AN: Sorry about the delay with this chapter. The muse has been fickle and wanted to work on anything but this story this week. Yesterday, it decided it wanted a day off too and I did very little writing. However, here is the next chapter a day late!
The normal lunch crowd had found its way into Abigail's Café for the midday meal. At the stove, the cafe's original owner kept busy producing the meals that the patrons kept coming back from. Abigail felt like the lunch crowd had picked up in the short time she had been back but perhaps it was just wishful thinking. After all, Bill's cooking was just as good as hers and Clara was a decent cook as well.
Looking up from the trout that was frying in the pan, Abigail looked over at the dinning room. Rachel was slowly making her way around the tables with a pitcher of ice tea and the coffee pot, as she filled cups. She was relieved that Rachel was finally taken a leave of absence though she would miss the woman's presence. Working with Rachel these few days had been pleasant but Abigail could see the weariness in her expression and movements. She needed to be home resting not on her feet serving customers.
Clara had promised to spend more time at the café while Rachel was out if needed. Abigail had been planning on hiring someone temporarily so she would not have to take Clara from the dress shop too much. However, that was not going to be necessary as Becky had asked to help out. Her daughter was home for summer vacation. Abigail was happy to have her home and even happier that she wanted to spend some time helping out in the café. For today though, Becky had gone out with Cody, Ally, Bridget, Opal and Robert following the younger children's book club to enjoy the day. Autumn had stopped by to ask if she could spend the afternoon with Ivy as Laura was keeping an eye on the young girl during the day for the summers, as the only time Laura was watching Jack over the summer was during the book club. Laura had been with the two girls and assured Rachel that keeping an eye on Autumn would be no problem and the plan was for the three of them to have a tea party.
Plating the fish, Abigail moved the pan off the heat and picked up the two plates. She would save Rachel a little walking and deliver the plates herself before starting the next order. Moving to the table closest the door, Abigail placed the plates in front of a couple who was passing through Hope Valley on their way to settle with family members further west. Kevin was doing some more permanent repairs on their wagon, the husband having done some patch jobs on the road. After checking into a room at the Queen of Hearts, the couple had come to the café for lunch.
The wife gave a sigh of contentment as Abigail placed one of the plates in front of her. "That smells wonderful," she said. "Not a hint of campfire smoke."
Abigail gave a light laugh. "It's been a long trip, I take it?" she asked as she placed the second plate in front of the husband.
"It has been," she admitted. "But after my parents passed, I could not find a good reason not to let Jordan join his brother out on Vancouver Island."
"I have had my fill of trying to farm," Jordan chimed in. "Thought I might take a stab at fishing for a living. My brother has a good business going and could use the help."
"I wish you luck and offer my prayers for safe travels," Abigail told them. "Enjoy your meal."
"I will," the woman replied as Abigail turned from the table.
"Are you okay?"
Henry's question drew Abigail's attention. Following the sound of Henry's voice, her gaze found Rachel standing by Henry's usual table. The waitress had one hand flat on the table, one on her abdomen and her head bowed. Henry had gotten to his feet and was moving an unused chair behind the woman.
Concerned, Abigail headed in that direction as Rachel sat down in the chair Henry had placed behind her.
"I am fine," Rachel was saying, as Abigail approached.
Though he did not look convinced, Henry did not try to contradict the woman.
"What happened?" Abigail asked, placing a hand on Rachel's shoulder as she pulled another empty chair over to sit next to the woman.
As both women were now seated, Henry reclaimed his own chair. He remained quiet though, giving Rachel the opportunity to respond herself.
"I experienced some muscle cramps. They surprised me, but they have passed already."
"Did they feel like contractions?" Abigail asked. Given that Rachel already had a child, she would know what contractions felt like.
Rachel shook her head. "Not that strong," she said quietly, her eyes darting to Henry.
"I am not hearing a thing," the older man said quietly, paying attention to the food still on his plate.
Abigail smiled. When it came to business, Henry had done some questionable things but through it all, he had shown that he did care about people.
"Perhaps I should still call for Faith or Carson," Abigail said softly, her focus back on Rachel.
"I would feel silly bothering them about nothing," Rachel said. "I'm already feeling better."
"Well, I at least want you to take a short break, and drink some water," Abigail said, not wanting to draw even more attention to the woman. "Come have a seat back in the parlor area."
