Chapter 3 – The Hard Truth
Once everyone was seated, William nodded to Collins.
"Gentlemen." Collins said. "William, here has approached me with an interesting proposal and I wanted your input since it would directly affect you."
"We are listening." Bill said.
"As you may or may not know." William said. "I have a contract with Lee Coulter for lumber for my shipping crates. I have had that for years. We all know that shipping is not going to go away, just how it looks. As cars and trucks become more common, it is going to be easier to ship things to areas that don't have a sea port or train depot."
Bill and Nathan both nodded.
"I believe that there will be more automobiles and trucks." William continued. "With it, there will be a bigger need for filling stations and hotels as people travel and ship things over land more. I also think it will change the way you police an area. The large cities and towns already use automobiles. It falls to the cities to buy the police automobiles and many of the smaller towns can't afford them. I have decided that if the Royal Northwest Mounted Police Force wants I would purchase a police automobile for a select number of towns where I do business."
"You mean Hope Valley would have a police automobile?" Nathan asked incredulously.
"Yes." Collins said.
"Sir." Nathan said. "There are currently only three people who own an automobile in Hope Valley. I mean besides Lee's work trucks."
"And we see that increasing." Collins said. "We want law enforcement to be ahead of the game. You would still have your horse as the roads here don't all accommodate the automobile. But it would be easier to transport people back and forth. Go to Buxton or Benson Hills to help or get help."
Nathan sat there with his head in his hands thinking for a moment. It was then that Abigail and Frank came in with a basket of refreshments. They started to set them out.
"Grant." Collins said. "Think about what we said. Get back to me on how you think it would work. I want your thoughts on this. Not only would this affect you, but it would affect the growth of Hope Valley."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
Everyone took a moment to grab a scone or cookie and some coffee. They took a few minutes to enjoy their treats and complement Abigail on them. Abigail made a mental note to ask Bill what Collins was talking about. As mayor she felt that it was her right to know about things that could affect the growth of the town. Collins then looked around the table.
"William wanted this meeting with all of you." Collins said. "So I will let him explain. William, the floor is yours."
"Thank you, Sam." William said. "Bill, I got your messages. But when I asked Beth about things she said you were blowing everything out of proportion. Then I get this."
William snapped his fingers and reached back to his assistant.
"A report filed this past June about an unchaperoned, overnight trip out of town." William said, holding a copy of Nathan's report. "It blatantly accuses my daughter of abandoning her child to sneak out of town with a man and to not return until the next morning. The report cites where they stayed and the hotel personnel that he spoke to confirming that she was there. He also described her clothing and demeanor upon returning early the next morning. A subsequent report said that she didn't inquire about her child all day while he was in the care of others. Apparently Constable Grant didn't even have the decency to redact the name of the woman. I want an explanation for this and an apology."
Everyone was just looking between William and Nathan. This is not how most of the people in the room thought this conversation would go. William was angry because he didn't feel that this is the way that a man who loves a woman would act. He wondered if they hadn't had some kind of lover's quarrel and this was his way of trying to ruin her.
"Sir." Nathan said. "With all due respect. Just because your daughter comes from a wealthy family doesn't make her above the law. I don't care what size your bank account is, you break the law and I will do my job."
William huffed twice.
"Abigail." Nathan said. "Do you have a copy of the rules that Mrs Thornton is required to uphold as a teacher?"
"Yes." Abigail said. "Give me a moment."
Abigail got up and opened a filing cabinet and after looking for a bit, pulled a file and handed it to Nathan.
"We were allowed to modify the rules to accommodate our more rural area." Abigail said. "In that file is Elizabeth's original contract from 1910 and the latest one signed with Hope Valley in 1915. I know that it says teachers are not permitted to marry, but we made an exception. Given the founding/origins of the school it was within my right to do that. However there were other rules placed upon Mrs Thornton at that time. The rules are attached to the back of the contract and were initiated by Elizabeth."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "Let's see the rules and then we can discuss how often they were broken, especially of late."
Nathan found the rules, pulled that sheet out, closing the folder and handed it back to Abigail.
