"Mom, is Dad here?"
Elizabeth turned to see Abbie and a very sad Harrison standing in the kitchen. "I'll get him for you." She walked over and hugged them both. "Whatever has happened, it will be ok."
Abbie turned to him as Elizabeth walked upstairs. "Do you want some tea?"
"Sure." She left his side to walk to the stove. He felt so alone and not just because of that. He really was. All of his family was scattered throughout Canada and the United States. Now with both his parents gone, he needed to take care of his sister.
Jack walked in and looked at both of them. "What's happened?" He sat down and Abbie joined both of them.
"Dad, we need your help."
"Of course. I'll do what I can."
Jack watched Abbie slip her hand inside Harrison's. "Harrison's mom just died and his little sister is all alone in Boston. We need to get her here somehow."
"First, I'm so sorry about your mom, Harrison. Was she sick?"
"I didn't think so but maybe."
"How old is your little sister?"
"Thirteen. I wish I could go get her but I can't close the bank for a month. It takes so long to travel there and back."
"Dad, his brothers all live in Canada, but the closest lives in Toronto. Do you know anyone that could go and travel with her at least that far, or maybe bring her all the way here?"
"Yes. Send a telegram from me to Patrick O'Reilly. They live in Regina now. Tell him all the details and to make sure she gets here safely at my expense."
"Mr. Thornton, you don't need to pay. I can take care of that."
"I'll pay for now. We will talk later."
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
"Of course. I'm glad to help."
"I better go send some telegrams." Harrison stood and shook Jack's hand. "This means so much. Thank you again."
"You go, I'll catch up," Abbie told him.
After she heard the door close she turned to her dad. "Thank you, Dad."
He opened his arms and she walked in. "Babe, I would do anything to help you."
"It wasn't helping me though. You don't know him that well."
"You do and I think that you love him. I can see the way you look at him. So by helping him, I help you."
"I don't know how it happened but yes, I love him. He's wonderful and now he's hurting. It hurts me to see him like that."
"Go catch up to him, Ab. He needs you right now."
She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Love you."
"Love you more."
…..
BUXTON, Amy and Caleb's home, a week later
Amy tried not to get her hopes up, but she knew the obvious signs. She was exhausted all the time and late. She hoped for a little bit of nausea but it may be too early.
She stirred the chicken soup she made for dinner, not even hearing Caleb walk in.
He snuck up behind her and kissed her neck. "OH! Caleb! You scared me."
"I'm sorry. I thought you heard me."
"No." She took a few breaths and opened the oven door to check on the bread.
"How was your day, Ames?"
"Ok. How was yours?"
"Good. Nothing new?"
"Nope." She turned and kissed him. "Would you mind terribly if I laid down for a bit? The boys are playing in their room and Meri is reading in the living room."
"Sure. Feeling ok?"
"I'm fine. The bread should be done in about ten minutes and the soup too."
"Ok. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks, babe."
Two hours later she woke up, surprised that it was dark and quiet in the house. She wrapped her robe around herself and wandered to the kitchen.
"Hey," Caleb said quietly.
"Hi."
"Have a seat. I will get your dinner for you."
"That's ok. I can get it." He turned her gently, his hands on her shoulders.
"I want to." He kissed her forehead and gently took her to the table.
"Ok." He brought her bowl of soup and plate of bread and then poured them both a cup of tea. Then he sat down next to her. "Caleb."
"Ames." He slipped his arm around her and kissed her temple. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'm worried about you."
"Why?"
"You've been tired a lot lately. I thought it might be the weddings and all but…"
"I think I'm pregnant," she said quietly, as if saying it louder might take the possibility away.
"That's great!"
"I'm scared that it isn't true. I want it so much."
"You know how you feel. If you think you are, then you probably are."
"I've thought that so many times over the last five years. I don't know anymore."
"I have a good feeling, Ames. I think you are going to get your baby this time."
"Our baby," she corrected with a smile.
"Of course, yes."
….
TWO WEEKS LATER, HARRIS TOWN
Harrison headed to the boarding house to see Abbie. She had been his rock through the loss of his mom and now he needed to be with her any chance he got. He loved her more than he could express. He knew that courting the beautiful Abbie Thornton came with a large loving family and that's what he, and soon Holly, needed.
"Hey," he greeted with a kiss to her cheek.
"Hi! Are you excited? Holly will be here in two days!"
"Of course I am. I haven't seen her in a while. I'm also worried, though."
"About what?" Abbie handed him a warm cookie, fresh from the oven.
"Just that I'm not the best one to care for her. Maybe I should have suggested Hugo and Georgia."
"You are the one she wired and asked to come. She obviously wants to be with you. I'm positive you will do a good job."
"Thank you. That's kind of you to say."
"I wasn't being kind. I was telling the truth. Harrison, you're kind and thoughtful. You care about people, especially family. You are who she needs."
"I hope so." He took a bite of the cookie she had given him. "Mm so good. Thank you, sweets." He kissed her cheek again.
She smiled at his new term of endearment. "You're welcome. Did you get Holly's room set up?"
Harrison had moved out of the boarding house and into the apartment above the bank the week before. "I did but would you mind taking a look? I'm not a decorative person by any means."
"Sure. Let's go."
A few moments later they were standing in the second bedroom of his apartment. "So, what do you think?"
"Well…"
"Bad, right?"
"Not bad. Just plain. Maybe add some white curtains and a rug by the bed. Oh! I know. A quilt would look great in here. I have one I'd like to give her."
"You don't have to do that, Abbie."
"I want to. I'll bring it by this afternoon."
