The Thornton Trust
Author's Note: I have been wanting to write this story for a long time now. It was an idea I had after first watching, "It Begins With Heart". Previously called: A New Year's Wish. I hope you like my story. I don't know if this is a one shot or not, but here it goes.
Constable Houston was waiting for the new recruit to arrive. He was told that this man was a well decorated Mountie. He had received some awards for bravery and was in high demand. Constable Clive Houston needed a new partner. His former partner was not up to the task of what he had been planning for years. Constable O'Keefe was a waste of time in his eyes. Luckily, the Mountie was shipped off to another part of Hamilton. "Good riddance." Constable Houston thought to himself.
Constable Clive Houston worked on his paperwork until the new constable was to arrive. He hated waiting and more importantly, he hated new faces. Exemplery record aside, Clive Houston could still care less about 'babysitting' some one new to the area. This was Hamilton. It was a thriving city, filled with danger and intrigue. His superiors had told him that this Mountie was coming from a farming town. If there was one thing he hated more than babysitting, it was babysitting a hayseed. Someone who had no business in the city, let alone working in the Royal Northwest Mounted Police: Hamilton Division.
A man knocked on his door.
"Enter." Houston ordered.
"Good afternoon, sir." Constable MacIntire greeted. "The recruit is here. His family is with him. They need a place to stay, sir."
"Constable MacIntire, please see to it that the family is shown to the rooms down the street reserved for the new recruits." Houston ordered. "Show the man in. Lets get this over with." He sighed dejectedly.
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of the woman and children." MacIntire explained, but paused. "Sir? Will he be taking your place?"
"Get out!" Houston bellowed. 'The nerve of that kid!' Houston thought inwardly.
The new recruit wrapped on the door and Houston ordered him to come in. The man was wearing his red serge and it looked to be freshly pressed. The hat didn't have any sign of wear and tear. His stitching was emmaculate. Houston looked down at his own red serge for a moment, disgusted that it was not as pristine as the new man's uniform. He swore under his breath before he motioned for the new man to sit down.
The woman followed the constable to her families new quarters. She acknowledged that it would be only temporary until her husband could get them a more permanent home. She looked down at her children. The oldest was standing tall, with his shoulders as straight as his fathers. The younger one was trying to imitate his older brother and father. He tried, but he was easily distracted and therefore found it challenging to keep an upright position. He was soon distracted by a young girl across the street. She smiled brightly at him. He looked to his ma for permission to go greet her. The woman nodded, after nudging her older son to follow.
The boys greeted the girl with the striking curly auburn hair. She was shy and curtsied to the boys as her mother had instructed her to do.
"Hello!" The older boy greeted her.
"How do you do, kind sir." The girl greeted in a rehearsed fashion.
'Really? That's how you are going to greet someone you just met?' The older boy thought to himself.
"I'm good. How are you, miss?" The older boy replied, suddenly realizing that she was waiting for him to reply.
The young girl blushed. The younger brother chimed in.
"Hi!" He smiled and then became increasingly bored, so he took off running towards his ma.
The older boy bowed his head apologetically at the girl. He smiled as he took off after his brother.
The girl smiled as he ran across the street. She was smitten. She knew, however that the likelihood of them meeting again was slight.
Contable Houston excused the new recruit after several minutes of apprising him of the happenings in Hamilton. The man showed promise. Houston knew that he could easily see this young man take over for him one day. But he would have to be on his death bed before he would relinquish his title as head Constable of the unit. Now, if he was given a promotion, than that would be another story entirely.
Several blocks away, the new man in Hamilton made his way to the rooms supplied to the Mounties for new recruits. Constable Shaw had instructed him to head down the street where his wife and children were waiting with Constable MacIntire.
"Hello, sir. I'm Constable MacIntire." The man greeted the new Mountie.
"Hello. I'm Thomas Thornton." He replied offering him his hand.
The two Mounties shook hands.
"Well, I'll see you first thing in the morning. You'll be taking over doing my rounds for a few days as I will be on an assignment in Cape Fullerton." Constable MacIntire nodded towards Mrs. Thornton and smiled at the children.
As Constable Thornton watched him walk away, Mrs. Thornton grasped his hand. The older boy stood straight and tall by his pa's side, just as stoic. His younger brother wrapped his arms around his pa's legs.
"So, this is home." Constable Thornton remarked, wrapping his arm around his wife. "Welcome home, Charlotte." He kissed her cheek.
"Welcome home, Constable." She returned his kiss and then ushered their two young sons into the tiny room.
"Jack and Tom Thornton, get your bags and head to your room. I believe Constable MacIntire said your room is just down the hall to your right." Charlotte instructed.
Later that evening, after dinner, Charlotte tucked her boys in bed.
"Good night, Jack! Good night, Tom!" Charlotte kissed each boy on the forehead, then turning out the light, she went to find her husband.
Charlotte headed to the den where Tom Thornton was waiting for her. She sat down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Oh, Tom. Did we do the right thing?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes." Tom simply replied. "We talked about this, Char. This is a better home for the boys. They will have more opportunities here than back home." He rubbed her arms soothingly.
"I suppose so." Charlotte sighed, but then with a new resolve, she gripped her husband's hand and kissed his cheek.
Tom Thornton smiled knowing that that was her signal to inform him that everything would be alright. He slowly rose from his seat and offered her his hand. She accepted it and he led them to their new bedroom.
Once they were dressed for bed, Tom pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her gently on the lips. Charlotte returned his kiss, but pressed harder.
"That is how you kiss your wife on her first night in a new place, Thomas Thornton!" Charlotte smiled knowingly.
"Beggin' your pardon, Ma'am." Thomas tipped his imaginary hat. "Maybe I need a few lessons in 'new home ettiquette'?" He smirked.
"Come here, sir. It's time for a lesson." Charlotte smiled demurely.
Thomas Thornton relished in his wife's affections. Charlotte sunk into her husband's embrace as the two christened their new home.
Life was going to be an adventure in Hamilton!
Author's Note: I have been wanting to write this story for a long time. Inspiration finally hit for a great beginning. Being biased, I'm curious to know if you, dear reader's concur with my assessment of this first chapter. Please Read and Review! Thank You!