Chapter 78 – Abigail and Frank Talk

Abigail left her office and headed back to the cafe. When she got there, she found Pastor Frank and Cody playing a game of checkers.

"Thank you Frank." Abigail said. "I didn't mean for things to go this late."

"No problem." Frank said. "Cody and I had a nice evening."

"Time for bed young man." Abigail said.

"Yes, Ms Abigail." Cody said. "Thank you Pastor Frank for staying with me."

Cody started up the stairs but turned.

"Will you tuck me in?" Cody asked.

"I will be up in a minute." Abigail said.

Cody ran up the stairs to head to bed. Abigail looked at Frank and wondered what she would do without him.

"Thank you again." Abigail said.

"My pleasure." Frank said. "I knew that you were busy with town stuff. Cody and I had fish for supper and then he wanted to do something so we played checkers. I also made sure that Jack and Elizabeth ate. They are both sleeping."

"I will tuck Cody in and then I need to talk to you about something." Abigail said.

"I will be here finishing the dishes." Frank said.

Abigail went upstairs to tuck Cody in. She felt bad that she hadn't had much time for him over the last few days.

"I am sorry that I have been busy." Abigail said.

"It is okay." Cody said. "You are helping the people from the mine. Mrs Thornton told us that we need to be understanding because they lost everything, including some of them losing moms and dads. I was glad that Pastor Frank stayed with me tonight. He makes really good fish. Do you think that we can have him over when Becky gets back?

"Well." Abigail said. "That is very grown up of you. I still feel bad. You are my responsibility and I should be here for you. I am sure that supper with Pastor Frank when Becky comes back is possible."

"It's okay, Ms Abigail." Cody said. "I am glad that you found me and Becky and that you gave us a place to stay. I have a warm bed and food to eat because of you. I understand that you are busy trying to help other people."

Abigail reached over and hugged Cody before tucking him in. They said their prayers and then Abigail headed back downstairs to talk with Frank. When she got down there, he insisted that she sit and have a cup of tea.

"So." Frank said. "What was it that you wanted to talk about?"

"I just don't know how I am going to do it all." Abigail said. "I have Cody and Becky, there is the cafe and oh yeah, I have a town to run. There is so much going on with town business that I feel like I am neglecting Cody and I need help at the cafe, but I don't think I can afford anyone. There are some repairs that need to be done. I have been putting them off and I was hoping that things would slow down so I could get to them."

"You can do it." Frank said. "There are people that are here to help you. Didn't Wynn and his wife offer to invest in your cafe at Christmas? Maybe that is a way forward for a little bit. I will do what I can to help wherever you need. You are strong and you can do this, I have faith in you. Make a list of the repairs and I will see what I can do to help."

"Thank you." Abigail said. "But it is not your job to take care of Cody. It is mine. This is also my business, I need to be here, but at the same time, I need to be at the mayor's office. There is just so much change happening and I need to be there to guide the town. You don't need to do the repairs, they are my responsibility."

"You didn't ask." Frank said. "I offered. Besides, you know what people tell me when I ask how they got through last year?"

"No." Abigail said. "But I have a feeling it has to do with this conversation."

"It was you." Frank said. "Your strength and determination was what got people through last year. Everyone I talked to said it was you that held this town together, so please let someone help you for a change. I am offering."

"Thank you." Abigail said. "I was just doing what needed to be done."

"I take it that something happened tonight." Frank said. "You can tell me if you want. You know that I won't repeat things. You just seemed so stressed. I know that a lot is going on, but this feels like something else."

"Yes, something happened." Abigail said. "I know that you wouldn't say anything, but I don't know how much I can say right now. Wynn has ordered the Mounties, Bill and myself to not talk about things until they are more clear."

"I understand." Frank said. "Just remember, I am here if you need me."

"There is something that I can tell you." Abigail said. "You just have to promise to not tell Cody, I want him to be surprised."

"Of course." Frank said.

Abigail pulled the message from her pocket and handed it to Frank. She waited for him to read it. When he looked back at her, she just nodded.

"This is wonderful news." Frank said. "I will keep it to myself, but would you mind if I was there?"

"Absolutely, you should be there." Abigail said. "I am not sure what time the stagecoach will be here. I am sure that we might know more by Friday. There is so much that needs to happen before then. I think that after everything that has happened, a large proper Easter celebration is in order for Sunday."

"I was thinking if the weather was nice, to have it in the grove." Frank said. "With the schoolhouse in use, for the injured and all."

