"Oh Katie you are rusty" Elizabeth sighed as they sat in the saloon after school and Kate struggled through her Latin book which she hadn't opened in weeks.
"Elizabeth no one uses Latin here" Kate sighed.
"Well we won't always be here, we will go back to Hamilton or somewhere else and you may need it. Come on try this one again." Elizabeth pointed to the book as the door opened and Jack walked in carrying a big box.
"I was at the mercantile and Mr Yost had this for you I thought I would bring it over" Jack said placing the box on the desk.
"Oh thank you I'm sorry you went through that trouble" Elizabeth said.
"No trouble." Jack shook his head as Elizabeth quickly opened it.
"Oh yes! I have been waiting for these" She cried pulling out books looking them over as Kate reached in pulling out more.
"I wrote to one of my old professors, I remembered he had so much information on learning challenges and individual learning. I am surprised he even remembered me" Elizabeth said.
"Your not easy to forget" Jack said softly.
"Thank you, I think" Elizabeth gave him a shy smile as Jack started to walk away.
"Jack, I feel awful, about everything that happened" Elizabeth called after him. Jack stopped turning around to face her, his face kind.
"You don't have any reason to feel bad. Billy Hamilton was a conman. A professional manipulator."
"That is true, and I fell for it" Elizabeth sighed.
"I don't want you to blame yourself for falling under his spell."
"Well I didn't exactly.." Elizabeth started.
"I just meant he fooled you. I mean.. I'm not saying your a fool I just…" Jack stumbled over his words.
"What exactly are you saying?" Elizabeth asked a playful smile on her lips.
"I am just saying, women of a certain age are an easy market…" Jack started. Kate covered her giggle as Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Now you are calling me desperate" She said the smile leaving her face.
"What? No!" Jack said glancing at Kate as if she could help him.
"I would love to sit and chat about my many weaknesses but as you can see I have a lot of reading to do. Kate, finish your work." Elizabeth said firmly as Kate looked back down at her book.
"I am just trying to help you. I am just trying to speak to you as a friend." Jack said gently.
"Thank you for bringing the package, I hope you have a nice day." Elizabeth said. Kate glanced at Jack slowly walking away confused by how their conversation had gone.
"He was just trying to…" Kate started.
"Enough, put your book away, go out and enjoy the sunshine while we still have it." Elizabeth sighed.
"Thank you" Kate grinned rushing outside to play with her friends.
"He is completely arrogant. I mean, yes he saw through that conman first but I…" Elizabeth started. Kate rolled her eyes from the sofa where she was reading. Elizabeth had been annoyed with Jack all afternoon and now she was telling Abigail about it.
"Elizabeth maybe it's not Jack your mad at. Maybe your pride is a little hurt. You have every reason to be angry" Abigail said as Kate got up reaching for a cookie on the table Abigail had just pulled from the oven.
"I'm not angry" Elizabeth said popping a piece of a cooking in her hand into her own mouth.
"Clearly" Kate said making it sound like she didn't believe her. Abigail smiled at Kate as Elizabeth ignored them sinking into a chair.
"Jack seems to find pleasure in how silly I was. He even went as far as to imply that I was so desperate to find a husband that I couldn't think straight" Elizabeth said raising from her chair in anger as she went on. Kate and Abigail shared a knowing glance over the table. Elizabeth angrily took another bite of the cookie.
"This is amazing, if we keep living here I am going to bust out of my clothes all together" Elizabeth said as Abigail grinned.
"My grandmother's recipe" Abigail smiled.
"I mean he has made it perfectly clear that as a mountie he will not commit to a women, so I don't understand why he has taken such an interest in my love life." Elizabeth went on not hearing her. Kate rolled her eyes as Abigail handed her a spoon to mix a bowl of more cookies.
"Mmmhhmmm" Abigail nodded.
"Oh these are heavenly" Elizabeth sighed eating the last of her cookie.
"Have another" Abigail said pointing to the stack of them still warm.
"Oh I couldn't.. well maybe just one more" Elizabeth smiled picking one up and biting into it.
"Your food is the best Abigail." Kate smiled reaching for one herself.
"Thank you sweetheart" Abigail smiled.
"It's true Abigail, Grandmother has employed some of the best chefs and bakers from cooking schools around the country, and your cakes and pies are better than any we ever had at home." Elizabeth agreed
"Do you really think so?" Abigail asked.
"I know so" Elizabeth said as Kate nodded.
"Noah did love my baking, I loved cooking for him and Peter. And they did often brag to others about my cooking, but they only had me to compare to, certainly not that big city food you are talking about." Abigail smiled.
"Trust me, they were right" Kate said.
"Yes, your food is nothing compared to the big city." Elizabeth agreed making Abigail smile.
Jack rode Sergeant through town making his last rounds when he was surprised to see a dark shadow peering into the window of an empty building.
