Chapter 4 – Talking About Things
Nathan and Allie walked over to the livery in silence. Nathan quickly got Newton saddled and then helped Allie saddle Hero. It was only then did Allie turn to her father.
"Was that Mrs Thornton's father?" Allie asked.
"Yes it was." Nathan said.
Nathan then saw the look on Allie's face.
"You are not in trouble." Nathan said. "Mr Thatcher wanted the truth and needed to hear the truth. He had been hearing one thing from Mrs Thornton, but that wasn't the truth. He had heard other things from Bill and Mrs Coulter, so he came out here to find out what was really going on. So I am proud of you for telling the truth."
Nathan motioned for Allie to sit on the hay bale and he sat down next to her turning to face her.
"Allie." Nathan said. "I don't ever want you to be afraid to talk to me. If you over hear something and are confused or hurt by it, I want you to come to me. I am sorry that you felt like you couldn't talk to me about things. I also want you to know that you will never get in trouble for telling the truth, even if it is hard to hear."
"Thank you." Allie said. "I am sorry that I didn't come to you. I wasn't sure what I could say after I heard Mrs Thornton yell at you in the jailhouse a few times. I didn't want to make you more sad, but I was also worried about it."
"Again." Nathan said. "I am sorry that you felt like you were caught in the middle of this. It should have never happened. Whatever was or wasn't between Mrs Thornton and I should have stayed that way. It should have never involved you and I am sorry that you got hurt."
"Thank you." Allie said. "Now can we go for a ride?"
"Absolutely." Nathan said.
Nathan got up and then helped Allie up. They walked over to the horses and led them from the livery. Nathan then helped Allie up on Hero and Nathan swiftly mounted Newton.
"Which way?" Nathan asked.
Allie led them toward the south road first. Nathan let her lead, he just wanted to spend time with Allie. He didn't care where they went.
… … … …
After Nathan and Allie left, William looked at Bill and Abigail.
"Is there anything else that I should know?" William asked.
"Yes." Abigail said. "Bill, Lee and I met with Elizabeth a few weeks ago. Lee is the head of the local schoolboard and that was why he was included. We tried to get some answers as to her behavior as of late. We also let her know that unless changes were made and we were satisfied with those changes we would take steps to remove her from the classroom. I followed up everything in writing. I spelled out what we were concerned about and what needed to happen to remain the teacher in Hope Valley.
She didn't answer anything that day. I have since heard that she has told people that she would fight us if we tried to remove her as she believes that she owns the schoolhouse. Jack donated the funds to build the school and church, but he made it clear in the documents that it belongs to the town. She has also been heard blaming Nathan for Jack being gone."
"This is after she told him that it wasn't his fault that Jack died." Bill interrupted.
"Yes." Abigail said. "Somehow she has twisted everything in her head that everything is everyone else's fault because Jack is gone and if Jack would have been here none of this would have happened. She also is trying to insist that she is happy and the only reason that we object to Lucas is that we don't want her to be happy."
"That is the furthest thing from the truth." Bill said. "We all know that Jack's death was a terrible accident, but she isn't the only woman to have lost a husband, but she is acting like her grief is worse than anyone else's. She is constantly giving other people advise and sticking her nose where it doesn't belong, but the moment anyone tries to give her some advice, we get out heads bit off."
"As far as I can tell." Frank said. "Now, I have only been back in town a few weeks, but this is not the Elizabeth I knew when I lived here before. She is rude to people and acts like she is better than everyone and the only thing that matters is what she wants. I tried to talk to her a few days ago when she was in the library, but she told me that what right do I have to say anything. She flat out told me that I wasn't there for her when Jack died and have no idea what it has been like for her.
I have been a pastor for several years at this point. I have counseled many parents who have had sick children. I lost count of the number of children that I have buried or been there when they passed. I have also had my share of interactions with adults. Many of the staff at the hospital would come to me to talk. So I feel that I have a wide range of experiences to draw from, not to mention everything I went through before I became a pastor.
I have never in my life seen someone revert back to such childish behavior after a traumatic event. It is like her mind is stuck and she refuses to listen to anything that doesn't fit the narrative that she had constructed in her head. I know for a fact that Mr Bouchard left a day or so after her meeting with Bill, Lee and Abigail, so I haven't gotten to know the man. I have made several inquiries as to where he was, but the Frenchman who is running the saloon only mutters something in French and then says 'who knows' before walking away."
"So you are telling me that he isn't even around?" William asked.
"No." Bill said. "I think I have tracked him down to either Edmonton or Vancouver. His past is just as much a mystery as his whereabouts. I have contacted law enforcement agencies across Canada in parts of the States. I know that he has spent time in San Francisco and New Orleans and possibly New York, but I can't find out anything about him."
