"Why is the entire town invested in finding out about my relationship with Carson?" Faith lifted her boot to kick at the ice covering Main Street. "Oh, Elizabeth! I'm sure you haven't had to endure such questions about your relationship!"

Elizabeth smiled faintly. "I hadn't received half the questions as you and Carson than about Jack and me."

Faith realized how unthoughtful she had just been. Elizabeth was a widow of two months - she still hurt deeply from the loss of Jack. "Elizabeth, that was insensitive of me."

"It's fine," Elizabeth plastered a smile on her face.

"Are you sure?" Faith wasn't convinced.

"I'm fine," she repeated again. "Now. Let's get a bite to eat at the cafe before you have to work and I have to teach."

The thought of a second cooking lesson excited Faith. That was undeniable. Although the last cooking lesson didn't go exactly as planned, Faith was resolved to have a good time with Carson. She had been having a good time with Carson the last time. Faith had loved every moment of it. Until he asked about her parents. That had certainly struck a cord. But she didn't mind confiding in Carson. He was the one she felt most comfortable confiding in. He was the most patient, caring man ever.

"Hello, Carson," Faith smiled as she entered the infirmary.

Like a gentleman, Carson arose in the presence of a lady. "Faith." Her name was spoken softly. Almost like he loved saying her name. Did he?

Faith's mind wandered to all of her memories of Carson. She remembered the time when she believed she would never see Carson again.

Faith had been pondering Marlisse's visit to the infirmary. Marlisse was quick to tell Faith of Carson Shepard's past. Marlisse was a cold woman, bitter towards Carson. . . and towards almost anyone and anything. He is the reason his wife died. Spoken unkindly, the harsh words held no remorse.

Faith's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Carson on Main Street. She wanted to talk to him. He was probably hurting pretty badly. Marlisse certainly hadn't helped Carson's aching heart.

"Mr. Shepard!" she approached him quickly.

"Oh," he said, "Hello, Miss Carter."

He seemed rather down. And she probably knew why.

"Are you okay?" Faith asked.

"Does it matter?" he asked dully.

"Of course it does!"

"I'm leaving Hope Valley. . . forever. . ." he said.

Leaving. Forever. The words echoed in her ears over and over again and left a dull ache in her heart. She had only known this man - Mr. Shepard, or Carson - a short while, but she felt a connection with him. She doubted he felt the same way. But it didn't matter. She didn't want him to go.

"No one believes you are responsible for what happened to your wife!" Faith cried.

Florence and Molly passed them, eying the former doctor up suspiciously as if to defeat Faith's point.

"Yes, they do!"

"Maybe a few people. But the ones that truly know you and believe in you. . . they trust you. I do," Faith said sincerely. "If they knew the good things you've done in town they'd want you to stay. Like what you did that night in the saloon and - "

"I'll always be grateful for your kindness and care," he interrupted. "But believe me, when I say, I want to go. I can't be faced with questioning eyes and ridicule every time I walk down Main Street. It's too much." So many emotions twisted on his face. "I need to go. The time has come for me to say farewell."

"Carson. . ." Faith's voice drifted off when she realized that nothing would sway him. She didn't realize that she had impulsively used his first name.

"Goodbye, Miss Carter," he said.

He turned and walked away quickly. Faith felt a wave sadness. That was the last time she would see Carson Shepard.

It hadn't been, actually. And Faith thanked God for that.

"Carson, I thought of something," Faith said, hanging her bag on a hook.

He raised an eyebrow.

"How about I teach you how to cook tomorrow?"

"That seems rather suspicious," he teased.

"It isn't. At all."

"May I ask what dish you might be teaching me how to cook?"

"Shepard's Pie," Faith smiled mischievously.

"Where did you learn to cook Shepard's Pie? Have you been taking secret cooking lessons so that you can amaze me with your cooking abilities?"

"Not at all. Elizabeth taught me two years ago."

"Does this recipe require vegetable cutting?" Carson asked, a smiling playing at his lips.

With her clipboard, Faith swatted his shoulder playfully. "You are correct. But until I learned otherwise, I thought I knew how to cut vegetables."

He gently pried the clipboard from her fingers. He placed the clipboard on the desk he was standing next to. There was a moment of silence. A moment of gazing into each other's eyes. There was definitely a connection. Faith might have been able to deny it before, but she couldn't now.

Carson gently took her hand into his own. That was the first time he had taken her hand in such a way. Their lips were mere inches away and they seemed to be drawing closer and closer.

The infirmary door opened and there was an alarmed voice. "If this is a wrong time. . ." a familiar voice said.

Faith and Carson quickly pulled away from their almost-kiss, blushing with embarrassment. Faith's eyes quickly went downward. Her cheeks were no doubt deeply flushed.

"How might we help you, ma'am?" Carson asked.

Faith lifted her eyes from her boots to see who it was. Faith couldn't help but gasp. "Emma!" she cried. She ran over to her sister, wrapping her in a loving hug.

"It's good to see you," Emma embraced her.

Faith pulled away to look at her older sister. "Oh! I can't believe you're here! I thought you were holding off from visiting until the railroad was built!"

"I didn't know how long that would take, so I took the stage from Hamilton to Hope Valley!" her sister said.

Faith turned to look at a confused Carson. "I must make introductions!" she remembered.

Emma shot her a smile.

"Emma, this is Carson, the town doctor. Carson, this is my elder sister, Emma."

There was a moment of tension. Emma delicately shook Carson's hand. "You're the doctor I've heard so much about." She eyed Carson for a moment.

"I hope it's been all good things," Carson's smile was forced. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It is, isn't it?" Emma's eyes had a look. That look. Faith knew that look well. Emma was displeased.

"Faith, why don't you take the day off to help your sister get acquainted with Hope Valley?" Carson asked.

"That's very thoughtful, Carson. I'll take you up on it," Faith smiled brightly at him.

Emma took her younger sister's arm. "Oh, thank you, dear sister, I'd love to see this darling town more!" Emma escorted her sister out quickly. Faith sent Carson an apologetic smile over her shoulder as they left.