The sun peeked through the curtains and danced on Grace's eyelids.
She snuggled into her pillow for a moment before stretching and opening her eyes.
She slowly got up and stood by the window, peering behind the curtain. After a few minutes, she went to do her morning routine, get dressed and go to have some breakfast.
When Grace left her room, she reveled in the morning silence in the saloon. It was exactly what she needed due to the fact that a headache was starting to set in.
Going downstairs she hummed silently to herself as she looked around the restaurant area.
She took a seat and smiled gratefully to a waiter who poured her a cup of coffee. Ordering some bread, butter and jam she leaned in her chair and took a deep breath in.
Yesterday she was so caught up in her conversations during the day that she completely forgot to stop at the Mercantile to get some chocolate. It was only after she went to her room that she realized that she didn't have anything sweet. She could go to the kitchen to order something, like cookies or pancakes, but Grace knew it wouldn't work.
She craved chocolate. She always did when she was stressed. Hence, her breakfast this morning had to consist of at least some jam until Yosts opened the Mercantile and she could satisfy her craving for some chocolate.
She was enjoying her breakfast and coffee when all of a sudden a person stopped at her table and exclaimed:
"Grace Bennet!"
Grace nearly choked on her bread as she heard Rosemary's scolding voice.
Looking up, she smiled as she swallowed her bite.
"Rosemary! Good morning", she said, hoping that Rosemary won't stick around for far too long. Or at least until her coffee kicked in and her head stopped aching.
No such luck.
Without even waiting for an invitation Rosemary sat at her table.
"Is it? I thought that you would at least call upon us yesterday. You could come over this morning too, Lee and I are already at the office", scolded Rosemary.
Grace sighed.
"Rosemary, I just got up. I was too tired from my trip yesterday to call on anybody…"
But before she could reply Rosemary raised her eyebrows.
"Obviously not too tired to clean out the men of Hope Valley of their money in a poker game", said Rosemary.
Grace's eyes widened as she bit her laugh back.
Don't lose it, Grace.
"Who told you that?", she asked.
Rosemary shook her head.
"Nobody told me, I heard it", at Grace's blank look she added "I heard Elizabeth arguing with Nathan this morning about playing cards in the saloon because he obviously lost quite a lot of money".
Grace was in the middle of taking a sip of her coffee when Rosemary said that. She hid her grin beside the cup.
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that", she offered sweetly.
Rosemary waved her off.
"Well, what do you say we get dinner together today?", Rosemary grinned.
Grace gave her a small apologetic smile.
"Oh, I am sorry, Rosemary, I can't. I'm having dinner with Judge Avery. He is helping me with a particular case of adoption but he is busy all day long so can't make it before dinner", said Grace.
Rosemary huffed.
"Well, how about tomorrow?"
Pounding in Grace's head got stronger.
She will have to make a stop at the Pharmacy to get some aspirin.
"It all depends on tonight. I really can't promise you anything", she said as she finished her second slice of bread with butter and jam and wiped her lips with a napkin.
Rosemary frowned.
"What…Grace Bennet, you should be ashamed of yourself! How could you not make some time to spend it with me?!", she gasped "Oh! We could invite Elizabeth and go for a picnic, just the three of us! Girls' time!"
I think I'm gonna throw up.
Grace took a deep breath in to swallow a bile.
"Like I said, it all depends on tonight", she got up and added "I need to go to the Pharmacy and Mercantile", she picked up her coat from the chair.
Rosemary shot from the chair and grabbed Grace for the crook of her arm.
"We can walk together!", Rosemary grinned.
Grace bit her lip hard, then offered a soft smile
I need to get that aspirin. Or maybe even two.
As they left the saloon Grace felt trapped as Rosemary held her arm in iron grasp and prattled on as they walked. Grace stopped at the Pharmacy and bought an aspirin, Rosemary still not letting go of her.
Grace looked at the pharmacist and politely asked for a glass of water so she could take aspirin as soon as possible.
She hoped that Rosemary would at least put her voice down a few decibels so that her head could recover, but she got into talk with the pharmacist about something and cackled too loud for Grace's liking.
I need some chocolate. Now.
Grace tried to free her arm from Rosemary's grasp, but without success.
"Rosemary, I really have to go", she said. As Rosemary still didn't budge Grace could feel her composure falling apart.
She tried once again.
"Rosemary, will you please let go of my hand", Grace tried to be polite, her forehead creasing in pain.
The pharmacist gave her a sympathetic look as Rosemary still didn't budge. From Rosemary's babbling she found out that her name was Mei Sue.
And she seemed very nice.
