CHAPTER 20

Bill has always been in love with Abigail, when he arrived in town at the request of Jack Thorton and entered that cafe, when their eyes met he fell in love like he had never happened in his life. He knew she'd only been a widow for six months, but he felt her shudder under his gaze, which made his blood boil with love for her. It was on that day that Bill noticed that he had never loved in his life, he was still married to Nora, almost ten years ago she left home after the death of her son, Bill had married her, at the request of her parents after she became a mother single and being abandoned when the boy discovered the pregnancy, until today Bill did not find out who the boy's father was, but in the end Bill loved that child as if it were his own. Until then Bill was very young, he grew up and studied with Nora, because their families were very friendly, he ended up confusing love with friendship and affection, yes, he agreed that it was love for the child and until today he suffered for her death, for that reason It was because of Nora's aimless departure that until today he had not divorced her, but when his plans were at the beginning with Abigail, after the first meetings where the passion and love between him and her were growing and taking shape. Nora showed up and created quite a fuss, making Abigail still know and telling only half the story, or rather only the part that interested Nora, but making it clear that Bill was her husband by law. Abigail at the time felt everything from humiliation, shame and even the feeling of being cheated and used for being a widow. It was all these years for them to have a true friendship and no lie again. Today, Bill has been divorced for a long time from Nora, but until today, the only woman he wanted in his life, the only one he loved was right there in front of him, eye to eye, where he now saw a flame, that if God allow it would be love. She looked at him with so much affection, a facial expression with a slight blush on her cheeks that made Bill take action quickly and without thinking about anything else, he held his hands on either side of her face, and lowering it he placed a small kiss on your lips. A simple brush of lips, but it made his body tremble with anticipation of feeling that woman in his arms. Bill didn't know what her reaction would be, lifting his head, he looked straight into her eyes to see what her reaction was and to his greatest surprise, she held his shoulders and standing on tiptoe, gave Bill a longer kiss, where her lips moved on his. After seconds of surprise, Bill found himself pulling that woman around the waist and wrapping his arms around her, placing their lips and a passionate kiss that led to another even more passionate one, Bill spoke in her ear between one kiss and another:

- Marry me? I love you so much...

She stood on tiptoe, coming close to his ear, ran her tongue over his earlobe and said:

- Yes I do!

- So, woman, come with me now and let's get married, because I can't be without you, not one more minute in this life.

And to Bill's surprise, he saw Abigail's bright eyes and a radiant smile, asking him to give her a minute and running towards the room on the second floor of that cafe. A few minutes later, when Bill looked up, he was amazed at Abgail's beauty in a beige dress with light lace, high-heeled boots and hair around her face, and grabbing her coat, she said she was ready. Bill took her to the stable, where, loading the horses into a wagon, they proceeded together to the neighboring town, where they were married, before the judge of that town. It was just the two of them, the judge and his secretary who served as witnesses. Both Bill and Abigail couldn't stop smiling, their eyes conveying love and affection that had been kept between them for a long time. From there they went to the city hotel, where they would spend their first married night, consummating their love. Bill never imagined having someone in his arms, with all the delivery as Abigail did to him, it was the most remarkable act he ever had with a woman, knowing that little woman had the power with her hands and her lips to make him moan of pleasure and melting over her was the most pleasurable thing he could ever want.

Now after the night, where neither of them could sleep, because they loved each other all night, in a fire that should be reserved for the youngest lovers, but that they couldn't stop wanting each other, he now watched that small body all over curled up to his body, she with her eyes closed in a light and peaceful sleep, with a small smile on her face of satisfaction, leaving Bill's heart a thousand hours with so much love for her. When looking at her small hands, he couldn't resist and kissed his ring, Bill used the rings of his deceased parents, which he won from his mother since he was young, to give only to the woman he loved. Bill never managed or thought of giving this ring to Nora, deep down he knew that his beloved would still arrive.

After breakfast, they returned to Hope Valle, to arrange for Bill to be moved to the cafe, where they would live, and to share the good news with everyone.

Meanwhile, in Hope Vale, Elizabeth and several other people find it strange that the cafe is closed and without any notice in the morning and lunch, which was very strange because the cafe was always open, another strange fact was Bill's disappearance from the same time, of Abigail.

Elizabeth sat and stood there at the door waiting for news from Abigail, when she saw the wagon pull up and Bill helping her down with an excess of affection and care. A smile broke out on Elizabeth's face and a slight thought passed, but she pretended not to see it.

Entering the cafe, the couple called Elizabeth and Bill said:

"You know you're like our daughter, for you and that little one there, both Abigail and I would move heaven and earth. Today we want to share something with you, before others know...

- You love each other... I knew it. Elizabeth laughed and squealed in delight.

- Well, that too. Abigail said. And raising his hand, he showed his wedding ring, showing her that they were married.

Elizabeth was smiling from ear to ear, she looked like a child receiving a Christmas present, she ran and hugged each one of them, saying that she was so happy for them, and that now, yes, her little Jack Junior Thorton would have a grandmother and a grandfather.

Both Bill and Abigail never imagined that Elizabeth loved them so deeply and in that moment they saw in her eyes that they were her parents and that she loved them that way too. After several hugs, Elizabeth asked to break the news to the city and they, seeing her girlish excitement, of course allowed it. A pregnant woman, bouncing and smiling, came out of the cafe, she soon saw Philip and said softly that she had something to tell him and very quietly close to his ear she told him the news. He, in turn, widened his eyes in surprise and said that he was very happy for the couple, but, in reality, he was happy to see Elizabeth so happy. She smiled and started singing, she looked like she was going to fly with so much happiness, she stopped at the store, called Florence, Molly and Rose and told them in rich detail, flowering the story like a love or fairy tale, Ned watched from the counter and saw that Elizabeth was using her teaching gifts there, the three women were so focused on the story that they didn't even blink, tears came to their eyes experiencing the love of that prince and that princess, oops… I mean… Bill and Abigail, corrected Elizabeth . In she knew that a good story told could spark everyone's imagination, moreover, these three women would spread throughout the city and their marriage would become a legend in Hope Valley for generations and generations.

That same night a surprise party was thrown around town to commemorate that wedding. Philip marveled, to hear it from Jessy, who heard it from Clara, who heard it from Fiona, who heard it from Laura at the Mercantile, who heard it from Florence, who heard it from Elizabeth, that the love of Bill and Abigail was written in the stars. He laughed at the power of this teacher, no one questioned the speed, or the flight to the wedding or anything, she in her way made the best and most beautiful fairy tales flourish, in addition to using a fast information network in the city. The mountie would use her as a strategist and these city women as a homing pigeon and laugh heartily. He was learning to love that city and its people.