"I think that would be perfect." Abigail said. "The large funeral on Thursday and then Easter services in the grove on Sunday."

"Can I ask you something?" Frank said.

"Sure." Abigail said.

"I understand that something like that was done when the mine accident happened last year." Frank said. "How did that go?"

"Actually." Abigail said. "There were two large funerals at the cemetery just outside of town. The first was for the first group of men that were pulled from the mine. The second was for the other group once their bodies were recovered. Before you ask, Noah and Peter were in the second group."

"How was it done?" Frank said. "I have never actually done a funeral service before the other day."

"Reverend Anderson." Abigail said. "Well, he said a few words. Both times, each of the coffins were in a row and ready to be lowered into the ground. Each widow and children stood by the coffin of their husband or father. If the man wasn't married and there was no family, someone was assigned to stand there for them. Behind the row of coffins and family were the rest of the town. We sang a couple hymns and any family was welcome to say a few words. The names of each man was read off. All in all, it didn't take long. I remember more of the first one, not so much the second. I was glad to be able to lay Noah and Peter to rest, but it brought up things that I thought I had already dealt with. The first group was recovered within a few days and it was about six weeks before the group with Noah and Peter were recovered."

"Oh, Abigail." Frank said. "I didn't realize it took that long. That must have been so hard."

"It was." Abigail said. "I knew almost right away that there was no way that they could have survived and it was only confirmed when the first group was recovered. I actually helped get the bodies ready for burial. When I saw the condition that their bodies were in, I knew that there was no way that anyone could have survived. I thought I had grieved, but then when they actually recovered Noah and Peter's bodies, it was like I lost them all over again. I knew that I had to be strong for the other women. They were looking at me and by that time Elizabeth and Jack were here. We were fighting to survive and I needed to be the strong one. It was only at night when I was alone that I was able to break down and cry. No one, not even Elizabeth, saw me cry and she was living with me."

"Abigail." Frank said. "I am so sorry. This must be so hard for you. We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"It is okay." Abigail said. "Yes, it is hard. But there is also something about knowing what these families are going through that makes me want to be able to help them. In reality, they have lost so much more. At least we still had our homes and each other. The people have not only lost a family member and in some cases, multiple family members. But they have also lost everything – their home and belongings. They have nothing and are at the mercy of strangers to help them right now. Granted they have each other, but it is different. All of us widows were going through the same thing. I was the only person to lose a husband and son. The only other family to lose two people were the Greens. They lost both of their older boys."

"You're right." Frank said. "If anyone understands, it is the people of Hope Valley. I am glad that the families will be buried together. I actually talked to Joe McGinty and he suggested that they might be able to build the coffins to hold more than one person. I thought that was a good idea, especially since we will be dealing with children. I liked the idea of placing a child with a parent or siblings together when we buried them."

"Wynn and I have housing sort of figured out." Abigail said. "At least for those with children from Silverton. But I have no idea what we are going to do with the group from Rock Creek. I am honestly hoping that those that can will go to Rock Creek. It is not that I don't want them here, I just don't know what we are going to do with them. It's just not housing. I worry about jobs for those that stay. I worry if there will be enough room in the schoolhouse. Will there be enough supplies for the children? Will Ned be able to keep up with orders of what is needed? I also don't want Faith to get overwhelmed.

I know that Christine Albertson wants to head back to Ottawa and Ann Grady and her mother Marsha Cook might want to stay here in Hope Valley. I think that I can convince the women with children to stay here in Hope Valley. The men might have to travel back and forth on off days or something. I know that Andy talked about not wanting the children at Rock Creek since they will be housed in tents near the mine. He wants a stable environment for them and for them to go to school."

"I agree about keeping the children here." Frank said. "I just wish that there was more that we could do. I think that we all need to get some sleep and then sit down and talk in the morning. Maybe you, me, Wynn, Dee and Bill could sit down. Then you can call a town meeting and lay out the options to people. Also you would be able to let them know more about the funeral and other things going on. Let Elizabeth worry about the schoolhouse. From what I can tell she had plenty of things, if not she knows how to get them. Ned will be fine. Katie has been helping and they are good. As far as jobs, we will just have to see. More people will mean more businesses and current ones hiring to keep up. Everything will work out."

"I think that is a good idea." Abigail said. "Andy said something about payroll coming in tomorrow or Thursday. He also wants us to arrange for the men that are willing and able to head to Rock Creek on Friday. I am sure that we can do that."

