Missing
Author's note: this is a little story that I wrote a while ago. There are only two chapters. It's the first.
As I had several nice reviews for my others stories, it's a way to thank you all for your kind words and support. It makes me keep going and encourages me to go over my shyness and my fears.
English is not my native language so I am sorry if there is grammar, tense mistakes.
I do my best to edit and fix them but i probably miss some of them. Sorry. :'(
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters within this story. All rights and respect go to Crown media, Hall mark, Brian Bird , Michael Landon Jr, the creators and writers of the show " When calls the heart".
Please read and review.
In this cold December morning, long shivers ran up and down of Elizabeth's spine as she got out of her bed. Immediately, she thought about Jack. He was gone for five days under the snow, with the freezing wind with five other Mounties and he will not be back until two days.
She knew his duties as a Mountie were very important to him but it did not prevent her of worries. However, she should become used to it because, in six months despite her father's protests, she will marry Jack for her greatest happiness. She will be the wife of the constable Thornton and she was proud of it. She had found in Hope Valley all that she was looking for and she had overcome many obstacles. But that was worth it.
She looked down at her engagement ring and smiled, thinking about the magical moment when Jack had proposed.
She stepped out her reverie, hurried not to be late at school. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, the café was full of costumers. Abigail welcomed with a bright smile.
"Good morning Elizabeth." Abigail happily greeted.
"Good morning Abigail." She happily answered.
They exchanged some words before Abigail went back to the dinner room and Elizabeth had breakfast. After that, she headed for the schoolhouse, preparing the vocabulary lesson that she intended to study today. The day went by, normally.
After class, she collected her books, turned her thoughts to Jack who sometimes came to escort her. She let her mind wander over her wonderful memories of her fiancé, during her way back to the café.
Later that day, while Abigail was busy with the dinner, Elizabeth was preparing her lessons for the next day. Then Ned Yost came in, very pale and breathless.
"Good evening Miss Thatcher, I have a wire for you. It's urgent." He told her worry could be heard in his voice.
" Thank you Mr. Yost." she answered taking it with a shaking hand.
She looked down and read it. She let escape a small shout at the same time as the wire. Abigail instantly rushed up. She noticed the tears in the eyes of her friend. Something bad had just happened to her family or Jack.
" What is it, Elizabeth?" Abigail immediately asked.
She looked up.
"Jack is missing." Elizabeth said trembling.
Abigail put her hand on her mouth to muffle a cry, taking her friend in her arms. Elizabeth cried, going with the flow against her friend. The man of her life, her fiancé was missing. She well knew that it could happen. That's why many Mounties preferred not to marry in order not to deal with this sort of situation. But Elizabeth and Jack didn't choose it. They were in love and they were very happy despite the consequences that it could entail.
Abigail accompanied Elizabeth toward a kitchen chair, sat her down while her tears, which had calmed down, splashed up again.
"Go to sleep. You need to be in good shape for school tomorrow. I bring you a bowl of soup in five minutes."
"Thank you." She answered in a weak voice.
She ascended to her room, put her nightgown on and slipped under the sheets. She grasped the frame within which was Jack's drawing that he had gave to her just before their first kiss. It revived her tears. She couldn't lose him. The life had no sense without him. Suddenly she lifted her head, thinking about what he was going through in this cold at this instant. The reality hit her hard like a slap in the face. She had to be strong, she shouldn't cry when they would have children and that their father would be in situations like this. She had to learn to control herself and handle the situation. She vigorously took her handkerchief and dried her tears.
Then she heard Abigail's footsteps in the staircase. She got out of bed, put her bathrobe on and take the tray from her friend's hand when she entered.
"Thank you very much for your support and the tray, Abigail."
Abigail thanked her with a smile, nodded and went downstairs
Elizabeth sat down at her desk in front of the window which abutted on the jail. That evening, she pried more than usual for Jack's safety and return. And that night she had a sleep interspersed by nightmare.
The following morning, she rose before dawn and her glance fixed again on Jack's drawing. Then she went to be ready for school.
The children took calmly their place that morning.
"So, it's true, Miss Thatcher? Mountie Jack is missing?" Gabe dared the first to ask to speak.
She didn't answer straightaway. Obviously the news had yet gone the rounds of Hope Valley. Then she answered in a sweet but confident voice:
" Yes, it's true but I am sure that the other Mounties will find him soon. Well, we have work to do. Open your reading books in the page 22." She answered with self-confidence.
She gave lessons like the other days, without showing her emotions and trying not to think about Jack too much.
He will be at home, safe and sound, before she knew it. The Mounties will find him.
To be continued …