Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the creators, actors, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

Note: Just a thought I had regarding Elizabeth's arrival in Hope Valley. What if Rosemary was already in town, and Jack hadn't met Elizabeth yet. Would Rosemary have had a chance to get him back?

Chapter 1- Best Laid Plans

"Good morning Jack," Rosemary called out from across the street. She received no reply so she walked closer.

"Good morning Jack," she called out again.

"Good morning Miss Levoux," Jack replied.

"Why so formal?" She asked.

"Apparently given our history, I didn't know you as well as I thought…Miss Levoux seems appropriate," he replied.

"Jack, I have apologized over and over again. I made a mistake; we both know that, but I'm trying to make up for it now," Rosemary walked closer, wrapping her arm through his. "Please join me at Abigail's for breakfast," she requested.

"Rosemary, I'm busy. I can't right now," Jack responded as he removed her arm from his. "Have a nice day," he remarked as he headed back toward the jail.

"I know you aren't ready for us to court just yet, but you will be. There's no one better for you, Jack…I'll win you over, I just know it," she said under her breath as she turned and headed for the café.

"Good morning Miss Levoux," she heard a familiar voice just as she reached the café door, causing her to turn around.

"Oh, good morning to you, Mr. Coulter," she responded.

"Please, I have asked you before, call me Lee…Mr. Coulter is my father," he requested.

"I'm sorry, and please call my Rosemary," she insisted.

"Would you join me for breakfast?" he asked.

"I wouldn't want to give you the wrong idea. I'm in a courtship with someone," she explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't know that. Do they live out of town?" He asked.

"No, it's Jack," she responded.

Looking perplexed, he replied, "Jack…as in Constable Jack Thornton?"

"I don't know any other man named Jack," she remarked.

"I thought he told me that you two were in a courtship years ago, but not now," Lee responded, confusion was written all over his face.

Rosemary took Lee's arm and pulled him away from the doorway and the traffic entering and exiting the café. "Yes, it is true we were in a courtship years ago; in fact we were engaged. I made a mistake; I know he still loves me, and I plan to show him that we are truly meant to be together."

Lee laughed softly, "I admire your determination, but I believe Jack told me that your relationship was in the past. You have your work cut out for you; he told me that as a Mountie, he is not looking for a relationship…other than the one he shares with his work."

Rosemary stood strong, "He will remember the love we shared, and he will come back to me. It's just a matter of time."

"Let me know how that works out for you," Lee responded as he turned and headed into the café for breakfast, leaving Rosemary to contemplate her next move.

Rosemary walked into the café, and strolled quickly past Lee's table and into the kitchen.

"Good morning Rosemary. How are you this morning?" Abigail asked.

"Can you believe him?" Rosemary asked.

"Believe him who?" Abigail inquired.

"Lee Coulter… He questioned my courtship with Jack," she indignantly responded.

Abigail laughed softly, "Courtship with Jack…What courtship with Jack?"

"Not you too. Jack remembers how good we were together. I'm certain that we will find our way back to one another," Rosemary coldly expressed.

Abigail placed the plates of food she was carrying on a tray, and turned to Rosemary, "He also remembers how you broke his heart, and he may not be willing to give you another try. He seems pretty certain that a relationship is not in the cards for him. I think it will take something or someone very special to change his mind."

Rosemary turned in a huff…

"Where are you going? Don't you want any breakfast?" Abigail called out as Rosemary stormed out the back door.

Abigail walked over to the door, closed it securely and softly stated, "She needs to move on with her life. I don't think she really has romantic love for Jack anymore…I think she simply wants to prove that she can get him back."

"Excuse me?" Jack called out as he entered the kitchen.

"Oh nothing… just talking to myself. You just missed Rosemary," she advised, attempting to gauge his reaction.

"That was my intent," Jack responded.

"What is going on between you two?" She asked.

"Nothing… Could I have my usual? I'm going to sit out in the dining room with Lee," Jack replied.

"I'll have it right out," Abigail advised as she followed him out into the dining room with several plates of food for her customers.

Jack took a seat at Lee's table in the corner; he was hoping to discuss issues regarding security at the sawmill.

"Lee, have you implemented the security plans I gave you yet?" Jack asked.

"Most everything is in place, but I do have a question…" Lee commented.

"What? I'll be glad to help out any way I can," Jack replied.

"Well, are you courting Rosemary?" Lee asked.

"What does that have to do with security at the sawmill?" Jack inquired.

Lee laughed, "Nothing, but I never said it was about the sawmill. I was just wondering, because Rosemary said…"

Jack shook his head, "I don't care what she said. We did court…we were engaged. She broke it off, and I have no plans for another relationship with Rosemary…or anyone else for that matter."

"So, it would be okay with you if I wanted to court her?" Lee asked.

