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 10- Who is it?
Elizabeth walked out of Yost's Mercantile carrying the curtain panels that she'd ordered for her new home.
"Do you need some help there Miss Thatcher?" Jack asked as he passed on the street returning from his rounds, and heading to the livery to settle his horse for the night.
"Oh Jack, I thought you weren't getting back until late this evening," she replied as she held the railing with one hand, the curtains in the other, and carefully descended the stairs.
"Constable…" Ned Yost called out as he handed Jack a telegram… "This came today, and I thought it was something you'd want right away."
"Thanks Ned…" Jack responded as he took the telegram; he quickly dismounted, meeting Elizabeth at the bottom of the steps where he took the curtain panels from her hand, "I told you that I'd pick these up for you." As always, he was mesmerized by Elizabeth, and folded the telegram up, slipped it in his pocket and figured he'd read it later.
"I know, Jack, but Mr. Yost came by the café and said they were in and you were supposed to be late, so I picked them up. Besides, the sooner I get these hung, the sooner I can move in," she remarked.
Jack sighed, and looked off into the distance.
"What's wrong Jack? Aren't you happy that I have my own place?" She asked.
Jack carried the curtain panels as Elizabeth accompanied him to the Livery, "It's not that I'm not happy about it, but with you being on the outskirts of town…well, it just makes you farther away from me, and I worry about you. Will you still have dinner with me tonight?"
"First of all, yes…I'd love to have dinner with you. Secondly, I don't need you watching over me, Jack. I can take care of myself," Elizabeth complained.
"I didn't say you couldn't…I just mean that I like to be there if you need me," he replied as they walked to the back of the Livery.
Elizabeth sat quietly on a stack of hay bales as Jack unsaddled his horse, brushed him down, threw hay in the rack, and prepared a nice warm bran mash. He dumped the bran mash in the feed tub, adding a chopped up apple as a treat, filled his water bucket, closed and bolted the stall door when he left. He walked over to the hay bales and took a seat beside Elizabeth.
Jack took her hand; his fingers were gently stroking her soft skin, "Elizabeth, it's not that I don't think you can take care of yourself…"
"Is sure feels like it, Jack. I thought you'd be happy for me…for us. This should show you that I'm ready to truly put Hamilton behind me," she advised, her disappointment clouded the usual bright spark in her eyes.
"I am happy for you, but it's just that I don't like to have other people watch out for you…I want to be the one who comes in and saves you," he said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
She smiled; her eyes assured him that he would always be the man she would look to as her shelter in any storm… nothing, and no one would change that.
He leaned in and captured her lips; her soft, sweet kiss stirred feelings in him that he had forgotten existed until she arrived in town. He'd thought about this kiss all day, finding it difficult to accomplish even menial tasks, for the desire to return to her was overpowering. Without thought, his hand reached for the back of her head, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.
Breathless, they both pulled apart, realizing that their emotions were taking them down a road that was inappropriate in their current circumstances.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Sometimes when I'm with you, I just…" Jack exhaled sharply, "No, if I'm being completely honest, it's every time I'm near you, I don't mean to push the limits, but I find it hard to stop myself," Jack admitted.
"Well Jack, I'm sure that it isn't ladylike, but I have the same problem. I'm sorry too… I guess if we didn't have those feelings then maybe something would be wrong. But maybe we need to spend our time together in the company of others?" She asked.
"I don't think I'd go that far," he stated as his attention was drawn to a noise at the front of the Livery.
"Hello Constable…Ma'am," an attractive young man dressed in red serge stated as three other Mounties approached the back of the Livery leading their horses.
"And you are?" Constable Stanger asked, directing his question to Elizabeth.
Jack stood up from the hay bales, "Hello Eli… Elizabeth, this is Constable Eli Stanger. Eli, this is Miss Thatcher. She is the teacher here."
Constable Stanger tipped his hat as he slipped passed, securing his horse in the stall next to Jack's.
"Eli, what are you doing in town?" Jack asked as Elizabeth sat quietly observing their interaction.
"We've been checking out some things," he replied, glancing over toward Elizabeth, concerned about discussing Mountie business in front of her. We're just passing through, Jack. We'll be leaving in the morning," he advised. "I don't think you've ever met Constables Everett, Beckman, and Gaffney."
"No, I don't believe we have ever crossed paths. Welcome to Hope Valley," Jack responded.
"Nice to meet you sir," the three Constables stated in unison.
"Very nice to meet you, ma'am," Constable Beckman made a point to acknowledge Elizabeth, much to Jack's displeasure.
