Chapter 30

When the front door of the jail opened, the three prisoners didn't even look up. They were accustomed to people coming and going. They were also a little embarrassed at their predicament. Charles was most certainly not comfortable to this treatment. He has also spent the past day lost in his mind concerning Elizabeth. She seemed so resolute in her thinking that they never courted. He still didn't understand it. Every time he thought about their past events, he was more certain they courted. Gowan was just mad at his circumstances. He has broken the law for so long. He was accustomed to getting away with it. He was shocked he was in jail. Louis honestly didn't think he would be in jail much longer. He handed Charles and William to the mounties on a silver platter. He just knew he would be getting out sooner rather than later.

"Charles…" William stated in shock as he walked into the jail. "You're in jail!"

"Mr. Thatcher!" Charles jumped to his feet.

"Now I guess why you never sent me word." William looked shocked at Franklin and Charles.

"Yes sir. I was arrested not long after arriving here."

Charles watched shocked when Jack escorted William to the cell and began opening the door. Jack had his hand on William's shoulder nudging him into the in the cell with Charles. Gowan and Louis were in the other cell. Jack checked the clock on the wall behind his desk after locking the cell door.

"Jackson, it is getting close to dinner time. I'll go to the café and place an order for the prisoners." William flinched at being called a prisoner. "Make sure that a mountie is always present. Take notes if there is any communication that you deem important."

"Yes, sir."

Jack looked from Charles to William. The realization was beginning to wear on William. He still had thoughts his lawyer would get him out of this. However, the weight of being in jail was beginning to press down on his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Thatcher."

"I don't believe you are. You asked Elizabeth to marry you without talking to me first."

"There isn't any need to speak to you concerning my relationship with Elizabeth. I wish I could change your mind concerning me, but there is nothing I can do for that to happen. I don't come from the right family for you to ever accept me. No matter what Elizabeth says."

"You are correct, young man."

"Wait! You asked Elizabeth to marry you?"

"I did Mr. Kensington. She accepted earlier today."

Charles' nose flared with anger. He was never a man who resorted to violence, but if he could have gotten his hands on Jack, he would have liked to punch him.

"There is no way she would have accepted your proposal." Charles stated in disbelief. "You two have been friends for three years and nothing has ever advanced with you two. She accepted my proposal!"

"She didn't." Charles tried to stare a hold through Jack. "I guess we finally decided what we wanted in life." Jack couldn't avoid a little smirk on his face. "I asked her a couple of hours ago and she agreed."

Without taking his eyes off Charles, he spoke to Jackson. "I'll be back soon. Do you need anything?"

"No. We are going over in a little while. We will take shifts so someone will be with the prisoners since there are four of them."

Jack nodded his head. He finally looked away from Charles and turned toward the door. Not only did he need to order the prisoners their meal, but he wanted to check on Elizabeth.

…

Grace sat dumbfounded inside Abagail's sitting room. She heard every word Elizabeth told her, but they just didn't make sense. There is no way her William would be in charge of destroying a business like that nor would he attempt to kill anyone. All she could do was to shake her head every so often. She knew Elizabeth wouldn't lie to her, but it just wasn't adding up.

Elizabeth didn't tell her mother everything. She wasn't sure what she should share with her mother. She told her mother about Charles' pocket watch and about a letter her father wrote to Mr. Franklin. Jack showed her the letter to see if she recognized the handwriting.

"But Elizabeth…your father wouldn't have done any of that." Grace's voice was broken.

"I wouldn't have thought so, mother. But Jack has a lot of evidence that proves he did."

"There's more?"

"There is. I'm not sure what I can share with you. Jack will speak with you later and tell you what he can. He may not be able to share everything with you, but I trust him."

"Are you really engaged to him?" Grace nodded toward the beautiful ring on her finger.

"I am." Elizabeth stated with pride and a growing smile. "He asked me a couple of hours ago along with JJ."

"Who's JJ?"

"Mother, we have a lot we need to catch up on."

"I suppose we do…" Grace's voice went quiet. Her mind was struggling to comprehend everything.

