NEVER SAY NEVER
Chapter 26: Up and Away and Consequences
Friday, August 22, 1919
That afternoon, Elizabeth ran into Joseph on her way to the church. As they approached, they saw Rosemary and some students gathered around an enormous hot air balloon right next to the church.
"What in the world?" Elizabeth exclaimed as she and Joseph came to a stop.
"Where did that come from?" Joseph added.
Elizabeth's mouth thinned. "I have an idea, and I hope I am wrong."
Rosemary looked over and saw Elizabeth and Joseph approaching.
"Oh Elizabeth, isn't it wonderful. You and Joseph are just in time for me to interview Mr. Winkler after he gives me a ride." Rosemary enthused in her normal dramatic manner.
"I'm not sure wonderful covers it exactly," Elizabeth replied, trying not to let her anger show in front of her students.
"Can you tell me some of the places you have been, Mr. Winkler?" Rosemary asked, not picking up on Elizabeth's tone.
Joseph and Elizabeth looked at each other and made a silent agreement they would wait until everyone was gone before confronting the man.
"I've sailed all over this great land of ours – in my airship. Of course, I have had a lot of ups and downs along the way."
Rosemary laughed. "Mr. Winkler you are a character."
"Why don't we go for a ride, and I can show you how it operates?"
After helping Rosemary in the basket, he joined her, and the balloon began to rise. As she rose above the church, she called down to them "You all look like tiny ants from here!"
"Ants are really tiny. It seems like a lot of fun." Coop said as they came to stand by Elizabeth and Joseph.
"What if Mrs. Coulter floats away, Mrs. Thornton?" Opal asked, her fear evident in her tone.
"Oh, no, no, no, Opal, she won't float away. Mr. Winkler has the basket tied tightly to the ground." Seeing a teachable moment, she said, "Now, how do you think it stays above the ground?"
Emily was the first to speak, "The wind?"
"Good try Emily, "Elizabeth said, but no. The balloon is floating, which means it must be filled with something lighter than air."
"Hydrogen is lighter than air," Angela said. Joseph grinned ear to ear with pride at her and gave her a tender kiss on the temple.
"Good Job, baby girl," Joseph said as Elizabeth confirmed that she was right.
"Thanks, Daddy," Angela said, beaming at his words.
"As the balloon began to descend, the kids lost interest and decided to go to their favorite fishing spot, leaving just Joseph and Elizabeth waiting. Just before the balloon touched back down, Lee showed up looking for Rosemary.
"Finally, there you are," Lee said, slightly out of breath. "I have been looking everywhere for you."
"Well, didn't you get the note I left for you on your desk?" Rosemary asked as Lee assisted her out of the basket once it was secured safely.
"Note, what note? I didn't see anything. If I had, I wouldn't have spent the last hour looking for you."
"Well, I left you a note saying I had gone to see the balloon that showed up at the church, and I wanted to interview him to put it in the next edition. Oh, my goodness, his stories are so exciting and daring. It was like floating like a candy floss cloud high into the heavens." Rosemary said, adding a bit of flair at the end of the sentence.
"That's nice, but sweetheart…" Lee said, but Rosemary quickly butted in.
"He just drifts around in it and offers rides wherever he lands. It was serendipity,"
"Well, not exactly, Mrs. Coulter. Occasionally, I get paid to show up in a certain place."
"Either way, I'm glad you chose Hope Valley as a stopping point. Thank you for the ride and the interview," Rosemary said before walking off with Lee."
Once Lee and Rosemary were out of earshot, Elizabeth cleared her throat to get Mr. Winkler's attention.
He turned and then smiled. "Hello, I didn't realize anyone was still here."
"Yes, well, I'm Elizabeth Thornton, the schoolteacher here."
"I'm Joseph Canfield, the Pastor here," Joseph said, offering a hand to shake.
"It is very nice to meet you." Mr. Winkler said, shaking Joseph's hand. Then, noting the serious looks on their faces, he added, "Is there some kind of problem?"
"It depends, Elizabeth said. "On how long you intend to keep this balloon parked here. This church serves as the school as well as the church. School starts in just over a week and …."
"Well, I was actually hired to come here for two weeks and paid handsomely to do it."
"Who hired you?" Joseph asked.
"Mr. Lucas Bouchard, owner and proprietor of the Queen of Hearts saloon and hotel."
"Well, I'm afraid operating here is not going to work," Elizabeth said. "My students will be too distracted by it to pay attention to their lessons."
"Not to mention that since this a place of worship, it would also be a distraction during services," Joseph said. I'm sure there are other places you can stay.
