large kitchen prepared to work. Lynn, the older nurse was already in there trying to usher Gloria, the head of the kitchen on a normal day, out the door.
"This is MY kitchen!" Gloria said in a huff as she gestured around the spotless clean room.
"And you do a wonderful job cooking and serving all of us every day. Today we'd like to do this for you. Please?" Lynn pleaded.
"What would I even do with a day off? I don't even know!"
"Read a book?" Elizabeth suggested.
"Oh, go to the beach!" Faith added.
"And what would I do there?" Gloria laughed as if the idea was completely insane.
"I still say read a book," Elizabeth shrugged.
"Hey Gloria," Jack said stepping into the conversation. "You wait right here. I've got an idea."
"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked in a hush tone.
"I had this same discussion with her husband earlier today. He's been trying to help me with the orphanage rebuild, he can only do so much with his condition but he's a hard worker. I couldn't get him to take the day so I gave up."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"You'll see." With a kiss on the cheek he hurried off.
Jack jogged the short distance from the dining hall to the orphanage work site. They'd made so much progress the kids would be able to move in completely in a few more days. There would be cosmetic work that would still need to be done but they'd all have a place to call theirs before Jack and the others left for their break. It was very important to him.
"Jonas?"
"Hey! Morning, Jack." The older dark skinned gentlemen looked up from the wall he was painting inside the orphanage. "What are you doing back here? I thought you were cooking or something?" He chuckled.
"I'm trying to, but we can't get your wife to let us do something nice for her and leave the kitchen."
Jonas laughed a deep hearty laugh. "Yes, that would be my Gloria. We've been married a long time, she doesn't stop working."
"Nether do you, my friend. But I wonder if you take a break and enjoy the day, maybe she will too."
"Huh?" Jonas was confused. "How do I get her to do that?"
"Ask her out on a date."
"But were married."
"Married people can date. It's just best that they date each other," Jack laughed.
The older gentleman scratched his head. "You know we use to walk on the beach for hours when we were younger. We'd have the best time. I've always wanted to do that again."
"Today's your day, my friend. Just be back in time for dinner!"
"I'll do that." He laughed. "Hey Micky! You come take my place, okay? I have a date."
"A date?" Micky, another older man questioned. "You can't date! Gloria will have your head!"
"It's with Gloria, you nugget. According to Jack here, married people can date."
"Well, have fun!" Micky winked.
….
After Jonas changed out of his paint clothes, he and Jack hurried back to the dining hall. It didn't take much convincing once Jonas asked Gloria to go for a long walk with him. Even in his declining health, he did his best to keep busy, just like Gloria.
"Okay, now I go. No burning down my kitchen, you hear?"
"Don't you worry about a thing!" Lynn said as she put on her apron. "Nice going there, Jack. I didn't think we would ever get her to relax."
"I'm glad it worked! Now, what shall we do first?"
Hours later, the group had cooked enough food for an army. There was turkey, chicken, potatoes and other veggies, rolls, rice and many pies and cookies. The only bad thing was Gloria's usually spotless kitchen now looked like a bomb had gone off inside.
"When did Gloria say she was coming back?" Lynn asked as she ran around the stove finishing the remaining food items.
"I'm not sure. For the dinner I guess," Jack said as he checked on his and Carson's pies. "Well crap," he muttered under his breath.
"What's up?" Carson leaned down to look into the stove. "Um, what is that?"
"That would be our pies."
"No. Can't be."
"It is."
"But those three caved in on themselves. How is that even possible?!"
"I have no idea."
"I got it! We'll take them out and when we put them on the counter, we'll switch them with the pies Faith and Beth made," Carson teased.
"Are you nuts? Their pies look like something the Pioneer Woman would make. Ours look like we let children help."
"That's might be an insult to children. Wait, who's the Pioneer Woman?"
"This farmer, blogger chef woman my mom talks about. Rosie too."
"I see," Carson scratched his head. "Maybe no one will notice that these don't look like all the others."
"It's our only hope."
"Boys?" Lynn interrupted. "Make yourself useful and help clean up a little."
"Yes, ma'am!"
…
The Thatcher's Home (Hartford, Connecticut)
Julie descended the grand mahogany staircase of her parent's home. She was home from college for the week of the holiday. Dressed in a dress that was more her mother's style than hers, she walked into the parlor. Grace and William Thatcher were there, drinks in hand, socializing with the family and few friends who had arrived for dinner already.
In the back corner she spotted her sister Viola and brother-in-law Charles. They'd sneaked in while she was upstairs changing.
"Vi! Charles! So glad you guys are here!"
"Of course!" Viola hugged her sister. "Dad invited the Kensington's as well tonight. It made it easy."
"That's good. It's so weird not having Beth here."
"I know. Little stinker. She's celebrating on a beach while we're here freezing our tails off with 6 inches of snow falling outside!" Viola laughed.
