Made For Each Other
Chapter 10
Friday morning and afternoon went surprisingly smoothly.
Faith, Florence, Molly, Emily, Laura, and Julie decorated the church. Elizabeth had wanted to make sure that it was decorated completely different than it had been for her wedding to Jack and Rosemary's suggestion of an arbor definitely gave it an original look. The ladies all felt pleased with their work and planned to meet up in the morning to add the fresh flowers that would not only look lovely but make the whole room smell wonderful.
Pastor Joseph spent his morning in the church office finishing up his wedding ceremony sermon as well as giving the ladies a hand putting together the arbor.
Mike, Mei Sou, Fiona, and Aunt Agatha decorated as much of the hotel dining room as they could, knowing that the final tablecloths, candles, and flowers would have to be done on the day of, as there was still the rehearsal dinner that would be happening there this evening with all the bridal party and families.
Rosemary made sure everyone had everything they needed, delivering the guest book, candles and pew bows to the church and the baskets with the rice bags and party favors to the Queen of Hearts. She finished the last of the sewing on the bridesmaids' dresses that she and Abigail had not been able to complete the day before and generally just made sure that nothing was missing.
Elizabeth had, of course, woken from yet another dream about Jack which was becoming the normal occurrence for the week. This time they were riding together, laughing and happy, when Jack stopped suddenly. As she was asking why, Jack was getting off Sargeant, replying "I just thought of something". So Elizabeth also dismounted before saying, "What is it?"
Without answering Jack took her in his arms and kissed her.
Breathlessly Elizabeth smiled, looking into his eyes, "What was that for?"
Grinning back at her Jack said "I wanted to kiss Miss Elizabeth Thatcher before she becomes Mrs. Jack Thornton."
Elizabeth couldn't help but recall the total thrill that had washed over her at Jack's words, spoken so long ago now, and how she had said I can't wait, comparing that feeling to the knot she had felt just two days ago when Lucas had kissed her and said, "only three days and you will be Mrs. Lucas Bouchard."
But only one day before her wedding Elizabeth refused to let herself go down the road of what ifs again! She told herself it was just pre-wedding jitters. Besides, she reasoned, who makes life plan changes over some random dreams? So, after doing the morning routine of snuggle time with Little Jack and eating breakfast together she finished packing the things her mother had given her for the honeymoon.
In the café, Minnie was grateful for Abigail's help with the customers' breakfasts and lunch orders witch allowed her to focused all her time on prepping the foods she was responsible for providing for the wedding reception, in addition to what Gustave and his kitchen crew were providing.
Abigail found herself enjoying having a reason to get up early and go to work. She missed greeting customers and friends, cooking the food to order, and seeing people enjoy the meal she had just made for them. With her mother having passed the year before, Cody off to his first year of college, and Becky in Calgary, the big old house her mother had left to her was feeling quite lonely. And though she had made some friends, it wasn't the same as the deep friendships she had forged here in Hope Valley.
When Henry came in for his morning coffee he was happy to see her and said, "It's mighty nice to see you back in the cafe again Abigail". Then he smiled, before looking down with his hat in hand and softly adding, "It's, well, just not been the same without you."
"Well thank you Henry! That's very sweet of you to say! " Abigail replied with a smile then asked him as he took his usual seat, "what is it that I can get for you this morning?"
"I'll just have a cup of coffee and something sweet to go with it." Henry replied.
"Well, we have muffins, cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, tarts and scones. What sounds good to you?"
"Why don't you just surprise me." said Henry in his easy-going way.
"Ok" smiled Abigail, heading to the kitchen for a moment before coming back with the coffee pot and a plate that held both a danish and a muffin. After filling Henry's coffee cup and telling him to enjoy, she moved over to Bill's table to top up his coffee as well.
"I have to agree with Henry," Bill said, laying down his newspaper. "It is awfully nice to see you back in the cafe and in Hope Valley in general. There isn't any chance that you might consider coming back to stay, is there?"
