CHAPTER 35
Jack followed that morning, knowing he would have to take some time to talk to Bill. She had felt, ever since she got home from her honeymoon, that he was hiding something, but she needed advice about Elizabeth. Bill was an experienced man, perhaps his vision could open a path for him.
— Good morning, Bill!
— Good morning, Jack! I see you seem very happy this morning?
— And how, I couldn't be Bill. I'm married to the most beautiful woman in the world, the woman I love. And that was the best thing that could happen to me in my life.
— Because you arrived so early; since you now have a beautiful wife, to keep you warm at home?
Bill laughed at Jack's posture. When he got nervous, he put his hands on the back of his head. During this time together there in Hope Valle, Bill began to learn to read Jack. He was red, like a pepper, like most newly married men... Bill remembered that time, he went through that too. At that time, he thought that his marriage to his childhood friend, daughter-in-law, would really work, that he would be able to forget his love for Charlotte, his partner's widow. But his investigator side said that Jack had something more... there was an hidden reason for all that nervousness.
— Speak up, Jack! What is happening?
Jack stared at Bill, his eyes asking how he knew...
— I've known you Jack Thorton, since I was in diapers, do you think I wouldn't recognize you, when you want to tell me something?
And so, Jack told Bill everything, every word of Elizabeth, about his fear of Charles, and especially about his father...
Bill's eyes were wide...
— Jack... it's not possible that this man is looking at Elizabeth with the kind of look I'm imagining. I can't even think that a father would do such a thing.
— Bill, I thought the same thing too. She is very naive. You had to see, when she told me, she didn't want me to think badly of him, or rather, of either man, she even said...
— Bill, she told me that she didn't know why, but that she felt goosebumps, when the two of them looked at her and they laughed softly, it scared her, and she was afraid of them, Bill. Have you ever seen a daughter being afraid of her own father?
— Jack, I don't like this story. I don't know her family. But I already didn't like William Thatcher, now with this story, it's gotten worse. She is like a daughter to me, and I will not allow her to be touched by any of these monsters.
— Bill, I need help. You are like a father to me, you have always been our friend... And I know you love Elizabeth, like a daughter. I cannot and will not allow them to come near her. She is my wife, my life.
— I know, son. We won't allow it.
Jack took advantage and told Bill about her family fight, he wanted contact with this uncle Wynn and his cousin Frankison, he knew that that family was very important to Elizabeth. Plus, maybe they could help, with some information about her father. Both Jack and Bill now realized that they had a big battle against this Thatcher family and they needed everyone to help.
Bill sent a telegram that same day to his friend, Commander Collins, who was based at a Mountie base in Hamilton, he was a great friend of Tomas, as they worked on many missions together when they were young. They would try to contact Wynn Delane and Frankison, in addition to finding out as much as possible about Charles and Willian, perhaps these two had something to hide, and Bill knew that Collins had his informants and could have valuable information with them. He needed to save Elizabeth from anyone who wanted to harm her, she was his daughter now, and a true father would never allow his children to be in danger...
That same night, Bill called Charlotte to sit on the porch, and there he told her everything that was happening. Charlotte was indignant; "HOW A FATHER COULD DO THAT. HOW DARE HE LOOK AT HIS DAUGHTER THAT WAY." Bill and Jack had no proof yet regarding William Thatcher's bad behavior, but Elizabeth's reports of fear were enough for them.
— Bill; If he lays a finger, or looks at my daughter the wrong way, I'll kill him myself. Charlotte said angrily, already getting up and pacing from side to side.
Bill smiled, he knew that Elizabeth was winning Charlotte over little by little, at no point did he let Charlotte be suspicious of his school escapades. But now he noticed that that teacher had already reached Charlotte's heart.
- Daughter!
— Since when did she become your daughter? Bill questioned.
— Bill... I know you followed me and saw me... I mean, I know you saw that I was with her, at school. I'm sorry, but I needed to get to know you without interference from you or Jack. I needed to see the real Elizabeth and I did... And I liked it... And I fell in love with the teacher and fell in love with that woman. She is special. She loves her students, to the point of fighting for them in every way, and she told me about Jack. Bill... you had to have seen it, the pride in his words and the love in his eyes.
— I know Charlotte... I warned you that you would fall in love with her.