"Well, I'm afraid that you will just have to make it work because I'm not moving, and since my contract specifies to be here, you'll just have to put up with it. I will do my best not to distract you when people come for rides. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to set up my camp."
"Where exactly are you planning on doing that Mr. Winkler?" Elizabeth asked.
Gesturing to an area not far from where the balloon was tethered. "Right over there."
"I don't think that will work, either Mr. Winkler. Pastor Canfield and I have already mentioned that you need to find another place for your camp and the balloon. Your being here will serve as both a distraction and a possible safety issue."
"I have a contract, so I guess if you want it changed, then you have to meet with Mr. Bouchard. He is my boss, and I'm here under his authorization. As far as I'm concerned, I listen to him and no other. But you both have a nice day." Then, he turned away and began setting up a camp of sorts.
"We aren't going to get anywhere with this man, Elizabeth," Joseph said softly.
"No, we aren't. Hopefully, Nathan is back from rounds and Bill is in his office." Elizabeth replied as they headed back to town. When she glanced back, she saw the man smirk and tip his hat to her before turning back to setting up his camp. Joseph had also looked and caught his actions.
"Where does Lucas get the idea that he could authorize something like that, Joseph? It seems like that should have required approval of the Town Council," Elizabeth mused as they arrived back in town.
"I would have to agree with you there."
"Was there something you needed Lee?" Rosemary asked when they got back to their shared office.
"You do know that the election is in a couple of weeks. I was hoping that you would consider campaigning with me."
"Yes, so I've given that some thought, already," Rosemary said. "While I know you're going to once elected, as the Valley Voice editor-in-chief…"
"But you are also my wife, don't forget."
"Of course, but I feel like I have to remain impartial, but you do have my vote," Rosemary said hugging him. "And of course, my love." She added a sweet kiss to take the sting out of her answer.
"Mmm-Hmm," Lee said.
"Forever."
"Well, that has to be the nicest no I've ever received."
"Rosemary laughed as she went to her desk and picked up the latest poll information. Picking it up she realized that the note for Lee was under it.
"Oh Lee, I found the note I left."
He walked over and then took a look at the poll results.
"How is Bill ahead of me?" Lee said. "He is running on a platform of maintaining status Quo, which isn't a platform if you ask me. Where I'm running on a platform to bring progress. At least Mike is running on Fire Safety and prevention. Do we even know what Fiona is running on? I don't think she has said."
"Oh, Fiona dropped out five days ago."
"She did?"
"Yep. I think she is now working as Mike's Campaign manager."
Lee shook his head. "Well, I guess I better get out there and hit the campaign trail. By myself."
"Good Luck, sweetheart."
MEANWHILE AT THE QUEEN OF HEARTS
Henry sat at a table in the corner away from everyone once again. His instincts told him something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it, which added to his frustrations and anger.
"Henry?" Fiona said softly, coming over to the table and taking a seat.
"Fiona."
Seeing Henry was obviously troubled and suspecting why, she said, "Look, when it comes to the mines, Jerome doesn't blame you for what happened."
"He doesn't blame me? Well, I'm delighted to hear that."
"Look, I should have waited to hear what you had to say about the matter. Instead, I headed for San Francisco, I saw the opportunity to put together a big business deal, and I lost sight of everyone else. I apologize, Henry."
Henry exhaled and reached over for Fiona's hand. "Thank you for telling me, Fiona." Then with a slight smile, he added. "You're right. We can't lose sight of the people involved in this."
Seeing that nothing else needed to be said Fiona got up and left Henry to nurse his cup of coffee. As she exited the saloon Jerome was walking in. He smiled as he stepped aside, and Fiona exited with a quick hello and moved on.
He walked in and saw Henry sitting by himself staring down into a cup of coffee. After looking around, he walked over quietly so as not to alert Henry to his presence until he sat down.
Henry looked up, saw him, and stood up. "I have nothing to say to you right now, Jerome." Then, he began walking toward the door.
Jerome quickly followed. "You know Henry, whatever you think you know, I assure you it would be a bad idea to get in the way."
"Well, like you, I don't like threats, nor am I afraid," Henry said, catching sight of Lucas coming from his office.
Jerome quickly looked at Lucas as they approached the door, then raised his voice and said, "Henry, look, I'm just trying to settle things over."
"Yeah, well, forgive me if I don't believe that." Henry snarled. Then, recalling Fiona's words, he sarcastically added "Oh, and thanks by the way for vouching for me with Fiona."