"Hello" Jack called out worried the person might be trying to break in or steal something. He was relieved when Abigail turned around smiling at him.
"Oh hello." Jack smiled easing his posture and riding up to her easily.
"Hi Jack"
"What use to be here?" Jack asked looking at the old empty building.
"It was a cafe, where the single minors would eat all their meals. Then Henry Gowen shut it down, he wanted the minors to eat at the saloon."
"More profit in drink" Jack said.
"Exactly." Abigail smiled at him.
"Abigail I was wondering if I could ask you something" Jack said.
"Of course" Abigail smiled.
"Lets say there was a bear, and a skunk and the skunk was after a deer. And the bear chased the skunk away, saving the deer. Why then would the deer be angry with the bear?" Jack asked. Abigail smiled knowingly at him.
"I think the deer's pride is a little hurt. And seeing the bear reminds her of that." She said. Jack nodded understanding this.
'Further more, the bear chased the skunk away and had no intention of filling his place" Abigail went on.
"You lost me" Jack frowned confused. Abigail gave him a kind smile before going on.
"Jack, Billy was not the right man for Elizabeth, he was indeed a skunk. But someday the right man will come along, a man with good intentions who will treat right, and then she will be taken." Abigail said. Jack sucked in a breath. He hated to think of something like that happening, he was in no place to court her, but the thought of someone else doing it put a knot in his stomach.
"Perhaps approach her. Not as a constable who is there to rescue her, but as a man" Abigail said gently. Jack nodded thinking he understood what she was saying.
"I would appreciate if this would stay between us." Jack said.
"Of course, I wouldn't dream of it" Abigail said giving him a smile Jack returned warmly. All the people of Coal Valley were so kind but Abigail was one that Jack considered a true friend and ally, especially when it came to Elizabeth.
"Can I walk you home?"
"No need, I am headed there now, I enjoy the walk."
"Alright, thank you Abigail."
"Have a good night Jack. Abigail gave him a smile.
The next night Abigail was helping Carla with the new babies and Elizabeth being the cook that she was, stayed after school in the saloon doing her work there until it opened for meals at supper time. Hoping she and Kate could get a good meal and hurry out before the minors came down to drink and talk that no women should hear.
"This?" Kate asked calling Elizabeth to look up from the new books on learning she was reading.
"Yes, don't forget to carry the three and multiply by this" Elizabeth nodded looking over her homework as Jack walked up surprisingly not in uniform but in his everyday clothes they rarely saw him in.
"Constable" Elizabeth said glancing up at him as Kate gave him a smile.
"Not Constable, just Jack today" Jack said gently.
"I stand corrected" Elizabeth muttered as Kate looked at her homework pretending not to be paying them any attention.
"Elizabeth, now that I moved out of the saloon, I feel like we don't see each other as often. I miss our friendship" Jack said gently leaning his hands on the table so he wasn't towering over her. Elizabeth's face softened a bit as he smiled at her.
"I was wondering if you would be inclined to have supper with me?" Jack asked. Kate hid her grin as Elizabeth glanced down before looking back at Jack.
"To be clear, when you say supper you mean you want to come to my house where I will be the one doing the cooking?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh no, not that" Jack said quickly.
"So what then, chili and corn bread here at the saloon?" Elizabeth asked
"yeah" Jack said. Elizabeth looked down again and Kate was quickly shaking her head at Jack hoping her sister wouldn't see.
"No" Jack said glancing at Kate.
"Ahhh, I guess I hadn't really thought it through" Jack sighed standing up.
"Well I would love to but I am very busy with work as you can see and I was planning on cleaning out my closet" Elizabeth said.
"Well I didn't tell you want night yet." Jack said.
"Of course, what night?" Elizabeth asked.
"How about Friday night?"
"Actually, that's the very night I was going to clean out my closet" Elizabeth sighed forging disappointment. Jack pulled back looking disappointed.
"Of course, maybe another night then, have a good evening" Jack said gently stepping away.
"Jack" Elizabeth called making him turn back. She gestured for him to come closer so their conversation could still be quiet.
"On second thought, I could use your help with some school work."
"Of course" Jack said just a little to quickly.
"Why don't we meet here tomorrow night, I will even share a bowl of… chili with you." Elizabeth said. Jack smiled and nodded to her turning and walking away. Elizabeth sighed her pencil dropping from her hands as Kate smiled at her.
"Elizabeth, I think you have a date." Kate whispered.
"I most certainly do not!" Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"You kind of do" Kate shrugged.
"It would be exactly the same as if you were there, in fact you mine as well come" Elizabeth said.
"Oh no, I have plans for dinner tomorrow" Kate said with a grin.
"You what?"
"Yes, Anna invited me for dinner, it's her brother's birthday and her mother is making a cake" Kate smiled.
