Chapter Twelve

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
~Romans 12:12

Sunday started slowly around Coal Valley. The previous night's Town Social festivities had continued well into the night. Some townsfolk seemed to sleepwalk their way to the church among the trees. There were quite a few yawns and more people than usual nodded off during Cat's sermon. After the service concluded, fellowship didn't last as long as usual. Instead, people made their way home soon after the service ended, many telling friends and neighbors how much they needed a nap.

Many people stopped to congratulate Mary and Graves. Mary seemed to be glowing as she accepted everyone's best wishes. Graves appeared to be so proud he just might pop a button or two on his shirt.

Elizabeth and Abigail spoke with Cat for just a moment, before she, too, headed off, yawning. They joined Jack and his mother just as Florence Blakeley passed by and nodded to Ann. Then, Jack announced that he needed to head out for his rounds and he'd meet them all later. He squeezed Elizabeth's hand before he walked to his horse. After he rode off, Abigail invited Ann to walk back to town with her and Elizabeth. The three of them fell in step, heading up the road to town.

"I don't think I've ever seen Mary as happy as she was this morning," Abigail observed. "When I spoke to her before the service, she was smiling from ear to ear. And it was so nice to see she her and Mr. Graves holding hands."

Elizabeth laughed. "When Jack and I heard them yelling last night, we were afraid something was wrong. But, then we saw him swinging her around. They both were laughing and yelling! It was so sweet!"

Abigail laughed with Elizabeth. "I wonder how soon they'll want to marry? I doubt it will be a long engagement. I'm sure if it's up to Mr. Graves, he'd say tomorrow!"

"They seem to love each other very much. And Caleb, well he talks about Mr. Graves all the time now. I think he's ready for him to be part of their family," Elizabeth added.

"Ladies!" They were interrupted by the call from Dottie Ramsey as she and her husband, Mayor Ramsey, approached Abigail, Elizabeth, and Ann from behind. The trio of women stopped walking and turned to face the Ramsays.

"Good morning!" Dottie said happily as she and the mayor stopped next to the women. As usual, the mayor remained quiet and let his wife go the talking. "We wanted to introduce ourselves." She turned to Ann. "It's so nice to meet you, Mrs. Thornton! We are so honored to have your son as our constable." She held her hand out to Ann.

Ann took Dottie's hand and shook it slightly. "Well, thank you," she replied, a bit surprised by Dottie's gesture.

"Yes, he is such an asset to our community! And donating his reward money for our church and school was just wonderful of him! Now, I do hope that we can have lunch with you sometime during your visit," Dottie told Ann. "It would just be delightful!"

Ann, a bit overwhelmed, nodded. "Yes, that would be nice."

"Perhaps tomorrow?" Dottie asked expectantly.

"Oh, umm," Ann began, obviously trying to decide how to handle Dottie and her invitation. "Perhaps later in the week," she replied rather flatly.

The smile on Dottie's face faded, just a little, but she was, as always, indefatigable. She politely responded, "Well, of course! I know you are still getting settled here and want to spend time with your son. I'll talk with you later and we'll decide on a good day." She bowed her head to Abigail and Elizabeth. "Good day, ladies." She hooked her arm in her husband's and pulled him along up the road as he struggled to keep up with her.

Abigail and Elizabeth exchanged glances, impressed with Ann's expert handling of Dottie. A few moments after the Ramseys' departure, the ladies resumed their walk back to town.

"So, Abigail, Jack told me that he usually has Sunday dinner with you and Elizabeth. Would you mind if I prepared dinner today?" Ann asked.

Abigail's eyes widened a bit with mild surprise. "That would be fine, Ann. Of course, I'll be happy to help you."

Ann nodded. "That's very kind of you, but I think Elizabeth and I can handle it."

Elizabeth's head swiveled towards Ann when she heard her name. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm going to prepare a meat pie and I thought you might like to learn how to make it. It's an old family recipe and one of Jack's favorites," Ann explained.

Elizabeth's eyes darted between Ann and Abigail, as her mind raced. The thought of cooking still caused her quite a bit of consternation. "Uh, okay, that would be nice," she answered, realizing she had no choice but to accept.

