Chapter 18: A New Mission

That Saturday, following the last day of school, the town held the dedication ceremony for the gazebo. Henry Gowan, the current Mayor, praised the town for pulling together its resources and labor to create a lovely new landmark for the community. Pastor Frank gave the benediction and spoke about how the gazebo was placed near the school in memory of Emily Montgomery.

Elizabeth read aloud from some of the letters she had her students write about their memories of Emily; the letters were then put in a metal box and buried underneath the gazebo as a tribute to Emily. Finally, Lee Coulter showed everyone the dedication plaque Jack had designed, and then nailed it to the corner post of the gazebo.

Everyone clapped when Kat Montgomery and her sons Gabe and Miles were given the honor of being the first people to step into the gazebo and sit on its benches. People stayed after the ceremony to admire the gazebo, read the plaque, and eat from the potluck meal Abigail and the other townswomen had prepared and laid out on picnic tables.

After the ceremony, Pastor Frank brought over to Elizabeth a man dressed all in black who looked to be in his mid-thirties. "Elizabeth, I'd like to introduce Mr. Samuel Corbett to you," the Pastor said. "Mr. Corbett knows your father." Elizabeth, surprised, turned to Mr. Corbett and said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. How do you know my father?"

Mr. Corbett took off his round, black hat and bowed to Elizabeth. "Miss Thatcher. I've been a Protestant missionary in China these past ten years. I left for China when I was 25 years old. At that time, I was traveling across Canada to raise money for my church. When I came to Hamilton, your father received me very graciously and, along with other prominent businessmen, made a very generous donation for my mission. I have written letters to your father over the years to keep him apprised of my progress in Shanghai."

Elizabeth, astonished, exclaimed, "That's amazing – what wonderful work you must be doing. And are you back from China now?"

Mr. Corbett replied, "Just temporarily - I am again visiting supporters throughout Canada to raise funds to expand my church's activities in Shanghai. I plan to go to Hamilton to see your father next week, as a matter of fact."

Elizabeth shook her head in amazement. "What, may I ask, brings you to Hope Valley?"

Mr. Corbett smiled and said, "Actually, I've come to see you." Elizabeth eyes went wide. Mr. Corbett continued, "Your father had written to me about your becoming a teacher and moving out west. I was impressed to hear about a young woman taking on such a challenging assignment. One of the reasons I'm raising funds is to establish a school at my church, and we're looking for teachers – people of faith who will be fearless in bringing enlightenment to the children of China."

Now, not only were Elizabeth's eyes wide, her mouth was open as well. "Did my father suggest that you contact me?" Elizabeth asked in disbelief. Mr. Corbett assured Elizabeth, "No, he did not. I took that upon myself since I was passing through this way anyway. But your father's praise of you intrigued me, so I thought I would come by and lay my case before you." Mr. Corbett bowed low before Elizabeth to reinforce his words.

Elizabeth, stunned, sputtered, "I . . . I'm so honored that you would think of me, and to be truthful, I have sometimes thought about missionary work, but . . . China . . . my goodness."

Mr. Corbett nodded. "I understand, of course - this must all be coming as a great shock to you. Miss Thatcher, would you be so kind as to join me for dinner tonight so I can tell you more about China and my church and the work we're doing there?"

Elizabeth stared at Mr. Corbett for a moment and then answered, "I would be happy to have dinner with you tonight. I am very interested to hear more about your church and experiences in China."

Samuel bowed again to Elizabeth. "I look forward to our dinner. Now, if you'll excuse me, I wish to speak with Pastor Frank about church services tomorrow. The Pastor has invited me to speak about my mission from the pulpit, and I wish to hear his thoughts before I prepare my remarks."

Elizabeth replied, "Of course – that's very wise. We can talk more this evening at dinner." Mr. Corbett put his hat back on, bowed again, and took his leave.

From across the way, Jack, who was talking to Abigail and Clara, had noticed the man dressed in black bowing to Elizabeth. "Do either of you know who that man is who is talking to Elizabeth?"

Clara replied, "Oh, that's a preacher passing through town. I think he knows Pastor Frank." Abigail added, "Actually, Frank told me that he is a missionary in China. His name is Samuel Corbett. He's back in Canada looking for more funding for his church. Elizabeth's father has been one of his supporters over the years." Jack nodded, but still wondered what the man was doing in Hope Valley.

Later that evening, Jack was in the saloon at the bar, when Lee Coulter walked in with Rosemary, who immediately went over to the piano and started playing. Lee smiled at Rosemary and then came over to Jack. The two men shook hands and Lee ordered a drink.

Lee said, "You won't believe who I saw over at Abigail's just now." Jack raised his eyebrows. Lee continued, "That man – the preacher guy – he's trying to convince Elizabeth to be a missionary teacher in China!"

Jack looked at Lee skeptically. "Her father would never allow her to do that," Jack replied. Lee said, "Actually, her father is a supporter of this preacher's mission. Samuel Corbett is his name. And you know Elizabeth – she's pretty independent. She does what she wants."

