When Calls the Heart isn't mine.

Hope Begins

Henry Gowen stood and looked at his office; it wouldn't be easy but he had no choice. He would certainly miss being one of the major businessmen in Hope Valley. Finally, he had been known not as the man who led to the death of the coalminers and generally the lowest form of scum, but as a man who cared about the wellbeing of others and ensured that they had food on their tables and could take care of their families.

However not only had he failed at that. He had failed miserably. Again.

Without thinking about it, much; he picked up the phone and asked Fiona to place a call for him.

If pressed, Henry wouldn't be able to say exactly how it happened. He couldn't say that he hadn't been thinking about it, because obviously he must have been, but he found himself taking his pen and beginning to put his thoughts down.

Although, as it turned out, he wasn't just putting his thoughts on paper he was writing a letter.

Dear Abigail, he had written, I honestly don't even know why I am writing this. And to you of all people. But I needed someone to talk to and believe it or not you're the one person I could think of. When I think about my life, the things that I have done, most of them unforgivable, I also somehow see you there forgiving me and standing by me all the time. As you know, I don't have much in my life, especially in terms of friends and family but somehow with you in my corner I feel like I don't need anyone else.

I'm sorry, I just realised that I didn't even inquire about your mother's health. I sincerely hope that she is as comfortable as she can be. From what Elizabeth told me it seems that her health is steadily declining and one doctor apparently told you that you should prepare yourselves for the inevitable. I must say that I don't know much about doctors and their work but I believe that something must be said about the strength of the human spirit and that said I am praying for you and your mother.

Sorry, again, I am rambling and you must be wondering why I wrote you this letter. Like I said earlier I am feeling somewhat at a bit of a loose end, Gowen Petroleum, I imagine Elizabeth must have told you about that, but if she didn't then I am the proud (majority) owner of a Petroleum company. Some oil deposits were discovered in Hope Valley and being the savvy businessman that I am, I quickly seized the opportunity and started Gowen Petroleum. It was going very well and expanded quite quickly although my business partner, Lucas Bouchard, I'm sure you remember him, wasn't too happy with the way that I was doing things.

He may have been right about some of my practices, although I would never admit as much to him. The truth is that the company is going through some hard times, and I am not making as much money as I should. I can't tell any of my workers about this and I have to pay their wages so I was thinking that for the next few months I will forgo my own salary in order to make sure that they can look after their families, I, at least don't have to worry about that.

So, I am writing not to make you feel sorry for me, you know I don't need or want that but to get this off my chest. I'll probably regret this in the morning but knowing you as I do, you'll forget it if I ask you to.

Yours Henry Gowen.

And like that there began a correspondence between Henry Gowen and Abigail Stanton. He kept her abreast of his version of life in Hope Valley, he was sure that Elizabeth's, Clara's and Rosemary's versions were different and Abigail told him about her life looking after her mother and how quickly Cody was growing.

Then one day, Abigail had called him. He had been busy staring at the account books wondering how in the world he was going to make them balance, when a call had come through.

"Mr. Gowen," Fiona had told him, "you have a call, I'll connect you know."

Henry couldn't believe it when he'd heard Abigail's voice, she had told him that their town had finally been connected. He had been a bit embarrassed, writing was anonymous and there was also the chance that a letter would be misplaced, and he recalled with chagrin some of the things he'd written especially about the state of his finances. Abigail must have guessed that he would feel like that because she was quick to reassure him that she was glad of his friendship in her hard times. So they made a tentative agreement to talk at least once a month, 'for we can't have that much to say,' Henry had joked but Abigail had made him promise to keep writing in addition to the calls.

They had done this for many months now, although lately Henry's letters were short; mainly a few sentences saying that he was fine. He didn't want to burden Abigail with his problems especially since she'd told him that her mother had taken a turn for the worse.

Fiona's, "Mr. Gowen I have placed that call for you," brought him back to the present. "Thank you Fiona," he told her and waited for her to get off the line.

"This is a surprise," Abigail said.

"Oh well," Henry replied hesitantly, wishing he hadn't called, "I hope it's not a bad time."

"No, no," Abigail answered quickly, "Mother is finally resting and I just sat down to have a cup of tea, so the timing is perfect."

"Good."

"So…how can I help you?"

"You know what," Henry replied, "it's nothing really."

"Out with it Henry Gowen."

"Fine," Henry sighed. "My company is about collapse and there's nothing I can do about it."

"What about Lucas? What does he say? He's your partner, isn't he?"

"Our partnership isn't working so well," Henry admitted, "I withheld the accounts from him, and well we've lost even more money."

"I see."

"And now he wants to become majority shareholder."

"Oh," Abigail knew that of all the things Henry had told her, that was really what was bothering him. She knew Henry, he came off as a bad man and she had to admit that he was a bad man at times but she knew that he cared about the people of Hope Valley and that he was probably very angry and disappointed in himself because he was going to let his employees and their families down.

"What is really annoying me though is that selling him the extra shares seems like the best solution," he said, "it would mean some money in my pocket now but I would lose control of my company and I would still have let down my employees because Lucas wants to shut down production for a while which will mean no work and therefore no pay for the men."

"Surely there's something else that can be done," Abigail said. "I'm sure we can think of something."

"I know that production has to shut down," Henry mused, "but I should at least give the men something."

"Can't you get Lucas to pay you more for your shares?"

Henry was silent for a while thinking through Abigail's words, then as an idea formed in his mind he said, "Thank you, Abigail, you just gave me a solution. I'm sorry but I have to do this now before I rethink my decision. I'll tell you about it in a little while. Thank you again."

Henry rushed to the saloon before he changed his mind about losing his company. He knew that Lucas wouldn't be able to resist the deal and with the extra money he would be able to give the workers some sort of severance pay, although he imagined they would be able to work at the company again when things improved, but for now at least they would get something for their families.

Abigail picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. She was glad she'd been able to help Henry with his problem and although she didn't know exactly what he'd done she was sure it would help their employees.

She really missed Hope Valley, especially at times like these.