VANCOUVER

Amy tucked Joey into bed and then went to clean. There never seemed to be enough time in the day. With four kids and Caleb gone on assignment, it had been a challenge.

The good thing was the twins and Logan were in school, so it was pretty quiet around the small apartment during the day.

Caleb had been gone for a month and she hadn't heard from him since the first week he was gone. It worried her a lot but she tried to concentrate on the kids.

Just as she finished the kitchen, she heard a knock on the door.

"Telegram, Mrs. Thornton."

"Thank you."

Her eyes traveled to the sender. "RNWMP Headquarters" Her hands shook as she stared at the envelope, scared to open it.

She broke the seal and pulled the paper out, saying a quick prayer for strength.

TO: AMY THORNTON

RE: CORPORAL CALEB THORNTON

CORPORAL THORNTON WOUNDED IN LINE OF DUTY. AT UNION CITY HOSPITAL. CRITICAL CONDITION. MORE DETAILS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

She started breathing again, but only through her tears as she tried to process all of her emotions. She was grateful that he was alive. She was angry at whoever hurt her husband. She felt helpless because he was in Union City and she wasn't. She was scared because she didn't want to lose him.

Jenn Andrews walked in the door and knelt in front of her. "Are you ok?"

"No." Jenn wrapped her arms around Amy, the woman she thought of as a younger sister, but also as a best friend. "I'm so scared and I'm trapped here while he is there and who knows if he's even going to survive!"

"Amy, look at me." Amy opened her eyes and looked at Jenn. "I will watch the kids. You go to him."

"I can't ask you to do that. You have five kids of your own."

"You're not asking. I'm offering. I will take care of them for as long as it takes."

"Thank you, but I'll send a telegram to Charlotte and ask her and Jake to come watch them. You should only have them for a few days." Amy stood up and wiped her eyes. "How did you know, Jenn?"

"Scott. He heard and rushed home to tell me."

HARRIS TOWN

Travis rushed to deliver the telegrams. He ran to the boarding house first to see Charlotte and Jake.

"Charlotte! Jake!"

"Travis? What's wrong?"

"Telegram. It's Caleb."

Charlotte took it from him and read it. "Dear, what is it?" Jake asked as he walked in the room.

"Caleb. He's wounded. Amy needs us to go to Vancouver and watch the children. She's leaving them with Jenn until we get there."

"Is Caleb ok?"

"I don't know."

"I'm going to Jack and Elizabeth," Travis told them as he ran out the door.

Travis decided his horse would be faster so he saddled him quick and galloped out of town to the ranch.

Jack walked out of the barn when he heard the horse pounding against the ground. "Travis!"

"Jack! It's Caleb." He jumped off his horse and ran over, handing the telegram to him.

Jack read the telegram and hurried to the house. "Trav, can you get two tickets to tonight's train to Union City ready? I'll pick them up later."

"Sure thing."

Jack walked in the door and listened. Elizabeth was in the kitchen. "Elizabeth?"

"Hey hon. Is someone here? I heard a horse."

"Yeah, it was Travis."

Jack took the spoon out of her hand and pulled her to the table. "Jack, I'm making lunch."

He directed her to a chair and took her hands. "Babe, Travis brought me a telegram. Caleb was wounded. We need to go to Union City."

"How bad?" She covered her mouth an the tears ran down her cheeks.

"I don't know but we should go pack."

"What about the kids?"

"I'll see if Nate and Maddie can stay here and Kevin and Maggie and Drew and Carrie are close."

He started walking away but realized she was still at the table. "Sweetheart, we need to pack."

"Jack, what if he…"

"No, Elizabeth. You need to stay positive. We don't know how badly he's injured."

She shook her head and closed her eyes. He walked back to her and pulled her into his arms. "It will be ok. We need to believe that."

IN TOWN

It had been a week since Carlie and Ben's run in with Randall. Carlie wanted to talk to him but he was always somewhere other than where she expected. Today though, she waited outside the bakery until he walked by.

"Ben!"

He looked over, not smiling, but his eyes softened a bit. "Hey."

"Can we talk?"

"I need to get home."

"Please, Ben. Just walk with me?"

"It's not safe."

She looked directly into his eyes. "Then let's go sit on the porch at the boarding house." He couldn't deny that they needed to talk. He nodded so they walked to the porch. She took the swing but he stood, looking uneasy. "You can sit by me. I don't bite."

"I don't want people to think you're with me and cause trouble."

"Ben Harris! You are my friend and have been for fifteen years. Since when does it matter to you what people think?"

"Since it doesn't just involve me anymore. When people threaten people I care about, I take it personally."

She stood up and walked over to him. "Are you saying you care about me, Ben?"

"Probably more than I should," he said quietly.

"Why do you say it like that?"

"Because people like Randall are out there, ready to cause trouble. Because if something happened to you just because you and I are, whatever we are, it would kill me."