They wandered into the kitchen. "Abbie." He stepped close and stared deep in her eyes as his fingers slipped between hers. "Thank you so much."
"For what?"
"Helping me through the last few weeks." She saw the tears in his eyes, fighting to fall. "I'm so grateful."
"Of course. I can't imagine how much you must miss her or what losing your mother…" Her own tears came. Her mother meant the world to her.
He pulled her into his arms and they held each other, her head tucked under his chin. When they pulled back just a bit, she found him staring at her mouth, his lips very close to hers. She hoped for it and obviously he wanted to do it.
He leaned down just an inch and pressed his lips gently to hers for just a few seconds and then pulled back, making sure she was ok before kissing her again. She tasted like cookies and smelled like sugar and vanilla.
She melted into his arms, savoring her first and second kiss with the man she loved. When they pulled apart, she couldn't help but blurt the first thing that came to her mind. "I love you, Harry."
"I love you, sweets. Very much."
…..
As promised, Abbie had given Holly a quilt and helped him find curtains and a rug that she would like so that two days later, the room was ready.
Now, they stood, holding hands at the train depot, waiting anxiously as the passengers stepped off the train.
Abbie pointed out a red serge she saw through the window. "I bet that's them."
They moved closer and then Harrison walked up to the train.
Then he saw her. "Holly?" She had grown a lot since he'd last seen her.
As soon as she saw him, she rushed over, sobbing into his chest. Abbie fought her own tears watching them.
"Harry," Holly cried. "I was so scared."
"I know, I know," he whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm so sorry I couldn't come get you. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Abbie walked up to the young Mountie that stood off to the side. "Hi, I'm Abbie Thornton. Jack Thornton's daughter."
"Nice to meet you, miss. Constable Brian Turner."
"Will you be staying here in town tonight?"
"Yes. Can you point me to the jail?"
"Sure, but I own the boarding house in town. My father already paid for a room for you. No need to stay in the jail."
"That's kind, miss."
Harrison walked over, his arm around Holly. "Constable, I'm very grateful to you for keeping my sister safe on such a long trip."
"Glad to help. I'm sorry for the circumstances, however."
Harrison nodded and then turned to Abbie. "Abbie, this is my sister, Holly. Holly, this is my girlfriend, Abbie Thornton."
"Nice to meet you, Holly. I'm so sorry about your mom."
"Thanks."
"Why don't you take Holly home and I will take Constable Turner to the boarding house?"
The porter brought over Holly's trunk and bags just as Travis drove a wagon over toward them. "I can take these for you," he offered.
….
A few hours later, Abbie took a roast chicken, stuffing, and glazed carrots over to Harrison and Holly's apartment.
She knocked on the door, careful not to drop the food.
"Hey," she greeted as he opened the door. "I brought dinner for you and Holly."
"You didn't have to, but thank you." He took some of the food and kissed her cheek.
"How is she doing?"
"She's sleeping. I'm so out of my element here. I don't know how to raise a girl, or a boy for that matter."
"No one knows how to be a parent at first. You learn as you go."
"She's so sad and I don't know what to say to make it better."
"Just be with her, Harry. Words aren't always necessary."
She started to leave but he stopped her, his hand on her arm. "Aren't you going to eat with us?"
"No. You need time with just her. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"
He hugged her and gave her a quick kiss. "See you tomorrow."
….
The next day, she expected him for breakfast because he always came for breakfast but he didn't show. She figured he was spending as much time as possible with Holly so she didn't worry too much.
When he didn't come for lunch or dinner either she decided to go see him. "Grandma, I'm going over to see Harrison and Holly. I'll be back soon, ok?"
"Ok, sweetie. Take those chocolate walnut brownies for Holly."
"Good idea."
A few moments later she knocked on the apartment door.
"Hey," he said quietly, an overwhelmed look on his handsome face.
"Hi. How are you?"
He stepped back and let her in. She put the brownies on the counter and then hugged him. "This is so hard, Abbie. She won't stop crying and I don't know how to help her." His tears flowed down his cheeks and into her hair but she didn't care. "I couldn't leave her by herself today so I let Rodney run things. I don't know what will happen tomorrow."
Abbie loosened her hold on him and looked him in his beautiful brown eyes. "I will spend time with her tomorrow, ok? And the next day and the next day."
"You don't have to. You have your own job."
"Listen, Harry, I love you. I am going to help both of you." She kissed his cheek and smiled. "Rely on me. Everything will be fine." He kissed her gently. "Is she in her room?"
"Yeah."
Abbie walked over to her door and knocked lightly. She listened closely and could hear sniffling on the other side. "Holly? It's Abbie Thornton. Can I come in?"
"Yeah," a tiny broken voice answered.
Abbie walked in slowly. "Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?" Surprisingly, Holly stood up and rushed into Abbie's arms, sobbing. "Oh, Holly, it's ok now."
"No, it's not! My mother is dead! I needed her. Now I….I think I'm dying too. I don't want to!"
Abbie was shocked at her statement. She led her to the bed and tucked her damp hair behind her ears and wiped her cheeks. "Why do you think you're dying?"
"My stomach hurts and now I'm bleeding. I don't want to die!"
"Can you show me where your stomach hurts?"
After she showed her, Abbie fought the urge to smile. Instead, she kissed her forehead. "Holly, you're not going to die. Did your mom ever tell you about your monthly cycle and what it means?"
"No," she whimpered, shaking her head.
Abbie stood and closed the door and then rejoined the young girl on the bed. "Let's talk and then we can draw up a hot bath for you, ok?"