William turned to his assistant.
"Thompson, I want everything anyone knows about Lucas Bouchard." William said. "I want to know everything and I want it as soon as possible. I don't care what it takes, I want to know. Something doesn't sound right about this."
"Yes, Sir." Thompson said.
"Do you have a description of this Lucas Bouchard?" William asked. "It might help if he has been using different names."
"I can do one better." Bill said. "I have several pictures that were taken at community events."
"If you don't mind." William said. "I would also like a physical description from you, pictures can be deceiving."
"I will get on that when we are done here." Bill said.
William nodded. This was not what he thought he would find when he came to Hope Valley. He had hoped that the report had been nothing and it was just a lover's quarrel between two people.
"Bill." William said. "Is there a way that someone can bring Elizabeth here so I can speak to her?"
"I should be able to get her to come." Abigail said. "She doesn't like me right now, but I can request that she come speak to me under the guise of talking about the coming school year."
"That would work." William said. "Then do you think that you and maybe the pastor could stay, just as witnesses?"
"I have no problem with that." Abigail said.
"I am fine with it as well." Frank said. "But maybe if Abigail were to write a note and I take it, it would be easier to get Elizabeth here. If Abigail goes to her, I have a feeling that Elizabeth might try to get her to meet at the house."
"Good point." Abigail said.
"Please do that." William said. "Just don't tell her I am here."
"Of course." Frank said.
Abigail wrote the note and Frank left.
"William." Sam Collins said. "How about I give you some time to deal with this. I will go bother Bill. He can tell me more about Mr Bouchard and I can get the photo and description."
"Thank you, Sam." William said.
Sam and Bill left to head to his office. Bill was hoping to get some more information out of Collins about the changes coming to the RCMP and specifically Hope Valley. Thompson went with them and Bill set him up in jailhouse to make some calls.
… … … …
Nathan and Allie rode for over half an hour. They talked about many things, including more about what happened with Mrs Thornton and about school. Allie talked a lot about Cody. Nathan was worried.
"So do you like Cody?" Nathan asked.
"Not like that." Allie said. "But I think he may like me. He told me he has never met a girl like me. We can talk about most anything. He is very well read and we have read a lot of the same books. We can also talk about fishing and moving around a lot. We just seem to understand each other."
"You know that you are still too young to date." Nathan said.
"I know." Allie said, with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey." Nathan said.
"Sorry." Allie said. "Besides, Cody is sixteen and will be seventeen in March. He wants to join the Mounties. Why do all the cool guys have to be older? Robert is sixteen and will be seventeen soon. Cody is sixteen. Harper is fifteen and will be sixteen the week after my birthday. Gabe is twenty-one and already a Mountie."
"Sorry Allie." Nathan said. 'You are very mature for almost fourteen and I can see why it would be hard for you. Boys don't mature as fast and even then they can still be dumb."
"Thanks." Allie said. "Maybe it will be different when I am a bit older and the age difference won't matter as much."
"True." Nathan said. "But I don't ever want you to settle for a guy, especially one who doesn't value your dreams and desires. You have said you want to go to college and maybe travel."
"I still want to do those things." Allie said.
"Okay." Nathan said. "How about we talk more about this later. I think I have had about enough boy talk for one afternoon."
Allie just rolled her eyes. They rode in silence for a bit after that, which was fine with Nathan. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts. There was something else that he wanted to talk to Allie about.
… … … …
Twenty-five minutes after he left, Pastor Frank returned with Elizabeth although she wasn't happy about it. Laura was watching Little Jack so she had no excuse to put the meeting off no matter how many excuses she tried to throw at Pastor Frank.
Elizabeth stomped up the steps. The three people sitting in the room clearly heard it. You could also feel the tension growing.
"Seriously Abigail." Elizabeth huffed as she stomped into the room. "I have things I need to do, why did this meeting have to be right now!"
"Elizabeth Grace Thatcher Thornton." William snapped standing up. "You were taught better than that."
Elizabeth was immediately shocked that her father was sitting, well standing in Abigail's office. Elizabeth tried to school her features but it was too late. Her father had clearly seen the annoyance on her face and the disdain in her voice. William nodded to Frank, who understood and remained at the door so Elizabeth couldn't bolt like she normally would if someone confronted her.
"Sit down!" William commanded, standing near his daughter.
Elizabeth moved to take a seat as far away from the other occupants of the room and as close to the door as she could.
"Father." Elizabeth said, in a sickly sweet voice. 'What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you, I need to talk to you about getting access to my trust fund."
