Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

Only through experience of trial and suffering

can the soul be strengthened,

ambition inspired,

and success achieved."

~Helen Keller

That evening, Ann, Elizabeth, and Jack were finishing their supper at the cafe. During the meal, they'd discussed the very long day they'd all had. However, their supper conversation was strained and had included several long, awkward silences. Elizabeth kept glancing at Jack, hoping he would address their concerns with his mother. However, he seemed to be famished, as he just kept eating, frustrating her. She decided it was time to get his attention.

"How's your chin?" she asked in a slightly hoarse voice as he reached for his glass of water. The day had taken its toll, but thankfully she hadn't completely lost her voice again.

He turned to her and jutted his chin toward her. "How does it look? It didn't start bleeding again, did it?" he asked.

Elizabeth reached over and gently cupped his cheek. She inspected the bandage she had placed on his wounded chin. "I don't see any blood on the bandage. But I do wish you would've let Abigail put a stitch or two in it," she told him. Then she added, "Of course, I could still do that for you, if you'd like."

Jack chuckled mirthlessly. "Oh, yes, I'm going to let you near me with a needle and thread?" he teased.

Elizabeth pursed her lips and gave him an annoyed look. "So, you'd rather have a nasty scar?" She asked.

Jack winced. "Nah, it should be fine. If I need stitches, I'll do them myself. Anyway, it wasn't as bad as that cut I got on my knee when the ax slipped."

Elizabeth's eyebrows flew up. "Ax slipped? I thought that was from a bear!" She gave him a doubtful look.

He shrugged his shoulders and flashed her a look of surrender. They both burst into laughter.

Ann was sipping her tea after finishing her meal, watching the exchange between Jack and Elizabeth. She cleared her throat and moved to set her cup down, but it slipped and made a loud clank against the saucer. Jack and Elizabeth stopped laughing and looked at her. She quickly righted the cup and looked up at them. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!" She shrugged her shoulders and continued, "I'm afraid that I am exhausted! I think I shall head back to my room," she announced.

Jack looked at her and then turned to Elizabeth, whose eyes appealed to him. His eyes widened slightly in understanding and then he nodded. "Uh, Ma?" he began as he returned his attention to his mother. "We need to talk with you."

Elizabeth felt the conflicting emotions of relief and anxiety course through her. She was glad Jack was finally going to confront his mother but so worried about what Ann might say.

Ann looked at Jack, her expression questioning. "Talk? About what?" she asked.

Jack cleared his throat and reached for Elizabeth's hand. "Do you approve of Elizabeth and I courting?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Shock flew across Elizabeth's face, as she wasn't expecting him to be so blunt.

Ann shifted nervously in her chair and looked down. She, too, was taken aback by her son's direct question.

"Elizabeth told me she believes that you don't approve of our relationship," Jack explained. "At first, I thought she might be mistaken, but now I have the feeling that she's right. So, do you approve?"

Ann exhaled sharply before meeting Jack's gaze. "Actually, no," she conceded in a low voice.

Jack suddenly looked stricken. "Why?" he asked immediately.

Elizabeth squeezed his hand, offering him support, even as sadness grew inside her.

"Well," Ann began. "There are a couple of reasons. First, I believe that Elizabeth is far too focused on her teaching career."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open and her brow furrowed. Jack's head slowly shook from side to side as he looked at his mother, incredulous.

Ann continued. "Elizabeth, you spend so much time planning, grading, and teaching. And, then, you spend your after school hours tutoring students. It's clear you are a very dedicated and ambitious teacher. But, that tells me that you are not ready to focus on a courtship with my son."

Elizabeth was stunned but she quickly regained her composure as anger replaced shock. "Mrs. Thornton," she replied in a surprisingly strong voice, "I have only been teaching a little over a year now. Yes, teaching is very important to me. I spent several years in teachers' college preparing for my own class and I will not apologize for enjoying the challenges of my job."

"Yes, dear," Ann interjected, "but you go far beyond what is required of you. Working with students with severe learning problems certainly is not part of your job description."