"Hello, and welcome to Hope Valley. Sorry that you can't stay longer, but I hope you enjoy the time you do have here," she responded. "What are you checking out? Is anything wrong?"
"Elizabeth, you know that Mounties aren't at liberty to discuss things with regular citizens," Jack stated, not realizing at the time how his statement had made her sound like an ordinary person, as opposed to the woman to whom he had pledged his love.
Feeling left out, and realizing that Jack would now be tied up with the visiting Mounties, Elizabeth grabbed her curtain panels, and started for the front of the Livery.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked.
"I told you that I wanted to get these curtains home, and hung over my windows. If I get this done, I think I'll be ready to move in this weekend," she announced, a tone of excitement easily noted.
"May I help you, Ma'am? I'd be happy to carry your package for you," Constable Beckman asked.
Before Elizabeth could muster a response, Jack cut in, "She doesn't need any help."
Elizabeth spun around and glared at Jack… "I think I'm capable of responding on my own, Constable Thornton."
Oh man, I have certainly put my foot in my mouth this time…if only I'd actually put my foot in my mouth, I wouldn't have made that comment… "I mean, she doesn't need any help from you," Jack clarified, directing his response in Constable Beckman's direction.
Elizabeth walked out the side door of the livery, and stood just out of sight, listening to their conversation…
"Jack, I'm impressed…" Eli stated.
"What?" Jack was staring at the livery door as Elizabeth walked away.
Eli laughed as the other Mounties joined in, "Jack, I'm impressed…I didn't think that you'd ever fall for another woman; well, not after that debacle with Rosemary." Eli was poking Jack with his finger, continuing to tease him.
"No, Elizabeth and I are friends. She's nothing like Rosemary, but we're just friends. Now knock it off, and let's get serious…why are you men here?" Jack asked. He knew that what he'd said about Elizabeth was not what was in his heart; he made the statement attempting to keep things professional, and since she was not around, he knew she hadn't heard him.
Elizabeth leaned up against the wall of the livery, holding her curtain panels with one hand, and wiping her eyes with the other. In her head she knew that Jack was simply trying to remain strictly business with the Mounties, but in her heart she knew that she would have told anyone who asked how special he was to her. Why is it so difficult for men to express their emotions? She gathered her curtains, and headed for home.
"Jack, do you remember the Gallagher brothers?" Eli asked.
"Sam and Robert? Yes, I remember them. Do they have something to do with your trip here?" Jack asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. They were being transported to Medicine Hat Prison, and disappeared," Eli stated.
"Disappeared?" Jack asked; his focus was now clearly on the matter at hand.
Eli sat on a hay bale, "Jack, didn't you get a telegram?"
Remembering his contact with Ned Yost, Jack dug into his pocket and pulled out the telegram. He started to open the folded contents…
"Well, it appears to have been an inside job. The Commander isn't giving out any details as he doesn't know right now who he can trust, but since this pertains to you, we think you should have the information that we have available," Eli informed him.
"What do you mean it pertains to me?" Jack inquired.
Eli leaned in and spoke softly, "Don't you remember Sam threatened to get you back after you single handedly took them down?"
Jack furrowed his brow, "That was just talk. Besides, it's been several years ago. I'd imagine that he's forgotten about me by now."
Eli continued, "You'd think he'd have moved on by now, but he's made comments to cellmates that he was going to take you down, or…"
"Or what?" Jack's concern was reaching a heightened level.
"Jack, I'm glad that you aren't involved with anyone; it makes our job easier, because Sam has said that he will take you down, or he'll hurt you by taking out someone you love. I personally don't understand you not falling for the school teacher here. She is gorgeous, but I guess for her, it's a good thing you haven't," Eli commented.
"These other Mounties…do you know them?" Jack asked quietly as Constables Everett, Beckman, and Gaffney were securing their horses.
"I've worked with Everett and Beckman. They came from the Toronto office. Constable Gaffney is from Ottawa, but we've never worked together," Eli replied.
"I've got to go…you can get rooms at the saloon, or bunk in the jail," Jack yelled as he headed for the door…
"Where are you going? Eli yelled, but Jack was out the door without a response.
"Eli, do you know where the hotel is? Or are we going to bunk in the jail?" Constable Everett asked.
"Constable Thornton said that we could bunk at the jail, so let's get the horses settled for the night, go get something to eat, and hit the sack. We have a lot of work to do, and I refuse to let anything happen to Constable Thornton on our watch," Eli remarked as he poured grain into the feed troughs.