"But do enjoy your nondate supper with Jack" Kate went on giggling, dodging Elizabeth's arm as she swatted at her.
The next evening Jack walked into the Saloon in his best dress shirt. Elizabeth was standing at the table setting things up.
"Good Evening Miss Thatcher" Jack greeted her.
"Good evening" Elizabeth greeted him. Jack was about to pull out a chair for her when she stopped him.
"Please sit here, across from me" She said pointing to another chair.
"I thought we were going to have dinner together?" Jack asked looking at the papers all over the table.
"We will, you said you wanted us to be friends and right now I need a friend to help me with this" Elizabeth said.
"Right, of course" Jack smiled sitting down in the chair as Elizabeth sat across from him.
"I am going to be administering an intelligence test, research shows that some of the smartest students can be some of the slowest readers." Elizabeth said.
"And my taking this test helps you how?" Jack asked.
"It furthers my studying as a teacher, you are my lab rat for how I can test my students." Elizabeth said.
"Ok" Jack said not sounding sure of himself.
"Ok, it's a written test, but I would like to start with a question to assess your basic comprehension level" Elizabeth placing the text face down in front of Jack. She frowned at him swatting his hand away when he tried to flip it over.
"alright, pay me a compliment" Elizabeth said.
"I don't understand" Jack said.
"It's a simple test to see if you can follow directions" Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him.
"Oh I see… I admire how dedicated you are to your students" Jack said. Elizabeth had no expression on her face as she looked down marking something on her paper.
"Not good?" Jack asked quickly.
"There is no good or bad it's just to see how you follow directions" Elizabeth said.
"No no I want to change my answer" Jack said.
"Well, that's very unorthodox.. but you may." Elizabeth sighed frowning at him.
"You look very beautiful tonight" Jack said. The frown left Elizabeth's face and Jack watched her bite back a smile as he hid his own.
"Very good" Elizabeth said marking her paper.
"Please pick up your pencil and turn over your paper, you have one hour to finish the test.. and then we can have dinner" Elizabeth said her eyes twinkling at him. Jack grinned flipping the paper over and getting to work.
"Where is Abigail?" Kate asked the next afternoon.
"I have no idea, she has hardly been home the past two days." Elizabeth said.
"Is she helping Carla?"
"I suppose she is, two new babies must be a lot of work" Elizabeth said as there was a knock on the door. Kate hurried to open it.
"Oh hi Jack" She said letting him in from the rain outside.
"Hello Jack, Elizabeth said gently.
"I was wondering if we could talk for a minute?" Jack asked.
"Oh course" Elizabeth nodded.
"I'm going to go finish my homework" Kate said grabbing her book and climbing the stairs to their bedroom as Elizabeth gave her a smile of thanks before turning back to Jack.
"Elizabeth.. where do I start, life is to short to hold grudges" Jack said.
"I whole heartedly agree" Elizabeth smiled.
"Good" Jack said. Now they were both grinning at each other, Jack stepped forward suddenly gently holding Elizabeth's arms right above her elbows. She felt her heart race and her breath leave her as Jack gently ran his hands down her arms and ever so softly took her hands in his, holding her tiny hands in his larger ones.
"I want you to know, that if you ever need anything, if you ever have the smallest care in the world, I want to be there for you. Knock on my door day or night." Jack said gently looking into her eyes.
"Thank you" Elizabeth said her voice barely above a whisper.
"Your welcome" Jack said letting her hands go as he turned back to the door.
"And, if you give me a second chance, I can do much better then chili and corn bread at the saloon" Jack said turning back to her. Elizabeth looked at him as a wide smile spread across her face and Jack took that as a yes. He picked up his hat from where he had hung it on the hook giving her a smile and left. As soon as the door closed behind him Elizabeth sighed putting her hand to her heart feeling it slow down. Kate came down the stairs with her books.
"I saw Jack leave. Can I do my homework down here I think… what are you smiling at?" She asked as Elizabeth caught herself and cleared her throat.
"Oh, just something Jack said." Elizabeth shrugged.
"You know, when you guys aren't at each other's throats he makes you really happy" Kate smiled at her.
"He is a dear friend" Elizabeth said.
"I have never seen any of your other dear friends put such a goofy grin on your face" Kate muttered with a smile. Elizabeth shot her a look but Kate just giggled opening her math book.
It was after dinner that night when Abigail came in hanging her lantern by the door.
"Oh Abigail! Where have you been all day?" Elizabeth asked relieved to see her.
"I have been working on a project, I'm sorry I just remembered there was no dinner"
"Oh we were fine, I heated up the leftovers from yesterday." Elizabeth said.
"And she old burnt them a little" Kate added. That usually would have gotten a grin from Abigail but today it was just a small smile.
