Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the creators, actors, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."
Chapter 4-Forever May Not Always Be
"Good morning, Abigail," Elizabeth's voice was noticeably joyful as she entered the kitchen, and found her dear friend sitting at the kitchen table enjoying a cup of coffee.
"I waited up for you last night, but you were late getting in. I take it from your smile that you and Jack are back on the right track again?" Abigail asked.
"I'd say so," Elizabeth responded as she held out her left hand to display the engagement ring that had been recently missing from its home.
"Oh, Elizabeth…" Abigail stood and the two women hugged. "It is truly about time…"
"Good morning," a voice called out from the dining area, causing both women to turn around.
Elizabeth's face lit up as Jack walked into the kitchen…
"I love you," he whispered as he leaned in and softly kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.
"Would you like some breakfast?" Elizabeth asked as she walked over to the stove, returning to the table with two cups and the coffee pot.
"No thank you," Jack replied as he took Elizabeth by the hand and led her to the back kitchen door. He opened the door and gently pulled her outside, "Unfortunately I need to miss church today. Something has come up in Henderson Township, and I'm expected to leave right away. But I'll…"
Elizabeth cut in, "Oh Jack is it dangerous?"
Having some information, and not wanting to worry Elizabeth, he replied, "No, I'll be fine. I just have to cover the Henderson Township territories for awhile."
"Why…Where is the Mountie who handles that area?" She asked, still somewhat leery of his explanation and assurances that he would be fine.
"Oh, Elizabeth stop worrying…I'll be fine," Jack stated as he took her hand, and gently pulled her into his embrace. It was truly a good thing that she could not see his face, because the worried look would have said it all!
As they separated slightly, Jack pressed his lips to hers. Forgetting that Abigail was just inside the kitchen, they both became lost. Each one making a mental and physical note of this moment to remember during the time they are apart.
Elizabeth walked Jack to the back door, trying to get him to come back inside...not wanting him to leave. They stood mere inches apart, neither one wanting to say good bye.
Jack leaned in and gently kissed her cheek. As he separated from her slightly, he noticed that her eyes were closed, but he reached up and tenderly wiped away a tear with his finger. "I love you, Elizabeth, and I'll be back just as soon as I can," Jack whispered as he turned and walked down the porch steps.
Elizabeth watched Jack mount his horse, and before he headed away, they looked lovingly at each other. She stood on the back porch as her eyes followed him out of town and away from her. She was always worried about Jack, and she didn't know why, but this time was much different. She felt an uneasiness that couldn't be swept away with the knowledge that he was well trained and good at his job.
Jack continued out of town, stopping by the grove of trees to take a breath. He hated not being honest with Elizabeth… "Well, it really isn't being dishonest; I just couldn't tell her everything…its Mountie business after all," he told himself. He knew that if he had told her the real reason he was being sent to Henderson Township, he would need to worry about her as well as himself.
"Do you need any help Abigail?" Elizabeth asked as she walked away from the back door; the expression on her face said everything that she felt in her heart… She loved Jack dearly, but she was scared.
"I can always use help, but maybe later. Right now you need to take your journal, and spend this beautiful morning at your favorite place. Your mind obviously isn't here… it just left town, but only for awhile. He'll be back before you know it," Abigail advised; she had the morning rush under control, and was hoping to take Elizabeth's mind off of her obvious worries.
Elizabeth walked upstairs to her room and retrieved her journal. When she returned, Abigail was in the dining room refilling coffee cups and chatting with her customers. Elizabeth slipped out the back door and headed for the lake.
As she passed through the tree path on her way to the lake, she could hear the sound of the birds' playful chirping. She walked to the shoreline, laid out a blanket to sit on, and took a deep breath, trying to take in the calm of this scene, while exhaling the turmoil that was growing inside. She closed her eyes, looked toward the sun, leaned her head back, and felt the warmth on her face. The cackle of the geese on the lake brought her out of her reverie, and she reached in her bag, pulled out her journal, and began to write…
"What is it about fear that keeps us self contained, withdrawn, unable to think clearly, and consumed by worry? Knowing that fear can be a healthy emotion does little to calm the stirring waters inside of us; making it virtually impossible to accept whatever we are dealt, and assuming the worst to be the final outcome. Though difficult at times, placing our complete trust in God's hands gives us the assurance that things work out as they should and in their own time. God is always present to guide us, and in trusting in Him, we will find renewed strength."