"Obviously you weren't expecting me.." William said. "But don't think I can't see through the act you just did. I am very disappointed in you right now. After talking to Judge Avery, Mayor Stanton, Pastor Hogan and Corporal Grant, it has been quite the enlightening afternoon. So explain to me why you have been lying to your mother and I? And there will be no access to your trust fund until you have answered some questions to my satisfaction. Beyond that, I will limit any and all access to your trust fund until you can prove to me that you are being a responsible adult."
Elizabeth's blood was boiling at that point. She wondered what lies Nathan had been spreading about her to her father. She couldn't believe they would stoop so low as to involve her father just because she wouldn't bend to their will.
"I am sure I haven't any idea what you are talking about." Elizabeth said, sweetly.
She looked at her father all innocently. She knew she was her father's favorite and was hoping she could do like when she was younger and just get him to forget everything by being sweet and loving.
"Let's start with, is it true or not you are engaged to Lucas Bouchard?" William asked.
Elizabeth's demeanor faltered for a second before she schooled her face again. She had never written to her parents about Lucas, much less that he proposed. She quickly tried to cover her left hand. Elizabeth went to open her mouth to deny the accusation, but was stopped by Abigail.
"Lying is not going to help you right now." Abigail said. "We have all seen the ring on your hand and you have told people that you were engaged. Nathan saw you come home early in the morning after you had snuck off to Benson Hills with Lucas after abandoning Little Jack."
"I didn't abandon my son." Elizabeth retorted, coldly. "He was with Lee and Rosemary."
"And they had no idea where you were or when you were coming back." Abigail replied. "You could have been charged with abandonment, but Nathan and Bill held off out of respect for Jack Sr and not wanting to further upset Little Jack who had cried for hours that night."
"Not to mention." Frank said. "Breaking the rules laid out in your teaching contract again. You are lucky you weren't fired on the spot and only a report was filed giving you time to correct your behavior."
"Good thing a secretary saw the report first." William said. "She sent it to me thinking it must have been a mistake before Mr Landis or someone higher able to see it and revoke your teaching certificate for good."
William pushed a copy of the report toward Elizabeth. She picked it up and glanced over it seeing it had been filed by Nathan, which only further enraged her.
… … … …
Nathan pulled Newton over and Allie followed with Hero. They tied the horses to a low bush so that the horses could graze for a bit. Nathan took a seat on the fallen log along the pond. Allie sat next to her dad, but she wasn't sure what was going to happen. It felt like she was in trouble. Nathan sat there staring at the pond and not speaking.
"Am I in trouble for something?" Allie asked.
"No." Nathan said, shaking his head and looking at his daughter.
Nathan took a deep breath, blew it out and turned back to looking at the water.
"I just wanted to talk to you about something." Nathan said. "But now, I am having trouble finding the words."
"Are we moving again?" Allie asked, sadly.
"No." Nathan said. "Superintendents O'Reilly and Collins have assured me that I can stay in Hope Valley as long as I would like."
"Then what do you want to talk to me about?" Allie asked. "I haven't seen you this nervous in a long time."
Nathan just put his arm around Allie and continued to look at the water for a few more minutes. Allie leaned her head on her dad's shoulder and just waited for him to speak. She was worried that something was wrong and he didn't know how to tell her. Yes, she was almost fourteen, but that didn't mean that she was ready to be on her own if something happened to her dad. Well, she wouldn't be on her own, her Uncle Gabe would take custody of her, but that would mean moving again and she wasn't even sure that her Uncle Gabe wanted her now that he was courting Miss Lillian.
"How would you feel if I wanted to date someone?" Nathan finally asked.
"Really! Who?" Allie asked, jumping up excitedly.
Nathan grabbed Allie's hand and guided her back to the log next to him.
"No one specific right now." Nathan said. "I just wanted to get your thoughts on if I wanted to date someone."
"I want you to be happy Dad." Allie said. "If that means with someone else, I am fine with that."
"Okay." Nathan said. "You know if I do date someone, it would mean less time for us to do things like today. Not that I wouldn't make time to spend with you as well, but I wouldn't be able to spend all my time with you."
"Okay." Allie said. "I understand. Like I said, I just want you to be happy. After everything that happened with Mrs Thornton, I thought you might never try again and I was worried that you would be alone like Uncle Bill all your life."
"Thank you Allie." Nathan said. "But how about you not mention that to Uncle Bill. Also, this stays between us for now. If I find someone that I would like to date, then I will let people know."
"Okay." Allie said.
The pair turned back to look at the water. Nathan was deep in thought and it took every ounce of energy for Allie to sit still. She was so excited for her Dad. She truly did want him to be happy and she understood that dating was part of what he needed to do to find someone to spend his life with.
… … … …