Jack took the path they always followed out of town as he headed directly to Elizabeth's. Her house was dark, but the others on either side were lit up and displayed much activity inside. Jack perused the area, looking in the windows, and…
"Excuse me, but what are you doing?" Elizabeth's next door neighbor, Malcolm called out as he held a gun in his hand, not realizing that it was Jack.
Jack turned around, embarrassed to be in this situation, and then shocked to see the gun, "Malcolm, It's me; Jack…put that down before you shoot someone. Have you seen Miss Thatcher?"
Malcolm lowered his weapon, "Oh Constable, you surprised me. No, I haven't seen her, but you can rest assured that after she moves in, we will watch out for her."
"I can see that, and I appreciate your concern for Miss Thatcher, but you need to put the weapon away before you hurt someone," Jack yelled.
Malcolm lost the grip on his gun and it fell to the ground, discharging as the bullet breezed past Jack's leg.
Shocked, Jack grabbed the weapon, "If you don't know how to handle a gun, you shouldn't have one. I'm taking this with me. You come by the jail, and I'll give you lessons on handling it. Once I feel secure that it'll be used properly, I'll consider giving it back to you, but not until then!"
"Thank you for dinner, Abigail. It was perfect as always…" Elizabeth commented as she headed for the back kitchen door. "I'm going out to the row house to drop these curtain panels off and then I'll be back."
"It's getting late; are you sure you can't wait until tomorrow to drop off the curtains? Don't you and Jack have plans?" Abigail asked.
Elizabeth opened the door and stepped outside, as she turned to close the door behind her, she stated, "Friends don't have to see each other every day. If he decides that he'd like to spend some time with me, he knows that he can find me here…that is until this weekend."
She closed the door behind her before Abigail could comment…
"Friends? Oh my, what has he done now?" She thought.
Elizabeth carried her basket containing her curtain panels and a few other items, and headed for her soon-to-be new home. Just as she entered the outskirts of town, she noticed Jack's red serge jacket heading toward her.
Feeling relieved at seeing her safe, Jack ran up, and wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up and pulling her close.
"Constable, what are you doing?" She yelled.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth; I was…wait; Constable? What's wrong Elizabeth? You aren't mad because the Mounties came into town and messed up our dinner plans, are you?" He asked.
"Of course not. I know that your job is unpredictable, and I'm learning to live with that. Besides, friends shouldn't get upset over trivial things like that," she stated coldly.
Jack reached over and took her basket, "May I walk with you?" He asked.
"If you have nothing else you need to do," she replied.
"I see you found her," Malcolm stated as they approached Elizabeth's new home.
"Yes, thank you, Malcolm," Jack replied.
Jack took the key from Elizabeth's hand, and opened the front door…
"What did Malcolm mean, Jack?" She asked.
"I came out here looking for you a little while ago and Malcolm tried to kill me," he stated.
"What?" She gasped.
"He thought I was breaking in, and drew a gun on me. He isn't safe with a weapon; he dropped it and it went off, nearly hit me too," Jack stated as he proceeded to walk around the house checking the security of all the windows, as Elizabeth followed close behind.
Temporarily forgetting her disappointment in Jack, she pushed for information, "Are you hurt? I don't see any blood… were you hit? Why is he still walking around loose? Aren't you going to arrest him?"
Jack stopped, turned around and smiled, "No…no…it was an accident…and no!" He pulled the gun out of his waistband and sat it on the table.
Satisfied that Elizabeth's house was secure, they walked to the front door, Jack took Elizabeth's arm, stopping her forward motion, and gently turned her to face him…
"What is it, Jack?" She asked, again feeling perturbed that he indicated to the visiting Mounties that they were only friends.
"I just thought it might be nice to have a little time alone with you. Is there anything wrong with that?" He asked.
"Certainly not, but I don't think it's appropriate for friends to act so cozy, do you?" She asked as she turned around and headed for the door.
"Elizabeth, what are you talking about? That is the second "Friends" reference you have made. What's going on?" He asked, not yet realizing that she had overheard his conversation with the Mounties.
They stepped out onto the porch; Elizabeth closed the door, and Jack listened intently to hear the lock engage. They sat on the porch for a few moments to talk…
"Jack, I heard what you said to your Mountie comrades. If that's how you feel, that's okay…I would never want you to express anything that wasn't true. But if you do love me, like you've said, I don't appreciate you telling them that we're just friends," she stated as a few errant tears spilled from her eyes.
