1895, Hope Valley, Canada
Elizabeth Thatcher blew out the lamp between two of the four beds in the room. "Night, angels," she whispered to the children as she left the room. Next, she walked down the hall to the toddler room two year old Helen and three year old Samuel slept in their cribs.
She checked their blankets, making sure they hadn't kicked them off. Samuel was covered, sleeping on his tummy.
Helen wasn't. She was on her back, thumb in her mouth, blanket down by her feet. She did it every single night. Elizabeth reached down and gently touched her wispy brown curls. This beautiful little girl had only been with them for two weeks but she already owned Elizabeth's heart.
"Sleep well, baby girl." Helen took a deep shuddering breath, giving away that she had cried for her Mama for awhile before dropping off. Elizabeth just rocked her and hummed, hoping one day soon, she wouldn't be so sad. She prayed for her every day and night. Truthfully, she prayed for all nine orphans now in the care of the Hope Home for Children.
….
Charlotte Thornton's home, Aberdeen….two weeks later
"Jack, it's your responsibility. You know as well as I do that Tom and Sally would want family to raise their child." Charlotte looked at him, a pleading look in her eyes.
"Ma, I know nothing about raising a child. I'm not married and I live alone in a small house. I work at the Mercantile…"
"Co-own."
"Yes. What would I do with her while I'm working? She can't stay alone, she is barely two."
"You could live here with her, I will help you raise her."
"Ma," Jack said, shaking his head.
"She is my grandchild. She deserves to live with family, not with strangers and certainly not at an orphanage."
Jack sat back in his chair. He was content with his life. He was 23 years old and he co-owned the town Mercantile with Fred Yost who inherited it from his own father, Ned. Jack made enough money to live on comfortably.
He had never imagined himself married with children. There had been one girl he had courted about five years before but they had nothing in common and she ended up moving away.
To even consider raising his niece was crazy, but he understood what his mother was saying. Helen, his niece, had lost both her parents in a wagon accident about four weeks before in Sandy Hills, a town they had just moved to which was a two day ride from Aberdeen. Tom had been offered a job there and so they had moved.
After the funeral, records that Charlotte had tracked down indicated Helen had been taken to an orphanage in Buxton. Charlotte wrote to the head of the orphanage but her return letter said that due to overcrowding, she had been sent to Hope Valley.
"She's finally close, Jack. It's been a month and it isn't fair to leave her there any longer. You need to go visit her."
"I'll think about it."
"If you don't, I will."
"Ma, with your health the way it is, you can't raise a child."
"I'm well aware of that, son. I plan to help you raise her. I'm perfectly capable of watching her for a few hours each day."
….
Hope Valley, Hope Home for Children
Elizabeth smiled at Helen who rested on her hip as she picked up blocks from the playroom floor.
"Sam!" Helen pointed, seeing her friend climbing on a chair by the bookcase.
Elizabeth hurried over and wrapped her arm around him to get him down.
"Alright, Sammy. No climbing, remember?"
"Book! Pease tory."
"Its not story time yet, sweetheart. We need to eat dinner first."
"No."
"Yes."
"Ok, who's hungry?" Cat Montgomery asked from the doorway. "Miss Abigail made yummy food for us."
Three bigger kids, about eight years old, hurried down the stairs and ran over to the washroom where a basin and pitcher were waiting.
Then four smaller, around five or six followed. Mary Dunbar assisted with the process, reminding each child to take their turn while washing their hands.
"Andy, stop pushing your brother," Mary told one of the eight year olds. "Amos, you too," she told Andy's brother.
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After about five minutes, Elizabeth took Sam and Helen to wash their hands before finally joining everyone else at the table.
"Bradley, it's your turn for saying the blessing," Mary told one of the other eight year olds. She went around and helped the others fold their hands and bow their heads.
"Dear Lord, thank you for this food and this house that keeps us warm and safe. Bless Miss Cat, Miss Mary, and Miss Beth as they take care of us and Miss Abigail for feeding us. Through Jesus name, Amen."
"Thank you, Bradley."
Cat lifted a bowl of mashed potatoes and began giving the smaller children some and then handed it to the older ones to give to themselves.
"Remember," Mary announced. "No eating until everyone has their food." She smiled when she heard a couple forks hit the plates.
Elizabeth cut up pieces of roast chicken for Sam and Helen. "Up?" Helen asked, raising her arms.
"Eat first, love. Then I'll hold you."
Elizabeth ate while she watched her charges do the same. She cared for the little ones, making sure they were loved, and taught. She absolutely adored her job.
Cat took care of the five to six year olds, teaching letters and manners, etc.
Mary was in charge of the eight year old's education which included chores in addition to other things.
Abigail was the owner of the orphanage but she mostly cared for everyone by providing delicious healthy food and timely advice to Elizabeth when needed.
That night, she needed it. She sat down at the table in the kitchen and sipped her chamomile tea.
"What's on your mind, Elizabeth?"
"So much."
"I'm listening," her kind friend reminded her.
"I want to have children, Abigail."
"You're surrounded by them, honey." Abigail smirked at her teasing but she knew what Elizabeth meant.
Elizabeth was twenty three years old and a widow of two years. She had married her husband, Paul, at the young age of nineteen. They had been happy and in love but never had been able to have children of their own.
