Chapter 1 – The Surprise
At one thirty on Saturday afternoon, Lee took Jack and Bill over to the church. He kept Little Jack with him. They had convinced him to not say anything about his daddy until he saw him again. Lee planned to keep Little Jack entertained until he left him with the ladies and he joined Jack himself. It had been hard to keep Jack hidden. Little Jack had announced to everyone that he saw about his daddy. They knew he was excited, but it was still hard because Jack didn't want to have to explain to people before the wedding. They were also keeping an eye out for Lucas in case he returned.
Once at the church, Jack took a moment and stepped into the actual church to have a look. It was beautifully done. It wasn't over the top like had been concerned about when he had heard about Lucas. It was actually done pretty minimally. There were flowers and tulle on the pews like for the first wedding. There were a few flowers up front and the blackboard had been draped in white silk with white bows at the top corners. The smaller pulpit was placed in the middle of the platform with Elizabeth's desk pushed back and also draped with white material and flowers in a vase added at each end. There were single white lilies in a small vase in each window. To his utter surprise there wasn't a candle in sight. Jack laughed.
"What?" Bill asked.
"There are no candles." Jack said. "After what you and Lee told me, I thought the place would be covered with them. I mean I did the whole proposal with all those candles, but that was different."
Bill looked around.
"Well." Bill said. "I will be damned. He must have finally run out of them. I know that Nathan and I will be happy to never see another candle again."
Both men laughed. After they had seen the church they went over to Joseph's office. It wasn't long and he joined Jack and Bill.
"How are you doing?" Joseph asked.
"I think I am more nervous this time." Jack said.
"Understandable." Joseph said. "I think it has to do with people still thinking you died. However, there has been a growing buzz in town that something is going on, especially with Lucas gone and no one has seen him since last night. Of course the gossips have been busy all day, no matter our attempts to shut them down. Some people think that Elizabeth might have changed her mind and she will be marrying Nathan. Others think Lucas will show at the last minute. There is also a lot of buzz about the stranger that was holding Little Jack yesterday and the time he spent in the jailhouse. Many think he is still there and wondering what it was all about."
Jack stopped and looked at Joseph with an icy glare. Bill touched Jack's back and he lessened his glare. Bill could see how just the thought of Bouchard upset Jack, so he knew there was something more to what happened then he knew.
"It may be unchristian of me." Jack said. "But good riddance to that man. If he had an ounce of brains in that head of his, Lucas Bouchard would never show his face in the town again. Sorry about the attitude and I know all about Florence and Molly and the damage they can do. You would think they would have learned over the years. I mean it is good if you want to get word out, but they have also caused problems over the years."
"Am I missing something?" Joseph asked. "While his church attendance left something to be desired, I never thought Lucas was a bad man."
"Before you came to town." Bill said. "He almost got Elizabeth killed because he tried to take the law into his own hands."
"He knew that there were dangerous men after him." Jack said. "But he didn't tell anyone or ask Nathan and Bill for help. Elizabeth had stopped by the saloon to apparently drop something off and the men held her hostage, looking for Lucas. When Lucas tried to play the hero, he almost got Elizabeth killed. (Jack had to pause and take a deep breath before continuing to speak.)
I think God everyday that Nathan and Bill were there and they were able to take the men into custody and save Elizabeth. It was Nathan's perceptiveness that put together there was a problem and he quickly got Bill's help to rescue Elizabeth."
Bill stood there mouth agape and not a lot took Bill by surprise. He was surprised at the depth of knowledge that Jack had of what happened.
"Then Lucas manipulated Elizabeth so he could marry her for money." Jack said. "He never loved her. She was a prize to be won. He used her fears about what happened to me for his own gain. The run-in with Amos Dixon in the saloon where Elizabeth was held at gunpoint is not the only association that Bouchard has with the criminal element. When he would leave town, he was known to frequent gambling dens and houses of ill repute across Canada and the United States. I know for a fact that when he said he was in New Orleans rebuilding a school, he wasn't. He might have been in New Orleans a few days, but he wasn't rebuilding a school. The rest of the time was spent chasing a moving poker game in the States. He also spent at least four days at a brothel in Vancouver before returning here. I also know that if he would have been able to have his way when he first came here that the old saloon would have looked more like the gambling dens and brothels he frequents."
"Thank God for Abigail Stanton." Bill said. "She was the only person who put a stop to things and she didn't even know the extent of his plans."