"What is this project?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well I am not ready to say just yet. But when I am you girls will be the first to know" Abigail said. She walked through the kitchen going to the doorway to the back door. She stopped looking at the wood of the doorframe running her fingers over the little notches that were there.
"What are those?" Kate asked.
"We used to measure my son Peter here every birthday, he was taller then me by the time he was thirteen" Abigail said touching the tallest notch gently.
"This house has so many memories" Abigail whispered looking around sadly.
"Abigail, what is it?" Elizabeth asked softly picking up the sadness her friend was feeling.
"I am no longer a wife, I am no longer anyone's mother. I feel like I am just struggling to find my purpose now" Abigail said tears gathering in her eyes.
"Before I came here I thought my purpose was to teach at one of the big city schools. God shut that door and opened another one, a much more meaningful one. And that's teaching here in Coal Valley, I can't imagine a better place for us, I just know God has another purpose for you." Elizabeth said gently.
"Thank you Elizabeth, that is good advice" Abigail nodded.
"Well, I am very tired. I am going to go to bed, good night" Abigail whispered reaching out and kissing Kate on the top of her head.
"Good night" The girls echoed as Abigail climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
"Is Abigail ok?" Kate asked softly.
"I think sometimes we forget she has lost so much, not all that long ago. She's a very strong women but grief can be felt for a long time, especially when you lose a child." Elizabeth said gently.
"What do you think she's doing all day? Is that what is making her upset?" Kate asked.
"She said she will tell us when she is ready. Don't go asking her alright?"
"Alright" Kate nodded.
"Good girl, off to bed, go quietly I'm going to clean up these dishes and I will be up soon." Elizabeth said. Kate nodded climbing the stairs to bed.
The next night Kate closed her book long after dinner as Elizabeth watched out the window biting her lip.
"Where is she Elizabeth?" Kate asked.
"I… I don't know" Elizabeth sighed
"What if she's hurt, what if she's upset?" Kate asked.
"Get your shawl, quickly" Elizabeth said Kate rushed to put it on as Elizabeth lit the lantern hanging it to Kate as she put on her won shaw.
"We don't know where she is."
"No, but Jack can help us look, come quickly" Elizabeth ushered Kate out the door and they hurried down the lane into town. Elizabeth rapped on Jack's door and it opened quickly.
"Elizabeth" He said surprised to see them.
"I'm sorry it's so late"
"It's fine, what's wrong?"
"It's Abigail, she has been coming home late, she says she is working on something but she seems very upset. She never came home tonight, I'm worried about her" Elizabeth said quickly.
"I think I know where she is, follow me" Jack said leading them down the road a little ways then creeping open the door to a building Kate had thought was abandoned. The girls peered in past an empty room into a back room where Abigail seemed to be asleep sitting at a table the room glowing with a fire in the fireplace.
"Oh" Elizabeth sighed to see her friend like that.
"I have a feeling this is something that needs to just be between you ladies." Jack said turning to leave.
"Thank you" Elizabeth whispered. Jack nodded going back out the door
"Abigail" Elizabeth reaching out to touch her friends hand. Abigail sat up surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked gently.
"How did you know where to find me?"Abigail stretched her neck.
"Jack brought me, he said you have been here every night this week. What's going on?" Elizabeth asked kindly pulling up a chair to sit next to her and Kate leaned on the back of it.
"Well actually this is all your fault" Abigail said smiling at Elizabeth making the girls laugh.
"The other day when you girls were enjoying my cookies and said that you had never had anything finer, I got to thinking, what if I could reopen the cafe? It would be a great new start for me" Abigail said.
"Oh that is a wonderful idea" Elizabeth cried
"Oh it would be so wonderful" Kate agreed.
"I met with Gowen to try to make a deal. I should have known he would make things hard. He said he would allow me to open the cafe but I had to give up my home" Abigail said. Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Your home?" Kate asked.
"I have a week to decide" Abigail nodded.
"Oh no" Elizabeth whispered.
"It's a steep price to pay and my first thought was to say no. Then I realized, Noah and Peter don't live in that house anymore. They are with me wherever I go. And I need to find a new purpose in life. I need to find a new reason to get up in the morning." Abigail said.
"I understand, and I know you would be a huge success, but why not tell us?" Elizabeth asked
"Nobody in town has ever tried this before. I didn't want you to think I was crazy" Abigail chuckled to herself.
"We would never think that!" Kate cried.
"Well maybe you should" Abigail said making them all laugh.
"Gowen is betting against me and maybe he is right. Maybe it is to risky to lose my house for a foolish dream" Abigail sighed.
"I would never tell you what to do. But you are truly one of the strongest women I have ever met. You helped Carla deliver twins and all three of them would not be alive if it were not for you. And all of those widows would have lost their homes if you didn't lead them all into the mine. I believe in you, we believe in you" Elizabeth said putting her arm around Kate who nodded.