"Rosemary, I think your friend doesn't feel well and needs to go out for some fresh air", Mei Sue tried to help, earning herself a grateful glance from Grace, but Rosemary was unstoppable.
"Oh, she'll be fine, it's noth…", but before Rosemary could finish, Grace yanked her arm away from her grasp.
"I told you I have to go!", snapped Grace, causing Rosemary to gasp in shock.
Grace decided to allow herself this moment of weakness as she stormed out from the Pharmacy.
Rosemary huffed.
"Well, I never!
Outside, Grace rushed across the street to get to the Mercantile. She opened it to find Ned talking to the customers in his usual, friendly way.
The moment he saw her his friendly face brightened.
"My eyes must deceive me! Grace Bennet!", he stepped out from behind the counter and gave her a warm hug.
Grace couldn't help but smile and hugged him back.
"Hello, Ned. It's so good to see you. How have you been?", Grace asked warmly.
They talked amicably, catching up on the things that happened since they last saw each other.
"Now, Grace, what can I get for you?", asked Ned.
Grace smiled weakly.
"Chocolate, please. With nougat cream if you have", she said pleadingly.
Ned nodded with a smile.
"Coming right up", he disappeared behind the shelves for a moment and came back carrying two bars of chocolate.
Grace quickly paid him and immediately tore up the paper, taking a bite.
Her eyelids fluttered closed.
Oh, yes. Finally.
"Looks like you really needed chocolate", Ned chuckled.
Grace opened her eyes and smiled widely, with a nod.
"Sorry", she chuckled.
Ned shook his head with a smile.
At that moment the doors opened and Florence came in carrying two stacks of some kind of papers that looked like flyers.
Ned rushed to help his wife and took over the stacks as Florence caught a sight of Grace and smiled happily.
"Grace!", she rushed toward the young woman and hugged her "What a surprise!"
Grace smiled warmly hugging Florence back.
"Hello, Florence…or should I say Mrs. Yost", Grace said happily "Ned told me the news. Congratulations, I am so happy for you".
Florence beamed
"Thank you, sweetie".
Ned placed the stacks of paper on the counter with a smile.
"Well, I'll get Robert and Timmy to put these up across the town today", he said.
Florence nodded.
"Yes. It will be good to see him again. Hope Valley owes him a lot", said Florence.
Wondering what were they talking about, Grace looked down at the stacks of papers at the counter.
Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of flyers that displayed a photo of the man she loved with every part of her heart.
The photo was black and white but she knew that his suit jacket was midnight black and his vest the colour of ice. His lips were closed, curled up in a soft smile. His glorious hair combed perfectly, making her fingertips itch.
Above the photo there were four words written and they made Grace's heart warm up.
"Welcome home, Governor Bouchard!"
Grace swallowed hard, willing her eyes to hold the tears back.
Florence took one flyer out and went to put it in on an advertising board while Ned put one on the doors of the Mercantile.
Grace held her lower lip captured by her teeth as she glanced at both Ned and Florence. When she was sure that the Yosts didn't look at her she quickly snatched one flyer and hid it in her coat pocket.
She decided to browse through the shelves…and maybe eavesdrop a bit.
As they returned to the counter Ned started to sort through mail while Florence went to the phone switchboard. Ned followed her with letters in his hands.
"I am really looking forward to see Lucas again. It's good that we kept in touch, especially after hearing what happened from Gustave", said Ned.
Florence shook her head.
"I still can't believe that Elizabeth did that. She could at least tell him earlier and not wait until he had to board the train", Florence said.
Ned shook his head.
"Well, I am glad that we'll see him", he said.
Florence nodded.
"Perhaps we could invite him to our place for dinner? Just so he knows he still has friends here", she suggested.
Ned smiled warmly.
"That is a wonderful idea, Florence", he said and gave her a sweet, short kiss.
At that moment the phone rang and Florence rushed to answer it while Ned turned to greet the customers that just came in the Mercantile.
Walking out from behind the shelves Grace waved to Florence and Ned and stepped out from the Mercantile with a smile on her face.
There were still good people in this world. There were still people that cared about the others. There were still people who were grateful for the goodness that others showed them.
And her Lucas definitely had friends in Ned and Florence Yost.
—--
May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you,
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true.
You walk a lonely road
Oh, how far you are from home.
Mornie utulie
Believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie,
A promise lives within you now.
May it be the shadow's call will fly away,
May it be your journey on to light the day,
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun.
Mornie utulie,
Believe and you will find your way.
Mornie alantie,
A promise lives within you now,
A promise lives within you now.
("May it be" - Enya)