"But the customers-"
"Are just going to have to be patient about slower service or they can go have lunch at the Queen of Hearts," Abigail said. "Your health is more important than prompt service."
Rachel sighed but nodded. As she got to her feet, Henry did as well.
"Let me help you to the settee," Henry offered.
Rachel nodded and slipped her arm through Henry's offered arm. Knowing that Henry would make sure Rachel got settled, Abigail made a quick round of the tables to check for immediate needs. Finding none, she went back to the stove to work on the last order that was currently in. She passed Henry on the way back, and stepping up to the stove, Abigail was satisfied to see Rachel sitting on the settee sipping a glass of water that Henry had gotten her.
Rachel watched as her boss expertly handled the customers in the café. Service might be a bit slower, but Abigail's personality seemed to make the customers forget about it. Rachel knew she could learn a lot from the woman, though that looked like it would have to wait.
Although the cramp had subsided without any lingering affects like Rachel had told Abigail, she wasn't feeling as nonchalant about the experience as she had tried to put off. She had felt nothing comparable to what she had felt in her first pregnancy. What if there was something wrong?
Though part of her did want to seek out Faith or Carson for reassurance, Rachel also wanted to fulfill her commitment of this last shift. Perhaps if Henry was not in a hurry, she would see one of the doctors before the man drove her home. As for right now, she intended to take the fifteen minute break Abigail had insisted on and return to work.
Ten minutes into that fifteen minute break, the nearby door opened. Glancing in that direction, Rachel saw Nathan Grant step through it.
"Don't be alarmed, because everything is fine," Nathan told her, meeting her gaze. Rachel wondered if he had read concern in her expression for the usually affable man to open with those words. The fact that a greeting was absent was unusual. "However, Constable Randall is on the phone and would like to say hello if Abigail can spare you for a few moments."
Rachel looked to her boss who was taking a batch of brownies out of the oven.
"Go ahead," Abigail said, not bothering pretending she had not heard the exchange. "Just don't rush anything. I have things under control."
"Thank you," Rachel replied, feeling relieved. As she did not have a phone in the cabin, times were limited during which Constable Tyler could reach her and she did want to talk to him. She had come to enjoy his presence in Hope Valley and wished there was a way it could be more permanent.
Rachel placed her half empty glass of water on the coffee table, and slowly levered herself up. She would be thankful when the baby came and her swollen stomach did not make the simplest of movements awkward. Nathan offered her his arm, and Rachel slipped her arm gratefully through the Mountie's arm. The red serge still had a way of bringing her comfort in a way in hadn't before the assault, no matter who wore it. The smallest part of her mind though acknowledged that she wished it was Constable Tyler at her side. His friendship had been her rock since her assault. She already didn't know how to repay him.
A part of her also worried that he might be developing feelings for her that she knew she couldn't return at this time. The hurt of losing Gilbert was still too fresh most days. She had no desire to think of a relationship beyond friendship. Rachel was not sure when that might change. Sometimes she thought things might be changing. She would go a day or two without the grief hanging over her and then something would bring back Gilbert's memory and the grief felt strong again.
Rachel rubbed a hand over her swollen stomach. If this baby was a boy and looked like Gilbert, would she ever be able to move past the grief?
Having no desire to hurt Tyler, the thought had crossed Rachel's mind that it might be best just to let the Mountie go altogether. Yes, he would miss her and Autumn but wouldn't it be easier now than later. As quickly as that thought came, Rachel pushed it aside. She wanted Tyler's friendship in her life. Autumn had developed a strong bond with him as well.
No, she would simply have to try to be certain that Tyler knew she thought of him only as a friend for now. Maybe someday . . .
Rachel let the thought go. Someday seemed an awful long way away. She and Nathan reached the Mounted Police Office, and Nathan escorted her inside. The ear piece of the phone lay on the desk.
"Tyler is waiting for you to pick up," Nathan told her pulling the desk chair out for her. Rachel took the chair gratefully as the Mountie continued. "I am going to take a walk around town and make sure everything is how it should be. I will be back shortly."
"Thank you," Rachel replied, knowing the main reason the Mountie was walking around town was to give her some privacy. She was grateful for his thoughtfulness. Picking up the earpiece, she held it in her right hand as she spoke into the mouthpiece of the phone. "Hello."