Jack's eyes snapped up to meet Lee's, "Good luck!"

Each attempt by Rosemary to return to Jack's good graces was met with opposition. She decided that her best bet would be to make Jack jealous, and in her mind Lee was the most likely candidate to do so.

Early the following morning, Rosemary surprised Abigail at the café…"Good morning Abigail. I'm sorry if I startled you. I was up early and wanted to get breakfast as a surprise for someone."

"Surprise for someone? Someone who…Jack?" Abigail inquired.

"Oh no… Jack and I are through. I've realized that he isn't really who I want to spend the rest of my life with," Rosemary replied as she went through the kitchen putting together a plate of breakfast goodies, all while Abigail looked obviously confused.

Abigail removed a pan of biscuits from the oven, sat them on the counter and turned to Rosemary… "So you have finally realized that Jack is not the one for you. So who will get the benefit of your company now?"

"Lee Coulter, of course," she replied.

Abigail looked sternly at her, "Rosemary, yesterday you were upset with Lee for questioning your relationship with Jack. Now you want him to court you… Are you playing a game with these men? If so you should be ashamed of yourself."

Rosemary's brow furrowed as she frowned, "Abigail, sometimes you have to show a man what he's missing in order to get him to come to his senses. That's all I'm doing…showing Jack what he's missing."

"But you could be hurting Lee in the process. That's inconsiderate, and… well, it's wrong," Abigail reminded her.

As in typical Rosemary style, she carried on with her business, obviously unconcerned with the emotional damage she was about to pour on Lee. However, she was likely to be the one surprised with the outcome!

Hundreds of miles away, a young woman was preparing for an adventure of a lifetime. Sitting on the verandah, she pulled out her journal, hoping to capture her feelings on paper…

"Fear has the ability to awaken many emotions within us, allowing us the opportunity to venture forward, or hide within that which we know all too well. Moving away from our comfort zone forces us to engage in adventures that will broaden our horizons. Offering hope expands the possibilities, making even those unimaginable dreams a reality…"

"Elizabeth, here you are. What are you doing?" A voice called out from the doorway.

"Hi, Julie… I'm just trying to find some quiet time to write in my journal; did you need something?" Elizabeth responded.

"No one here has any sense of adventure… well, no one but you. I envy you; going out on your own, looking to find true love. You're so…" Julie began before being cut off in mid-sentence.

"I'm not leaving to find true love, Julie. I'm leaving to teach children about the world. I want to make a better life for them; open up opportunities, and show them all of the possibilities before them," Elizabeth explained.

"Well, it's so exciting. You must promise to write every day, and tell me about all of your suitors," Julie said enthusiastically.

Elizabeth shook her head at her sister's suggestion, "I will write you all the time, but I guarantee that I'm not looking for anything but to open the eyes of the children. Finding love will just have to wait. I don't foresee myself finding eligible suitors in Hope Valley anyway. They had a mining accident which killed a majority of the men in town. Most of those men who weren't killed are married. I heard that there is a new saw mill in town, so I assume they are now working there."

"You said most men were married, not all men. Who knows, I may come visit you in that little town real soon," Julie remarked as she headed out to meet some of her friends in town.

Elizabeth walked to the bay window overlooking the gardens, and allowed her mind to dream of the adventures that awaited her.

Several days passed and the day to catch the train was quickly approaching. She spoke with her parents about her fears and slight apprehension…venturing off into the unknown was frightening. However, her mother reminded her that the Lord would watch over her, keeping her safe. Her father felt comfortable in her travelling alone, as she actually wouldn't be alone. He had made arrangements for a Mountie to escort her once the train left the safety of the big city, and she transferred to the stagecoach…protecting it and her for the length of the journey.

As Elizabeth, Julie and their parents stood at the train station, none of them wanted to say goodbye to their daughter and sister, but each of them knew that she needed this journey. Her father felt that he had done everything he could to keep her safe until she returned home, and he was certain that she would return home. She hugged everyone goodbye, and boarded the train, turning back to face them as she waved one last time.

Back in Hope Valley-

The town was preparing for the end of summer social, and the beginning of the new school year. The women of the town had gotten together to discuss both occasions, with the new teacher that was headed to town being the main topic of conversation. Several of the women were concerned about the new teacher's privileged upbringing, and if she would fit into their hard working town.

Abigail jumped in, "You should be ashamed of yourselves. Miss Thatcher hasn't even arrived, and many of you are already speculating that she won't make it here.

"Abigail, we have no need for a Princess here. She comes from a privileged background; how can she even hope to understand our children," Florence remarked.

Sarah Martin spoke up, "She isn't here yet. I'm certain that I could get my niece to come here and teach. She is almost finished with her education."

