CHAPTER 3
It had been eighty days since Jack had been buried, the coffin could not be opened that day, which made Elizabeth even sadder for not being able to see her beloved for the last time. That day, Abgail, prepared a big bath for Elizabeth, and after much insisting she went to remove her clothes, and Abgail noticed a pale and lifeless woman walking almost without clothes, was that something caught her attention, because even the brand of Elizabeth's birth in the right buttock in the shape of a heart seemed lifeless, Abgail rolling her eyes was asking:
- Elizabeth, are you okay? Are you not experiencing dizziness or headaches?
- Yes, I am, it started shortly after Jack died, then I started to feel worse and worse.
- My God, Elizabeth! How did we not see this. You're pregnant... You've lost a lot of weight, but there's already a little pregnant pot marking your body.
Elizabeth's eyes widened and she started to cry.
- A son of Jack, my God… Abgail, that's a gift.
- A son of Jack...
And sitting on the floor she smoothed her belly, speaking affectionate words to the baby.
From that day on, Elizabeth began to eat, walk and change her life. She was strong, in... She tried to be strong and everyone in town was there supporting her with everything they could.
Burglaries began to appear more and more in various places in Hope Valley, several homes were hit and damaged. Bill managed to catch one or two burglars, but they didn't stop with small robberies in his city. It was well done, with a mastermind who knew what he was doing and where to attack, and they needed to catch them fast before someone got seriously hurt.
Everyone in the city was worried about these bandits on the loose, so care was redoubled and armed security began, always carried out by several husbands and fathers in the city.
Elizabeth returned to teaching, after learning of her pregnancy, she began to have a life, a light, and only thought about moving forward, and to begin with she wanted to see her students doing well and studying, she was now just over three months of pregnancy according to DR Carson who did the tests and very happy warned that both the baby and the mother were well and healthy. There was still such a pain in her eyes, but there was also a new light in that same look.
The children at school, who took care of her with so much love, never left her alone for long. Several pajama parties, several cards, several flowers and especially several hugs and kisses were offered to this beloved teacher.
One night, there was a very serious occurrence in Hope Valle, when a big shootout broke out in front of the bank, unfortunately the bandits fled, after beating the bank security boy who managed to sound the alarm before they took the money, but unfortunately he was badly injured. Bill then decided that until help from the police arrived, because the base of the mountie was sending some men, until then more men from the city would make armed patrols day and night. They needed to protect their city and its people.
Bill gave Abgail a gun, because he knew she was a very good shot, her father and brothers taught her from an early age and her late husband Noah perfected her way of shooting and her aim, and another thing was that he also gave Elizabeth a gun ... Well this one was more difficult to convince, but with two afternoons teaching and training she already shot very well, Bill remembered Jack telling under riding lessons and that she was dedicated to everything she did and learned in an ease never seen. Even cooking, after learning about the baby, Elizabeth was doing, and according to Abgail she was learning so fast and getting good in the kitchen.
As the days passed, the cold front was approaching, Elizabeth started to go to school an hour earlier, because that way she had time to light the fire, she liked to leave the environment always warm and clean for when the boys arrived, that way everything would be perfect and warm for them to study better.
- It's my house and my children's... she always said under the school
Jack built the school/church for the town, but everyone knew he did it out of love for Elizabeth. That man was hammering the nails with such intensity and passion in his eyes that he looked like Noah building the ark, she remembered Bill telling her and smiled. Elizabeth knew that three policemen had come to Hope Valle to help Bill with the theft issue, since several gangs let loose by a rogue judge and other runaway gangs who were also on the loose, several towns were in trouble and fear. That's why Elizabeth decided she wouldn't go to town, as long as those red coats were around, she wouldn't even come close... No more embarrassment... she always told her friends, after remembering about months ago.
Abgail saw one of the mountie enter the jail and seeing that none of them entered the cafe, she decided to go there to be hospitable and thank him. After all, as interim mayor, it was part of her routine to welcome everyone.
- Hello, good morning, said Abgail, already entering the police station.
From the coast the man replied:
- Good morning ma'am, what can I do for you?
Abgail was quick to say that she just wanted to welcome her to our town and let her know that all Mountie's were very welcome to have breakfast and meals in her cafe, and that it was on the house. Sorry, I'm the owner of the cafe and the mayor of Hope Valley, Abgail Stanton.
Then the boy turned around and when he was about to say something, he saw Abgail widening her eyes in astonishment and began to speak quickly:
- It's not possible... it's you Jack Thorton, and tears started running down his face.
The poor policeman was all embarrassed and explained: lady, let's sit down, I'm not that Jack Thorton, I never heard of him until I got here, I'm Policeman Philip, I'm from the North, my family is from there too. Abgail apologized all awkwardly. Looking back, he didn't look like Jack, let alone that huge beard covering his face, aside from the crass way he spoke and his snobby way in the red coat as if he was the best and only mountie. How could I think of Jack looking at this man, but those eyes..." God, Elizabeth is going to go crazy, she's going to go crazy at the sight of that mountie, thought Abgail.
