When Calls the Heart: Jack and Elizabeth's Reunion

Four Months Ago

"We'll get that order going for you in just a minute, sir," Abigail said to a customer. Then she moved onto the next person sitting at another table. It was a busy morning and she preferred to put together three to four orders at a time. Bill was going to be showing up any minute and he could handle the cooking where she could stay out on the floor, helping people with their orders. As soon as she thought of that, she turned her head around to the back door to see Bill, himself walk in, grab an apron and heat up the frying pans. She really liked having him as a partner, even though there was no longer anything romantic between them, she still valued their business and most of all, their friendship.

An hour later, all of the minors and the mill workers had exited the cafe, heading to work. Once things started to get all clean, she turned her head at the sound of the door opening, to find that it was none other than the love of her life, Frank. "Good morning, Frank," Abigail said with a smile. The sight of him near always made her heart race and a blush to rise in her cheeks. 

"Good morning, Abigail." A smile spread across his face as well. He always looked forward to seeing her every day. She was the last thing that he thought about at night and the first thing he thought about in the morning. He loved her. One thing was missing though before he could ask her the question he'd been dying to ask for months. He still needed to tell her that he loved her. He couldn't do things out of order. It was simply not done.

""Are you hungry, or did you just come by to see me?" Abigail asked. She needed to tell him that she loved him. It was so silly, her being afraid to tell him so, but she had sensed something different about him ever since Elizabeth and Jack had gotten married. And he started being a little distant when they found out that they were pregnant. She started to put things together and realized that he may want that kind of life for himself, and the only thing left to do was to get married. But she needed to tell him she loved him!

"Uh, no. I just came by to eat something. For breakfast. Most important meal of the day, you know." Frank giggled nervously.

Abigail smiled. "Yes. I do know. I keep telling you that every morning you tell me that you skipped breakfast."

"Well, I guess I'm finally taking it to heart."

"Frank, are you feeling okay?"

"Of course," Frank replied with an unintentional squeak in his voice. He laughed it off and pulled on the collar of his shirt a little. "Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?" 

"Well, it is the fall season. Maybe you're coming down with something."

"Oh, no. I think something to eat will do me quite nicely. The usual, please, Abigail."

"Of course, Frank," Abigail replied, placing her hand on his arm lovingly before walking back to the kitchen to begin making his food.

Once Frank paid for his meal, he left the cafe with a kiss on Abigail's cheek, telling her the food was great as always and headed down the main road at a fast pace, almost as if he was in a hurry to get out of there. Abigail stood there for a whole minute, stunned. What was going on with him? When she closed the door,  she turned to see that Bill was drying his hands from finishing the cleaning of dishes.

"Is there something wrong, Abigail?" He looked around the room. "Where's Frank? Doesn't he usually stay for couple cups of coffee before leaving?"

"He just left. He didn't have coffee after his meal. He didn't want to sit with me like he usually does. I don't know what is going on with him."

"Well, I'm sure that it's nothing serious."

"I hope it isn't."