"I believe you can accomplish anything you set your mind to" Elizabeth said.
"Thank you, that means a lot" Abigail said smiling.
"What do you say we go home and get some sleep?" Elizabeth asked.
"That sounds lovely" Abigail smiled standing up. Elizabeth and Kate got up hugging Abigail between them as she held each sister to her.
"You girls are such a blessing in my life."
"And you are in ours" Elizabeth smiled.
"Put this on your hands and take the tray our carefully" Abigail said hanging Kate a rag as she helped her in the Cafe kitchen
"They look done" Kate said. Abigail glanced over her shoulder.
"They are perfect, put the tray on top of the stove, mind your hand" Abigail said as Kate carefully set it down and there was a knock on the door. Miles Montgomery stuck his head in.
"I smelled cookies Mrs Stanton" he said.
"Well Miles we aren't open yet, but let me see what I can do" Abigail smiled at him putting a few cool cookies into a bag.
"here you are, on the house" She smiled handing him the bag.
"Gee thanks, I sure hope you have more" Miles said.
"What do you mean?" Abigail asked. Miles opened the door holding it open for them to see as Kate and Abigail hurried to it looking out a long line of people stretched down the long cafe porch and around the corner waiting for cookies. Abigail gasped as Kate squealed grabbing her hand.
"Your going to do it Abigail, your going to run a cafe!" Kate grinned.
"Abigail! All these people! How did you do this!" Elizabeth asked hurrying over to them past the crowed.
"Kate bring the table and tray of cookies" Abigail said as Kate hurried inside.
"I just lit the stove, they smelled the fresh baked goods and.. Oh Elizabeth I don't know" Abigail said as Kate hurried over. The quickly helped her set up a little stand as Abigail rushed to put more cookies into the oven.
"Excuse me ma'am, one cookie please." Jack said walking up as they were ending for the day. Kate smiled handing it to him.
"This is amazing isn't it?" Elizabeth asked.
"It sure is" Jack smiled
"It seems like everyone in town was here this afternoon."
"the mine is open again, new business in town, this place is growing fast." Jack said.
"Pretty soon it will be a big city like Cape Fullerton and you won't want to leave" Elizabeth said as they started walking down the road together to put the borrowed table away.
"Well, I think since you gave me a test it's only fair I give you one" Jack said.
"What kind of test?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well first I test your ability to understand, You have to agree forgive me for anything stupid I have ever said or done to you" Jack said.
"Jack! That is a very hard task!" Elizabeth laughed.
"I didn't say it was an easy test." Jack said.
"Alright, I agree" Elizabeth said as Jack set the table down
"Good"
"Is that all?"
"No, now there's the written part. Tell Abigail you wont be home for dinner and follow me" Jack said.
"But I.."
"Your failing at your ability to follow directions, tell Abigail and meet me in the saloon" Jack said walking away not giving her a chance to argue.
After sitting through Jack's hand written test Elizabeth sat watching him grade it.
"That's another one you got wrong" Jack said marking it on her paper.
"Are you sure? Are you sure you are scoring it right?" Elizabeth asked reaching for the test but he pulled it from her gently. Elizabeth sat back crossing her arms pretending to be annoyed but was accepting it as her punishment for putting Jack through her test.
"Jack, do you lay awake at night thinking of ways to drive me batty?"
"Nope, it just kind of comes naturally" Jack said grinning as she gave a sigh.
"Alright" Jack said closing her test.
"Well?"
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"Of course!"
"Well, it turns out your not as smart as you thought you were" Jack said.
"Let me see!" Elizabeth cried.
"No" Jack pulled it away grinning.
"Let me see! Jack let me see it!" Elizabeth laughed reaching for it as Jack stood up now holding it from her reach. She chased him around the table trying to grab it both of them laughing until they heard a chuckle from across the room. They both stopped to see the saloon of about a dozen men watching them. Jack cleared his throat and they both returned to their seats holding back a giggle. Jack held out the test to her and Elizabeth snatched it from him seeing that she had gotten all the answers right. She swatted him with the paper grinning as Jack laughed.