As they walked out the door Jerome looked at something over his shoulder and whispered. "I could easily stir up all that old hurt in this town Henry. It wouldn't take much to turn everyone against you by reminding them how you tried to cast the blame on Noah Stanton's widow and attempted to bribe the judge, and then there's that matter with Judge Jedediah Black. A few documents fall into the wrong hands with newly discovered information about your disregard…"
Lucas approached right at the time and said "Henry? What's going on?"
But Henry paid him no attention and swung at Jerome. This time, landing a punch. Lucas jumped in front of Jerome to prevent Henry from advancing again.
"Henry, I thought we talked about this," Lucas said.
Encountering Lee on his campaign trail, Nathan brought up Julie's shelf design and placed an order for the wood. Unfortunately, dealing with Mei Sou had prevented him from talking with Lee earlier. He was surprised that Julie hadn't already approached Lee herself.
"You are going to be working with Julie?" Lee was amused.
"Well, she asked, and well…." Nathan shrugged.
Lee's amusement bubbled up into a chuckle. "Just admit it, Nathan. Those two Thatcher women have you and Bill wrapped around their fingers."
Nathan snorted, Lee may be right, but he was the same way. "Kind of like you with your wife and BOTH Thorntons?"
Lee just laughed and Nathan joined in. "I can't deny it. I think when it comes to Little Jack there's nobody in town he doesn't have wrapped around his finger. I suspect that Julie is getting there too."
"She reminds me so much of my sister Colleen. When I am with her, it's almost like Colleen is beside me, though that's not the only reason I'm so fond of her."
"Jack Thornton was my best friend. I have seen Elizabeth struggle with fear throughout his time in the Northern Territories, only to lose him shortly after they married." Seeing Nathan's grimace Lee added. "Nobody blames you, Nathan. It could have been anyone that took your place. From everything that I have observed and knowing what Bill thinks of you I have no doubt you made the choice you felt was necessary. Even the fact that you came here to watch over Jack's family is more proof. He would have liked you."
"Thanks, Lee. That means a lot to me."
"I only say that to preface that the whole town is hoping that you and Elizabeth will finally sort things out." At Nathan's skeptical look, Lee chuckled, "Well maybe not the whole town, but the people who matter to Elizabeth."
Before Nathan could react, there was the sound of voices raised. Then the door to the Queen of Hearts opened followed by an angry Henry Gowen storming out and Jerome Smith following close behind.
"Uh Oh! That's not good." Lee said already moving towards them. Nathan followed noticing that Jerome looked over slyly and then whispered something to Henry that had him swinging just before Lucas stepped in.
As they approached the two men Lee headed straight for Henry while Nathan approached Lucas and Jerome after making sure Lee had Henry.
"Don't worry Constable, I have things under control," Lucas said. "It's just a friendly little disagreement during negotiations."
"That's not what it looks like to me," Nathan said eyeing Henry and then seeing the smug look in Jerome Smith's eyes. He also couldn't miss that little speck of unease in Lucas' eyes which gave him even more questions.
"Henry, I thought you would have learned your lesson, but Constable I want to press charges," Jerome said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Henry berated himself for falling into Jerome's trap to get him back in jail.
"Let's go, Henry," Nathan gestured for Henry to walk in front of him to the jail.
As they walked away Jerome had one last comment. "Oh, and Henry, I hope for your sake this time you will finally see reason."
Henry stopped walking. "Ignore him, Henry," Nathan advised before Henry could say anything in reply. Henry looked between Nathan and Jerome, nodded at Nathan, and continued to the jail.
As they started walking again Joseph suggested trying to talk to Lucas first. Elizabeth reluctantly agreed, and as luck would have it, he came out as they approached.
"Lucas, we need to talk to you," Elizabeth said when they were close enough to him for conversation.
"Sure, come to my office I was just heading to Gowan Petroleum."
"What we have to say won't take long."
"All right. Oh, did you like my surprise?"
"You mean that balloon currently occupying the space at the church?" Elizabeth tried to portray a calm that she wasn't feeling.
"Yes, I was hoping to talk you into going up with me later." At her look of surprise, he added. "I learned how to operate balloons on one of my travels."
"Actually, that's what we needed to talk to you about," Joseph interjected. "It needs to be moved to a better location. But Mr. Winkler says we had to talk to you about that."
"Why would you want it to move? Your students will love it and it will attract other business here."
"That's the point. It will serve as a distraction for them, Lucas."
"Not to mention the distraction if it does attract others from elsewhere during church services."
