Chapter Thirteen

"Truth emerges more readily from error
than from confusion."
~Francis Bacon

Abigail's Cafe was busy as usual on Monday morning and Abigail was rushing to get breakfasts served and keep coffee cups filled. She had become accustomed to these busy mornings. However, this morning there were two parties in the dining room who were causing her some consternation: Ann Thornton was having breakfast with Florence Blakeley and Henry Gowen's new assistant, Wiley, was dining and, unfortunately, flirting with Abigail.

Florence and Ann were engaged in a very animated yet quiet discussion. Abigail had walked by their table many times, hoping to hear bits and pieces of their conversation, but had no luck so far. She was growing concerned that Ann's perspective on Jack and Elizabeth's relationship was being colored by Florence's sharp opinions. As she made one more trip by their table, all she heard were the words, "lunch tomorrow." Abigail frowned slightly, realizing Ann would meet with Florence, again.

As she passed Wiley's table, he grabbed her arm. She flashed him a miffed expression. He smiled, apparently pleased that he had annoyed her. "I'd love some more coffee, sweetie," he asked with a honeyed voice.

"Mr. Wiley," Abigail addressed him as she pulled her arm from his hand, "as I have informed you before, you may call me Mrs. Stanton. You will refrain from calling me such endearing terms as sweetie, honey, or dear, as we are not on such intimate terms nor will we ever be." She stood up just a little straighter. "If you'd like some more coffee, all you have to do is ask, without the familiar terms." She swiftly turned away from him and headed to the kitchen.

Wiley appeared to be unfazed by Abigail's sharp rebuke as he stood and boldly followed her to the kitchen. "I understand," he began, prompting Abigail to gasp as she spun around to face him. A smile crawled across his lips, seeming pleased that he'd shocked her. "You're very busy this morning. I'll come back another time so we can talk more." He winked at her and added, "Maybe we can even have another dance... honey!" He emphasized the last word. Then, he returned to his table, placed some money on it, and headed for the door.

When Wiley opened the door, Jack was on the other side. Wiley's eyes widened when he saw Jack.

"Sorry!" Jack told him as he stepped aside to let Wiley exit.

Wiley's facial expression had suddenly changed to a nervous smile and furrowed brow. He replied, "Thank you," in a low voice as he stepped around Jack and headed out of the café.

Ann and Florence were standing at their table, preparing to leave, when Ann spotted Jack in the open doorway. "Jack!" she called to him as they headed toward the door.

Jack smiled. "Good morning, Ma!" Then, he turned to Florence. "Good morning, Mrs. Blakeley."

Florence smiled and nodded. She turned to Ann and asked, "Are you sure you won't join us? We could really use your help. You did say that you enjoy quilting."

Ann shook her head. "Oh no, no thank you."

Florence nodded. "Well, then, good day!" she offered as she headed out the door that Jack held open for her.

"What are you doing here?" Ann turned to Jack and asked. "It's too late for breakfast now."

Jack shook his head. "Oh, no," he explained. "I'm just stopping by for a cup of coffee. I've finished my morning rounds."

"Oh, well, may I join you?" Ann inquired.

Jack nodded his head. "Sure. But, you know, if you'd like to join Mrs. Blakely and the other ladies, that will be okay. I know how much you love quilting. You go! Enjoy yourself," he urged.

Ann shook her head and gave him a wan smile. "No, I'm here to visit you. Let's enjoy some coffee." She headed back to the table that she and Florence had just left.

"I'll go get the coffee. I'll be right back," he told his mother as he walked to the kitchen. "Abigail," he called, "I wonder if I can trouble you for my usual?" As he entered the kitchen, he saw Abigail standing with her back to him. Her shoulders were hunched over and she appeared to breathing hard. The smile drained from his face. "Abigail?" he called to her.

Abigail took a very deep breath before she turned around. "Jack!" she called, a little loudly with a slight tremble in her voice.

"Are you alright?" Jack asked her, concerned.

"I'm fine," Abigail told him, though not convincingly.

Jack eyed her, trying to read her expression. "You don't seem fine. What happened?"

Abigail shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, it's really nothing I can't handle."

Jack continued to study her suspiciously. Abigail felt compelled to explain. "Gowen's new assistant is more annoying than he is!" she blurted out.

Jack didn't quite understand. "What's he doing?"

Abigail shook her head. "He's just persistent. He won't seem to take no for an answer!" Abigail answered, exasperated.

Jack nodded, beginning to understand. "Well, I'm willing to talk with him, if you'd like. I could caution him that his persistence is unwelcome and could land him in a lot of trouble."

Abigail smiled, feeling stronger. "Thank you, Jack, but I can certainly handle him. It's just he's a little more slippery than Gowen. But, my skillet should fit his head, too, if needed."

She and Jack both smiled. "I'll be happy to speak with him anytime," Jack assured her and Abigail nodded. Then, Jack reached for two coffee cups. "Do you mind if I get coffee for Ma and I?" he asked.