"And that's the problem…she isn't a certified teacher yet, and no one else indicated a desire to move here," Abigail reminded the group. She stood temporarily motionless, deep in thought, and then continued… "I think we have to give Miss Thatcher a chance. If she doesn't work out, we won't have lost anything. Besides it will give Sarah's niece time to finish her education."

Abigail returned the "OPEN" sign to the café door as the women of the School Board made their way outside and headed home.

"Did you get everything worked out with the new teacher?" Jack asked as he stepped inside to get some dinner.

"Well, several people don't want her here, and I'm afraid that they won't be willing to give her a chance," Abigail replied.

Jack poured himself a cup of coffee, "What do you know about her?" He asked.

Abigail fixed him a plate of food and sat down at the kitchen table with her own cup of coffee, "She is well educated; she comes from a very affluent family in Hamilton, but I don't know if she will be able to adjust to our simple lifestyle here. I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"When is she scheduled to arrive?" Jack asked.

"She is due at the end of the week; which will give her very little time before school starts. The teacherage was damaged so badly after the storm, that I don't think it is habitable. I will have her stay with me; that way I can help her get adjusted," Abigail replied.

"I know the mothers will be happy to have a teacher again…the children, not so much," Jack said with a soft laugh.

"I know there will be plenty of people, well actually the single men, you included Jack, who will be happy when Miss Thatcher arrives. I understand that she is quite beautiful," Abigail remarked, watching carefully as she judged Jack's reaction.

"I have no interest in a relationship now or in the future," Jack stated as he took a sip from his coffee cup.

"How is everything going with you and Rosemary?" She asked.

Jack sat his cup on the saucer, "Rosemary is, how can I put this…Rosemary. She will never change, and I believe the reason she wants me back is because I've moved on. Our lives are different, but I guess I owe her a 'Thank you.' If she hadn't broken our engagement, we would have made a big mistake, and I don't think either of us would have ended up happy."

"Jack you can't let that experience jade your view on love. At some point in your life, you aren't going to enjoy being alone; you're going to want more in your life than just your work. It's comforting to have someone to sit and share your thoughts and dreams with. Trust me…I miss what I had with Noah," Abigail explained.

Following a moment of silence between the two, Abigail spoke up, "Just think about what I've said. I'm not saying that you have to fall in love with the new school teacher, or anyone in town for that matter. I'm just saying that you need to open yourself up to the possibilities."

Jack smiled, showing those dimples that generally drew people in, "I don't see myself falling in love with a society princess, as I've heard Mrs. Blakeley refer to our new teacher, and I'm truly not looking for that now anyway."

Abigail laughed softly, "Well, watch yourself with Rosemary. You know she has her sights set on you, and apparently what Rosemary wants, Rosemary gets."

"I don't know about that… I just saw her walking with Lee, and she barely said 'Hi' to me as we passed each other," he remarked.

"I guess she's set her plan in motion…" Abigail said under her breath.

"What?" Jack asked.

"Oh nothing. I was just talking to myself," Abigail stated as she smiled, thinking that Rosemary was going to do everything in her power to get Jack back into her life. She just hoped that he was strong enough not to let that happen.

"You seem to be doing a lot of that lately…talking to yourself, I mean," Jack remarked.

"I'm sorry. It's an unfortunate habit I have," she replied.

Elizabeth had started her journey to her new home, and life in Hope Valley. The train ride was comfortable, a mode of transportation that she had taken many times. The transfer to the stagecoach was another matter. Unbeknownst to her father, the Mountie who was scheduled to escort Elizabeth to Hope Valley was called away, and no one met her train as planned. Elizabeth was unaware of her father's escort plans, so she was unconcerned as she mounted the stagecoach. Well, unconcerned about having an escort… The rough travel brought about by the many ruts in the road caused Elizabeth to pick herself up off the floor more times that she would like to imagine.

During one of their scheduled breaks, Elizabeth left the stagecoach and ventured down to the lake with the driver as he led the horses to the water. Once he finished, Elizabeth asked if she could remain there for a short while to stretch her legs and enjoy the sunshine. The driver advised that they would be giving the horses a slight break, but wanted to get moving within the hour, as they were not far from Hope Valley.

"Don't be late, or we'll have to leave you," he said with a laugh.

"I'll be right here, and I'll be back in just a little while," Elizabeth advised the driver as he headed through the woods toward the stagecoach.

Elizabeth sat down, leaned her head back and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face. As the time seemed to fly by, she realized the need to return to the stagecoach. She headed through the woods to the clearing where she last saw the stagecoach, but now found the area to be vacant.

"Gone? It's gone?" She yelled as she ran toward the last place she had seen the stagecoach. Looking down the road she saw nothing; no dust flying, none of her belongings, and no sign of the stagecoach in the distance.

Although she wanted to cry, she was more angry at the moment than scared… scared would come soon enough!

To be continued…