Jack came into the bedroom, removing his suspenders and untucking his shirt. "Jane's asleep."

"Good." I winced when Ellie tugged on my hair as she ate, and I gently moved her hand to the edge of my nightgown instead. "Did she give you any trouble?"

"No, but she's still asking to ride Sergeant."

I shook my head and laughed softly. "So stubborn. She just won't let that go."

"Well, I have an idea for how we might be able to placate her for the time being."

"Go on."

"How about I make her a rocking horse?" He continued changing into his pajamas as we talked. "I could even paint it to look like Sergeant."

"That's brilliant, Jack. Much more practical than the idea I had."

"And what idea is that?"

"I was thinking that we could look into getting another horse. Maybe one older and smaller than Sergeant, a little less spirited."

"We could do both. Maybe get a real horse next Christmas as a present for both girls. We have plenty of room in the barn. But I can go ahead and make a rocking horse for Jane in the meantime."

I chuckled. "Jane is going to have high expectations for Christmas presents. We got Chief for her first Christmas, Ellie was born right after her second Christmas, and now we're talking about getting a horse for her third Christmas."

"It'll be her third Christmas already? Where did the time go?"

"Calm down, Jack. It's still over half a year away."

"She's almost two, Elizabeth. She's not a baby anymore."

"She'll always be our baby. Even when she's twenty-five and married to Patrick Coulter."

"Ha ha." He sank down onto the bed beside me, reaching over to touch Ellie's little foot. "She's never getting married. Neither is Ellie."

"I hate to break it to you, Jack, but chances are, they'll both get married someday. They'll meet some nice young men who sweep them off their feet."

"No. No one will be sweeping them off their feet. No one will ever be good enough for my daughters."

I smiled, passing Ellie to him when she finished eating. "I seem to remember that my father didn't initially think you were good enough for me, and I was going to marry you anyway."

"That's completely different."

"Oh really? And how is that different?"

"Because that was you and me. This is our daughters and some nameless men and… it's just different." He got up and put Ellie in the cradle. "How did we get on this topic anyway? I don't want to think about our girls growing up and getting married and leaving us."

I reached for his hand and tugged him back down onto the bed. "That's still a very long way off. They're still our babies." I scooted closer, snuggling up against his chest. "And no matter where they end up, we'll always have each other."

...

"Everyone, please pass your papers to the front, and I'll collect them."

There was a rustling as the students sent their papers toward the front of the room. Jane ran forward and grabbed the stack of papers before I could.

"Mama!" She held them up for me.

"Thank you, sweetheart." I set the papers on my desk and turned back to the children. "Now, before I dismiss you all for lunch, there's something we need to talk about. It's almost May, so you all know what that means."

"Time for the carnival?"

I smiled. "Time for the carnival," I confirmed. "So, we need to decide what sort of games and booths we want to include this year. We can bring back some of the games and booths from the past few years, and we can add some new ones if you'd like. Start thinking of ideas during the lunch break, and we'll make a list when you get back. You're dismissed."

I rang the cowbell and watched them carry their lunch pails outside.

"Jane Elizabeth, stay here."

She stopped in the doorway and turned to face me. "Go play."

"Lunch first, then you can go play." I reached into my basket and pulled out her lunch. "Come eat, Janie."

She toddled over and took a seat on the blanket beside my desk. She stared at the bread and jam I gave her. "Stawbewwy?"

"Yes, it's strawberry jam."

Satisfied with that answer, she started munching away.

I lifted Ellie from the cradle and settled her in to eat. "Janie, what do you think we should do at the carnival? Do you think we should have some games?"

"Horse!" she mumbled through a mouthful of bread.

"Maybe we can have a petting zoo, but no riding horses, Jane Thornton. Should we have a dance, too? You can dance with your dad."

"Ya!" She gave me a jam-covered grin. "Wuv dada."

"Then I will make sure we have a dance."

...