"Good!" Ann stated loudly. "Let's head back to the cafe and get started." She stepped off quickly, leaving Elizabeth and Abigail behind. Elizabeth gave Abigail a plaintive look. Abigail nodded her head, trying to assure Elizabeth that it would be okay.

An hour later, Elizabeth had just finished setting the table and walked back into the kitchen. Ann looked up from the dough she was rolling and saw her. "Elizabeth, so tell me more about your students. I assume you're using McGuffey's readers."

"Uh, yes... yes, we do use the readers sometimes," Elizabeth answered. "I, also, prepare some reading assignments from newspapers and other books that I have."

Ann stopped rolling out the dough, a look of shock on her face. "Why?" she asked.

"Oh, well, I want the students to read from different sources of information," Elizabeth explained, smiling proudly. "Research has shown that students need to be able to read and interpret different types of reading materials." Her smile drained a bit when Ann gave her a clear look of disapproval.

"I see," Ann finally replied. "One of the mothers mentioned to me that you spent a good bit of time teaching a teenage boy to read?"

Elizabeth smiled as Abigail caught her eye and asked, "Bo?"

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, I'm sure that's who she means." Then, she turned to Ann. "The previous teacher gave up on him, saying he couldn't learn. We determined that he has dyslexia, word blindness. I wouldn't give up and we found a way for him to understand letters and words. He's reading now," she told Ann, proudly.

"Elizabeth used some old dough to form letters into animals and other things to help him understand the letters," Abigail added. "It really was amazing! It worked very well for Bo."

Ann just turned back to rolling the dough. Elizabeth looked at her and the corners of her mouth turned slightly downward in a frown. Abigail shook her head as she returned her attention to the peas she was shelling.

As Elizabeth started walking toward Abigail, Ann looked up again and asked Elizabeth, "Do you know how to make a basic pie dough? Abigail mentioned that you used some dough to help that boy."

Elizabeth's mouth opened and closed a few times as she searched for an answer. Finally, she admitted, "Well, I never really learned much about cooking back home." She looked to Abigail and smiled. "But Abigail has been teaching me."

Abigail looked up at Elizabeth and smiled encouragingly.

"But you do know how to roll out the dough for a pie crust, don't you?" Ann asked.

Abigail started to say something but thought better of it. She sighed and turned back to the peas.

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, ma'am, I'm afraid I don't," she replied flatly.

Ann sighed. Elizabeth's stomach tied in a knot. She was sure it was a sigh of disappointment.

"Well," Ann continued, "perhaps it's time to learn, dear. This meat pie recipe has been in my family for generations and it is Jack's favorite. So, come here!" The last sentence was a command.

Elizabeth did as she was told. Ann released the rolling pin and motioned for Elizabeth to take over. "We just need it rolled out to about a half inch thickness all the way around. You do that and I'll work on these potatoes," she ordered as Elizabeth began to roll the dough, though she clearly had no idea what she was doing.

Abigail turned and saw Elizabeth's clumsiness with the rolling pin and noted the sad look on her face. She turned to Ann and called, "Um... Ann?"

Ann looked up from mashing the potatoes. "Hmmm?" she answered.

For a moment, Abigail seemed to be searching for words. "Uhhh..." She looked around briefly before continuing, "I noticed that we are running low on wood for the stove. Would you please take the basket and fill it up. Jack keeps a good stack of wood behind the jailhouse that he shares with us."

Ann's expression grew stern. "Abigail, I really need to get these potatoes ready..."

"I understand," Abigail gently interjected, "but Elizabeth's preparing the dough and I, " she held up her hands full of peas. "I really need to get these peas cooking if we're going to eat them. The potatoes are already cooked."

Ann started to object again, so Abigail added. "I'm sure it will only take a few minutes. I'd really appreciate your help." Abigail gave Ann a hopeful look.

Ann sighed as she set down the potato masher and wiped her hands on her apron. "Alright," she said with some exasperation. As she removed her apron she turned to Elizabeth and reminded her, "Half an inch."

Elizabeth nodded and then, as soon as Ann as the door closed behind Ann, she grimaced. Abigail stood up and rushed to the table where Elizabeth was working. "What is wrong?" she asked.

Elizabeth's eyes widened at Abigail's quick maneuver across the kitchen. "What?"

