CHAPTER 60

Frankison accompanied Elizabeth home. Tom had told them to go early, he was going to take over all the cleaning of the school, and then he would trace the door. Frankison took Elizabeth on his horse, and she felt something strange when he took her by the waist and put her on it. And when he got off, she felt the same thing, and looking into his eyes, Elizabeth smiled as she noticed that he also felt something different. It was totally different from the sensation she felt when Jack took her. With her husband there was desire in his touches, his fingers burned and made her blood boil, but with Frankison there was a sense of protection. She felt safe with him, as if she had found something there that she had been missing.

- I missed you so much Beth! I grew up, trained, worked, but my thoughts were always with you. I always worried about you.

- And I was with you. Every night, I prayed to God not to let anything happen to you. I feel like I couldn't live if something happened to you.

- I know, my little Beth. I think it's the bond of being born on the same day.

- Frankison, you know that I love you like an older brother, I admire you and respect you so much.

Frankison couldn't hold back the tears, and pulling her into his arms, he spoke with a voice full of emotion.

- My little Beth... I've loved you since you were in diapers. You are and always will be my little sister; I wouldn't know how to live if anything happened to you either. I know you have Jack Thorton in your life, and he'll protect you with his life if he has to. But I'll always be there for you too, and you have mommy and daddy. And we won't let anything or anyone hurt you.

- Frankison! I'm not a child anymore, I've grown up and I know how to defend myself. She smiled and then made her teacher face with her hands on her waist.

He laughed at that scene, that teacher's face could scare a lot of people, but all he had to do was look into her eyes and there, in the depths of the blue sea, he could see all the love that young woman had for everyone. It was like looking into his own eyes.

- Beth, you'll always be little Beth to me. I know you've grown into a beautiful woman. But I'm like your brother, I can't stop thinking about protecting you. To me you're a rose, with beautiful but fragile petals, which I won't allow anyone to pluck. And so, embracing, they entered Elizabeth's house.

Jack watched from afar, he saw the scene and their conversation. He realized that these two had an enormous bond, it was a totally incredible story, Jack was numb to the discovery about it so far. "He knew that Wynn was distraught at the discovery, not least because of how he was going to tell his family about it," and Jack understood him very well. The fear of Elizabeth's reaction was enormous. Jack was already preparing to be his wife's foundation.

"Finding out that everything you've lived through has been a lie, that your parents and siblings aren't real, could throw Elizabeth to the ground. And how would she feel to know that her uncles were her real parents? And how would she act when she learned that the man she had always loved as a brother was actually her twin brother, her soul mate?"

half?" Jack was going to be there for her and for that family, but first they had to investigate who was responsible for this cruelty, "was it the midwife or was it Willian Thatcher?"

But Jack was sure they would soon find out, Wynn had his mountie side at the ready now, and he wanted justice and, besides, he had Bill's help, he went into his investigator mode the moment the story broke. They were two excellent professionals, of the highest caliber and intelligence, who were now going to see this story through to the end. They were two parents fighting for their daughter's happiness and life.

Jack entered the house and couldn't help but smile. He stood in the doorway, watching the two brothers playing with the chocolate filling that came out of the muffins. Jack couldn't tell whose face was dirtier or who was laughing more. His wife, even with her injuries, was radiant and very happy. And he, her husband, the one who loved her more than anything, had just discovered that he too was happy and that he had gained a new baby brother.

Frankison and Elizabeth noticed Jack's presence. The two of them... all awkward, like children when they're caught doing arts and crafts. Their red cheeks, looking at the floor and their fingertips all smeared with chocolate, were a very good sight, Jack couldn't hold back his laughter and started talking:

- Is there room for one more?

For Elizabeth and Frankison, there was nothing better, and soon those two were attacking Jack and that house was laughter and more laughter.

Bill, meanwhile, had just arrived home. He was tired and dejected; hearing about all this had really messed with his psyche. Charlote noticed that he wasn't well, something was bothering him and it was something serious. She came over and helped him take off his coat, which he always wore when he was with Jack on his rounds; she was very grateful that this man was always close to her boys. Without saying a word, she took it off his shoulders and slowly removed it from his body. Bill was paralyzed, he didn't know whether to say anything or enjoy the moment, he seemed to be dreaming of having her so close, touching his body. Her lavender perfume was so intoxicating that Bill closed his eyes and daydreamed.

- Charlote! Bill spoke in a deep voice full of emotion.

She looked up at him... he was much taller than her, and there in his green eyes, Charlote lost herself. Bill saw something in Charlote's honey eyes, and it was something new, it had a different sparkle, one that called to him and when he realized it, he was already lowering his head and kissing her lips. It was a simple touch of the lips, but for Bill it was wonderful. He apologized and left the room quickly, he needed a shower. "What will she think of me? How could I do something like that to her? Will she never forgive me?"

Tom was hiding on the balcony of the house, his heart felt like it was going to burst out of his mouth, he didn't want to hear, but when he arrived and saw his mother removing Bill's coat, Tom panicked. "Your mother was interested in Bill? But what about his father? How could she change her father and forget him so easily?" ... but he saw his mother's gaze on Bill and Bill's gaze on his mother, they looked at each other with such affection, it was a different look. Tom put his hands to his mouth, he couldn't make a sound. And he watched as they kissed. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He didn't want to lose what little he remembered of his father. But he saw Bill hurrying out of the room, and his mother with her hands to her lips, looking like she hadn't understood why Bill had run away. And Tom saw on Bill's face that he was remorseful, afraid... He was lost in his emotions. For a few minutes, Tom felt sorry for Bill. He knew how difficult certain decisions in life were and how they could embarrass us, and that's when a voice appeared in his mind...

"I forgive you. Every act has consequences. But Tom, everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone deserves to be happy."

Elizabeth's voice came into his mind at that moment...

- I promise, Elizabeth! I'll take my second chance, and I'll be a better man. And I'll do everything I can to see my mother happy. If she wants and likes Bill, I won't stand in her way.

Frank and Abigail, back at the café, went out after their delicious dinner for their first date and came back with their hands full, the basket containing five huge fish. Frank knew that Abigail liked fishing, but he didn't know that she was so good at it. He'd never had such good company as he did that night, she knew how to keep quiet so as not to scare the fish away and she loved looking at the stars. After years in prison where he paid for his crimes, Frank learned to value God, to have faith, and to enjoy the stars and a good catch. Abigail was the first woman he'd come into contact with since he'd quit the racket, but even with so little time, he knew he wanted her and for the rest of his life. He loved her and wanted to make her and the children his family. Smiling, he took her hands in his and spoke in a husky voice:

- Abigail, will you marry me?

She looked at him in astonishment, the words were missing, the air had stopped, her mouth had gone completely dry, and her eyes shone with a flame that Frank read as love...

- I accept, Pastor Frank.

She spoke in such a soft voice, so moved, that Frank couldn't resist kissing her, right there on the spot. The balcony of the café was now witness to that love.

Forehead to forehead, Frank breathed hard;

- Woman from heaven! What a kiss that was...

She smiled and simply said:

- It's a kiss of love, from your future wife.

For Frank, his world was blooming... his wife... and it would be soon.