Rosemary had just dropped Goldie off at daycare and was heading towards her office when she heard someone call her name. Turning around, she smiled, seeing Jessie coming up behind her. ''Good Morning, Jessie." she said when they had caught up to each other.
"Good Morning, Rosemary. I must ask, is ever a time of day when Hope Valley isn't enhancing? I haven't even been here for 24 hours, and already I am dreading the thought of leaving." Jessie said.
Rosemary looked around the town herself and smiled, "There really is no place like it, and I have been to my fair share of locations. Lee and I took a month-long cruise a few years back, and don't get me wrong, it was incredible, but coming home reminded me just how much I love this place."
They had reached the office, just as Bill crossed the street from the saloon and joined them.
"What's this about, Rosemary?" He asked, trying to sound gruff as he looked at Jessie.
Rosemary smiled at Jessie and said, "Jessie, this is Bill Avery, the territorial judge, back up sheriff and more importantly my partner. His bark is really much worse than his bite, I promise." She continued the introductions, "Bill, this is Jessica Harrison, she comes to us from Capital City and has a request."
In her years as a journalist, she had learned how to read people fairly quickly, and could see that this man tried to be gruff and intimidating. But really, he was just extremely protective of his town and the people he loved. She smiled and held out her hand, "Judge Avery, it's nice to meet you. Please call me Jessie"
Reaching out to shake her hand, Bill was surprised at the firmness of his grip and the kindness in her eyes. "Nice to meet you, Jessie." he said. Deliberately holding back the office for her to call him by his name, which didn't go unnoticed by both Jessie and Rosemary.
"Capital City, huh? What brings you here? Are you another reporter her to do an another story on the Governor?"
Jessie smiled, before answering calmly, "Yes Judge, actually I am here for that exact reason. How did you guess?"
Bill harrumphed and folded his arms across his chest, "Well, the way you dress, and the fact you are from Capital City kind of gave it away. Lucas isn't doing interviews, which you very well know Rosemary," he said looking at her, "so why I am here?"
Hoping this would be his response, Rosemary knew exactly how she was going to respond.
"Bill a short while ago, you said that being a team means trust, and right now I am asking you to trust me." She said, looking at him knowingly and raising an eyebrow.
"I knew that would come back to get me sooner or later." he grumbled. "Alright, fine, I'm listening and trusting, for now."
"Mrs. Thornton, do you think I can stay here with you while Dad and Jack have their riding lesson?" Allie asked. "Then we can meet them for breakfast?"
They had waved goodbye to Nathan and Jack, and Elizabeth assumed Allie would want to go and do her own thing, but hearing the request she smiled. The thought of spending time with this young lady warmed her heart. "I would love that Allie." she said putting her arm about the girl's shoulders, and together they went inside."
"Are you sure?" Allie asked hesitantly, "Because I can go back home and then meet you at the Café in a little bit."
"Absolutely sure." Elizabeth assured her, giving her a squeeze. "I am going to clean up the kitchen really quick, so you just make yourself at home."
"I can help." Allie offered.
She had always loved Allie, but it had changed over the years since they'd first met. Hearing how it had been just her and her uncle moving around together over the years, and seeing the walls she had built to protect herself from getting hurt again. It had brought out a protective side of Elizabeth she had never had for a student before. Seeing Allie finally let down those walls and allow herself to make friends, while thriving in school, had been such a joy. After realizing just how much Allie wanted to have her as part of her family, and the many uncomfortable conversations with Nathan, Elizabeth realized that, as hard as it was, she needed to be careful around the young girl. Especially once she and Lucas here together, but now she hoped they could start a different kind of relationship, a family relationship.
As they washed the dishes, Elizabeth could sense Allie wanted to talk about something, but was unsure how to proceed. As she was getting ready to start the conversation, Allie began first.
"Mrs. Thornton, after Jack's dad died, and you found out you were pregnant, did you ever think you didn't want him about giving him up for adoption?"
Not about to hide the surprise and the question she had just heard, Elizabeth glanced at Allie, trying to figure out where this conversation could be going and just how to proceed, when Allie continued. "I know the circumstances aren't the same, but I've been trying to understand why my birth father didn't want me, after my mom died, and why he doesn't even want to see me."