The next week was busy. Abigail and the girls had started packing up the house to move into the Cafe, and Elizabeth was trying to get all the students ready to put on the Founders Day play, a big tradition in the town. Abigail was spending as much time as she could in the Cafe, Elizabeth knew Kate was excited to move in, there was something thrilling to the younger girl about living in a restaurant, and they would be inside town instead of a thirty minute walk. The cafe was big, the dining area would easily fit many tables, the doorway in the back of the room lead into another large room. This was the kitchen where Abigail would cook all the meals, and also serve as their living area. They would have a large table, sofa, lamp, desk and chairs just as they did in the row house now. Upstairs were two bedrooms one the girls would share and one for Abigail and a large storage room. Elizabeth had been a bit hesitant about moving with Abigail, she appreciated all her friend had done for them but they had been in Coal Valley almost three months now and she didn't want to overstay their welcome. But when she had spoken to Abigail about it the older women had all but insisted the girls come with her claiming she didn't want to live by herself, at least not now. Truly Elizabeth didn't want to leave, she had never kept house herself and didn't think she could adequately feed herself and Kate yet never mind things like washing and cleaning. And she still hadn't decided how long they were staying in Coal Valley so there was truly no need to buy a house of their own. They may be moving on in a matter of months. So she agreed with the promise that her and Kate would help out in the cafe in exchange which Abigail would hear nothing of. Elizabeth truly did feel like her friend was family and she knew Kate did as well.
Saturday morning found Kate and Abigail dropping things at the Cafe as Elizabeth packed the kitchen navigating her way around boxes while trying to read and memorize each child's lines for the play.
"I have to remind Emily to say this part" Elizabeth muttered putting a basket on the floor not looking up as she suddenly tripped over a box at her feet flying forward. She would have hit the ground had Jack not been walking through the open door at the same time and caught her in his arms setting her back on her feet.
"Are you talking to yourself? Should I be worried about your mental health?" Jack asked with a smile as she laughed.
"It's this play, I hardly slept last night, I have never directed a play before" Elizabeth sighed.
"They didn't teach that in that big city school you went to?" Jack asked teasingly.
"I didn't go to drama school Jack, I went to teacher collage."
"No great drama is great without a touch of madness" Jack quoted.
"Well aren't you full of surprises" Elizabeth smiled as Jack easily picked up an end table she had struggled to push the three feet across the floor.
"Have I thanked you for helping us move?" Elizabeth asked watching him load it into the wagon sitting outside.
"About a hundred times" Jack said.
"Well thank you"
"Your welcome" Jack smiled at her as Kate and Abigail walked back in.
"How is the packing coming?" Abigail asked
"Almost done down here" Elizabeth smiled.
"You know Peter broke this vase two or three times, it's held together by glue, I was always telling him not to play ball in the house" Abigail smiled teary eyes picking up a vase from the box near by.
"I know this must be hard for you" Elizabeth said gently.
"I am just glad I am not in this alone" Abigail said softly.
"Me too" Elizabeth gave her a warm smile holding her friends hand.
"Alright in here?" Jack asked coming in for another box.
"Yes, take this one, we can carry the baskets" Abigail said as Jack picked up the last box.
"Jack can I ride in the wagon with you?" Kate asked
"I'll do you one better you can drive" Jack said picking her up and playfully tossing her up onto the wagon seat and handing her the reigns and climbing up next to her.
"Wow!" Kate cried and Elizabeth watched her. Her Grandmother's horrified voice in the back of her mind over Kate driving a wagon but Elizabeth forced it down giving her sister a smile. Kate in her plain dress Abigail had made her, barefoot with a long braid down her back. Even Elizabeth had changed, she no longer bothered with her big hats and elaborate accessories. He hair hung long and curly down her back instead of in the tight knot on her head. Her dresses had changed, she often wore a blouse and long skirt now over her big lacy dresses. My what a change just few months had made in them both.
"Flick the reigns and give them a whistle" Jack said. Kate did it and gave a squeal as the wagon lurched forward Jack reaching out to hold her so she didn't fall off.
"Jack hold her!" Elizabeth yelled laughing as they took off slowly down the road.
"Ready?" Elizabeth asked picking up a basket as she and Abigail turned back to look at the empty house.
"I'm ready" Abigail smiled and Elizabeth linked arms with her friend as they walked down the road after the wagon.
"I do wish you girls didn't have to share a bed again" Abigail said as they made up the bed in the girls room that evening.
"I don't mind, even if Elizabeth does kick in her sleep" Kate said walking in with their pillows.
"I do not! Besides your the one who puts their freezing cold feet on the back of my knees every night! It's like waking up with my legs in an ice box!" Elizabeth shot back making the three of them laugh.
"Truly Abigail, we don't mind, we had our own rooms at Grandmothers and Kate ended up in my bed more often then not anyway." Elizabeth said putting the pillows down.
"my feet got cold" Kate shrugged making them chuckle again.
"I suppose this will take some getting use to." Abigail sighed lookin out the window at the town.
"It's like you said when we first started packing, love travels with you." Kate said.
'Where ever you go" Abigail agreed.
"Where ever you go" Elizabeth echoed smiling.
"Boys and Girls, today we are canceling our math lesson" Elizabeth said the next morning.
"In fact we are canceling all our lessons, we are going to be working on the play." Elizabeth said as everyone cheered.
"Alright, now Older children we are going to start rehearsing our parts today because you have more lines.." Elizabeth was saying when the door opened and Cat Montgomery came in pulling a big trunk behind her.