"Rule one." Nathan read. "You may not marry without permission. Rule two: You may not keep company with men. Rule three: You must be home between the hours of eight pm and six am unless attending a school or church function. Rule four: You may not travel out of town without permission from the head of the school board. Rule five: You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with a man unchaperoned unless the man is your father or brother. Rule six: Clothing must be modest and appropriate for the weather. Including no skirts shorter than two inches above the ankle. Rule seven: Makeup is to be kept to a minimum and no bright colors. Rule eight: All children must be treated equally and fairly whenever possible. All children must be given the same opportunities despite their background. Rule nine: No days off unless weather conditions warrant without approval nor allowing others to take over the classroom with school board approval. Rule ten: The schoolhouse must be kept neat and tidy. The teacher is responsible for cleaning it and notifying the board when repairs are needed."
"As far as I see it." Bill said. "Many of those rules have been broken. William, honestly I don't care what Elizabeth is telling you. We are telling you she is lying to you. Many people in town have witnessed Elizabeth at the saloon after eight pm. She has gone on numerous dates unchaperoned with Lucas Bouchard. Some of the dresses and makeup she has worn on said dates could be better described as saloon girl attire. She had gone out of town overnight with Lucas at least twice.
That is not even getting into leaving Little Jack in the care of others while on said dates. She leaves him with his nanny, Laura or with the Coulters and doesn't tell them when she will be back. She expects everyone to drop whatever they are doing and accommodate her. If I recall correctly, she even went on a date while Little Jack was sick. He was upstairs crying for his Mama and she was dressed in a saloon girl dress entertaining her beau in the backyard."
"From what Rosemary tells me." Abigail said. "Elizabeth doesn't even pay Laura extra when plans change at the last minute or even take into consideration how Laura would get home after dark. I know for a fact that Lee and/or Henry have driven her many times. Elizabeth also has no problem dropping Little Jack with Lee and Rosemary with no consideration for their plans or anything. Don't get me wrong. We all love Little Jack, but he needs a mother who cares for him."
William sat there stunned as Bill, Abigail and Pastor Frank laid out time and time again what Elizabeth had done.
"I have two questions." William said. "One who is Lucas Bouchard and why is she with him? She has led her mother and I to believe that she was courting the Constable over there."
Nathan looked up with a shocked and horrified look on his face.
"Absolutely not." Nathan said, adamantly. "Yes, there was a time I had hoped to have a relationship with Elizabeth, but she only strung me along until she said I was basically nothing more than the serge and all she saw in me was her dead husband.
Even worse, she led a young girl, one of her students' to believe that she wanted to be that girl's mother. Routinely overstepping teacher/student bounds with the child. Questioning the child about my whereabouts and my thoughts, feelings and actions."
"To make matters worse." Bill said. "She did this while flirting with Bouchard and encouraging his attention. Essentially turning it into a game."
"You asked who Lucas Bouchard was." Abigail said. "Well he is currently part owner of the local oil company. Sole owner of the saloon and hotel. Admitted gambler and all around shady character."
"And as of a month ago when that report was filed." Nathan said. "Elizabeth's fiancé. I didn't file the report to be mean or vindictive. I filed it as an officer of the law and a parent who is concerned with the example that Elizabeth Thornton is setting for the children of this community, her own included."
William was speechless. He couldn't believe that his Beth would lie to him, but according to Collins, Constable Grant was as honest as they came. The group was interrupted by a knock on the door. Abigail got up and answered it. She smiled when she saw it was Allie.
"Sorry, Mayor Stanton." Allie said. "Dad told me to come over here when I was done at the switchboard."
"Of course." Abigail said. "Please come in a moment."
Abigail stepped back and Allie stepped in. Nathan went to greet her and received a hug in response.
"Allie." Nathan said. "You remember Chief Superintendent Collins."
"Sir." Allie said.
"I would like to introduce you to Mr Thatcher." Nathan said.
"Nice to meet you, Sir." Allie said, holding out her hand.
William rose to shake her hand. Allie smiled at Bill and then looked at her dad.
"We will go riding in a little bit." Nathan said. "Can you take a seat by Uncle Bill for a moment?"
Allie looked up at her father again and he nodded. Allie moved over toward Bill, but gave him a hug before sitting down. William was touched at the display that Allie showed her father and Bill.