Both ladies looked up to see Jack standing in the doorway. Elizabeth smiled with her eyes. The moment weighted heavy on her too. Jack gave her a small smile in return. He held up his finger to single for Elizabeth to give him a moment. She nodded. Jack turned to Mary.

"Mary, can you prepare a sandwich meal for four prisoners?" Jack asked in a hushed voice. He didn't want Elizabeth and Grace to hear him call their family 'prisoners'.

"Sure, Jack. I'll have it ready soon."

Jack turned his attention back to Elizabeth. He hurt for her. He knew she was in a difficult position. She wanted to live her life, but her father's actions were difficult to reconcile. Plus, she still loved her father.

Jack slowly walked toward Elizabeth. She never broke eye contact with him. They saw the emotions in each other's eyes. He was relieved when Elizabeth pulled the chair beside her back for him to sit down. As Jack walked past Elizabeth, he allowed his hand to gently touch her back. His hand ran from her left shoulder to her right shoulder.

"Jack, thank you for not handcuffing my father."

Jack nodded his head.

"Yes, Constable…thank you for your kindness."

"Elizabeth, how are you? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. A little shaken but I'm ok."

Grace watched her middle daughter interact with this mountie. She had met him before, but she never gave him too much thought. Now she was seeing him in a different light. She could easily see the worry he had for Elizabeth. It was written on his face and dripping in his tone. Grace thought he would have been gloating at the arrest of her husband. William was always short with him and treated him with contempt. William's snide remarks were always available. Grace noticed Jack never took his eyes off her daughter. She looked down and noted that Jack's hand was on top of Elizabeth's. He was softly rubbing the back of her hand with this thumb. She glanced up and noticed his expression. It wasn't a look of happiness. He wasn't gloating. His face showed hurt.

"Are you sure?" He scooted his chair a little closer to Elizabeth.

Grace wasn't even sure if Elizabeth knew Jack did it. She watched her daughter lean a little closer to Jack. They weren't touching, but she definitely moved closer. To Grace, it felt like Elizabeth needed to be closer to Jack for comfort and strength. It was easy for her to see the pull between the two of them.

Maybe they are good for each other… Grace thought to herself.

When Jack knew Elizabeth was good, he turned his attention to Grace.

"Mrs. Thatcher are you ok?"

Jack's voice broke Grace from her thoughts. Graced looked from Elizabeth to Jack. She could hear the empathy in his voice toward her.

Jack gave her a small smile at her bewildered expression.

"I'm sorry for having to arrest Mr. Thatcher. Please trust me when I say that I don't take any enjoyment in it." Grace nodded her head. For some odd reason, she believed Jack. "I was only performing my duty. I had no choice but to arrest Mr. Thatcher and Mr. Kensington."

"Wait, you arrested William and Charles?"

Jack glanced at Elizabeth for a moment. Then he leaned in toward Grace.

"Let's begin with Mr. Thatcher…" Grace nodded her head. "…He orchestrated the destruction of the mill. He paid…" Jack went into the evidence he had against Mr. Thatcher. He spared no fact, but he did soften his voice. He did not want to sound callous. Jack shared about William's meeting with Louis and Charles. He described William's telegrams that were signed W. Thatcher and the handwritten letters to Louis. Jack shared about the uncashed check from Thatcher Shipping signed by William and the contracts that were signed between William Thatcher, Charles Kensington, and Louis Franklin. He ended with the recording from Charles and Louis. When he laid out his evidence, Grace leaned back in her chair. She was overwhelmed with everything Jack just told her.

Grace looked toward Elizabeth for verification. Her head dropped when Elizabeth lowered her head and then nodded ever so slightly.

"I can't believe my husband would do something like this…"

"I can't believe father would do this…"

Both Elizabeth's and Grace's voice trailed off.

Jack gave them a few minutes for them to digest the news. He knew it wasn't easy for Grace and Elizabeth. "I'm sorry Mrs. Thatcher. I'm sorry Elizabeth."