"The good news is, I found the costumes" she said as Elizabeth hurried over opening the trunk.
"Oh dear!" She cried pulling out a burnt vest.
"The bad news is they were stored at the church" Cat sighed.
"Oh this is all ruined" Elizabeth sighed already feeling stressed about the play being less then a week away and this was not helping.
"Well the play is about Coal Valley, this could be a minor's vest, it is already blackened" Cat sighed.
"And what about the back drop?" Elizabeth asked. As Cat looked down at her feet.
"Church fire?" Elizabeth sighed.
"More bad news" Cat nodded.
"How are we supposed to have a play without a back drop?" Miles asked.
"Noah Stanton painted the last one, I don't know anyone left in Coal Valley who has that skill." Cat sighed. Elizabeth turned seeing all the children watching them disappointed.
"Boys and girls, if there is one things I know about the people of Coal Valley it is that they don't quit, so we are not going to quit. Now I don't know exactly how, but this Saturday we are going to do Founders Day proud!" Elizabeth said confidently walking to the front of the room as everyone watched her.
"Alright?" Elizabeth asked putting more pep in her voice they she was feeling.
"Yeah!" The children yelled.
"Alright, younger children get your props we made, older children line up here let's hear your lines" Elizabeth said as everyone scrambled around the room.
That afternoon Elizabeth and Kate sat in the cafe dining room taking advantage of the not yet open restaurant to lay things out. Elizabeth was trying to sew some costumes while Kate was counting buttons for a shirt.
"Have you sown yourself to the chair yet?" Abigail asked coming in.
"No!" Elizabeth said putting down the shirt she was working on realizing she had sown it to her own dress sleeve.
"though apparently I will be wearing this for the rest of the day." She sighed making the three of them laugh.
"Here" Abigail reached out with a knife to free Elizabeth.
"Did you memorize your lines Kate?" Abigail asked.
"I don't have any, I am just helping back stage" Kate said.
"You don't want to be in the play?" Abigail asked surprised.
"No, there were not enough parts, and I think it means more to the other kids, They have lived here all their life and I'm still new. I'd rather help behind the curtain anyway." Kate shrugged.
"Your a sweet girl" Abigail smiled patting her head as she went back to the kitchen. Elizabeth picked up her needle again.
"Hand me that button please" She asked Kate as the door opened again ask Jack came in.
"Good afternoon ladies" He smiled at them making his way over.
"Hi Jack" Elizabeth smiled.
"I brought you some corn bread from the saloon, it doesn't hold a candle to Abigail's but it will have to do until she opens" Jack said. Elizabeth looked up smiling her thanks poking herself.
"Ouch!" She cried putting her thumb in her mouth.
"You needle attack you?" Jack chuckled.
"Wouldn't be the first time today" Kate teased.
"So your cooking is rivaled by your sewing" Jack teased as Elizabeth gave him a look.
"I suppose you could do better?" She asked.
"May I?" Jack asked sitting down across from her. Elizabeth laughed handing over the fabric. Jack looked at her stitches before starting them up. Both girls's mouths hung open as he made a few quick neat stitches.
"How did you learn that? Kate asked.
"Oh I have sewn before" Jack said easily.
"Where?" Elizabeth asked.
"Ahh a little closer to the bone" Jack said pulling up his pant leg and showing a scar on his knee.
"Oh my! What happened?" Kate asked.
"Oh it was nothing, although the bear still is talking about it" Jack said smirking up at them as the girls laughed.
"You were up to late doing the costumes last night" Kate said as Elizabeth yawned opening the doors to the saloon early the next morning.
"I was, but they need to be done." Elizabeth agreed.
"At least we live in town, the walk is much faster" Kate said as she put their lunch pail down turning to the front of the room.
"Elizabeth!" Kate cried making Elizabeth turn and gasp. In the front of the room was a painted back drop. One better then she could ever imagine with green grass fields and mountains and blue sky all looking like they could almost be real life they were so detailed.
"Oh my word! Where did this come from?" Elizabeth asked stepping closer for a better look.
"I have no idea but it's beautiful" Kate smiled.
At the Cafe later that day Jack was helping Abigail paint the dining room area.
"Thank you for helping, the girls were just here for lunch but they had to hurry back to school. It's such a busy week with the play and moving and trying to open up" Abigail thanked him again.
"Oh it's mostly selfish on my part, the sooner you open the sooner I get to eat here"
"And the sooner I can start cooking for hungry minors" Abigail smiled watching him for a minute.
"You seem like a natural with a pain brush" She said
"Well I like painting.. walls" Jack added quickly.
"Perhaps you might consider painting a mural on one" Abigail said and Jack felt her looking at him as he focused on the wall.