"I can get one of the men to drive the wagon there and back if needed." Frank said.

"I think we might need that." Abigail said. "If there is anything else that you can think of, make a list and will talk about it tomorrow. I really need some sleep."

"One last thing before I go." Frank said. "A mark of a good leader is one that knows when to hand off jobs. You have good people around you. I know that there are things that only you can handle, but there are people that are willing and able to help you. Even if it is just doing the dishes. Let someone else do that, you handle the things that only you can do."

"Thank you." Abigail said. "I needed to hear that. Wynn and Dee basically said the same thing."

"Night." Frank said.

"Night." Abigail said.

Frank stood and left the cafe. Abigail sat there for a moment a little overwhelmed. She knew that there were going to be more hard days ahead, but she hoped that it would get easier after Friday. After a few moments, she turned down the lights and headed upstairs and to bed. When Abigail got upstairs, she looked in on Cody and he was sound asleep already. She also looked in on Jack and Elizabeth, who were also sleeping. She still thought it was cute how Jack had one arm around Elizabeth and his hand protectively across her stomach. She knew that those two had been meant for each other and she was glad that things were working out for them. She also knew that Baby Thornton was going to be a bright spot for people to look forward to. In that moment, Abigail also realized that Baby Thornton might end up pretty spoiled, because there will be no shortage of people to help and hold that little one.

"Baby Thornton." Abigail whispered.

Just saying it brought a smile to her face. She knew it would be for others as well. She knew that Jack and Elizabeth weren't really telling people, but she also knew that everyone would be happy for them when they did find out.

After Abigail left, Wynn worked on paperwork for a bit. He was angry and frustrated. He hated what this town that he had come to love was going through. He resolved to do everything he could to help them, but he also had to remain impartial as a member of the RNWMP. He was once again glad that he and Dee were there to help the town and make sure that things ran more smoothly. Although, he felt that he had done anything but smooth things over. Wynn was angry at Gowen for the mess that he had created. His heart also went out to Bill for the information that he had shared. Wynn had known Bill for years and never knew that he was married or had a child at one point. Granted, it wasn't his own child, but that didn't matter when you raise a child. Wynn couldn't believe that he had never known that Bill was raised by someone other than his parents and then to have been married and lost a child. He was learning new things about the man all the time and was impressed with how he and others carried on in the face of tragedy.

Wynn realized that he had been lucky over the years. Yes, he had had his brushes with disaster, but he had never had to face the loss that the people around him have faced. He had to face both of his children having close calls, but the only real tragedy was when he and his wife lost their first born son. Wynn even realized that was much less than what the people around him had dealt with. He wasn't saying it wasn't hard, because it was and still was at times, but the sheer amount of tragedy that this town has faced together and come though stronger in their faith and friendships with each was amazing.

As Wynn waited for the men from Buxton he went over the paperwork that he had received again. He also went to the jail and retrieved the other paperwork that Jack had sent for to see if there was anything in there. Maybe he could figure out what Jack was looking for and deal with it or at least ask. He also prepared a number of wires to go out in the morning. Wynn also started making a list of things that needed to be dealt with and questions that needed to be answered. He didn't even notice when Dee had left the office. It was only when he looked around that he realized that he was gone. Finally, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it saw Captain Taylor standing there.

"MacDonald with you?" Wynn asked.

"He is caring for the horses, Sir." Taylor said. "I figured we would stay here and leave in the morning. I stopped at the jail, Bill said you were here and that we could stay in the old mining office for the night. I just wanted to let you know that we were here."

"Thank you." Wynn said. "I was waiting for you. We will deal with things in the morning. For now, get some rest."

"Yes, Sir." Taylor said.

Taylor turned and headed back to the mining office. Wynn picked up his paperwork and turned off the lights in the office and headed to the row house. He was tired and he knew that they still had a few long days ahead of them. It wasn't that he had done all that much, but he was emotionally exhausted and that was worse. He knew that others were getting there as well, if not already there. People needed a break and the only way that would come was by getting back to a routine and more normal things. What was normal? Wynn wasn't sure, but each family needed to find that for themselves. By the time that Wynn got to the row house, the town was quiet. He saw Charlotte's tent was dark and quietly entered the house to find Dee asleep on the cot by the fire. Wynn went to his room and changed. He crawled into bed and fell asleep rather quickly.