The doorbell rang and the sisters watched as William went to greet their latest guest.
"Who's missing?" Viola asked her mother.
"I have no idea. Your father took care of the guest list this year."
"Really? That seems odd." Julie added.
"I didn't think so at the time, but now I might have to agree."
"Grace, dear," William called across the room. "Come say hello to the Maxwell's."
"Bah!" Julie tried to quiet her laugh. "Now I understand."
"Hush, dear. I'm sure your father has a good reason for this." Grace excused herself from her daughters to say hello.
"What am I missing?" Charles questioned. "The Maxwell's have been here for events before, right?"
"Yes, but you see their son there?"
"Trent, yeah." Charles thought for a moment, then it hit him. "Oh boy."
"Father's up to his old schemes again. Just you wait."
"I thought Beth was with someone now. Maybe William brought Trent here for you," Charles teased.
"Please, he's not that stupid. No, this is all about Beth. I know it."
Across the room, William and Grace engaged in conversation with Trent and his family.
"So tell me, how is law school treating you?"
"Very well, Mr. Thatcher. I dare say I'm truly in my element there."
"He's at the top of his class at the moment," Trent's mother Katherine boasted.
"The semester's not over yet, but as of now its looking very good."
"Well, we always knew you were one bright young man. Who knows, maybe you'll be working at the firm full time in a couple years."
"It would be my honor, sir." Trent looked around the room. "Is Elizabeth still in Haiti?"
"Yes, but she'll be home in a few days," Grace smiled. "We're very anxious to see her again."
"I know she'd love to see you, Trent," William added. He felt Grace squeeze his hand. There was a look of caution in her eyes when he made eye contact.
"I was hoping she'd be able to spare some time for me. I've written and emailed her but her work there seems to be keeping her busy."
"Well, she'll be home soon. It will be good for both of you I'm sure."
"Well," Grace managed to cut in. "Why don't you all grab yourself a drink? Dinner should be ready shortly."
"Thank you, Grace," Mr. Maxwell said politely.
Grace took hold of her husband's arm and tried to discreetly pull him out of the parlor. She led him all the way to his office.
"Inside now."
"Grace, what on earth has gotten into you?" William scolded.
"No you don't! What has gotten into you, William Thatcher?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Trent, the Maxwell's? You know as well as I do that Beth has moved on. She's with someone now. How can you possibly be out there leading the boy on like that?"
"Please, whatever is happening in Haiti is not permanent. It's a fling. It's all those hallmark movies you girls watch. Beth thinks she's some heroine that finds love somewhere, yada yada. It will pass. This trip home will be the perfect time to help her recenter her focus."
"You know I hate it when you do this!"
"Do what?"
"Meddle, control. Whatever you want to call it, it's not helpful and certainly not wanted by Beth, I can assure you."
"It worked for Viola and Charles, didn't it?"
"Viola and Charles are together because they wanted to be. It had nothing to do with you."
"Trust me, Gracie." He kissed her cheek. "I only want what's best for Beth." With that he left the room.
Grace shook her head. "William, my dear, you have no idea how much this could cost you. No idea."
…..
Back in Hopes Landing, people were beginning to arrive. They all patiently waited outside for the hall doors to open. Inside, everyone was busy putting the final touches on the food and tables.
"Wait a minute!" Carson said as they were setting out the food. "Where are the pies Jack and I made?"
"Oh, we decided to leave those in the kitchen for now."
"Why? Are they not good enough?" Jack faked offense.
"No sweetie, of course not!" Elizabeth walked over, wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's just that we figured we'd save the most interesting pies for last."
"Ha.. ha… very funny," Jack grinned, kissing her softly.
"I thought so."
"Could you too be any cuter?" Lynn gushed.
"I don't know," Carson laughed. "Let's not challenge them."
Faith passed Carson, giving him a high-five as she did. They'd had a fun day together. It was full of laughter, stolen glances and even a few little touches here and there as they moved past one another. She was trying with all her might to keep her heart in check, but it was becoming nearly impossible. Her feelings for him had grown so deep over the past few months. If you'd ask her, Faith couldn't explain it, but a part of her felt like she was supposed to be with him. It was a feeling she'd never had with anyone before.
"Okay, God," she silently prayed. "If Carson is someone I'm supposed to be with, help us get out of our own way. Especially him!" She laughed at her last bit.
"What's so funny?" Carson nudged her, smiling that perfect smile that melted her heart.
"Just thinking about something."
"Something good I take it?"
"I don't know. Time will tell."
…..
As the evening was coming to a close and the guests were heading home, Trent walked around the house looking for Julie. She and Viola were sitting back in the parlor at the piano, trying to remember all they'd learned in their years of lessons. Both were laughing like little girls. Charles gave Trent a nod from his chair as Trent entered the room.
"Trent," Viola spoke politely from the piano. "I hope you had a good evening."
"I did. It's not quite the same without Liz here but still nice. Like coming home."
