CHAPTER 65

Meanwhile, Elizabeth had arrived early at the infirmary, wanting to stop by before heading off to school. Since her adoptive father Bill's accident, she had been there at least three times a day to see him. Charlote only left her side for a few moments to take a shower or when someone required her to rest for a while. The wound itself shouldn't have been so serious, but Bill had lost a lot of blood for hours while riding to Hope Valle. His wound was beginning to get infected and Carson, who was a very cautious man, decided to advance all the doses of antibiotics before anything worse happened. Bill was like a bad-tempered bear, only Charlote and Elizabeth were able to tame him and ended up forcing him to stay as long as necessary. Jack felt strange after seeing his mother and Bill together like that, he had never imagined it or thought that his mother would abandon the memory of his father. It may have been more than ten years since his death, but his father could never be replaced... He had visited Bill to check on his health, but always when he was asleep, because he didn't want to have certain conversations with him. Elizabeth noticed and even talked to Tom. He was afraid that his mother would forget his father, but after an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth, he realized that this would never happen and, deep down, he was happy to see his mother happy. He had never noticed that smile on her face. Even with Bill in bed injured, his mother was light and had a different light in her eyes. But Elizabeth was determined to have a serious talk that afternoon with a certain mountie...

Today there at school, just her and Tom with the children. These days her mother-in-law Charlote was going to look after Bill and her aunt was helping with the two injured mountie.

Elizabeth felt a chill when she remembered seeing Bill all bloodied up, he ran to her side and even though he was in a lot of pain, he took her into his arms when he saw her crying in despair. She felt so afraid for him, she couldn't lose her father; even though everyone thought it was strange, she had Bill as a father, and her love for him was the same as her love for Uncle Wynn. And now thinking, when she saw him all dirty with blood, she also ran to him in desperation, not knowing whether to look at Bill or at her uncle or at Frankison.

After Bill went in for his medication, Jack had to take his wife in his arms, she was shaking and crying so desperately that she couldn't hear, and until that moment she hadn't understood that Wynn and Frankison weren't hurt, just dirty with the blood of the mounties who had ridden with them. Jack had never seen Elizabeth so desperate, and that's when Wynn came and took her in his arms and, stroking her hair, sang a song softly, and so, little by little, her sobs came under control, Jack realized that his wife had found there, in those arms, the true love of a father. She had always loved him like a father, but now she couldn't even think about losing him or Frankison, and the thought made her gasp. It was like he was her father and her brother, and with Frankison she felt something different, and of course she noticed how they were the same in many ways, as if they were one person... Elizabeth put her hands to her head, she must be going mad, how could they be brothers if they were cousins? Shaking her head, she got ready for her lesson.

Tom, who was watching everything, noticed that Elizabeth was worried about the wounded, but she had something on her mind and it was tormenting her.

Meanwhile, in the café, Pastor Frank was talking to Abgail in the back of the kitchen. Their wedding would be at the weekend, just for their friends, and early Sunday morning would be Lucas's baptism. He and Abigail would take a short trip to Cape Fullerton, where they would spend a week on their honeymoon. Their things had already been moved to the second floor of the café. Becky unfortunately wouldn't be able to be at the wedding, as she was staying with her aunt in Hamilton, where she was taking exams, but she was already looking forward to the school vacations. Cody couldn't have been happier to have a complete family. He was going to walk his mother down the aisle and she was super excited. Between stolen kisses and little touches, Frank and Abgail were starting their life together.

Later that afternoon, Jack showed up at school as agreed with his wife. She said goodbye to the children and to Tom, who would be cleaning up for the next day. Jack kissed her cheek and grabbed her waist, lifted her onto his sargent horse and then climbed on, wrapping his arms around her body and smelling the lavender scent of her hair. For Jack, this woman was a little bit of everything: love, passion, desire, friendship, respect and all that added up was the size of the love that filled his heart.

Jack took her to the valley of flowers, it was his wife's favorite place, there was a huge lake and lots of flowers... they were lilac and white asters, there was a perfume in the air that intoxicated the heart.

After having a snack, Elizabeth went straight to the point;

- Jack! Are you having a problem with your mother dating my father? I mean Bill?

He ducked his head, and for her that was all the answer she needed.

- Do you think Bill isn't a good man? Do you think he would hurt your mother?

- It's not that, Elizabeth; I've always felt the greatest respect and pride for that man...

- But... You think you'll forget your father.

- Yes, what about my father? Another thing, they were friends; since when does he like her? Did he betray my father?

- Jack, look at me, please, my love.

And Jack, his eyes lost, begged for her help. She took his hands and began to speak:

- Love... she had never forgotten her father. He was her first great love and gave her two wonderful children. Jack... few people are able to find their great love, your mother is a special case, because she got two true and pure loves. If I were to die Jack, I would want to see you move on and find someone to make you happy. Elizabeth said, as tears flowed from her eyes.

Jack pulled his wife into his arms;

- Bella! I can't even think about losing you. I can't live without you.

- Love... That's what Charlote is feeling when she sees my father Bill hurt. Don't let her suffer alone again in your life.

Jack thought and, looking at Elizabeth, could only smile...

- Bella! My beloved wife. I don't ano what I'd do without you...