I Am Not Yours

Run Again

June 1917

"Hey." Beatrice said as she entered Henry's home office later that night.

Henry sat at his desk, just staring down at some unfinished papers on it. He had heard the other woman knock on his front door, enter when he hadn't answered, and step into the office without an invitation. But he didn't quite have the energy, really, to even care.

"I'm guessing dinner with her and the family wasn't so cheerful." His ex wife said as she stepped further into the room.

He finally looked up at her. "Dinner was lovely." He told her. "Abigail and her children have been through far worse."

"Then why do you look like someone stole your horse?" She sat up on the corner of his desk.

"Because this is not what I wanted for her. I just wanted her and her family to be safe and happy. And to keep the support they've had all this time. Not for me to ruin it for them." He admitted to her. "Maybe I should leave town." He said quietly.

"Don't you dare." She told him. "I have never seen nor heard you like this before. When I first arrived, I admit that I was trying to get you back, but only because I've been so lonely since my husband died. When I found out that there was someone that you might be interested in, I got a little carried away. And jealous. But I can't believe all those things she said to the whole town about you. That's real love. You deserve it too. After what I did to you. And I am sorry. I know that I am a very selfish person at times, but back then I was also afraid for Christopher. I wasn't sure we'd be able to take care of him with you switching up jobs so much and struggling to find one with good pay. And instead of discussing my fears with you...I left. Letting you believe that it was your fault when it wasn't. It was very wrong of me and I apologize. Please don't let this stupid little town ruin the incredible love that you've finally found. Don't let ME ruin it."

The air grew quiet as Henry just looked at her for a while. Once he finally moved, she watched him stand and pick up the telephone, dialing for the mercantile to ask Fiona to ring him into the nearest train station.

"Henry, no." Beatrice frowned. "Don't leave."

He ignored her demand. "Yes, hello. Can I order a train ticket for early in the morning to Hope Valley, please?"

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The next morning, Abigail woke up in her own bed with a yawn and a stretch as she sat up. Off in the distance, she could hear the roosters crying out to announce the morning, and despite everything that happened the day before, she smiled.

She stood up, heading over toward her wardrobe before she heard a car horn outside, below her bedroom window. She went over to look out, her eyes landing on Henry's car as the driver's side door opened and her man stepped out of the vehicle. Her smile only grew upon seeing him and she opened her window. "Good morning." She spoke in a tone, not much louder than her usual tone. The morning was so quiet, save for the far away roosters, so they could hear each other just fine from where they stood.

Henry closed his car door and looked up at her without a smile. "'Mornin', Abigail. Can we talk?"

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"Are you alright, Mom?" Becky asked her mother about three hours later during their usual time for a breakfast rush in the cafe. It wasn't super busy, but it also was not as empty as it was the day that everyone found out the truth about Henry, Abigail, and Josephine.

"Hm?" Abigail, who was clearly distracted by something, responded to her daughter. "Oh. Yes. I'm alright." She said, though her tone could say otherwise.