Jack stared at Lee. "But, Elizabeth doesn't want to do this, does she?" Lee replied, "Well, Rosemary and I were having dinner at the café right behind Elizabeth and Mr. Corbett, so we kept hearing snatches of their conversation." Lee leaned closer to Jack and said, "I heard Elizabeth say to Mr. Corbett, 'I can't wait to tell Father about my decision.' I have to tell you Jack, she seemed pretty excited."

Jack slammed his drink down on the bar and walked out of the saloon straight over to Abigail's café. Jack strode into the café and looked around. He didn't see Elizabeth or Mr. Corbett in the dining room, so Jack walked back into Abigail's parlor, where he found Elizabeth and Mr. Corbett sitting on the divan, in deep discussion.

Elizabeth looked up, surprised, and exclaimed, "Jack, what are you doing here?" Jack replied in a low growl, "Elizabeth, may I talk to you? It's important."

Elizabeth rose from the divan, looking displeased. "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Corbett. I'll be right back."

Elizabeth took Jack's arm and walked him out the back door, to the side porch. "What's going on?" Elizabeth asked curtly.

Jack stared at Elizabeth and asked, "Are you thinking of going to China to be a missionary?"

Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest. "And if I was, what business would it be of yours?" Elizabeth retorted.

Jack, angrily, said, "Elizabeth, that's crazy – it's dangerous. Why would you do that?"

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and said, "No more dangerous than going to the Yukon."

Jack, exasperated, replied, "That's different!"

Elizabeth asked, "Why is that different? Because you're a man? I'm sorry I'm not going to hide under a rock after you leave here – I want to have some adventures in my life too."

Jack rolled his eyes and explained, "Elizabeth, I'm a Mountie – I've been trained to live in inhospitable conditions. You going to China – I mean, it will take weeks or months to get there by boat, and who knows what kind of conditions you'll have to live in. Have you ever even been on a boat out on the high seas?"

Now it was Elizabeth's turn to roll her eyes. "I've been trained too, as a teacher, and that's what Samuel says they need there, more teachers! And even if I haven't been on a boat, what's so hard about that – there's a first time for everything!"

Jack leaned into Elizabeth. "So it's Samuel, now, is it? Are you literally going to run off with some man you've known for less than a day? What do you even know about him!"

Elizabeth, incensed, replied, "I know that he's a good man, who is willing to sacrifice his own material comfort for the satisfaction of knowing that he is helping others."

Jack stared at Elizabeth, stunned at her response, which also described his mission as a Mountie. Jack pressed on, "Your father will never let you go."

Elizabeth pointed at herself and countered, "It's not up to him, it's up to me!"

Jack huffed and shook his head. "I don't remember you ever saying you were interested in being a missionary!"

Elizabeth retorted, "Jack, you don't remember anything we used to talk about!"

Jack cried out, "I would have remembered that!"

The young couple stood on the side porch, shooting dagger eyes at each other, when they heard Samuel call from inside, "Elizabeth, are you okay? Should I leave?"

Elizabeth answered congenially, "No, no . . . please stay. I'll be right in." Elizabeth turned to Jack and whispered angrily, "This is rude – I need to return to my guest."

Jack tried to speak to Elizabeth more calmly. "Elizabeth, I just . . . never imagined that you would be so far away. I thought, perhaps . . . down the road, I might see you again in Hope Valley . . . or in Hamilton . . . ."

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and replied, "So that's your plan. That maybe a few years from now you'll saunter back to town and I'll just happen to be waiting around to see if you remember me? Great plan!" Elizabeth glared at Jack and stalked off, back into the parlor.

After Elizabeth left, Jack slammed his hand down on the porch rail, looked around wildly, and then ran off the porch, over to the livery. Jack threw his saddle on the back of his horse, and took off in a gallop into the countryside. Since it was summertime, it was still light out, and Jack could run his horse at full speed for a while, until both he and the horse got tired out.

After about twenty minutes, Jack slowed the horse down to a stop on the banks of the lake where he had met Elizabeth and her students earlier that week. Jack hopped off and led his horse down to the lake for a drink. Jack reached his hands into the lake and threw water on his face, trying to cool down.

Jack's horse took his time lapping water from the lake. Jack sat down on the grass by the horse and started mumbling to himself under his breath. When Jack saw the horse looking over at him, he demanded, "What!? She's infuriating, what can I say?!"

Jack stood up and started skimming stones across the lake. After a while he stopped, and thought to himself, "She's right, though. I have no say in the matter. Unless . . . ."

At this point, even Jack's horse appeared to roll his eyes, as if to say, "Jack, don't be a fool – there's an easy fix to your problems. Stop wasting time!"

Jack stood for a while thinking and throwing stones in the water, watching as each stone created ever growing concentric circles of water rippling away from the center.