Elizabeth closed her journal, slipped it into her bag, glanced toward the sky, and said a soft prayer for Jack's health and safety. She knew that Jack's fate was out of her control and in God's hands, she walked back toward town; her mind was elsewhere, and her silent conversation with God was continuous.
Elizabeth walked into the café and found it full of diners. "Abigail, do you need some help?" She asked.
Although she had concerns that Elizabeth's mind was not on the present, she handed her the coffee pot and a tray with two cups… "Please take this to Samuel and Anna Farnley's table. I know they want coffee, but you can take their order too," Abigail requested. She observed the concern in Elizabeth's face, "Don't worry…the food is all made; you don't need to do anything but serve."
Elizabeth halfheartedly smiled, and then walked out into the dining area. She returned with their order, and provided it to Abigail.
"Moose?" Abigail asked. "We don't serve Moose. Are you sure you heard them right?"
"That's what they said," Elizabeth responded…thinking at the time that Moose sounded perfectly normal.
Abigail laughed softly as she walked out of the kitchen and back to the Farnley's table to confirm their order of "Moose."
Samuel Farnley looked away from his wife and over to Abigail as she approached the table… "Please tell me that you aren't out of your wonderful meatloaf. I have been thinking about meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans all afternoon.
Abigail laughed softly, "No, I have plenty of meatloaf…Moose; however, I'm out of."
"Excuse me?" Samuel asked.
"Oh nothing… Can I get you anything else with your dinner?" Abigail responded.
Samuel smiled, "Well, I'm sure that I will want a piece of your wonderful Apple Pie for dessert. Anna prefers your Pumpkin Pie…"
"I'll see that we pull two pieces of pie, one apple and one pumpkin for your dessert. Your plates will be out in a few minutes," Abigail assured them as she turned and walked back toward the kitchen.
Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table when Abigail entered the room. "So when did you start serving Moose?" She asked.
"We don't, unless you think meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans sounds like Moose," Abigail replied.
"I'm sorry, Abigail. I'm not much help to you. I'm going upstairs if that's okay," Elizabeth offered as she headed for the stairs.
"Although I know you will anyway, try not to worry. Jack will be home before you know it," Abigail said as Elizabeth slowing ascended the stairs to her room.
Elizabeth slipped into her room; she dressed for bed, but most of the night she lay awake staring at the ceiling.
Several weeks passed, and although Elizabeth wrote four letters to Jack, he had yet to send a reply. She knew that he was not a letter writer, but knowing how worried she would be about him, she felt that it was inconsiderate of him not to respond.
On her way to school one morning, Elizabeth walked out the café door, as Rosemary was entering to meet Lee for breakfast.
"Oh Elizabeth, I have been meaning to come by and tell you how sorry I am…" Rosemary stated as she peeked into the café obviously looking for someone.
"Sorry…Sorry about what?" Elizabeth asked, clearly confused by her statement.
"What? I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I'm supposed to meet Lee here for breakfast. What did you say?" Rosemary asked as she scanned the café, clearly uninterested in the comment she had made which caused Elizabeth's heart to skip a beat…or two.
"Rosemary, you said that you were sorry for me…What did you mean…Sorry for what?" Elizabeth clarified.
"Oh, I just meant that you must be beside yourself with worry over Jack. I just don't think I could function day to day worrying about his safety," Rosemary dug the knife of doubt deeper into Elizabeth's side.
"I'm always worried about Jack's safety, just like he worries about mine. Do you know something about this trip that I don't?" Elizabeth hated to think that Rosemary would have more information about "her Jack" than she did, but she asked anyway.
Rosemary smirked, pleased that she had information that Elizabeth didn't, "He's in a lot of danger…I'm surprised that you didn't know."
"Know what?" Elizabeth asked in a sharp tone.
"Oh, there's Lee…We'll talk later," Rosemary said as she entered the café, and closed the door behind her, effectively leaving Elizabeth with a growing pit in her stomach.
"Wait…" Elizabeth yelled as she reached for the door knob, but quickly realized that she was now running late for school. She turned around and headed down the porch steps, feeling dejected and even more worried than before.
Elizabeth arrived at school with just enough time to set her basket down and turn around to observe her students walking through the door.
"Good morning, Miss Thatcher," the children collectively stated.
"Good morning children. Please put your lunch pails on the table and take your seats. We have a lot of work to do today," Elizabeth responded to which she heard an abundance of sighs.
They started out with a math lesson…multiplication skills for the older students, and addition for the younger ones.