"Right…" Viola knew all about Elizabeth and Jack and their relationship. The way Trent talked about Elizabeth set her on edge. "I know she's enjoying herself in Haiti right now. She seems more at home there than I've seen her here in a long time."
Trent gave a laugh. "Yes, your father mentioned she seems quite enchanted with the place."
"And the people," Julie added.
"Of course. Her students probably mean a great deal to her."
"That's not who I was referring to."
Trent paid little attention to Julie's words. "Viola, may I have a moment of your time?"
"Of course. Excuse me." She kissed Charles and followed Trent out into the entryway. "Is something on your mind?"
Trent pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket. "I was hoping to see Liz tonight, but I wrote this just in case. I'll be back at school when she gets home. I was wondering if you'd see to it that she gets this."
"Of course." She took the letter. "Trent, I feel I need to be honest with you. Elizabeth has developed a …."
"Viola, please. I know she's trying to find herself. I'm just hoping when she gets back I can remind her that we can do this together."
Before Viola could elaborate on the point she had been trying to make, Trent's family came into the entryway.
"Ready to go, son?" his father asked.
"Yes. Viola, good to see you. Thank you for your help."
"Yes… of course." Viola went back into the parlor after the Maxwell's had left.
"What's that?" Julie pointed to the letter in her sister's hand.
"Trent's attempt to get our sister back, I guess."
"Burn it," Julie said casually. "Trust me, she doesn't want it."
"I can't just get rid of it. I'll give it to her when she comes home. She can decided what to do."
"I'm with Julie," Charles added. "That guy's a William Thatcher wanna be and your father is eating it up with a spoon. Trust me, he's not for her."
"I agree, but that's her decision."
…..
The dinner was now over and the kitchen was back to its spotless glory. With some help from the other mission workers in Hope's Landing, they managed to get everything in order with just enough time to spare to make it for the start of Pastor Frank's Thanksgiving service. It was one of the most well attended services the village had had in a long time. Everyone seemed to feel rejuvenated with a sense of hope and community.
As the crowd was dispersing, Elizabeth walked up to Jack who was busy putting his guitar back in its case.
"I love listening to you play. You haven't done it as much lately."
"I know. That's something I'm going to have to do a lot more while I'm home."
Elizabeth pouted, "Only problem with that is I won't be able to hear you."
"I guess we'll have to skype a lot."
"It's not the same."
"No, but it will have to do for a month." Jack sighed loudly. "A month… that's too long."
"I agree. Let's stay here."
Jack laughed. "I would love to stay right here with you, angel, but you know we can't. I need to see my mom and sister and you need to see your family. Maybe I can come visit you though."
"I'd love that. Or maybe I should come to you."
"Why? Are you still nervous about your father?"
She nodded. "I have no idea what I'm going home to right now. If I'm lucky, my mother will have wound him down some but who knows."
Jack swung his guitar case strap over his shoulder and held out his hand. "Come with me. Let's go for a walk."
After ditching the guitar back in his room and grabbing a couple blankets and a lantern, Jack and Elizabeth made their way to their spot. It was a perfect night for this. The sky was clear and peppered with a million sparkling stars.
Jack laid one of the blankets down on the sand and laid down, gently pulling Elizabeth down at his side. The second blanket was wrapped over them, helping to keep them warm as they held each other and gazed at the night's sky.
"I'm going to miss this so much. Being with you, star gazing," Jack whispered against her temple before kissing the side of her head. "I can't see stars from my apartment. All that ambient city light. From my mom's house, sure, but even then it won't be the same. Not without you."
Elizabeth snuggled in as close as she possibly could. Even then, it wasn't enough. "For me, if I want to see the lights I have to take a horse out and ride into the pasture behind the house. Close to the house there are too many lights."
"I love riding. It's been so long. My grandfather, my mom's dad, owns a ranch now."
"Like a real cowboy ranch? I thought he was a businessman?"
"He was. Still is depending on how you look at it. He got tired of all the traveling, wheeling and dealing and being away, so he retired and bought this ranch in northern California. It's like a vacation spot now for others. A lot of businessmen and companies from Boston, New York and all over the world come for retreats and things like that."
"My father went to a place like that once. Maybe it's the same place."
Jack shrugged, "It could be."
"These are the grandparents that made you suffer through cotillions and all that, right?"
"Ugh, don't remind me." Elizabeth laughed. "We hated it, well Tom and I did. Roise was in her element. But it was something we could do for our grandmother to make her happy."
"It was sweet of you."
"I guess," Jack laughed. He felt Elizabeth yawn against his chest. "Should we get back, angel?"
"No. I'm not ready. I just want to lay here with you."
"Okay. I won't argue with you that." He held her tight against his chest. Before long he felt her breathing slow. He looked down to see she was sound sleep in his arms. "Go ahead and sleep for a bit." He kissed the top of her head. "I've got you."