"Jack, I have told you this isn't your fault."

Jack lowered his head. Grace continued to study Jack's posture. Oddly, she was impressed with this man. He should have been gloating over the arrest. A payback if you will. However, he seemed saddened.

"So…you arrested Charles on the same evidence?" Grace asked.

"Yes and no…" Jack softly stated. He wasn't sure how much Elizabeth shared with Grace.

"Mommy!" JJ yelled as he turned the corner from the dining room into Abgail's sitting room.

Grace looked up to see a handsome little boy running toward them. His arms were wide open, and he had the biggest smile on his face that she had ever seen on a child. "Mommy…?" Grace whispered as she watched this boy running in their direction. She followed the little boy the entire way to their table. She watched him leap the last few feet into Elizabeth's waiting arms. She didn't notice that Elizabeth moved to the edge of her seat. Elizabeth knew what her little boy was going to do. Elizabeth immediately wrapped her arms around this little boy and gave him a big squeeze.

"Mommy, what are you doing?" The exuberant little boy exclaimed in a fast voice. He was excited to be in his mom's arms.

"JJ, I would like for you to meet my mother, Mrs. Grace Thatcher."

JJ jumped down from Elizabeth's arms and turned his attention to this woman.

"Hello Mrs. Thatcher. I'm JJ."

"Good afternoon, JJ." Grace was shocked.

"JJ, would you please go and see if Auntie Abagail needs any help?" Jack spoke. JJ knew the true meaning of what Jack asked.

"Sure daddy." JJ gave Mrs. Thatcher and then Jack and Elizabeth a huge smile. Everyone watched JJ jog out of the sitting room and into the kitchen area.

"Mother…daddy…" Grace repeated.

"Mother, we have a lot to discuss. First, please allow Jack to share why Charles is arrested.

Grace leaned back in her chair. Jack gave her a few moments to allow her mind to calm. She has been bombarded with a lot over the last little bit.

…

"Tom, I think we need to give them some time before I talk to mother."

"I think so too. Jack is talking with her about everything that just happened."

Tom and Julie were sitting in the dining room. They saw Elizabeth and Grace walk by the front door down the sidewalk to the side door of Abagail's.

"I didn't know you mother was coming."

"I didn't either. We knew my father was coming. I don't think anyone new mother was coming."

"How do you think it's going in there?"

"She's a little confused." Abagail stated. She just walked in from the kitchen area. "She is listening to everything, but everything is very shocking to her.

"Yes, just wait until I add my wedding news on top of all of this."

…

"He did what!?" Grace's voice raised several volumes. "Charles placed his hands on you like that?!" Grace's voice only grew in volume. The anger was growing inside of Grace, and it was beginning to come out in her voice.

Elizabeth nodded her head. She raised her short sleeves just a couple of inches to show her mother the three small bruises on her bicep. Charles had grabbed her hard enough to leave some bruises behind. When Jack saw them, he was infuriated. He didn't know about the bruises. Elizabeth mouthed "I'm sorry" when she looked up at him after lowering her sleeves. Jack's face was beginning to turn red with anger. She wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Jack. She also knew Jack would tear down the cell door to get to Charles.

Elizabeth intently watched Jack close his eyes for a moment. He was trying to control his emotions. He was losing that battle. His face only turned redder the more he thought about it. He opened his eyes to see Elizabeth looking at him.

"I'm sorry. It didn't hurt and I knew how mad you would be. I didn't want to cause any more trouble."

Jack could only look in her direction. He was very grateful Charles wasn't standing in front of him at this moment. Elizabeth reached for Jack's clinched fists. It took a couple of moments for Jack to release the tightly clinched fist. Elizabeth intertwined her fingers with his.

"It really didn't hurt. I didn't even know I had bruising until this morning. As you can see, it's very light."

"I know, but you should have told me."

"I know, but I was a little distracted today." Elizabeth's face beamed with joy thinking about what JJ and Jack did to distract her.

"Mother…" Elizabeth turned her attention back to her mother. "…Charles came to take me back to Hamilton. Even though I have told him countless times I didn't wish to go back."