Elizabeth wrote several problems on the board, and called out for volunteers to complete them. Emily stepped forward to answer 12 + 5= _? As she worked on the problem, Elizabeth caught herself looking out the window; wishing that Jack would ride up, but knowing in her heart that it wouldn't happen.
Emily finished her problem…12 + 5 = 17.
"Emily that was a nice try, but you forgot to carry the one…the answer is 27," Elizabeth responded as she approached the blackboard.
"Miss Thatcher…are you alright?" Rachel called out.
"Yes, of course I am; why do you ask?" Elizabeth appeared quite puzzled as she responded.
Rachel replied, "The answer to Emily's problem is 17 not 27."
Elizabeth looked back at the board; she realized her addition mistake, and that her mind was far from the schoolhouse. "I'm sorry children. My mind must be elsewhere this morning," she commented.
"I bet I know who she's thinking about," Gem stated which caused the class to break out in laughter.
"Okay children, settle down. Pull out your books and let's sit quietly while you read," Elizabeth stated, trying to gain control of the classroom.
She sat at her desk, trying to put her conversation with Rosemary out of her mind. The day drug on, and Elizabeth was happy when she was able to ring the end of the school day bell. She was full of anticipation when she grabbed her basket and started for home. Before she did anything else, she planned to find Rosemary, and find out exactly what she was implying only hours earlier. As she reached the café steps, Mr. Yost called out to her…
"Miss Thatcher…Miss Thatcher, this letter came for you, and I'm sure you will want to see it," Mr. Yost stated as he handed her the envelope.
Elizabeth thanked him, and turned back toward the café stairs. It had been weeks since she had seen Jack, and this was the first reply she had received to her several letters. She stood on the porch, her arms resting on the railing, attempting to steady her shaking hands as she opened the envelope…
"Dearest Elizabeth,
I hope everything with you is well. I'm sorry that I haven't written. Please don't worry; I'm fine, and hope to be home soon.
Love always,
Jack"
"Really…? He is gone for weeks, and that's all he can write?" Elizabeth asked herself, her concern for his safety temporarily replaced by mild irritation. Her anger dissipated as she glanced up the street, and observed Rosemary walking arm in arm with Lee. She put her basket and shawl down and headed out to confront Rosemary about what she knew regarding Jack.
"Rosemary, could I please speak with you for a moment?" Elizabeth called out as she approached.
"Hello Elizabeth. It has been an absolutely beautiful day. I hope you have been able to enjoy at least part of it…" Rosemary responded.
"Well actually, I've been thinking about what you said this morning, and I was hoping you could explain what you meant," Elizabeth stated, her tone was strong, and clear… she had no intention of leaving this conversation without the information that she required.
Rosemary looked from Elizabeth to Lee and then back to Elizabeth again… "Lee, I'll meet you over at the office in a few minutes; Elizabeth and I need to talk, and then we can have dinner."
As Lee started to walk away, he heard Jack's name and stopped dead in his tracks. He spun around and looked squarely at Rosemary… "May I speak with you before I go?"
"Certainly… I'll be right back, Elizabeth," Rosemary promised.
Lee and Rosemary walked a short distance away before he spoke, "I hope you didn't say anything to Elizabeth about what I told you."
"Of course not… I didn't tell her anything about Jack and what you told me. I may have mentioned that I was sorry for her, and I may have said something about the danger he is in, but I wasn't specific," Rosemary attempted to explain.
Lee took Rosemary's hand and led her back to Elizabeth… "I'm sorry if Rosie told you anything today that has upset you. She wasn't supposed to say anything…to anyone," Lee remarked, his tone was stern, and forceful.
Elizabeth's irritation with Jack was again quickly replaced by worry and concern. She was well aware of the fact that Mountie business was just that…"Mountie business" and Jack was not at liberty to divulge certain information… "But Rosemary knows and I don't? This is just so wrong!" This thought kept spinning in her head. "Lee, please tell me…Is Jack in more danger than usual?"
"Elizabeth, I am so sorry. Jack trusted me to keep the information quiet…Oh, it's not confidential information, but he didn't want you to worry. I shouldn't have told anyone," Lee stated as he turned and looked squarely at Rosemary.
"I understand Lee, but I need to know. Jack has been gone for weeks and I've only received one letter. I'm worried, and now Rosemary tells me that she's sorry, and that Jack is in a lot of danger," Elizabeth was close to begging for the information.
