CHAPTER 57

By lunchtime, Elizabeth had a plan mapped out in her mind. Leaving Tom to look after the children, she rushed into town, stopping at the café to speak to Abigail, as it was urgent.

- Oh, my God! Elizabeth! Did something happen for you to be here at lunchtime?

- Yes, Abigail? Elizabeth said, panting from running. She had little time and needed to speak quickly.

- Abigail; you know I love you like an older sister. I need to tell you something...

- What happened, Elizabeth? Tell me soon, I'm worried.

- Frank is leaving today, he's catching the next train.

- He's leaving? And he didn't even say goodbye to me? Abigail was indignant, she loved that man; he could at least be considerate of her, even if he didn't love her.

- Yes... he's leaving. He's been offered another community, but he's leaving to get away from you. He loves you very much, but he doesn't feel up to it; he thinks he'll never have your love, because it's a one-sided love.

- What's that? Frank loves me?

- Yes, Abigail! He loves you with all his might.

- But Elizabeth, he's perfect; I'm not good enough for him; as a widow and single mother of two children, what would I have to offer him? What would everyone think about the pastor with a wife like me?

- They would think that the pastor has fallen in love with the most beautiful and best woman in the world! That the pastor is so happy to have his wife and two children, and would die for them. That this pastor is crazy about you, Abigail," said Frank, leaning against the doorframe, smiling charmingly.

Abigail turned around slowly, and looking at the man, she could see the depth of his words. Frank slowly approached Abigail and said:

- Elizabeth is right; I was leaving because I wanted to get away from everything, from here I couldn't see you and not be with you. My love for you is so great that I was lost without you. I went to the station, but my heart told me to come back. Back to you, I needed to stay here and see you, even from afar.

Elizabeth took advantage of that beautiful moment and left quietly, without disturbing the couple... She took the opportunity to stop by the police station.

Elizabeth arrived at the police station and, as usual, knocked on the door three times, hearing the voice of her husband who spoke with a smile:

- Come in, my love!

- Jack! How did you know it was me?

- I just felt my heart beating fast... He stood up and in two long strides, he reached his wife, wrapped her around his waist and pulled her into his arms, his lips capturing hers and making her mouth open. Jack moaned softly, his wife was everything in his life, she could make his blood boil with a simple kiss. It was incredible, how perfectly she fit him, their bodies molded together. The more he kissed her, the more he wanted to...

Pulling away for air, she rested her forehead against his and sighed.

- I hope this is a good sigh! She smiled and for Jack nothing in the world was more beautiful. His world lit up when he saw his wife smiling.

- It was the best breath... my love. I'm a very blessed man to have you in my life. And very happy that you love me.

- And I love you very much Jack Thorton...

- I love you too Bella! But what's the teacher doing here in the middle of lunchtime? Don't tell me Tom's up to something and you've come looking for me?

- No, Jack. Don't worry about Tom, he's working hard and he's doing the right thing. But I came to find Abigail, I had to warn her that Frank would be leaving this afternoon;

- Would he? Does that mean he's given up?

- No, my love... He came back for her, he arrived at the café just as Abigail was ready to run after him and right now they're there in the café swearing their love to each other and I've sneaked out to see my husband.

- I'm very happy for them; it's about time they understood each other. But I'm even happier because my beautiful wife is here, in my arms, and she came just to see me. And he kissed the tip of her nose. Elizabeth smiled and told him she had to run, it was almost time for school, but Jack took her hand and together they climbed onto the sargent and headed for the school. He got off the horse, and taking hold of her waist, he pulled her off, placing her on the ground and kissing her cheek.

He saw the children coming to Elizabeth and Opall handing her the bell, which she rang. Jack laughed... that bell was a sign that he loved her, long before he even knew it. She didn't even need to ring the bell, those children followed her like bees after honey.

Jack, out of the corner of his eye, saw Tom in a corner and followed everything. He seemed mesmerized by the scene of her with the children and smiled to himself. He had a light countenance. Perhaps those days on duty had done him some good.

Tom, for his part, watched as Jack and Elizabeth arrived on horseback. Jack, in his mountie outfit, was a real eye-catcher, but she, with her coppery hair and blue eyes, and her ladylike manner, was a real eye-catcher. But even though he wanted to get closer to his brother, he knew that Jack didn't want contact with him, and he had to agree, he had many reasons to never forgive him.

Opall came running back down the stairs and hugged Jack.

- You can rest assured that we will take care of Mrs. Thorton and her brother. We'll find a cure for his heart. Smiling, he ran over to Tom and took his hand, leading him into the school.

Jack got on his horse and headed for the police station; his heart ached for all that Tom had done to his Elizabeth. But he wanted Tom to become a good man. Jack said a prayer to God and asked him to give him serenity and strength, to take away all the hatred that was in his heart and help him to be able to forgive.

Meanwhile, in the café, Abigail was talking to Frank, if he was sure, because she was a widow. Frank, seeing her excitement, took her hands and pulling her into his arms, kissed her passionately; it was a wonderful kiss that left her legs shaking.

- Did I manage to convince you?

- I think I need a bit more convincing.

- You don't even have to ask for my wife.

- Yes, your wife...

And so he kissed her again.