"But your father said you did…"

"I know but I have told him that my place is here. Neither one of them would listen to me."

"Because of that, Charles grabbed you?"

"That was part of it. He said that he should have moved along our courtship. I told him that we never courted."

"Elizabeth, I always thought you two were courting."

"I understand, but I have told Charles we never did. He was a close friend and that was all."

"But you two did so many things together. Even when you two came to Hamilton." She nodded between Elizabeth and Jack.

"I handled that all wrong. I also told Charles a few times that I was courting Jack."

"Because of that, he grabbed you?"

"No, he was trying to force himself on me. That's why he grabbed me. I refused to kiss him. He said he moved us at the pace that society demanded, but maybe he should have moved us along quicker."

"That man!" Grace huffed. She loved Charles and thought he and Elizabeth would make a great union, but forcing himself on her middle daughter was unforgiveable. Grace's face was beginning to turn red with uncontrolled anger. She quickly stood from her chair with fire in her eyes.

Elizabeth reached for her mother's hand. The soft touch brought Grace out of her thoughts. She looked down into her daughter's eyes. She began to calm down. Elizabeth gently pulled on her mother's hand for her to sit back down.

"I simply can't believe Charles would do that. He has lost all respect."

"He is under arrest for assaulting Elizabeth. I rode up when he grabbed her and pushed her against the wall."

"He pinned you against the wall?" Grace's face was turning red in anger again.

"He did. I broke my right hand free from his grasp and I slapped him."

"Good for you." Grace stated with a bit of satisfaction in her voice.

Jack couldn't hide the smile at this older woman. While he knew she loved Charles, Elizabeth was her daughter. No one messes with your child.

"When he stepped back, Jack rode up and got off his horse. He tackled Charles to the ground and then punched Charles. He knocked Charles out cold."

"That must have been satisfying." Grace stated with a little teasing in her voice.

Jack only smiled at Grace.

"So, he's in jail for assaulting you?"

Both Jack and Elizabeth nodded.

"What about his role in the attack on the mill?"

"He will be charged for that too. With both charges, he will probably spend a good amount of time in jail. It really depends on what the prosecutor does. Mr. Kensington will spend time in jail." Jack stated.

Grace sat back in her chair. She wanted to ask about William but wasn't sure if she should. Jack sensed she wanted to ask.

"I'm not sure about Mr. Thatcher. There is more than enough evidence against him. He won't escape jail time, but if he makes a plea arrangement with the prosecutor, his jail time would be smaller."

"If he doesn't make a plea arrangement?"

"He would serve the full sentence. There is no way he can get out of this. The evidence is concrete and there is too much of it to be dismissed."

"How long?"

"With no agreement, it would be many years. Probably a few years with an agreement, but I'm not sure. That's not my discretion. I'm only guessing."

"Thank you."

Grace closed her eyes for a few long moments. Elizabeth and Jack reached for the other's hand at the same time. Both grinned knowing they needed each other.

…

"How are they doing?"

"I'm not sure, Tom. They have been in there a while." Julie answered as she stole a glance into the sitting room. "Mother is sitting with her eyes closed."

"Maybe we need to tell them tomorrow or even the day after."

"Maybe…" Julie continued to look at her mother. "If they are telling her everything, it will take a while for her to understand it all."

"Julie…do you regret what we did?"

"Absolutely not!" She immediately answered.

Tom's smile gave her his answer.

"I know a lot of things are happening right now, but we are finding our way together. I like that."

"Me too."

…

"So…you took JJ on when your academy brother and his wife was killed?"

"I did."

"Jack, that very honorable of you."

Elizabeth's attention was immediately drawn to her mother. That was the first time her mother used Jack's name instead of his title.

"I believe that little guy has been better for me than I ever have for him."

Elizabeth reached for Jack's hand and gave it a squeeze. "He has been good for both of us."

"And JJ calls you mother?"

