Chapter 15: Let's Take a Walk
Saturday night, Jack stopped by Abigail's café after dinnertime. Abigail was cleaning up and Clara was sitting at a table, sewing.
"Hello, Jack," Abigail called out. "Would you like a . . . ." Jack finished Abigail's sentence by saying, "Piece of pie, of course! How did you know?" Jack flashed Abigail his trademark grin. "And coffee, please" Jack added politely.
Jack looked around and queried, "How is everyone?" Jack eyes kept searching the café, including back into the kitchen and parlor. Abigail smiled to herself as she prepared Jack's pie. "We're all good," Abigail replied. "Elizabeth went upstairs early tonight; she said she had several letters she needed to write," Abigail explained. "Would you like me to call her down?" Abigail asked.
Jack demurred, "No, no, that's okay. I don't want to bother her if she's busy." Jack started pacing the floor. "She probably has a lot to tell her family, about her and Charles . . . ." Clara piped up, "Oh, Elizabeth and Charles aren't engaged or anything. Elizabeth keeps insisting that Charles is just a friend. But he certainly is persistent!"
Jack stopped pacing and murmured, "Hmmm."
Jack then approached Clara's table, asking, "May I join you?" Clara replied, smiling, "Of course!" Jack sat down and asked Clara politely. "What are you sewing?"
Clara showed Jack the handkerchief she was working on. "I don't know if you remember, but I'm pretty good at sewing. I had the idea to cross-stitch pretty patterns and initials on handkerchiefs to sell to customers." Jack admired Clara's handiwork and replied, "That's a good idea. You do nice work."
Clara smiled brightly at Jack and continued, "Actually, if you don't mind, I was going to sew you one too, as a thank you for picking me up from Buckstown last night." Jack seemed a little uncomfortable. "Oh, you don't have to do that." Clara countered, "I know, I just wanted to show my appreciation." Jack answered politely, "Thank you – I'd be honored."
Abigail came over with Jack's pie and coffee. "Here you go," she said to Jack, smiling. Jack took a few bites, and then casually commented, "So, I suppose Elizabeth is going back to Hamilton after school lets out this week, for the summer."
Clara piped up again, "Actually, Elizabeth told me she wants to stay here in Hope Valley for a while before going back, to enjoy the nice weather. Also, she plans to tutor some of her students who need extra help."
Jack murmured, "Hmmm" again.
Clara continued, "I don't blame her. Hamilton is fun, but it gets really stuffy there in the summer. Of course, Elizabeth will have to go back eventually for her sister Viola's wedding."
Jack nodded while he was eating, encouraging Clara to continue talking.
Clara gladly complied. "Then the big question is whether Elizabeth will stay in Hamilton or come back to Hope Valley. If I were her, I'd . . . "
Abigail interrupted. "Clara, we should not be discussing Elizabeth's personal business. We'll all know soon enough what she decides," Abigail chastised gently.
Clara lowered her eyes and replied, "Sorry, Abigail. I know I shouldn't gossip. To tell the truth, though, everyone in Hope Valley gossips. I guess it's a small town thing. Every person I passed on the street today or served at the café tonight was either talking about Elizabeth or Charles or the darts game . . . whoops, sorry to mention that," Clara looked fearfully at Jack.
Jack shook his head and assured Clara, "No need to be sorry. It's natural for people to want to talk about these things."
Abigail chuckled and said, "You probably solve half your investigations based on people wanting to gossip and get things off their chest." Jack grinned at Abigail and retorted, "How did you know? You'd make a good Mountie, Abigail!"
Abigail smiled and agreed, "Who knows, maybe there'll be women Mounties one day." Clara's eyes went big, and Jack tried to contain a smile. "Abigail, I didn't realize you were a revolutionary!" Jack quipped.
Abigail stood up straighter and put her hands on her hips. "Sometimes things need to be revolutionized, to make any progress," Abigail countered. "Actually, I learned that from Elizabeth - that women should be free to pursue their dreams if they're capable. Elizabeth isn't shy about speaking up for herself – we can all take a lesson from her."
Clara gazed at Abigail admiringly. "Yes, I need to work on speaking up for myself," Clara noted quietly. Abigail rushed over and hugged Clara. "You're doing great, dear. You have reservoirs of strength in you that the rest of us can only dream of." Clara smiled at the compliment, tears in her eyes.
Jack stood to leave. "Thank you, Abigail, for the pie. And thank you both for a very interesting evening." Clara looked up at Jack with her big, brown eyes and asked innocently, "Do you agree, Constable? About women being able to do anything they want to?"
Jack opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it, and then inadvertently glanced over to the stairwell leading to the second level. "Well, I have to think about that. Women Mounties, huh . . . that would be interesting." Jack smiled, tipped his hat, and managed to take his leave without actually answering the question.