Jack wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, wiping her tears away with a gentle sweep of his hand. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry… You know how much I love you, but I was just trying to keep things professional. It's no one's business who I love, and as long as you know, that's all that matters to me." Jack leaned in; his lips meeting hers like a perfect puzzle piece.
She had wanted to be angry with him, but she knew that he was right. It was no one else's business how they felt about each other, and although she would gladly tell anyone, she knew that he was a more private person…she needed to respect that about him.
His lips were hungry for hers; the passion growing with each kiss, and both were thankful that it was dark with no one peering upon them… or was there!
Jack took Elizabeth's hand as they started back toward town. A short distance away, he stopped…
"What's wrong," she asked.
"Shh," Jack quieted her as he cautiously looked around.
"Jack, what's wrong…you're scaring me," she stated as she clung to his arm.
"It's nothing, I thought I heard something," Jack calmly remarked as he gently took her hand and they continued on to town.
It was dark, but she felt so safe and secure as she pulled her body closer to him, her head resting on his shoulder.
Several days passed; Elizabeth added the feminine touches that she envisioned in her home, and accepted the offers from several people who stepped up to help her move in. Jack and the Mounties had been called out of town, and he made her promise not to move until he returned. Although she did not plan to spend the night, she did accept several offers from male friends, who gladly helped her move her belongings into her new home.
Elizabeth was sitting on the porch of the café when a strong wind pushed through stirring up the dirt and dust like a summertime snowstorm. Taking cover inside, she looked out the window in time to see the familiar vision in red serge busting through the cloud, followed closely by Constables Everett, Stanger, and Beckman.
As the wind died down, Elizabeth stepped back outside. She walked down the stairs, but as much as she wanted to run to him; to tell him how much she had missed him; to feel his arms around her, she was careful not to embarrass him in front of the other Mounties.
As he approached, her heart pounded at the sight of his smile, the one that he saved only for her. Constables Everett and Beckman continued on to the Livery. Jack stopped at the café to talk to Elizabeth, but their conversation was cut short by the presence of Constable Stanger.
Are you in town for awhile Constable?" She asked, directing her question in Jack's direction.
"No ma'am, we're leaving in the morning," Constable Stanger responded.
"Ah-hem, she was talking to me…" Jack interrupted.
"Oh, sorry ma'am," he replied as he continued on behind the other Mounties toward the livery.
Jack dismounted, looked around, and seeing no one in the street, did what he'd been dreaming of since he last saw her… his lips pressed firmly upon hers as his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her close. "I've missed you, Miss Thatcher," he whispered.
He tied his horse to the post in front of Abigail's and they sat and talked until he observed the Mounties heading from the livery in their direction. "I'll come by later and see you," he stated.
"Well, you'll have to come to the new house, because I've already moved in," she advised.
"You promised that you wouldn't move in until I got back in town," he reminded her.
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Well, unless I'm mistaken, you are home! I moved in the other day with help from some of the townspeople, but I haven't stayed there yet, because I promised that I wouldn't. I'm heading home now, so maybe I'll just see you in the morning?" She asked.
Jack looked disappointed and a little preoccupied…
"Jack…Jack…are you listening to me?" She asked.
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something," he replied.
"Would you care to share your thoughts?" She inquired.
"No, not right now. I want to walk you home. I don't like you being out that far alone. Can you wait for a little while? I promised Mr. Trevoy I'd stop in as soon as I returned. He's had some problems in the saloon that he needed to discuss with me," Jack advised.
"I would, but I promised to tutor Jackson Parker, so I really need to get going. I'll be fine…" she assured him.
"Constable Everett, would you escort Miss Thatcher to her home?" Jack asked the least attractive of the three Mounties.
"Certainly Sir," he replied.
Elizabeth arrived home and stepped inside, truly at home there for the first time, feeling so empowered to be completely on her own. She thanked Constable Everett, and closed and locked the door after he left. Passing the entryway table, she observed Malcolm's gun, still resting where Jack had accidentally left it. She opened the door to call out to Constable Everett, hoping to give it to him, but he was nowhere in sight. She closed the door, locked it securely, and slipped the gun in the drawer before heading into her bedroom.
She sat on her bed, pulled her journal from the table, opened it to the next blank page and began to put her feelings down on paper…
"Independence, just the thought conjures up such feelings of freedom, yet the fear of failure and disappointing others remain. But does being independent mean you consider yourself only, no longer concerning yourself with the wants or needs of others? Compromising is a valuable lesson, hopefully learned at an early age. For when relationships begin, it is like bringing different colors together, hoping beyond hope that they will blend and not contrast. But often times they are bold, and begin at odds with each other; totally opposite and at either end of the spectrum. As we grow, and learn more about each other, the colors soften, blending until you find it hard to tell one from the other. The brightness of one compromises with the pastels of the other; the bold lines of one compliments the softness of the other, and together…a masterpiece develops."
