****This chapter was a collaboration with my good buddy, Kristine! Thanks, friend!****
"Are you insane? I mean you must be!" Elizabeth was pacing and Jack was watching while Abigail kept sipping her coffee.
"I've never been diagnosed with insanity, no. You must admit though, it's not a terrible idea."
"Its not?! We don't know each other at all, sir. How could a marriage between strangers possibly be construed as an ideal situation for a young child?"
"Well, hear me out. I've been thinking all the way here and I do agree with you that a male and female influence is ideal. I, however, am not married, or even courting anyone. So therefore, it would be awhile until that situation became a reality…unless…" Not to mention that she was beautiful and he wouldn't mind looking at her every single day.
"I can't believe this."
"Elizabeth, I'm sure this seems sudden," Abigail told her. "But people enter into marriages of convenience all the time. That would be exactly what this is. Helen would have a mother again and an Uncle for a father. A stable home with love. Honestly, isn't that what we want for all our children here?"
"Look, Elizabeth, you and I seem to want the same things. A home for Helen."
"Look who's up," Mary announced carrying Helen into the room.
"Hi, baby girl. Did you have a good nap?" Elizabeth asked, taking her into her arms and forgetting about Jack Thornton for a moment.
Helen snuggled up to her and sighed. "Hold."
Elizabeth wrapped her up more snugly in her arms, "How's that?"
Jack watched his niece snuggling with Elizabeth. She definitely adored her.
Elizabeth could feel Jack watching them and she knew she should let him see her but it felt like she would be letting her go if she did.
Jack walked up and touched Helen's soft hair. "Hi, Helen. Do you remember me?"
Helen looked at him but kept her head on Elizabeth's shoulder. "Can you say hi to Uncle Jack?" Elizabeth asked her.
"Papa," she whispered.
Jack looked at Elizabeth. "You miss your papa and mama very much don't you, baby girl?"
"Hold," she said snuggling in closer.
"Of course." Elizabeth held on tight, wishing she never had to let go of the precious little girl.
Jack watch silently as Elizabeth rocked Helen in her arms with such tender love and care. It was abundantly clear to him that they shared a special bond. The thought of ripping Helen away from yet another loving figure broke his heart.
But how could he just walk away? His mother would surely never forgive him for it.
"Walk, Me-me?" Helen asked.
"Walk, Me-me?" Jack asked.
"It's what she started calling me about a week after she came here."
"We think what she's trying to say is 'mine'." Abigail said placing her cup back on the table. "Your niece has been quite taken by Elizabeth here."
"I can see that."
"Walk, Me-me?"
"Sure, baby girl. Mr. Thornton…"
"Call me Jack, please."
"Jack," Elizabeth sighed. "Helen likes it when I take her for a walk around the pond. Would you like to join us?"
He smiled. "What do you say, Helen? Want to show me your pond?" Without lifting her head she nodded.
"I'll listen for Samuel, Elizabeth. Take your time."
Elizabeth sent a slightly irritated look to her friend. How would Abigail want her to entertain this idea for even a moment? Hadn't she just told her not to get attached to the children? Now she's suggesting she marry this stranger.
Jack walked to the door, placing his Stetson back on his head. "Shall we?" he asked, holding the door. Elizabeth grabbed her shawl and lead the way to the pond.
He hadn't noticed on his ride in, but not far from the orphanage sat an idyllic pond with a small beat up dock.
"Here you go, sweetie." Elizabeth placed the tiny tot on the ground to let her roam. "No chasing froggies today, alright?"
"Frog. Wet."
"Yes," Elizabeth giggled. "Last time we were here, she chased a frog into the pond."
"Into? As in she followed it?"
"Yes. With great determination, I might add."
"That sounds just like your papa, Daisy girl."
"Daisy?"
"Yeah, it was her mother's favorite flower. Tom ended up using it as a pet name for Helen and it kind of stuck."
"It suits her." Elizabeth took a deep breath to control the overwhelming emotions she carried.
"Daisy girl, look over there." Jack scooped up the girl and carried her toward the water's edge. "You see that? It's a blue jay. Isn't it pretty?"
"Pity," she smiled.
"Is that a smile?" Jack gushed. "Aw, that's good to see." He held her close to his chest.
Elizabeth watched the outpour of emotions. For a split second she wondered if it was all an act. A way for Jack to try and convince her to give up Helen peacefully. One look in his hazel eyes silenced that thought though. She saw love. Love and grief. Then it hit her. In her struggle to want to keep Helen close she forgot that Jack, like Helen, had suffered a great loss.
"I'm sorry about your brother and sister-in-law. Were you close?"
"We had a battles as most brothers do, but yes, we were close. Our father passed when we were kids. It bonded us."
"I can imagine." The two walked along the water's edge. Their gaze traveled back and forth from the ground in front of them and the darling girl in Jack's arms.
A little while passed before Jack hesitantly asked, "Have you thought more about my suggestion?"
