Jack emerged from the group and walked over. "I'm Jack Thornton. Is there something I can help you with?"
The old man shuffled over and pulled something out of his pocket. "Did you post this?"
Elizabeth knew what it was. It was the missing child flyer Jack made months before. Her heart sank.
Jack nodded and looked to Elizabeth, his face pained and then back to the man. "Yes, let us go to my office so we can discuss."
Without looking back Jack escorted the man across the road as Elizabeth watched. Baby Rose stirred and she looked back, scared.
"Don't think anything of it Elizabeth."
She nodded and gently took Rose while she watched them go inside.
Inside the jail, Jack motioned for the man to sit. "Sir, if you may have a seat."
He sat and Jack quickly took a seat behind the desk, trying to keep his composure while putting out his notebook.
"Now if you please sir, tell me your name and why you are here."
The man fidgeted in his seat. "I'm Nathan Taylor and I believe that's my grad daughter on the flyer. "
Jack wrote it down while he felt his heart pounding out of his chest. He never thought…
"All right and why do you think that? I mean do you have any proof that it's her?"
He looked at Jack and back down to the crumpled paper. "My daughter, she had a child about 9 months ago. She just told her mother and I. She said she dropped the baby off in a Lumber Town, on the steps of a church."
He continued to write as he asked questions. "What is your daughter's name?"
"Helen Martin." He took down the name and it didn't register with him.
"Where does she live?"
He sighed and clutched his hat tightly. "Right now with us in San Francisco which is why it took so long to come here. She lived with a man for a few years in Burlington, which I don't think is too fat from here."
He took down the towns and realized he was correct. "Yes, I know of it."
The man looked at Jack, sad. "I'm sorry Constable that I bring this so late but my wife and I would like our granddaughter."
Jack closed his notebook and stood. "Of course Mr. Taylor. I just have to do some more investigation and I will let you know what I find."
He stood and shook Jack's hand. "I understand. I will be in town until something is resolved. Please understand how important this little child is to our family."
He nodded and escorted the man out. They both walked back to the saloon where the old man entered and Jack shook his hand one more time.
Elizabeth was now inside, speaking with Abigail. She was trying not to think of the worst but it was difficult.
Jack entered a few minutes later and Elizabeth quickly went to him, more panicked then she wanted to be. "Jack, what's going on? Who was that man?"
Jack gently took her hands and brought them up to his heart. "His name is Nathan Taylor. He says Rose is his granddaughter."
Abigail held Rose as she slept. "Does he have any proof?"
Jack nodded no as he led Elizabeth to sit. "He says his daughter lived a few towns over, gave birth and dropped her off at the church."
Concerned Abigail looked to the both of them. "That's hardly anything. The flyer told him all that."
Elizabeth agreed. "He could be anyone. We can't just give Rose away."
He noticed her desperation and gently rubbed her arm. "I know but I can't dismiss it. I have to investigate his claim."
That night Elizabeth said little as she lay Rose down who was nothing but an angel all day.
When she entered the bedroom Jack stood and helped her out of her dress. It was quiet before she spoke up. "Jack, we can't let this happen."
He sighed as turned down the bed. "We both knew this day could come."
Elizabeth snapped a bit too harshly as she let the pins out of her hair. "Don't! Don't say that. It has been a long time and we both thought she was ours."
Jack stood behind her and tried to calm her. "Elizabeth we have to be practical. If it's his granddaughter we have to-"
She cut him off. "Give her back? His daughter gave her away. What kind of person does that!" Her voice grew louder and Jack grew impatient.
"Shh! Do not raise your voice while she's sleeping."
It only agitated her more as she got in her dressing gown. "She is ours! I love her!" At the admittance her eyes filled with tears and hurt grew. "It isn't fair. God isn't being fair!"
As she pounded on his chest he wrapped her up in his arms and rubbed her back. "I know…I know."
They both didn't sleep well and Elizabeth found herself watching over the baby with the moonlight coming through the window and soon Jack joined her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as she tried to contain her emotion.
The next morning they awoke sluggish and confused as Jack got ready for work and Elizabeth got her morning chores underway.
He kissed them both and headed out the door extra early and didn't speak of his schedule for the day and Elizabeth knew it was because he was going to do his investigation into Nathan Taylor's family.
She spent the morning doing laundry and cleaning the floors. It was a good distraction but every time she would tend to Rose, she thought of her not here and it broke her heart.
At lunchtime she had to get out of the house and headed to Abigail's. The air was cool for summer and cloudy as she walked down the path, the baby sleeping soundly in her long sleeve romper and little shoes with a white bonnet adorned with a pink bow.