"Oh Allie." Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes. She quickly dried her hands, and pulled her into a tight hug. "Let's sit at the table. I'll make some tea, and we can talk."
Allie smiled, "Like you and Mrs. Coulter?"
"Exactly." Elizabeth said, smiling right back at her. "Now have a seat, and I'll get the water started."
As soon as the kettle was on the stove, she joined Allie and the table, sending a prayer to heaven asking for the right words to say.
"To answer your question honestly, Allie, yes, for a very short time, I did have those thoughts, and many others that had a similar outcome. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I'd be a widow and a single parent a few months after I was married. I worried I'd hate the baby, because it would be a reminder, every day, of how hard it was to lose Jack. However, those feelings didn't last very long. Sure, they would come back to haunt me once in a while, even up until he was born. But the first time I felt him move, all those thoughts and fears left and were replaced with a love that was stronger than anything I'd felt before. I knew he was a gift from God, and from my husband. A way for me to keep a piece of Jack with me forever. I think that people who lose loved ones, especially a spouse, have similar thoughts and experiences. We all have to feel and experience those emotions in order to move forward from the sadness"
"But you decided to love Jack, to keep him with you. Why do you think Dylan didn't feel the same about me? My grandma said he loved my mom so much that the thought of being with me was so hard, so he ran away. She said not everyone is able to face reminders of things that hurt them. It seemed normal to me. Then we came here, and I learned that a lot of the kids had lost their dad's in the mine, but their mom's didn't run from them. They stayed and kept loving them. Same as you, with little Jack. Why didn't Dylan love me? What's wrong with me?"
Seeing the pain in Allie's eyes, Elizabeth moved her chair closer and wrapped her in her arms, feeling tears coming to her eyes as well. Hearing the kettle was boiling, she whispered, "I'm going to take the kettle off the stove, but will be right back."
Once the pot was safely off the stove, she came back and pulled Allie back into her arms. "One of the harder things to learn in this life is that, no matter how much you want to, you can't always understand another person, nor can you control how they feel about you. They are going to make their own decisions, and their own choices. Some people are open to the idea of accepting others for who they are, and being willing to love them, no matter what the circumstances are. Sadly, others can be selfish and think of themselves, even if it means it hurts other people. I don't know Dylan, other than what you and your dad have told me, so I can't speak for him, but I can tell you this, Allie. He is a fool for not wanting you in his life. You are smart, you are beautiful, you are brave, you can see and love people for who they really are, you are thoughtful, and the list goes on and on." Lifting Allie's face up so she could look in her eyes, she continued, "My life is so much better because you are in it. Your smile brightens my day, your love for Little Jack makes my heart so happy. I am so proud of everything you've accomplished and of the person you are today, Allie. And you know what, I bet everyone in Hope Valley would say the same thing. Now I think the water might have cooled enough now, so I'll get the tea ready and bring it over."
Sending another prayer to Heaven, she thanked God for the help, and asked for more guidance as the conversation continued.
Once the tea was poured, and they'd both taken a sip, Allie looked over her cup and asked, hesitantly, "So you don't think I was the reason Dylan didn't want to stay after my mom died?"
"No, Allie, it had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with him." Elizabeth assured her. "And if I am still being honest, I am grateful that he decided to leave, because that meant you were able to get the love and care you deserved, from the person who was meant to be your dad. The love a parent has for a child, whether they were born to them or not, is because they choose to love that child, each and every day, in sickness and in health, forever. I don't love Little Jack only because he is my son, although that is part of it, I choose to love Jack each and every day because of who he is to me. Just like your dad chooses to love you, each and every day because of who you are to him. Family titles, like Mom and Dad, or Sister or Brother, are important, but they aren't a result of being born into a family, they are the result of people choosing to love each other. I love the family I have that lives in Hamilton, but I don't love the family I have here in Hope Valley any differently. In fact, sometimes I feel more love for them than I do for those in Hamilton. Blood is important, but it's not the only way a family is created."
Allie sat for a few minutes thinking about what she'd been told. A grin began to form on her face and she asked, "Does that mean I am part of your family too?"
Elizabeth pulled her close again and said, "You, my dear Allie Grant, are one of the most important people in my family" before kissing the top of her head.
"Have you spoken to your Dad about this?"