"Well, it's actually funny you should ask," said Abigail. "As I have been thinking to myself that there's not as much holding me back East since my mother passed last year and now that Cody is off to college."
"I was sorry to hear about your mother's passing." said Bill thoughtfully.
"Thank you, Bill." She replied.
"Well," said Bill, brightening up again. "If it could make the thought of coming back to Hope Valley any more intriguing for you, I would be more than happy to sell you back my half of the Cafe. And seeing how well you and Minnie seem to be getting along, I don't think she would have any complaints."
Abigail's face showed her surprise. "But what about you Bill? What would you do?"
"Oh, I don't seem to be of much help around here these days, and between being Mayor and Judge I have more to do than I have the energy for as is," explained Bill. Then in a quieter voice he added "I have actually been considering letting go of everything except my judge work."
"It's hard to imagine you taking it easy Bill but of all the people I know, you deserve to slow down and take some time for yourself for a change", Abigail answered with all sincerity.
"Well thank you Abigail that means a lot coming from you," Bill said with a smile. "And you think about what I just said, this town hasn't been the same since you left!"
Nathan spent the morning doing his rounds, going a bit farther out of Hope Valley than normal and taking more time than he usually did simply to avoid the pre-wedding hubbub he was sure he would run into in town. While he had made his peace with the fact that Elizabeth wasn't willing to let herself love another Mountie, watching her marry Lucas Bouchard was not easy. Although he knew there would be no way to avoid it all together.
When Nathan went to the train station, as he did each day when a train was scheduled to arrive, Lucas and Elizabeth were there to pick up Lucas's parents. It almost seemed as if Lucas took great delight in introducing them, saying "Nathan Grant, I would like to introduce you to my father Martin Bouchard and, of course, you have met my mother Helen. They have made it just in time for the wedding tomorrow". Nathan simply smiled and said his usual "Welcome to Hope Valley" greeting that he gave to all visitors.
He couldn't help but notice that Elizabeth almost acted uncomfortable. Her body language didn't exhibit the joy and enthusiasm one would expect from the bride to be. But Nathan told himself, what did he know, he was after all probably reading her all wrong the same as he had obviously misread her before when he thought that she actually cared about him.
Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher were thoroughly enjoying spending the afternoon with their grandson and even went for a soak in the hot springs with him before spoiling him with dessert at the café followed up with ice cream from the soda shop.
Gustave and his kitchen crew were in high gear not just preparing for the reception luncheon, but also the rehearsal dinner that had to be served that evening. And to add to it all, Gustave was also a groomsman, so he was very carefully going over everything with his sous chef so he would be ready to take over for him when the time came.
Lee kept Goldy with him and was glad that all he was responsible for was to write a toast and not lose the wedding rings.
With everything done that could be completed ahead of time everyone was excited and happy to come together at the first official wedding gathering before the big day. It was also an opportunity for the Thatchers and Bouchards to get to know each other before they would officially be in-laws.
It was a relaxed and joyful occasion. Hugs were shared, toasts were made to the happy couple. Gustave got to enjoy a rare treat of sitting down to enjoy having food served to him rather than being the one plating up the dishes for others.
The fathers of the bride and groom, both being businessmen, fell into conversation regarding each other's work, while the mothers began talking of their hopes for more grandchildren.
All was going well until Elizabeth overheard almost simultaneously Lucas's mother ask Lucas "how soon will your new house be finished?" as his father told William Thatcher, "When Lucas and Elizabeth stop by to see Helen and I, in about two and a half months, on their way home from their Honeymoon, I plan on talking to Lucas some more about getting involved with my company and helping us expand it further west than it has been so far."
Elizabeth turned to Lucas. Looking as if he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar he quickly said, "I can explain everything."
"Please do!" Elizabeth replied very matter-of-factly, and perhaps a little louder than intended, as all heads turned towards her and Lucas's end of the table.