Living alone, Elizabeth was excited to see Jack each morning as he walked her to school, and Jack made certain to be done with his rounds in enough time to walk her home from school. They spent their first evening together planning romantic dinners, each one independently thrilled at the prospect of spending every night together.
Elizabeth's second night in her new home didn't go as well as the one before…
"Jack, I baked a chicken, and I have mashed potatoes, and green… Jack…Jack?" She called out.
"Zzzzzzz," Jack continued snoring softly, as he lay across the sofa. Realizing that he must have had an exhausting day, she covered him with a blanket, and finished cooking dinner. Just as Elizabeth was finishing setting the table, Jack awoke. He stretched, got up from the sofa, and walked into the kitchen. He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, as she plated their food to place on the table. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth…"
"Don't be sorry, Jack. You look exhausted. You sit down, have some dinner, and then you need to go home so you can get a proper night's sleep," she insisted.
Their conversation was minimal, as Jack found it difficult to keep his eyes open…
"Jack, please go home and get some sleep," she begged, as she cleared away the dirty dishes from the table.
"Are you kicking me out?" He asked as he stuck out his bottom lip.
"Never, but I'm worried about you, Jack. Your job is very dangerous, and you need to be rested in order to make those necessary split second decisions," she advised as she took his hand and pulled his toward the door.
Jack leaned in, and pressed his lips to hers; he then broke away slightly and whispered, "There will come a time, Miss Thatcher, when I won't have to leave." He kissed her cheek as he enjoyed the smile that covered her face.
As Jack walked out onto the porch, he waited to hear Elizabeth lock the door behind him.
*Knock, knock, knock…
Elizabeth opened the door, "Jack, as much as I want you to stay, you need rest…"
"Elizabeth, you need to ask "Who is it?" before you answer the door," Jack stated, clearly concerned for her safety.
Elizabeth seemed unconcerned and laughed, "Jack, don't be silly; you had just left… I knew it was you!"
"Elizabeth, I'm farther away from you than I like. I worry about you. Please humor me…" He waited until he heard the lock click on the door, then headed down her steps and back in the direction of the jail.
The following morning, Jack was exhausted, but arrived to walk Elizabeth to school, and went about his rounds as usual. He returned to escort Elizabeth home after school. Though he was tired, he was enjoying his time with her.
Elizabeth observed that Jack seemed rather quiet and preoccupied. They ate dinner, and their conversation was kept at a minimal. Following dinner, they sat on the sofa and talked, most of which came from Elizabeth.
"Jack, you should have seen the boys playing stickball today. If they had a travelling team for that, several of the boys and one of the girls would be perfect. Gabe threw the ball so fast it was like a bullet. Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, Malcolm's gun is in the drawer by the door…" Hey Jack… I was thinking about planting a garden. What vegetables would you like to have?"
"Zzzzzzzz…"
"Jack…Jack… Well, I'm sorry if I'm boring you…"
"What? I've just had a few busy days at work; I'm sorry!" He stated with such a sad face that Elizabeth found it impossible to be angry. "Oh Elizabeth, I'm sorry, but I did hear what you said… By the way, why do you have Malcolm's gun?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth gingerly slipped in next to him on the sofa. She always felt so safe and secure with him, and as he wiggled in sleepily beside her, she ran her finger down the side of his face; the gentleness of her touch awakened him more. He leaned in and the softness of her lips pressed to his ignited a fire within, and she whispered, "I don't remember, and right now, I don't really care…I love you, Jack!"
Several passionate kisses later, they separated slightly, and she nuzzled into that safe spot between his shoulder and neck. He gently rubbed the soft skin on the top of her hand with his fingers.
Elizabeth rested in the comfort of his arms, as she dreamed of the time when night would no longer separate them.
"Zzzzzz…"
"One day Jack…I believe that one day you won't need to go home, because you will be home…here with me," she said softly. "But now, you need to go home and get some sleep. I'm worried about you," she stated as she walked into the kitchen and retrieved his jacket from the back of the chair.
Jack smiled, having heard her declaration, but then his brow furrowed… "I'm worried about you," he whispered.
She walked back to the sofa, brought him his jacket, and encouraged him to leave, hoping that he would take this opportunity to get some rest.