"I know that not everyone is going to like that we are together, Ben. I also know that I want to get to know you better and I'm willing to take a chance." She moved closer and touched his fingers. His soft, yet strong fingers made her feel safe somehow, even if he felt unsure.

"It's a big chance."

"I think it will be worth it." She intertwined their fingers and smiled, her dimples melting his resolve. "Please give us a chance."

He closed his eyes and pressed his soft, dark lips to her forehead. "Are you sure? It might be hard, Carlie."

"I'm strong, Ben. I will stand with you, whatever happens."

He raised his hand to her beautiful pale cheek. "That means a lot to me."

She stared up at him, her eyes lingering on the lips that had just caressed her forehead. She wanted to know what they tasted like and then she blushed when she thought about it. "Walk me home, Ben?"

"Sure." He held out his hand and she took it, pressing her fingers in between his.

"Will you stay for dinner?"

"I need to tell my parents. Can we stop by my house first?"

T & T RANCH

Elizabeth shut the lid to their trunk. She was done packing their things. Jack was holding Bradley, trying to explain that they would be back as soon as Caleb was all better.

"Daddy, no go. I go too?"

"Listen, buddy. You can't go this time. I'm sorry."

Bradley whimpered, tucking himself against Jack's neck. "Miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Drew knocked on his parents bedroom door. "Come in," Elizabeth told him.

"Hey, guys."

"Dew! You here!" Bradley slid off the bed and ran over to see his big brother.

"Hi, bud! Carrie is downstairs. She's making cookies."

"Cookies? Yay! I help."

They smiled as he ran out and then Drew looked at his parents. "Carrie and I will stay here too. You don't need to worry. Just concentrate on Caleb."

"Thanks, Drew. We appreciate that," Jack told him.

Elizabeth walked over and hugged Drew, unable to hold back her tears. "Ma, it will be ok." He hugged her tight until she pulled back and kissed his cheek.

"I love you, Drew."

"Love you too, Ma."

"We need to go, Elizabeth. The train leaves in thirty minutes."

Ben and Carlie showed up as they were saying goodbye to everyone. "Where are you going?"

Elizabeth hugged her. "Caleb has been hurt. We are heading to Union City."

"Oh! How bad?"

"We don't know, but we need to be with him. Carrie and Drew and Nate and Maddie are coming to stay with you guys."

Carlie nodded. She didn't often cry but the tears fought their way down her cheeks. "Give him a hug for me, and Amy."

"We will. We need to go. Love you all." She kissed Carlie's cheek and then Ben's and then they hurried out the door to Will who was waiting by the wagon. "Will, thank you for the wagon."

"You're welcome. Um, my job with Uncle Lee starts in less than two weeks."

"You're going to move while we are gone?" Elizabeth asked.

"He's expecting me. It's important." They had taught all their children that their word was something to keep, at all costs.

She nodded. "Please be careful. We expect you home for Christmas, you hear me?"

"Yes, ma'am. I love you."

"To the moon and back, son." She hugged him for an extra long moment. "I'm proud of you, Will."

THAT EVENING, UNION CITY

Amy showed up an hour before visiting hours ended. She hoped they would let her stay with him.

"Can I help you?" the woman at the desk asked.

"My husband, Caleb Thornton is here. I would like to see him, please."

"Corporal Thornton? Yes, ma'am. He is here but he is in surgery right now."

"Can you tell me how he is?"

"No, ma'am. I will tell his Doctor to come see you in the waiting room as soon as he gets a moment."

She sighed and walked to the waiting room to wait. Waiting was the worst part. She traveled all that way and she couldn't even see her own husband that she hadn't laid eyes on in over a month.

After what seemed like forever, a doctor walked in. "Mrs. Thornton?"

"Yes, that's me. How's my husband?"

"He's alive."

"Please give me details. No one can tell me anything."

He walked over and sat down, patting the seat next to him. "Mrs. Thornton, your husband was beaten badly. First he was stabbed twice in his abdomen. Then once he couldn't defend himself, the man hit him in the face and stomach repeatedly. He also has three broken ribs."

"What was the surgery for?"

"He had internal bleeding. When I got in there, I realized the artery attached to the spleen was causing the bleeding. I'm afraid I couldn't repair it. I had to remove the spleen."

"Can someone live without their spleen?"

"Yes. It just means your husband has a higher risk of infection and illness. Eventually the other organs make up for what the spleen used to do."

"I need to see him. It's been a month."

"Yes, follow me. I must warn you though. His face is swollen and bruised. It may be hard to see."

"I can handle it."

She walked down the hall after the doctor. The doctor pulled back the curtain and she had to fight not to cry out when she saw him. As bad as it had sounded when the doctor told her, she hadn't imagined this.

The doctor touched her shoulder and then went to listen to Caleb's chest and look in his eyes. "Your husband also has a concussion. He's been here since midnight and he hasn't regained consciousness. That's a bit concerning but I expect that he will wake up in the next few hours."