"He does. When I came back to Hope Valley, Jack was away for a couple of days. I met JJ here at Abagail's. The moment I met him I feel in love with him. I didn't even know who he was staying with. He calls me his mommy. I share that title with his mommy in heaven."

"JJ does the same with me about his daddy."

"Jack, Elizabeth…it's easy to see that little boy loves you both."

"We love him." Jack and Elizabeth stated at the same time.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Elizabeth, it's getting into the evening." Abagail stated.

"Thank you." Elizabeth turned her attention to her mother. "Mother, you will be staying with me here. I live upstairs with Abagail. There is a small bed in my room you may use."

"I can just stay at the hotel."

"Mrs. Thatcher, the hotel is safe and all, but it's just above the saloon. No one would bother you, but it's usually loud until about midnight or even later. Please, stay here with Elizabeth and I."

"Thank you, Ms. Stanton. You are everything my daughter has written to me. She has said so many things about you."

"That's very kind of her, but I don't know if I would believe everything she wrote."

All the ladies smiled.

…

Jack's head snapped up when he heard a stagecoach approaching. He looked at the clock on Abagail's wall. The stagecoach that brought William and Grace was early. He noticed this stagecoach was early as well. He was expecting it in another hour or so.

Elizabeth also heard the stagecoach. Her eyes immediately went to Jack. The last couple of times the stagecoach arrived, it wasn't the best of news. Charles came in and all the trouble that followed him. The stagecoach with her parents had already arrived. There shouldn't be another stagecoach for a couple of days. Jack could see her panic a little. She noticed Jack's playful grin, but that didn't help her nerves any.

"It's ok, Elizabeth. We need to see who is on it."

"Jack…"

"I promise it's ok." Jack stated as he reached for her hand. Not only did he want to hold her hand, but he also figured he would have to drag her outside. "Come on sweetheart."

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment. Her nerves were on high alert.

Jack gently pulled Elizabeth out of the side door and onto the sidewalk. He extended his arm. Elizabeth smiled at him and accepted his arm. She leaned onto his shoulder a little more than normal. The stagecoach was smaller than the typical coach. It was just a few yards from the platform. The different stagecoach kept her attention. She realized it was a private stagecoach.

Jack and Elizabeth watched the stagecoach stop at the platform. The driver stepped off his seat. He was wearing a uniform. Normally drivers don't wear a uniform. This man was dressed up. Jack and Elizabeth continued to walk toward the platform when the first person stepped out of the coach with the help of the driver. After another step, Elizabeth stopped walking. She stopped so quickly that she pulled Jack back a step when he continued walking.

"Jack…" Elizabeth's voice was soft. She couldn't believe whom she just noticed stepping off the stagecoach. "Is that…"

…

Abagail was walking down the steps into the kitchen area. She just escorted Mrs. Thatcher to the bedroom she would be sharing with her middle daughter. Frank came in through the side door. When their eyes met, their smiles grew. They missed each other.

"Hey you…how are you?"

"I'm fine." Frank walked toward her. He kissed her on the cheek.

"What do you have there?"

"Oh…I thought we might go fishing in the morning."

"That sounds nice. I can go, but I have to go early. I need to get things ready here and then run to the office. There are a few things I need to figure out for Hope Valley."

"I can work around that. Loser cooks the fish?"

"Perfect. I love the way you cook fish."

"Abagail, not everything has to be a competition."

"Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart." Abagail sassed him by patting his cheek.

"You're on."

"I like tea with my fish." Abagail teased.

…

The older lady stepped off the stagecoach with the help of the driver. She stretched with her hands above her head. She straightened her dress and fixed her hat. The ride was nice, but it was long, and she was tired from sitting in the coach for so many hours. She looked up toward the jail and then across the street. "This is small but very nice." She stated to herself.

"It is dear." An older man stepped off the stagecoach. "I like it." He stated as his eyes followed his wife's.

"Mrs. P…?" Elizabeth asked shocked. She squinted her eyes to try to get a better look at the individual.

Mrs. P turned around and instantly locked eyes with Elizabeth. The recognition happened at the same time for both ladies.