Lee, Rosemary and Elizabeth walked over to the gazebo, which sat in the center of town… "Jack only told me because he wanted to make sure that someone was watching out for you in case he didn't come home," Lee started to explain.
"Didn't come home?" Elizabeth gasped, leaning against the railing to steady herself. "Why? He only went to Henderson Township to help out while they await the arrival of another Mountie to the area…Right?"
"Well, that's partly true. There was a Mountie who was retiring, and they had sent another Mountie to take over the area. The older Mountie was training the new Mountie, and they were patrolling when they were ambushed and both were shot and killed," Lee hesitantly provided the information.
Elizabeth's knees became weak, and Lee caught her as she began to collapse. He led her over to a seat and they sat silently for awhile. Elizabeth had many question, but unfortunately Lee had few answers.
They eventually walked back toward the café. Lee and Rosemary saw Elizabeth inside and watched as she headed for the stairs to her room before they took their seat at a table by the window.
"Rosemary, you shouldn't have said anything to her…I promised Jack," Lee scolded Rosemary for passing along information that he himself had no permission to divulge.
"Lee, don't you think she has a right to know. I mean, she should be fully aware of what she's getting into if she marries Jack," Rosemary stood her ground and was adamant that she had done nothing wrong.
"If she marries Jack…You don't think she will?" Lee was quite surprised with her statement.
"I don't know that Elizabeth has what it takes to be a Mounties' wife," Rosemary responded.
"Oh, but you did?" He asked.
"No, I think I'm a stronger person than Elizabeth, but I didn't want to live my life with my husband gone most of the time. Really…what kind of marriage is that?" She asked with a frown, and a shrug of the shoulders.
"I think when you fall in love with someone you have to compromise, and deal with certain things that you never thought about before. I just don't think you have any control over who you give your heart to…once you find that special person, you simply have to work out the other issues," Lee said softly, attempting to judge her expression regarding their relationship.
Rosemary reached over and gave Lee's hand a squeeze, and along with her smile, he felt as though they were heading in the right direction.
Henderson Township:
Jack sat in a room with other Mounties talking about the special men they had recently lost, and thankful that the man responsible had been apprehended. Jack was somewhat leery that everything was resolved; he had his doubts that one man could have done both murders without assistance, but he had no real evidence to prove his suspicions. His superiors dismissed his theory, and were all too happy to close the case.
Hope Valley:
Elizabeth sat on the side of her bed. She rested her hands on her thighs, trying to stop their shaking. Part of her felt that Jack must be safe or he wouldn't have written her the letter. She knew that with the previous discussions they'd had regarding his dangerous job that he was simply trying to protect her, hoping to save her from added worry. She took several deep breaths, attempting to calm her nerves, then pulled out her journal; hoping that releasing all of her thoughts would provide her with a cleansed feeling.
"Our fear of the unknown, unseen, or unwanted, often keeps us secluded in our own little world; too frightened to venture out and spread our wings, afraid to open our hearts or acknowledge the deep feelings we have for another. Love is powerful enough to take you to heights never before seen; it makes you feel comfortable wrapped in its warmth; and strong enough to hold you as you weather emotional storms. These feelings of trust, hope, faith, and desire, can consume you, igniting that fire that burns deep inside, simply begging to be brought to the surface. Love is not just the deep and often uncontrollable emotional feelings you have for someone. It is that feeling that above all else, you want nothing but the best for them; even if that does not include you. For love is many things… complex…yet kind, thoughtful, considerate, and forgiving, but above all, we pray that it is forever!"
Elizabeth laid her journal on the bedside table; she rested her head on her pillow, closed her eyes and thought of Jack. A smile graced her face as her memories of their time together slipped down her cheeks in the form of tears.
Henderson Township:
"Constable Thornton," Jack heard his name called out from the front of the barracks.
It was early morning, and he wasn't sleeping well. Any time he closed his eyes, visions of Elizabeth and their times together invaded his thoughts. He could think of worse thoughts to keep him awake, but thinking of her only made him miss her more…as if that were even possible.
"Yes sir…" Jack called out as he jumped from his bunk and headed to the front of the barracks.
The Commander pulled him aside as they talked out of earshot of the other Mounties. Once their talk was concluded, both men separated. Jack returned to his bunk with a smile that could not be removed from his face.