"Hello, Rachel," Tyler said, his rich baritone soothing to Rachel's frazzled emotions. "I was hoping that the café would not be too busy to keep you from coming to the telephone."
Rachel smiled. "It is just the usual crowd. Abigail has jumped back into running her café without missing a step. I am glad you called today though. If you had waited until tomorrow, you would have missed me. I have been convinced that it is time for me to stop working until after the baby comes."
Rachel was sure she heard a sigh of relief from Tyler. However, his words did not reflect that emotion if he did feel it.
"How do you feel about that?" Tyler asked.
Rachel thought for a moment. "I have been tired lately, so physically not working will be a relief but I am still worried. The people of Hope Valley have already been so kind. I do not want to take advantage of their generosity and yet, without a source of income, keeping my kids fed, clothed and a roof over their head is going to soon rely on just that. I've been able to save up a little money but I know I will go through it quickly."
"I know you, Rachel. As soon as that baby has arrived safely and you are back on your feet, you will be finding ways to return the Christian charity you have received."
Christian charity? That was what Zeke had called it. Then again, Zeke was a pastor. She expected him to say things like that. The fact that Tyler had used it as well made her wonder if Hope Valley's pastor had not only been following God's calling when she came to see her last night.
Rachel did not question it though. Tyler had been looking out for her since Gilbert's death. While at first it was done out of a sense of duty for his friend, Rachel knew she was more than just Gilbert's widow to Tyler now. She would not put him on the spot for his thoughtfulness.
"That would be the proper thing to do," Rachel replied instead.
"It would," Tyler agreed.
"So, how are things in Rock Creek?" Rachel asked, wanting to hear a little about Tyler before the phone call had to come to an end. She was also hoping that by asking about him, she might avoid a situation where she would either have to tell him about the episode she just experienced or find a way to avoid an inquiry.
As Rachel listened to Tyler talk about his time in Rock Creek, she resolved again to stop in the infirmary for a quick check up. Carson had been good about calming her fears throughout this whole process. She had a feeling she would sleep better tonight if she had their assurance that the baby was fine.
Later that afternoon, Nathan walked home with Ally at his side. After saying good-bye to her friends, Ally had stopped by the jail looking for him. As he was about to call it a day, the two of them were soon walking home together. Nathan had let Ally chatter as they headed out of town, Newton's reigns in one hand and his other arm across Ally's shoulders. She told him about book club and the time she had spent with her friends.
"Sounds like you had a full day," Nathan commented when Ally stopped talking.
"I think tomorrow I will walk home with Mama and just spend a quiet afternoon at home," Ally commented.
"Sometimes, quiet afternoons are what we need to recharge."
Father and daughter walked along in silence for a little bit before Nathan broke the silence. "Ally, I talked to Dylan this morning," he told her.
"Is he mad that I do not want to see him right away?" Ally asked looking down at her feet as they continued walking.
"No," Nathan reassured her, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "He understands, though I think he is hopeful that you might change your mind."
Nathan watched his daughter as he gave her the news. Ally nodded. The fact that she did not deny that possibility told him that she was confused about the subject.
"Take your time and sort through your feelings, Ally. You can talk to me or your Mama about anything," Nathan assured her. "However, you should know that Dylan is going to be staying in Hope Valley for a bit, while you sort through things. I helped get him a job helping with the Coulter's home. I don't want you to feel pressured that it means you need to talk to him, but this will allow him to stay near by while you think over his choice. I have told Dylan that he is not to approach you until you have made a decision, and if he does, I want you to tell me and I will handle it."
"What if I decided I wanted to talk to him? Do I need to go through you?" Ally asked, looking up from her feet at Nathan.
"If you would like, you certainly can make arrangements to do so through me. I will be right at your side if that is what you want, My Little Rose. However, with him working right up near our house, if your curiosity suddenly gets the best of you and you want to go over and talk to him, that is your choice. I have told him if you approach him it is all right. However, should you go over there remember it is a construction sight. Do not approach him while he is working and listen to any instructions anyone gives you."
"Yes sir," Ally nodded.
The girl wrapped her arm around Nathan's waist and leaned toward him as they continued to walk.
"I like that you're my Dad," Ally said.
Nathan smiled as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I like that you are my daughter," he countered.
Father and daughter walked the rest of the way home in that position. The silence that fell over them was comfortable as both listened to their thoughts and the sounds of nature around them.