"Yes." Jack said. "I also have it on good authority that he tried to use my land as collateral for a loan. Land that I bought when I was still courting Elizabeth. The land was meant for us to build our family home. Elizabeth's father had moved the land into a trust so it would be protected and was alerted when Lucas tried to use it. The bank was much more afraid of losing William Thatcher's business than that of Lucas Bouchard.
This was not what I wanted to be talking about right before my wedding, but I need people to see Bouchard for what he really is, because whether he comes back or not, this town needs to be on alert, because I am sure the criminal element will start to come looking for the money they are owed by Bouchard. Especially since I know he was counting on the trust fund from Elizabeth's family to pay off his many debts."
Once again Bill was shocked at how much Jack knew. He knew that they were going to be having several long conversations in the coming weeks about everything that Jack knew and how.
"Oh." Joseph said. "I guess most people assumed that since Elizabeth had accepted him, he was a decent guy. I guess we didn't ask enough questions."
"That was what we were afraid of." Bill said. "When Lucas first came here, he was shady and most people were weary of him. He then started relentlessly pursuing Elizabeth and manipulating things to appear like the good guy. I don't think asking questions would have helped. He had always been vague on information about his whereabouts, travels and business. He didn't even open up to Elizabeth about those things and she has a good head for business being William Thatcher's daughter."
"The library, the Christmas festival." Jack said. "Everything was done to try and buy Elizabeth's affection so he could get his hands on her family's money. He doesn't have the money that he claims to have or pretends to have. The money comes from gambling and other illegal sources. The Mounties have just never been able to make anything stick to him, but it hasn't been for lack of trying."
"And Elizabeth knows about all of this?" Joseph asked.
"She does now." Jack said. "We talked about a lot of things last night and this morning. I couldn't have gone through with this until we cleared the air about it all. I laid everything out and point blank asked her what she was thinking about allowing a man like that near a child, much less my child. The way that she described it to me was almost like he had some kind of spell over her. Then seeing me holding Little Jack yesterday seemed to snap her out of it. She also didn't even consider the possibility of it being me until we were standing face to face and she looked into my eyes. I think that was the first time, she allowed her head to think that it was really me standing there. She kept saying last night she couldn't believe what she had done. It was like she was seeing the manipulation and lies for the first time. She was horrified she had let things get as far as they did. She admitted that she ran to Lucas in fear and when he continued to pursue her she finally gave in and let him court her. Even then she said she tried to slow things down and he just pushed for more and more."
"Good for you." Joseph said. "Fear is a powerful thing and it can really mess people up and how they think. I have a feeling there were other emotions at play as well, but fear was definitely a big one."
"I know she also felt alone." Jack said. "She also admitted she never really dealt with the emotions around what happened five years ago. It didn't help that Abigail left. She had always been one to help Elizabeth see reason, especially when she was doubling down on stubbornness."
"I am still a bit apprehensive about doing the ceremony." Joseph said. "Especially hearing all of this and not knowing you well."
"Then we will have Bill do it since it is a vow renewal." Jack said. "Many of those people out there know me better, then they have ever known Bouchard and I have been dead for almost five years. Either way this is happening today. I am going to restart my life with Elizabeth. Granted we may have already started, but since we are married we were both okay with me staying at the house last night. I am not going to make her wait any longer."
"He has a point." Bill said. "I checked this morning and they are still technically married. When you have several pillars of the community standing up willing to support Jack, should tell you something."
Joseph held his hands in surrender.
"I was just doing my job." Joseph said.
"I know." Jack said. "I am sorry that I got upset. But Elizabeth is the only woman I have ever truly loved and I feel awful for what I have put her through. And for what, a few medals (gesturing toward his chest) and some money in the bank. I have missed five years with her and everything with my son. That is time, time I will never get back."
Jack let out a harsh breath and tugged at his collar. Just then Lee knocked and came in.
"The ladies are on their way here." Lee said. "Little Jack is with Allie waiting outside for Elizabeth, Rosemary and Faith."
"Good." Bill said.
"Can I have a few minutes with Bill and Lee?" Jack asked.
"I will step out." Joseph said.
Joseph left and waited on the steps to the side door. He said a prayer, he hadn't meant to upset Jack, but that was what he had appeared to do. Joseph also said a prayer for Lucas and what he had learned about him. He wondered how they had all been deceived by the man.