I looked up from the papers I was grading when I heard the door. "You're home early."

Jack hung his hat on the wall. "Just a little. It was a slow day. I missed my girls." He shrugged. "Bill has everything covered in town, anyway."

By the way he wouldn't meet my eyes, I could tell there was something he wasn't saying. I made my way over to him, slipping my arms around his waist.

"Something's on your mind, Jack. I can tell." I brushed my nose against his.

He sighed, leaning his cheek against my hair. "I have to leave."

My heart dropped. It didn't matter how many times he had left before; it never got easier to see him go. "When?"

"Three days."

"For how long?"

"A month. There's another training out east, and they want me to help out again."

"You'll miss the carnival." I leaned into him. "I just promised Jane that we would have a dance at the end so she could dance with you."

"I'm sorry."

"I guess we could move the carnival to another day. I'm sure the children won't mind."

"I hate leaving you."

I tightened my arms around him. "At least it's not forever. You'll be back."

"Right." He kissed the top of my head. "I'll be back."

I pulled back from him slightly, meeting his eyes. "We should do something special with the girls before you go."

"That's a good idea." He pressed his lips to mine softly, slowly. "Speaking of the girls, where are they?"

"They're upstairs napping."

"Mama!" Jane's voice floated down the stairs.

"Well, they were napping." I chuckled.

"I'll get her."

...

Two days later, Jack sat on the floor with Jane, scribbling on sheets of paper. Ellie was lying on her belly a few feet away, occasionally reaching toward her sister. I sat at the desk across the room, grading arithmetic tests.

"What are you drawing, Janie?"

She pointed at the page as she explained it. "Mama. Dada. Nanie. Sissy."

"What's that?" Jack pointed at something on her paper.

"Baby."

He raised his eyebrows. "What baby? You and Ellie are the only babies we have."

"New baby."

He looked over at me. "Does she know something I don't?"

I shook my head. "There are no new babies on the way. I promise. She probably drew that because we saw Faith when we were in town earlier, and she's getting close to having her baby."

He continued to eye me suspiciously.

"I promise, Jack! I would tell you if we were having another baby."

"Okay. We're not having another baby…yet." He smirked.

"For a while," I corrected. "The two we have are more than enough for now. Just go back to drawing."

"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled.

...

That evening, we lay in bed, Jane and Ellie snuggled between us as Jack read to them. Eventually, they both drifted off, lulled to sleep by his soft, even voice. Jack closed the book and placed it on his nightstand.

"I wish I had a photograph of this. I'm going to miss this while I'm gone." He let out a harsh breath and brushed his fingers through Ellie's hair. "And this little one is going to grow so much in the next month, and I'm going to miss it."

"She won't be that different."

"Can we keep them with us tonight?"

"Of course." I reached over and touched his cheek. "I love you, Jack."

When I woke the next morning, Jane was tucked up under my arm. Ellie was behind her, cradled by Jack's pillow.

Jack was across the room by the wardrobe, pulling his shirt over his head.

"Hey."

He turned. "Good morning."

"Do you have to go so early?"

"Unfortunately, yes." He buttoned up his serge as he walked over. "We've been apart before, for far longer. This month will fly by." He leaned down and kissed me, lingering for a bit.

He reached across me and lifted Eleanor from the bed, bringing her to his shoulder. She fussed quietly, obviously unhappy at having been awakened. He hummed softly until she calmed down. He whispered to her, telling her how much he loved her, how much he would miss her. She watched him as he spoke, her eyes scanning his face.

Jane stirred just as he was lowering Ellie into my arms.

"Dada?" She held out her arms, reaching for him.

He gladly picked her up, and she immediately snuggled against his chest. "Hi, Janie. I have to go now, remember?"

"No go, dada."

"I know. You don't want me to go, but I have to. But you'll have so much fun here with mama and Ellie and all your friends."

She started crying. "No dada."