When she moved to Hope Valley from Alberta to start over, she found a job at the orphanage. It was perfect. She couldn't have children naturally, so the next best thing was to take care of those who didn't have parents.
"I want to adopt Helen."
"Oh." Abigail knew it was hard not to get attached to all the children but she could see Elizabeth doing just that over the last month. "You're not married."
"I'm aware of that, but I want to be her mother. I'm supposed to take care of her, I know I am."
"Elizabeth, I understand that you love her but I received a telegram from Aberdeen."
"A telegram?"
"Yes, from a Charlotte Thornton. She claims to be Helen's grandmother."
"What? Why was she brought here if she had family?" Elizabeth could feel her heart breaking. This Charlotte person was going to take her away.
"Helen's parents were originally from Aberdeen but they moved to Sandy Hills not long ago. No one knew about any family of her parents."
"How old is she?"
"Who? Charlotte? I have no idea. Age doesn't matter where family is concerned." Abigail put her hand over Elizabeth's. "Honey, Charlotte is sending her son, Jack, to meet Helen. He will be raising her."
"No, this isn't supposed to be happening."
"Elizabeth, when I hired you a few years back, I told you that you couldn't get attached. Our goal here is to place these children in loving homes, not for them to live here permanently."
"When is he coming?"
"In two days. We need to prepare her and ourselves that he might take her back to Aberdeen."
….
Two days later, Hope Valley
Jack stared at the wooden plaque above the door of the orphanage. The Hope Home for Children. It was a good name, he figured. All children need families but if they don't have one, they need hope.
He knocked and waited. Shortly, a middle aged woman with brown hair and an apron opened the door.
Then four boys ran out the door, almost knocking him over.
"Boys! Slow down!" the woman pleaded, but they were already gone. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm Abigail Stanton, the owner."
"Jack Thornton, ma'am." He clumsily removed his cowboy hat and held it, nervously rolling the rim.
"Come inside. Would you like some coffee or tea? Is your wife with you?"
"Coffee, please. And no, I'm not married, ma'am."
"Take a seat and I will get your coffee."
He sat down at the table next to a small boy he guessed was about five years old. His little blue eyes stared up at Jack.
"Hi," he said shyly.
"Hi. Are your eggs good?"
The little guy shrugged. "I'm Eli."
"I'm Jack. Nice to meet you, Eli."
"Eli? Are you finished? It's time for school," another woman said as she walked in. "You are the slowest eater on God's green earth, my boy." Eli giggled.
"I'm Cat Montgomery," she said to Jack, now noticing him.
"Jack Thornton, ma'am."
"I'm done," Eli announced, his mouth full of un-chewed eggs.
Cat sighed and kissed the top of his head. "Eli, you are a test of my patience. Smaller bites or you might choke."
"Yes, ma'am," he said after swallowing.
"Now scoot. Head to the school room and start your letters."
Eli ran off just as Abigail brought over three coffee cups. Then she brought the pot of coffee and filled all three.
Cat left the room and Jack stared at the cups, confused.
"Is someone else joining us?"
"Yes, Helen's caretaker. She will be here in a moment. There's something you need to know, Mr. Thornton."
"Sorry, Sam wouldn't go down for his nap," the woman said who walked in.
Jack first noticed her big blue eyes and dark hair. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, but a few curls had escaped.
Then she smiled and he lost his breath. It transformed her face completely.
"Sir?" He shook his head and looked down, realizing she held out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Elizabeth. You're Mr. Thornton?"
"Jack, please."
She nodded. At the same time he was noticing her, she was discreetly gazing at him. Gorgeous green eyes framed by very long eyelashes. Heart-shaped lips that she quickly looked away from to avoid embarrassing herself. Brown hair that looked very soft.
Jack spoke again. "I'm here to see my niece. It's been about two months since I've seen her."
"She's sleeping," Elizabeth told him.
"I'm willing to wait."
"May I ask why you waited so long to come find her?"
"We were informed that she was taken to the orphanage in Buxton first. They then informed us that they sent her here. With the mail service the way it is, it took quite a while."
"There's always telegrams."
"Yes and once we found out where she was, my mother sent one, as I'm sure you're aware."
"So you and your wife will raise her?" Elizabeth asked innocently.
"Just me, ma'am. I'm not married."
"She needs a family, sir. A mother and a father."
"Ma'am, I'm sure you'll agree that me being her family is important too."
"What will you do, Mr. Thornton when she grows up and has female questions? A girl needs a mother."
"My mother is going to assist me in raising her. She won't be lacking in female influence."
"But I can give her…." Elizabeth started before stopping herself. "Excuse me."
Abigail took a sip of coffee and looked at Jack. "I wanted to tell you before. Elizabeth has fallen head over heels for your niece. We were told she had no family and as hard as it is to not get attached…well, she did. Elizabeth wants to adopt her."
Elizabeth walked back in the room and straightened her clothes before sitting. "I apologize. Helen is a wonderful little girl and I love her," she said with her voice full of emotion. "I would like to be her mother."
"I'm her family, ma'am. Surely you know that being with me and her grandmother is best."
"I don't know any such thing, Mr. Thornton."
Jack looked at both women and sighed. "I only see one solution here."
"I adopt her!" Elizabeth said.
"We get married," he blurted.
"Excuse me?"