The next day on their way to church, Elizabeth, Abigail and Clara were happy to see that Pastor Frank had some of the townsmen set out chairs and benches on the front lawn to hold services outside, since the weather was so nice. Elizabeth took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh, mountain air. "I love it here," Elizabeth sighed, not realizing she had actually spoken out loud her inner thoughts. Clara agreed, "Me too!" Abigail clasped arms with both Elizabeth and Clara as they were walking and replied happily, "I'm so glad."
After services, Elizabeth stood up to leave, and saw Jack approaching her from where he had been standing in the back, dressed in his formal red Mountie outfit. Elizabeth stiffened, not knowing what to expect. Jack strode up to Elizabeth, and took off his hat. "Elizabeth, I want to apologize to you." Elizabeth looked at Jack questioningly and asked, "For what?" Jack explained, "I didn't realize about the darts . . . I'm so sorry about that . . ."
Elizabeth scoffed. "YOU have nothing to be sorry about , you didn't know. " Jack relaxed a little, feeling relieved. "Also, I wanted to apologize about leaving you so abruptly last week when Rosemary came by . . . I'm also sorry about that . . . . " Jack added sincerely.
Elizabeth looked at Jack and commented, "You are certainly doing a lot of apologizing today." Jack unconsciously turned his hat in his hands. "Well, it is Sunday . . . ." Jack grinned.
Elizabeth allowed a small smile to pass her lips. "Well, thank you," Elizabeth replied, making a movement to leave. Jack stood there, continuing to turn his hat in hands. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "Is there something else?"
Jack replied nervously, "It's such a beautiful day, I was wondering whether you might have time to talk a walk with me today by the lake."
Elizabeth stared at Jack uncomprehendingly. Elizabeth started to make a sassy reply about being too busy, but then stopped herself. Elizabeth looked around, trying to decide how to respond. It was then that she saw Clara with a bunch of younger girls, all of whom were looking at Jack, dreamy smiles on their faces; even Rosemary, who was leaning on Lee's arm, couldn't help looking over at Jack admiringly. (Face it, readers – he's a handsome guy!)
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at all the attention Jack didn't even realize he elicited from red-blooded women everywhere. Elizabeth sighed and turned back towards Jack. "I'd be happy to join you today for a walk. I need to go home first and change into more comfortable shoes."
Jack's eyes lit up. "Of course, of course, me too. I'll pick you up in an hour, is that good?" Elizabeth nodded. Jack smiled, pleased with himself.
"Okay then," Jack said, grinning, but made no movement to leave. Elizabeth smiled politely and took a step to the left, which Jack unconsciously mimicked, and then the two of them inadvertently took a step to the right, blocking each other again.
Jack laughed nervously, and finally stood aside to allow Elizabeth to pass. "See you in an hour," Jack reminded Elizabeth. Elizabeth replied over her shoulder, "Yes, I know. I haven't forgotten." Elizabeth walked away, feeling Jack's eyes boring into her back. "I wonder what he's up to now," Elizabeth asked herself, as she joined Abigail and Clara to walk back to town.
An hour later, Elizabeth was waiting in Abigail's parlor when Jack knocked on the door and strode right in, without waiting for a response. Elizabeth stared at Jack and asked, "You feel comfortable enough to walk in here like that?" Jack stopped in his tracks and said, "Yes, I guess I do. That's interesting – I didn't realize that."
Jack looked at Elizabeth admiringly and asked, "Are you ready for our walk?" Elizabeth nodded and put on her wide-brimmed hat to shield her face from the sun. Jack held the door open for Elizabeth, and then followed as Elizabeth walked out into the sunlight.
Unfortunately, the author of this story was not privy to Jack and Elizabeth's entire conversation that afternoon , but suffice it to say that the two of them had a lot to talk about, and found that they enjoyed each other's company immensely as they ambled around the lake several times. This wasn't exactly a surprise to either of them, but it felt good to be easy in each other's company again.
As Jack walked Elizabeth back to the café, he told her, "This was a very pleasant afternoon. Thank you for joining me." Elizabeth replied honestly, "I had a very nice time. Thank you for suggesting it."
Jack smiled and then asked, "So, I hear you're going to be staying in town a few weeks into the summer, even though school will be out."
Elizabeth replied, "Yes, that is my current plan. I wrote to my family last night to let them know. I'm sure they'll be disappointed that I'm not coming home immediately, but . . . " Elizabeth stopped suddenly and turned around to look back at the lake and mountains in the distance. "Look at that," Elizabeth insisted. "Who would want to leave that for the city?!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
Jack looked at Elizabeth and answered emphatically, "I feel exactly the same way." The young couple smiled shyly at each other.
Somehow, someway, Jack and Elizabeth had made a break-through, although neither knew exactly how or why. They didn't want to examine it, they both just wanted to relish the lovely feeling they had experienced walking around the lake together, basking in the sun, and spending a glorious afternoon in each other's company.
Even if Jack couldn't remember anything from his and Elizabeth's past, Jack had succeeded in making a wonderful memory for their present. And perhaps the memory of this wonderful day would give the couple the courage to open up their hearts to each other again; but that, dear reader, will have to wait for a future chapter!