"I believe it is," Elizabeth broke in. "As the teacher, it is my responsibility to teach all the children."

Ann shook her head. "That is admirable, of course, but quite unworkable. A teacher cannot be expected to teach students who cannot learn," she stated.

"All students can learn," Elizabeth said forcefully.

Ann nodded. "I'm sure you believe that but after thirty years as a teacher, I know there are some students who just cannot be taught." Seeing that Elizabeth was about to argue, again, Ann added, "Perhaps we can just agree to disagree on that point."

Elizabeth looked at Ann, still angry. Jack, who had been watching the back and forth exchange, squeezed her hand prompting her to look at him. He nodded at her before turning back to his mother. "Is that what this is all about? Different teaching philosophies?"

"Partly," Ann answered. "I'm also concerned about your lack of ambition."

Jack looked at her, astounded. "What? What do you mean? Lack of ambition?"

"You turned down the post you've always wanted. I was absolutely dismayed when I learned that you'd turned down Cape Fullerton to remain in Coal Valley. What are your plans, Jack? You'd talked about becoming an inspector. What about that? Or working at the Depot? Do you no longer wish to advance in the Force?"

Jack shook his head. "I still have ambitions, Ma, but this is where I belong right now. I believe it's important for my relationship with Elizabeth. It would be nearly impossible to have a a long distance relationship."

Ann's eyebrows raised. "Your father and I did for years," she reminded him.

"Yes you did," Jack acknowledged. "But that was you and Pa. I think Elizabeth and I should decide about our relationship."

"Alright, so now you've made some big sacrifices for your relationship with Elizabeth," Ann continued. "What sacrifices has she made?"

Elizabeth's mouth gaped, once again, as Jack jumped to defend her. "Elizabeth has certainly made sacrifices to remain in Coal Valley. She turned down a teaching job at a prestigious school back East to remain here. She could be living a very different life back home, but she chose to stay here."

Ann looked at Elizabeth, surprised. "You had another job offer?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, I would've been the first female teacher at that school," she shared.

"Why did you decline that?" Ann asked.

Elizabeth sat up straight and looked at Ann, defiantly. "I turned it down because Jack and I have a relationship. We need to see where that takes us. And my students need me. I can't leave Coal Valley."

Ann nodded before proceeding. "But, Elizabeth, I have to ask you if, one day, the offer to head back East for a more challenging teaching assignment, to the comforts of your family's home, will be far too appealing to turn down? I imagine your family isn't exactly pleased with the life you've chosen out here. And I know you like pretty dresses and expensive hats. So, you haven't left that life completely behind."

"Ma!" Jack reprimanded his mother. "That's not fair! Elizabeth has already told you she plans to stay here in Coal Valley."

"Mrs. Thornton," Elizabeth added, "I really have no desire to go back East and I don't believe I will in the future. Frankly, I cannot imagine a more challenging teaching assignment than this. And as for my dresses and hats..." She hesitated. "Well... I have to admit that I do like the clothes that my family sends me. I can't leave my family behind me, as you say. After all, they are my family and I love them. However, that doesn't mean I won't stay in Coal Valley or that Jack and I can't have a relationship."

Jack gave Elizabeth a proud look before turning back to his mother. "Are those all of your concerns, Ma?" he asked.

Before Ann could answer, the cafe door opened and Abigail entered carrying a basket.

"Abigail!" Elizabeth called, her voice a bit shrill. "How... how was your dinner with Bill?"

"Oh, it was fine," Abigail replied slowly, immediately sensing the tension in the room.

"Does he need any help?" Jack asked.

Abigail shook her head. "No. Allen had his dinner. He didn't say anything to Bill the entire time we were having supper. Then, he was quiet and appeared to be sleeping when I left the jailhouse."

Jack didn't reply, instead he stared at his mother. Abigail studied the three of them at the table. After several uncomfortable moments, she told them, "I'll be in the kitchen." She moved quickly out of the dining room.