When she reached Abigail's she found it quiet as she took a seat on the small sofa and fed her the bottle she had still warm in the bag.
Abigail came back and smiled when she saw them, bringing over a biscuit and a plate of vegetables and chicken.
"I'm glad you stopped by. Here is a plate if you would like it."
Elizabeth managed a small smile as she rocked Rose. "Thank you."
Abigail went to get some things out the oven and Elizabeth didn't feel like talking but wanted to be in the presence of a friend. Abigail knew her well so she didn't press as they sat a few minutes later in quiet, as Abigail sipped some tea and Elizabeth rocked Rose back to sleep.
As they sat Elizabeth found herself getting emotional and Abigail quickly went to her side, letting her lean on her. "Oh Elizabeth it will be all right."
She let the tears run down her cheeks and took comfort in Abigail's words and friendship.
A little while later Elizabeth felt stronger as she stood and walked back outside, needing some fresh air. She walked up and down main street as she talked to Rose who was up and looking around. She found happiness in the little things as Rose cooed and smiled as she talked.
When she reached the jail she stopped for a moment and noticed Jack working in the window. Not wanting to disturb him she passed him quickly and headed towards the town hall, wanting to check out a book when she was face to face with Nathan Taylor.
He seemed surprised as well and Elizabeth couldn't do anything but look right at him. "Oh Mr. Taylor."
The man seemed to perk up at his name, his voice low. "I'm sorry Miss, I didn't mean to almost run you over."
She realized he didn't know who she was or maybe he was playing coy. "You did not." And she realized she didn't have anything to say to him as she began to sidestep him but he quickly reacted and stayed in front of her.
"That is a very beautiful girl."
She smiled slightly but knew better now. He was smart enough to know who Elizabeth was and what she held.
"Thank you sir…now if you please excuse me I have someplace to be."
She started to walk away but was stopped by his voice behind her, a bit weary but hopeful. "Miss, I know you have been her mother for awhile now…" She turned and looked at his eyes that looked glassy and tired. "But she's my heart. I hope you can find it in yours to realize how much her family needs her and loves her."
Elizabeth turned back away quickly and stood frozen. She could hear the crunch of the ground as he walked away but she couldn't help but feel for him and his emptiness. But what about her?
She looked down at Rose who was starting at her with such intensity and thought and she knew that's all the little girl knew. Why would she put her with someone else?
After she checked out a few books and placed them in her bag, she walked back to the house with her heart heavy and her mind racing. It was almost too much.
Rose was fussy so she quickly gave her a bottle and made a mashed potato and string bean paste for dinner.
Jack arrived late in the evening, at dark and they both ate at the table, with cold meat and little talking. It wasn't till he pushed his plate away that Elizabeth said anything.
"I saw Mr. Taylor today."
His ears perked up and his eyes filled with concern. "Did he say anything to you?"
She nodded as she picked at her green beans and potatoes. "He said she was beautiful and he hoped I could find it in my heart to see how much his family loves and needs her." It was flat and monotone as if she took all her emotions out of it.
It was quiet for a moment before Jack responded. "I still have to check him out. I don't want you thinking this man is who he says he is. I don't want you to believe anything he says."
She looked up from her plate and realized her eyes were full of tears. "Jack, what man would come and ask for a little girl that wasn't part of him? The more I think with my head, the more it adds up to the truth"
Jack didn't say anything but reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "His daughter is coming into town in a few days. I didn't want to tell you but I can't hide this from you."
As she stood and wiped the tears away, reaching for his plate, he gently stopped her and went to the other side and wrapped her up in a hug where she cried.
He would have cried too but he only felt emptiness.
The next few days were tense. Elizabeth tried to distract herself but was too preoccupied. Jack went to the church and prayed after work and told her that God would show the way. She was angry and upset at God so when he spoke of it, she didn't want to listen.
On the morning of her arrival, Jack got up early and left even before Elizabeth got up. He kissed her softly and then went to Rose's room where he found her sleeping softly.
Not wanting to wake her, he squatted down next to the cradle and gently stroked the top of hair, and then traced the outline of her as he spoke. "My beautiful Rose. You are everything. I didn't want to love you because I didn't know if I would get to keep you but of course I fell in love with you." He chuckled through the sadness, feeling his eyes become watery and his voice horse. "You have shown me the best parts of living and the meaning of grace and hope. I know you will do great things in this world and I have been so blessed to have you, even just for a little while. I will always carry you in my heart. Love you forever my angel."
As he wiped the tears away he kissed her forehead one last time and whispered, "You be good."
And then he left the house.