They walked out on the porch; Elizabeth commented on the calmness of the night air, as Jack perused the area.
He took her hands in his, and looked deep into her eyes, "I love you Elizabeth."
"I know Jack, but it is very nice to hear," she replied.
"No, I mean that I really love you," he responded.
"And I really love you too…"
Jack stood on the porch until the door was closed and the lock was engaged. He then headed for his camp, just on the other side of the wood line, where he had been staying for the past several nights watching Elizabeth's home, doing his best to keep her safe.
The next morning, Elizabeth finished her breakfast gathered her basket and started for school. She'd barely reached the street when Jack appeared.
"Good morning," he greeted her with a yawn.
"Didn't you get any sleep?" She asked. "And by the way, when did Mounties allow beard growth? Or is your razor broken?" She teased him, but noticed quickly that he did not get her joke.
"I'll shave when I go back to the jail," he advised as he walked her to school. With no one around, he quickly captured her lips just inside the schoolhouse, "I'll be back early enough to walk you home."
"Jack, what's going on?" She asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Jack, you obviously got up too late to shave this morning, you're exhausted, but you insist on walking me to school. Now I can't leave until you get back to walk me home. What's going on?" She questioned. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me."
"Its Mountie business…" he replied.
"I hate it when you say that," she responded.
Jack walked her to school and then headed back to the jail…
"Where have you been, Jack?" Constable Stanger asked. "I've been here for a few hours with no sign that you even spent the night here. If you aren't involved with the teacher, then who?"
"Okay Eli, stop the kidding. With Sam Gallagher out there, I've been camping on the outskirts of town keeping an eye on Miss Thatcher's place," Jack admitted.
"I knew it. She's a beauty, Jack. Congratulations… Will we be hearing wedding bells any time soon?" Eli asked as he slapped him on the shoulder.
"If I have anything to say about it, you will," Jack advised. "I'll feel better once Sam and Robert are back in custody."
"Then you will be pleased to know that they were apprehended yesterday in Toronto," Eli informed him.
"Toronto…really?" Jack asked. Given that Jack was under the impression that Sam Gallagher was after him, he found that information hard to believe.
"Yes, Sam was taken into custody, and Robert was shot, but I think he'll be okay," Eli stated.
Jack stopped shuffling papers on his desk and looked up, "So, if they are in custody, why are you here?"
"Just passing through; I'm going to Toronto to escort the Gallagher brothers back to Medicine Hat Prison. They shouldn't bother you anymore," He stated as he shook Jack's hand and headed toward the door. "Good luck with your teacher…maybe I'll be that lucky someday."
Jack sat back in his chair, took in a deep breath, and exhaled. He pulled the middle desk drawer out just far enough to see the velvet covered box which contained the beginning of the future that he never dreamed possible. He shaved, changed his clothes, and headed out on his rounds. Before leaving town, he stopped by the mercantile, and sent a telegram to Mountie Headquarters, asking for information on the Gallagher brothers' capture, and the status of Robert's bullet wound.
Elizabeth sat at her desk watching the children complete their math assignments when the door opened, and Pastor Frank stepped inside. He approached her desk and whispered…
"I don't want to concern any of the children, but we have a slight weak spot in the roof, and we need everyone out so it can be repaired," he advised.
"Will we be able to return to class tomorrow?" She asked.
'You should be. We just want to get it fixed, because some rain is moving in, and we want to prevent water damage," he explained.
"I understand… Children, I have some good news for you; Pastor Frank has informed me that some work needs to be done inside our school building, so we will cut our day short. Does anyone object?" She stated with a giggled. Receiving no objections, the children left and she gathered her basket and headed home.
Halfway home, she had the unnerving feeling that someone was watching her. She stopped, and spun around, looking in all directions.
"Is something wrong, Miss Thatcher?" Gabe asked and he and James exited the woods.
Feeling relieved that they must have been the reason for her uneasy feeling, she smiled… "No, just taking in the beauty of this day."
"See you tomorrow," Gabe and James yelled in unison as they ran off.
Elizabeth arrived at her house, went inside, and began cleaning and preparing her dinner for the evening. She was looking forward to spending time with Jack, but couldn't help but hope that he would be interested in doing more than just sleeping.
*Knock, knock, knock…
Elizabeth smiled; she couldn't help but be excited, as her time with Jack was always special. Knowing it was him; she removed her apron, and ran to the door…
"Oh, hello Constable. What can I do for you?" She asked.
To be continued…