Lucas gave a smarmy smile. "Elizabeth, I did it for you to prove I love you. I'm fighting for our love just like I said I would." When he went to grab her hand, she pulled it away. "Look, everything is going to be okay."
"Are you forgetting I told you there was no love to fight for?"
Lucas frowned. "Look I can't figure out where we can move it right now. And frankly, I feel like it's in the best location. It won't be as bad as you think. You're making mountains out of molehills."
"Well, as we have both explained that's not going to work."
"We have to table it for now and pick it up later this evening because I just remembered Jerome and I have a meeting we are late for." Then, before she could answer, he got in his car and drove off.
Elizabeth said nothing initially as she and Joseph watched his car drive off. Just before turning the corner, he looked back and gave a jaunty wave before disappearing causing Elizabeth to clench her hands into a fist.
Speaking almost to herself, she said, "Well, we will just see about that, Mr. Bouchard." Elizabeth turned and started walking towards Bill's office.
"Are you all right, Elizabeth?"
"I'm just trying to rein in my anger. How do you do it, Joseph?"
"Well, I pray a lot and the easy answer would be to refer to what God's Word has to say. When I have done that, and it hasn't worked, I also consider possible consequences if I act on it. Then consider who could be hurt. By the time I have done all that, I usually find I'm no longer angry, or the situation isn't worth it." Joseph chuckled. "But many might give you a different answer than me."
Elizabeth chuckled though anger still simmered. "I think that what really gets me is after all that he said to Julie, he acts as if it didn't happen or acts as if I'm mistaken."
By this time, they had reached the office and saw that Nathan was already there talking with Bill.
"Are we interrupting," Elizabeth asked.
Both men looked at her and saw the anger and frustration on her face
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, going over towards her and casting a look at Joseph.
"We have a bit of a situation at the church," Joseph replied.
"What's going on?"
"Lucas Bouchard and Mr. Winkler," Elizabeth replied.
"Tell me," Bill said.
Elizabeth let Joseph do most of the talking because she was mad just thinking about it.
"Bill, didn't we pass a resolution after the fiasco when he ran out of food for his Christmas festival like a year or so ago?" Elizabeth asked. "It seems like he should have gotten a permit for the balloon."
"I believe we did but I need to check to be sure. Since I'm the head of the Town Council and Pro Tem Mayor, I received no such request. At the very least, depending on their availability, we can hold a council meeting either later today or tomorrow. Lucas, of course, will have to be available to defend his position."
Elizabeth's anger began to grow all over again. "All I need is for Mr. Landis to make a surprise inspection and see Mr. Winkler camped out beside the school."
"That man does have a way of showing up like a bad habit." Joseph agreed.
"Did Lucas say why he did this?" Nathan was curious about Lucas' motives for bringing the balloonist to town.
"He did it as a surprise for me." Elizabeth scoffed before adding. "To fight for what I consider our nonexistent love." As the anger built back up, she then found out about what happened with Henry, increasing it even more.
"I was thinking that maybe you might be able to talk with Henry later," Bill said pointedly.
"Okay," Elizabeth said, knowing she needed to take a break. "Let me know when." Then she headed for the door.
"Are you all right Lizbeth?" Nathan asked, grabbing her hand gently. He absently rubbed her knuckles sending tingles through her. "Where are you going?"
"I need to think about consequences for a bit," Elizabeth said softly. Nathan could see the anger sparking in her eyes as she suddenly said, "Or I might just find myself occupying the other cell."
Without another word, she was gone. Nathan watched her walk away, her skirt swaying quickly back and forth with each step as she headed toward the livery. Turning back to Bill and Joseph he raised a brow in question as he had heard a chuckle behind him. Joseph quickly explained what she meant about consequences and then headed for the café to talk with Minnie, leaving Bill to begin contacting the council members. Nathan returned to the jail to check on Henry still feeling those tingles and thinking of Elizabeth. He couldn't stop the smile that resulted.
Authors Note: This chapter is the last of our cushion of chapters that were ready to post. We don't have more chapters ready and our focus right now is getting our Christmas story done before the New Year. You can expect the first several chapters of The Gift of Love and Friendship to be posted within the next few days. Needless to say, Never Say Never is on the back burner until the New Year. After we finish our Christmas story we will take some time to read the other stories that were written for the #holidayficexchange2. As well as other stories that we haven't been keeping up with. Then we'll be back focusing on Never Say Never and hopefully, we will once again gain a cushion of chapters.
In the meantime, we wish you,
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Seasons Greetings!
Happy New Year!
Blessings!
Sherri and Melissa