"Allie." Bill said. "I know that you don't like to talk about it, but can you please answer a few questions for Mr Thatcher. Just be honest, no one is going to get mad at you. Mr Thatcher is just looking for some information."
"Okay." Allie said.
She looked apprehensive, but she trusted her Uncle Bill.
"Allie." William said. "Can I call you Allie?"
Allie nodded.
"Thank you." William said. "You remind me of my middle daughter when she was your age. I wanted to ask you if you liked it here in Hope Valley and if so, why?"
Allie again looked between Bill and Nathan, who both nodded for her to answer.
"I like it here." Allie said. "Honestly, I used to love it more. That was before Mrs Thornton hurt Dad and I. We stayed because this is the first place that I have ever really felt at home since I first went to live with Uncle Nathan. I have real friends for the first time and we live in a nice house where I have my own room. School is good. It used to be better when Mrs Thornton actually loved me and not just tried to use me to get close to Dad."
"Sorry you had to experience that." William said. "Can you tell me a little more about why you think Mrs Thornton doesn't love you and was using you?"
"When I first came here." Allie said. "She was different. It is hard to explain. Her eyes were kinder. When she talked to me or the other children, she would really listen. She helped us solve problems.
Let me back up. Because Dad and I had been moved around so much, it was hard for me to make friends. When, in fact, I found it easier to not make friends because it was easier than saying goodbye when we would leave again soon. I ended up going about making friends the wrong way. Instead of just yelling at me and telling Dad that he needed to leave the Mounties to give me a stable home, Mrs Thornton got to the real problem. She figured out that I didn't want to make friends only to leave them again. Even when I broke the rules, she didn't get mad at me. She talked to me to see why I was acting the way I was. Yes, there were punishments, but they were more like lessons.
Then Mrs Thornton changed. It wasn't all at once, but slowly she started to be more mean. She only wanted to talk to me to find out about Dad. She tried to tell me how to do things, but it was like she was trying to be my mother. Then I would see or hear about her yelling at Dad. More than once I heard yelling at Dad in the jailhouse. She would barge in there and just yell at him for some reason. She never let him speak. She demanded this or that, but never let him answer."
Nathan gasped when he heard Allie speak. Allie looked down and twisted her fingers.
"Sorry Dad." Allie said. "I didn't tell you because I saw that you were having a hard enough time. I tried to make things better, but they only got worse. I am sorry that Mrs Thornton doesn't love you because of me."
Nathan turned his chair and pulled Allie into his arms.
"It is okay." Nathan said. "Mrs Thornton not loving me has nothing to do with you. I was trying to protect you, but I should have known that you were too smart. You always know what is going on. I am sorry that you got hurt again."
"Allie." Bill said. "What Mrs Thornton did has nothing to do with you. It actually has very little to even do with your dad. She was hurt and so she lashed out at others."
"Thank you." Allie said, wiping away a tear.
"Do you still want to go for a horseback ride?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, please." Allie said.
"Allie." Bill said. "Why don't you take Hero. He hasn't been ridden in a few days and I know that you will be careful with him. I have a feeling that I am going to be busy for a while."
"Really." Allie said, her face lighting up.
"Yes." Bill said. "Your dad might need to help you saddle him, but yes, you can ride him."
"Thank you Uncle Bill." Allie said.
She left her dad's arms and gave Bill another hug. Nathan looked to William and Collins.
"Allie." William said. "I am sorry that you were treated that way and made to feel like you did. I hope that you feel better after your ride. I am not sure how long I will be here, but do you think that you and your dad could join me for supper sometime."
Nathan looked at Allie.
"Sure." Allie said. "Just stay away from Uncle Bill's chili."
Bill acted surprised and hurt. Many of the other adults were trying hard to hide their smiles.
"Come on Uncle Bill." Allie said. "You and I both know that your chili needs work."
"I have your back, Allie." Abigail said. "Bill is no longer allowed to make chili in my kitchen."
"Fine, Squirt." Bill said. "Go have fun with your dad."
Nathan again looked for permission and Collins nodded. Nathan stood and gave him a salute before leaving with Allie.
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