"Mrs. P!" Elizabeth screamed in pure delight. "Mrs. P…you're here!" Elizabeth began running toward her friend and mentor.

Elizabeth closed the distance between her and Mrs. P in no time. Before both ladies knew what was happening, they were holding each other in a loving hug. They were swaying back and forth as they held onto each other. Jack smiled at the love between both ladies. He walked up to the stagecoach driver and helped him unload the trunks with the older gentleman. Mrs. P came with two trunks. One was for her and her husband and the other one was for Elizabeth. Jack and the driver weren't sure what was in them because they were heavy.

The ladies' embrace continued long after the trunks were unloaded. Jack smiled at the driver. "Sir, why don't you go over to Abagail's café and have a meal. Please tell the nice lady to place it on my account."

"You don't have to do that."

"I know, but please have them place it on Constable Thornton's account."

"Thank you. I'll take care of the horses first then I'll head over." Jack nodded and turned his attention to the two women standing beside him. They weren't hugging anymore but they were still in each other's arms.

"What are you doing here?" An excited Elizabeth asked. She spoke so fast that Mrs. P had trouble understanding her.

"It's so great to see you, Bethie. I've always wanted to visit Hope Valley and see why this place has such a hold on you."

"Well, it's not much, but it is home."

"From what I see so far, it's gorgeous."

They continued the hold on each other as they continued to look in the eyes of their loved one. Elizabeth just couldn't get over the fact that Mrs. P was in her arms in Hope Valley.

"What brought you here?"

Mrs. P gave Elizabeth a huge smile. She nodded her head towards Jack. "He did. He sent me a telegram."

Elizabeth turned her head towards Jack while still speaking to Mrs. P. "Jack did?"

"He did."

"Jack…" Elizabeth stated looking in Jack's direction but not letting go of Mrs. P.

"I sent her a telegram a few days ago."

"Why?"

"Jack said you may need my help."

Elizabeth's attention was drawn back to Mrs. P. "That I may need your help?"

Mrs. P didn't want to ruin Jack's surprise if he hadn't proposed yet. She looked toward Jack. He nodded toward Elizabeth's hands.

Mrs. P's attention turned to Elizabeth's hands that were resting on her forearms. She immediately focused on Elizabeth's left hand. She quickly noticed the engagement ring on her finger.

"Oh Elizabeth! The ring is gorgeous!"

"I think so."

"When?"

"A few hours ago."

Mrs. P's smile overtook her face. She was happy for her little one. She knew the two needed to be a couple.

"Jack sent me a telegram a few days ago. He told me that there might be a wedding soon. He asked if I could come." Elizabeth shed a tear at the thoughtfulness of her fiancé. Jack knew how important Mrs. P was to her. "He stated that it may happen somewhat soon. I rearranged everything to come."

"That's so nice of you to come."

"Bethie, I wouldn't have missed this for the whole world." She leaned in and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "He also asked if I would bring something for you."

"Really? What's that?" Elizabeth asked in a childlike manner. Mrs. P always gave the best gifts.

"It's in the second trunk. We'll look in a few moments. I would like to stretch my legs."

"Let's go for a short walk around town."

"You can show me this famous church and schoolhouse of yours."

"Well, it's the town's building. It's not mine."

"Sure…Jack paid for it and built it, but I don't think it was for the town he did all of that." Smirked Mrs. P. She looked toward Jack as she spoke. She gave him a grandmother's look letting him know she knew the truth.

"Mrs. P, this is Constable Jack Thornton, my fiancé. Jack, this is Mrs. Pacifico, or who I always called Mrs. P. I know you two have met before, but not officially."

"Well, young man, it is great to finally met you officially. We briefly met while you were in Hamilton, but you were too busy with Tom for us to truly sit down to get to know each other."

"Yes, Mrs. Pacifico. I remember being introduced to you."

"Hopefully, we will have more opportunities to sit and get to know each other. I would like to get to know you better since you are marrying Elizabeth. Please call me Mrs. P."