"Oh, Janie." He kissed her cheek, tears filling his own eyes. "I love you, sweetheart. I'll see you soon." He put her on the bed, then reached down to touch my cheek. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Jack. Come back to us."

"I always do." He kissed all of us one more time before heading out the door.

Jane crumpled on the bed, crying out for him. I laid Ellie beside me and pulled Jane into my lap, my heart breaking for her. Even though Jack and I had both reassured her that his absence was only temporary, she wasn't old enough to fully understand what that meant. All she knew was that her dad was gone and not just for the workday.

She eventually cried herself back to sleep, her shuddering breaths slowing down.

By some miracle, I was able to get myself and both girls ready for the day before Jane woke again. When she did, she refused to let me out of her sight. She spent the entire school day either in my arms or holding onto my leg.

I hated seeing her so upset. The only thing that brought even a hint of a smile to her face that day was when she saw Patrick when Rosemary came to pick up Hannah.

That evening, I had the idea to give Jane a photograph of Jack so she would have something to look at when she was missing him. Over the next couple of weeks, she carried that photograph with her everywhere. Even when she slept, she kept it clutched in her little fingers.

...

"Elizabeth."

I smiled at the sound of his voice on the other end of the line. "Jack. Hi. How are you?"

"Good. Everything's going well here. Now, I don't have too long to talk, so tell me how everything is going at home."

"Everything's good. We all miss you. I've been letting the girls sleep in our bed, so that might be a difficult habit to break when you get back." I chuckled. "Hey, Jack? Can you talk to Jane for a bit? She's been a little sad with you gone."

"Of course. Put her on."

I waved Jane over and lifted her into my lap, moving the phone to her ear. "It's your dad, Janie. Can you say hi?" I held the mouthpiece up to her.

She just stared at it, confused. I heard Jack's muffled voice, and her face lit up.

"Dada! Wuv dada!" A grin covered her face as he spoke to her. After a few minutes, she crawled out of my lap and went back to her toys.

"Thank you for that, Jack. I think that helped her a lot."

"I hate that she's been upset."

"She'll be fine. Two more weeks, and you'll be back with us."

"Right where I belong." He sighed. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, too. Stay safe."

"Always."

...

Just as I was leaving the church, Abigail tapped on my shoulder. "Elizabeth, Faith wants us at the infirmary as soon as possible."

"Is everything okay? I noticed she and Carson weren't in service this morning."

"She's having the baby."

"Oh, goodness. Let's go."

"Wait. What about the girls?"

I laughed softly. "Oh, right. I'll see if Rosemary can watch them." I glanced around and found her standing with Lee and their children near the pond. "Rosemary."

"Hi, Elizabeth. How are you?"

"I'm well. I actually came over here to ask if you wouldn't mind watching the girls for a little while. Faith is in labor, so I was going to help out."

"Oh, of course." She took Ellie from me. "We'll keep an eye on them. You just go help Faith."

"Thank you so much." I crouched down in front of Jane. "You're going to go spend some time with Auntie Rosemary and Uncle Lee, okay? You'll get to play with Patrick and Hannah."

"Mama go?"

I nodded. "Yes, I have to go, but just for a little while. I'll be back to get you and your sister soon." I kissed her forehead. "I love you, Janie." I stood back up, smoothing down my skirt. "Thanks again. I'll just pick them up at your house?"

"How about you pick them up at my office?" Lee spoke up. "We'll just stay in town. You shouldn't have to go out of your way."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded.

"Thank you, Lee, Rosemary." I waved at them before hurrying off to catch up with Abigail.

...

"Carson? Faith? It's Abigail and Elizabeth."

Carson's voice came from behind the curtain. "Come on back."

"Hey, how's everything going?"

Faith groaned. "We're not having any more children after this one."

I chuckled. "I'm fairly certain I said the same thing when I was in labor with Jane."

Carson ushered us over to the side of the room, lowering his voice as he spoke. "She's been having contractions since yesterday evening, but I have no idea how close she is. She won't let me check."

