When Calls the Hearties
Chapter 4: When One tends to worry
It was early Sunday morning just as the sun was rising, before every church service he does his duty as constable and makes his rounds around the town and mountains of Coal Valley. Elizabeth had awoken earlier that morning to glance at her window peering to see the beautiful sun glaring in on Coal Valley as to peer out to her Jack, in the distance doing a morning patrol as he is now dressed in his shining red serge uniform. Jack is hoping to return before sunrise to prepare in meeting Elizabeth for church services. Elizabeth and Jack are unaware that a storm was pushing through Coal Valley, unaware of the dangers that might lie ahead.
Elizabeth is dressed and ready for church waiting for Jack to accompany her to church, after waiting a half an hour Elizabeth grabs her bible and walks to church. Unfortunately, through there was slight difficulty as it was pouring down raining in Coal Valley, she rushed to see Abigail by the saloon waving at her to come inside for church due the heavy rain. Before entering the saloon Elizabeth asked,
"Abigail, have you seen Jack?"
"No, why?"
"Well, he was supposed to accompany to church today, and have not seen him since he left to make his rounds around Coal Valley."
Abigail assuring Elizabeth, "Do not fret, Elizabeth, I'm sure Jack will make his enterance later and have good explanation why he didn't come."
Elizabeth now in sour after leaving hanging by Jack she told Abigail, "Yeah, he have a good explaination."
Elizabeth and Abigail enter church together as they and sit down, as Rosemary makes herself comfortable seating by Elizabeth and says,
" Good, Miss Thatcher, what a rainy day, what a shame? "
"There is no shame in worshiping Jesus in Saloon, as long the people have a good faith in him."
"Amen to that, Elizabeth" added Abigail.
"Indeed, but hold where is Jack? I thought you two were attached to the hip. Is there trouble in paradise?" Rosemary asked even though it was not her place to ask such things.
Elizabeth biting her tongue as she was Godly woman, and so with the upmost politeness informed her, "No, Rosemary, no trouble at all, if you must know Jack is off doing his rounds in patrolling and protecting the town of Coal Valley."
Rosemary sighed completely smitten with Jack dedication and service to Coal Valley she just had to stand and say aloud to the town of Coal Valley.
"Dear, townspeople, l think we send our extra prayers to my loyal" she coughed, as Elizabeth was stunned to hear say that, "Excuse me, Our loyal, Mountie and Constable Jack Thornton."
Rosemary sat down and winked at Elizabeth as the people in Coal Valley clapped and bow their heads for Jack safe return home. After prayer, people greeted as Rosemary wondering off, Abigail reminded Elizabeth,
"Just remember, Jack's love and devotion to you, If you don't see him at church I'm sure he will come by for lunch."
Elizabeth was grateful for Abigail to ease her worries about Jack, she hope and trusted that God would protect Jack and bring him safely. Elizabeth prays that it would be soon rather than later for her panic starts to kick in. After church Elizabeth sits in an empty café starring a the window that dripping raindrops. Elizabeth sits at the table where she is at still worried about Jack as she has yet to hear nothing from him.
Abigail comes back with tea and a plate of biscuits, "here you are Elizabeth.'
"Thank you, Abigail." Elizabeth not all that hungry or do anything expect sit, wait and pray for miracle to come and then had an idea, as she asked Abigail, "Should I go look for him?"
Abigail reply, "I don't know. It's quite dark outside. Elizabeth, I don't think Jack would want to risk your life to save his and besides I think is capable of taking care of himself I'm sure he will be back tomorrow. "
Elizabeth said, "I know you're right. " Elizabeth smiles in knowing that God is with Jack and he will be home soon. Elizabeth then finishes eating her biscuits, as Abigail goes to door to turn the cafe sign around from "Open" to "closed"
It is close to midnight as the rain stopped pouring over Coal Valley the clouds clearing revealing the stars and shining the moon down above the town. Elizabeth was sleep till she heard a knock the door, Abigail was already downstairs making some tea as she could not sleep she open the door, it was Jack, Abigail screamed,
"Elizabeth, it is Jack he has returned." Jack said nothing a fell on the floor, Abigail trying her best to lift him up. Elizabeth made downstairs to see Jack leaning on Abigail she rushed towards him, screamed,
"Oh, my God, Jack!" She runs over to him and nearly leaps to embrace Jack.