"I look forward to it, ma'am."

"So, you said you're here because Jack sent you a telegram?"

"Let's take that walk while Jack takes care of the trunks for us."

"I'll take the trunks to my house. The Pacifico's are staying with JJ and I while they are here."

"Really?"

"Yes, I don't want them to stay at the saloon. Your mother is staying with you at the café. There is no room. I'll stay in JJ's room, and they can have my room."

"Mrs. Thatcher is here? And who is JJ?"

"Mrs. P, we have a lot to discuss."

…

After a quick kiss for their men, Mrs. P and Elizabeth turned and walked arm in arm toward the café and the school building.

"Bethie, your mother is here?"

Elizabeth took a few moments to tell Mrs. P everything that has been going on the last few days. She shared everything that happened with Charles and her father. She told Mrs. P about their arrest and the crimes they are charged with. Mrs. P couldn't believe it.

"JJ has taken complete control of my heart. That little boy is just priceless." Mrs. P warmed at the expression of love on Elizabeth's face.

"I look forward to getting to know JJ over the next few days."

"Be ready, he will steal your heart."

"Someone already has my heart." Mrs. P tightened her hold on Elizabeth's arm. "I believe you are going to make a great mother."

"My heart melts each time he calls me mommy."

"I knew you would be great at that one day." Mrs. P's smile only grew as Elizabeth spoke about JJ and Jack. It was easy to see her complete love for her two men.

"So, you came all this way just to visit?"

"Well, it was the reason to begin with, but I must admit, there is an ulterior motive."

"Out with it, Mrs. P."

Mrs. P laughed at Elizabeth's words and expression.

"You better hope your face doesn't freeze that way, young lady." Both ladies smiled. "Well, first of all, Jack telegrammed me and told me that he was proposing. He's hoping the engagement is short."

"We were just engaged. We haven't even had time to discuss the time frame."

"Well, he asked if I would bring you something for the wedding."

"Is that what is in the trunk?"

"It is. Pierre James sent you something."

"Pierre James?" Elizabeth gasped.

Pierre James was the most sought after dress maker in Hamilton. He made all the wedding and dance dresses for the most influential people.

"Yes, I called him after receiving Jack's telegram. He still had your measurements. He has sent three dresses for you to choose from."

"Wow!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I can't imagine why he would do such a thing."

"Once I told him it was for your wedding, he volunteered. I am to send the two you don't choose back to him."

"He always did such a great job dressing me for those types of occasions."

"That's why I contacted him. He always knew you the best."

"That sounds perfect. I can't wait to see them. So, what's the second reason?"

"My husband and I retired."

Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to face the precious woman. "You retired?"

"Oh yes. It was time. There were no more little ones to look after. You and your sisters are out in the world all grown up. It was just your mother and father in that huge house. They didn't need me any longer."

"What are you going to do?"

"I guess I'm going to enjoy retirement."

Elizabeth looked at her with a questioning look. "Mrs. P…you are not the type of person to sit and do nothing. Now, you are not too old. You are healthy and your husband is just like you."

"Well, we are looking for a place to buy. Your father gave me a good retirement package along with my husband. We will find a place to stay and find something to keep us busy." Mrs. P laughed at Elizabeth's expression. "Yes Bethie, we are partly here looking for a home to purchase."

"Here…in Hope Valley?"

"Yes. I think I fell in love with Hope Valley just through your letters. From what I have seen so far, you didn't oversell the place. This town is beautiful."

Mrs. P's words made Elizabeth smile.

"Maybe…maybe you could use my help." Mrs. P asked cautiously.

"Your help?"

"With any babies that may come your way."

Elizabeth's face turned red. "Mrs. P, I would love for you to be greatly involved with any babies we may have, but not as an employee, but as my babies' grandmother."

"I would love that, Bethie!"

"Almost as much as I would." Elizabeth smiled.

Mrs. P stopped walking. She was looking at a beautiful building. It was white with a bell tower hovering over the front porch and steps.

"Oh Elizabeth…it's gorgeous!"