"You know a nice view of Coal Valley, perhaps some mountains." Abigail went on remembering how Elizabeth had gone on and on at lunch about the mysterious backdrop that had appeared that morning.
"Now where would you get an idea like that?" Jack asked turning to her. Abigail gave him a look before turning back to her wall.
"Noah painted the old Founders Day back drop. You know it takes a special person to see things from an artist perspective." Abigail said knowingly.
"I wouldn't know" Jack said.
"Wouldn't you?" Abigail asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"I am just a simple wall painter Ma'am" Jack said looking away from her.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Elizabeth" Abigail smiled at him as Jack just sighed.
Saturday night much to Elizabeth's delight and relief the play went off without a hitch. The older children all remembered their lines, the younger children did almost as well there were some mistakes but it was expected and everyone laughed them off. Kate helped out back stage keeping the younger ones quiet as the handed out props to the older ones. At the end everyone chapped and cheered as all the children bowed then quickly grabbed Elizabeth's hand rushing her out in front of the back drop proud of the teacher. Elizabeth smiled as she looked out over the people her eyes landing on Jack standing in the back grinning at her.
Monday morning Kate quickly washed the dishes as Abigail and Elizabeth set all the tables in the dinning room of the cafe.
"I think it's ready" Elizabeth sighed looking over the beautiful room as Kate hurried in and Abigail straightened a fork.
"Alright, let's do it" Abigail sighed looking proud and nervous.
"No Abigail, you do it" Kate said. Abigail smiled going to the front door and flipping the hanging sign from closed to open.
"Girls, we run a cafe" Abigail whispered.
"Yayy!" Kate cheered as Elizabeth smiled hugging her friend.
At school The children were putting everything away from the play.
"Put the costumes in this trunk, try to keep them together, Rosalie put the props in this box please. Katie and Gabe can you roll up the back drop so we can save it" Elizabeth asked. Kate and Gabe nodded starting to roll it until Gabe stopped
"Hey Kate, look at this." Gabe said
"What?" Kate asked looking to the spot on it Gabe was pointing to. She squinted trying to see it clearer.
"Hold on" She jumped up grabbing Elizabeth's magnifier glass from her desk and putting it by the place Gabe was pointing. It was small, hidden unless you looked close, but there were clearly two people standing by the lake. A man wearing a red serge jacket and a women with long brown hair down her back, they were kissing.
"Oh my gosh!" Kate giggled as Gabe laughed.
"Laura come here" Kate called as Laura hurried over and Kate showed her.
"What are you three looking at?" Elizabeth asked making her way over with a smile at the children laughing.
"See for yourself" Kate said holding the glass for Elizabeth to see, she glanced at it and gasped.
"Oh my goodness! Did any of you know about this?" Elizabeth asked in shock.
"Why would we know about it? We don't even know who did the back drop." Gabe said.
"It sure does look a lot like you and Jack though" Kate said as the three kids laughed.
"No it doesn't Kathryn, it doesn't at all" Elizabeth said with a frown.
"Lips are sealed Miss Thatcher" Gabe smiled standing up.
"You should probably find out who painted the back drop" Kate said giggling as Elizabeth took another look.
"I need to talk to Jack, you go help Abigail, I'm sure she had a long day." Elizabeth said as they walked home that afternoon.
"Ok" Kate smiled knowingly heading across the street as Elizabeth hurried into Jack's office.
"Jack! Are you aware the someone painted a tiny likeness of us on the back drop from the founders day play?" Elizabeth asked so quickly Jack got to his feet.
"Likeness?" Jack asked leaning against his desk.
"Yes, its hidden in there like a little stick of dynamite waiting to go off and some of the children found it." Elizabeth said she was speaking so seriously Jack was having trouble keeping a straight face.
"What are we doing in the painting?" Jack asked.
"I.. I can't really say. We're… we're kissing" Elizabeth said color raising in her cheeks.
"We're kissing?" Jack asked widening his eyes. She nodded.
"Well that is completely inappropriate, who would paint such a thing?" Jack asked picking up his hat from his deck.
"You know I think I should launch an investigation, interrogate some of your students until we get to the bottom of this" Jack said firmly as Elizabeth's cheeks still brightened in their pink color. Jack put his arm on her back gently leading her over to the door.
"But on second thought, both of our reputations are on the line here" Elizabeth said, sure she didn't want Jack asking questions so more people would find out.
"That is a good point, but I promise I will figure this out" Jack said.
"Oh, I am glad your on the… case" Elizabeth said putting her hand on his chest to thank him losing her breath a little when she felt the muscle under his shirt. Rip barked in the corner startling them both.
"I'm going to go" Elizabeth said quickly.
"Have a good day" Jack called after her as she hurried out and Rip basked again. Jack hurried over to his desk quickly sweeping some paints and brush into his drawer and closing it.
"Our little secret boy" Jack said to Rip who barked again.
