Epidemic

Jack and Elizabeth haven't been married long when he is called out of town. While he is away, Elizabeth and the rest of Hope Valley have to deal with an influenza epidemic. When Jack hears about it, he rushes home but what does he find when he returns?

Elizabeth woke up and reached over to touch Jack. She was met with empty space. She remembered now with sadness that he had been called out of town on Mountie business a week ago and wasn't sure when he would return. She missed him terribly but she was handling it the best she could. Keeping herself busy with teaching and being with her friends, especially Abigail whom she had been seeing less since she married Jack four months ago.

She pushed back the covers and got out of bed. She went to the bathroom to wash up and returned to the bedroom to get ready to go to school. She made herself breakfast, gathered her things and headed out towards the school house. Some of her students were already there, playing a quick came of catch before classes started. She walked inside and organized things for the day ahead. She rang the school bell and watched as the students filed in. As everyone took their seats, she noticed some missing faces.

Beth Rogers, one of her favorite students walk over to her. They had a special bond since they shared the same name. "Mrs. Thornton? Andy won't be in today. Mommy kept him home because he wasn't feeling good."

"Thank you for telling me, Beth." The little girl returned to her seat. A couple of other students said the same thing about their siblings. Elizabeth hoped they didn't all have the same illness and that it wouldn't turn into something more serious affecting the whole town. She pushed that thought out of the way as she began her lessons.

She dismissed the students at noon for lunch; she grabbed her own lunch and went to sit outside. Her thoughts returned to the sick children. She had noticed a few more of her students were coughing. Opal had looked a little pale too. Elizabeth sent up a prayer hoping that what was going on would not be too serious.

After dismissing the students for the day, Elizabeth walked into town to go see Abigail. She walked into the back door of the café and found Abigail hard at work on tonight's dinner. She looked over when Elizabeth walked in.

"Hi, Elizabeth. Have a seat and I will bring some tea and cookies over in a minute." Abigail gestured at the table. "You look a little perplexed. Is something troubling you, other than Jack being gone?"

Elizabeth sat down. "A couple of my students didn't come to class today because they were sick. During the course of the day, I noticed a few more were coughing and Opal was pale. I am hoping whatever it is going around isn't too serious. Just one of those illness children pass from one to the other."

"I hope so too. I will say a prayer for good health tonight."

"I already did earlier." Elizabeth paused before she continued. "Andy Rogers was one of the students who stayed home. I am equally concerned for him as the others but I can't help but worry about Beth."

She and Beth had such a close relationship, even closer than Elizabeth had for any of the other students. They had been drawn to each other from the first day Andy and Beth had come to school a few short months ago when their family had settled in Hope Valley. Beth had found it interesting that her teacher had the same first name as she did. Elizabeth had fallen in love with Beth's impish smile and care free attitude towards life. Beth often came by the Thornton home to play with Elizabeth. They played with dolls, had tea parties and played dress up. Beth loved to see Elizabeth's dresses and wear her jewelry. Beth said she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Elizabeth knew that the child would change her mind when she got older but for now it was cute.

Abigail brought the tea and a plate of cookies over to the table and sat down. "It's hard isn't? Worrying about the people you love. I know how close the two of you are. It's cute how little Beth adores you." She said with a smile on her face.

Elizabeth returned the smile. "It is. I have often wondered if maybe I should have taken a step back when it comes to Beth. That maybe the close relationship we have isn't good for either of us, but she is so adorable. I can't resist."

"I see that." Abigail grinned. "You are going to make a wonderful mother someday, Elizabeth."

"Thank you."

"Have you heard anything from Jack, yet?"

Elizabeth let out a long breath. "You I haven't. At night I find myself thinking about him and worrying about him. I know he can take care of himself, but I can't help it. I just wish he had a more definite time table as to when he would be home."

Abigail reached her hand across the table and squeezed Elizabeth's. "I know it's tough for you. He will be home sooner than you think, ready to pull you into his arms and tell you how much he missed you. He loves you so much. I can guarantee he misses you as much as you miss him."

"Thank you Abigail. You always know the right thing to say."

"Do you want to stay here for dinner? I would love some company tonight. Bill had to go out of town for the day."

"I would love to."

Meanwhile, in a little town outside of Calgary, Jack was lying on his bed thinking about Elizabeth. He missed her terribly. He had gotten so used to going to sleep with her every night and waking up next to her that sleeping alone was almost torture. He laughed to himself as he remembered the time when he thought he never wanted a wife. Now look at him; married and thinking about a family one day.

This assignment was taking longer than he thought. He had hoped to be heading home by now, but it appeared he would be here another week or two. He didn't know how he was going to stand it much longer. He pulled out his pocket watch and opened it. Inside was a picture of Elizabeth. He stared at it for a long time, a few tears coming to his eyes. He felt so lonely; he couldn't wait to return to Hope Valley and hold his wife in his arms again. He hoped things were going well for her back home.