"I'd like to stay with him. Please."

"This chair isn't very comfortable."

"It's fine. Thank you."

Her comfort didn't matter. She just needed to be with him. She believed he would be able to feel her presence which hopefully would help him to heal. As soon as the doctor walked out, she pulled her chair up close to him and held his hand. "Caleb, baby I'm here. Please get better. We need you. This baby needs you." She rubbed her slightly rounded tummy. Their fifth was coming in March. He had been so happy when she had told him right before he left for his assignment.

She watched his chest move with each breath. It was the only sign he was still with her. After a couple hours, she fell asleep holding his hand. The nurse came in and gave her a blanket at some point and checked on Caleb.

"Ma'am? Have you eaten?"

"I'm not hungry," she told the nurse.

"Yes, but you're pregnant?"

"I am."

"I'm going to bring you some food and I want you to eat it. If not for yourself, do it for the little one and to keep strong for your husband."

Amy looked up at the nurse. She nodded and looked back at Caleb, afraid she would miss the second he opened his eyes.

She watched and waited. The nurse brought in chili and cornbread and stayed, watching for her to take a couple bites. "How did you know I'm pregnant?"

"You kept you hand on your tummy as you slept." Amy nodded. "Mrs. Thornton…"

"Amy."

"Amy, do you have other children?"

"Four. Three boys and a girl."

"How long have you and Corporal Thornton been married?"

"In June, it will be ten years." She felt a tear slip down her face. "We met when we were kids. I moved into his town and we became instant best friends. He said he loved me as soon as he saw me," she spoke as she watched him. She couldn't help the smile as she remembered a much simpler time, even if it was a hard life with her father. "I don't think kids could know love at eight years old, but he swears it's true."

"True, Ames."

She heard the whisper but never saw his lips move so she figured she imagined it, until she felt his hand twitch and a moan escape from somewhere deep inside his body.

"Caleb!" The nurse rushed out the door to get a doctor and Amy bent over his battered body. "Baby, I'm here."

"Hurts," he groaned. "Bad."

"The nurse will be right back, sweetie."

He closed his eyes, trying to think of anything but the insane amount of pain he was feeling. It felt like every inch of his body was on fire. If he didn't want to see his wife so badly, he would allow himself to slip back into unconsciousness.

"Ames," he panted.

"I'm here."

"Kiss."

"Honey, it would hurt you way too much. You're lips are not in good shape."

"Need….you." He forced his eyes open to focus on her.

She leaned down and kissed him, barely perceptible except it made his lips tingle, which in turn made them hurt. He raised his hand with a groan. "What, babe? Maybe you should stay still until the doctor comes in."

"Kiss."

"Caleb, I don't want to hurt you."

"Please...miss….you….so…..much."

"I missed you too." She leaned down and decided his lower lip looked less sore than the top one so she aimed for that one. She gently pressed her lips to his for a few seconds, hoping that would appease him.

"I…look….good?" He teased her, even in the state he was in.

"Always, Caleb."

"Kids?"

"They are just fine."

"You…..and….baby?"

"We're good." She touched her tummy. She knew at almost four months, she would be able to feel the tiny flutter of movement any day. She couldn't wait.

The doctor walked in with their nurse. "Well, Corporal, how are you?"

"Never….better," he groaned out, sarcastically.

"Well, you look good," the doctor joked back. "One to ten…what's your pain level?"

"Eight." He shut his eyes as the doctor poked him and uncovered various wounds. He tried not to groan again, but it was getting nearly impossible. "Nine…"

Their nurse gave him a shot in his arm and he calmed within seconds.

"What did you give him?" Amy wondered.

"Morphine. He needs to rest to heal. Morphine takes the pain and puts him out."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"It can be, but we will monitor and make sure he doesn't start to depend on it."

HARRIS TOWN

Carlie stood on the porch with Ben. "Next month is the Sweetheart's Dance."

"Is that what we are?" He slipped his fingers through hers, squeezing gently. She smiled and squeezed back.

"I think so."

"Were you going to go to the dance?" he asked her.

"I go every year with my family but I was hoping to go with someone special this year."

"Let me know what he says."

"Ben! You are such a tease. Are you going to make me ask you?"

"I think I am."

She put her hands on her hips and glared, playfully. "Ben Harris, will you go to the Sweethearts Dance with me?"

"Can I let you know?"

She shook her head and giggled. "Sure, you let me know."

"Ok. I'll go with you." He rested his hands on her waist. "I need to get home. I'll be by to help Jay with the chores in the morning."

"You don't have to. Nate and Drew and Will are here."

"I would like to help." His deep brown eyes held her gaze. "And I want to see my sweetheart."

She blushed all the way to her toes. "I want to see you too."

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight, Carlie."

"Night, Ben."