After Joseph stepped out, Bill and Lee had Jack take a couple deep breaths, putting Lucas out of his head.
"Forget about everything that just happened here." Bill said. "Focus on Elizabeth and your future."
Bill then went out the side door and around to meet the ladies.
…. …. …. ….
Elizabeth, Rosemary, Faith, Fiona and Minnie had been at the cafe getting ready. When they were ready a little before two, Elizabeth looked at Minnie and Fiona.
"Minnie, Fiona." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for all your help. Can you please take Little Jack and head to the church. I need a moment alone with Faith and Rosemary."
"Understood." Minnie said. "Don't be long. We are already behind schedule."
"I am the bride." Elizabeth teased. "They will wait. But I only need a minute."
Minnie and Fiona took Little Jack and started to leave.
"Bye Mama." Little Jack called. "You pretty."
"Thank you my sweet boy." Elizabeth said. "I will see you in a little bit."
After Minnie and Fiona left, Elizabeth waited a moment and then turned to Faith.
"Thank you for stepping and being a part of my day." Elizabeth said. "But more importantly, I need to warn you what is waiting at the church."
"Okay." Faith said, nervously.
"I am not marrying Lucas today." Elizabeth said. "Lucas left town last night after I broke it off with him. I am remarrying Jack. He is not dead and has been working undercover for the last five years. He was the stranger in Bill's office yesterday. We talked for hours last night and we are anxious to restart our life together, especially since we never really got to be husband and wife before he was forced to leave."
Faith sat down and just stared at Elizabeth. She then looked at Rosemary.
"I saw him this morning at the house." Rosemary said. "Trust me it took Lee and I a while to recover. This is a good thing. Jack loves Elizabeth and they deserve to have a life together."
"I just didn't want you to walk into the church and be surprised." Elizabeth said. "When he comes to stand at the front it will be the first time that we will be announcing Jack is back. Despite walking home with me last night, he has not been seen in public and won't until he steps out to stand with Pastor Joseph and wait for us to walk down the aisle."
"I have so many questions." Faith said. "I don't even know where to start."
"I am sure." Elizabeth said. "Jack will take time to answer people's questions next week. He was thinking of saying something before we started the ceremony, I don't know if that is going to happen or not."
"Are you okay enough to head over?" Rosemary asked.
Faith nodded and took Rosemary's flowers so that she could push her daughter to the church.
…. …. …. ….
Before two on Saturday afternoon, people started to gather at the church. The first thing that people noticed was Nathan standing tall by the side door dressed in his serge. People were still whispering, wondering what was going on as no one had seen Lucas and Bill had seemed a little too happy about this wedding during the morning for someone who had loudly declared he wanted no part of it even a few days ago. They were also confused as to why Nathan was there as he had said he wouldn't be there. Something had happened and the whole mood around this wedding had shifted in less than twenty-four hours. The church was packed with standing room only as everyone wanted to know what was going on and why the sudden change of mind by Bill and Nathan.
Finally at ten minutes after two, Pastor Joseph opened the side door and walked to the front of the church.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." Joseph said, loudly getting everyone's attention.
People turned to face the front and all conversations stopped. No one was ready for what happened next. Nathan was still blocking the view of Jack, so when Nathan stepped to the side and Jack walked to stand next to Joseph followed by Lee and Nathan, the collective gasp from those gathered could be heard outside, where Elizabeth smiled to herself. She then looked over at Bill and he smiled as well.
That morning, Bill had agreed to walk her down the aisle to Jack. He even still had the gray suit from the wedding five years ago. Unknown to Jack, even though Elizabeth was wearing a different gown, she wore the same headpiece and jewelry from their first marriage. She had wanted to wear the same dress, but she knew it wouldn't fit and there wasn't time to alter it and still have the wedding be that day.
It took several minutes for people to calm down, people were shocked and full of questions. Jack knew he would have to explain to everyone later, but in that moment, it felt good to stand in front of his community once again waiting for his bride. He had spent so long not being Jack Thornton, that this was a new beginning for him as well. He just hoped he remembered the speech that Bill and Joseph had helped him prepare. Jack closed his eyes and blew out a deep breath as Joseph got people to settle down.
"I am sure you all have many questions." Joseph said. "Please be patient and things will be explained. But right now, we have a bride anxiously waiting for a nervous groom."
There were a few chuckles and even though people wanted answers, they knew they would come. Minnie tapped Angela's arm and she began playing the piano.
…. …. …. ….