"Is that everything?" Jack asked Ann again, trying to control his anger.

Ann looked intently at Jack. "No," she told him. "You need to tell her about your past relationships."

Elizabeth frowned, not liking Ann's use of the plural, "relationships."

Jack stared at his mother. "What are you talking about?" he implored.

Ann's gaze shifted briefly to Elizabeth before she whispered, "A certain actress..."

"Oh! Rosemary!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

Ann looked at Elizabeth in shock. "You know about Rosemary?"Elizabeth ndded, her face clearly conveying her thoughts that she wished she hadn't met Rosemary.

"Ma," Jack explained, "Rosemary was here. She just left a couple of weeks ago."

Ann was flabbergasted. "Rosemary was here? Why?!"

"She hoped to win back Jack," Elizabeth informed Ann.

"But that was never going to happen," Jack assured.

Ann looked down at the table. "I had no idea," she told them. "I didn't imagine that she'd ever come back from New York."

An uncomfortable silence fell, again, as Jack looked off into the distance, clearly still annoyed with his mother.

Elizabeth shifted in her seat and broke the silence, "Uhhh, you said relationships. Was there more than one? More than Rosemary?" She didn't look at Jack, who had quickly swiveled his attention to her.

Ann looked up as Jack interjected. "No, that was it." Ann's eyes widened as she stared at her son.

"What?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Jack.

Jack frowned and stared at his mother. "Mabel was not a relationship, Ma," he protested.

"She's always insisted you and she courted briefly," Ann told him.

"No," Jack declared. "We did not! Mabel Carson tried to claim that she courted every boy in our class." He turned to Elizabeth. "She was the neighbors' daughter and a big flirt. We never courted."

Ann raised her hands in surrender. "Whatever you say, Jack," she told him. "You seem to have some definite opinions these days and don't care what I have to say..." She trailed off, looking away.

Jack eyed his mother. "Ma, I don't understand. This is not like you. Why are you so against Elizabeth and I?"

Ann met Jack's gaze and noted the sadness in his eyes. Her face stiffened as it started to weigh heavy on her heart. She had not wanted to hurt him. "Jack, I just... I only want you to be happy..." she suddenly stumbled for words.

Jack pulled Elizabeth's hand closer to him. "This makes me happy, Ma," he stated steadfastly.

Ann looked at Jack and Elizabeth's clasped hands and then shifted her gaze downward. She studied her hands and pursed her lips.

"Ann," Abigail called as she rejoined them in the dining room. "Tell them," she enunciated clearly, like an order.

Ann looked at Abigail, shocked and confused. "What? What, what do you mean?"

Abigail raised her eyebrows and nodded her head. "Tell him," she told Ann firmly.

Jack and Elizabeth looked between Ann and Abigail, both of them bewildered.

Ann stared at Abigail for several seconds before looking back down at her hands.

"Tell him," Abigail urged again. "He needs to know. He has to know."

Ann's shoulders dropped as she looked back at Abigail. "Okay... okay," she conceded in a voice just above a whisper.

"Ma?" Jack asked with concern. "What is it?" Elizabeth looked at Jack and tightened her grip on his hand.

Ann took a slow, deep breath before answering. "I... I have been having some things going on," she began her explanation. Each word seemed to pain her. "I've had some trouble with weakness and aches. So, I went to see the doctor."

Jack's eyes widened with apprehension. His mother now had his undivided attention.

"Well, it seems I have..." she paused to clear her throat. "I have... arthritis," she said with finality.

"Arthritis?" Jack asked, confused. "What? Like old man Burke who always complained his hip hurt when it rained or snowed?"

Ann shook her head. "No, not quite. I have rheumatoid arthritis. It's a different type of arthritis. The doctor says that it is progressive. It will keep getting worse."

"I... I don't understand," Jack told her.

"Jack, my hands are affected the most, it seems. Already, I can't sew and painting is becoming difficult, even with large brushes," Ann explained. She paused for a moment before adding, "Eventually, I won't be able to use my hands much at all, it seems."