"To be honest, that's all I've been thinking about."
"And what are your thoughts?"
Elizabeth stopped. She avoided making eye contact with Jack as she spoke. "I love her, Jack. I can't explain it, I just feel like she's supposed to be with me."
"I see that. You're wonderful with her and she clearly adores you."
"But you're her family. I understand that too. I'm just not sure I can suffer another loss."
"Another loss?"
She turned to face him. "My husband, Paul. He died two years ago."
"I'm sorry. That's horrible."
She nodded. "We were married young, and no matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't seem to have a child of our own. I guess when I met Helen, that piece of my heart that so desperately yearned to be a mother woke up again."
"And now here I am, threatening that."
"I'm sorry. I know I'm not being fair."
"No, I understand. So… would you consider my offer?"
Elizabeth tightly wrapped her arms around her middle. "I don't know you. You don't know me. We could be setting ourselves up for a disaster."
"Alright, what would you like to know?"
His question startled her and her mind went blank. "I… I don't know."
"Okay. I'll tell you about myself then." He wasn't sure why he was fighting for this so much. Was it because it's what was best for Helen, or was it the deep stir in his gut to not let this woman walk away? "My name is Jack Thornton, I co-own a mercantile in Aberdeen. It's a big community and we're one of the only stores like that, so we do well for ourselves." He scratched his forehead just under his hat. "I've never been married. Never been in love, actually."
"Why's that you think?" she blurted out, covering in mouth. "Sorry, that's none of my business."
"It's a fair question. Especially given what I'm suggesting." He laughed nervously. "I don't really know. I enjoy my work a great deal, I'd take my horse and go camping for days just to enjoy the world around me."
"It's been ages since I've gone camping. There's nothing better than a night under the stars."
"I agree." Jack smiled. "All that being said, yes my life is full, but its not like I wouldn't make room in my life for such a thing. I guess I've just never met the right woman."
Elizabeth wasn't sure what to say to that.
"How'd you and your husband meet?" Elizabeth smiled as the memories floated back. Jack felt his breath catch in his chest as she did.
"We were so young. I'd spent the summer visiting my aunt. There was a dance one night and as soon as I walked into the room, Paul came over, introduced himself and asked me to dance." She laughed. "Took about one dance before I was his. He was so sweet. Then when summer ended and it was time for me to go home, we said goodbye on the stage. Neither one of us knew when or if we'd see each other again. The stage was just on the edge of town when he ran up, jumped on the side and said, "Marry me!"
"Wow, that's some story."
"It was an entertaining start to be sure. We married a month later and lived in happily wedded bliss till the day he died."
"Dat. Look." Helen grasped their attention as she pointed to the frog hopping in front of them. "Frog."
"You want to see the frog?" Jack asked.
"Frog! Yes!"
He handed her to Elizabeth before going to catch the frog. "Come here you slippery little thing." He lunged forward and missed, stumbling a bit before catching his balance again.
"Careful!" Elizabeth laughed. "The water's colder than you'd think."
"Thanks for the warning." On his next try he caught the little amphibian and closed it in his hands. "Here you go, Daisy girl. Want to pet the frog?"
Helen giggled and squirmed in Elizabeth's arms as Jack walked closer. A joyful squeal escaped her lips as she placed one tiny little finger on the frogs back.
"You just made her day, Uncle Jack." Elizabeth giggled.
"You have a beautiful laugh," Jack blurted out without thinking. To try to erase the uncomfortable silence that now hovered around them, he had Helen say bye-bye to the frog and placed it back in the water. He cleared his throat as he wiped his now wet hands on his pants. "I need to return home in the morning. I have the business to run and my mother is expecting me."
"Are you taking Helen with you?"
"No." Jack looked down at his niece. "Not right now. Elizabeth, I think we can both agree we want what's best for Helen. You said you wanted to be her mother, and it's clear to me you have more than enough love in your heart to be that. But I love her too. I want her to be with her family, but I can't do it alone. My mother wants to help but with her age and health being what it is she can only do so much."
"You're really serious aren't you?"
"I am."
"It's a lot to ask. Of both of us. You should know, in my mind, marriage is for life."
"I agree. I believe that is what God intended for his people."
"So what happens if we marry and then the woman of your dreams comes along?"
Jack wanted to say, what if that woman was her? But that didn't seem appropriate. "I'll respect and honor you, if that's what you're worried about."
"I don't know what I'm worried about," she sighed.
"You're worried if you say yes you'll be attaching yourself to an insane person for the rest of your life?" he teased.
"Actually, yeah." Their voice blended together like two songbirds as they laughed. Helen, unaware of the magnitude of the conversation sat comfortably in Elizabeth's arms, laughing and clapping along. "She's happier right now than I've seen her." She sighed. "I do want wants best for Helen. I feel like part of that is me. I don't mean to sound egotistical, it's just a feeling I have."