Jack sat on his bunk, pulled out a piece of paper and began to write Elizabeth a letter…
"Dear Elizabeth,
I'm sorry that I haven't written as I should or as you would have liked, but I am fine, and will be heading home in the next few days. You actually may see me before this letter reaches you. Although I am not at liberty to discuss this investigation, please know that I have been told that everything is resolved, and my services here are no longer required. I can't wait to be home with you in my arms. This time apart makes me want this wedding to happen soon…very soon! I love you with every breath I take…
Love always,
Jack"
A few days passed and the Mounties who had remained in town readied themselves for rounds. Jack had struck up a relationship with a fairly new Mountie, Constable James Newman, and they sat and talked while having breakfast. They were trying to hurry, as they had a meeting before they planned to leave on rounds.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Constable Fisher stated as he picked up Constable Newman's coffee cup from the floor.
Constable Newman looked down to see his red serge covered in coffee. "Oh, I should have known this would happen. This was my last uniform. I can't go to the meeting like this. I've been trying to make the best impression possible on the Commander. This won't help."
"Don't worry. I have another uniform you can wear. You can send it to me once you get back home…" Jack assured him.
They left their breakfast half eaten, and returned to the barracks. Jack removed his name plate from the red serge jacket and handed it to James.
"Thank you, Jack. You are a life-saver," James stated.
"Hey, you have your name on the inside collar…why?" James asked.
"Just something my Ma always taught me. Your name plate can be removed, but it's harder to claim someone else's jacket if their name is stitched inside," Jack responded, a little embarrassed by his friend's observation.
They made it to the meeting, and once it was completed they headed out on their final rounds of the area.
Jack, as a senior Mountie, left on rounds alone with the others being paired up. Upon completing his rounds, Jack was all too eager to get back, pack up and head out for home.
Hope Valley:
Elizabeth walked in to the mercantile to pick up a few items for Abigail…
"Miss Thatcher…" Ned Yost called out from the back of the store.
"Yes, Mr. Yost…" she responded.
He was putting merchandise on one of the top shelves, "Please don't leave until I get down from here. I have something that came for you that I know you will want to see."
"Certainly," Elizabeth replied trying to think of something she may have ordered as she gathered the items for Abigail.
She stood at the counter waiting for Mr. Yost who approached with a smile, and an envelope.
"I hope this makes your day better," he said as he handed the letter to her.
She took it and headed out the door, completely forgetting about the items she had gathered for Abigail.
She stood on the porch of the mercantile; her expression showed that she was thrilled to receive Jack's letter. Until she read his words, her heart continued beating out of her chest, quickly replaced by a calm feeling, and the ability to finally take a cleansing breath. She rushed back to the café to share the good news with Abigail.
"Elizabeth, that is wonderful news; I'm so happy for you…actually for both of you. Now you can start planning your wedding," Abigail stated gleefully, as both women hugged tightly. "I hate to ask, but did the Mr. Yost have what I needed in stock?"
"What…? Oh, I'm sorry…I left them on the counter. I'll be right back," Elizabeth said as she headed for the back kitchen door. As she opened the door, Mr. Yost was standing on the other side with a box containing the items she had left on the counter…
"I know you were excited to receive the letter, but I assume that you wanted these items?" Mr. Yost inquired.
"Oh yes, thank you so much for bringing these over. I'm so sorry I just left them, but you are right…I was very excited," Elizabeth responded.
For the first time in weeks, Elizabeth was able to sleep…thankful that she would be seeing Jack soon!
The next morning, Elizabeth was sitting in the kitchen enjoying breakfast with Abigail. For the first time in quite a while, she was enjoying her meal with a heart that was full of love, and excitedly anticipating Jack's return home.
Bill was sitting at Jack's desk completing paperwork when the door to the jail opened. Ned Yost slipped inside; his face lacked color as he hesitantly approached the desk… "This arrived very early this morning," he said as he handed the telegram to Bill.
Bill read its contents; he balled up the paper, and threw it across the room. "No, there has to be a mistake…" he yelled, slamming his fist against the wall, the hole he left, a constant reminder of the devastating news.
Bill retrieved the telegram, uncrumpled the paper, and headed for the café. As he walked into the kitchen, he heard Abigail and Elizabeth giggling and discussing the dreams she had for her wedding to Jack.
"What's wrong?" Abigail asked, clearly concerned by the washed out look on his face.
"I…well I uh…this came this morning, and I…I don't have any more information," Bill started to say before Elizabeth grabbed the telegram from his hand.
She quickly read its contents… "NO…" she screamed as the telegram slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.
To be continued…
