August 10, 1915

Dr. Carson Shepherd's birthday had gone off without a hitch. He was having a great time playing his new harmonica, accompanied by Rosemary Coulter on the piano. Rosemary's husband and Carson's friend, Lee Coulter, stood smiling at the piano, enjoying the live entertainment.

"Oh!" Elizabeth Thornton chimed up. "I just remember I got Carson a birthday present. I left it at my desk. I'll be right back." She handed her half-eaten slice of cake to nurse Faith Carter.

"Oh, I'll take a walk with you." Elizabeth's best friend Abigail Stanton smiled.

"Great." Elizabeth grinned.

They grabbed their jackets and went outside. They were talking and laughing as they walked down the steps of the saloon and were headed for the school house.

"I think I left it on my desk."

"Okay."

A force of habit growing up in the city of Hamilton, Elizabeth looked both ways before crossing the main road that went through Hope Valley. Though there were no cars or wagons coming, she did make out a shadowy figure. As the rider and horse came closer, Elizabeth recognized the hat. It was a Mountie hat. She would know that shape anywhere as her husband, Jack Thornton, was a Mountie. He was away training recruits.

Could this be him finally returning?! Oh how she had missed him. They had wed on May 1, 1915, so they had not even been married half a year. But because of his untimely departure, in actuality, they had only been able to enjoy about ten days together as a married couple.

"Jack!" Elizabeth whispered, studying the dark figure that slowly rode closer. She and Abigail froze in their tracks for a second. Elizabeth then ran toward the man, followed by her friend.

"Jack!"

The street light caught the face of the man. It was her husband!

"Jack!" Elizabeth ran to him.

He jumped off Sergeant, his horse, quickly secured him to the post, and picked up his wife. He kissed her.

"Jack, you're home!"

"Yes." He whispered and smiled.

"Oh, I've missed you."

"I've missed you more than you could ever imagine, Elizabeth. Every letter you sent me helped me through those days. I poured over those letters, wanting to memorize every word you wrote, longing for the day I could be back with you. The day I could be back with my wife." He hugged her.

"So you're done up there?"

A genuinely joyful boyish grin spread across Jack's face. "I'm done Elizabeth. I'm home."

She hugged him and her tears fell.

Abigail stepped into the shadows, feeling odd to leave Elizabeth when she had told her she would walk with her, but wanting to allow the young couple privacy. Abigail was 47 and Elizabeth was 30, so she was somewhat of a mother figure to the young bride.

Once Elizabeth regained composure, she turned to see if Abigail was still there.

"Hi Jack." Abigail smiled, hugging him. "It's so good to have you home. It's never the same when you're gone."

"Thanks Abigail, I'm glad to be back. Back to stay."

"Those are the best words I've heard all day."

"For me too." He smiled.

"It's Carson's birthday today. We've having a party for him at the saloon as we speak. Your wife was going to get the present she had for him at the school. I was going to walk with her, but you two have some catching up to do. I'll just step back inside." Abigail smiled.

"We'll be back soon." Elizabeth promised.

"Take your time." Abigail smiled, going back into the saloon.

Jack turned to his wife. "Elizabeth, take a walk with me."

She grinned. She had grown to love those six words. That was what he told her before they went on the walk where they had their first kiss. That was what he told her before she took a romantic candle-lit walk to find him at the end of the path, where he proposed to her.

His fingers laced with hers and they walked down the road to the school.

He stopped at the end of the road and gently guided her to lean against the building. He kissed her. "How about that honeymoon I promised you?"

"Well you're off to a good start." She grinned.

"I promised you a honeymoon, Elizabeth, and you're gonna get one. But we're gonna have to do it soon since school starts again in, what, 3 more weeks."

"Something like that." She smiled.

Elizabeth was about to begin her sixth year as the teacher in Hope Valley. She loved her job and the wonderment and joy the kids brought to her life. It made her look forward to her future with Jack and any children that the Lord would bless them with.

Jack's words drew her out of her thoughts.

"Baseball season is going. Wanna take in a game?"

"I've never been to a baseball game. I would love to." She smiled.

"I'll have to arrange a time with Bill but I doubt he'll have any problem with me being out of town for a bit."

"That would be wonderful Jack. As long as I'm with you, I don't care what we do or where we go. I just want to spend time with my husband."

Back over at the saloon, Abigail stood by Faith.

"Is Elizabeth all right?" Faith asked.

"Oh yes, she's just grabbing that gift for Carson. I'm sure she'll be here any minute."

Outside, Jack and Elizabeth were just leaving the school building to head back to the saloon.

"Elizabeth, there was a young man I met up with in training. He knows both of us."

Elizabeth was puzzled.

"He's about ten minutes behind me, coming back to Hope Valley. He wants to see you. He'll be riding into town any minute. If it's all right with you, I'd like to sit outside until he gets here before we go in and join the celebration."

Elizabeth smiled. "Of course. It's just so mysterious. Who would I know that was training to be a Mountie?"

"A very special young man." Jack paused when he heard the clip-clop of horse hooves coming closer. "Who's riding up right now."

Just like minutes before, Elizabeth could only make out the shape of a Mountie. She didn't know who was wearing the red serge. The young man got down off his horse. His face came into the dim light of the dark street.

Elizabeth's mouth fell open.

"Hi Miss Thatcher," the young man paused. "I mean, Mrs. Thornton."

Elizabeth smiled from ear to ear. "Gabe!"