Jack returns her embrace, and in a shivering voice tells her, "I am so sorry I missed church and am a bit wet."
Elizabeth in tears of Joy and worry thinking the absolute worst, she was just so happy he was home and safe as she was praising God, but she needed to know, "What happened? I was so worried!"
Jack could hear sobs and he hating the sound of it, telling her, "Please don't cry. I never want to make you cry. I am so sorry."
Elizabeth's sobs turn to soft chuckles as she told him, "I was just so worried that Gowen's men may have..." Her words trail off as she did not want to image that if Gowen's men did do such a thing.
But Jack assures her by informing her, while wiping the tears from her face, "I am fine. Wet but fine. Those goons would be no match for me. I could handle them but they are not what kept me. I am fine and I am so sorry I caused you one moment of worry."
Elizabeth was so please to hear that as she said, "I am just glad you are here now. Would you like to be seated? We have some hot tea here."
"No, no please don't go to any trouble. I just need to go to the jail and get out of these wet clothes . . ." Jack insisted
Elizabeth takes a deep breath and manages a smile, realizing she still has hold of his hand. Jack notices this tells Elizabeth, " I just wanted to apologize to you. I would like to make it up to you. I would like to make you supper and explain once I have dried out. You name the day. That is if Abigail would let me cook here as I don't have a proper stove."
"I don't think Abigail would mind. " Elizabeth smiles and asks Abigail, "Would you Abigail?"
Abigail looks at jack and adds, "Not at all jack you pick the day and the kitchen is yours."
Jack turns to Elizabeth telling her, "You tell me when. I will stop by tomorrow after school and you tell me day and I will cook. But now I must get out these clothes I am freezing. Good night and again I am sorry. Also can I have my hand back."
Elizabeth playfully replies, "Maybe. And tomorrow evening is perfect."
"Alright. Tomorrow it is. I will make supper. I will ask you not try and steal any of my secrets. "Jack insists
"Alright. " Elizabeth says as she slowly releases his hand and adds, " I look forward to it."
Jack and Elizabeth both reluctantly move to the door, Jack stops turns to Elizabeth and said, "it is a date. See you tomorrow. And again I am so sorry."
Elizabeth leans towards Jack kisses him on the check and whispers in his ear, "I love you, Jack."
Jack in dazed says nothing except smiles at the woman he loves closing the door, Jack walks happy to know the warmth from Elizabeth kiss and words will keep him warm till he make is home to dry off.
It was Monday morning the birds singing, and the sun was shining bright over Coal Valley. Elizabeth was happily walked to the saloon to prepare class, as she was happy to know that Jack was home safely. What she didn't expect was to arrive to at saloon with a small a note on her desk with a single spring flower, the note which stated
Dear Elizabeth, I am so sorry. .if I caused you 1 moment of worry or to shed 1 tear. I am so looking forward to supper tonight. Love, Jack
Elizabeth's heart was melted by Jack's gracious words as the smelt the beautiful flower, Elizabeth got entrance by Jack that she didn't notice her class entering as it took the class to scream on top their lungs to snap her back into reality, as she apologized
"Sorry. Class, I was…" her holding her up the spring flower."
Gabe added, "It is okay Miss, Thatcher, you are just a woman in love, we can understand that. We are happy for you and Constable Jack, you two are prefect each other, we like seeing you happy."
Elizabeth smiled, "Why thank you, Gabe, but let's change the subject and talk about how flowers grow."
After learning about flowers Elizabeth calls out, ""Class dismissed for lunch," she calls and the children file out of the saloon as her gaze moves to the note on her desk from Jack. Jack notices the kids start to head back into school he gathers packages together and hurries across to the cafe to begin preparing supper. Jack watches out the jail window for the kids to go back to class after lunch and recess.