A look of dismay filled Jack's face and he slowly shook his head. "There has to be something they can do? Medicine? Surgery?" he asked.

Ann shook her head. "The doctor told me to take aspirin for the pain. I don't like to take it that much. Sometimes, I've found that just resting helps a lot."

Jack grew silent as he looked at his mother, considering everything she'd told him. Elizabeth took the lull in the conversation to speak. "I am so sorry, Mrs. Thornton," she offered. "And we bothered you with substitute teaching for me. I am so very sorry."

Ann shook her head. "No, no. I very much enjoyed doing that." Then, she turned to Abigail, who had moved closer to their table. "How did you know?"

Abigail smiled. "I didn't for awhile. I knew something was wrong but didn't know what it might be. Then, I noticed you rubbing your hands quite often. I, also, realized you passed off manual tasks to others whenever you could. After seeing you take aspirin several times, I finally put it together. And you complained of being tired quite often. You reminded me of my aunt. She had arthritis."

Ann shook her head. "You are a very smart and intuitive woman, Abigail."

Abigail smiled.

Ann turned back to Jack. "I came here because I was concerned about you after I heard you'd turned down Cape Fullerton. I missed my boy!" She smiled at Jack. "I wanted to cook you all your favorite foods. I know I won't be able to do that much longer." She chuckled mildly. "Perhaps that's silly but it's what I wanted. Then, after you told me that you were courting Elizabeth, I'd hoped to teach her to cook all your favorite m"eals."

"Oh!" Elizabeth exhaled. "Now it makes sense! You wanted to teach me while you could. I thought that you were just being me..." she stopped abruptly, embarrassed.

Ann eyed Elizabeth. "No, you're right, I was... frankly, I was mean. I became quite frustrated when I realized that you can't ... well, that cooking isn't one of your natural talents."

"No it's not," Elizabeth agreed. "But, I am eager to learn. So, what I lack in talent perhaps I can compensate for with determination."

Ann smiled. "Yes, quite." A look of consternation travelled across her face before she continued. "I am sorry, Elizabeth. It seems I jumped to conclusions about you and I shouldn't have. I admire you for wanting to help your students."

"Thank you," Elizabeth replied.

Jack had been quiet for several minutes. Finally, he spoke, "Ma, what are you going to do?"

Ann looked at him and shook her head. "I'm not sure."

"If it's going to get worse, will there come a time when you can't take care of yourself?" he asked, quite concerned.

Ann sighed. "Eventually, that may happen. I have to admit that I was selfishly hoping you might get posted back in Regina at the Depot. Then, you could be there to help me."

A pained expression filled Jack's face. "Ma..."

Ann shook her head. "No, it's okay. I'll figure something out. It's become hard for me to keep working the farm. Paul Carson has been helping. He's taking care of things while I'm gone. I sold most of the animals."

"What?" Jack asked, shocked.

Ann nodded. "I just couldn't handle it. So, I sold all the cows but one. I kept one horse, too, for the carriage, and about a half dozen chickens."

Jack shook his head and sighed. "Which horse did you keep?" he asked.

Ann smiled. "I kept Taylor, of course! I know he's your favorite."

"Thank you for that," Jack replied. "What about the school?"

Ann looked down and became quiet. Finally, she cleared her throat and spoke. "I gave that up a few months ago."

Jack's jaw dropped. "You're no longer teaching?!"

Ann rushed to explain. "The doctor insisted. I didn't want to retire, but I knew I had no choice."

"You started that school," Jack added, obviously upset by this news.

Ann nodded before explaining, "The Landons' daughter, Erin, got her teaching certificate last Spring. She has done a great job at the school." She smiled at Jack, assuring him that she was fine, despite all of the changes. "Now, I just have to decide what I'm going to do. All of the neighbors except for the Carsons have moved away. And they are planning to sell their farm and move to be near their daughter in Calgary next year. It'll soon be all new families in that little valley of ours. So, there will be no one nearby who can help me. But, your Aunt Lilly invited me to come live with her and your Uncle Otis."