Allie shook her head slowly, "No, it's hard because I know he gets really sad and angry, but not at me, when I bring it up, and I don't like to see him sad like that, and sometimes I worry that he is keeping things from me, which makes him even more sad."
"That is very sweet and considerate of you, Allie, but it might be good for you guys to have a talk like that. I am sure it's frustrating thinking your dad is keeping things from you, like he did about Dylan being in prison, but I hope you know it's because he wants to protect you from anything that he thinks might cause you pain."
"Exactly, what he thinks will cause me pain. The problem is, he doesn't know what things will and what things won't." Allie huffed.
Elizabeth smiled, remembering when she felt the same as a child.
"I think, Allie" she began hesitantly, not wanting to speak out of turn, "It might be a good idea for you to let your dad know that you'd like to know the truth, even if it's painful. Father's tend to be overly protective of their daughters, especially when it's something they think might hurt them. Sometimes we need to assure them, it's okay if they tell us. Just don't hold it against him, okay? He loves you so much and just wants you to be happy."
"I love him too." Allie said, "And I really am sorry about everything that happened with Dylan. When dad kept saying 'No' it made me so angry, all I wanted to do was the opposite of what he said."
"I'll tell you a secret, Allie. I did the exact same thing when my father would say no. I think it's part of the relationship between parents and their kids" Elizabeth told her with a smile. "Now, let's put these cups in the sink and head over to the Café."
Bill couldn't believe what he was hearing, nor could he believe that Rosemary had actually fallen for this woman's obvious trick to get close to the Governor.
"So, let me get this straight. You told your boss you'd come get a good story about the Governor, but really you want to get back at him for his behavior towards you by doing the opposite of what he expects?"
"Basically, yes." Jessie answered.
"Well" he huffed at her, "I don't like it."
"That is why I asked you to trust me, Bill." Rosemary explained. "Do you really think I'd let anything be said about Lucas that wasn't the truth?"
He looked at Rosemary and answered back, "You really think she won't lie to you too?"
Seeing the hurt in Jessie's eyes, Bill did feel a little remorse, but kept going. "What's to keep her from showing you a story and then sending something entirely different to the paper?"
The look in Rosemary's eyes made Bill push himself backwards in his chair. Standing up, Rosemary looked at Jessie, saying, "I am sorry Jessie, will you excuse Bill and I? We are going to step outside for a moment."
Jessie nodded, not quite knowing what else to do.
"Bill?" Rosemary said, icily pointing towards the door.
Reluctantly, he got up and they went outside. "I am sorry, Rosemary," he began as soon as the door closed.
"I know, but I really need you to trust me on this. I have a friend in Capital City, who also works for the Gazette, and she pretty much confirmed Jessie's story when I spoke with her yesterday. In fact, she was willing to help out if she could. Watching Lucas struggle these last few days, seeing the sadness in his eyes, and hearing him doubt himself has made me want to do something. After I realized it couldn't come from me, because of his ties to Hope Valley and the paper for that matter, I'd been praying for a way to make this happen, and then Jessie shows up? I can't just ignore that."
Bill sighed, looking around at the town before saying, "I do trust you Rosemary, and I want to help Lucas so what can I do?"
"I'd like you to show support for Jessie, and help Lucas see the benefit. Maybe drop some hints, or something about how this is a good idea, and that she can be trusted to do the right thing. She and I will be working together on this, but encouragement from you could go a long way."
"Fine, but keep me in the loop of what's going on, please?"
"Of course Bill, we are a team, after all"
Watching Bill march down the stairs grumbling to himself, she smiled and went back inside.
"Please forgive the Judge, Jessie. He can be as ornery as my daughter when she hasn't had a nap, but he truly is a very person."
Jessie chuckled, "I like him, he reminds me of my grandfather. Don't worry, I won't tell him."
"Smart girl" Rosemary told her. "Now let's come up with our plan of attack. I assume you'd like to get this started as soon as possible?"
"I would, my editor has given me a week to get it to him, but that includes travel time."
"Okay, how about this? You and I go over to the saloon, and I'll talk to him. Once he is on board, we can get this show on the road."
Together, they walked to across the street to the saloon, both praying their next conversations would go well.
Lucas was sitting in a booth reading the paper when he heard Rosemary's voice. Looking up, he smiled as she walked in and then froze, seeing the person right behind her.