"Of course, but I don't mind serving you," she told him.

"Looks like you have enough people in that dining room to keep you very busy. I can certainly get two coffees," he told her as he poured the coffee from the large urn into two cups. Once he was finished, he then carried the coffees back to the dining room. He set the coffees on the table and slid into the chair across from his mother. "So, do you still go to your quilting group on Saturday afternoons?" he asked, taking a sip of coffee.

Ann shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I haven't gone much lately."

Jack looked shocked. "Really? Why? You always enjoyed that."

"Oh," Ann began dismissively, "Most of the ladies my age have stopped going, anyway."

Jack frowned a bit, considering his mother's answer. He didn't understand because his mother had been in the quilting circle at church for as long as he could remember.

"Are you still drawing?" she asked Jack, breaking into his thoughts.

Jack smiled and nodded. "Everyday."

"What subjects? Are you doing landscapes?" Ann asked. "It looks like there would be some lovely landscapes out here to sketch."

Jack opened his mouth but didn't answer immediately. Most of his sketching these days was of Elizabeth and he certainly didn't want to admit that to his mother.

"I'd love to see your sketches," she told him.

Jack inhaled sharply and his eyes widened. "Oh, Ma, they're not... well, they're just not that great, actually."

"Really? Your pencil sketching was so good before you left for the academy. If you've been working on it daily, I would imagine it should be excellent now," Ann mused.

Jack just smiled but didn't reply.

Ann's eyes narrowed as she studied her son. She correctly guessed the reason for his hesitance to share his sketch book with her and her mouth pursed with worry. She decided it was time to speak with Jack about her concern.

"Jack," she began. "How long do you think you'll be here in Coal Valley?"

Jack was surprised by the question, though thankful for the change of subject. "Well, obviously, that depends on my superiors."

Ann nodded. "Well, yes, but you turned down your transfer to Cape Fullerton. So, will you seek another transfer at some point? Or even, perhaps, a promotion?"

Jack shook his head. "I'm not really sure, Ma. For now, I am happy with my posting here in Coal Valley. I feel that I am serving these people well. You taught me the importance of that."

Ann nodded. "Yes, you are. However, I remember your interest in investigation and tracking criminals. You wanted to save the world when you left Regina."

Jack laughed mildly. "Yes, I was ready to save the world," he agreed.

"What happened?" Ann asked.

Jack was taken back. "Happened?"

Ann inhaled and got to her point. "Jack, I'm afraid that you've lost focus. You have always been so career-motivated. But now," she paused searching for the right words. "Now, you just seem to be content here."

Jack looked at her, unsure of how he felt about that statement. They both fell silent for a few moments. Then, Jack asked her, "Is content a bad thing, Ma?"

Ann took a deep breath as she considered her answer. "No, not necessarily. But it might be if it keeps you from pursuing your goal... your dream."

Jack looked at his mother and she saw some distress fill his expression as he considered her statement. She looked away from him, feeling a pang of guilt that she had brought that look to her son's face. However, she truly believed it was something he needed to hear from her. She reached for her coffee cup and started to lift it to her lips. However, she lost her grip on it and it slipped back onto the saucer, making a loud clattering noise and spilling coffee on the tablecloth.

The noise pulled Jack from his contemplation."Ma? You okay?" he asked. "It didn't burn you, did it?" He reached across the table and righted the cup on the saucer.

Abigail rushed to the table with a towel and asked, "Are you okay, Ann?"

Ann nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just clumsy, I guess," she told them as she rubbed her hands together and expelled a frustrated sigh. Then, she turned to Abigail and apologized. "I'm so sorry, Abigail. I've probably stained your tablecloth. Let me see if I can wash it out for you," she offered.

Abigail shook her head. "No, no, of course not! It'll wash out just fine," she told Ann.

Ann nodded before she looked down and closed her eyes.

Jack and Abigail exchanged concerned looks. "Are you okay, Ma?" he asked.

Ann opened her eyes and gave him a sharp look. "Of course!" she answered, her voice slightly shrill.

Jack and Abigail continued to stare at her with concern.

Ann exhaled and softened her expression. "I, uh... I didn't sleep well last night. I'm just a little tired. I think I may go rest in my room," she told them.

"Okay," Jack told her. "I'll walk you to the saloon."

Ann shook her head in protest, but Abigail agreed with Jack. "Yes, let him walk you back, Ann."

Outnumbered, Ann relented. "Very well." She grabbed her bag and stood. Jack stood, too, and rushed to offer her his arm. She exhaled an agitated breath as she took his arm and he led her from the café. Abigail watched them briefly, worry written all over her face, before turning back to clean up the table.

Postscript: Many of you have been concerned about Ann Thornton's behavior of late. Let me assure that Ann is not just a meanie and there are reasons for her actions. Ann does have some explaining to do and all will be explained in due time. Obviously, this chapter is the start of that explanation. I hope you enjoyed it! Please, if you have a minute, post a review. Thank you, again, for reading!