Abigail's brows lowered. "I know something is wrong, Elizabeth. What is it?"

Elizabeth shook her head and returned to rolling out the dough, but pressed too hard on the rolling pin. A large piece of dough cracked away and a considerable gap appeared in the dough. She gasped in horror and tears quickly filled her eyes.

"Elizabeth! What is it?" Abigail asked, frustrated that Elizabeth was so upset but wouldn't say why.

"I've ruined the dough!" Elizabeth sobbed.

"No, you just tore it a little. We can fix that with a little milk and patching," she soothed. "Now, I want to know what all this is really about."

Elizabeth, tears now sliding down her cheeks, slid into the chair next to her. She took some deep breaths to try to calm down. Abigail looked at her expectantly. "It's just..." Elizabeth fumbled with her words. "Jack's mother... Well, she... I just..."

Abigail sat down across the table from Elizabeth and reached out to place her hand over Elizabeth's, hoping to calm her.

"Okay," Elizabeth said as she took a deep breath and regained her composure. "I just think Jack's mother doesn't... she just doesn't seem to like me very much."

Abigail closed her eyes and exhaled. She was afraid of this. "Oh, Elizabeth. No! She's just a... well, she's a bit of a stern woman."

Elizabeth expelled a sharp chuckle. "Stern? That's one way to put it!"

"Have you said anything to Jack about your concerns?" Abigail asked.

Elizabeth scoffed. "No! I don't know how to bring it up." She shook her head. "I have no idea what she wants. She doesn't seem to like me at all, really. I feel like she's disappointed in me." She looked down at her hands and whispered, "Maybe she would've preferred Rosemary."

"Elizabeth Thatcher!" Abigail admonished her.

Elizabeth raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, I know... but there must be some reason she doesn't like me."

"I know I saw her talking with Florence Blakeley last night at the social," Abigail shared, as she handed Elizabeth a handkerchief.

Elizabeth took the handkerchief and frowned. "Well, then that might explain a lot. I don't think Mrs. Blakeley is my biggest fan. She's told me many times she disapproves of my teaching," she said as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

Abigail shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know if Florence said anything negative to her." Elizabeth gave her a look of complete disbelief and Abigail yielded, "Alright, she very well may have. But, perhaps Ann is just very protective of her son. I mean, she can't dislike you too much. She is trying to teach you some of his favorite foods," Abigail suggested.

"That I have no idea how to make! I've never rolled out dough! You and I haven't gotten to that in my lessons." Elizabeth countered. "I can't help but wonder if she's just setting me up to fail."

Abigail shook her head. "I don't think she's doing that."

Elizabeth gave her a skeptical look and then looked over at the dough with the giant rip. "She'll be so pleased to see what I've done to her dough," she stated wryly.

"Okay, let's fix it," Abigail announced as she rose and grabbed the milk. "We can mend it with a little milk and pressing it back together."

Elizabeth followed Abigail's directions. The dough mended well and was back in one piece just as Ann returned with the wood.

"Oh, well," Ann said as she inspected Elizabeth's work on the dough, "that will do, I guess. Now we need to cook the meat to mix with the potatoes."

Elizabeth had been looking at Ann, hoping for a compliment. When none came, she was crestfallen and glanced at Abigail for support. Abigail gave her an encouraging smile and Elizabeth continued working with Ann to make the meat pie.

Later, Jack had joined them and they were finishing dinner. Jack set down his fork and announced, "That was delicious, ladies. It's been ages since I've had meat pie!"

Ann beamed. "You know how much I love to make it for you," she told him with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled, too, as she waited for Ann to tell Jack how she had helped, but Ann didn't say a word. So, Abigail supplied the information. "Jack, your mother was kind enough to teach Elizabeth how to make the meat pie. They worked together to make it."

Jack looked between Elizabeth and his mother. He asked, pleasantly surprised, "Really?"

Ann looked at Elizabeth and answered, "Well, yes, she helped," she explained. Elizabeth listened attentively, hoping she might finally hear a compliment from Ann Thornton. "She did surprisingly well rolling out the dough. She has a bit of a heavy hand with spices. There was a little too much poultry seasoning for my taste. But, I'm sure she'll improve with practice," Ann offered her backhanded compliment.