"Move back to Ottawa? You'll agree to that?" Jack asked, surprised.

Ann shrugged her shoulders. "I don't have much of a choice."

Jack looked at his mother for several moments before speaking again. "I know you're concerned about the Thorntons. Surely, Grandfather Thornton must be quite old and frail now."

"Actually," Ann told him, "Aunt Lilly told me she read in the paper that he died a couple of months ago."

"Your grandfather died?" Elizabeth asked with concern.

Jack shook his head. "I never knew him," he told her.

Elizabeth looked at him, shocked.

He turned to her and explained, "My father's father was a terrible alcoholic. He was mean and hit his children. Pa couldn't get out of his childhood home fast enough. That's why he became a Mountie. Once he left Ottawa, he only went back once..." He looked toward his mother and smiled, "... to marry Ma. They immediately headed west after their wedding and never went back. So, I never met his parents. I did meet one of his sisters, but she didn't come back after her one visit. I was never sure why," He looked to his mother for further explanation.

Ann nodded and continued, "Your aunts were damaged by the beatings they'd gotten from their father when he was in his drunken rages. Sadly, they became bitter and abusive themselves. One of them came to visit us while Thomas was still alive and you were young. Thomas caught her hitting you and threw her out of our house. He forbade her or anyone else from his family to visit us again. Thomas was such an honorable man and worked very hard to be a good father."

"He was a great father," Jack confirmed. "So, you don't have to worry about them. I doubt Uncle Otis would tolerate the Thorntons coming to his home, anyway. I hate to think of you being so far away, but it might be for the best. Maybe you'll find a doctor in Ottawa who can help you better than the doctor in Regina. And you wouldn't have to travel so far to get into the city as you do from our farm."

Ann nodded and silence descended on the room. Abigail walked to the kitchen and returned with a teapot. She refreshed everyone's tea. When she turned to leave, Ann touched her arm prompting Abigail to swivel towards her. "Please have a seat, Abigail." Abigail set the teapot on the table and sat in the chair next to Ann.

Ann took a deep breath and said to Abigail, "I owe you an apology, Abigail. I haven't been myself lately and I'm afraid I haven't been a very good friend to you. And you've been so kind to me."

Abigail shook her head. "No, no. It's okay, Ann. I knew something wasn't right."

Ann nodded and smiled at Abigail before she turned to Elizabeth. "And I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I know you've been trying so hard. I'm afraid I've been angry and frustrated with the twists and turns my life has taken. I had hatched this mixed-up plan that Jack would move back to Regina and save me from having to move back east. When I learned about your relationship and his desire to remain in Coal Valley, I was disappointed and disheartened. I knew, then, that I had no choice."

"Ma, I'm sorry..." Jack began, clearly upset by his mother's words.

Ann reached to pat Jack's arm. "No, no," she told him. "No, don't you dare! It was unfair of me to think I could ask you to put your life and career on hold to take care of me when I have a perfectly good offer from my sister." She smiled at him. "It's just that when I heard you'd turned down Cape Fullerton, I thought that perhaps you might have changed your mind about the Mounties, after all. I was torn because I know how much the Force has always meant to you but part of me hoped that maybe you'd consider coming home. Actually, I am pleased that you are still pursuing your dreams." She glanced at Elizabeth. "And, though I still do have some concerns about your courtship, I'm glad that you have found such a lovely young lady to court."

Jack glanced at Elizabeth and then smiled at his mother. "I know you think I should've taken the posting in Cape Fullerton. But, Ma, I don't want to do what you and Pa did, being apart for three years before he came back for you. I don't think I'm up for that. I don't want to take a chance on losing something so special."

Elizabeth looked at Jack, a surprised smile on her face. They were still holding hands and, though he didn't look at her, he gave her hand a firm squeeze.