"I understand, and I agree."
"But…" She started walked back towards the orphanage. "It's clear to me that you're what's best for her too."
"Is that a yes?"
"No. It's a, you might not be completely mad."
"Only half mad?" She nodded and Jack laughed. "I'll take it."
"If you're leaving tomorrow, when will you be back?"
"Hard to say right now. As soon as I can, I would imagine. Maybe two weeks?"
"Alright. Give me two weeks and you'll have your answer."
"May I write you?"
His question startled her. Was he trying to court her? She swallowed hard, "Sure."
As they walked back to the orphanage, Helen was the only one speaking. Both Jack and Elizabeth were buried deep in their thoughts.
Abigail was standing on the wraparound porch watching them. She had been the whole time. Jack greeted her, he thanked Abigail, and all the women of Hope Home for taking such good care of his niece, and let her know that he'd be returning in two weeks time to continue the discussion. Abigail insisted that it had been their pleasure and invited him to have dinner with all so he could spend more time with Helen. He agreed.
Then she offered to taken Helen in for a diaper change. Secretly she was hoping to give Jack and Elizabeth a moment alone. She just had a feeling about the two of them. Jack kissed Helen, saying he loved her and would be back.
"See you for dinner in a bit?" he smiled. It was an adorable smile. Just like Helen's.
"Yes, see you soon."
She watched as he walked his horse to the Livery for the night. Sitting on the porch swing, she thought about Jack and his offer. Jack seemed to be a kind, good natured individual. Certainly easy on the eyes. Very easy. She'd never thought about remarrying until now. She had loved Paul with her whole heart. Finding that kind of love again didn't seem possible. With that in mind, maybe this was the best for her as well.
"May I interrupt?" Abigail smiled as she came back out on the porch. She placed Helen down on a blanket with a few toys. "Are you still upset with me?"
"How'd you know I was upset earlier?"
Abigail laughed. "Oh dear, you had a fiery look in your eyes when you left before. I knew I was in for it when you returned."
"Well you're in luck. I'm too tired to fight right now. But… tell me why you seemed in favor of this ridiculous idea?" Tired or not she still had some spunk in her.
Abigail took Elizabeth's hand in hers. "You know about my husband Noah."
"Of course. That's what surprised me. From all your stories, you and Noah had a beautiful marriage. Not that I was looking to remarry one day, but I couldn't understand why you would want me, or Jack, to settle when you know how wonderful a true love can be."
"That's because Noah and I didn't marry for love. Love found us along the way."
"I don't know that I understand..."
"My mother had passed when I was just a girl. My father, an honorable man, raised me on his own. When I just shy of 17 years old, he passed as well. I was left with a small farm, and no another family at my side. I was so scared. I put the farm up for sale. Most men weren't interested in making a deal with a woman. Especially one as young as me. Then Noah, a handsome young man just a few years older than me, rode into town. We met a couple times to discuss the farm and then he made me an offer. He'd take over the farm, and I'd have a safe place to live and be cared for."
"A marriage of convenience…"
Abigail nodded. "By the year's end, we were deeply in love." She laughed, "It was shock believe me, and one of my greatest blessings."
"I had no idea…"
"It's not something I find important anymore. It was our start, not the whole journey."
They talked a little bit more before it was time to put supper on the table. Jack came back for dinner as promised and was seated near Elizabeth, with Helen in between them.
When dinner was over, Jack held Helen and watched as Elizabeth and the other women hurried around getting the children read for bed. Elizabeth had a delicate and natural motherly way about her. There was no denying he was taken by her.
"I should put her to bed now," Elizabeth said walking in to take Helen.
"May I come with you?"
"Oh… um sure."
Jack followed her up the stairs to the bedroom Helen shared with Samuel, who was already asleep.
"Here you go, little one." She changed her and placed her in her crib. As soon as her back touched the mattress Helen cried out.
"Up. Up."
"It's sleepy time, baby girl. It's okay."
"No!" she pouted.
Jack reached into the crib and gently rubbed Helen's tummy. "Can I sing to you, Daisy girl?"
"Dat sing," she whimpered.
Two verses later and the adorable, curly haired girl was snoring away. Jack leaned down to kiss his niece's cheek. "Goodnight, little girl. I'll see you soon. Love you."
Elizabeth felt a tear escaping her eye at the tenderness she'd witnessed.
"I should go." Jack whispered.
"I'll walk you out."
They walked silently together onto the porch into the chilly night air.
"Before I go," he pulled his billfold from his back pocket and handed Elizabeth twenty dollars. "For whatever she needs."
"Jack, we're providing for her, I assure you."
"I know, but should anything come up, use this and save the money Hope Home has for the other children." She stared at the money in his hand. "Please, I'd like to be providing for her now."
"I understand. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Jack stepped off the porch and headed towards where his horse was tethered. "It's been an unexpected pleasure, Elizabeth."
"For me as well… Jack."