Elizabeth tried to suppress her disappointment and anger at Ann's less than flattering summary of her cooking, but Abigail saw the sadness in Elizabeth's eyes. So, she decided to change the subject. "Jack, your mother told us she brought your guitar to you and that you play rather well. Will you regale us with some songs? I think we could use some nice music tonight."

Jack shook his head. "I don't think so. Not tonight, I'm afraid. The guitar is over at the jailhouse. And," he said as he held up his left hand to show a bandaged index finger, "I got this nasty cut earlier today. So, I'm afraid I'm off the guitar for a couple of days until it heals a bit."

"Son, how did you do that?"

"Jack! What happened?"

At the same time, Elizabeth and Ann asked Jack about his injured finger. Jack laughed. "Oh, it was stupid, really. When I was out making my rounds at the row houses, one of the widows was having trouble with her clothesline. I tried to help her with it, and cut my finger on the wire." He held up his bandaged finger, frowning and shrugged. He looked at Elizabeth. "See, it's nothing, really."

Ann reached for his finger, causing Jack to wince. "Ma!" he cried as he pulled his hand away from her.

"Let me take a look at that," Ann told him. "I can re-bandage it for you."

Jack pulled his hand back. "No, Ma, it's fine. I can certainly bandage my own wounds." He looked back at Elizabeth. "At least it didn't require a whipstitch!" he declared as they both laughed.

Abigail smiled, realizing that it must be an inside joke between Elizabeth and Jack. She looked over and saw that Ann was frowning. She didn't quite understand Ann Thornton, though she was trying.

"So, what lessons have you planned for your students this week, Elizabeth?" Ann asked, interrupting Elizabeth and Jack's private moment.

Elizabeth's smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. She inhaled, trying to think of an answer that would stop Ann's interrogation. She opened her mouth to reply but Abigail spoke first. "Ann," Abigail sought Ann's attention. "Why don't you and I clean up these dinner dishes and let Elizabeth and Jack go enjoy this lovely evening?"

Ann gave Abigail a sharp look and shook her head. "Oh, but it's getting late," she said as she glanced at her watch pin.

"Oh, no, it's not too late," Abigail countered. "Besides, we should discuss our meals this week. I'm sure you have some special dishes that we'd love to sample," Abigail cajoled.

Ann forced a smile. Abigail had left her no excuse. "Alright, Abigail," she reluctantly agreed. Then, she turned to Jack. "I trust you won't be too long so you can walk me back to the saloon."

Jack began to answer but Abigail, again, spoke first. "I'll be happy to walk with you back to the saloon," she assured Ann. Then, she turned to Elizabeth and Jack. "You two head on! Enjoy the beautiful night!"

Jack smiled and turned to Elizabeth, offering his hand. "Well, okay. Are you ready?"

"Yes, my shawl is by the door," Elizabeth answered as she took Jack's hand and stood. They walked to the door where Jack helped Elizabeth with her shawl.

As they exited the cafe, Ann sat watching them go. The frown on her face was now replaced by a look of sadness. Abigail noticed the change and her forehead furrowed. She had no idea what was bothering Ann, but she was going to redouble her efforts to discover it. "Ann?" she called.

Ann turned to Abigail and replied, "Yes?"

Abigail shook her head. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Ann answered.

Ann's answer did not convince Abigail, but she decided she would have to take her time discovering Ann's concerns. She opened her hands in question and asked, "Well, will you help me with the dishes?"

Ann frowned again and looked down. "Actually, Abigail, I'm quite tired. I think I'll just head back to my room now."

"Oh," Abigail replied with surprise. "Well, let me get my shawl..."

Ann waved her hand. "No, no need. I'll be fine." She already had her shawl on and was walking to the door. "Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow," she called over her shoulder to Abigail as she left.

Abigail stood looking at the door for several minutes after Ann had left. She had never met anyone quite like Ann Thornton. She did not understand her. She found her very frustrating. And, she was afraid that Elizabeth just might be right about Ann's disapproval of Jack's relationship with her. However, her intuition told her there was something wrong. She offered a silent prayer to ease the situation and soften Ann's heart.