"Because she doesn't want to be checked?"

"Because I'm her husband."

"Ah." Abigail and I looked at each other and smiled. "Well, I can check her." Abigail squeezed Carson's hand before going back over to the bed.

I turned to him. "Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't know. I don't…" he trailed off, running his fingers through his hair. "I've helped deliver babies before. I don't know why I feel so lost right now."

I put my hand on his arm. "Because it's your wife having your baby this time. Everything will be just fine." I walked with him over to Faith.

Abigail stepped back. "You're not quite there, but you're very close."

Carson took Faith's hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Like a watermelon is trying to make its way out of me."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could do something to help."

"Oh, you've done enough." She glared at him.

I covered my mouth, stifling a laugh. I remembered having similar thoughts about Jack when I was in the thick of labor.

"Just try to relax. It shouldn't be too long now."

Abigail was right. Within the hour, Faith and Carson welcomed their daughter into the world. Little Margaret Elise Shepherd—Meg, as they called her—was the spitting image of her mother, with bright blue eyes and little wisps of blonde hair.

Abigail and I cleaned up and quietly left the infirmary, leaving the new family to bond.

...

A few days later, I was up in my bedroom, rocking Eleanor to sleep, when I heard the door open downstairs.

"Elizabeth?"

"Jack?" I lowered Ellie into her cradle and hurried down the stairs. "Jack!" I ran to him, but he stopped me before I could hug him.

"Sorry." He put one arm around me. "I'm just a little sore."

"Sore? You got hurt?"

"That's why I'm back a few days early. I'm fine, though."

"What happened?" I helped him out of his jacket, finally noticing the sling holding his arm in place.

"Got hit by a rogue bullet in my shoulder during a training exercise."

"Jack Thornton! You got shot?! Why didn't you call me or send a telegram?"

"It wasn't that bad."

"It wasn't that bad?! You had a bullet in your shoulder!"

"The doctor got the bullet out and stitched me back up. I'll be good as new in no time."

"I just can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"I wasn't trying to hide it from you, Elizabeth. I just didn't want to worry you, so I decided I wouldn't tell you until you could see me for yourself."

"I already worry about you every minute you're gone."

"I'm here now. I'm just fine, still in one piece—mostly." He chuckled.

"Jack, please don't joke about it. You could've been killed! If that bullet was just a few inches over…"

"Hey, hey." He reached up and wiped away the tears that started to roll down my cheeks. "I'm sorry for making a joke. This is a serious thing. But really, Elizabeth, I'm fine. I feel fine, the doctor said I'll be fine. I'll go see Carson tomorrow so he can check how it's healing, okay?"

I nodded, leaning into his chest. "I'm glad you're home."

"I'm glad I'm home, too. Now," he kissed my forehead, "I need to go see our girls."

...

I laid my head on Jack's chest, trying to avoid his injured shoulder. He brushed his fingers through my hair.

"I think I'm going to talk with my superiors."

"About what?"

"These assignments that require me to leave you and the girls for weeks at a time. I don't think I can do those anymore. It broke my heart hearing Jane crying as I walked out that door, and then when I called and you told me she had been having a hard time… I can't do that to her anymore. And walking away from you," he shook his head, "it's too hard."

"What if they tell you that's not an option?"

"Then, I'll quit."

"You can't do that, Jack. Being a Mountie is your calling; you can't walk away from that."

He kissed the top of my head. "My calling is being your husband and being the best father I can be for our girls, and I can't really do that if I keep having to go away. Of course, I'd love to keep my job and be around for you three, but if leaving the Mounties is what I have to do to be here, then I'll do it."

"But Jack, what if—"

"Shh." He put his fingers under my chin, bringing my face to his. "I've made up my mind, and I'm at peace with my decision." He kissed me softly. "Just sleep now. Everything will work out. I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, Jack. Thank you for coming back to us."