Ann nodded. "Those three years weren't easy, believe me. Actually, near the end, I had some doubts that your father would return. I even entertained taking a teaching position at a girls' boarding school in Montreal. I had a letter ready to send telling your father that I was finished with waiting for him. But, just as I was going to send it, I received a letter from him that he was on his way home. I hadn't heard from him in weeks and weeks, but as soon as I read it, I knew where my future lay. That man..." She shook her head and chuckled.

"They do that to us, don't they?" Abigail remarked, smiling.

"Indeed," Ann replied around a laugh.

Elizabeth pursed her lips and stifled her own laugh. Ann looked at her. "Yes, indeed they do," she repeated as she smiled at Elizabeth and then looked at Jack.

"What?" Jack asked, defensively, looking between the three women. "I didn't do anything!"

All three women looked at him and laughed. He looked at Elizabeth and opened his mouth to say something, but didn't. She placed both her hands over his and told him, "It's okay, Jack. It's okay." He shook his head and finally joined in the laughter.

"Mrs. Thornton?" Elizabeth asked, breaking into the moment of laughter. She cleared her throat, summoning her strongest voice, before continuing. "I just want you to know that I am dedicated to my students, but I am also committed to working on my relationship with Jack. You need to understand that, when I first arrived in Coal Valley, the mothers made me promise that I would teach their children and give them opportunities beyond working in the coal mine. I must live up to that promise. But, I believe that I can balance my work with our courtship." She looked down at her and Jack's clasped hands before adding, "And, frankly, I think it is for Jack and I to discuss how often we should see each other and if we have any concerns about our jobs interfering with our relationship."

Ann studied Elizabeth for several seconds. "You're absolutely right," she conceded.

Elizabeth's eyes widened with surprise and relief. Jack looked at her proudly and they smiled at each other.

After a few minutes, Ann announced, "Well, I need to go get some rest. I am exhausted!"

Jack turned to her, his expression very serious. "Are you alright? Do you want me to walk you back to the saloon?"

Ann smiled at Jack. "I'm fine, just tired after this long day. And yes, I would like you to walk me to the saloon."

Jack pushed up from his chair and started to guide Ann from her chair. "Jack, I have arthritis. I am not paralyzed!" she chastised.

Jack pulled his hands back. "Yes, ma'am," he quickly answered.

Ann stood and looked at Jack. "But, I wouldn't turn down your arm," she told him.

"Oh, of course!" he exclaimed and extended his arm.

She wound her hand around his elbow and started to walk, pulling Jack with her, but she stopped after a few steps. Turning around, she told Elizabeth, "Tomorrow, we'll work on making an apple cake. It's one of his favorite desserts."

"Oh!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Uhhh... yes... I guess so."

"Mmmm, apple cake!" Jack interjected, smiling.

"Of course," Ann stated just before turning on heel and leading Jack out of the cafe.

Elizabeth looked at Abigail, an expression of apprehension on her face. "I guess she's still going to insist I learn to cook his favorite foods." She sighed and shook her head.

"Well, at least we know why she's been acting the way she has," Abigail told her. "It's good that all of you talked."

"I suppose," Elizabeth agreed, though her voice revealed her nervousness.

Both women were a bit startled when the cafe door opened and Jack poked his head around the door. "Elizabeth?"

"Jack!" It came out as a bit of a squeak. Her laryngitis had returned.

"I'll be right back! Wait for me?" he asked and flashed her a very handsome smile.

Abigail pursed her lips, stifling a laugh as she watched her young friends' exchange.

Elizabeth's face lifted as a smile filled it. She nodded and whispered, "Alright."

His smiled widened. "Alright," he echoed, before nodding and backing out the door.

Postscript: Well, those of you who were wondering what was going on with Ann, this chapter was for you! I know I may have played fast and loose with Jack's past, but this is what came out when I started imagining this story. It's just my take on his life. We'll see what Michael Landon, Brian Bird, and the very talented When Calls the Heart writers have for us when the new season starts. Hope you enjoyed it! Please send me a review if you have a minute! Would love to hear from you!